Turkey X 3

We made 3 rounds for Thanksgiving this year, just thinking about it makes my stomach bulge a little. We went to my Mom's and In-Law's on Thursday and then my Dad's on Friday. Needless to say we got our fill of food, fun and holiday merriment.

Each Thanksgiving feast lived up to its name.

1. A large, elaborately prepared meal, usually for many persons and often accompanied by entertainment; a banquet.

"Often accompanied with a good pair of stretchy pants," is what it should say.

I opted out on the green beans last minute and microwaved made corn instead. The pumpkin cake was a success so yay for that:) Entertainment consisted of rides in a mop bucket, making animal faces, singing songs, dodge ball and a game of Taboo.

(guess which animals we are)

It was enough to produce two sleepy toddlers by 730 pm, now that's a record!

We had a very fun weekend and enjoyed spending time with family and friends:)

Tag Slacker

I've been tagged a time or two and haven't responded, please forgive me while I try to catch up:) I can thank Autie for this one.

4 random things I love about Kevin:

-He mopped the filthy kitchen floor last week while I lazily perused the Internet.
-He is an awesome Dad and is always so excited to see the girls even after a long day at work.
-He is very laid back and doesn't freak out about things, the opposite of me pretty much:)
-He thinks my weird facial expressions are cute, or at least he says they are.

4 jobs I've had:

-Soda Jerk at 5 & Diner (made shakes/malts/weird egg cream drinks etc.etc.)
-Hostess and a Curbside Takeaway Server at Outback Steakhouse (curbside still means a tip people)
-Receptionist at a Contracting Company
-Orthodontic Assistant (please brush before ortho appointments, it's common courtesy)

4 movies I've seen more than once:

-Labyrinth (practically have it memorized, sad)
-Heavyweights
-Napoleon Dynamite
-Willow

4 TV shows i watch:

-The Biggest Loser (Vicki is evil)
-Grey's Anatomy
-17 kids and Counting
-The Office


4 places I've been:

-Niagara Falls
-The Grand Canyon
-Catalina Island
-Rocky Point


4 favorite foods:

- Turkey Subs
- Chicken Enchiladas
- Homemade Tamales
- Pork Taco from Cafe Rio

4 places i would like to visit:

-Hawaii
-Nauvoo
-San Fransisco
-New York City

I tag anyone who hasn't already done this one, you know who you are:)

A Weenie Roast and Watermelon

We roasted some hot dogs Saturday evening at my sister's house. They have a beautiful backyard with luscious green grass, citrus trees, and a cement block that is perfect for a fire pit and a late night weenie roast. The hot dogs were pretty tasty.

The girls, however, were much more interested in their slices of watermelon....

which proved to be quite messy.....

and brought out their "Smeagel side" as their fruit became "precious" to them.

They became so infatuated in fact, that when they were finished eating the red, they moved on to the green rind without a complaint.....

until mom had to take them away and replace them with a new slice.
It was a hard bargain but they soon realized....

it was better that way.

Kissin' Cuties

Up to this point in their lives, I often wonder how the girls perceive one another. What is it like to grow and develop around

another person who looks and sounds exactly like you?

From my point of view, as the Dad, it seems that they view each other as a threat to their most treasured resources...food, juice, toys, affection from mommy, or any tangible object the other has at the moment. As a result, they have often engaged in biting, crying, hair pulling, pushing, and all sorts of mischief to show their displeasure for the other. So it's nice to finally see them start to enjoy each other's company, have fun, and laugh together.

Twilight Checklist

One ticket to see Twilight on opening night.

$10.00
_____________________

One brown wig and several bandaids to help me feel dark, delicate and completely helpless.

$27.48

_____________

One set of plastic vampire fangs to scare off anyone who dares to cut me and my friends in line.

$1.39

_________________________

Camera to take pictures of the crazies (and by that I don't mean my friends and I).

$88.00

__________________________

One brown paper bag in case of hyperventilation.

$0.05

_________________________

Mini battery operated fan with cool mist option in case of sudden hot flashes.

$14.99

_______________________

Friends who won't judge me.

$$ PRICELESS! $$

How is your list coming along?

Family Pictures

Our family got together earlier this month to have some pictures taken. Jo, who took our family photos back in May did this photo shoot as well. Once again she did an awesome job and we really love how they turned out. Here is her photoblog if you would like to take a peek, her talent never ceases to amaze me. Enjoy:)

My Mom with all of her grand kids.

Me and all of my siblings. Aimee, Anthony, Sarah and Christina.
(I'm the 4th of 5)Sarah, Brad, Ethan and Bryant.

Anthony, Robyn and baby on the way.

Aimee, Joslyn and Lexy.

We're Learning

It's been 14 months, 1 week and 2 days since the girls were born. You'd think we would know a lot about kids by now, but all I can say is we are learning as we go.

We're learning that they are no longer "safe" on the patio as they can squeeze through the gate and then through our neighbors in about 60 seconds.

We're learning that playing in the sprinklers and sampling mud sometimes comes before grocery shopping and other important errands.

We're learning that baths are more of a necessity now than ever before and are sometimes needed more than once a day.

We're learning that small things like laundry can overwhelm us if we miss a load or two, but it will get done........... eventually.

We're learning that while my womb allowed me to do amazing things like carry 2 babies at once, I'm on my own now and my one set of arms will sometimes fall short.

We're learning that sharing doesn't come naturally for toddlers. It not only disgusts them but also causes negative reactions such as crying, hair pulling, hitting and biting.

We're learning that they DO grow up fast, and that soon enough they will be off to school.....college.....missions......married..... and out of the nest.

And so...........

We're learning

to enjoy them for who they are and what they can do today, to make the most of the difficult times and move on, to not sweat the "small stuff," to look forward to those late night wakings when one doesn't have to share me and my one set of arms is just enough, to take a kazillion pictures in an attempt to capture their every changing form, and to realize how truly blessed we are to have them in our life.

Kevin's Masterpiece

Kevin was able to put his artistic talent to work yesterday. He painted this awesome holiday ad in the windows at Papa John's. Doesn't it make you want a large 1 topping pizza for $7.99? Bravo!

5 Reasons

Why I already ♥ November

1. An electricity bill under $100.

2. The Luscious Four-layer Pumpkin Cake I'm making for Thanksgiving #2, that will show my true Martha potential.

(click on the name for the recipe)

3. Finally being able to confirm that which we have only been able to assume from the previews....Any one of us would have made a much better Bella, and would have asked for much less moo-lah.

4. Our home being warmed by bread baking in the oven.

(here's the recipe I tried this week)

5. Slivers of green winter grass breaking through a bald lawn.

A Recipe for Success

Ingredients:

1 cup chocolate milk
1 unbiased hand to hold the cup of chocolate milk

2 straws

2 chocolate loving toddlers

Combine and Enjoy!

That is until one of the chocolate loving toddlers figures out that 2 straws

is better than 1.

The question on everyone's mind

How many minis = a full size candy bar???

I'm having the hardest time figuring this one out.

Does this look about right???
(don't be deceived by the large wrapper size, the candies tend to be much smaller)

Ya, looked a little skimpy to me too, but what if I use some Reese's as filler?

Gotta say it's pretty close!

(Should I throw in a few of those Utah Truffles just to cap off the ends? Garsh this is hard!)

Yet again, another one of life's mysteries has got me in a pickle.