Say hello to my little friend

This is currently my favorite contraption of all time.

It's an apple peeler/corer/slicer majig in a slick shade of turquoise.

Ever use one?

It makes me feel all pilgrimish.

Notice how it turns this basic apple into a fun fruit slinky, which is much more a-peeling (ha ha) to toddlers.Meet my other not so little friend, the dehydrator. When these two contraptions come together, they make some sweet cinnamon apple chips that are quite tasty.

Bon Appetit!

Lookout 2023!

Pedestrians, stray animals and automobile drivers alike, consider this your warning.

Probably the worst gift EVER

Yesterday was my Mom's birthday.

Isn't she purty:)

24 years ago I was almost her birthday present. At two weeks late, weighing almost 10 pounds, and providing my mom with the hardest labor of all my siblings, I was probably the worst gift EVER.

For this I am sorry.

Good thing I was such a cute baby.

I've always thought I was the most like my mom out of my siblings, and I think that I owe a lot of my better characteristics to her. Lucky for me I got...

her cute button nose

her voluptuous hips

her thin, long fingers and dainty wrists

her sense of thrift and frugality

her maturity and sense of responsibility

her strive to always be a hard worker

her faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ

her honesty and kindness

her endless creativity

her giving heart

and of course her coined phrases like:

Time to "hit the hay."

Make sure to go to bed at a "decent hour."

Don't make me hit you with a"wet noodle."

Make sure to "brush your choppers."

Put on your "night gown."

Don't make me get out my "wooden spoon."

Make sure to come home before the "bewitching hour."

I am so grateful for my Mom and the wonderful example she has always been to me.

I hope to become more like her each day.

Happy Birthday Mom!

24

I'm sure you've been wondering all week.

My 24th Birthday was AWESOME!

I've decided to document it Jack Bauer style so that you can understand how awesome it was.

BEEP, BEEP, BEEP, BEEP, BEEP, BEEP

BEEPIDY-BEEP BEEP.

THE FOLLOWING TAKES PLACE BETWEEN 10:00A.M. and 11:00A.M.

The girls and I meet up with friends at the park and go for a walk, followed by some playing at the playground. Definitely a great way to start the day.

Guess who loves to pose for the camera?

THE FOLLOWING TAKES PLACE BETWEEN 12:00P.M. AND 1:00P.M.

Free birthday lunch at Joe's Real BBQ? I'm so there.

A hearty side of mac n' cheese is sure to please.

THE FOLLOWING TAKES PLACE BETWEEN 1:00P.M. AND 2:00P.M.

My awesome MIL, Shirley, takes us to Target so I can pick out some books, not to mention the 4th season of Lost. Awesome.

THE FOLLOWING TAKES PLACE BETWEEN 3:00P.M. AND 4:00P.M.

Toddler-free, I head off to near bye AZ Mills to kill some time. I have a Forever 21 gift card so I thought I'd go take a look see. Bad idea. The store is totally ghetto-fied and the dressing room attendant has pink hair and zero social skills. For some reason this offends me and I am tempted to send an e-mail, but alas, there is no time.

THE FOLLOWING TAKES PLACE BETWEEN 4:00P.M. AND 5:00P.M.

Next, I'm off to my hour massage with Denise. She always does an awesome job, and isn't afraid of cellulital areas..... if you have any.

THE FOLLOWING TAKES PLACE BETWEEN 6:00P.M. AND 7:00P.M.

Presents for me? You shouldn't have!

I hope you saw my list:)

They make skinny jeans in my size?
Membership to 24 hour Fitness!

Goodbye Relief Society Arms, hello Kelly Ripa!

Scored a serious glue gun. Cha-ching!
I didn't get pictures of all my gifts but they were all wonderful. I even got a few comments on my blog and facebook, a few texts and e-mails and some goodies from friends. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

THE FOLLOWING TAKES PLACE BETWEEN 7:00P.M. AND 8:00P.M.

Cafe Rio dinner it is. Pork Salad will do.
NOM, NOm NOm, nummy.

Note to self: Cafe Rio milk is not safe for toddlers. Note to self: Neck meat is not photogenic.

Shirley made a delicious lemon bundt cake for dessert. It was delish! Definatley the perfect meal.

THE FOLLOWING TAKES PLACE BETWEEN 9:00P.M. AND 10:00P.M.

With girls in bed, Kevin and I are able to relax and watch 24 on none other than my 24th Birthday:)

The End.

Thanks to everyone who made my birthday so special:)

Valentines Day

My Valentines Day began at 5am as I was dry heaving over our bathroom toilet. No, I am not prego, but thanks for asking. It is times like these when I wish I was good at throwing up, but unfortunately I am not that talented. With all our plans for the day, I was determined not to let a stomach bug get in the way.

So, we were off to the Two Sisters-One Heart Fundraiser in Queen Creek. It was exciting to see so many people there. We barely made it in time to do the 3k Fun Run, which was more of a walk then a run. About half way to the finish line we got to see Emma and Taylor, who also took part in the race.

21.25 minutes is nothing to brag about, but we did finish before the Jamba Juice Banana. Just past the finish line they had several small memorials for other conjoined twin girls who had passed away. I noticed that most didn't live past their first day of life. Some lived for 30 minutes, while others died during birth. It was yet another reminder to me of how blessed I am to have my girls. At that moment I forgot about my stretch marks, forgave my frowny-face belly button.... and I was just....grateful, really grateful.

We got balloons for the girls and headed off to the petting zoo. Brooke wasn't too sure about the animals, but Brenna loved them and was fixated on giving each animal a thorough grooming.

She groomed the cow.
She groomed the pig.

She even groomed the chickens!

This girl is thorough, just like her mum:)

Lastly, she gave the goat a deep tissue massage.

After we had taken in all the sights and sounds that my stomach could handle, we loaded up the car and began the long voyage back to the valley. A Sonic grilled cheese and a few tots later and the girls were out.

The ride home was pretty quiet other than the incessant gurgling of my angry innards. About halfway home Kevin looked at me and said "I think one of the girls has the toots." I just smiled and was once again grateful for those girls.

Later that evening we dropped the girls off at my MIL's and headed to Red Robin for a romantic dinner. We treated ourselves to some Angel Sweet Gelato and watched Lost until we fell asleep.

Now that's my kind of Valentines.

I am Boring

You Are a Philosopher

AKA You are boring. You're incredibly introverted and introspective. You live inside your head. You spend a lot of alone time meditating and thinking. People see you as withdrawn, and at times they are right. You are caring and deep, but it may be difficult for you to show this side of yourself. Your strength: Your original approach to thinking Your weakness: You tend to shy away from others Your power color: Pale blue Your power symbol: Wavy line Your power month: July

What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

Goodbye Free Pizza

Did I disappoint you or let you down?

Should I be feeling guilty that you're not around?

'Cause I saw the end before we'd begun,

At Papa Johns, free pizza won.

...

So I took what's mine and thought it right.

to eat your crust on several nights.

It may be over but I won't say,

we'd be together if I didn't have to pay.

...

You touched my plate you touched my bowl.

You changed my life and weight loss goals.

Six Cheese is better and I knew that when,

My tastebuds were captivated by you.

...

I ate your cheese and veggies too.

No meats for me and hold the shrooms.

I know you well, I know your smell.

I've been addicted to you.

Goodbye free pizza.

Goodbye my friend.

You have been the one.

You have been the one for me.

(This song was just too perfect, I couldn't help it! Feel free to listen to the original James Blunt song, while viewing for a more emotional experience.)

This Is My Grown Up Birthday List

With only 5 days left, I figured you'd be asking.

1. A serious glue gun

This one looks heavy duty.

2. Gift Cards to all the places that keep me feeling young and hip

yet awkward when pushing a double stroller.

3. A gun safe

because a sketchers shoe box just won't do.

4. Biosilk Hair Serum

for frizz control.



5. Socks

Preferably not these ones.



6. A step and some cardio DVDs


because I'm staying indoors come summertime.



7. A pocket Edward


for protection of course...if I can't open the safe.



8. A tad more bling on my ring

Kevin says, by the time we can afford it I won't want an upgrade anymore.

We'll see...



9. Some good books to read

Where to turn after Twilight?

10. A new shower head

The more settings the better.

11. A Makeover

Hugo

or Faith?

I can't decide.

12. A comment from you:)