B+C+B+C+B

Their first hacking competition

2012-02-13T21:40:00.000-08:00

Leave the ee out of the ool.

2012-02-13T17:47:00.001-08:00

Brianna received this lovely belated bday card from Cougar today. It features an obese baby saying, "In honor of your birthday I didn't pee in the pool." Brianna didn't quite get it. All she wanted to know why there wasn't any money in there for her.

I fried.

2012-02-13T17:42:00.001-08:00

Is it weird that I'm 27 yrs old and I have never ever fried anything myself? I've just never even thought about it. But today when I read the instructions on the back of the falafel package and saw the option of frying in evoo, something inside of me said DO IT! in a naughty voice. So I obeyed. Brian came home during the oil bath and had a minor cardiac infarction. To be honest - they were just ok. I mean, I'd rather save my calories for copious amounts of carbohydrates, but it felt good to be a little rebellious today.

Valentiney

2012-02-12T11:05:00.000-08:00

This is the card I sent to my parents - with a free code from TinyPrints. I love that site - they have great designs and a super friendly customer service.

Premature

2012-02-11T11:28:00.001-08:00

Thought it might be ok to try a park trip. Thought it wasn't too cold. I thought wrong. Fifteen minutes and they were all red and purpley (but of course would've stayed there all day despite the temp. Kids are suicidal like that).

Nightnight books

2012-02-11T11:23:00.000-08:00

Brianna was thrilled to receive all these books in the mail from her Grandma McKell. Hopefully we can use them to break Brianna's bad habit of watching a movie to fall asleep. There's my bad mom confession for today.

Beary cool prize

2012-02-11T11:20:00.000-08:00

I won this giant valentine bear for placing second at a 5k in Bountiful this morning (19:57 - the winner beat me in 19:54. It was sad. She got a stuffed moose that was even bigger than my bear). Brianna now thinks I'm the coolest person ever because I brought her home a generic medal, tech shirt (I get the kids size instead of my own, because I really don't need my 743rd race shirt) race snacks, and the bear. She says she wants to do races too. Hearing that makes me happier than all the giant bears in the world.

*Sunday night edit: so the kids were totally disenchanted by the giant bear after a short time. And I really don't need more "stuff" in my home. So I took it to Walmart since there was a tag still attached on it. Amazingly, they took it and gave me a gift card! Score! So I bought diapers with it. Because I'm wild and crazy like that.

Twinzzzzz

2012-02-10T16:21:00.000-08:00

I take a photo like this almost every day. I never get tired of staring at them sleeping on my lap.

Is it Spring yet?!

2012-02-10T16:18:00.001-08:00

On cold winter days when a mom wants to get out of the house, the first place most think of is McDonalds playland or some other free indoor arena. But we've discovered that the rows of spinning office chairs at Office Depot offer just as much fun, without all the nasty germs and wild ruffians at the fast food places.

SO glad she doesn't want Barbies.

2012-02-10T16:06:00.001-08:00

I asked her what she wanted for her birthday. She said BALLOONS! So she got some. I hope she's always this easy to please for her birthday.

Who says there's no diversity in Utah...!

2012-02-08T13:00:00.001-08:00

Double bath

2012-02-08T12:58:00.000-08:00

Not because there's two of them... but because they often take two baths each day.

And I'm not really a clean freak type at all- they just get so messy there's no point in trying to clean them up any other way. So they hang out here a lot. Occasionally, like today, bath time had an abrupt ending when one forgot he was in the tub, not on the toilet. Yeah. Ew.

Stair Mastering

2012-02-08T12:32:00.001-08:00

Saving her money

2012-02-08T12:27:00.001-08:00

Temp

2012-02-08T10:41:00.000-08:00

PEOPLE -
Temporal Artery thermometers are SO worth it! Expensive, but super easy and accurate. Love it.
(thank you mom!)

Blurry matching twins

2012-02-08T10:40:00.001-08:00

You may think- why post a blurry picture?! But seriously- this is an amazingly AWESOME picture, simply because they're all smiling at the camera at the same time!

And yes - matching outfits for the babies. Not an easy feat for boy-girl twins, but I think it's gender neutral clothing that works. What's the point of having twins if you can't have fun dressing them in matching clothes?!

My FOUR year old!

2012-02-07T23:44:00.000-08:00

The problem with having children is that now there are TWO days every year that make me feel old - MY birthday, and THEIR birthday... because saying things like "my four-year-old daughter...." make me realize I'm aging. Which is basically like dying. We're all DYING SLOWLY, and birthdays REMIND ME of that!Great way to start off Brianna's birthday post, I know. But thankfully, she thinks it's AWESOME we're both getting so old! Brianna reminds me quite often that she's a big girl now - "...as big as BOUNTIFUL!" as she put it today.She's a fun, smart, sassy, sweet girl. I'm so grateful for my Brianna.

Some formal pictures. Somehow I feel obligated to get photos like this done of my children, though I really don't prefer this type. She's only smiling because I'm dancing around behind the photographer with a monkey on my head.

Her "cake" I ordered from LearningResources.com (got a Plum District deal for it , so it ended up being almost free). It's fun - she gets to decorate her cake and trace letters on it and do the candles.... lots of sugar-free fun!

We're really looking forward to her party coming up. Lots of friends coming, and I've made it very low-key and stress-free for myself. It's so fun seeing her little face light up as we work on the plans together. And I'm happy because we're keeping the party expectations low as long as we can... because I'm sure in a few years she'll be demanding pony rides and bounce houses.

Inside the box(es)

2012-02-06T22:43:00.000-08:00

one and one half years old.

2012-02-05T18:56:00.000-08:00

18 months is kindof a big milestone right? They officially get to start going to Nursery at church (hooray!) What else happens...hmmm... oh yeah, I write a long detailed update on every facet of their little lives. Which will sound like an update on the majority of 18 month old kids, because they're wonderfully average little toddlers. I'll try to make it a little more interesting.
Here we go.

ANIMAL SOUNDS
The most important skill for toddlers to learn, of course. Totally going to be part of their college entrance exams. Courtney and Bennett are quite proficient doing dog, cat, monkey, lion, snake, duck, skunk (PU!), and hyena (laughing).

BODY PARTS
They love to point out their toes, bellies, heads, hair, eyes, bum, knees, feet, ears, tongue, teeth.
While we're talking bodies - Bennett is definitely more solid and thick, while Courtney is much more petite and almost bony. People often comment on how light she is and how heavy he is. Which is completely odd, because they're only about a pound apart - Bennett heavier, but Courtney slightly taller. They have different walks/strides - I can tell them apart just by the different sounds of their pitter-patter down the hall, no joke.

TEETH
They've both got a complete mouthful, minus the 2 and 6 yr molars of course. They both (usually) LOVE to have their teeth brushed, but only with the kiddie electric toothbrush and Tom's Naturals Strawberry toothpaste. Very picky with their dental hygiene choices.

TALKING
Their vocabulary words that I can clearly distinguish from blabblahgagagoodoo are dog, shoe, dadda, mama, apple, juice, go, no, mine, me, I do, I see you (in response to PEEKABOO!), hi, bye, up, HOT, Amen, with more added almost every day!

PHYSIOLOGIC DEVELOPMENT
They love to run. Especially AWAY from me when I'm playing chase with them, and to my frustration - when I'm NOT playing chase with them! They're very advanced jumpers for their age, thanks to the past 6 months of having a mini trampoline with a bar to hold. Now they jump solo on the beds. Which leads to head injuries. Really glad I got that trampoline.

SLEEPING
Can you believe it.... they still wake up a few times each night! Can't figure out why... oh, maybe because I reinforce the behavior by immediately and consistently responding to them thus rewarding their night wakings. But obviously, I don't care, or I'd have done something about it by now. Brian and I are used to it. It's now been almost 2 years since I've slept for 8 hrs straight. I'm not being facetious when I say sleep is overrated. I've been functioning just fine without it for a long time now (or so I think?!) At least the babies take a 2-3 hr nap every afternoon consistently, together in the same darkened room in separate cribs. They have matching brown ruffly blankies they cling to, then fling out at the end of their naps, as if freeing their precious blankies from the crib prisons.

EATING
Quite often I find myself thinking or saying, "[Courtney or Bennett] is the better eater." Then invariably they switch. So as of today, Courtney is the better eater. She was eating carrots dipped in hummus and greek yogurt with me, while Bennett just wanted crackers. She likes milk from a sippy cup better - he prefers diluted juice (so diluted it should be called flavored water instead). They have their own high chairs, but only use them about half the time. We make picnics on the floor often. So much easier. How lazy am I, I know. But that's how we roll. Both will try anything they see their parents eating. Of course they prefer sweet stuff (who doesn't?!) so my goal is to get them eating as much non-sweet stuff as possible. They'll thank me later when they're not sugar addicts like their mom.

NURSING
Yep. Still. Quite often in fact - maybe 5x/day. Always tandem (one freaks out if she/he sees the other nursing. It's actually really funny). I have some friends reading this and saying, "well of course they're still nursing. Why would you even use the word still? They're YEARS away from weaning!" And others reading this thinking, "Whhaaaaatt? You WEIRDO." I could site all the research on how beneficial breastfeeding still is for them nutritionally, developmentally, emotionally, and how the W.H.O. recommends at least TWO years of breastfeeding.... but really, even if all that was bogus... this just works for our family. It feels just as normal as it did from day one.

CAR RIDING
This deserved it's own heading, since it's something they do every single day. Usually just short rides - 5 minutes to the gym, and an errand or two on the way home. They either passively tolerate being strapped in, or loudly protest. Thinking about switching to forward-facing seats soon. I know I should wait until they're 2, but it's getting cramped. Though it's comforting to know they're much safer facing backwards (or so we're told?). I often give them sippy cup and/or snacks while they're in their seats. Thus we have disgusting messes all over the car from that.

MISC
They're good at folding their arms and bowing their heads for prayer. For 3 seconds. Hoping to work up to 9 or 10 by the time they're 2. They love mimicking tongue clicks. They love when I throw a blanket over their heads and say, "where did Bennett/Courtney go?!?!" THEY CLIMB EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE CONSTANTLY. Not safe. Not safe at all. They give me big huge cheesy smiles when I ask for it, or when the camera comes out (usually. Or they run away, or ignore me). They love showers. They love when Daddy comes home. They love using mommy as a jungle gym.

And I'll stop now, though I could go on and on. I worry that I don't do a good enough job documenting their lives... I mean, I have hundreds (thousands?) of pictures of them, and dozens of short videos of them on YouTube... yet I still feel like I'm missing precious moments that I'll never remember unless it's immortalized on the www. I have to remind myself that I have all of like 2 picture of myself as a toddler... and I don't really care. So maybe B&C will be happy enough with this.

Men in Ties

2012-02-05T15:16:00.001-08:00

Crying Courtney

2012-02-05T13:07:00.000-08:00

Caption: "You KILLED a big kitty to make me this dress?!!?!"

Post bath.

2012-02-04T19:09:00.001-08:00

One of my favorite parts of our day (of course, near the END): Wrapping up the babies in their towels. They get ridiculously cute - giggling, poking each other or themselves, giving me big cheesy smiles and letting me cradle-hold them close all swaddled up... Such sweet antics in an effort to tempt me not make them go to sleep. It never works of course. I love putting them to bed. My couple hours of discretionary time at night are priceless. Of course I use up part of it blogging about how much I love my evening free time, which kinda defeats the purpose...

Basket case

2012-02-03T18:55:00.000-08:00

It's been one of those days where I just have made no progress. I've barely been able to keep everyone alive and put out fires. Messes from days ago are still out, making it so I can't turn my eyes anywhere without seeing something I need to clean up. I feel like I have my hands in SO MANY different projects and pursuits. I can't focus on one thing for more than a few moments. I don't just have my plate full, I've gone back for seconds and that plate is full too.
And here Courtney is, MOCKING me.

....Yummy

2012-02-02T10:53:00.000-08:00

Ketchup sandwich anyone?

Curse you Rapunzel

2012-02-01T19:55:00.001-08:00

It seems like almost every kid has a sad episode with scissors and self-hair styling efforts. Until now, I thought we had been spared from a child with that fetish.
Brianna finally got to watch that Tangled movie. Cute, funny, sassy... We both liked it. Unfortunately Brianna liked it too much and thought it would be a good idea to CUT her OWN hair.
I caught her before she did too much damage, thank goodness. She has now lost her scissor privileges until she's 18.

Keeping herself busy

2012-02-01T12:47:00.001-08:00

Proof the economy is improving: Extravagant company parties

2012-01-28T19:38:00.001-08:00

With our newlywed friends, the Holts.

The Enterprise party was super fun! Fancyschmany dinner at the Radisson, corporate schmoozing, wild dancing with drunken overworked employees, and enough adult conversation to hold me over for weeks! I was sad we didn't win any of the awesome raffle prizes, despite my best attempts to stealthy acquire extra tickets, but that's ok. We got a fabulous date night. My cousin did a great job babysitting (and I LOVE that she's 16 now and can drive herself!! :) She said the kids went to bed easily then she watched TV and played on her phone for the next 4 hours! I hope Enterprise gets back to doing these big parties every year. So I have an excuse to get my hair done and buy a new dress and hire a babysitter...

Bennett's Pool Pout

2012-01-28T17:02:00.001-08:00

Somehow between my morning race, Saturday errands, and ERAC party prep, we made it to our friend's birthday party. They rented out the Rec center for it - love friends like that! Swimming is probably B&C&B's most favorite activity in the world. But instead of posting all their happy-faced frolicking pictures, I'm posting this one. Bennett fell down and pretended he was hurt. He wasn't. He just pouted. And I love his pout face.

2012-01-28T15:53:00.001-08:00

Hair done for the ERAC party!

SnowBum

2012-01-28T12:34:00.000-08:00

We all agreed this snowman is obviously homeless and in need of a shower.
Or we just live in a valley with terrible air quality. And grass that comes up easily. And neighbors that don't clean up after their dogs.

And the early racing seasons begins...

2012-01-28T10:00:00.001-08:00

Isn't this place crazy looking?! I think it used to be casino.
5K at Great Saltair this morning - so fun! Great weather, good course. I was 4th with 19:54. Hoping to have a good 2012 racing season! It might be helpful if I started actually running more than once a week... and sleeping more....Maybe I'll wait til 2013 to get back to racing.

Sleepy

2012-01-27T11:50:00.001-08:00

I know everyone posts these kinds of pictures... In fact there's probably something very wrong with you if you don't have a picture of your husband asleep on the couch holding your baby.

QT

2012-01-27T11:47:00.001-08:00

We're all about quality time here.

Entertaining themselves

2012-01-26T16:43:00.001-08:00

Cardboard box + hardwood floor + Courtney = Fun for Brianna

Brianna's Wedding Plans

2012-01-25T16:40:00.000-08:00

"Can we buy this dress for when the boy asks me to get married?"

Don't you love Reverse Camera?

2012-01-24T16:51:00.000-08:00

I find a LOT of pictures like this on my phone (like hundreds sometimes, no joke):

Kinda hard for Brianna to deny she was playing with my phone when I have evidence like this.

Black Eyed Beans

2012-01-23T16:41:00.000-08:00

She loves black beans. She loves brown rice. She doesn't love her purple bruise under her eye.

Morning Breakfast Picnic

2012-01-22T16:41:00.000-08:00

Normal people do this.

Brianna the budding artist

2012-01-21T16:48:00.000-08:00

I'm actually reallyreally proud of this drawing- its her first attempt at people!
She wanted to draw a picture of GreatGrandma Smith before we visited her on Sunday.
Grandma was thrilled, and said it was very accurate- a skinny body with a large bum.

A picture I probably shouldn't blog.

2012-01-20T16:42:00.000-08:00

Brian misses Hawaii. A lot. Too much.

The Great Northwest Holiday Adventures - the full scoop.

2012-01-16T13:46:00.000-08:00

I did a few random posts about our holiday vacation adventures... little blurbs sent from my phone.... but here's the rest (because nothing's more exciting than reading other's travelogues, right?!) In no organized order at all (cuz that takes too long), here they are:

The babies loved the loft. All day. Everyday. This is where we hung out.

Saturday was our SKI TRIP on Mt. Spokane - LOVED IT! So much fun. I was pretty rusty - I've had to skip the last few seasons cuz of babies, but I got the groove back by the end. Meaning I finally stopped snow plowing down the bunny hill. Dad actually asked me if I was expecting, since I was going so slow. Slightly offensive - do I LOOK pregnant? Don't answer that. =P Seriously though - gorgeous weather, short lines, and hot cider at the very top in that cute Vista Cabin. Awesome day. Dad's BF Dale came along too. They made me go down a few black diamond runs, and I pretended I wasn't praying for my life all the way down.

Kindof blurry, but I'm lucky I got a picture of these two standing still at all! Lily and Brianna were best cousin friends. Though they're about 18 months apart, they played so well together - Brianna naming the game, and Lily happily following suite. They did tea parties, dolls, dress up, and ate off the floor together. Wish we had Lily around more! She would fit in great with our little troop.

We hit up Costa Vida a few times for dinner. Our friend Matt Turnidge owns it, so we like to support his business. It was great to see him! Such a nice guy. My kids did ok there. No permanent damage. But restaurants and lots of small people is never ever a good mix. Mom and I both had fish tacos. It might have been mom's last fish taco, because she spent the next 48 hours in bed and the bathroom. Poor mom - she had to say goodbye to us Sunday morning in a weak whisper. Food poisoning is a nastynasty thing. And I don't blame the taco. Support Costa Vida! :)

Brianna went to her first movie in a theater! I know she's a little old for it to be her first - I'm sure she could've handled it a year ago or so... but hellloooo - Redbox movies are a dollar. Of course my family doesn't care about things like that, so she got to go with Mom and Cougar to the theater. And oddly enough - not even a cartoon! The "We Bought A Zoo" movie. She loved it! And she LOVES her big cousin Cougar! He loves her too... or at least tolerates her much better now.

I title this collage, "View From My Nostalgia Run." I did a 9.5-mile loop and hit up my favorite old trails and paths. Made me so happy. The powerline trail is the best. The only thing that makes it better now is running with my iPhone and the "RunKeeper" app. So cool.

I just had to post this - Bennett's starting a new fashion trend.

Oh. Another skiing collage. Whoops. We must've had a really good time!

I went to the movies with these lovely ladies. It's the first time my dear friend Melody has had all her girls in Spokane! I won't admit which movie we saw. Hint: very few men in the theater for it! Maria is kinda the odd one out, eh? Four short pretty blonds, then BOOM. Tall gorgeous darkie. Poor super model.

After a few days of Mom doing 3 gourmet fabulous meals each day, I left guilty for not helping out more. So I whipped up a homemade pizza - from wheat in their food storage I ground up in the Vitamix, then made into dough in the bread machine. Half veggie toppings, half meat. BOOYAH.

Photos at Red Robin for Coug's 7th bday. I love Bennett's expression, top left - he's almost smiling. And poor Brianna doesn't realize she's about to have the traumatizing experience of being accidentally LEFT at this restaurant when her parents leave in separate cars. I don't wanna think about that one again. [shuddering] Happy birthday Cougie!

Fridge escapades.

I reallyreally loved reuniting with my old BF after nearly 7 years apart! I figured since I never made it out to her wedding in 2010, I owed her a plane ticket. So she got to spend a week with her mom, and a week with me! We had a great time catching up and laughing over old jokes. Maria is one of those few people in my life who I feel like I can really be myself around. She's one of the most nonjudgemental I know. I love her to bits and hope it's much less time before I see her again! A trip to Florida is definitely in our future.

The SLC airport, Christmas Eve. We arrived two hours early, prepared for madness and crowds of holiday travelers. Wrong. There were about 6 of them, maybe. I still don't get it - Christmas Eve morning, and no lines anywhere?! Such a blessing it all went so smoothly! These jammies from their Grandma McKell earned us a lot of attention - which I did strategically, so that we'd get more sympathy if the kids were wild.

SAMMY JO! One of my big goals during this trip was to get a good picture of her. No offense to Sammy, she's just not too photogenic. But I think I got some very cute ones. And I loved spending time with her and making her laugh. Since she can't travel, I only get to see her about once a year when we go to Spokane. I think she was happy to see me and recognized me.

I didn't get to spend as much time with Meredith as I would've like to, and as we have in the past, since she's not living at our parents' house anymore. But we had a crazy coincidence - I ran into her at Northtown mall! I was in this new super cute store called Vivo (LOVE their clothes!) and suddenly I hear a surprised voice say, "CHELSEA?!" and it was Mere! So we hung out for a little bit. Always nice to see my little sister. I miss her. A lot.

The coolest place on the planet - SKYHIGH in Spokane! A huge warehouse with wall-to-wall TRAMPOLINES! A big dodgeball area, kids jumping area, and a giant foam put to jump into. I was doing flips I haven't done in yeeears (I feel so old saying that). I could've stayed there for days. Brian did dozens of backflips continuously to impress the masses. Seriously, if I lived in Spokane, I'd go every single day and jump for hours. Most fun workout imaginable.

I ran by our old house on Zeus Ct. The home I lived in from age 8-18. So many memories. But I feel like the new owners have just spit over my whole childhood, because they painted my house a yucky puke green color and let all the trees and bushes get way overgrown. The backyard looked awful. They just pooed all over my memories. Ugh.

On a run, I stopped by my old high school to get a drink. It was open cuz some wrestlers were practicing. So I did a lap around the inside, and was reminded how thankful I am that high school is over, and wondered how in the world I'm going to protect my kids from all the crap that happens there. This photo is the current track records - I've fallen off the 1600 list, and have the very last 3200m record. Sad. My legacy there is almost gone. [totally kidding - I wasn't a good runner in High School.]

The COIN GRAB! A tradition with Papa. He throws all his spare change into this big jar all year long, then on Christmas (or the day after, in this case - that's when Dave's fam arrived) all the kids get to reach in and see how much they can grab with one hand. Very fun. Brianna made about $6!

Airport schnanigans to keep the babies happy - their favorite game - "JUMP TO DADDY!" overandoverandoveragain.

Saved the best for last - Brianna's sweet happy little face, with her loving Grandparents on Christmas morning.
Thank you Mom and Dad for a wonderful vacation! We love you!

Diana's keiki shower

2012-01-15T14:31:00.000-08:00

That bulge is my phone in my pocket. I'm not pregnant.

My dear BYUH friend and teammate now knows I love her, because I drove ridiculously far to attend her babyshower. Of course my definition of far is relative... and maybe skewed, because I hesitate before going anywhere in general... I'm such a homebody nerd. But it was definitely worth the journey to see Diana, and to see Brianna's eyes pop out at the "blue pretty juice with blueberries!" I have Diana my favoritefavorite new mommy book, "The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding." Terrible title, so awkward, but amazing book. Best one out there, and I know there's a lot. It was so fun to catch up with Diana and Mike - friends from BYUH days. I miss that college-island life!

Bennett's BooBoo

2012-01-11T11:59:00.000-08:00

3 little monkeys were jumping on the bed.
One fell off and cut his head.
Momma went to the doctor and the doctor said...
You should've gone to the ER when it happened last night because it's too late for stitches now so here's a cool camo bandage.

Faces I Love

2012-01-09T09:45:00.000-08:00

Sunday Afternoon Lounging

2012-01-08T16:03:00.001-08:00

I think if Courtney reallyreally tried she could smile bigger and cheesier.

Logically Love Donalds

2012-01-05T20:07:00.003-08:00

Just finished reading this book for the 2nd time. Maybe third. Obsessed with it. We've implemented many of the ideas and it's worked wonders. Ever heard of the Love and Logic program? We attended the 6 week course for free when we lived in Vernal. So awesome, cuz usually it's way expensive. But totally worth it. Lovelovelove their ideas and the entertaining presentations. One stuck with me particularly - where Charles was telling a story about his son, who would scream DONALDS!DONALDS!DONALDS! Everytime they drove by those golden arches. Sadly, I can't remember the point of the story. But I'm sure it was a good one. Or maybe the point was actually just sneaky marketing secretly sponsored by McDonalds, because now whenever I need to get out of the house and it's too yucky outside, we head there.

Sometimes we buy a couple parfaits, but usually just take advantage of the fun play area.
In Centerville.
Bountiful's McDonalds are ghettttoooo.
Centerville's is awesome - there's a HUGE jungle gym not pictured here, plus this hands-on musical adventure. The kids love it.
And I love their free wifi and comfy (though probably germ-infested) seating.

Concerned.

2012-01-05T16:49:00.001-08:00

I told them all to smile and look happy. This is what I got instead.

Before I put them away...

2012-01-04T22:13:00.001-08:00

Our Christmas book collection, courtesy of Nonny. She gives us a new one every year, with an envelope and paper glued on the back for us to write about that year's Christmas memories. Such a fun and thoughtful gift. Now she just needs to buy us a new bookcase for them all. This is one situation where a Kindle/Nook would definitely not work!

Getting ready for Spring. Because it's almost here.

2012-01-02T17:35:00.000-08:00

Holidays are over, got my snow playing in.... now I'm ready for Spring.

[sigh]
It's going to be a loooong few months.

To make myself feel better, I just ordered one of these:

Step 2 Patio Play Set. Actually I ordered THREE of them, because something is wrong with JcPenney's website and they're selling them for $15. These things retail for $50-$70. And since shipping costs were only $2 more to get 2 more...I'm buying a few extra to sell locally! I'm just a little excited about this.*If you're smart and jumping on this deal too, be sure to shop through Ebates - I got 3% cash back on this deal. And use code RMNAFF10 at checkout for 10% off. Booyah.

**Update: I received an email a week later from JCPenney Customer Service. It WAS a pricing error! And they got flooded with orders. So I don't get my playset. But even better - to say sorry, they gave me a $50 gift card! Yay!

Yummy Neighbors

2011-12-30T19:19:00.001-08:00

Lindsay and I saw these weirdos on our run this morning.
Not sure what they are - bison maybe?
If so, I know for a fact they'd make excellent jerky.

Musical Memories

2011-12-30T17:44:00.001-08:00

Nothing makes ya feel old like seeing a piano and realizing you've been playing it for over 20 years.

I'm so glad my parents encouraged me to start lessons, and discouraged me from ever quitting. Even though I hardly ever practiced - thus I'm not half as good as I should be, for having played so long - I'm grateful for what I can do. It's fun sitting down and going through old music books, playing Christmas songs, accompanying hymns... And taking advantage of the "player piano" - putting scrolls in there and pretending I'm the awesome pianist. Nothing matches the sound of a good acoustic piano.

Calling dibs! Hopefully someday I'll be the one to inherit this old (40+yrs!) piano and my kids will play it too.

Opa!

2011-12-30T14:16:00.001-08:00

Birthday lunch with Ninsy!
I lovelove Greek food - don't you? That Mediterranean yumminess makes me want to yell OPA! and dance around with fat happy people.

Seriously though, I'm glad I got to hang out with my sis Lindsay on her bday and the few days prior. I don't get a lot of sister interaction these days, so it's awesome for me to get this QT.
Sisters are the people who know ALLLL about you... and STILL love you!

You'd cry too if your parents accidentally left you at a restaurant.

2011-12-29T13:48:00.001-08:00

I was going to just leave this post with the subject and the photo, thinking it's pretty self-explanatory. And.... well, obviously, it's not something I want to brag about. Leaving your child somewhere.... not only embarassing, but it really gave me the sickest feeling and great panic attack I've had in a long time.

It's the classic story - big family group at a restaurant (Red Robin for Cougar's 7th birthday party), drove in 2 separate cars (actually 3, since Maria joined us), and I thought Brian left with her while he thought she was with us. There were car seats in both cars for the kids, so it was perfectly logical. Fortunately on the way home, he called and asked how the babies were doing - I said fine, and how's Brianna - he said he didn't have her - and that's when the panic attack started. I called RR and they said they had a very sad little girl there waiting for us. When we pulled up, I spotted her happily playing with a balloon the manager gave her. But as soon as she saw me, she burst into the saddest sobbing. Of course she blamed her parents for leaving her - nevermind that she had slipped over to the restaurant's arcade as we were going out the door. Honestly I'm glad this happened - it was an important lesson learned with no major damage done. The lesson? Keep children on leashes at all times.

Meow.

2011-12-29T10:32:00.001-08:00

One of the top five items on my Spokane-trip bucket lists is to go on a run on the road behind Cat Tales Zoological Park, cut over the railroad tracks, and peek behind the zoo's fence. It's fun to surprise the big kitties and get their reactions. They're such amazingly beautiful creatures.
Then as I run the few miles home, I picture the newspaper headlines, "Tiger Attacks Taunting Trespassing Runner."

BFF!

2011-12-28T16:48:00.000-08:00

After nearly 7 years apart, I finally got to see my childhood best friend again! The last time we were together was at my wedding! But really - as soon as she showed up and we started chatting, it was like no time had passed. We have very different lives now, even more than before - different circumstances and personalities, different beliefs and ideas - but we love and care about each other a lot, and I'm very sure we'll always stay connected. And now the fact that Bennett has a huge crush on her....I told him just to wait another 30 years, and their age different won't be a big deal at all.

Mall Rats.

2011-12-27T13:44:00.001-08:00

The Lizard store at Northtown Mall is awesome! If it were there back when I was in JrHigh/HS and thought it was sooooo cool to waste hours and hours wandering the mall.... I probably would've wasted even more hours there.

Isn't that big purple guy insane looking?!

Pedis!

2011-12-27T13:43:00.001-08:00

Ridiculous photo of me, I know, but this was the group shot from Mom's treat to her girls - pedicures! I looooove getting my toes/feet done. Of course I'm too cheap to pamper myself, so I only get this luxury when I'm with my mama+sisters. So fun.

SantaClaustrophobic

2011-12-24T20:57:00.001-08:00

Just the thought of surviving a two hour flight with two toddlers and a preschooler on Christmas Eve made had me on the verge of an anxiety attack for weeks prior to this trip. But it ended up not being so bad.

Kept them totally under control on the flight. Ha.

Seriously, it helped to have them dressed cute. It elicited much more sympathy than if they had been in their usual frazzled state. And the bags of new little toys/snacks/books I packed were a lifesaver. They didn't care at all for the DVD I thought they'd watch, since they couldn't hear it. Honestly one of my biggest fears was GERMS. I'm not a germaphobe really - I totally believe in the 5 second rule. Sometimes it turns into the 5 hour rule. But airplanes... gross. Even the air we're breathing is contaminated with strangers who've been who-knows-where. And those nasty front-seat pockets... never get cleaned, but get touched by everyone. Tray tables, bathrooms, the SEATS... which of course my kids were eating their crumbs off of when they dropped their snacks. Ew. But it's allll worth it for a Christmas vacation! Having a fabulous time here.

Twin Candy Cane Elves

2011-12-24T06:59:00.001-08:00

Someone call airport security.

Jesus Dinner

2011-12-23T21:08:00.000-08:00

Tonight we had our traditional (well, traditional as of last year, so really it's just our second) "Jesus Dinner" Christmas Eve. We eat what we think Jesus ate - fish, flatbread, grape juice, figs, grapes, olives - on the floor, with our hands, by lamplight. Then read Luke 2. Then open presents. All while listening to good Christmas music. It really feels good to do Christmas like this, and I hope someday the kids will appreciate it more. Courtney and Bennett just tried to dump everything over and grabbed at the Bible with the intention to rip, and Brianna was quite impatient for the present opening to start. Oh well. We'll shoot for reverence next year. Terrible photo, I know. But you get the idea. Merry Christmas!

Manly

2011-12-22T15:49:00.001-08:00

Gas Makes Me Happy.

2011-12-20T10:47:00.000-08:00

I know.... 14-yr-old humor in that subject line. Couldn't help it.

But seriously - getting a full tank for $1.95/gallon made me do a happy dance. I get ridiculously excited about good deals. All those shopping trips to Smiths, dragging along my reusable bags for extra points, pays off!

The Little Mommy

2011-12-19T20:22:00.001-08:00

Not Brianna... she's not really motherly - more like sassy-bossy. But Courtney - she's the little mommy - she loves to feed other people, put clothes on them, give toys, help change Bennett's diaper (so hilarious. Would love to post the pictures of that, but it's Bennett might not appreciate the nudey toddler pictures when he's running for President), and Courtney also loves to help brush Bennett's teeth.

From Brianna's Mouth Lately....

2011-12-16T22:02:00.000-08:00

-"Hey, let's take turns playing with knives! We have to take turns."
-"Mommy, if you keep feeding Bennett, his feet will grow so big!"

-"If you keep feeding the babies, we won't have any more food!"

-"Mommy, am I on the potty train?"

-"Bennett, come with me. I'll put on a movie for you in my room and feed you."

-"When Courtney and Bennett and me lived with Jesus did you marry Daddy?"

-"Mommy can I be married with you?"

-"I ate a carrot. CHECK. I ate an apple. CHECK. Now I need a lollipop."

-"I love you. I love Daddy. I love CourtneyBennett. I even love myself."

-"Mom, Bennett is showing me his bum!"

-"Jesus sent Clifford to be the Big Red Dog."

-"If you don't give me icecream I will cry - that's what I'll do!"

-"You can't stay mad at your little girl!"

-"I love, I love, I LOVE princesses. Ex-specially when I'm sad, mad, or happy."

Christmas Card(s)

2011-12-15T12:20:00.001-08:00

I was a little bummed not to do my usual collage-Christmas-postcard, but RiteAid did a promo for 25 free 4x8 cards, so I had to take advantage of it (from mine and Brian's accounts - so 50 total, 2 different designs). Here they are! Kinda boring and conventional, but quick and easy. Maybe someday I'll get on the creative/cute/funny card train.

If an electronic card doesn't float your boat, I'm happy to mail you one! We have lots. Just email or text me your address. And if YOU have Christmas cards to mail out - WE WANT ONE! It will get put to good use - I leave them up in a little display on the pantry door for several months :)

The Scowl

2011-12-14T10:32:00.001-08:00

So very many caption possibilities....

Picture Perfect Family.

2011-12-13T22:13:00.000-08:00

These were some of the better images from our family photo shoot. Really.

Sorry Santa, you lose.

2011-12-12T20:33:00.001-08:00

I was pleasantly surprised to see this today - check out Walmart's new gift cards! I'm not a Walmart fan, but major kudos to them for choosing this beautiful design instead of Santa or snowflakes or something else more politically correct.
Merry CHRISTmas!

Skills.

2011-12-12T20:28:00.001-08:00

2011-12-12T08:45:00.001-08:00

"Won't you join me for a tea party, mommy dear?"Why, of course. I'd love to. And I'd love it if my life also revolved around planning tea parties and picnics. Wouldn't that just be grand... No errands, bills, diapers, cleaning... Just searching the fridge for tea party picnic fodder and setting up places for guests, real and imaginary. Oh, the life of a 3.8 yr old girl!

I'm on a Sunday Shopping High.

2011-12-11T22:00:00.001-08:00

Gotta say.... I'm reallyreally good at finding deals online.

Just sayin'.

(TOTALLY KIDDING - I really hate that phrase. WHYohWHY do people use that?)

Seriously though - I spent several hours today online helping my mom buy Christmas presents for her children. The bigger ticket items that have to be shipped. (Maybe not the most Sabbath-appropriate activity. Online shopping. But it was SERVICE, right? But kindof self-serving too. Hmm).

I'm so proud of myself for the deals I found! I can't share what the items are, because I think once in a blue moon my older siblings might read this blog. Although I think they're the ones who informed me as a child that Mom and Dad were Santa Claus, but if I told them they told me, I wouldn't get any presents so I better keep my mouth shut. I'm not resentful at all.

Anyways, so I'll share my method.... and if you already knew all this, feel free to leave a comment saying DUH! YOU'RE NOT AS COOL AS YOU THINK YOU ARE. I won't be offended.

I start by looking for the product on Amazon to get a basic idea of what a good price range is. Amazon generally has decent prices, and free shipping over $25. Plus, reading the reviews can be very helpful. And there's no sales tax (which saves a LOT on bigger items). BUT - as far as I know, there's no cashback or incentive programs out there that give you anything for shopping through them at Amazon.

Then I go to Ebates and ShopAtHome and MyPoints and look for the product. I have to compare the prices, calculating in the incentive offered (percent cashback and points-value). And of course, find the sites that offer free shipping and no tax.

Then I take whatever online store I found the best price at, and look for coupon codes online at sites like RetailMeNot.

I pay for the item through PayPal (where occasionally they have incentives), using my credit card that gives 1-5% cashback.

Then text Mom the total she owes me and she transfers it to my account. Done.

Then I sit back and bask in the happiness that only sweet money saving deal shopping can offer.

Where's Dr. Mom when ya need her.....

2011-12-10T09:07:00.001-08:00

l hate playing the medical guessing game at home.

Is it a rash? Allergic reaction? HFMD? Impetigo? Cold sores?

I call friends, search online, worryworry, debate whether to head to the doc or instacare and spend the $$, feel horrible for even thinking of money when my child may be sick, feel stupid for rushing to the doc when the problem will go away by itself, feel upset at having to miss going to the gym, feel terrible for being upset at something as trivial as the gym when my baby may be ill...

Seriously, who left me in charge here?! I don't know anything!

**Update: We sucked it up and spent the $50 to take her to the Instacare. I left feeling very frustrated, because they prescribed an antibiotic, yet no diagnosis, just the same list of possibilities I had also come up with. Bennett has the bumps too. Most likely Impetigo - a bacterial infection. I'm not going to blame anyone [*cough*]GOLDSGYMDAYCARE [*cough*] cuz ya just never know where kids pick up this junk. Nobody is sleeping well. And we have to stay home so we don't pass on this joy to others. So fun. Wah wah wah.

Surprise!

2011-12-09T08:01:00.000-08:00

The Wild Ward Christmas Party

2011-12-06T19:42:00.001-08:00

Typical ward Christmas party tonight.
Dinner, music, friends.
Kinda boring.
Fortunately they had holiday M&Ms on every table so I could entertain myself by chucking them at people then acting nonchalant while they looked around bewildered. Childish, yes.
But not as bad those awful parents who allowed their destructive toddler twins to run wild.

We stopped them when they got to the piano.

Brianna likes her friend Maddie. Just a little.

[sing] Happy traaaaillls to mmeeeee....

2011-12-05T19:36:00.000-08:00

iPhones take pretty decent pictures, eh? I love using the
RunKeeper app. If you're a smartphone-using-runner,
check it out.

Do these photos give anyone else the overwhelming urge to throw on running shoes and hit the trails?!

I can't be the only one.
Just looking at these again makes me drool a little. Not joking.
I had an ammmaaazzzing run on the Bonneville Shoreline Trail today, courtesy of my fabulous friend Kristina.
Apparently taking care of her own 5 kids (including twins) isn't enough to wear her out, so she insisted on having my munchkins over too.
PEOPLE - I have met Supermom. She goes by Kris.

Note: this is what happens when friends offer favors to me. I graciously and shamelessly accept.
I do feel slightly guilty for having no pride and gleefully dropping them off at her house so I could have 45 minutes of running bliss. Just slightly.

Not enough not to hope to it again, of course.

Sandwich/Clothing Artist.

2011-12-04T20:01:00.000-08:00

Brianna dresses herself every morning with style, makes her own jam sandwich, and balances it gracefully on her head.
My daughter is amazing.

I love Smiths, and not just because that's my maiden name.

2011-12-04T19:59:00.000-08:00

They're having a tea party - so cute!

7 months left until I can drop off Courtney and Bennett along with Brianna at our favorite grocery store's complimentary childcare. I'm wondering how early I could pass them off for 2 yr olds... I'll start working harder at getting them to speak better and eat more . Must GROW! Maybe around 20 months we'll see if we can get them in. Because then grocery shopping will be so much less of a freakshow for us. You'd think with all the kids in Utah it wouldn't be a big deal, me having 3 little ones in tow... But no, we never go anywhere without stares and comments- "Are they all yours?!" "Wow you've got your hands full!" "Double trouble!" and my favorite- the silent glare that says, "can't you keep them under control?!!" Um, obviously not very well. Maybe I'll write a letter to Smiths Manager and see if they'll lower the age limit. They'd save a lot of broken containers and spare customers from witnessing meltdowns.

ps- I really do love my children. Tons. Oodles. It's just a wild age :)

Cheap Toys

2011-12-03T20:03:00.000-08:00

Dear Santa,

For Christmas, please bring us more plastic storage containers.
Just leave them in the lower cabinets. Thankyou.

Love,
The McKell Twins

Daddy-daughter, Round Two.

2011-12-02T19:59:00.001-08:00

I remember when Brianna was a baby, thinking how well she had her daddy wrapped around her chubby little fingers. Daddy's heart belonged to his little girl.But his heart must have expanded a lot because now Courtney has him totally hooked. When she runs at him squealing "DA! DA! DA!" you can almost see Brian turn to jello. He just melts.

2011-12-01T22:40:00.001-08:00

It all started with a loud wind storm that woke us all up around 4am. I could see debris flying all around that looked like wild bats. Every few minutes we'd hear a huge crash and thud. Trees falling. I started getting texts from friends around 6am, wondering how we were and if we had power. A smarter person would've charged their phone immediately and done other storm prep, but no- I wasn't taking this seriously yet. Just a little freak wind storm. Then our power went out. POOF! Sorry kids, no toast for breakfast. Or oatmeal. Keep the fridge/freezer shut! Sorry no PBS Kids. No Wiggles music. Gotta take a flashlight into the bathroom and closets with ya. Can't drive anywhere because the garage won't open, and the car might tip over out there! 95 mph gusts! Federal state of emergency declared in Centerville. Schools closed. Brian's out of commission at his office, with a lot of customers needing replacement vehicles after theirs were smashed by falling trees/poles/wild bats. And he felt pretty isolated, being the only branch in the area to lose electricity. This storm just hit Davis County then skipped over the rest of the state, apparently. Lucky us. It's frustrating to know that just twenty minutes away, life is going on as normal. Their backyards aren't covered with roof shingles and random trash. I'd like to say that we embraced our lack of electricity and enjoyed just playing at home. And we kindof did- I mean, I got the house super clean since there was nothing to distract me. The kids all took a long nap... since there was nothing else to do... But no- I LIKE ELECTRICITY. We missed gym time, storytime, grocery shopping, SuperWhy, WordWorld, warm breakfast/lunch/dinner, HEAT, the elevator, LIGHTS, washing machine... The Lord put me in the 21st Century because He knew I'm no pioneer woman. I like buttons and switches that make life better. The only good that came of this was that I realized how ill prepared we are for a real calamity. I'm buying a small generator ASAP. And matches. We had to borrow from a neighbor to light our candles. So embarrassing. We're all going to bed now wearing 548 layers of clothes. And no sound machine. I miss that. It's so quiet it's freaky! And looking out the window at a dark city is freaky. And thinking about no hot breakfast tomorrow is freaky. I better go to bed now - since I'm sure we'll end up with all three kids in our bed. Family bonding time!

When I ask Courtney to SMILE:

2011-11-28T08:37:00.001-08:00

Large leopard print thick headbands are totally IN, right?

2011-11-27T12:59:00.001-08:00

Watch out Nursery class - Brianna's in charge of snack time today!

Natural curl in her hair! Love it.

My little nursery goer only has 4 Sundays left until she graduates to Primary. My twin hall-wanderers only have 9 Sundays til they join Nursery! Then I finally get to lead the music without a baby on my hip and another wandering the Relief Society room perimeter searching for the escape route.

2011-11-26T18:17:00.001-08:00

We supported Small Business Saturday by going swimming at the local Rec Center.That counts, right?Because as much as I theoretically believe in supporting small business... I like to shop at Costco and on Amazon. A lot. Sorry!

The Lazy River with my little fishies, who are anything BUT lazy -
Courtney is fearless, and Bennett is clingy. So I'm running after one, while trying to coax the other in.

Black Friday Fun

2011-11-25T07:51:00.001-08:00

Totally normal people wake up early the day after Thanksgiving to do a 5K with 200 other people wearing a Santa suit.

Silly Kohls

2011-11-24T12:49:00.000-08:00

I'm not much of a retail shopper. I prefer Nickel Auctions and garage sales.
But I will be going to to Kohls for my 6th time in 6 months to spend the 6th free $10 gift card they've sent me.
I don't know why they do this.
I just buy socks every time.
I'm afraid to sign up for their card they keep asking me to get, because then the free $10 cards might stop coming every month.
Thank you Kohls for keeping my family in free socks.

Sometimes Courtney stands on the dinner table wearing Bennett's Clothes.

2011-11-23T22:02:00.000-08:00

That's all.

Stats Schmats.

2011-11-23T20:42:00.001-08:00

I took the babes in for their 15 month appointment the other day. By myself. With Brianna. Few people can identify with how crazy and slightly embarrassing it is to manage that. But we all made it out alive, with the only bandaids being the ones that covered Courtney and Bennett's immunization injection spots. Always so sad to see them getting poked. But it would be infinitely more sad to see them being one of those kids in high school getting measles because their silly parents believed the mumbo-jumbo about immunizations. Sure they have risks and side effects - both my babies spent the next 24 hours slightly lethargic with a low-grade fever. And they actually slept 11 hours straight - a rarity for them. But the benefits outweigh the risks.
There. My unsolicited soapbox on immunizations.
Moving on...

Bennett 20 lb 11oz 15th% 31.5in 60%

Courtney 20lb 10oz 15th% 31.5in 80%

I'm actually pretty happy about those numbers - it's an increase! And especially since the charts they use come from the CDC, which is pretty skewed. Still, I find myself frequently trying to think of really high-calorie healthy foods I can get them to eat to fatten them up a little.

Yummy.

2011-11-18T22:09:00.000-08:00

Have you ever SEEN a more kissable FACE in your LIFE?!

No Patience for Persimmons

2011-11-17T10:40:00.000-08:00

Brianna was super excited when I brought home this little beauty from Smiths. We had purchased a few from Costco a week ago and they were amazing. Not quite as good as I remember the ones from Hawaii being, but pretty fabulous for being so far away from the source. Not wanting to wait for it to ripen/soften a little, Brianna cut right into it (she thinks she's old enough to use knives now, among other dangerous activities. This new stage of independence is scary). I heard a screaming/choking/suffocating sound coming from the kitchen. I sprinted over to see her gagging out her slice of persimmon. She cried out, "IT'S...IT'S...EEWWIEE!"
Confused, I cut myself a slice of my favorite fruit.
And I began the choking/suffocating sounds.
After recovering and feeling very betrayed by this persimmon, immediately I googled this freakish phenomenon. Apparently that's what happens when you eat a persimmon before it's totally ripe - you get an intense chalkly taste, which swells up inside your mouth. I can't believe I never figured this out til now. I've had hundreds and hundreds of these fruits. But nevereverneverever again will we eat one again til it's so overripe it's oozing with juicy persimmonyness.

Predicament

2011-11-16T14:48:00.001-08:00

Half way through each day, the babies decide to pass out for a few hours.

As much as I enjoy this time to spend keeping our family's heads above water (DOES THE LAUNDRY EVER END?!) I lose the first half hour or so because it's hard to make myself get UP when I've got these two on my lap asleep. Transferring them to their cribs is veryvery tricky. Especially when I'd rather just sit and stare at their sweet little sleepy faces. They're so beautiful when they're asleep... because they aren't throwing tantrums, falling and hurting themselves, or hitting each other. It's such a beautiful sight I sometimes cry.

Note: Blue jammies being worn by Bennett in first photo, then Courtney in this photo.
Most of Bennett's clothes are interchangeable, while Courtney's clothes definitely
don't go on Bennett. We're such gender stereotypers.

But there are consequences if I hang out oogling over sweet babies in napland too long... like their nearly-4-yr-old sister answering the door and telling the neigbor, "sorry, my mommy is busy. She's feeding the babies with brezfeeding so they'll go to sleep and we can play." Then slamming the door. True story. And has happened more than once.

So I take pictures of them sleeping like this, since I can't stare at them forever, but I'll always remember my little nappers at this stage.

I have no explanation for this.

2011-11-13T00:13:00.000-08:00

weirdos.

Upgrade

2011-11-10T22:54:00.001-08:00

There are a few things I DON'T let my compulsive frugality get in the way of - healthier food, good vehicle, traveling, gym membership, family gifts...

But everything else... I go cheap on. Sometimes really cheap.

That's why, even after our already lower quality skillet/pan got severely dented (shouldn't have used it to hit that pinata!), we still kept using it. Though an eyesore, it was still basically functional.

Fortunately, my mom noticed the sad little damaged item on our stove, and found it to be an abomination. She immediately took me to Costco for a more appropriate cooking tool.

Brianna was excited to open the new pan. REALLY excited. Really.

Thanks for the upgrade, mom! I'm so glad to have nicer kitchen gear to ~~burn~~ cook food in.

Chomp, rarrr.

2011-11-09T11:58:00.000-08:00

Just having fun on my phone :)

Smith Fam Calendar

2011-11-06T19:08:00.000-08:00

I finished up the Smith Family Calendar tonight (a little early - I don't like being done with Christmas prep THIS early - it kindasorta ruins the fun and drags out the holiday too long). But I had a good coupon code on Snapfish. I've been doing these family calendars since 1997, I think, with only a few years missed. It's probably more selfish than anything - I just want everyone to remember to call me on my birthday. So I make a calendar with everyone's birthdays, plus lots and lots of fun family photos. We all live pretty far apart, so I think it helps us all feel more connected. Or maybe I'm just dreaming that, and they all just stick the calendar in a drawer somewhere after glancing it over. Hmph. Oh well, I enjoy making them. This year's was pretty rushed and much less time intensive than usual... maybe 4 hours instead of 40... (not joking) but I have BIG plans for next year (2013's calendar... why does that sound SO far away?!) It involves taking photos of people twisting themselves into letters and spelling out calendar months. It will be epic. But 2012 is a little boring, though hopefully still fun and practical. I'll share the front cover collage:

Running, Nonny, Halloween.

2011-11-03T21:37:00.000-07:00

Am I a horrible mother if I admit there are some things I kinda resent having to miss out on because of staying with my kids all day? That, and having a husband who works 12 hrs/day.... I mean, I hate to blog about anything less than how much I adore my kids and how grateful I am for my husband's good job and rainbows and puppies and smiling happy faces and funfunFUN.... but seriously - seriouslyseriously -
I MISS RUNNING!
Specifically - trail running. EXPLORING running. Taking-my-time, enjoying-the-scenery running. Running with no time constraints, no destination, no missing out on sleep...
That never happens anymore. I run about twice a week - and one of those runs is a Saturday race. The other one is magically squeezed in somewhere else - either in the early morning (in the DARK, since I have to be home by 6:30am so Brian can go slay the dragons), during Brian's rare home-lunch break (which means I'm lucky to get 30 minutes max and he's ticked if I'm late), or in the evening (also in the DARK, since he's not home til late, and of course that means I'm missing dinner/bathtime/bedtime routine). The gym treadmill is the only other option, and that's just not fun. I only like group classes at the gym. Or reading a really good book while on the elliptical. SO there are my excuses. Not even excuses - just the facts.
BUT - last Monday, I got a small taste of freedom. And it was fabulous. Here are some photos from my 9.5-mile mid-day run:

So pretty! I discovered the Bountiful Pond. It was a detour off the Legacy Trail that I'd never taken because I never had time and didn't want to risk getting lost. "Risking getting lost" used to be my favorite thing to do on a run! Those "no trespassing signs" were targets - I knew the good trails must start right behind them. But I'm a wimp these days, and stay on the beaten paths. Usually.

You've always wanted to see up my nose, right?
Sorry - just wanted to show off my cool pumpkin running shirt.
It's from Kim's Halloween 5K fundraiser for adoption in
Saratoga Springs a couple weeks ago. My costume
was a wanna-be distance runner and busy mama.

This is the pic that pops up when Mom calls me.
She's either saying SUPRISE! or RARRR! or
"Chelsea why are your kids naked again?!?!"

So how was this all possible? A VISIT FROM NONNY!
A visit from Nonny is like a visit from a superfairygodmother.
She brings joy, fun, HELP, thoughtful presents, wise advice, helps me keep up my home (and unconsciously motivates me to clean like crazy before her arrival), and loves my children more than anyone else on the planet besides their parents. So I can trust her completely and feel fine leaving the house.
Even to go on a long run! Such a treat for me! My Halloween treat. Way better than all that candy I stole from Brianna's stash.

My favorite part of Nonny's visit was entirely selfish - I made her get up with me bright and early Saturday morning so I could go do a 5K. Brian was working - so she was in charge of the triple stroller!

And she insisted on trying to get the kids to wear their cute new monkey-hats she bought them. They're really adorable and very comfy and warm. Too bad only Brianna can be convinced to keep it on her head. But we'll work on it. She also got them a cute stuffed monkey that sings "HeyHey We're the Monkeys..." It's so cute to see them all dancing to it! But they weren't dancing in their stroller. They were pretty miserable. Mom put up with a lot so I could do my race. I owe her big time. Especially since the 5K turned out to be another fluke - a small little race with a big prize! $50 cash, $20 in gift cards, some running clothes! Score! And honestly, I didn't even run that fast. There were only like 25 people there. I was just at the right place at the right time - all thanks to Nonny!

ALSO - because of Nonny - Brianna and I got to have the most amazing Halloween experience ever. We had dressed up in our Hawaiian costumes just to visit Brian at work. But on the way home, I noticed kids in costumes heading into the hospital. So we stopped and joined in. And now we have a tradition that I hope we'll continue on forever. Hospital trick-or-treating. Such a neat experience. It's hard to complain about anything in life after spending a little time with these sweet people.

And after the hospital, we went next door to the retirement center. The elderly people were lined up in chairs, excited to see all the cute kids in costume. Their comments and attitudes were so sweet, I almost didn't notice the smell there. Almost. I hope I can always live independently til I die. Then as if these two locations weren't enough, we headed across the street to the long-term rehab facility for more trick-or-treating! I'm training Brianna to become a compulsively excessive person like her mother. It's not an entirely bad thing, right?! She definitely had fun! And it was good for her to see different kinds of people with special needs in different settings. We talked about it on the way home, and how we need to try our best to be healthy, and thank Heavenly Father for our healthy bodies as long as we have them. Of course I felt a little hypocritical having this conversation with her as we were both eating Halloween candy. I wish Nonny could've stayed longer so I could have run it off!

Fun on Brianna's dime

2011-11-02T14:48:00.000-07:00

My good friend Michelle has a supercutefun blog called Fun On A Dime.
Brianna is featured in one of her posts today, including this very pink picture I hadn't seen til now:

Brianna actually remembers her friend Sienna (next to her in the photo, and the birthday girl here) surprisingly well considering how old she is. And the fact that she can't even remember her full name sometimes. But she sure remembers her friends! We did a Facebook video-chat last week that was really fun. The girls basically just stared at each other and squealed.

Michelle also recently published my MPH-themed post, with me as a "guest blogger."

I feel I have quite a presence now in bloggy land.

PrincessDarthYoda

2011-11-01T14:59:00.000-07:00

An Enterprising Halloween

2011-10-31T22:23:00.000-07:00

I've never seen Brian as excited for work as he was today.

Men in skirts. Leis and flowers and tropical fish everywhere, mixed in with random Halloween paraphernalia. Hawaiian music in the background (not the real stuff - the modern reggae style).
And I'll humbly take substantial credit for it all because it was my idea. =) But Richard (far left) brought over half of the decor and came to the office with us Saturday and Sunday to decorate. So he gets much aloha. We're all crossing our fingers they win the branch costume contest! If not, at least they enjoyed a day without the dress code!

Papa

2011-10-27T21:12:00.000-07:00

My Dad flew in to visit yesterday afternoon. It was great to have him over for a little bit. My father is one of the bestest human beings on this planet. This photo was taken minutes after he arrived, and represents each child's immediate reaction to their Papa:

Brianna was THRILLED to see him, Bennett was cautious, and Courtney... sweet little Courtney.... she took awhile to warm up.

We're a Classy Bunch

2011-10-23T13:37:00.000-07:00

I was kindof dreading going to another reception (we've received 7 wedding announcements in the last 2 months!). Standing in a long lines, trying to keep the kids from destroying decorations, munching on finger foods, trying to keep the kids' fingers out of everyone else's finger foods...
But I was THRILLED to see a photobooth at this reception! They're a pretty trendy addition to receptions here in Utah lately (and elsewhere? I don't know). For some reason, there wasn't hardly anyone else taking advantage of it (which makes me either think everyone else is weird, or I am. Obviously I care a lot). So I didn't feel bad going back a few times. Brian stopped me after three rounds. I would've stayed all night.