"Is there an Emergency?"

In all my running around this morning to get the kids fed and Macy ready for preschool, I get a phone call from the 911 operator to ask if everything is okay! I said, "Oh, no! Did someone call you?" He replied, "Yes!" He assumed that I had more than one children at home. I then explained I have twins and a 3 year old. I have no idea what he heard or how long the phone was connected, but I KNEW EXACTLY WHO THE CULPRIT WAS... my sweet little boy, Nicholas! I'd seen him carrying the phone around that morning. I mean, what are the chances that a 1 year old can push the exact numbers to call 911. I'm sure it happens all the time but I am so embarrassed it happened to me! This kid is going to be the death of me!

He's pretty cute, though! Buzz cut and all!

All Okay!

I cannot figure out what is up with today! Everyone is getting hurt around my house. It started with Nicholas falling out of his crib. I heard a huge 'thud' and ran in to find him lying flat on his back. He was obviously trying to get his blanket and binkie that he had thrown on the floor (a new game of his). I think he was more stunned than hurt and stopped crying the second I picked him up. Time to lower the crib. Then Karlee pulls the bathroom drawer completely out and on top of her. It takes me a second to even find out where she is. I see her pinned underneath the drawer. She was completely okay but just a little scared. That drawer will definitely need a baby proof latch. Then to top it off, Macy is kneeling on the kitchen bar stool eating lunch when she slips and hits her face on the edge of the counter. There is definitely some bruising there. I'm just hoping we get through the rest of the day without a trip to the emergency room! Pray for me!

Thirty!!!

Okay, so turning 30 wasn't as bad as I was bracing myself for! I seriously was in depression for about a week thinking that my glory days were seriously over and that I had finally arrived at that age I remember my mom always being when I was little. I'm absolutely there... with three kids, a mortgage, and a minivan. I wear jeans and Sketcher shoes almost every day. I just cut my hair even shorter...A-Line! I am now officially in the 'Mom' club! So, you can obviously see why I was having such a hard time with this birthday in particular! But...it turned out to be the BEST BIRTHDAY EVER! I had so many phone calls and emails, and letters and people dropping in all day to see me! I seriously have never felt so loved in all of my life! My cute friend, Dawn, made these delicious cupcakes for me that were divine. That is marshmallow on top dipped in chocolate. Martha Stewart. Love her and LOVE, my friend, Dawn!

Also, did I mention I have the best husband in the world! Mark has a knack for making everyone else look bad! He made the day extra special and totally surprised me by taking the whole day off work. He made my favorite breakfast, sent me to work out at the gym with my new gym membership, and scheduled the afternoon for me to be pampered at The Retreat, a local spa here. I had a manicure, pedicure and a facial, which was absolutely heavenly. I felt ten years younger walking out of there. Later that night, Mark and I got a babysitter and went out for sushi. We then discovered our new favorite place in Corvallis, Francesco's--which serves gelato ice cream. We've been there twice in the past week, if that tells you anything. My favorite...peanut butter chocolate chunk and pomegranate! Supposedly it's better for you than ice cream! More reasons to eat up!


My mom did comfort me by telling me that her 30's were the best years of her life! She was finally comfortable with herself and with where she was at and loved where she was going. She had her kids and my dad and was surrounded by wonderful friends. It was just a fun time in life for her! Life must keep on getting better and better! Thanks to everyone that made my birthday so special! I love you all!

What to do with a Thumbsucker?

Karlee never took to the binkie and fortunately for us, she was such a good baby that she did fine without one. Then we soon discovered the reason she was so fine, particularly at nights...she had found her thumb. She use to only suck on it when we put her to bed but now it's becoming a thing she does often during the day. It's her way of comforting herself when she is tired or sad. She sucks on it sideways and at the same time, twirls her hair with her left hand. I think it is the CUTEST thing yet I know I could be in trouble trying to kick this habit if it's still around in a few years!

Nicholas & Karlee Turn ONE!

Nicholas and Karlee 1 day old

Wow! I honestly can't believe my little babies are ONE! It's definitely a cause for celebration! What a blessing it has been to have Nicholas and Karlee in our home. They have made our family so complete and we can't imagine having one without the other. We love them so much! We've breathed somewhat of a sigh of relief for making it through this first year, but now that they are almost walking...we really don't see them getting any easier!!! They aren't just into everything, but EVERYWHERE now! Also, I swear the day they turned ONE, they got Attitude! They are too cute not to love! Happy Birthday, Sweeties! Thanks for teaching me patience, how not to sweat the small stuff and for making me laugh out loud everyday!

Nicholas and Karlee woke up on their birthdays to find lots and lots of balloons to play with outside their bedroom doors.

Karlee especially loved the balloons!

We took the kids to Wacky Bounce for a few hours to play. It's a huge indoor play place with inflatable slides and trampolines and a little toddler section. Karlee liked the slides and the inflatables but Nicholas DID NOT!!! He clung to us for dear life!

Here is a cute smile from Nicholas!

Busy! Busy! Busy! Nicholas is known for stealing toys. Whatever Karlee has, he wants and GETS! Lucky for him, Karlee just moves on to the next toy. She is getting smarter, though and crawls far, far away from him when she wants to sit and play with something.

The two practically sitting on top of each other! They are such little buddies and always right by each other.

After Wacky Bounce, we took the kids home for naps and then opened presents. I think Macy had more fun opening the presents and playing with the toys than Nicholas and Karlee did.

So, who doesn't love a cupcake! I got inspired after seeing a cupcake tree like this one in Papercrafts Magazine! I call Nicholas and Karlee my little "Monkeys" so this seemed fitting!

Nicholas and Karlee LOVED being sung too! I blew out their candles for them, since they were both going for the fire and then let them have at it. Karlee grabbed the whole cupcake and dug right in! Nicholas wasn't so sure! I had to give him a few bites so he could see what he was missing out on!

Now, he's loving it!

All Gone!

The Mom Song

Every time I see this video, I laugh hysterically! Here's to all you GREAT moms out there!
(Pause my music before you push play so you can hear this!)

Christmas Cheer

Macy, Preston and Tyson as Baby Jesus!

We spent Christmas Eve at my brother Jon's home in Providence, Utah, just up the street from my parents house. We had a FULL agenda that night: dinner, Christmas bingo; a craft for the kids (all Tonya's doing), a ping pong tournament (which Mark lost to my nephew, Jaxon, who is 11, in the championship game---he's really good), karaoke, a lightening basketball tournament and a living nativity followed by the singing of Christmas carols. It was such a fun night. My brother and his wife sure know how to throw a PARTY! We are seriously considering coming back for next year's party.

Because we decided to fly to Utah at the last second due to the huge snow storm that hit the Northwest the day we were suppose to hit the road, we had to ship all of the kids Christmas presents back to Oregon. We thought we'd have our van to haul everything back in and of course, Santa wouldn't be Santa if he hadn't brought the dollhouse. That is ALL Macy wanted! It just arrived today (a week later) and it was like Christmas all over again at our house!

Christmas jammies!
Taking a picture with both twins looking is next to impossible!

These kids must have been good because Santa delivered!

This one in particular got spoiled!

Karlee exhausted after playing with all her toys!

By the way...I became a new Aunt on Christmas Eve. My sister, Lezlee, had her baby boy that morning. Welcome Cole Ryan Strong! We can't wait to meet you!

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year!