Birthdays! Birthdays!

Nicholas and Karlee had their 4th Birthday party with friends at The Little Gym. It was an absolute blast and even though they aren't officially 4 until the 17th, they now consider themselves 4! I guess if you blow out candles and eat cake, it's official (per Nicholas). We invited 14 little friends to come and play in the gym. At this age, all kids want to do is run around and be crazy! That they did! We took a small break for pizza, then it was back into the gym to open presents. They sat Nicholas and Karlee on the top of this podium they had made out of the mats and had them surrounded by their presents. They took turns opening their gifts. Their reactions were the funniest! This was their favorite part! We finished it off by singing "Happy Birthday" and with Spiderman and butterfly cupcakes. No theme really! It was all about what they love!

I had to laugh at Nicholas. He was "Mr. Social" that night. One of my favorite moments was when his friend Gavin arrived. Nicholas ran over to him and said, "Guess what, Gavin? It's my Birthday!" in the most excited voice EVER! Karlee later asked me if she got to keep all of "those presents" she got to open! Of course!!!! So sweet! I just love them both so much! It is an absolute blessing to be able to experience twins! There really isn't anything like it!

Christmas Morning!

Christmas morning was the ultimate at our house!!! Our kids are at that PERFECT age where they can't even W-A-I-T until Christmas morning to tear through their presents. Santa pulled through AGAIN and made everyone's dreams come true! Macy got her walking/barking puppy that she's been dreaming about, a Barbie airplane jet and a Teacher's School Kit. Karlee FINALLY got the Dora talking backpack, a Polly Pocket camper, her own Squinkies, a LadyBug that shines stars on her ceiling and a Belle doll. Nicholas wanted cars, cars, cars! So that's what he got; lots of Cars 2 cars, walkie-talkies, a Hot Wheels car hauler and a Hot Wheels MEGA garage. Santa must have thought I had been good because he brought me my first pair of UGGs and a new lens for my camera. Love! Love! Mark got a Kindle and a remote control helicopter, which in his words exactly was the "BEST present EVER!" He's like a kid again flying it around.

We played all morning, danced to Just Dance 3 on the Wii, had buttermilk pancakes for breakfast and attended church. We combined with another ward so there was quite a large crowd. During the meeting, Nicholas leans over to me and says, "Mom, where's Jesus? I don't see Jesus. Why isn't he at his party?" This made me laugh! So, SO sweet! At least he remembered the reason for the season, which reason we are so grateful for, the gift of our Savior. That was the greatest gift of all!

Holiday Traditions!

Every December, we our finding ourselves looking forward to what are quickly becoming holiday traditions. First of all, girls-night-out at the Nutcracker ballet (Mark & Nick hit the bowling ally), second; driving through the Pepsi plant lights every chance we get and third, going to Storybook Land in Albany. Storybook Land is held at the Linn County fairgrounds inside a huge expo center. It's full of lights and Christmas trees and little scenes depicting various Disney movies and Mother Goose rhymes with a holiday flair. The kids LOVE it and there is always Santa at the end!

Macy's 1st Piano Recital

Macy started piano this Fall and had her first piano recital in December. She was first to perform and didn't seem at all nervous. She looked so cute up there and played wonderfully. I was so proud of her. I absolutely love that she's taking piano. She LOVES it too but hates practicing. She told me she's figured out that she only needs to practice TWO days before her piano lesson to get her songs down. We'll see how long that works for her. Let's just say there is a reason I am NOT teaching her lessons. We tried that. Me, helping her practice, is conflict enough. Needless to say, she has a FANTASTIC teacher that inspires her and keeps the music fun and interesting. I told her she has to take for eight more years. I think we settled on six. I'll take it!

TRICK -OR- TREAT

Halloween has to be one of my favorite holidays, second to Christmas! I love putting up decorations, carving pumpkins with my kids, Halloween parties with friends, spray painting hair, doing make-up & GLITTER, trick-or-treating and picking out my favorite candy bars from the kids treat bags. What is not to love about this holiday? It's a great kick-off to Fall.

Macy was an Oregon State cheerleader. GO BEAVERS!!!!

Nicholas was Spiderman (in red).

Karlee was a "Rainbow Fairy Princess" (her words exactly). I had to get creative with this one but I think we got it right! She was delighted!

Hope you all had a Happy Halloween!!!

Pumpkin Patch Time!

Today, Nicholas and Karlee had their first field trip to a pumpkin patch with their class. It was so sweet and they were so excited! Nicholas's favorite part was "the tractor ride" and Karlee's was, "getting an apple." They had a great time running around in the mud, picking out their own perfectly sized pumpkin and going on a tractor ride.

After picking out pumpkins, it was back on the tractor and over to the corn maze where all the kids, MOMs included, got totally LOST. Half of the kids were crying by the time we got out. Seriously?!?!? What were we thinking dragging our 3 year olds in there?

Happy to be out of the maze! : )

Pink! Pink! Pink!

We moved the girls in to the same room together and what color did they chose for the walls? You guessed it...PINK!!! Well, actually, Karlee chose pink and what Karlee wants...Karlee gets! They couldn't be happier being together and all I hear are giggles and laughing at night when the lights are suppose to be out!

Karlee loved painting! She stayed by my side the whole afternoon watching and helping me paint! She was so excited for her new room! I know, I know... some of you may think I'm crazy to let my 3 year old help, but she was so very careful and actually did a really good job!

Macy jumped in too!

I LOVED putting this room together start to finish! Before it was a bonus room that we were using as Macy's bedroom/toy room. While I was in Utah, Mark framed in a closet and built shelving and everything with help from a good friend. Now, this room is ALL GIRL and fun! The girls LOVE it!

I LOVE it!

I love this closet! It has literally changed my life! I needed storage desperately and I finally feel organized now that I have it! Oooo...I love being married to a handy-man!