In the Snow

Oh the weather outside is frightful,

But the fire (heater) is so delightful,

And since we've no place to go, (seriously)

Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

(a picture of the backyard through the screen door-which was frozen shut) The view was actually gorgeous despite not coming out so well in the pictures.

Actually we did head out into the snow on Christmas Eve so we could take the girls (specifically Danna) sledding. She, however, did not enjoy it even a little bit. She just stood there and shivered saying, "Lets go home 'kay mom?"

After a couple of runs down the hill I decided I'd stop pushing it so we stopped and watched daddy go down alone. She had a lot more fun just sitting and watching.

We'll try again in a few days. Maybe by the end of the season she'll love it, or at least have gotten used to it.

look at that hair!

What are you supposed to do when your baby look like she has on a toupee?

catastrophe?

So, the other day Mike and I were on the couch watching It's a Wonderful Life and Not paying attention to our two year old, when she comes up to us saying, "I'm so pretty mommy." "You are a beautiful little girl," Mike replied before either of us had a look at her. When I did, I just started laughing. I know I should have been upset or reprimanded her or something but it was just hilarious to me that Danna had my mascara all over her face! HA! She never seems to amaze me with what she can come up with to destroy or mess up in the 5 minutes I leave her alone. Good thing it wasn't waterproof. Anyway, not only was it all over her face and hands, but over our computer desk and an entire wall in our bedroom.  Such a cute kid. 

However, my favorite part, though it doesn't show in the pictures very well, was that she actually did a pretty fantastic job with her eyelashes. I was impressed.

Till next time. . .

this video is very short and sideways but it was soo cute at the time. enjoy!

For those who haven't seen this forward:

I've heard it a few times but think it's absolutely adorable. You moms will appreciate this.

Dear Santa,

 

I've been a good Mom all year. I've fed, cleaned, and cuddled my two children on demand, visited the doctor's office more than my doctor, sold sixty-two cases of candy bars to raise money to plant a shade tree on the school playground and figured out how to attach nine patches onto my daughter's girl scout sash with staples and a glue gun.

I was hoping you could spread my list out over several Christmases, since I had to write this letter with my son's red crayon, on the back of a receipt in the laundry room between cycles, and who knows when I'll find anymore free time in the next 18 years.

Here are my Christmas wishes:

I'd like a pair of legs that don't ache after a day of chasing kids (in any color, except purple, which I already have) and arms that don't flap in the breeze, but are strong enough to carry a screaming toddler out of the candy aisle in the grocery store. I'd also like a waist, since I lost mine somewhere in the seventh month of my last pregnancy. If you're hauling big ticket items this year I'd like a car with fingerprint resistant windows and a radio that only plays adult music; a television that doesn't broadcast any programs containing talking animals; and a refrigerator with a secret compartment behind the crisper where I can hide to talk on the phone.

On the practical side, I could use a talking daughter doll that says, "Yes, Mommy" to boost my parental confidence, along with one potty-trained toddler, two kids who don't fight, and three pairs of jeans that will zip all the way up without the use of power tools. I could also use a recording of Tibetan monks chanting, "Don't eat in the living room" and "Take your hands off your brother," because my voice seems to be just out of my children's hearing range and can only be heard by the dog. And please don't forget the Playdoh Travel Pack, the hottest stocking stuffer this year for mothers of preschoolers. It comes in three fluorescent colors and is guaranteed to crumble on any carpet making the in-laws' house seem just like mine. If it's too late to find any of these products, I'd settle for enough time to brush my teeth and comb my hair in the same morning, or the luxury of eating food warmer than room temperature without it being served in a Styrofoam container. If you don't mind I could also use a few Christmas miracles to brighten the holiday season.

Would it be too much trouble to declare ketchup a vegetable? It will clear my conscience immensely. It would be helpful if you could coerce my children to help around the house without demanding payment as if they were the bosses of an organized crime family; or if my toddler didn't look so cute sneaking downstairs to eat contraband ice cream in his pajamas at midnight.

Well, Santa, the buzzer on the dryer is ringing and my son saw my feet under the laundry room door. I think he wants his crayon back. Have a safe trip and remember to leave your wet boots by the chimney and come in and dry off by the fire so you don't catch cold. Help yourself to cookies on the table, but don't eat too many or leave crumbs on the carpet.

Yours always... Mom

P.S. One more thing... you can cancel all my requests if you can just keep my children young enough to believe in you.

pictures

Carina gets so proud that she can stand up by herself in the crib. Danna tries to get her to fall down; it can be pretty funny and Carina doesn't seem to mind.

On top of that, how do you get two little girls to look cute in the same picture? I swear I take like 14 of each shot and none of them seem to turn out. We'll keep working on it.

Merry Christmas everyone!

I love the busy-ness of the holidays. I know it drives a lot of people crazy but I love it. I had two symphony concerts last week (for those who didn't go you totally missed out), an enrichment activity and so many other things, it was a blast. We also have so many different parties and activities coming up that I don't know if we'll even be able to make them all but I'm still soo excited. Tomorrow evening I get to teach the priest's quorum a swimming lesson. Now, normally I'd be a bit intimidated since I'm going to be in a swimming suit and will have teenage boys all over the place, but I'm actually looking forward to it (my husband will keep them toned down I hope). I've also been asked to play my violin in church for the next two upcoming Sundays. I'm thrilled even though I'm completely unprepared and don't even know what I'm going to be playing yet. I think the season is getting to me. Not to mention that I have just found out a couple of my friends have just had their babies and a couple more have announced they are pregnant. How great (for them, I'm still glad it's not me quite yet) :).  Anyway, thanks for everyone's enthusiasm, it's working for me.

Back from Vacation

Okay,

  I'm back from a completely fabulous trip to Tri-Cities for the Thanksgiving week. I can't tell you how good it was to have my mom cook for me again. Don't ask me why, but it seems like even if I am making the exact same recipe it still tastes better when mom makes it. Anyway, Thanksgiving dinner was awesome and it was a blast hanging out with the rest of the family too. Actually, I have to be honest, one of the best things about it was all the free babysitting! I love my girls but I definitely took advantage of letting others watch them as well. 

 Anyway, so I'm back and feeling like changing the world. . . in however a small way it might be. My goal for this week, aside from exercising, is to actually make dinner every night this week. I know all of you supermoms out there are rolling your eyes at my pathetic-ness but, seriously, I really struggle with consistent meal times and really doing anything in the kitchen at all. I've been easily caught up in the quick-fix meals like frozen burritos and hot dogs and I'm pretty sure we've had at least 2 frozen pizzas a week for the last month or so. I guess getting rid of the pizza may not go over very well with Mike cause he craves those things (and my cooking isn't much to brag about). But, anyway, the world is looking brighter; my Christmas season is in full swing with me blasting Christmas music all day and I'm even thrilled by my sad attempt at making biscuits last night cause I actually had a side with my casserole! Go me!!!

Hope everyone is enjoying the season as much as I have been and hope all continues to go well!

Tiffany