Happy New Year!

Wishing everyone a new year filled with health, happiness and good fortune!!!


Kind of strange but as a teacher the new year always started in September when school started. January was just another month and not one for new starts. Being out of the teaching world for two years, I'm beginning to feel like the rest of the world and actually setting resolutions. One of the resolutions I have for myself is to get organized. There is so much stuff around here that needs to get sold, given away, or just plain thrown out! Another is to put myself first sometimes--that includes more me time, eating better, and exercising. I could probably list a handful of other things too but for now I'll keep my list short. I hope I can hold true to these goals.

Anyway, here's to a great 2009!!

Happy 19 Months!!

Happy 19 Months!

You are growing up so fast!

Our Christmas 2008

We had a great holiday with family. On Christmas Eve we went to Bob's grandparent's house. They were spoiled rotten with toys, books, and clothes galore.

On Christmas day, we got up and enjoyed some gift opening. After, we went to my sister's house. Again, they were spoiled by all. We stopped at Bob's sister's house on our way home. The kids did well with all the driving. We put them in the pj's before we left each night and TRANSFERRED them to the house when we got home. No problems--they were exhausted from all the excitement. Their favorite gifts so far have been a shopping cart with fake food, double stroller with twin dolls, Dora backpack, wind up cars, and a push toy. We still have a bunch in their boxes yet.

Sort of uncharacteristic for us but we took more video than pictures this year and the pictures I did take were blurry for some reason. I'm kind of bummed about that.

I have to say I had one of those "holy cow, they are growing up" moments this weekend. I saw my daughter grow up before my eyes the day after Christmas. She was wearing a purse (another new favorite gift) on one arm, and holding a cell phone up to her ear while trying to push the doll stroller. She's turning into a real girly girl. She loves to wear dresses and hear how pretty she looks. Oh boy!

Bob's been home with me these last few days and it has been nice having him around, but he went back to work today. At least I have New Years to look forward to.

A Merry Christmas to All

Way Back Wednesday

Here are Ryan & Kaylie Christmas 2007

Makes me miss those days where you could just hold them all day!

Griswold's Competition

Here are some pictures of that "Griswold House" I was talking about. Yep, I had to take Bob (& kids) to see it. Still not great pictures, but you get the idea. Look at the roof people! I'm sure they appreciate me taking pictures and posting for the whole world to see.

Outdoor Lighting

As promised a picture of our outdoor lighting. Of course this does not compare to the house I found in a neighboring town. I actually came upon a house that is decked out like the Griswold's in the movie Christmas Vacation--maybe even more so. We're talking lights stapled across the roof just like Clark did!! The entire yard is filled with every lighted holiday decoration imaginable. I took a picture with my cell phone but it didn't come out. I NEED to go back to that house and gawk some more. If I do, I'll be sure to post!

Christmas Photos

These are some pictures from our Christmas photo shoots. It was impossible to keep them still. I really just wanted a picture of the two of them together but we ended up using two for our card (first and third pic). Note that the rocking chair was Bob's. He got it when he was one from his grandmother and the sled was mine as a kid. Enjoy!!

Holiday Preparations

Well, carols are playing, the tree is up, the cards are mailed, and the house is decorated inside and out. We didn't put too much out in the house because little fingers don't stay off. So basically, I have the mantle and banister decorated (out of reach), some plush snowmen around the house and Christmas dishes that we use for the holiday season. I have a million knick knacks that didn't even make it out of the box. Some year I suppose.

Last weekend I took them to my mom's work for Breakfast with Santa. Kaylie HATED Santa this time and the only picture I have is of her crying and squirming herself off of Santa's lap. Ryan could care less where he was sitting. Here they are enjoying some cookies with their hats that didn't fit. I guess they have big heads.

Bob did the lights outside. I would go take a picture but it's sleeting here at the moment. You'll have to wait. Our neighbor even called us to say how nice it looks.

Speaking of lights....a day last week we lost power for over an hour and I was by myself. The kids were eating and then all of the sudden it went out. I lit a million candles to try make it as light as possible. After a while Kaylie kept pointing to the lights as if to say, "Turn them on," but I just kept telling her they were broken. Here they are dining in the dark.

Shopping is almost complete but the wrapping remains. I also have to do some annual baking of cookies, but I'm not going crazy this year.

The kids have Christmas jammies....

The tree: This year we got an artificial tree. This is the first year of my life without a real tree. While I don't miss watering the tree, I do miss the smell of a fresh cut tree. The tree came with a spray but it's not the same. We decided to do artificial because we knew the kids wouldn't leave it alone and the amount of fallen needles would be impossible to keep up with. The kids of course touch it and we constantly are saying, "Don't touch the tree!" I want to record myself and just have it play if any branches are touched, sort of like a tree alarm. We are only on day 3 of having it up but so far no broken ornaments, although the breakable ones are high up.

Happy 18 Months!

A little late with this too, but with the illness in our home, blogging wasn't the first thing on my mind. Pretend it is November 30th. As of now, Bob still has a lingering cold mixed with a fever. The rest of us are better.

Happy 18 Months!

R & K had their check up last week. Ryan weighs 25.5 pounds and is 34 1/2 inches. Kaylie is 20 pounds 9 oz. and is 31 1/4 inches. She's still a peanut but guess what? She was not just on the charts, but she was on the curve for weight!

Brotherly & Sisterly Love

Not sure why it took so long, but today was the first time Kaylie & Ryan kissed each other. It was too cute to watch. I asked Kaylie to give Ryan a kiss and she did and Ryan accepted. This picture is actually the second kiss. Of course when I got the video camera out, no one was in the kissing mood. Normally, the only affection they show towards one another is wrestling and laughing with each other.

Thanksgiving 2008

I'm a little late with this but...

We had a really nice Thanksgiving. First we made a stop at Grandma & Pop-Pop's house.

Then we went to Aunt Amy & Uncle Steve's house for dinner and dessert. Ryan & Kaylie got to play with their cousins and see their great grandparents and Nana & Pop Pop. Here are some of my favorite pics of the day taken by Bob.

Here's a family picture

and to compare to last year:

Under the Weather

The last two days have been rough in this house.

Thank goodness Grandma happened to come down on Sunday to watch them while I went shopping and had some me time. She ended up staying over and Bob & I went to dinner.
I woke up Monday with a splitting headache and knew I didn't feel quite right....well a few throw ups later I knew it was downhill. So Grandma stayed the day while I pretty much slept all day. Bob came home from work early with the same thing so we were both hit with the bug. The kind where you can't do anything but lay down. This morning Ryan & Kaylie woke up and vomited a few times all over the place. This was a first for them. After their nap, they seemed to be fine the rest of the day eating solids and drinking Pedialyte. Thank goodness for Grandmas is all I can say!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wishing everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving! We have so much to be thankful for. Enjoy!

Keeping the Kids Entertained

Winter is around the corner. Here are a few ideas to keep your kiddos occupied that I happened to discover by chance.

1. MITTENS--K & R don't want to wear their mittens outside. Instead they would rather wear them inside for about 20 minutes. I don't know what the obsession was but they wanted them on. Novelty I suppose.

2. PAPER---A paper towel can be a fascinating object to a 17 month old and the ripping develops fine motor skills. Only requires a few minutes of clean up time.

3. See how many kids can fit into a box and don't forget to time how long it takes before one gets mad. (I still don't know how they both managed to get in there.)

4. Play Peek a Boo with oven mitts.

Oh and I saw bubbles used indoors on another blog I read so I will be busting them out soon. I remember R & K loved them last winter.

I sort of started out this post as a joke, but then thought about how the activities were really all things that kept my kids busy and they liked. I know you are going to try these ideas out today aren't you? M.O.M.s have to stay sane somehow. Got any tips for me???

Uh-Oh

I went to the food store and returned to find Ryan standing on the couch! Apparently he can get up on his own now and according to Daddy was sitting nicely until I got home. I'm seriously not ready for this. Let's hope the novelty wears off quickly.

A Very Special Visit

I took Ryan & Kaylie to see Santa at the mall by myself! It went well despite my fear of them running off in two directions and tantrums to get back into the stroller. None of that happened. I went super early to avoid the lines and crowds. We were the only ones there so I think that made the difference. Ryan walked right up to Santa and smiled. Santa put him on his lap, so I got Kaylie out of the stroller and plopped her right down. They were both just happy sitting on his lap. No smiles for the pictures however, but what else is new? I have serious kids. Ho! Ho! Ho!

Laughing Duo

Here's a video of Ryan & Kaylie. They didn't know I was filming. Of course they were laughing more before I got the camera. I love giggles.

Needed a Change

I figured the beach picture/theme wasn't fitting in anymore with the colder weather coming. I think I need to get some better pictures for the header and I really wish I was talented enough (or just knew HTML code) to change the background and make it a "cool" blog like many others I see. Until then, I'll have to stick with Blogger templates. Enjoy!

Halloween Photoshoot

Last weekend we finally had a Halloween photoshoot in our house. They weren't the most smiley kids for it and trying to keep them still was near impossible. Bob saved the day by using the candy container. They wanted to play with the candy in it. To think we have to do another shoot in a week or so for the Christmas card exhausts me!

What's Cooking?

Tonight I made cornflake chicken for dinner. The recipe calls for crushed cornflakes. I put some cornflakes in a baggie and let the kids go to town. They loved it and it kept them busy for a whole 15 minutes. I can't wait to bake cookies or cupcakes with them when they get older. I used to love that as a kid.

Playground Fun

Sunday we went to visit at my friend, Carra's, house. We took them over to a playground and they had a blast climbing through a tunnel, going on a merry go round and the swings. This was actually the first time they went on a slide! They loved it. The outing wasn't terribly long because it was a little chilly but it was a great idea to get out and enjoy the weather before it turns really cold.

Whee!
Kaylie's turn. (I'm taking this halfway across the playground while chasing after Ryan)

Then they got into a little mischief when we got back!