September Update

I keep thinking I need to take pictures of this or that and blog about this or that, but that just sounds like a lot of work and it is preventing me from blogging.  So I decided I would just sit down and write about a few of things that have been going on.  

First off, we are in the midst of football season.  Gone are the 5 days a week practice with games on Saturday, we are now down to 3 days a week with games on Saturday.  Unfortunately for me with boys on 2 different teams, we are there everyday anyways and it stinks!  David and Jacob are not on the same team.  At the end of try-outs, Jacob made the A2 team and David and Ethan are on another team.  Kirk and I were so excited for Jacob and now we just feel bad for him.  While David is the "star" of his team and he and Ethan are getting lots of opportunities, Jacob is on a rather boring team and is not getting a chance to do anything new.  His coach seems pretty great, but the rest are mostly just there to coach their sons.  It is such a contrast to go from one team to the other.  Last Saturday Kirk was at a scout thing so I was on my own.  Both of the games were here at 12:00 at opposite sides of the field.  I watched one, then left at halftime for the other both teams won and neither of the opponents even scored, but there was a HUGE difference in the games, one was fun, the other not so much.  Note to self, don't let your son be on an A team ever again.  

Since I went on a dream shopping vacation, my birthday was pretty low key.  My parents took me to Lion King and that was a lot of fun.  Kirk got me some massages (I told him not to get my anything because I had just been to New York, but he is just so thoughtful).  I went to lunch at the cheesecake factory with my little niece and my grandma, (we all share the same birthday) that has become a fun tradition.  And my boys got me tetris for the Wii.  I love tetris.  But one of the best birthday presents was a new driver's license.  Last time I got my picture taken was about 9 years ago.  I had let my license expire while I was pregnant with twins, bad mistake.  So for the past 9 or so years, my driver's license picture was me 6 months pregnant with twins.  While you couldn't see my belly in the picture, you could definitely see the puffiness in my face.  I am so happy to have a new one!!!

Earlier this month I bottled salsa with a friend.  I consider that pretty major for me.  I have never bottled anything in my life.  Together we had about 50 pints of salsa.  And it turned out pretty darn good.  We had good intentions to try spaghetti sauce next, but we still haven't gotten around to it.  

Slowly my house is getting put back together since we painted.  I have been very happy with the colors we used.  It has been fun to buy a few new things for the house.  I think my colors were so bold last time, I didn't need many decorations.  I like stumbling upon things for the house, but I hate shopping for decorations.  I think that is why I have gone without for so long.  We put up all the Halloween stuff this week and I sort of missed the orange.  It really was fun to have during Halloween time.  But I am excited for the Christmas decorations this year!

My mother in law stayed with us this week.  She was just here for a night, but it was fun to visit with her.  Her son, Kirk's older brother has a lot of challenges, they came up to visit with a doctor.  I can't imagine how hard it would be to have a son with challenges like that.  She is such a kind and loving person and I am sure that is why she got the job of being his mom.  I wish someone could do something to make it all better for her.

We are LOVING this fall weather.  If only we weren't at football every night we might be out enjoying it more.  Our yard has never been so neglected.  Oh well, there is always next year:)

A Trip Down 9 Years of Memory Lane

The twins turned 9 years old last week.  They are getting big and old.  Sometimes I feel the same way:)  It was exciting, just like all birthdays are.  It was Saturday and despite the nice weather in the background, it snowed all day.  So we stayed inside and spent some time together as a family.  Even though the boys are growing up, I love that they are still in a stage where they love legos.  Kirk and I are really good at legos too.  We have helped put together a lot of them!

Since my babies were born before blogging, I decided to put up some old pictures of them.  It was a lot of fun picking them out.  And since I don't scrapbook, I better scan a few photos in once in awhile, so here goes....

The boys turned 1 right as we bought our house.  We were a small family back then and I didn't even have enough stuff to fill all of my cupboards.  David and Jacob used to get in the lazy susan and ride around.  They thought it was hilarious!  I have two of these in my kitchen.  The other one was full of tuperware.  Another one of their favorite things to do was to throw all of the tuperware to the landing at the bottom of the stairs.  They would take out one piece at a time, walk to the top of the stairs, chuck it, and go back for another.  Sometimes I just left it down there.

I love this picture because it was taken at the house we lived in before we bought our home and it also has our old car in the background.  We had beautiful trees at this house and we spent our Sunday afternoons laying on the grass underneath them.  

This picture was taken soon after we came home from the hospital.  The twins were my littlest babies, even though they didn't stay that way for long.  I loved taking care of them all day.  

Even though David isn't looking at the camera, I still love this picture.  Our house was within walking distance of my grandma and we would walk over to her house often.  This was taken on one of our visits.  I also love it because I look so happy.  I really was so happy to be a mom and literally loved my life.  

I used to walk every morning with my dear friend Stefanie.  I bundled up those boys and off we would go.  They loved it!

This picture was taken on their blessing day.  As soon as they were born, it just seemed like life picked up and from then on it has been one event after another.  The time has gone by too quickly!  I remember Kirk giving Jacob a beautiful blessing, then handing him off to me and taking David and giving him a beautiful blessing as well.  I also remember I used to have to wake up at 6:00 am to get us all ready and fed for 9:00 church.  

As the boys got bigger, sometimes I would prop them up with their bottles as I folded laundry or did something else.  Looking at all of these pictures, I forgot how close they have been their whole lives.  No wonder David freaked out when he got his own room.  They have always been so close and they still are, though they both enjoy having their own rooms.  

And I love this picture because they are both full of mischief, just like they are now, goofing off is still their favorite past time.  I love those boys and I still love being their mom and I am still happy, I just look a lot older and more tired.  And that is because I am:)

My twins are special little guys and I look forward to all of the events, accomplishments, and learning that we will have together many more years!

The Big 5

Tyler turned 5 years old and has been entertaining himself with his new toys ever since.  The only downside is that he doesn't get to start kindergarten today.  It will be here before we know it.  He is such a joy to have in our family.  He is full of love that helps bring us all together.  This afternoon he told me he would miss me when I get old.  I guess I just won't be the same.  I will miss him a lot when he actually does start kindergarten!

Best Birthday

Well, I am another year older.  Saturday I went running and felt so stiff.  I was complaining to my husband when a friend overheard, she reminded me that I was a year older.  If that is a sign of things to come, I would rather not have another birthday!  But this year was great.  I think we have started a tradition of celebrating at the Cheesecake Factory with my grandma and niece.  We did it again this year and it was just as nice.  We all share the same birthday, it is so much fun! 

Later that night we went out as a family.  We had to pick up a few things at Gardner Village, so we ate there and checked out the witches.  It was a great night and fun to be together as a family.

I was overwhelmed this year by wonderful friends and family who made this one of the best birthdays ever!

Ethan's Big Day

Ethan turned 7!  He got new "Tiger Wood's golf clubs".  He didn't really want a party or a cake.  When his brother suggested a BYU cake, he was all over that.  So he got a cake.  Ethan is growing up into a fiercely competitive and independent boy.  It is a joy and and a pain all at the same time.  He is a good helper around the house and gets along with everyone just fine as long as no one is "cheating".  We sure do love him lots!