Thanks A Lot

We had an incredible Thanksgiving with some great friends. It was so nice of them to open up their home so that a lot of us who are away from family could spend time together. The food was delicious, and the kids all got along!! I know it's a little late for a thanksgiving post, but it's always nice to remember what I am thankful for...

* My husband. I have a patient, sweet husband who is a good voice of reason in a house full of girls.
* My two adorable girls. They are sweethearts, and I LOVE being their mom. They make me laugh (and sometimes cry) every day.
*My friends. They are our family out here and I love every moment we get to spend together. It's not often in life that you find friends who know every part of your personality and love you in spite of that.
*Our families. They are spread out all across this country, and we miss you all every day. I am so grateful to be a part of such wonderful families. I'm grateful to call my family my friends.

It's Always Fun When Grandpa Comes

I'm a little behind on my blogging...so the next few posts are all about playing catch up. My FIL came for a quick visit last weekend and fun was had by all. Lots of spoiling took place and the time went by too quickly. We were sad that my MIL and SIL couldn't make the trip, but we are so excited to have them all come for a visit in February! Both of the girls warmed up to their Grandpa pretty quick and he spent most of his free time letting Banana entertain him in her bedroom. It was neat to hear all of the giggles coming out of her bedroom. We don't get family visiting too often but we take full advantage of it when they are here!

Check out the awesome Christmas moose(s)? Grandpa got for the girls. They antlers light up and it plays Jingle Bell Rock. That's about the only song we've heard at our house since he left...

The morning we took him to the airport...Banana was not too thrilled about that. Neither was Grandpa.

A bit of randomness...We bought Banana Sleeping Beauty a while ago and it came with this tiny princess make up kit. Well, I left the room for no more than two minutes and found my girls and their beautifully made up faces when I got back. Em thoroughly enjoyed having it put on her face, not such a fan of mom taking it off.

I Heart Twilight

Well, I did it. Me and a few of my friends braved the crowd of crazed teenage girls and went to the midnight premiere of twilight. For over a month I was so excited about it. I couldn't wait. Then on Thursday night I put the girls to bed, and sat down to relax and unwind. Then it hit me...there would be no quiet time for me. And I suddenly started to realize how totally insane I was for ever thinking that this would be a good idea. I started thinking about the lack of sleep, getting up bright and early the next morning to take care of the girls, and getting the house ready for my FIL to come into town (which I totally procrastinated). I was almost asleep on the couch when I got a call from Liz telling me to turn on the news. Apparently they were doing a story on the movie and had some reporters down at our theater, and the line was INSANE. Um...we thought we'd be golden if we got there by 10:30. Ha! So we got our old butts in gear and got down there fast. I should have realized how crazy it would be when I talked to my mom at 3:00 and she was dropping off my little sis's at their theater in Price. That's right 3:00. I just thought they were doing that cuz it's Price...small town, only showing at one theater.
But, we made it and even got decent seats. They let into the theater over an hour before the show started, and we attempted to play a card game but quickly canned that idea when we ran out of room to play (great idea though C)!
I was pleasantly surprised with the movie. I wasn't expecting much, and came away happy. It had a few cheesy moments, but I found myself getting caught up in it anyway. Not as great as the book, but worth the time and money. I had a blast with the girls...but not so sure I'll ever do that again. Miss Em was wide awake to greet me when I got home after 2:30...how nice of her :)
btw: if we look exhausted it's cuz we are. Apparently midnight is too late for us "oldies". Ok, we weren't the oldest ones there, but pretty close.

Than the Man

Happy Birthday to our FAVORITE missionary!! We love you!!!

Our Little Artist

So there really isn't anything too exciting going on around here...I just wanted to show you some cute pics. Banana has suddenly become totally obsessed with drawing on her "noodle" (magna doodle). I stopped paying attention a while ago at what she was drawing (mom of the year, I know), then one day I was out shopping and Hubby text me a pic of something she had drawn. I was shocked. Here is something similar to what she had drawn...


He told me that he was in the kitchen and she started yelling for him to come and look at her drawing and he found this awesome drawing. She had no help whatsoever. She knows exactly where to put all of the body parts and granted, they aren't always proportional, but she does it w/o help. It's fun cuz she usually adds her own flair to each one. Sometimes her little person has freckles, sometimes silly teeth and a tongue, or crazy hair and glasses. Crazy. It's sad to say that my toddler's artistic skills already surprass mine. She totally gets it from her dad. I couldn't be a prouder mama!
Anyhow...We had to get some sort of family pic to my MIL for a project she was working on. Sad as it is, the last time we were all in a picture together was at Em's blessing. (My fault...not a fan of being in pictures). So I sucked it up, and we took these. It was quite an ordeal. Not so easy to get two kids to cooperate, look at the camera at the same time, smile, and do it all within the time the timer on the camera allows you. But, we ended up with at least one decent one. At least the kids always look cute.
On a parting note, I bought my ticket to see Twilight! Me and my other insane friends are going to the midnight release of it...Yep, we'll be there with all of the crazed 14 year old super fans. And not ashamed at all. I am a little worried about keeping myself awake, but that's what caffeine and popcorn are for right? The next day my FIL is coming, so hopefully my children nap that day so I can get some rest. Wish me luck!

Heritage Canyon!

We enjoyed Hubby'slast day of break by getting outside and enjoying the GORGEOUS weather. It was around 70 degrees, and made me dread the coming winter even more. We headed to this place called Heritage Canyon which is an old settlement in...a canyon. It is so pretty, and quiet. Hubby came here with his family several times when he was growing up here, and we visited our first fall out here. We didn't make it last year, but I am so glad we made it again this fall. There are so many fun little towns and historical places to visit in Iowa and Illinois. Love it.

Banana was a little bit, ok a lot, terrified of this swinging bridge. I have to admit I was kind of wary myself. The ones I have been on before seemed much sturdier than this one was...It took a lot of coaxing, and begging to get her to go across it. There were several bridges in this place, and every time we would come to one she would have a tiny (HUGE) meltdown.

Em's new favorite game is to pull my hair, then laugh hysterically that I am in pain. Both of my girls are obsessed with my hair, and I'm finding it hard to break the habit...cute habit, but oh so painful :)




Our favorite covered bridge. We took some pictures here the first year we came, and had to get some more. I was having issues with our camera, and the sun was being annoying...sorry it's not a great shot.

Kind of neat, kind of creepy, really OLD church. Sometimes the old buildings around here freak me out. I have flashbacks of all of the scary movies i have ever watched that have taken place in the woods/scary old buildings...



We had to make a stop at this neat windmill that's on the drive home. The inside was closed for the season, but there was a city worker there who took pity on us and took us on a private tour. It was pretty cool, and nice to have it all to ourselves. Once again Banana was freaked out by the inside. We're having issues with her and enclosed spaces. She hates them, and isn't afraid to let us know.
And finally, no outing is complete without a trip to Culver's!! Absolutely one our favorite places to eat out here. Sad to say, but Banna knows exactly how to get to the one in town. It doesn't help that it is across the street from the dance studio...Have a fantastic weekend!!

SMILE AWARD

Keara was a big old sweetheart and gave me this wonderful, but undeserving award.
The SMILE AWARD

Rules associated with this award:
The recipient must link back to the awards creator...... a student in Texas:
(http://www.thebabblingsofmere.blogspot.com/)

You must post these rules if you receive the award.
You must choose 5 people to receive the award after receiving it yourself.
You must fit the characteristics of the recipient of the award, as posted by Mere. You must post the characteristics of a recipient. You must create a post sharing your win with others. You must thank your giver.
Characteristics for the Smile Award: Must display a cheerful attitude. Must love one another. Must make mistakes. Must learn from others. Must be a positive contributor to blog world. Must love life. Must love kids.
5 Awesome Bloggers Who Qualify for This Major Award!

1. Kyla. I got an awesome package deal when I married into this family. She inspires me to be creative, to be organized, and to love the time I spend with my kids. She has always treated me like her sister, and is so patient with my cabillion questions that I have about everything crafty. I wish she didn't live on the other side of the country...

2. Crystal. Also part of that great package deal. She was my best friend when I was one lost and lonely soul in Provo. She gives awesome advice, and can always find the positive in any hard situation. She keeps me level headed, and is so great at getting me to laugh at myself and my silly parnaoias. Also wish she didn't live on the other side of the country.

3. I have a two in one...Keara and Cassie. They are part of the reason that I love living in Iowa. They always make me laugh, have helped me through this crazy transition of having two kids, and have kids that love to hang out with mine! They provide me with much needed adult conversation almost every day, and I love spending time with them! They have such great attitudes, and also inspire the inner crafty goddess in me :)

4. Liz. Where to start? She has been through so much, but still manages to be there to bring me out of my bad days. She can make me laugh by saying two words, and keeps me sane. Even when she's struggling she is providing service to others. And she shares my twilight obsession. :)

5. Cindy. My first friend out here, and someone I have loved from the moment we met. She is hilarious without trying to be, and is a good calming influence. She's done a great job of trying to fatten me up with her delicious desserts, and inspires me to try new things. Our lives have become increasingly crazy this kast year, but I know I can always turn to her in times of need.

I love all of these women, and could add ten more to this list...