Target

I don't own a coat. I gave both of mine away before we moved from AA because one was 15 years old & too embarrassing to wear anymore (every time I wore it someone asked me in surprise if it was Jeremy's?) & one was shredded to pieces. So I finally went shopping this week. I thought about Target but figured I better go to the mall where there's more variety. I dislike the mall. Very strongly. I dislike shopping even more strongly if that's even possible. I get headaches & start feeling stressed just driving to go shopping. I spent a frustrating hour or two trying on coats but I didn't like anything & I definitely didn't like the prices. On the way home I thought I better go by Target just in case. 10 minutes later I was the happy owner of a coat I really liked that has the right kind of Target price! Sweet!

It reminded me of when my little brother was getting married & I needed a white skirt. Again, I thought about Target but decided I better go to the mall for more variety. After a few very frustrating hours of trying on skirts I left with an $80 skirt I didn't even like because it was the only thing I could really find. On the way home I decided to stop by Target just in case. 10 minutes later I leave the store happy with 2 different white skirts that I really liked & my Visa is only 20 bucks lighter!

When will I learn my lesson??????? Next time I think I better go to the mall for more variety I better drive myself straight to Target & not look back.

Target, I love you.

We met my good friend Ruth, her husband Lee & their 5 kids at the temple. Because it was a balmy 45 degrees & sunny when we arrived we had the kids play at the park nearby the whole afternoon. We took turns with them going to the temple & it was so nice to actually go WITH Jeremy. It was a great day!

Here's the whole crew- 9 kids 7 & under!

It was a good day to play with Daddy, take naps,

swing on the swings, play all day in the sand volleyball pit,

& snuggle to stay warm!

You want to know what the cutest thing is? Watching your babies play peek a boo over a gate-so cute!

And the next cutest thing? When your 4 year old wants a picture of his whole family in the frame Nana gave him but because 'it's too expensive to buy one I'll just draw one myself!'

Hmmm...do I say the phrase 'it's too expensive' too much?

And we're all holding hands...awww! Can you tell who's who? I can't but I sure like his drawings!

Happy Halloween!

(+ possibly the cutest twin bouncing video you've ever seen)

from Lightning McQueen, The King, an 80's person, a chicken, another chicken & the Mexican

Here is my hippie friend who picked out my costume for me.

Here is Rusteze & The King at the ward potluck dinner & trunk-or-treat! Didn't Jeremy do an awesome job making their costumes? Made out of diaper boxes baby!

And here are our tired chickens

The best part of this holiday was Nana, Poppie, Stephen & Alison being here to hang out with us. We carved & painted lots of pumpkins.

We had to show them the Bass Pro Shop of course (& Andy's custard)

We hung out at home a lot playing & watching scary movies like Bedknobs & Broomsticks :)

Doesn't Justin look great in the super hero with a beanie hat look?

We went trick-or-treating at the zoo one night but no pictures.

And we went to the Farm Park's festival. Loved the horse-drawn hay ride!

And the video:

Highlights

Here are some of the highlights of our week:

1. 'How to train your dragon' pretty much on the big screen. Big thanks to the England family for bringing their awesome projector over (and for the Dyers for coming too!). I really want a projector now! What a perfect way to watch a movie at home & we finally found a use for our big, blank wall. Um, let's do it next weekend too :)

2. Birthday, cupcakes & friends

3. Super craft Saturday for Relief Society. I'm not going to lie, because as uncrafty as I am, these four things kinda stressed me out! But after being there from 9-3 I finished them all & I'm proud of myself for sticking it out! Plus good food & company is a plus!

4. Card game playing with a 2 & 4 year old for a couple hours before church makes for some funny conversations.

5. Candle-lit dinner with my favorite people in the world. On my mission there was this cute family in one of my wards that told me they would turn out all the lights, light a bunch of candles & have dinner as a family like that once a month. I have been in love with that idea since then & I told my big boys about it the other day & Hyrum suggested it this evening. Here's to another tradition :)

6. The Bug telling Emma (while wearing her 12 month white blessing dress she wore as a 4 month old to church today) over & over again 'You're so pretty Miss Emma' while stroking her head. Sigh, so cute!

7. My hot husband! My Dad said that Jeremy deserves a medal for this week & it's true, I went Halloween shopping on Wed, Enrichment on Thurs, friends on Friday & all day Saturday crafting. He took care of the kids the whole time & put them to bed by himself most of the nights this week. And he never complains & always encourages me to go out. He's the best & he makes me laugh a lot too.

8. And my favorite video of the week of my favorite kids

Toy Story & Bonfire

Those were the highlights of our week, I'm pretty sure for everyone around here!

Toy Story 3 finally came to the cheap-o theater & since Jeremy has Thursday afternoons off I took the big boys on a Mommy date. We had to count down every hour on the hour until it was time to go. We were at the theater 50 minutes before the show actually started because they were so excited to get out of the house! We spent the extra time running around the ramps to burn off excess energy.

Here they are with their friends eagerly anticipating the movie. I loved the movie but it was a bit more intense than the other ones & it was really loud in there so they both kept their hands over their ears for at least half of it. I didn't particularly like the monkey or the baby doll-eeekk, creepy! But a Spanish speaking Buzz? Very cool.

We found a place to have a bonfire & except for the piles of horse poo surrounding our site, it was a good time!

8 hot dogs & 8 'smores later, we went home. I know, I know such a healthy, balanced diet, right?

Turban head

I love this picture of Emma girl!!!

(those are NOT my hairy toes, just saying)

Here is a video of Emma flying

And here is one of Justin standing & flapping

9 months

Miss Emma is still crawling, standing, walking along furniture, trying to escape, getting into everything, putting everything into her mouth, smiley, happy, squealer, & a very determined girly girl. She is still happy but clingier than she's ever been & gets pretty upset when you take something away that she wanted etc.

Little Mister has finally started crawling over the last week or so (see video below) & although he doesn't go too far he seems happier now that he can move & get to things he wants. And Mommy may be a bit happier too :) Still loves to be held & cuddled. He has started clapping a lot & loves to stand up on his own & see how long he lasts. Only problem is I'm not always there to catch him.

They are both in 12 month clothes & I really hope they stop growing so fast! They are still only eating rice cereal because although it's not as bad they still spit up a bit. But I may just deal with green & orange stains on everything & start feeding them something else. I'm sure they're super bored with rice! They interact with each other more & more all the time & I think to myself how lucky & blessed I am to have these twins in our family. They are so cool.

ps Jeremy & I went on a hot date Saturday to chaperone a tri-stake youth dance. I had 2 thoughts during the time we were there.

1. I am soooooooooooooooooooo glad that stage of my life is over, can anyone say awkward?

2. Part of me dreads & part of me is very curious to see our kids in a situation like this someday, can anyone say awkward?

And now I have Justin Bieber stuck in my head..

Conference weekend

One of my favorite weekends of the year! We were able to listen to our prophet, the apostles & other church leaders speak to us. I loved it all & it's hard to really narrow down one favorite.

1. President Uchtdorf - I need to do better at prioritizing my life! I need to stop running around stressed out! I need to take care of the most important things first & let other things go that aren't important

2. Sister Wixom - The world will teach our children if we don't. Scary thought! Be more pro-active about what I'm teaching my kids in more formal settings (FHE) & just in every day interactions

3. Sister Cook - We should not permit ourselves to do anything we wouldn't want our children doing! Be an example, example, example! I need to be what I want my kids to be, I need to do & say what I want my kids to do & say. There is no other way around it-that's how they will learn.

4. Elder Bednar - Receiving the Holy Ghost is a pronouncement to ACT not to be acted upon. Favorite quote from Hyrum at the end of his talk (in his matter-of-fact voice)

"I guess this guy really loves the Holy Ghost"

5. President Monson - When you walk with gratitude you focus on what we have, not on what we lack. Although there is much that is wrong in the world today there is a lot that is good!

6. Elder Lawrence - Parents who love their children can't afford to be intimidated by them. Courage to say no! And courage to say yes to the good things-FHE, scriptures, prayers etc. etc.

Those were just a few of the highlights for me-I love coming away feeling inspired, encouraged & rejuvenated. It's like zone conference times 100!!!

The kids did a fabulous job! They were pretty reverent & did a great job listening because they wanted Skittles & the only way they could get them was if & when they heard a few specific words. Whatever works right?! (Em was still asleep)

During Priesthood session I went over to a friends house for a girls night & we tried to put all our kids to bed throughout the house. Yup, didn't work a bit! Above are the babies still awake at 10pm (regular bedtime 6:30pm) & below Hunter finally zonked out on the floor! Fun times :)

More twin lovin'...or biting! AND, drum roll please, Justin crawled today a few times!!! He only did a few little crawls at a time to get something he reeeeeeallllly wanted (his bottle) & still prefers to get the royal treatment of being carted around everywhere but we're getting there!