Two Peas in a Pod

Here are recent favorite pictures. The Bubs love to sit in the rocking chair together, and have been so cute about it lately. They giggle with each other, and you'll notice Afton resting her head on Maeryn's shoulder in one of the pictures. Sometimes I turn and catch them pressing their little foreheads together. I had heard about the special bond that twins have, but to witness it is indescribable.

Christmas Time

I have my "days". Everyone has their "days". But I seem to have had perpetual "days" the past number of days, feeling often at my wit's end. But, as always seems to be the case, life takes a turn and suddenly everything is great, wonderful. I find myself not completely losing my patience and questioning my sanity from day to day. Such is the case at present. The reason: It's Christmas time. That's the change. Thanksgiving is over, and we're on to Christmas. I love Thanksgiving, but I'll be honest and admit that I've been sneaking Christmas music when Cody's at school and singing it at the top of my lungs in the car. (The Bubs are very patient listeners, and make a wonderful audience since they can't communicate enough to tell me to be quiet.) So, with the Christmas season comes this magical thing called perspective. I find myself daydreaming a lot, entertaining Christmas wishes, if you will, and it hit me today, that all of my daydreams involve happy gatherings with family and friends. We're sitting around the Christmas tree, we're laughing and singing carols and playing games and reminiscing. And, as I danced about my kitchen this evening with two very happy little Bubs to some good ol' Ella Fitzgerald Christmas music, I looked at them and realized I was in one of those moments. We were laughing and playing and having a good time, and I nearly burst into tears right there, because it was absolutely 100% a perfect Christmas moment. And I'll tell you what, I LOVE my Bubs. I had a hard time putting them to bed tonight (that NEVER happens), because I just never wanted the moment to end.

Halloween . . . Better Late Than Never

Okay, so Halloween was a bit of a bummer this year, I'll admit. I was sick and cranky, and ended up with ONE picture. And does this ONE picture include both Bubs in their costumes? Nope. So, angry and embarrassed that poor little Afton doesn't also have a picture of her 2nd Halloween, I didn't do a post, but I'm getting over it . . . really, I am. And, seeing as how Maeryn looks so incredibly adorable as a little brown bear, I decided it was high time I swallow my pride, admit I'm not a super mom, and post her picture. So, here's the picture.

Movies

I just watched a really great movie. The synopsis is misleading, so you'll just have to take my word for it. It was recommended to me, so Cody and I gave it a chance and were not disappointed. It's called Lars and the Real Girl. Speaking of great movies, if you haven't watched Sweet Land, it is excellent as well. As for BBC miniseries, I recently finished Bleak House (based on Charles Dickens' book of the same title) and thoroughly enjoyed it. And, if you haven't already heard me rave about Cranford and North and South (both based on Elizabeth Gaskell's works), here's a plug for those too. I love hearing about good movies, so I thought I'd share.

It Makes Me Happy

What makes me happy? Pandora. What's Pandora? A free online radio station that allows you to customize radio stations to fit your mood. For example, I am currently listening to my Natalie Cole station. I am hearing songs by Natalie Cole, Nat King Cole, Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, etc. It makes me so happy. I can listen to a variety of music without having to buy all of it, and it's commercial free. It's great when I want music to write to as well. Fabulous for that, in fact. And like tonight, a Friday night, when I need to relax and unwind, there it is. Ah . . . Pandora. So wonderful. Check it out! www.pandora.com

New Things

This past month I made a couple purchases which I was very excited about. #1 - The Bubs new winter jackets which I found on OldNavy.com for $15 a piece. Hooray for bargains! And #2- A little jogger trampoline I found on KSL for $25. The Bubs look very cute in their little jackets, and the trampoline . . . well, let's just say the Bubs have used it a few more times than I have.
Since I'm not sure how to put captions on my photos yet, the closeup is of Maeryn (don't you want to squeeze those cheeks!), the full-body shot is of Afton, and Maeryn is on the left and Afton on the right in the trampoline shot.

This Scares Me

Afton is growing up WAY too fast. She's wearing jewelry, and driving while talking on a cell phone. I'm going to have to have a little chat with this young lady!

Bubs in Bins

A little while ago, we purchased some plastic food and mini metal pots and pans for the Bubs. They do thoroughly enjoy the new purchases, and have learned the names of most of the items. They will bring plastic apples "app-a", corn "co", and ice-cream cones "i-kee", for example, on command, proudly stating the corresponding words they have learned. However, it seems they, especially Maeryn, enjoy the toy bins above all else. Afton likes to eat the pots.

Surprise

The morning after the Bubs' test run of the new PJs, we found Afton thus:

(Perhaps a onesie will have to be put on underneath from now on!)

Bubs in PJs

Recently, my dear, sweet Mom took it upon herself to sew some much-needed pajamas for the Bubs. When I tried this set on the Bubs for the first time, they looked SO adorable I just had to take some pictures. As you can imagine, getting the two of them to hold still long enough to be photographed together is a bit of a challenge. Here are some individual shots and attempts at togetherness.

General Relief Society Broadcast

I had the opportunity to watch the General Relief Society Broadcast online today, and was deeply moved by the words of President Uchtdorf. I truly feel uplifted and edified. For any of you who may have missed it like me, watch it. What a remarkable meeting.

http://www.lds.org/move/index.html?type=conference&event=178&lang=english

Pictures

So, my computer decided to crash as I was uploading the pictures and video mentioned in my last post. Fortunately, my computer is now back up and running and I was able to attach the pictures. Unfortunately, I still don't seem to be able to upload a video. I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong, but it's not working. In the meantime, enjoy the pictures!

Visits with Oma & Opa

In the past few weeks we have made a couple trips up to Oma & Opa's in Draper. As we don't personally have a yard, it has been wonderful to sit outside and enjoy theirs, which is an especially beautiful yard thanks to Dave's expert landscaping skills. The Bubs really enjoy visiting with Oma & Opa and being outside. During our most recent visit the little pool was pulled out and the Bubs splashed around in their onesies and little swimmers to their hearts' content. They enjoyed the pool so much, they climbed back in it after it had dried out and continued to play in it for quite some time. Here are some pictures and a video to give you a glimpse of their fun in the sun.

Delicious Autumn!

I was out shopping with a dear friend, Rosemary, when we came across this wonderful quote that captures my feelings about this beautiful time of year:

"Delicious Autumn! My very soul is wedded to it. And if I were a bird I would fly about the Earth seeking the successive Autumns." - George Eliot

Happy Anniversary!

Yesterday, August 9th, marked six years of marriage for Cody and me. Can you believe it?! We were grateful to Noelle and Cesar for their babysitting services. They are the best! Our anniversary date consisted of window shopping, eating at Famous Dave's, and seeing WALL-E. It was so nice to spend some time together without the bubs!

It's interesting to look back on the past six years and reflect on the experiences we have had thus far. It's interesting to see how life plans change and how some things just can't be planned for (like having twins). We have weathered some trying times and we have had incredibly happy times. It has been and continues to be a learning process. I'm so grateful to have Cody. Sometimes I wonder how we ever got together because we are so incredibly different, but I have found that we can learn from those differences, that I appreciate a different perspective. And in the end, we agree on the matters that are most important. We strive for the same eternal goals. Anyway, I didn't mean to get all mushy . . . . The point is, I love Cody. Happy Anniversary to us!

Silly Bubs

The bubs are silly. This is a fact, not an opinion.

They love to get the dish towels from the kitchen and throw them around their shoulders or over their heads. Maeryn particularly enjoys parading about the house looking like a shepherd. I guess we know what part she would like to play in the nativity this year!

Both bubs love peas. Silly girls. I'm not sure how they developed this affinity for the disgusting green vegetable I avoid like the plague, but hey, I'm glad they're healthy.

And then there's peekaboo. Afton even says "boo", though she puts her hands over her mouth instead of her eyes. Maeryn covers her eyes and then sits there forever. I don't think she quite understands the whole cover then uncover thing. Both laugh heartily when Cody and I play peekaboo with them.

Silly, sweet, scrumptious bubs!

A Visit From Chris

Last weekend, my brother Chris made the long drive from California to Utah to pay the family a visit. It was so good to see him! We enjoyed time visiting together. On Friday night we (my parents, Chris, Spencer, and I) went to the California Pizza Kitchen. I had never been. Now that I have been, I would give it two thumbs up. The tomato and basil pizza Chris and I shared was delicious! And, to top off the event, we were seated in the same room as Donny Osmond! I know . . . pretty amazing. Just kidding. I was more excited to see Chris than Donny Osmond. Plus, Chris is soon to be a celebrity anyway - his name is to appear on the credits as the mixer for a new movie. I can't remember the title, but maybe I'm not supposed to share that anyway. :) The point is, Chris is the coolest big brother I have. Okay, so he's the only big brother I have, but hey, I really love him!

Blogger

Hooray! I finally did it. I created a blog. You know, blogging was one of those ominous, scary things for me. I was terrified of the whole process. How do I create a blog? Where do I find backgrounds? And, the most critical question of all, what am I going to write about? I suppose I generally think my life is pretty boring, but then I concluded that my life would probably seem more interesting if I stopped to document it from time to time. Blogging seems the perfect outlet. Plus, I enjoy reading other people's blogs and think it is a wonderful way to feel connected. So, here I am - ready to connect. Now that I have faced my fear of blogging, I really do feel so much better. To friends and family - ENJOY!