As Time goes by...and by, and by...with no posts.

Time to get the ball rolling again.

For now how 'bout a video of my girls from about 10 months ago. New enough right?! I don't think ever I posted it here anyway. (Okay after waiting too long for it to load I gave up...try the link at the end of the post. That'll get you there.)

Where to go from there? I don't know where to begin. Here is an awesome quote:

Quote of the Week: Avrie yesterday said, "When I grow up I want to be an astronaut that sells old fashioned nutcrackers in outer space."

Brag worthy: Report cards and parent teacher conferences were this week. It's official. My kids are way smarter than I was at their ages. Also, they have started taking a Spanish class and are LOVING it.

Other Happenings: Got released from YW Pres last week. Mixed emotions because I love the girls, but glad to have more evenings home with my family. KO is now in the stake YM. I am a VT. I like that...a lot.

Birthdays: We celebrated KO's 46th this week. We love birthdays around here...and we especially love him! We went out as a family to a middle eastern restaurant for dinner and came home to presents, cake and ice cream. His favorite gift was a cool "fashion hat" as the girls call it. =) Pictures to come!

Random Alison thoughts: Getting the itch to travel. Where to go? I'm thinking France for some reason. The girls' little Spanish words and phrases won't help us there. Neither will K's German. My high school French won't either for that matter! K has a meeting in turkey coming up that I could go tag along for free. Istanbul though? I hear it is great, but not on my top 10 places to visit. Call me unadventurous. Truth be told, I'm too chicken to leave my girls, afraid I'll orphan them. Totally irrational but a true fear of mine. I've missed tagging along to some really cool places these past years to stay home with my girls, but that is okay. We always said we would go later and visit those cool places as a family rather than leaving the kids at home. They are getting close to the age where we can start doing that. Today I pulled out our old travel photo album and showed the girls our pictures from our travels before they were born. I think that is where the itch comes from tonight. Guess we'll hold out for a not so free whole family tag along to a meeting somewhere else. Any meetings in France, Germany or Spain coming up? Didn't think so. Not so interested in taking the the whole family to Istanbul though. Oh, we ARE taking a trip soon to see my brother in Dallas. Dallas IS on my top 10 places to visit. Can't wait to see our cousins! After that...we'll just have to see! Kind of fun to dream about.

Video update: Okay already! How long does it take to load a video on blogger for crying out loud! FOREVER! I think I better just go to bed. Maybe you won't see the video of my girls from 10 months ago after all. I'll try posting a link. Try this. Good night. =)

How's that for a random jump start back into the blog! More to come soon...I promise! =)

Happy New Year!

Wishing you all a HAPPY 2011!

Click here to see a video recap of our 2010. It indeed was was a very good year and we have much to be greatful for.

Thanksgiving 2010

If you count the girls in the picture above, there are a few extra sitting around making candy houses while the turkey cooks. The "extras" belong to my friend Rachel. Rachel and I have been friends since our days together back at the BYU. We were roommates and what a wonderful roommate she was! I tell you she hasn't changed either! She is so much fun and just an outstanding person. She and her husband and four daughters joined us for Turkey Day this year. I am thankful for good friends and especially Rachel and her family!

Looks like I was on the wrong end of the photo here. Nice hair everyone has don't you think? =)

I had to snap this photo...two reasons.. 1) the giant drumstick on Addie's plate 2) It is now official that she is allergic to Amoxacilin. If you look closely you will see the "freckles" she has all over her face and hands. Luckily her reaction wasn't beyond the hives. Sweet Adeline, I'm so glad and thankful that you will be fine.

So I tried a new recipe this year that was just too good not to share. Here it is if you are curious. YUM! You won't be sorry!

Also made the famous Dixie Salad and it was a favorite (apples, oranges, grapes, pomegranite, marshmellows and whipped cream all mixed up together). I tried a few Pioneer Woman recipes. I liked the cranberry sauce a lot but was so-so on the green bean casserole. I figure I'll try this one next year. If I'm the only one that is going to eat them, I may as well make them a little healthier. This looks awesome too...next year. I also think I need to work on the old turkey. He turned out good...just a tad on the dry side in my opinion. A great meal though and great to be with family and friends.

I "only" weigh three pounds more than I did a week ago. =)

We've had a wonderful weekend counting our blessings. Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving too!

Adeline & Avrie are 5!

My babies are now five! I can hardly believe it myself and yet when I look at them I realize that yes, it is TRUE! They have grown so much in a year! We decided to invite the girls from their class over for their party. They wanted a My Little Pony party. They chose the hats, the plates, the cups, etc. They helped me make some giant lollipop decorations that were on the tables. The surprise though was the candy table. When they woke up in the morning and saw the candy table...they were so excited!

Avrie wasn't too sure about having a party that wasn't on her actual birthday...but she soon found that having two celebrations is actually pretty cool.

Both Avrie and Addie loved having their friends over and had a really happy time. Kermit and I were just happy watching them be happy. He shot some good footage....maybe I'll have to put him up to making a little birthday video. I hope! =)

I love these girls. It blows me away when I think of their rough beginning at life. I feel so blessed that they continue to thrive, grow and learn. My whole life I thought it would be cool to have twins but never did I dream that I would actually have some of my own. It blows me away how different two girls can be from one another. It also amazes me how such differences can compliment each other. They are a perfect pair. I love these two forever. Happy Birthday my sweet girls!

More of October

What would October be without our visit to Goebert's Farm! I love the picture below. Avrie is holding the zombie's hand! he he. =)

Last but not least, here is the video again. The resolution isn't very good here so click the link here for a better picture.

Halloween 2010 - Sugarbuzz Video

This Halloween was a good one, as expected!

Annaliese was a snow leopard, Adeline was Little Red Riding Hood and Avrie was a Jack -o -lantern.

Me, a witch. Kermit, himself!

Saturday we headed to our church for a fun Halloween party. The pictures above are from the party. (Oh and I must add that I won a little prize for "the most unique" chilli for the cook off. I do love that white chicken chili! The kids were quite impressed that mom could cook something worthy of a prize. To them, good cooking means dinosaur shaped chicken nuggets from the freezer.)

Sunday was Halloween. Trick or Treaters kept coming by the dozens. We thought passing out candy was as much fun as getting it! When we finally ran out of candy we went out for our own turn at trick or treating. Good times! (note to self...buy FOUR Costco bags of candy next year!)

Also, here is Kermit's latest video appropriately entitled "sugarbuzz" with footage from our post trick or treating. Thanks Kermit for putting this together! So cute! Click here to view on Youtube.

Primary Program

Today was the Primary program at church. It turned out so good and I was so proud of our girls and their friends.
This morning before church we had quite the drama going on. Avrie was so upset and nervous about it and was crying and sobbing that she didn't want to go. Annaliese was excited and practicing her lines and practicing projecting her voice while dressing herself in an outfit that looked like a six year old put together....(a jumper that didn't fit anymore along with hot pink cowboy boots...luckily she was open to other outfit suggestions). Adeline was busy trying to convince me she didn't need to wear tights and had on a pair of old pink suede shoes that didn't fit Annaliese anymore but didn't quite fit her or match her outfit. I had overslept so was barely dressed myself. We were a like a crazy family trying to pull it all together it was funny actually.
We finally made it...just a few minutes late. Avrie was still upset and trying to convince us that she was not going to participate snuggled on my lap. When it came time for them to go up she hesitantly went up with the encouragement of the primary president. Whew.
They did great! All of them! Annaliese said her lines perfectly and clearly and loudly. She knew all the words to the songs and was terrific. Avrie and Adeline did their lines perfectly as well. The sweetest thing though was how Adeline comforted Avrie the whole time by holding her hand. MELT ME! I wish I had a camera..it was too sweet. Avrie really appreciated the extra love from her sister for sure.
Our ward meets in an elementary school....one built in the 1940's. The auditorium is old and the acoustics are not very good. The amazing thing is that we could hear everything perfectly where usually it is very difficult. It was such a well organized and well rehearsed program. The primary presidency did a fantastic job with the kids. I think it was one of the best primary programs I've ever seen. Great job to all and especially my girls! You made us so proud! =)