Twins

 Though I've already spotlighted both twins, I had to include photos of them together.  They're growing up too fast, and may not like each other someday, so I have to capture their closeness and cuteness while it lasts.

 They've always gotten along great, and been best of friends, but this year has seen some differences creeping in.  This year has been a love-hate relationship with each other.  Their interests are starting to diversify with their gender, and I hear frequent outbursts of "I hate you" or "you're mean!"  It breaks my heart to hear the twins not get along; aren't twins supposed to be best friends?  They generally are when left alone, but introduce a third person into the equation, and there's often fighting.  Though, they still enjoy being silly and giggling together.  They love baths [though that'll be over this year, I'm sure!], riding bikes, playing in the dirt, sledding, and getting into mischief together.

I hate to see these 2 grow up so quickly, though the mischief wears me out!  I hope they stay close friends as they grow.  We love you, little twinners!

UVMOM Halloween party

 Our Twin MOMs club put on a family Halloween party this year.  It was adorable, as always.  My contribution was this pumpkin spewing guacamole that I saw on Pinterest.  A little gross, but I thought it was cool anyway.

 My twins wanted to go as Mickey and Minnie, which was a perfect way to re-use their birthday party outfits from June.  I added the black noses this time, though they lasted all of 4.3 minutes before they were rubbed off on their hands, arms, shirts, and  Mom's pants.  Aren't they cute little mice?

 It was a gorgeous day, in the 80's.  So unusual for mid-October.

 There's that goofy smile again!

I did take the other kids too, but before I could get pictures of them, the battery died.

First ER visit

Last week the twins had another first: their first visit to the ER.  Luckily, it wasn't too serious.  I had left Irelynd's night time meds on the counter for her to take, but forgot to tell her about it.  When I went back for them, they were gone.  Waverly had taken off the counter and ingested at least part of one.  Because we couldn't find the remaining pills, and Keaton claimed he ate them, they both got to go.  They spent 3 hours monitoring both blood pressure and heart rate.  Waverly had to be fed some counter drug to bring her heart rate back up, but Keaton brought his own back up.  Lesson learned:  don't leave pills out on the counter when there are monkies in the house! 

They call it a "twin" mattress for a reason

On Saturday we put the twins down for a nap so we could actually watch the second session of conference.  Later when we went to wake them up, we found them both cuddled up together on Brighton's bed asleep. 

I couldn't resist pulling back the blankets to get a picture of their cute little piggies together.

Convertible for two

Convertibles are great for toting your friends around with you!  This hot rod even got some new detailing in the rear.

And sides.  And front. 

Time to switch drivers!

Peace, dude!

As they drove, they had a conversation about Elmo, Barney, Baby Bop, and wished everybody a "Merry Christmas" several times.  Who needs radio?  I just love these 2!

Hop for joy

Keaton got a hippity hop for Christmas this year.  Brighton and Waverly already had one, so the three of them are often seen bouncing from room to room together. 

They are so funny to watch and listen to when they are hopping.  Sometimes Brighton makes a story up, or a game for all three.  I just wish I had one, too!

Style Watch 2010

Today's Style Watch being reported on by Steven Cajagoogoo.  Caught inside her home in this fabulous get up is Waverly.  We're loving the sheer skirt, black ankle boots, and the accessorizing of the bunny and Barney.  Reminiscent of Bjork's Oscar Swan Dress of 2001.  Very daring neckline. 

And here she is en profile.  Tres chic! 

Next up we have Waverly again, and twin brother Keaton, sporting Gap Baby monster hats.  Way to match your hats to your boots, twins.  And the pink cowboy boots?  Mmm-mmm!  Fabulous!  We're loving the jaunty angle she wears her hat at.  Ordinary toddlers would wear it on straight, but she puts some va-voom into it!  This girl's got attitude!

Who, me?

What red punch puddle on the floor, Mom?  We didn't drink the red puddle off the floor, honest.

Outfitted

After the last snowstorm, the twins prepared themselves to venture outside.  Keaton looked like a lobster with Scott's big gloves on.

Turkey Day 2010

This year Thanksgiving was spent at my mom's house with my sister Julie and family, and brother Kevin and family.  I love Thanksgiving; it used to be because it meant my birthday was near.  Now it's for more grown-up reasons.  (plus the addition of pumpkin pie doesn't hurt either!)  Here's a few pictures of our Thanksgiving day this year.

Scott carving up the turkey with Waverly sampling.  "like turkey" was the decision.

My mom always sets a nice table. 

This child hates long sleeves; she always pushes them up.  It used to be because she sucked her arm when she was upset or tired.  She still does that occasionally, but the habit stuck. 

My mom the head Chef 

This was one of my contributions this year.  Normally I shy away from cheesecakes, even though I love making desserts.  But my sister-in-law Sallie gave me the confidence that I could do one, so I made pumpkin spice cheese cake.  I made chocolate leaves to go on top of the spiced whipped cream dollops.  It was pretty, I have to admit.  That's until the twins got to it.  This is the before picture. 

I just love Keaton's expressions.  They vary so greatly. 

Nice bum shot of my mom.  Sorry, Mom!  As we sat down to dinner, everyone read a fill-in-the-blank grateful statement.  Such as, "I am grateful for my friend ___."  Sallie, you'll be very glad to know you were my blank.  Everyone needs a great sister-in-law to commiserate the ups and downs of being married to brothers:)  Anyway, it was funny to hear what people filled in their blanks with.  My sister Julie was grateful for the movie The Sound of Music, because it inspired her to become a nanny and resulted in a great experience in Hawaii for her when she was a teenager.  See, I didn't know that before. 

I love the expression on my neice Aislynn's face (in the pink).  She's an adorable, precocious, 5-yr-old that had Brighton playing house with her all weekend.  I'm not sure that's been done before.  She had him whooped.  It was good for him.

After dinner, we have a tradition of doing crafts.  It started when I was a teenager, and we've been doing it ever since.  The kids made Christmas countdown calendars and trains with Grandma, 

while the moms made washer and tile necklaces with Julie.  

See what I mean about expressions?  I wonder if that tongue was directed at me. 

I mistakenly gave Scott the camera and he turned it on me.  DOn't look to close or you'll see the patch of gray that's grown up.  These little suckers took a lot of time and concentration to match up.  But the end result was beautiful!  Of which, I'm realizing I did not get a picture. 

Food and trains.  Brighton's in his element. 

While doing crafts, someone forgot to check the twins.  Inevitably, something perished.  It was my cheesecake.  Ok, maybe it didn't perish, but it sure got maimed. 

See me on the far left?  Speaks volumes, doesn't it? 

Keaton's face shows a mixture of "oh crap, I've been caught" and "who said cheesecake isn't good for my hair and complexion?"

I'm thinking they probably helped rub it in each other's hair.  We also found it on the wall, cupboards, and inside the cupboards on the flashlights.   

Luckily, with a little extra whipped cream I was able to hide some of the damage.