Uh, I Don't Think So...

Bud's brother Mark and his wife Jenni were in town the last few days. They are definitely the "fun" aunt and uncle who the kids get really excited to see. Unfortunately (for us), they both have iPhones. The twins got so hooked on the different games they could play. A couple days ago, we talked about how Christmas would be here soon and they asked if they could write their Christmas lists. Here's what we got from Jonah:


Mark made the point that if we got him one, we would take care of five of the items on his list. Yeah, he's 6 - he's not getting an iPhone. Oh, and apparently we can talk to Michael Phelps for the gold medal.



I do have to say though, the iPhones take great pictures. Jenni took a couple cute ones of the kids:

Sweet Peace

Just a little "shout-out" to Bud who's been kind enough to take all four kids to karate this week when the twins go on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. I can't believe how nice one little hour of peace can be. Thanks so much!

Vacation!

This year we have a lot of big celebrations on my side of the family - my parents 40th wedding anniversary, my moms 60th birthday, me and Bud's 10th anniversary, me and my brother-in-laws 30th birthday, my other bro-in-laws 40th birthday, etc. So, instead of having parties every other month, this year we rented a beach house and made a week of it. It was so nice to do practically nothing. Unfortunately, Bud had to work a lot, but lucky for me my sister's kids were there who love to help out and play with my kids. We did Disneyland on Wednesday and there were hardly any lines, although Bud and I both came away thinking it would be a good few years until we went back. The rest of the week was filled with boogie boarding, sand castles, some failed attempts at meals (the stove and oven seemed to have it out for us), a visit to the Dana Point tide pools (awesome!), cards, campfires, and way too many smores. A big thank you to my folks for inviting us all to come and spend a week in the crazy pink and blue beach house. Maybe in 10 years we can celebrate like this again!

Aargh!

I really want to post pics from our beach trip last week, but I can't find our camera. Stay tuned...

Hurricane Mae

Mae has turned into quite the bundle of energy lately. She's into EVERYTHING. I've nicknamed her Hurricane Mae because she leaves a path of destruction wherever she goes. Trash cans, clothes, dishes, food, it all gets pulled out and tossed on the floor. It's driving me CRAZY! She's also started walking. Here's a little video:



In serious hurricane related issues though, I just want the Fontano's (Bud's sister and family) to know we are praying for you and hope that things return back to normal soon. They are in Houston and Ike passed right over them last week. They are still without power and it could take 2 weeks or more to get it turned back on. We love you guys!

Happy Birthday Bud!

Today is Bud's b-day. 33! Sorry for the stereotypical, "my husband's the best" post, but he's as great as he seems and I'm so grateful that this man is mine! He's a fantastic dad (evident by the homecoming he receives EVERY day after work) and takes such good care of all of us. I'm so glad I get to be with him for the next 33+ years! Happy Birthday hon!

Random

Nothing too exciting going on lately, just getting into the new routine. Here's how we're passing the time lately:
Easiest and messiest dinner

Halloween preview











Oh no! Here we go again with the toilet obsession

Elle a year and half ago











Playing in the rain












The boys are addicted to their new Webkinz (I don't know where they get that from)









Oh, and just a small shout-out to my good ol' pleather chair that we threw out a couple weeks ago. I bought this chair right before the twins were born. It nicely sat me and my two babies. However, after a few moves and four kids and a roll or two of brown duct tape, we decided it was time to say goodbye. Bud couldn't believe I took a picture of it in the trash pile, but I had to. I don't have any digitals dating back to when the twins were babies, but I found one of them on it in LA. We're just using some of Carol and Will's recliners in its place for now. Just yesterday all the kids were on top of me in one of them and we all fell backward. I couldn't help but think, "That wouldn't have happened in MY chair." Jonah said we should probably just have one person on at a time.