Thankful Month

Sometimes it is hard thinking of family night lessons but not around the holidays. All month we tried to have family night lessons about being thankful. One Monday I told my kids we could make a thankful tree. Then that afternoon I noticed a kid movie was playing at the dollar theater and I thought for sure they would want to go to the movie for family night instead of making a thankful tree. So I asked them if they wanted to go to the movie instead and surprisingly they wanted to stay home and and make a thankful tree. It is times like that when I realize they are more happy spending time at home as a family and keeping up traditions then going places. Since the twins have been born, I always feel bad that we don't get out and do as much and go to as many "fun" things. I'm learning that my kids don't really care about all of that. They care about being together and have fun doing things together at home.

So we made our thankful tree. Every got a handful of leaves to write the the things they are thankful for. Then we displayed the tree on the fridge for the rest of the month.

Lynnlee came down with a weird stomach bug this past week. The night before Thanksgiving we took it easy and us girls had a mini girls night upstairs while the boys were playing the Wii downstairs. I love the time I get to spend with my mom and sisters and I'm so thankful for my girls and the future girls time we will have.

Thanksgiving morning was beautiful. I'm so grateful to live on this beautiful earth and enjoy the scenery on my morning runs. I used to hate waking up early to exercise. When we only had James and Lynnlee I would push them in the jogging stroller later in the morning and never had to wake up early. After I had Kaden I had to bite the bullet and wake up early if I wanted to exercise. Now I love waking up early. It is nice to have that time to myself every morning.

My assignments for Thanksgiving dinner were rolls and pie. I made Lion House rolls with the official recipe and tried to roll them the same way. I think they turned out pretty good. I'm so thankful my mom taught me how to bake! I made gluten free banana cream pie and it was pretty good too, especially for being gluten free. If you eat gluten free then you would understand this.

We had Thanksgiving dinner at my parent's house. The place settings were beautiful and you would never guess that this is all disposable. Why did it take so long for someone to design disposable dishes that look like China? I'm so thankful for things that make life easier!

Thanksgiving dinner was delicious and spent with my parents, Betsy, Aunt Pat, and my Aunt Kathy and her family.

My kids sat at the kids table next to us.

On any normal day people eat lunch around noon and dinner around 6:00.  So why is it that Thanksgiving dinner is normally scheduled right in the middle. Growing up I would be so hungry at lunch time. If I ate something for lunch then I wouldn't be hungry for Thanksgiving dinner. If I didn't eat anything at lunch then I was starving by the time dinner was served and was miserable until then. Thankfully we have changed that in my family. We ate Thanksgiving dinner at lunch time. The other benefits of eating at a normal time is that you have the whole rest of the day to rest, watch football, go for a walk, eat seconds at dinner time, and lots of time to eat pie. 

We went for a walk after dinner. It helped move things along so there would be room for pie later. The minis were cozy in their snowsuits in the stroller.

Sienna even fell asleep and had her own built in sleep mask.

Lynnlee and Kaden were spoiled and pulled in the wagon by Aunt Betsy.

Lynnlee and Kaden hit the sack early that night but James got to stay up and play with cousins. These four were hilarious sitting at their table playing Chinese Checkers so I had to get a picture of them. They all put on their best silly faces.

The view was beautiful the morning of Black Friday. Betsy and I went walking and I had to keep stopping to snap some more shots.

 

We usually see a movie the weekend after Thanksgiving. This year we went on Black Friday to see Big Hero 6. We loved it and I totally recommend it. Everyone sat through it well, including the minis. My mom and Betsy came with. We had this crew in our car and I couldn't help but take a picture of everyone because they looked like they could all be ours. Lily is 13 so I would have had her when I was 16. Ha ha, I was totally incapable of being a mom at age 16. Lucy and James could be twins (they were born 2 days apart and they definitely look like twins). I can't imagine actually having 7 kids right now.

I'm so thankful for my family. I am so grateful that I get to be with them for eternity!

Boot?

Who needs a cup holder when you can use a boot instead?!

Best Mom

This post is for my mom. She does so many things for me that I often feel like saying thank you isn't enough. I hope she knows how much I truly am grateful for her!

My mom tells me that when she was growing up she didn't ever think she would be a mom. It's hard for me to believe that since she is such an incredible mom. She has taught me everything I know. I have needed her wisdom many times and love her advice especially now that I have five little ones.

My mom comes in and saves the day many times each week. She entertains my kids, cleans, folds laundry, helps with homework, feeds two babies, cooks meals, does the chores that no one likes to do but still need to get done. She comes the morning after I've been up all night working and lets me sleep. While I'm sleeping she folds laundry, plays with the kids, cleans and everything is so nice when I wake up.

Even when I don't ask her she will always clean something, tidy something, or make it look nice in my house. It is always such a relief on the days that I'm so exhausted. Thanks mom for everything you do for me!!!

Roomies

Whatever I knew about raising babies has not helped me with raising the minis. Everything has been more difficult and so different. They are not good at staying asleep for naps. For awhile I depended on baby swings and when they would wake up early from naps they would go in the swings to get back to sleep. This stopped working. After thinking about our options, we decided to put Sienna in with Lynnlee. Now Sienna and Taggart can't wake each other up. Lynnlee loves having a buddy. Before Sienna shared a room, Lynnlee would tell me every night that she hated being alone. Now she is so happy to have her in the same room and goes to bed so happy.

Riverwoods Lighting '14

I love keeping up with our holiday traditions even if it is more difficult with two babies. My family is so helpful with the minis that it makes it doable. We started off the night with dinner at Bajio. We got there extra early to beat the crowds.

Ali had Taggart in her front pack and I had Sienna in mine. Marshall was Kaden's buddy.

The minis were bundled in their snowsuits. Taggart looks pretty serious but he was quite happy most the night.

After dinner we played with toys at Blickenstaff's. The line to see Santa was crazy long so we didn't even worry it. Lynnlee was happy about that. She told me she did not want to see Santa. She still finds him a little scary. Then we were off to Provo Beach Resort to play. Poor Kaden was too sick to stay and went home early with Marshall.

There was face painting at Provo Beach Resort. Lynnlee had Christmas lights painted on her face.

Betsy and Taggart were buddies at Provo Beach Resort. Taggart definitely loves his Aunties.

We had ice cream at Menchies after. It was a great way to finish off the night.

Kaden Couch Potato

Kaden came down with a stomach bug on Thursday. By Friday he had stopped throwing up but was low on energy so we thought he was over it. We went to see the lights at Riverwoods that night and he had to go home early.

He spent Saturday and today glued to the couch. The stomach flu is back full force today. Hopefully he is over it by Thanksgiving. It's really weird seeing him so mellow. He is usually high energy and runs everywhere he goes.

Couch Picture Day

Sunday is the day I like to take pictures of the minis on the couch. Usually they are in their Sunday best but today Kaden is home sick so the minis stayed home too. 

Usually I take their pictures separate but today I decided to try and take their picture together.

It started out ok.

Then I even got a smile out of them at the same time. Usually they each smile at different times.

Then Taggart started to arch his back and lay down. He was clobbering Sienna while doing so.

So then I switched their spots but Sienna just tried to eat him.

Minnie Mini

Mini Minnie or is it Minnie Mini?

Chocolate Banana Muffins

A few weeks ago I posted about banana muffins that were made with two ingredients: bananas and white/yellow cake mix. Lynnlee and I tried making them yesterday with a chocolate cake mix and we had success. We used 4 medium bananas and mashed them up really good. Then mixed them with a chocolate cake mix. Then we cooked them at 350 degrees for about 17 minutes. They are very moist and flavorful.

Taggie

I love taking pictures of the Minis on Sundays. I take them right after they have eaten and its easy to get them to smile.

Kaden was close by so he wanted to be in the picture too. Taggart definitely loved it. Kaden talks so cute to him. He loves to call him, "Taggie." It is so cute to hear in Kaden's little voice. It's starting to rub off and we all have been calling him Taggie.

A Mini Centerpiece

I wake up every morning at 6:00 and work out. Then by 7:00 my kids start waking up and getting breakfast. By 8:00 the minis are awake and drink bottles. When they are finished they go in their seats on the table so they can see everyone else. This keeps them entertained for quite awhile and it's nice to have my hands free to help everyone else. 

It is fun to see the older kids entertain them and talk to them.

Saturday morning they were so happy.

This morning Kaden moved over to the table so he could eat his breakfast in front of them.

Then everyone wanted a picture together.

Family Nights

My kids love to help out with family night. Lynnlee came up with the treat thanks to Daniel Tiger. She saw an episode where they made Banana Swirl. So that is what we had and she told me exactly how to make it. All you do it blend up frozen bananas. It turns into an ice cream consistency. Then you can put sprinkles on top or chocolate syrup. It was quite tasty and very simple.

We made a volcano for the activity. These three were amazed.

Marshall is always good at coming up with lessons on the fly so he gave a quick lesson and tied it in with the volcano. I these simple family nights that just spontaneously come together.

My Aunt

 I feel like I'm always talking about the hard things with having the minis. There are lots of good things that have come too though. One of them is the visitors and help that I receive on a day to day basis. I really, really appreciate all the help I get with the minis. Not only is it nice to have their help but it is nice to have another adult around all day to talk to.

My Aunt Pat comes once a week and all my children really look forward to seeing her. One of the reasons is that she brings them new puzzles when she comes. (It's not just the puzzles, she plays games, plays pretend, etc.) We had a few puzzles to start and then she has brought more so now we have lots. It is fun connecting them end to end through out the house and making a long road. Sometimes we make a big mat and other times we see how large of box we can make.

Thank Aunt Pat for all you do for us!

4 Month Old Minis

I honestly would not have survived the last few months without all the help from family and friends. The minis are so much work on top of three other kids, work, household chores, cooking, kids extracurricular activities, etc. I'm trying to keep up and most of the time I am able to because of everyone who helps.

The minis make progress little by little. I think back to their first month when they slept all day but not well at night. I was sleep deprived but able to get things done during the day. Then the second month it all changed when they started sleeping better at night and not well during the day and became real fussy every evening. That has continued but luckily the fussiness during the evenings is starting to get better. Now it's only every few evenings when they are super fussy. They both sleep great at night so I can't complain about that. Sienna wakes up after 45 minutes of napping but I figured out if I move her over to the swing when she wakes up after 45 minutes then she goes back to sleep. Not great long term but this is about doing what we have to do to survive.

Taggart has passed Sienna up in weight, length, and head circumference. They have been drooling like crazy, gnawing on their fists and had random runny noses. The doctor said they are definitely teething and we should see teeth pretty soon. It's surprising since my other kids didn't get teeth into after 6 months.

Taggart weighs 14 lbs 8 ounces. He is 24 and 3/4 inches long. 

Sienna weighs 13 lbs 12 ounces.  She is 23 and 3/4 inches long.