weekend round up

James informed me today that it has been too long since I last updated. I have been meaning to sit down and do it, but everything else just seemed to come first. But here are a few things that have been going on around here the last few days.

You may be wondering why Harrison is toting around his trick or treat bucket...
Maybe he is practicing up for next year...BOO!
Or maybe it is because he needed something to put his cereal in and carry it around. Yep that must be it.
Since Gwen has no use for this "little" potty, Harrison decided that it is his step stool. He drags it out of the cupboard and around the house.

Just trying to get to the sink I suppose. Harrison is also convinced that he is just one of the guys. Here he is on playscape patrol with the dads.
We had Thanksgiving dinner with James' family that lives in south Austin. It was such a beautiful day, actually a little warmer that I had planned. But I can't complain seeing how the kids don't really have any pants to wear if it were cold. Hmmm I should probably do something about that.
Gwen loves to go to James' aunts house. She has everything a kid could want. A giant yard, a playscape in a sand box, a pool, dogs, and did I mention a giant yard.
Here is a little of the leftovers that we brought home from the feast. There was enough food for all seven of the families that were there to take home leftovers. That is A LOT of food, and it was sooooo good.
This morning there was a knock at the door and Gwen was a little surprised when I opened it and it was the UPS guy. I think that she was hoping for the pizza guy. We finally ordered a new little camera for me to tote around so you can see all the crazy things that the kids are up to.
Gwen could care less about the actual camera, she went straight for the instruction book. Lets just hope that her love of books continues into school.
That about sums it all up for us. I hope that everyone had a great holiday, and for all of you crazy day after Thanksgiving shoppers, I hope it was worth getting out of bed early. Now let the holiday craze begin.

have you ever...

I pulled this off of my friend Katie's blog. As I was reading through them I thought hey I have done some really fun things, so I thought that I would share. So if you want to play along just copy and paste into your blog and then highlight the ones that you have done. And here we go.


1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Ran a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice--I have been to Venice, but we didn't ride in the real gondola's but we did take a boat around. (does that count, I'm counting it.)
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run--if kickball counts then yes.
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo's David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain.
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies--nope but I sure have eaten my fair share.
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone's life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

just another day in our life

My friend Jennie issued a challenge to document one of our typical days in life, and I was glad to take on the task, but I feel like there were lots of moments where I was just picking up toys, watching any or all of Gwen's favorite movies (Madagascar,Wall-E,Kung Fu Panda), changing diapers, or playing on the computer.

So basically the baby alarms wake me up bright and early (5:30-6:30-ish) then it is a mad flourish of things between breakfast, playing, outside activities, movies, dishes (where I found the letter "N" waiting for me yesterday), and picking up lots and lots of toys.

We had playgroup so we met up with friends to play and chat, have lunch and then home for naps (my favorite), cookies that Paige made, laundry and a little celebrity dish.

Our evenings are pretty much playing, jumping on moms bed, dinner, tonight it was mac and cheese, baths (my kids need one for sure after being caked with yellow- orange processed cheese) Then play time and off to bed by 8 pm. Then I basically waste the rest of the night cleaning up and doing whatever else passes the time before bed. Then I call it a day.

The glory of morning

Since the time change things have been a little different around here, as in a little earlier, and a little less sleep. Who am I kidding, a lot earlier. It seems as though morning comes too early everyday.

I used to think that the kids were so great, little angels that let me sleep in until 7 or 7:30 everyday and the occasional treat of 8 am!!! Since we changed the clocks I feel lucky if we have sleeping silence until 6 am. All I can say at this point in our days is thank goodness for naps. Basically a little lifesaver and mental retreat for everyone in the house.

I wonder what will happen in the spring when we alter our trusty clocks once again, will we return to the wonder days of the 8am mornings, or find ourselves pushed into the 4 am days, if the earlier time wins I suppose that I better come up with something more productive for myself to be doing at that hour. I feel like I should say something like working out, but that just doesn't sound like a good idea to me. I suppose that I will just have to wait and see what father time brings us.

For all of you that are getting to sleep in each morning, just know that I am happy for you, as well as just a little bit jealous too.

rootin' tootin'

This morning I was in my room folding some laundry and I hear a little sound and then Gwen yell from the other room "What was that?". I didn't know what she was talking about so I said back well what was that?

(Gwen) "Was that my tooter?"

(me) "I don't know, did you toot?"

(Gwen) laughing "Yeah"

Glad to know that toots come from the tooter, which is pretty funny. All is well with the tooters in this house.

The weekend review

Grrrr! I am having some issues with my photos, so I will just start with this one I guess. On Saturday we met James' mom and brother's family at Phil's Ice House for lunch before she flew home. It was a really nice day outside, and the place was packed with 7-8 year old soccer teams doing little team awards. So fun to see all those little kids in their uniforms.

The kids played in the little "window", as Gwen calls it. Where Harrison consumed a few pieces of bark, nice. At least they play nice together sometimes.
Then Harrison took it upon himself to make sure that Grandma was safe by not playing too close to the Hazard cone.
Just doing his job to protect the family. We ate yummy food and said our good byes then we went to a baptism for a friend in our old ward, and that evening Gwen went to a birthday, for her friend Yale, who had a costume party, Gwen went as a ballarina. Then on Sunday we had dinner with some friends, and Harrison found this set of wheels at their house. I think he was ready to cruise in style.
Don't you just love this little sweater vest. I think it is so cute. Ahhh kids clothes are so much fun to buy, why can't it be so easy to find fun things for myself? Sorry I got off topic. That is a quick end to the weekend, and on to the next week. I hope everyone had a fun weekend, I can hardly belive that we are already into the second week of NOVEMBER! I better get moving before the holidays pass me by.

an extra day to play

On Thursday we were lucky enough to have grandma stay with us for one more day! So we tried to pack in as much as we could to fill up the day. In the morning we attended playgroup at the Zilker Science and Nature Center.

We saw the animals that they had there, and Gwen went in to see the snakes and spiders exhibit with Grandma. Then we headed over to the dino pit to dig for some bones...or just throw some sand.

Harrison was not quite sure what to think of all the sand at first, but after being told not to eat it enough times we decided to try something new.
Which lead us to the big stone steps.

And just as we were getting ready to leave one of the people from our ward arrived with their dog. Needless to say Gwen was in LOVE with it. I think that she might be trying to feed it sand or grass in this picture.
Then we took grandma to one of our favorite places for a yummy sandwich, Whole Foods, and after we had lunch it was home for naps and some down time. During this time we were also making a great plan to head to Kerby Lane for dinner. Which was fantastic.

Gwen and Harrison we not really on their best behavior, but they did love the pancakes, and who wouldn't? After the baths the kids were able to convince grandma to watch a movie with them before bed. Then I was able to go and celebrate my friend Kelly's birthday. It was a pretty full day, and I am so glad that we were able to have that time to visit with James' mom. Thanks for staying with us Syl.

a super windy kind of day

When grandma Barlow came to see us yesterday she brought the twins and new baby Olivia to see us for a little bit. Gwen was really interested in baby "Liv" so she asked if she could hold her and grandma was there ready to help out.
Gwen liked her little hands, and fingers...
And she made sure to be really soft and nice with the baby. Then we took a trip outside where it was windy, really windy.
Here Harrison is chasing the girls to the other side of the playscape where grandma is helping them on the slides.
And when Gwen decided that it was time for someone to carry her, grandma knew just what to do. It sure is fun to have a grandma around to spend some time with.

grandma time

James' mom is in town for the week and today she is coming to see us. Gwen is really excited. So stay tuned to see the things that we do with grandmas around.

the Hallow's eve wrap up

Halloween is over, and so lets get the last of the pictures out of the way. I am sure that you are tired of seeing a little dinosaur and panda, but these are the last ones...I think. We had dinner with a few of our friends, and then took the kids out and around the neighborhood for some candy and tricks.

While we waited for everyone to get ready Gwen was playing in the front yard. I think this is her practicing her dino skills, she may attack at any time.Harrison was more than ready to get going, as soon as he hit the ground he was running.
Gwen and Avery took in a little love from a neighbors dog.
James took Gwen to grab a treat, and he made sure that she said thank you.
Gwen asked Tyson if he wanted to hold hands, and he was a good enough sport to go at a slower pace to appease her.

One of the homes was all decked out with these skeleton pirates. They were hooked up to a microphone that the homeowner was using from a distance. Then the bowl of candy was set at the pirates feet and when the kids went to grab a piece the "pirates" would talk, and give some kind of a warning to the kids. Gwen LOVED it.
She was in awe of these talking skeletons, and she just stood there watching. Then she started talking to them. I believe that she said something along the lines of, "Hello little pirate."
After we left that house, Gwen kept telling James about all the pirates, and how they were talking.

later we found another home that was totally transformed just for the occasion. There was a big carriage and horse in the front yard, and lots of tombstones. Plus a car filled with skeletons, and an actual casket (which is a little creepy in itself) that had a body that would sit up when the kids went by to get the candy.
This was another fascination point for Gwen. I think that she and James spent a good amount of time wandering around the yard looking at all the stuff. They had to catch up with the group later on. What a fun night, it was neat to take Gwen out and have her understand what was going on. She was really funny about saying trick or treat to everyone. And James made sure that she remembered to thank all the people for the candy, good work James.

Now that it is over I am hoping to ease off of the candy for awhile. Gwen can't wait for Halloween to come around again, but as for me, I guess that I should be getting into the mode for the next thing. Its a good thing that there are at least a few weeks before Thanksgiving.