New Adventure

Kipp and I bought snowshoe kits earlier this winter. The kits came with the frame together and then we had to lace and finish them. We spent a few evenings lacing them and then he put several coats of the varathane finish on. By the time they were ready our snow had melted, so we have been eagerly awaiting more snow! Finally, it snowed! We took our shoes out last night for our first walk. It was wonderful...peaceful. We went out on the lake and the stars were beautiful. It's a workout, that's for sure, but it is so much fun. Today was a beautiful winter day...the sun was shining, there was no wind, and the twins needed some outside time. So we put our snowshoes on and took the girls on a sled ride. They were all giggles. They thought it was great fun to have Daddy pull them on the sled. I hope to make this a family adventure!

Sweet Reminders

I know, I have dropped off the face of the earth. Hopefully I will be back more regularly now!

So as I was picking up this morning I saw this photo opportunity. These are the little reminders that I sometimes need as to why I love to be a stay at home momma. Soon enough my girls will be off to school and I will certainly miss these sweet reminders of little helpers. Love you, Linds & Luce.

I can't get my photo to upload. Come back to see it later!

A Golden Day

Lindsay and Lucy turned 2 today.  It really doesn't seem possible and I know everyone says that, but I mean it!  I clearly remember the day they were born.  April 2, 2009.  11:57 and 12:07.  Those times will be etched in my memory forever.  The labor and delivery of these girls was a breeze--especially compared to the lady down the hall!  The girls were so beautiful when they were born.  When I called my mom to tell her they were here I remember telling her that they look so different from each other.  When she came to see them she thought they looked very much alike.  But I was their momma and to me they looked nothing alike.  They were two very different babies.  And today, they are still very different girls.  Of course they do things alike, but their personalities are different. 

Lindsay, you are shy to strangers. You are momma's helper.  You love yogurt, milk, nannies (bananas), candy (shh...don't tell anyone that we give you that!), cupchup (ketchup), your big brother and sisters.  You call water "lubber" and it makes me laugh every time!  You are sweet and sensitive. When someone is crying you want to get them a blankie.  But oh how we have battled your biting phases several times over the last year.  Your curly hair bounces around when you run prance through the house.  Oh how I love being your momma.  You are a wonderful gift of life in this family!

Lucy, you have suddenly become Miss Personality, saying "hello" to strangers everywhere.  You love to play with your babies and have them wrapped up.  You don't particularly care for your milk cup until Lindsay tries to drink out of it.  You love cereal and blueberries, "oot nacks" (fruit snacks), your brother and sisters.  You are a helper for momma too.  You take out the trash, as best as you can, and unload the dishwasher.  Your head is so sensitive when we comb your hair.  We have had our difficult moments over the last year trying to get you to sleep in your own bed.  But you are a wonderful precious girl and I am glad to be your momma!

I love you Lindsay.  I love you Lucy.  Happy Birthday!

For the Love of Ruffles

While blog surfing lately I have come across some of the most adorable ruffle-y things.  I love all things ruffles.  Ruffle pillows.  Ruffle shirts.  Ruffle hairbows. Ruffle scarves.  Ruffles are feminine, fun, beautiful, whimsical.  And that's when I saw this beautiful scarf.  Not long after I found this tutuorial I bought some fabric at Walmart, but I didn't know if my old sewing machine would work with elastic thread.  But, Kipp actually just bought me a new sewing machine about a week ago.  (Maybe I'll post about that later.)  I finally made it to the fabric store to buy some elastic thread, because I knew the new machine would just have to work with elastic thread!  Then it took me (and Kipp) a whole night to figure out how to use the elastic thread in my new machine.  So, the next afternoon I whipped out my new ruffle-y scarf.  I should have done a few things differently, but all in all I just love it and plan to make another one, or five!  Please excuse the bad bathroom lighting.

Panty Princesses

Check out what we've been sporting for the last two weeks!

 Yes, we've made the switch to be panty princesses.  Lots of people think it's early to be potty learned before age 2, but those are the ones who aren't changing twice the diapers!  I actually heard about elimination communication (EC) when Ella was a baby.  It's where you pick up cues from your infant that they need to go potty and then let them go in a bowl or the potty.  I was totally skeptical, maybe even rude about what I thought of it.  I mean really, who wants to hold their 6 month old over the toilet when they can just go in the diaper?  But then, we found out we were having twins and the thought of changing diapers for 2 1/2 years times 2 became overwhelming!  So I began to research EC when the twins were about a year old and it made so much sense.  So I went for it.  I began to potty teach them at about 12 1/2 months.  I have found this process to be the longest and least frustrating of all the kids.  I didn't expect a whole lot out of my 1 year olds and so when we started to get the whole potty process I was thrilled.  There was very little frustration because I left them in diapers until around Thanksgiving, which means there weren't puddles left anywhere.  But then I went back and forth and got frustrated with myself.  So I finally decided that this was it.  Time to go for it.  Bought 9 pairs of training panties and never looked back!  I know 9 pairs is not a lot with 2 babies, but it's all I wanted to pay for.  So I had to do a lot of laundry the first couple days, but now, things are dry and momma's happy!  One of them has already had a dry night!  They love their pretty panties.  Aren't they the cutest Panty Princesses?


*this is not to say we do not have accidents--I just cleaned one up!

Happy Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is certainly about loving my husband, but to me it's also a lot about the other loves in my life--my kids!  I love how different each child is and what each one brings to our family.  I love how each is a perfect mixture of Kipp and I.  I love that our only son is the oldest child and is smart, thoughtful, and really a great brother to four sisters.  I love that Kate is caring, kind, and so very innocent about life in general.  I love that Ella is funny, watchful for her baby sisters, and a spitting image of her Daddy.  I love that Lindsay is chattery and snuggly and so curious about our world.  I love that Lucy is curious too and sweet and emotional.  There are so many things about Kipp that I love, but I really love that he treats his family like his number 1 priority.  He is a hard worker.  He provides so much love, excitement, leadership for our family.  I love that God placed him in my life to lead me, protect me, provide for me, and love me unconditionally.  I love each one of my Valentine's!

Irresistible

Hearing lots of giggles in my room this morning, I walked in to see this!

Who can resist these two sweethearts playing hide and seek?  Really, aren't they irresistible?