Temple Square Lights

The day after Thanksgiving, we took a trip to Temple Square to see the lights. For those who haven't been in Utah around the holidays, Temple Square gets covered in Christmas lights every year. It is a lot of fun to walk around and see an already beautiful place look even more impressive. It really go us all excited for Christmas. We all froze, but it was worth it to get out and see the lights. The girls enjoyed it too, despite the apathetic facial expressions they decided to show in every picture!

Tri-TAG-athon

So, I have been tagged a few times...and I haven't been ignoring them, I just seem to always have something else that I want to post when I see I've been tagged. Now, for those who've tagged me, and those who are interested (for those who aren't, stayed tuned for our Thanksgiving post) here are my three tags rolled in to one big get-to-know-weird-stuff-about-Lisa-palooza:

For Delee:

5 things I was doing 10 years ago:
1. Starting my sophomore year of HS
2. Quitting violin (something I’ve really regretted)
3. Being boy-crazy
4. Studying for my driving permit
5. Probably mowing the lawn…a lot!

5 things on my to-do list today:
1. Finish Thanksgiving shopping (I’m trying to find clams and a used bundt pan)
2. Make a dent in laundry (it truly never ends!)
3. Drop off red box movie that will now be costing us $4
4. Pass out Enrichment invitations
5. Make pumpkin cheesecake and clam dip

5 snacks I enjoy:
1. Chocolate Satin Pie
2. almonds
3. grapes
4. Chips and salsa
5. Ice cream (only I can’t have it right now…do they make that lactose-free?)

5 songs I know the lyrics to (these are ones I sing almost daily):
1. “A Dream is a Wish You Heart Makes”
2. “So This is Love” (Vanessa makes me dance with her to this one)
3. “Part of That World” (can you tell we’re in princess mode?)
4. “I am a Child of God”
5. “Teach Me to Walk in the Light”

5 Things I would do if I were a millionaire:
1. Pay off student loans
2. Travel!
3. Buy a new car (probably a mini-van), and pay off the one we have
4. Give very nice gifts to family and friends
5. Donate money to charities that help pay for children's needs (especially medical)

5 bad habits:
1. Eating crunchy food with my mouth open (I think I only do it at home when I’m spacing out)
2. Being judgemental
3. Wanting to be right
4. Interrupting people
5. Spending too much time on the computer/TV

5 things I’ll never wear again:
1. Socks with dress shoes
2. Tucked-in oversized t-shirts
3. schrunchies
4. My clothes from high school
5. A size 2

5 favorite toys:
1. Computer/internet
2. Camera
3. Label maker (yeah, I’m a nerd)
4. Sewing machine
5. Car

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For Brittney:

I am supposed to write 6 facts about myself.

1. I am a chocoholic. I know other people say it, but I think I even have withdrawals and mood changes when I don’t have it. Matt calls me a “chocolate snob” because most of the time I just want creamy European milk chocolate.

2. I am crazy about camping! Hanging out in the outdoors overnight makes me so happy! Having kids has slowed the craving a little, but only because they don’t sleep well in a tent. I can’t wait for my girls to get older so I can teach them the joys of setting up a tent and building a campfire.

3. I love to read. And read. And read. I used to read whole books in a day, pausing only to do necessary things, and even then I would find ways to do them while I read. Now I read while I nurse.

4. I enjoy folding laundry. I don’t enjoy the piles upon piles around my house, nor do I enjoy hanging clothes up. But I do love to grab warm, clean clothes and fold them, placing them in nice neat piles. And I love matching socks. I know, I’m weird!

5. I love Christmas time. As the air gets crisper, the lights go up, and cheerful music starts to play everywhere, I get giddy. I know it means time for hanging out with family, eating good food, celebrating, singing, and remembering the Saviour’s birth and all He’s done for us. It’s truly what makes winter wonderful.

6. I live for music. I love to sing, especially harmonizing as an alto. I used to dream of performing as a soloist, but since then, reality set in. I also love playing the piano (although I’ve never gotten far and lost much of what I had). Listening to other beautiful music is a joy, too.

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For Becki:

Someone gives you money and sends you into the grocery store to pick up 4 items. You can only pick one thing from the following departments.. what is it?
1. Produce: Asparagus
2. Bakery: Rolls
3. Meat: Steak
4. Frozen: Chocolate Satin Pie

Let's say we're heading out for a weekend getaway. You're only allowed to bring 3 articles of clothing with you. So, what's in your bag?
1. unmentionables
2. dress
3. coat

If I was to listen in on one of your conversations throughout the day, what 5 phrases or words would I be most likely to hear?
1. You’re such a good big sister…but be gentle with her!
2. You need to go potty?3. Did you spit up again?
4. How was your day, Sweetie?
5. I think I want some chocolate!

So, what 3 things do you find yourself doing every single day, and if you didn't get to do, you probably wouldn't be in the best mood?
1. Check e-mail/blog
2. Alone time (reading, showering, etc.)
3. Adult conversation (with Matt especially)

Sweet, you just scored a whole afternoon to yourself. We're talking a 3 hour block with nobody around. What 5 activities might we find you doing?
1. Catching up on sleep
2. Reading (preferably outdoors, unless it’s cold)
3. Madly working on some half-finished project
4. Going to the temple (a free 3-hour block is not a frequent treat)
5. Hanging out with a good friend

We're going to the zoo. But, it looks like it could start storming, so it'll have to be a quick visit. What 3 exhibits do we have to get to?
1. Tigers
2. Monkeys
3. Sea otters

You just scored tickets to the taping of any show that comes on t.v. of your choice. You can pick between 4, so what are you deciding between?
1. Martha Stewart
2. Oprah (because she gives out awesome gifts)
3. Cosby Show ( okay, I know it’s just reruns now, but Bill Cosby is my favorite comedian
4. Any game show where I could be a contestant and walk away with a good chunk of money

You're hungry for ice cream. I'll give you a triple dipper ice cream cone. What 3 flavors can I pile on for ya?
1. Burnt Almond Fudge
2. Cookie Dough
3. Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup

Somebody stole your purse/wallet…in order to get it back, you have to name 5 things you know are inside to claim it. So, what's in there?
1. Brown Wallet
2. Cell phone
3. Nicole’s toys
4. Snacks (granola bar, string cheese, craisins) for Vanessa and me
5. Chapstick

You are at a job fair, and asked what areas you are interested in pursuing a career in. Let's pretend you have every talent and ability to be whatever you wanted, so what 4 careers would be fun for you?
1. Photographer
2. Marriage & Family Therapist
3. Interior or Fashion Designer
4. Geneticist

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By the way, since I am so horrible about being "it," I don't know that I should make someone else "it," so...the first three people who want to be tagged, mention it in your comment, then talk part or all of this and start typing like crazy!

Happy 6-months, Sweetpea!

I can't believe it's been 6 months since our cute little Peanut was this small!

She's changed so much, but has always been such a sweet, happy girl.

Goodness knows there have been some exhausting days...

and some that were just plain tough...

But all in all, there's been lots of fun!





We love you, Nicolli-poli!

What Nicole is up to now:

Rolling across the floor

Blowing spit bubbles

Trying to play with/eat everything in sight

Smiling at everyone she meets

Squealing and making other fun noises

Playing peek-a-boo

Working on sitting up (not quite there yet)

Just being stinkin' cute! And...

Trying to convince us she'll do just fine without her brace, thank you very much!

Sisters

In the past month or so, my girls have begun to discover the joy of being sisters. They love hanging out! Vanessa loves to be the first one to greet Nicole when she wakes up, and Nicole gets bored very fast when she's awake during Vanessa's nap. I often catch them giggling and smiling at each other like they have their own private little jokes. To be sure, they have their moments, as all sisters do, when they drive each other crazy. But, for the most part, they are two peas in a pod!

At the pumpkin patch
Vanessa's cheesy grin
I'm not sure Nicole had any say on this arrangement
Sharing Daddy's lap and storytime
Dogpile!
Vanessa has taken to "reading to Nicole"

Can you tell which jack-o-lantern looks like which girl?

In the leaves (best "smiles" I could get)

They're trying to see themselves on the TV through the camera

Just being silly!

MD Orthopaedics

I just had to do a quick little post to thank the company that makes Nicole's brace. We have had to order parts twice already, and MD orthopaedics, who already makes such an awesome and easy-to-use brace, is so accomodating! They ship things next day air without charge for the product or shipping. They not only care about making a good product, but they understand the needs of kids with club feet and the concerns of their parents. I know they likely won't see this, but thanks MD Orthorpaedics fo being so great!!

Vanessa-isms

While sitting on the potty (for a long time)

Matt: Vanessa, do you really have to go?

Vanessa: Um, no....I just want chocolate.

The other night, in the middle of the night (I hate turning the clock back), she had to go potty. While I was lowering her to the toilet, I decided to let one fly, since we were in the bathroom.

Vanessa: Daddy, what's that hmell (smell)?

Matt: I don't know (it was pretty bad)

Vanessa: It's a kunk (skunk)!

Tonight while I was in the office studying, I heard a little tap at the door, followed by a "Hey Daddy, you in dere?" Of course I couldn't resist opening the door. She has been told many times that I need time to study, so everytime she comes in she feels like she has to have a good reason..although most of the time she can't come up with one. Here was her attempt.

Vanessa: I just...Stawberry Shortcake...um...you working...um....can I come on in?

Matt: Only if I get a hug (she gave me a big hug)

Vanessa: Daddy, you doing okay?

I also have to share that when I got home today, the girls had gone for a walk. I called Lisa and she said they were not too far from home and would be home soon. I kept peeking out the window, going outside to see if they were coming, and called Lisa a few times to see how much longer they would be gone. I was so excited to see them that I just decided I would start walking to find them. When I spotted them, Vanessa came running towards me, Nicole started kicking her legs and smiling, and Lisa gave me her beautiful "it's good to see you" smile. I love coming home to my girls...they make my day every day!

Halloween!

We had a very fun, very busy Halloween! Here are our little Tinkerbell and Ariel (Lisa stayed up all night sewing Nicole's costume, something she has vowed to never do again)

Here is a very crappy video of the girls trick-or-treating.