T-R-O-U-B-L-E (x 2)

I really thought I had this whole "TWIN" thing mastered. The first few months were stressfull, but by about 3 or 4 months I had them on the same strict routine and life was good. Let me just say...about the last 2 weeks, these 2 little sweeties have become LOTS and LOTS of work. They are into EVERYTHING. They follow each other around making not just little messes, but big messes (like dumping all the cereal on the floor and then laughing together as they crush them into little tiny pieces or getting into my plants and getting the little strands of grassy things all over the house). I barely get one mess cleaned up and then it's time to clean up the next one. My only saving grace is Nap times and Yo Gabba Gabba. I have always had issues with letting my kids watch TV, but with Brilynn back in school, sometimes the TV is the only babysitter I have for a few minutes. Watching Preslee and Payge interact with each other is so fun and I love it, but I really am getting worried about what the next few months are going to be like. Until they are old enough for me to reason with them a little more, I think my poor house is doomed. So if you plan on stopping by anytime soon...please give me a heads up WAY in advance;)

Can you believe that!!!

So I decided to do a last minute trip to the zoo a few days ago to take advantage of our season pass before it expired. Anyway...I was very disappointed that they had changed the Gorilla's comparison chart. I remember being very young and getting my picture taken in front of the large Gorilla. Now they have plastered various smaller gorillas in front of the main Large one. Seriously...who's idea was that??? So LAME!Atleast they didn't change the Lion Drinking Fountain.

2nd Grade

This week Brilynn started back to school. This was the first year that it has been really hard for me to let her go back to school. Since we were on A track last year which gets out early and have D track this year which starts late, we actually had a long summer, and we loved it. Brilynn has been my little helper this summer with the twins. Whenever we would go somewhere she would carry one and I would carry one. She was so good to take them to the basement and play with them while I cleaned or did what I needed to. Ever since she has gone back, I feel completely lost and I am not getting much done. I really do just miss having her around. Anyway, enough about me. She is loving school and is very excited to have so many friends in her class this year. I haven't decided if that is a good thing or a bad thing yet, time will tell. Maycie doesn't start Preschool until Sept. so it will be a few long weeks for her. Here are the famous 1st day of school pics!!!

This past weekend my brothers family came to stay with us. They invited us to go with them to "This is the place" monument. Seriously, I can't believe we haven't taken the kids there before. I always thought it was just the statue of Brigham that you can see from the Zoo. We got there around noon and we were rushing to get everything done by the time it closed at 5:00. There was still a lot that we didn't make it to, so if you plan on going, make sure you go early. The kids are able to do crafts, ride the trains, pet the tamest animals, ride a pony, and learn all about the pioneers. They do an excellent job, and well worth the trip. A friend of my mom's told her that if you go during christmas they have all Christmas crafts and activities for the kids, so that will be a Christmas Memory tradition for us this year, I can't wait!!! Thanks Dale and Shannon for planning such a fun activity.On the way home we passed East high and the girls wanted to get their pictures taken in front of the famous "High School Musical" East High School.

Picture Perfect

When we went to Kanab we took some pictures of the kids, sorry about the overload!!!

Desert News 10k race and Days of 47 parade

A few months ago after doing the 5k run for Brilynn's school, a few of us decided it would be fun to train together and do the Deseret News 10k race on the 24th of July. After many 6:30 runs in the morning, the day finally came. Thanks to my friend Mandy, she suggested that we get together the night before, have the traditional Spaghetti dinner, and stay the night in SLC at a hotel. So, my sweet husband kept the girls and I headed off for a night with my friends. So Fun!!! We had a great time with many laughs. Those of you who stayed the night with us at the hotel will never forget my silly comment that was made in the elevator when I totally put my foot in my mouth. Leave it to me. Anyway...

After a few silly group pics at Trolley Square we headed down to find Wade who was saving spots for us and all of our families for the parade. He slept out with his kids to make sure we would have an awesome spot.

Officer Friendly threatened to have our cars towed but of course Melissa started joking around with him and making him laugh. He was a little stand offish at first but after a few minutes with our group, he was our best friend. Seriously Melissa, you crack me up!!!

Rhonda was trying to get a cute pic with her kids and Stacie came running up at the last minute. Love the look on your face Stacie. CLASSIC!!!

John was so sweet to get the girls up at 5:00, get them ready, and have them down to watch the end of the race. Check out the old man running beside me. That to me is total inspiration. Thanks to Tiffany and Jessica as well who were big helps with my girls.

Well girls the day has come and gone, so now we need to find out next race. I seriously had so much fun

After the race, we raced back to the hotel, checked out, and headed to the parade. Wade was so nice to steak out spots for all of us. The twins did much better than expected, but I did cheat and found some nice shade in the back of the crowd. It made the parade much more enjoyable. This was the first time that most of us had ever been to the parade, so we were greenies when it came to picking out a spot. Next year we will be more prepared and we plan on making the parade a new family tradition. I think we will even try sleeping outside next year.

Happy 24th of July to all our friends and family.

s