Holiday Happenings and New Years Eve/Day

Just played in the Hill Spring Bloodbath--I mean tournament. It is usually very physical. Actually wasn't so bad this year, for the one game I saw. His team got 2nd place. Justin felt old and tired, but had fun playing with Ryan (Joanie's extra tall hubby!) and his buddy Skyler. Ryan got an all star! Woo hoo!!

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Going to Cardston this year got me a bit more into the idea of moving south. It was warm!! About a 10-16 degree difference. Snow was actually melting and we could go outside! I know it isn't always like that, but man it was nice to have a bit of a break from hard core winter and take our kids for a walk. Kamry snapped this picture of us in front of the temple on a walk to go visit great grandma and grandpa (who have this view directly out of their front window. Everyday. Pretty cool. In fact, Karen's old room even had a temple view. Beautiful!

We took the kids swimming in Lethbridge one day. THEY LOVED IT! Especially Kate. I have got to get this girl lessons. She was jumping in and dunking herself like it was nothing. A total water baby. We really need to watch her.

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They had these floaty things there, but man were they dangerous. I took my eye off Kate for a second. She leaned over trying to get out and almost flipped right over. I was so scared and SO grateful that I looked over and acted quickly.

Kate with Joanie's little cutie Jaxson.


I tried so hard to keep my eyes open under this thing. Blink..blink...blink blink...

Family! It has been really fun taking our kids places and doing things with them I like having older kids. Not that they are old, but they are older than little babies. It is just fun to watch them experience and enjoy.

NEW YEAR'S EVE!!!

On New Year's Eve Robbie, Brian, Justin, and I all went cross country skiing to Cameron Lake. It was WINDY and cold, but we were bundled enough to enjoy ourselves.

Most of the path is a beautiful tree lined view. When you look up, it's gorgeous. Oh, and I do have to say, I didn't fall once. Justin fell twice. Both trying to show off. :)

I wish there was more scenery in the background than the bathrooms, but that's what you get when a stranger takes the picture for you!

Now that is scenery. Cameron Lake.

We made it! We're out on the lake.

This looked way cooler in person, but if you look at my gray hairs on the left... they were frozen. I tried to break them, like on Cool Runnings, but it didn't work.

Another ice hair shot.

Us after it all down at Cameron Falls.

THIS WAS SO COLD AND WINDY!

Saying goodbye to 2010!!! Bring on 2011!!!


NEW YEAR'S DAY!

They're just cute.

We met up with Skyler and Briley to go sledding. There wasn't really a good hill, so they just pulled them behind the quads. After all of this they went to a good hill, but I took our tired girls home to nap...which they didn't. Uggggh. Another story. I am really sad I missed him sledding though. Justin said he LOVED it and wasn't scared at all!!

I love it when they get all bundled up.

Going to look for a decent hill.

No hill. So the girls went on with Justin. They looked SO cold.

Is this dangerous? I don't know, I trust Skyler! :)

And of course the annual trip to see the chickens. They always get louder and smellier every year. And yes, I was afraid my head was going to get pecked in this picture. "Quick. Take it Skyler!"

The PACKED van on the way home. Isn't this crazy?! We ended up leaving the big box in the back at home. Just in case it fell and corked Zach. Plus, I guess it is a good thing to be able to see out your back window while on a 5 hr road trip.

Time to go home to have a vacation from vacation. I was exhausted. Why don't kids sleep in on vacation? Actually, why don't kids sleep at all????

Christmas!!

Merry Christmas Everyone!!!

This picture was taken on Christmas Eve after we all opened our Christmas pjs. My mom made the girls cute little night shirts. And Zach loves his dino pjs mom. Thanks!

The girlies in their Christmas nightgowns.

I had to put this one in. Kate's expression cracks me up. Kara looks a little lost there too.

Kamry took a couples picture of everyone in their pjs too. :) Well, I got new loungey pants and a cozy teal hoody, does that count?

THIS was the ultimate moment of the entire vacation I would say. Look at Cynthia's face. That's how good it was... For the last couple months Julie compiled a book of pictures and memories that we all contributed to. Every person was supposed to shoot for 50 memories. I think I got to 48! Pretty good! Anyway, they ended up with this incredible memory book with old pictures and all of their kids memories. PRICELESS! Almost every night after we put the kids to bed we sat around, read memories, and reminisced. THAT was my favorite memory of this holiday. So special.

Everyone checking out the coolest present ever.

Arranging all of the gifts. Christmas for 21 people in one house!!!

AMAZING!

Isn't that incredible!!!

CHRISTMAS MORNING!!!

Of course all of my kids decided to sleep in on Christmas morning. I was so excited to see their excitement. I wanted to wake them up! Christmas definitely is more magical with kids around.

Kate got a new hat and had to wear it around. :)

Zach has wanted a clown jack in the box for a LONG time. Doesn't he look thrilled?

Grandma gave him an electric guitar!

Love the rocker faces.

Yah!!!

This was probably the most popular (aka most fought over) toy. A Handy Manny Tool set.

Santa brought Kara a Jessie. She loves "Yessie!!!"

And Kate got Woody...

And Zach got a WORKING BUZZ WITH WINGS! Just like he's waited and asked for. He loves Buzz. It really is a cool toy!

See...he LOVES Buzz Lightyear.

BOXING DAY!!!

Grandma put the girls on the counter and gave them some chips.

Kara thought she'd feed her sister. I tried to capture the sweet, cute moment...

...but then Kate accidentally bit Kara's fingers!! SAD!!! Kara looks betrayed. Crushed! How could she?!!

We did a lot of this while we were there. Leslie is a master crocheter. I made 2 hats with flowers on them for the girlies, and soon for me, and something else that turned out SOOO cute but I can't post a picture until its recipient receives it. :) Curious?

And man I wish I got the front of this. Jason was helping his mom out. Whatta guy. He was wearing the manliest apron. Purple flowers, ruffles. Gotta love it.

This is how you go in the hot tub in Canada. :)

This picture is awesome. With all of the family around we did a lot of THIS over the holidays. Basically everyone got some form of belly bug. Barfing and pooing everywhere. So much fun. At least we didn't gain tons of weight!

Pottytraining Plea

Please, somebody tell me how do you potty train Twins? Twins who may seem too young to get it, but who are smart enough and old enough to take off their pants and diapers at nap times and get whatever is in there all over their crib and hands? Twins that will copy each other in whatever the other is doing? What if one goes and gets rewarded, and the other one can't, but really wants th reward too? What about when they poop before the nap and then you put them to bed happy that they've already pooped, only to find them 1 hr later trying to take off their own poopy underwear and take care of it? Twins who really don't like to be in diapers, but who may not catch their urge to go soon enough before there is another accident. Twins who really need a nap, but when they get one they wet and/or soil their pants. Twins that are trying to nap and then when one is almost sleeping the other one (who hasn't pooped yet) is still up chatting and yells to you that she has to go potty so you freak out, run up there quietly grab her and take her to the bathroom when the other realizes her sister is gone, wakes up, cries and says she has to go poopoo too so you take her but neither of them go? Do you put diapers on them at nap times after having a totally successful morning? Do you fore go the naps and have 3 kids 3 and under up all day with you being cranky because they are tired?...(this thought makes me almost cry!) Do you wait until they both poop before nap time? What if they never poop and are really cranky?

I feel STUCK!!! I have to potty train them because they strip all of the time and I am sick of cleaning up those messes, but I am also sick of cleaning up potty training messes and still wonder if they are old enough. They are quite successful when I am right there by them, prompting them to go. And often they even go on their own. Kara is actually really starting to get it. Until nap time. They are tired, so they need a nap, but they don't nap because they are chatting with each other, playing, until one of them starts to ignore the other and fall asleep. They can climb out of portacribs or I could separate them. When they are alone in their room who knows what they are doing and when I find out I am not usually happy...but I want/need that 2 hrs alone for sanity! Or just 1. I'll take 1 hour.