THANKS!!!

Happy Thanksgiving! (Yesterday!)

I just wanted to take a minute to say a few things I am thankful for since I didn't really get a chance to sit down and realize how lucky I am to have what I have.

First, I am the most thankful for Brett, I mean I am thankful for my kids too cause I love em to pieces, but where would I be without my husband? My best friend. Sometimes I forget how lucky I am to have him, he does so much for our family, I don't know how he does it all but I love him for it. I am also thankful to be a stay at home mom, I wouldn't want it any other way, some people think, why would you want to stay home all day every day?  Well because... I DO! I have always wanted to. I am thankful for my house, my lovely little house which I get to watch my family grow in every day. I am thankful for my car, I give serious props to the one car families because having the option to leave whenever I want to is wonderful. I am thankful for my relationships with my parents.. I love how they accept me for who I am and they do so much for my family, I just couldn't live without them. Which reminds me how I am ALSO thankful for my in laws, and my sister in laws and brother in laws. It's so nice to have family all around me.

Well that is my main list of my thankfulness :) I would have posted some pictures of our Thanksgiving, but I was too busy cooking it!!! My sister in law Abbi and I put on the whole meal, and I must say, we did a fine job cause it was all so delicious!

DIY.

I have been trying my hand at do it yourself things lately. Everything I try looked so good before I tried to copy it! BUT I am trying and having fun with it. I have millions of ideas and I am constantly looking for the next thing I can afford to change up around my house. (Thanks to Pinterest for making me think I can do any craft!) I recently added some black Ikea spice racks to the playroom to hold some of the books we have piled up in a basket, I think they turned out pretty good. I bought 6 of them, and didn't really have the space for 6 in the playroom so I decided to put one in each of the kids rooms, of course Brooklyn's is always done first... I don't know why I have so much more fun adding things to her room than Braxton's.... Needless to say, I found a cheap old nightstand and decided to paint it white for Brooklyn and hang the spice rack shelf painted pink above it, I promise I will find a little night stand for Braxton too, but for now I am just painting his shelf. I have a before picture of the night stand, I hope no one ever looks up close at the after.... looks better from afar :) That's all for now!

spice rack book shelves in playroom

Old night stand BEFORE

Old nightstand AFTER

Happy Halloween!!!

Today we had the Halloween party I had been planning for a couple months now. YAY! I'm not going to lie, I was a little out of my comfort zone, but I think I handled it pretty well, there were 10 kids, plus my 2, and a cute little baby who was happy and sweet the whole time.  THAT'S A LOT OF KIDS. My house isn't big by any means, but I feel like everyone had a pretty decent time. I mean all the kids made cute little candy corn crafts, and decorated cookies, and ate lunch? How is that not fun?!?! It was pretty laid back, everyone kinda just played and there was no fighting!!! (That I know of, maybe a little scuff but that's it!) Which with my kiddos is awesome, since they don't like to share their toys-- We are working on that! But I am glad I had it, it was fun to see costumes and have a big play date. Thanks to everyone who came :)

Oh and Michelle made the cutest candy corn and I think I am going to copy her and make one or two like it! Wish I had a pic!!!

Fall Fun!

So anyone who reads this knows I don't know how to put pictures on here and move them around, they sort of just go wherever and frustrate me to the point where I almost hit this stupid computer every time. So there always ends up being a row of them somewhere, hopefully.

ANYWAY. This fall has been so fun already. I love fall. (Winter is my most favorite season, but fall is beautiful). The leaves are starting to turn colors and look so pretty and the cold air feels amazing. The clothes are more fun. There are lots of activities to do! Endless options. This year I took the kids to the corn maze, and pumpkin patch. They are known to be scared of lots of things, especially things that make loud noises. I was determined to have them pick a pumpkin and to get to the pumpkin patch you had to go on a hay ride BEHIND A TRACTOR--loud. I had a pit in my stomach thinking, they are going to cry, embarrass me, throw fits and not want to go on it, well I have never been more wrong. They climbed right up onto the wagon and sat on the hay, I even tried to hold Brooklyn cause she is more afraid of some things and she wouldn't let me. Even when the tractor started up and we started going, they were so happy and just kept saying "bumpy!" I was seriously so proud, weird to be proud of them for that I guess but I was. It was such a relief that they didn't draw any unwanted attention to us, they were adorable. We got out to the pumpkin patch and found our pumpkins, I told them they had to carry their own since I had to carry mine and it was bigger and our bag etc.. well needless to say I was carrying 3 pumpkins and my bag. Thankfully they had these little barrel wagons to haul your pumpkins around in until you leave and pay for them.

They played in the corn box, played on the slide and stairs, rode in the cow barrel train thing and had a GREAT time. We were there for 3 hours, which was crazy to me. Totally didn't expect them to be so good. I am really glad I went, and really sad Brett wasn't able to come since he had to work, that dang work! But next year he plans on going for sure.

ALSO something we did this last week, was make pizza as a family. Haha not really a fall activity, but it was fun. Brett text me while he was at work and said he wanted us to make pizza for dinner, so I got all the stuff and we did. The kids thought it was cool, they just wanted to eat the cheese and toppings but it was cute. I snapped a few pics in between trying to help Brooklyn put things on her pizza. So they will be somewhere on this blog!!! That's all for now!

Halloween Hater. . .

HALLOWEEN! 
I have never been a fan of Halloween, yeah when I was little and dressed up and got lots of candy of course I loved it, but since I have stopped trick-or-treating it is not as fun. BUT this year I decided that needs to change, its such a fun holiday if you let it be. I mean it doesn't have to be about getting candy and scary things. I am going to decorate my house with "cute" decor for Halloween. HAPPY pumpkins, HAPPY ghosts, HAPPY bats etc. My kids have already colored some pumpkins, but I am waiting for a little bit longer to put them in the window. 


What really inspired me to stop being such a party pooper about Halloween was a magazine I picked up at target, and when I say picked up, I mean I put it on with my moms stuff since I wasn't buying anything... only for her to say later, "Oh, looks like I bought a magazine." Yeah thanks Mom! Well in this magazine, there are TONS of cute ideas on simple ways of putting a fun touch of the good ol ghost and goblin spirit on your home. So I got all excited. I can do this! AND THEN, I decided to completely step out of my comfort zone and throw a Halloween party! (Let's be honest, entertaining people my age terrifies me, but I think I can handle kids) So its going to be fore kids. Can't say what exactly I am planning because it has to be a surprise for my other mommy friends. But I really hope that everyone who can come has fun. All I can say is, there will be goody bags, who doesn't love a goody bag? :) 


Well I think that about sums it up for my Halloween excitement. I will take pictures of our decorations when we get them up! HAPPY FALL (almost) to EVERYONE! :)

Boiseeeeeeee Staaaaaaaaaaate

 

 YAY! It's football season, let's be honest here: NOT MY FAVORITE. I mean I love watching BSU games, but every football game that is on, back and forth through multiple channels, being on the computer checking scores of fantasy leagues? Seriously? If anyone knows Brett, this is how we will be spending the next few months... MAYBE. I mean the guy works almost 2 full time jobs, and goes to school (online, but still). HOW DOES HE FIND TIME TO CARE ABOUT FOOTBALL? I love that he loves sports so much, I just don't get it is all.

Needless to say, we MUST wear blue and orange at this house on BSU game day. Which is fine with me, no picking out clothes, its already planned. :) I bought the kids both a cheap BSU shirt for as cheap as possible at Walmart, but Brett thought they were "lame" so we were going to go find a jersey for Braxton, and a cheerleader outfit for Brooklyn at  JC Penny or something, well we found out there is a Bronco Shop right by the JC Penny in Nampa! Yeah, we went in... yeah we spent lots of mulah, and no we did not get the kids different stuff.. HOW did this happen? Well they didn't have jerseys in the right size for Brax-man, and NO cheerleader outfits for Little Bee were anywhere to be found, so we spent more money and went to JC Penny to get them. Sounds like a waste, but they were excited, and they looked cute, so whatev! I painted my nails blue and orange and Brooklyn was not about to be left out of the new nail color fun... so we are matching :) I know her feet are much cuter than mine!

We had to go to my parents store we we could show off our babes, cause we think they are cute. I had my mom take a family picture of us, even though there were 2 of us, not to name names or anything... that did not want to participate.. Seriously people? I don't ask that much. A little smile here and there for the camera wouldn't hurt. Punks.

Sweet Summer Nights

Sometimes in the evenings before my kids brush their teefs (teeth) and go to bed, we go outside and play for a little bit. It was so nice a couple of evenings ago I couldn't help it. First we pick up all the balls, toys, and any other things that may be attacked by the sprinklers and put them away, then we play. They love going down the slide when they are wearing footy jams cause they go really fast. Its cute. Its really just fun to run around out there with them for a few minutes before bed and they LOVE it of course, so I took a few pictures. They were having a hard time being willing to let me take any so I didn't get many, but you get the idea.

FAIR!

 We wen't to the fair on Monday night, it was better than I had expected when bring 2 year olds. They
were pretty good and stayed in the stroller most of the time. It was really hot and I think that made them not want to walk around too much.

Brett and I have not been to the fair since before the kiddos were born. I love the fair, I love all the delicious, greasy, unhealthy, food :) I used to love the rides, well I still would but of course neither of the kids would be tall enough to go on them, and I don't think they would want to yet. But of course we looked at all the animals, we looked at the cows more than once, Brooklyn would yell "Mooo" at them multiple times. I love it. There were so many people around that we couldn't really stop to let them pet any of them cause people were right behind us and all around us. But the kids were just fine looking and yelling and Braxton says "Hi" to everything. "Hi sheep!" It was so cute, and he would wave.

We didn't stay too long, the babes were getting tired right when the sun went down (when it started cooling off of course) I was bummed because I wanted them to eat loads of cotton candy, to make sure they got enough sugar... but they didn't like it! WHAT THE HECK. I love that stuff. I think it was just the texture, they were looking at me like, "you want me to eat fuzz?" But they had a good time looking at the tractors, and the animals and havin delish milkshakes. MMMM. I am glad we got to go, although next year I think it should be a date with me and hubby, no kids :)

Daily Dilemma: Hitting.

My sweet little boy Braxton has been hitting. A LOT. He was so sweet when he was a newborn and for a long time. Lately he has turned into someone else. Don't get me wrong, he still has lots of moments where he is as sweet as can be, and so fun. WHY DOES THE KID THINK HE NEEDS TO RUIN IT BY HITTING? He hits everyone, well anyone who tells him no or anyone who makes it so he doesn't get his way. I don't want to be "that mom" with the out of control kid(s) who everyone dreads being around. Brooklyn cries at least 5 times a day about getting hit, its getting old. I need help! He goes to time out, and has to say sorry, but I don't think the point is getting across... We just started putting him in his room for 2 minutes every time he hits and that makes him really upset, maybe it will help. Well I guess that's about it. If you have tips or advice, I'll take it!

Miss Stephanie

            

 Last week we had a little friend Stephanie who was staying with us for a while. She left on Friday afternoon, and let me tell you... right after she drove off I cried like a baby! She is Brett's second cousin, and she is a doll. So sweet and so helpful with the kids, and so polite. I don't want to say much about her home life on here, other than it's not the best. I wanted to keep her here for the school year but it really wasn't an option :( The first couple days she was here I was feeling a little bit overwhelmed having to entertain another kid who didn't stay entertained like 2 year old, or by the same things. After she got used to how we do things around here and what not, she was so fun to have around. She will keep ya on your toes for sure. All I can really say is I had a lot of fun with her, and even though she wasn't here that long I actually learned a few things from her. For one, I learned a lot of patience, you'd think I would be full of that by now with 2 year old twins! Really though, its something I have been trying to work on for a long time now. BUT I didn't want her to see me lose my cool AT ALL with my kids or about anything, because why would I want a 9 year old who already has a crappy home life to be here and feel awkward when I get upset at my kids? Exactly. So I don't think I got "upset" at all. Of course my kids chose that week to both be extra bratty, I don't know if it is cause they were out of the normal thing by having someone else here 24/7, or what.. but they were something else! AND for another lesson learned, which I hate admitting, but swearing... I mean its not like I walk around swearing all the time, but it slips out and I have been working on it anyway since my kids are starting to talk a lot, but I really worked on it in front of her! I didn't want her thinking it was okay to swear so I was setting a good example :) Haha and I did good! But all in all, she was a fun little friend to have around, and I will really miss her. And so will both the kids, Braxton still wakes up from his nap and says "Steffie?" Then runs to the playroom to see if she is in here, breaks my heart. At least we made some fun memories :)

Other than having Steph here with us for a little bit our summer has been pretty low key, long hot days in the back yard, occasional trips to walmart or target, grilled cheese and swimming with friends and hanging out with Brett's grandparents while they are in town. It has been nice. Other than my car AC breaking a couple of times, and the colds that two little people caught in our house it has been the best summer I can remember :)

Best Efforts!

So I cannot figure out how on earth to put
the pictures where I want them. So I just
added a bunch and the text I wrote is down
toward the bottom. I thought it would
be best if I gave up trying before I broke
my computer out of frustration. If
anyone can explain to me how to move
them around better, please do!!! Thanks!!!

Well, lets just say, we have it our best efforts to camp. The ride there was pretty nice, about 2 hours away, with some un wanted construction of course. The kids watched a movie on the way, and that kept them entertained and they slept for a little bit. Braxton thought the best place to rest his foot would be on the DVD player. Lovely. When we got to the place, my brother in law and sister in law already had a beautiful place they had been the previous night. But unfortunately Brett's parents trailer could not get into the spot. So we had to go to a different one. We set up a tent by the trailer, we weren't sure if we would be sleeping in the trailer or in the tent. During the day the kids attempted to roast some marshmellows, Brooklyn wasn't sure she liked them. Crazy I know! And they played in the dirt, played with bubbles, played in the river, and got lots of love and attention from grandparents. They both had a few "moments" were I considered pulling my hair out, but they were pretty good and happy overall.

 They got new camping chairs and they thought those were pretty cool, it was cute when they were carrying them and sitting in them, since they knew they were just for them. When it came close to bed time, the kids got to have what they called a "camping bath" Brett's mom got 2 pans of water and 2 wash cloths and let them stand in the pans and clean off. They both that it was pretty fun and kept yelling camping bath! :) Soon after that when they would have normally been in bed for a long time, we were trying to figure out the sleeping situation. They are simply not used to sleeping anywhere but in their own bed, why should they be? We don't go anywhere very often... well they didn't want to go to bed of course and it was starting to get dark out and cooling off but they were still going full speed. We decided it would be best just to head back home. I know I know, we gave up pretty fast, but Brett and I both knew it was going to be a long and stressful night. We didn't want to make it hard for anyone else either. It was just starting to thunder, which after a hot day sounded nice to me, but both the kids are scared of it and yeahhhh. I didn't want to make it a horrible experience or else I might never want to try it again. :) So about 9:15 we headed back home and got home and got the kids in bed around 10:45, well they had slept in the car on the way, but I was happy to be sleeping in my own bed knowing I will get some sleep. ONE DAY we will try again, I think next summer when the kids are a little older. I know they had fun while we were there and that's what counts right???

All in all it was a good time and I am glad we got to spend the day up there! Here are some pictures to show what we did :)

Braxton and Great Grandpa Don

Great Grandma Sue and Braxton 

They got new water bottles! Exciting! :)

attempting to roast marshmellows 

Not sure if she likes marshmellows roasted!