Slow...Down,...Eat...Slow, Talk...Slow, Drive...Slow..

Well, I know it has been a while since I last wrote...a lot has happened in the past couple of weeks. We lost a wonderful person on the 19th of December. M's grandma passed away. She was 92 years old. I am soooo thankful that we made it up to Illinois over Thanksgiving. We were able to spend a lot of time with her and she got to meet A for the first time. We drove up to Illinois for the services and stayed through the day after Christmas. The girls had a great time seeing Grandma and Grandpa again and A got to meet her aunt Amy for the first time from Alaska. Here is a pic that I found from Thanksgiving 2005 when N met Great Grandma for the first time. I am reminded of something that Great Grandma always said to all the kids...."Slow Down, Eat...Slow, Talk...Slow, and Drive...Slow.." What a great quote to live by..



It has been a whirlwind since we got back home. The girls had Christmas in Illinois, then we did our Christmas the day after we got home, then Granny and Pappa Edd came over to do Christmas, and then finally last night we celebrated with my aunt and uncle and cousins. Isn't Christmas just the best when you are a kid...I just loved seeing how excited they would get opening presents. Here are some pics of the girls and all their many Chrismas celebrations, a pic of M's sister and A, a pic of the "white" Christmas that I got to enjoy...FINALLY!! And a few others...oh and my favorite of N sitting on the radiator at Grandma and Grandpa's house looking for Santa...it is sooo cute!!"
Hope everyone has a safe and happy New Year's Eve and I will see you in 2008!!

Ride on the Polar Express...

N and I had such a treat the other night. We were invited with our neighbors to go ride the "Polar Express" and go to the North Pole. N is still talking about the choo choo train. I'm sure most of you know the book, but for those of you who don't know it...you have to read it! This experience was done just like the book! N and I got to board a real train and ride it to the North Pole to pick up Santa. The train ride lasted about an hour. Everyone wore their pjs and they served us hot chocolate and rice krispie treats. The conductor came around and met all the children and stamped our tickets..just like the book and movie. We all sang Christmas carols and they read the actual story while we were on board. Then we arrived to the "North Pole" and it was so beautiful! Next Santa came on board and rode the train with us. He came and visited with N and gave her a Christmas bell from his sleigh. She was in awe of the whole experience! N has not let go of her bell and keeps on telling everyone how Santa gave it to her. Now when you ask her what she wants from Santa for xmas, she just says, "Oh Mommy, he gave me a bell!"

Getting in the Christmas spirit...

Last night we all wanted to get in the Christmas spirit, so we put on our pajamas and went and got eggnog milkshakes and looked at Christmas lights. It hit 80 degrees yesterday then fell to the 40's by late afternoon, so it was perfect weather last night. We went to the 2 houses that have their lights set to music and it is a huge light show. It was great. N loved it! Here are some pics of the girls before we left and of course M wanted me to share the lights that he did on our house!

Looking Back...

Just thought I would dig through old photos from N's first and second Christmas. She was such a ham...and of course, she still is...N was 7 months old for her first xmas and 1 year and a half for her second. I remember that she loved wrapping paper and bows and LOVED Santa Claus!

I can't believe that this is A's first Christmas. I was thinking that she was here last xmas, but now I remember...I was 9 months pregnant last xmas...oh, how things are different this year! What a special holiday for her! Hopefully we will go see Santa this week. I am anxious to see what the girls do. N has always loved Santa..it is the Easter Bunny that she doesn't like very much.

All I want for Christmas is my 2 front teeth..

Well, A has 3 top teeth coming in as we speak...and can you tell she is so proud!!!

Getting ready for the holidays...

Just so everyone will know..I think the blogging will slow down quite a bit during the holidays!!! I can't believe that it is already December. We have been very busy for the past week. M has started working on the outside xmas lights. He is so funny...he really is Clark Griswold and wants to go all out with lights and decorations! He has an ongoing battle with our neighbors to decorate with lights! Of course, it is just a battle with himself...I don't even think our neighbors know about it! We bought a huge 8 foot Snowman to put in the yard. We still have all the outlining of the grass to do, but then the outside should be done! I haven't done much with the inside of the house yet other than put up N and A's Christmas trees. N is so excited about her tree. I probably will have to move it out of reach, because all she wants to do is touch it and hold the ornaments. We set up our Christmas tree in the living room, but of course the dreadful has happened...the lights in the middle are all out. Oh well, we will just make do and probably have to buy a tree after Christmas when they are on sale. Hopefully this week I can get the tree and inside of the house decorated. I also have to figure out how to keep A out of the tree...mmmm...any suggestions would be great! :)
I went and visited my aunt and uncle and cousins yesterday in their new house. I just love it and we are so happy for them! I can't wait to see it all decorated...my aunt is such the decorator!
And then their is shopping which I haven't even started!!! That's the fun part though..I love buying for other people!
And last, I sent most of you the link of our family getting "elfed," but in case you missed it...you definitely need to do it with your family. It is hilarious! The website is www.elfyourself.com. Happy Holidays!

Thanksgiving Holiday

Well, we are finally back from our vacation to Illinois. Other than the 17 hour drive each way, the trip was so much fun! We left last Tuesday after N's Thanksgiving Program and Feast at her Mother's Day Out School. This was our first program with N and she was just precious! At one point during the program, a little boy in her class began to cry and our little N went over to him and consoled him for the remainder of the program. It was hilarious! She would hold his cheeks and wipe away his tears..then hug and kiss him. I have it on video on my video camera..but of course, I don't know how to put it on the blog?? After the program, we had a sit down Thanksgiving Feast with every possible food you could imagine! Maybe that would explain why we were ready to nap when we left for Illinois right after the program???



The drive to Illinois was very long...it took us about 17 hours to get there...we took 2 days to drive up there...the girls were very good..considering being trapped in a vehicle for that long! We mainly visited with Grandma and Grandpa and ate tons of food! We also got to see friends that we haven't seen in quite a long time! It was so much fun to see all of our kids play together!

I was hoping for a white Thanksgiving, but instead it decided to snow HARD the day we left. Actually, it started when we were loading up the car with all of our stuff. I was bummed, but at least I got to see snow! Anyway, here are some pics from our trip. The windmills are in a little town near Grandma and Grandpa's house. They were HUGE! N looked like a little ant standing next to them. A & N both LOVED playing with Rita the dog. I have to say though...Rita was a bit jealous of the attention N & A were getting from Grandma and Grandpa! Oh, and I hope Rita isn't too sick from all the food N was feeding her!!!







And after 2 long days of driving for 17 hours, you would think our kids would be excited to see our house and pull into our driveway...NOPE, N started crying hysterically and yelling, "No Mamma and Daddy...please go to hotel, no home, go to hotel!!!"

Bunches of things and Exciting News!!

Yes, we are still here...things have been super busy lately and I just haven't had time to post on the blog. We are leaving tomorrow for Illinois and I am VERY excited to get out of town! If I can just get through all the packing, which I despise doing, I will be in a great mood! It is so hard to pack for a 2 year old and a 10 month old..you have to bring so much stuff!! Get ready Grandma and Grandpa, cause here we come with a Uhaul!!! :)

The medicine seems to finally be working with N & A!!! They are feeling much better. The coughing and runny nose is not nearly as bad as it was last week! A, on the other hand was running a temperature tonight and very fussy...I think she is teething..you can tell her top two teeth are about to pop through...At least let's hope that it is teething and nothing else!

And now for some very exciting news...I am so excited to announce that M and I are a proud aunt and uncle of twins! They arrived yesterday, very early, but they are doing great! Momma was 27 weeks and 2 days, and she and Dad are doing good. We miss you guys so much and can't wait to meet J (girl) & D (boy)!

Here is a pick of A and her very 1st bubble bath and N and her new hat to take to Illinois. She just takes it off to sleep..it is hilarious...it will be 80 degrees outside and she has on her winter hat! She loves it!

Checkup

A had her 9 month checkup today and did great! She is SUPER tall for her age and a little under average for her weight...complete opposite of our little N! Too funny! They both have sinus infections (so we think), so they are getting put on an antibiotic. Our doc doesn't think it is allergies because the medicine that the other doc gave us, hasn't done a thing..actually they both got worse over the weekend...AGAIN!! Now their throats are red with white bumps, etc...
On another note, I am SO excited because we are going to visit the grandparents in Illinois over Thanksgiving!!! Maybe a change in weather and scenery will do the girls good! :) I'm looking forward to good company and good food!!! And a little Gin Rummy card playing with the men...hehehehe...

Beautiful Day

Well, the girls are still coughing and have snotty noses...we are trying allergy medicine to see if it might be allergies????? We shall see...
I couldn't help but get the girls out today because is is absolutely beautiful! It is blue skies, sunny, and 65 degrees. We are getting the girls pics done this evening. These will be the first pics of them together. It should be a very interesting session...N doesn't sit still at all, and since A has learned how to crawl..that is all she wants to do! Oh, and I thought I would post some old pics for all the Bears fans out there...these are from the last superbowl when A was just 2 weeks old!

Red Blueberries

I just think this is too funny not to share...Kids AMAZE me and make me laugh with their language and way of thinking...
Here's the story...N is obsessed with blueberries and now they are not available at the grocery store anymore...guess they are out of season?? So I thought I would buy her raspberries to try and see if she likes them. One evening I gave her some raspberries and told her what they were and she loved them. Now when she is hungry she will say, "Momma, have red blueberries please?" I'll ask N, "Do you mean raspberries??" And she will reply very sternly, "No silly Momma, RED BLUEBERRIES!!!"
Oh and by the way...The girls are SICK AGAIN!!! Both of them went back to the doctor today. Horrible coughing, stuffy nose, etc. I really need some prayers..this has been going on since mid September and it is wearing me down. I know it's that time of year and the weather is not helping..but it just breaks my heart to see them so miserable. We are now trying allergy medicine to see if that might be the problem????

The War has begun...

Son-in-law vs. Mother-in-law...yup, the battle has begun! As most of you know, Matt is a die hard Bears fan and can't stand the Cowboys! Granny on the other hand is a die hard Cowboys fan period! They are always trying to get N to say, "Go Cowboys, Boo Bears" or "Go Bears, Cowboys stink!" Well, Granny pulled one over on Matt tonight for the Cowboy game. Pappa Edd & Granny came over to watch the game and she had bought them outfits to wear. We went into N's room and got both N and A dressed and they came out to surprise Matt. He just laughed and was speechless. N was running around yelling Go Boys, Go Boys! It was so cute! I'm just wondering what Matt's payback will be????

Uploading Videos

Ok, I think I finally figured out how to put videos on the blog. I can only do it from my digital camera..I don't have a clue how to upload videos from our video camera...one day I will learn! This is from Halloween Night. Notice how Natalie switches from fast dancing to slow dancing when the music changes...too funny!

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Driving Lessons

Well, the day has come...N had to teach A how to drive her car. N wasn't too happy at first about sharing her car, but when she found out she could push A down the street, she was very excited. A enjoyed the ride a lot!
We had one of those horrible experiences with our computer yesterday...it quit working! It freaked me out because I haven't finished copying pics to discs, etc. My whole life is on our computer. After endless hours and days, M figured out it was the wireless mouse and keyboard. We are not sure what happened, but we borrowed an extra set that Granny and Pappa Edd had, and now it works. Hallelujah!!!! Now I just need to spend some time and copy everything to a hard disc!!!