It's Autumn Time

So I know I posted pictures of the snow, but I took this picture a few weeks ago when I was looking out the window loving the autumn scene. It seems as though the weather was nice fall weather and then over the course of two weeks, it turned really cold, the leaves all fell off, and then it snowed. Anyway, looking at this pictured reminded me of a funny story that I am sure Dave wouldn't mind me telling the whole world lol. So, he needed a few extra flight hours for flight school. We decided to take an overnight up to Utah. Dave and I packed in the little Cessna 172 and started off. As we transitioned from the desert state onto Utah, the landscape definately changed. We couldn't help but love the scenic tour from the air we were taking. Dave kept looking at the mountains of newly fall leaves, just in the process of changing. And he says to me, Lexi, look at those red leaves. He was gabbing about wondering what kind of tree it was. I couldn't help but chuckle and said, Dave it is just a normal forest tree. The leaved turn red in the fall time. That is my autumn story to make you laugh.

Our Life

"Bease (please)" (Note the marshmelllows)

I said "NO!"


Oh how I love toddlers. How greatful I am for them.

Thanksgiving Program

Happy Thanksgiving to you all! I hope you are spending you day surrounded by those you are thankful for. I know we are. I haven't yet got around to posting pictures of thanksgiving, but I wanted to share a little bit of Haylee who I am so thankful for. She had a program on Tuesday at school.

Sorry for the picture quality. I brought both the video camera and the digital camera, but when I went to turn on the video camera... I discovered it was out of battery :( Anyway, I hope you all have a wonderful day filled with happiness and PIE! For those of you that we love so much, we are missing you on this day, but you can be sure we are surrounded by many who love us almost as much as you do.

First Ever Snowman

I posted pictures of the snow. Well later that afternoon the snow started melting off and the kids were rested from their nap. Haylee kept begging for help to build a snowman. So her and I went down and built a snowman. Trent took credit becuase he put leaves on the head. But really, Haylee and I did the work. The whole time she kept saying, "This is so fun. Everyone else is missing out. I am building my first ever snowman!" You should have seen the look of accomplishment when she showed Dave all of her hard work. I am so grateful we had this chance!

Snow Day

Today was Haylee, Trent's, and Dave's first ever snow day! Haylee and Trent went to school and came home a couple hours later and Dave got a call before going to work that said post would be close. We were so excited to get this bonus day! I posted a picture of the now at 6 am and there was so much more by 9 when it finally stopped snowing. Haylee couldn't wait to get out to build a snowman either... but that still hasn't happened.

It's Ok Haylee

At dinner two nights ago, Haylee wanted another biscuit. Dave had told her yes but she had to eat her green beans first. She really likes green beans, so we didn't think this was a problem. As the plate of buscuits diminished into Dave's mouth, she was really started to stress that there would not be one left. So she snagged the last one and started munching. I saw her and said, Haylee, why don't you eat your green beans first. (Usually if they eat their first servings, they are not hungry for seconds even if they think they will be.) Anyway, she puts it down and starts eatings. Well, Dave hadn't noticed her eating the buscuit, so then he starts asking her why she started eating it when he told her to wait. She instantly starts crying because she hates to get in trouble. And Dave proceeds to go through our normal conversation when they disobey and they start discussing what will be her punishment. Meanwhile, we are all watching the deliberation. Haylee is still bawling. To get her to calm down, Dave says, Haylee you are not in trouble, but we have to be responsible for our actions. I am not mad at you, but you still need to come up with a punishment because you made a wrong choice. Well Trent jumps in now with all the sincerity and knowledge and says... lol... Haylee, don't worry Dad still loves you.

There it is, at least Trent is learning something from his numerous punishments. We always after they get in trouble, call them back to us to discuss what happened and why and why it was wrong. But we NEVER forget to tell them how much we still love them. At least Trent is learning that most important lesson which is all that really matters.

Christmas Help

So, I am coming to all of you to help me here. As you all know, we live in Italy. We are so far from any normal stores. I have looked on the internet and don't get the real "feel" of things. We don't have commercials (well not normal ones anyway), so I don't get to really see what is out there. Our little PX is really lacking in toys this year as well. So... I am asking all of you... what are you getting for your kids. Laycee and Logan are almost 22 months. I have no idea what to get them. I mean Haylee and Trent are always easy to buy for. But Laycee and Logan... no idea. Well I had some ideas, but I am postponing them for their birthday, after we move, so we don't have to buy stuff just to pack it up (a ball pit and jumpolene). So... I am polling the blog community... what are you getting for your little ones, and do you have any ideas that you might have seen around for Laycee and Logan... mainly stuff that would be good to take on the airplane. Thanks!!

My How they Have Grown

21 Months
13 Months

6 Months

2 Days

After Baths

Okay, well you were supposed to get the other photo first, but this is what you get lol. Haylee has really been spreading her sweet love out lately. I love to watch her cuddle with her siblings. Rarely Logan will sit with her, but Trent and Laycee really love to cuddle up next to her. She isn't always in the mood. But i love the moments when she is. She is so sweet and really likes to spread her love around. I am so very greatful to have a daughter like her. She may get bored easily and require a lot of my attention, but those don't matter to me as much when I get to see her interacting with her brothers and sisters with such care and love. I seriously don't know what I would have done without her over these last 21 months. So here they are waiting their turn in the shower.

And in the other room, I get to experience this. Laycee hates the bath. So, it is usually quick and we are rushing to wash her up and get her out. Logan on the other hand is a fish I think. He would stay in the bath all day if I let him. Anyway, I love to wash them up and cuddle them tight in the towel and just stare and smell. They always looks so sweet and smell so fresh. It lasts about 1 minute before they move on to being toddlers. But I absoluetly love that one minute.
You may be asking yourself where Logan is. As I was blogging, I was wondering the same thing lol. I don't have many pictures of him over these last few days. I guess I will have to try harder to focus on him. Usually it is Haylee and Trent that never get posted. But this time, Logan is no where to be seen. So maybe next week, we will get some photos of Logan man.

Horse

After some much needed rough housing, Dave gave into the kids and started playing. I have mentioned before that this doesn't happen too often. Usually I let about 15 minutes each night when Dave comes home slide, but that is about all. Not that I don't like them playing with their Dad because I cherish these moments. But I hate the yelling and even though it is filled with laughs it is also filled with whining and crying. Recently, I have started leaving the room so they could play and I could get some time alone. But this time, I stayed to watch. As you can see, we are missing one. Logan is not much for playing around unstably. They were not secure on Dave's back and Logan didn't like that. He liked his horse ride alone, but not with the other kids. And he was crying that it wasn't his turn. Taking turns is a hard thing for them right now. But I couldn't help but post this picture becuase they are all looking and they are all happy. I love it!

They Fight

Oh do they fight. This is new territory for me. Haylee and Trent have always been so good. They have their occassional tiffs, but for the most part, they are few and far between. Laycee and Logan on the other hand, that is definately not the case. I feel like we have a permanent daycare in our house, and before too long we will be taking the paint off the walls with tears. There is a competition in everything now. There is fighting, yelling, pushing, screaming, crying, and sad faces everyday. I don't know when they turned into toddlers, it seems like overnight. But I do know that if this doesn't pass soon, I think I will have consult a professional lol. We buy two of everything, but do you think that helps? Oh no! They still want what the other one has. Other moms of twins complain about the same thing. It is not just me, but it is seriously annoying. So, I thought I would post a very nice sweet video of them fighting over who gets to stand in timeout. This is nothing compared to our everyday scenes. That is why I posted this one lol.

Whose Lookin' At You?

Well Laycee has a new found love of accessories. So like my little princess huh? The other day I was cleaning through Haylee and Trent's room. Getting rid of broken toys, games with missing pieces, clothes that are too small... you know, the stuff you get rid of when you move. Anyway, I put all the purses, sunglasses, and belts in a bucket together and the little kids watched me do it. Since then, Laycee always wants a pair of sunglasses. And of course, can't have one without the other, Logan insists of wearing them everywhere as well. So, here they are looking at you!

Egg Nog

I think Egg Nog is nasty. Everytime I smell it, I really think it will be good, but I have yet to like it. However, I have 5 other people that I live with that LOVE egg nog. It seems to be that Dave passed on his love for egg nog to the kids. I don't see how. Even as much as I have tried to dissuade them, they still insist on liking the stuff. GROSS! As a result, the fall season has set in and I have been buying, lots of egg nog. Which has lead to lots of egg nog faces.

We have started letting the little kids (that's what I call the twins now) drink out of cups at the dinner table. They want to drink out of cups all day, but I am not having it. Thankfully we have tile here, but if they spill and I don't see it, it just makes it all worse. So, sippy cups except a the table. They love drinking like big kids. And they make the cutest egg nog mustaches!

My Perspective

I love to look out from where I am sitting and see everyone so happy and together. This is one of those rare moments of motherhood, quiet bliss. Who could ask for more?

Halloween

Well on Halloween, the weather was horrible. It was cold and rainy. Thankfully we had a backup plan for our party. We did it at the church instead. Anyway, we had lots of games and crafts. The kids had a lot of fun. The rain also slowed and nearly stopped the whole time for trick or treating. It was perfect because many people stayed home to avoid the rain, so trick or treating was so fun. Not crowded and we were able to avoid most of the mud. There was a long wait over to the housing area because one of the shuttle busses got stuck in the mud, but it made up for it when we got there and had such a nice time. I, of course forgot my camera, so no pictures of Laycee's love for trick or treating. Sorry. But we were especially greatful to Nancy who had pumpkin bread and apple cider waiting at her house for all of us to enjoy and wait out the line back to post. It was a great night all in all.

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

So, here is Laycee's new favorite word!

I've Been Tagged

7 random things about me: Emily tagged me

Okay, so this is hard because I don't know if I can think of 7 random things, but we will see what I can come up with.

--I have read 2 books already this week.
--I am starting to read The Work and The Glory (lets see if I can make it past page 10 this time).
--Logan, Laycee, and I have been sick for 4 days with a fever and headache and chills and sore throat. And I think Trent is getting it now.
--I hate November because the kids have off school so much. Like 5 days off!
--We are going to the temple in Switzerland next weekend for a final trip before most of our families move.
--Even though I harrass Dave about playing World of Warcraft too much, I really like the game. I just can't play 24/7 like he can. I get a headache from it.
--I loved the fresh pumpkin cookies I made yesterday. Surprising since I hate pumpkin. Maybe my taste buds are changing.

Alright so lets see, I will tag 7 people but don't feel pressured to post it if you don't want
-Loni
-Ashley
-Laurel
-Angela
-Terrilee
-Nancy

Getting Ready

Terrilee and I got together this past Thursday to make cookies and mummy dogs for the activity on Friday. Laycee and Logan loved eating the oreo middles.

Here is my first attempt at the mummy dogs.

Here is Terrilee with her perfect cookies.

Check back tomorrow to see where we took all this yummy food!

Alright, so I said I was going to try and use our pumpkins this year. So I started with easy pumpkin seeds. They were so good too. I used the seeds from the pumpkin that we carved. Here is the recipe...

1/2 seeds, 2 cups water, 2 Tbsp salt. That is the ratio.

Bring to a boil.

Simmer 15-20 minutes. Spread flat on a greased cookie sheet

bake at 375 for 15 minutes.

Let cool.

They were so yummy and just the right amount of salt!

Nursing Home

A couple times a year, one of the ladies in the Italian branch likes to put together a show for a local nursing home. I have posted pics in the past of times we have gone. Well this year, we were asked to do stuff. So, the kids put on a 5 Little Pumpkins skit, and an interactive storytelling. I loved that we are able to show the kids how to brighten the lives of others. It was Monday, so afterwards, for Family Home Evening, we finally carved and colored our pumpkins. Hope you enjoy all the pictures!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Cook in Training

Haylee was mad at me on Saturday. She was upset that she was bored and that I wasn't going to let her go to a birthday party. And that we weren't going to the chocolate festival. So, I tried to find something to distract her mind so she would have a chance to get over it all. I sent her in to make breakfast for us all. For some reason, the pictures posted backwards, so you get to see them in reverse order. I was so proud of her because she really did it all her own... except start the stove. So she is pouring the eggs in the pan.

She was grossed out because the eggs were on her hands.
And here she is trying so hard to crack the eggs without adding shells. She did pretty well, she only got two in there.

It took her a few more hours to get over being mad at me, but at least I didn't have to hear her crying about it anymore. So I guess it worked out well for me in the end, and being as sweet as she is, she even apologized for being mad at me. I just love her.