Let's Carve Pumpkins....

So I feel that I have been slacking in the Halloween dept....maybe its because I don't have any of my decorations out or maybe I have just been really busy or maybe I have just been spacey these days.....who knows....well here it is 2 days before Halloween and I finally had the girls try on some Halloween ideas/outfits.....(Thanks to Karey for bringing me some hand me down costumes, which came in handy this year)....Today the girls and I figured out their costumes.....This year I have twin witches (pink & purple) and a little bat...... Tonight Grandpa carved the girls little pumpkins.....it was fun....the girls tried to draw pumpkin faces on paper.....but Nana ended up drawing a few different one for them to chose.....they turned out great....the girls love them......especially lit....

Getting Ready for winter weather.....

Today was clean up day outside....the girls had a great time helping Nana and Grandpa get their yard picked up and cleaned up for the cold weather to come.....We had a pretty easy day today filled with lots of outside time, nap time, bath time and play time......here are some pics....from the morning clean up.....

Here are the finished cookies from yesterday.....we had to wait till the frosting dried so they could write and color on them with food pens....the girls did pretty good......

On the Lila front...she loves playing with her tongue....she sticks it out, curls it, and just explores with it a bunch.....so cute.....she still hates all food, but I know that will turn around....thank god she still nurses well.....she is also getting her top teeth....as with they way Lila does things she is getting two in at once.....so she has been a little fussy lately.......but that will pass.....

I haven't talked to my brother and his wife yet.....but I am pretty set on heading over to the west side on Nov 16th......I am planning on staying for as long as they will take me.....hahah....I will probably head back to Pullman on Mon or Tues.....(Prolly Tues).....Can't wait to see everyone....it all goes well with the house hunt we should be heading to San Antonio around the 29th of November.....and boy are we excited and ready.....Well, I have a lot to repack but that shouldn't take tooooo long.......

Gotta Love those fall leaves.......

So this morning the girls were up and ready to make cut out sugar cookies with Nana. They loved it.....Nana let the help roll out and cut the cookies.....so cute......some of them were half cookies, ghosts missing part of their bodies because of the way they cut them out....but hey they are still edible....and they did themselves........and we thought they were covered in flour yesterday....you can barely tell that MJ's dress is purple and that Kiara has Minnie Mouse on her shirt.....you should have seen the kitchen and the stool they were standing on......

The weather today was awesome......so sunny and blue skies.....Grandpa did some yard work today with the leaf blower and then got some help from his number 1 helper.....

After these pictures were taken Pat, Karey and Holly came over to watch the Coug game (Yeah a win in the Pac, but I guess this means Doba is off the hot seat for 1 more week)......The girls enjoyed playing in the huge leaf pile with Holly.....they had such a good time...who knew that a FREE, HUGE pile of leaves could be so much fun and entertain for so long.....they came inside with leaves all through their hair and clothes....so funny.....and if it hadn't been for it getting dark outside I am sure they would have stayed out there playing most of the night.....Little do they know that they are going to have to go out in the morning and help Grandpa put them back into a big pile again....aaahhhhh I am sure they will love it.....

Total Slacker.....but I am back....

So I have checked out of blogging for a week and now I am back......I hate to make up excuses but we have been busy working on getting a house......so much stuff to figure out.....it makes me a bit crazy....plus I have been working my max hours......more money and frankly I really love my job.....But I must say I am making time again to blog away......so I should be back to the usual post everyday.....That is until moving day.....

Today was filled with lots of cooking......The girls and Nana were in the kitchen all morning.....They LOVE helping Nana or me in the kitchen....and last weekend Nana/Grandpa bought another stool so they both get to stand on one to help....so cute....This morning they made a quiche for breakfast and then they made a dutch apple pie for dessert....which I hear turned out really good (I am not much of a fruit pie eater)......Their favorite part was of course playing with the flour...they were covered......and then the enjoyed it for and afternoon snack...

Messy Cooks just like their Mama!

While the girls were down for nap Nana and I caught up on some TV Shows......Just love the DVR.....We are behind on a bunch of shows.....which means I am really gonna have to watch some TV and catch up while Nana and Grandpa are gone in Mexico....cause not long after Thanksgiving I believe the girls and I will be FINALLY moving to San Antonio.....Will keep you all posted on the move....I do know that I am planning a trip to the west side the weekend before Thanksgiving weather permitting......So much going on......ahhahahhah!

Well I am off to get some work done.....I just love working from home.....

I know...I know...

Ok, so I have been slacking when it comes to blogging....all with good reason I swear.....So Shawn has been having a great time house hunting....its amazing how many houses he saw in one day....I believe his words were "My head is spinning".....Anyway he saw lots of good stuff and of course the houses that I had been sending him too.....craziness.....There was one that stood out on Saturday that Shawn and I both love....a house with some character, not too big, in a neighborhood that has some great trees, in a great school district, with a yard that the kids can play in and super close to Shawn's work and shopping.....its just nice....Shawn had that feeling of home when he went into it......So we shall see what happens.....

On the Pullman front.....the girls have been great. Lila loves to get up on all 4's from a sitting position and from laying down....I am thinking she will be crawling anytime.....I was hoping she would get up on all 4's in this video....so close.....


She still hates most food....I can add Butternut Squash to the long list of spit in your face foods.....she just hates eating.....Probably a texture thing....who knows....The big girls are having fun playing games and creating art projects......Candyland and painting seem to be their favorites.....So fun to see them get creative.....So we will keep you posted on any news and I promise I will be posting some pics of the girls soon.....

Mega Busy...

So I started this post yesterday (Tuesday) morning and I just never had time to finish it.....Things around here have been a bit hairy.....Mikiah woke up on Monday morning with throw up in her bed......not sure exactly when she threw up. She was better throughout the day and never threw up again (Thank God!).....Last night she had the case of running #2, can we say GROSS!....Poor Girl....Not sure what today holds as she is still sleeping.....

On a brighter note and another reason why I have been so busy is Shawn and I got Pre-Qualified for a home loan!!! So exciting for us....So instead of blogging I have been busy searching for homes in good neighborhoods for Shawn to go check out this weekend with our Realtor....Am I scared leaving most of the home buying decisions with Shawn?...NOPE...Am I nervous that he will pick something out that I won't want?? NOPE....He knows what I want and what we need...So I entrust him with making those big decisions....plus I know when he walks into the right house he will know.....There may be a chance that Lila and I will fly down to see a bunch but we might have to act fast so there may not be any time for that......We shall see.......But we are excited.....Would love to be down there soon.....

Besides taking care of sick kiddos and looking for houses.....I have actually been busy working for WSU.....I am loving my job and love being able to do it pretty much anytime of the day.....Karey and I are currently trying to figure out if it will be possible for me to keep it when we move....Talk about a plus....I would love too and she knows that....so we shall see!!!.....

Just wanted to give you all an update on what was new in our world.....by the way Shawn is loving his new job.....and of course can not wait for us to be down there....

Sunny Fall Weekend.....

Oh how I LOVE fall. It will be the one season that I will really miss when we move to San Antonio....nothing beats crisp fall sunny weather and the leaves turning....we had a wonderful weather weekend here in the Palouse......today was a warm and sunny but nothing like the weather we will be having in San Antonio.....it sure will take some time to get use to....lets just say its suppose to be 90 in San Antonio this Tuesday....insane....

Yesterday we got up and went to WSU Organic Farm and WSU Tukey Orchard to celebrate harvest by checking out the U-Pick Pumpkin Patch and we also went to pick some apples. The girls had a great time picking out their pumpkins and man there were tons of kids there.....(I believe its the only U-Pick Patch in Pullman).....I tried to get Kiara and Mikiah to pick out good size pumpkins but they knew what they wanted and that was small little Jack O Lanterns.....They are looking forward to making faces on them so Grandpa can carve them......After pumpkin picking (btw it the two little pumpkins cost $1.05 total).....it was off to sign our life away for everyone so that we could enter the orchard and pick apples....the girls absolutely loved it.....they picked so many we came home with two big bags....12-13lbs of apples.....we will be eating apples till they grow out of our ears....Oh well I suppose I should cook one down for Lila she hasn't had apples yet.....she hates everything....today I made her some oatmeal cereal.....lets just say I had to wipe my face too....she loves spitting it back at you and she is good at it too....she definitely has some range! Good news is she is still nursing great and growing fast.......Here are some pics from Saturday......

The Breakfast Club anyone???

Now I don't mean the 80's 'Brat Pack' movie, although I do love all those 80's movies....anyway what I am getting at is the girls and I enjoyed another great breakfast at The Breakfast Club in Moscow.......Its is becoming our Thursday morning routine.....The house cleaner comes around 8.00am so it works our perfect.....Then like today we usually head to a park afterwards....the girls love to play at the park.....we lucked out today with some nice weather it was sunny and clear....although I am sure there will come a Thursday when the weather is crappy and we will need to find something else today....I suppose it is time to check out city play sessions and what not.....We didn't do too much else today....The girls bodies must be trying to nip these colds.....All three of them took really good afternoon naps....which allowed a sick Nana Anna (Poor Nana) and me to catch up on some DVR recordings.....A litte Private Practice.....which I am really liking, I always liked Addison on Grey's.....and we watched my favorite new show off the fall (besides Private Practice) Dirty Sexy Money.....I just love it......So fun.....All in all pretty low keyed day.....I did play a round of Candyland with the girls.......and Karey came over for a beer.....Love Beer Thursday.....And now I think I am off to watch my soap (since Greys is being recorded for Nana and I to watch together).....and I think I will do some filing for work too....I could use the hours this pay period.....I am outta here.....

Lets drive there now Mommy!.....

So here we are already Wednesday night....I feel like I was in a funk yesterday....Probably because I dropped Shawn off early in the AM....with Lila in tow......He made it to San Antonio and I believe that he and Joel (His brother) are pretty much moved into their new place. They have downsized into a 1 bed to save money in the short term....hopefully the girls and I will be down there soon....Speaking of that Mikiah and Kiara are ready to get in a car and drive to San Antonio....."Lets go now Mommy, I want to go to San Antonio"....."Today Mommy!"....So precious....They talked about it for a good part of the day......they are so ready to be living with daddy again.....Mikiah actually had a pretty hard morning.....Its so hard when your daughter is crying for her Daddy and there is not too much you can do about it.....we got through it and she is all good now......I can't blame them I miss daddy too....

Today we weren't up to much...no library today.....since all 3 girls have little colds......We even sent Daddy back to San Antonio with a cold....or maybe he brought it with him to P-Town....who knows....What I do know is we have snot everywhere...so gross.....the girls are pretty good about blowing and wiping their noses.....but sometimes it is covered all over their face....nothing like dried snot covering their cute faces.......

My goal for the rest of the week is to get the girls back in to the swing of things.....I swear they do great with a daily routine....Shoot they even remind me when I forget something that we do during the day.......I know I say this a lot but man they are growing up fast.....more words everyday....and they are just blossoming.....I was watching Mikiah today on her Laptop Learning Toy and she just knows so much.....They truly amaze me everyday......She was even able to trace shapes today with pretty steady lines....Kiara too is doing great.....but she likes to hide it.....I know she knows things but she likes to act like she doesn't......but man is she a good story teller....she gets her whole body into it....along with great hand gestures and facial expressions.....I just love it....and she is so confident in what she says.....

**Shawn Update: I talked to Shawn today he had a great first day. Like most first days a bit overwhelming....He is excited about his new position and they are excited to have him join their team....I just can't wait to join him.....

Well I am off to finish watching Criminal Minds.....plus I need to make my bed...UGH! I am feeling so lazy these days....I really need to get off my butt and get back on the Precor.....I think I missed that greater part of last week.....I will be back at it tomorrow....

Last Day w/Daddy.....

So today was our last day with Daddy.....he heads out early tomorrow morning..... We focused on family time and hanging out with Daddy....which wasn't to hard with all the toys the girls got for their birthday.....We played some Candyland, ABC Board game......had a few tea parties and Dr Appointments (the girls love their Medical Kits and that is what they call it when they play with them).....and the girls helped Daddy BBQ some Riblets for dinner.....It was a great family day.....We sure will miss Daddy.....

Here are some shots of the girls playing with all their new presents......and running around outside....

Happy Birthday to My Sweet Girls......

Ahhh, 3 already I can not believe it.....So today is Kiara and Mikiah's 3rd Birthday.....They woke up wanting to go to 'their' party.....so cute.....We started the morning with a birthday pancake and bacon breakfast....The girls just love pancakes and Nana Anna spoiled them by making letter pancakes and number 3 pancakes.....so fun.....we planned a really low key party after nap......staying with the bear theme......we had a Bear Cake, Ice Cream and Punch.....family and friends....the girls loved it.....They were so excited that everyone was here for their party.....They opened tons of presents and loved all of them......they had trouble focusing on one, they wanted to play with everything they got, clothes, shoes, Medical Kits, Playdoh toys, board games, Digital Cameras, V-Tech Laptop Computers, Phones, Blankets, Tea Set and the list goes on.........I just love this age.....one of the biggest hits of the night were the music cards they got from G-Dad....they love them and I mean love them....lets just say they have been carrying them around opening them and dancing so hilarious....."Hey Now Your and All Star"....."Celebrate Good Times Come on".......they even wanted to take them to bed with them....here are some pics and vids from the day.....

Busy at Build-a-Bear.....

So Friday Morning we all got up (including Grandma Paula and Nana Anna) and got in the Burb to head to Spokane. The girls were so excited and could not stop talking about Build-A-Bear.....and boy did we all have fun. We met up with Shawn's Grandma and her husband George......I think they had fun watching the girls bounce around the store.....The girls really enjoyed themselves and LOVED making their bears.....They took their time picking out the perfect animal.....both ended up with bears.....They enjoyed picking out the sounds too put in their bears....although they were a bit overwhelming for them....the Stuffing and Giving their bears a bath were fun for both of them.....and of course both had a great time picking out their bears outfits and I just love how different they are.....MJ's bear has Jeans shorts, Soccer T-Shirt, Black Saddle Shoes, a tan Fisherman's Hat and a Pink Messenger bag....So Cute.....Kiara's is a pink bear with khaki capri shorts, pink sequined tank top, Sketcher pink sneakers, a pink hat and messenger bag......I didn't get a pick of the final products....really not sure why but here are a few pics of the event.....SO much fun!!! They were definetly tired and ready to go when we got done.....back to P-Town we went.....

Busy @ Build-A-Bear

Library Day with Daddy......

The girls were so excited this morning when they woke up......all because Daddy was coming to the Library with us today.... and what fun we had.....they loved it.....they had a great time running around showing him everything...the Fire Truck, Doll House, Rocking Chairs, Board Books and Puppet Theater....I liked it because I could focus on picking out a bunch of books with out worrying about the kids running around....Daddy also came to story time with us and Kiara even sat up front with Mikiah....I am thinking it was because Daddy was there if you know what I mean.....she lasted up there for 1 story and 1 activity and then it was to the back to sit on Daddy's Lap....Mikiah on the other hand was her usual attentive self.....she was glad that Kathleen was back since she is her favorite Librarian....So fun to have us all there......We think daddy had fun too....and you know what I always seem to learn something every time I go....and today I learned that "The Itsy Bitsy Spider" is actually a story with many more versus then the main one.....First I learn about "I'm a Little Teapot" and its 12 versus and now "The Itsy Bitsy Spider"....I apparently did not read enough as a child.....here are a few pics from the library today...

So Mikiah has been singing "The Itsy Bitsy Spider" all night....and she has all the hand motions down too.....she is so funny....."Sing it with me Mommy"....and again.....and again.....

We didn't do much the rest of the day.....Shawn did some labor for a friend, building a deck and fixing a fence.......a little extra money always helps plus he loves to help out and work hard......the girls had a video call with Grandma Paula....they love being able to see her and her cat 'Psycho Betty'.....its so cute....Lila loves it too, she is pretty addicted to anything flashy.....we try to video call Grandma a few times a week....so fun for the girls.....and talk about cheap communication.....Love it.....I am pumped for TV tonight.....I really like the show Dirty Sexy Money.....plus Criminal Minds and Private Practice.....so I am outta here for now.....

More Projects Mommy......

So we were pretty lame today and not up to much of anything......Shawn, the girls and I did some grocery shopping......AND we finally found Broken Rake Beer by Pyramid......we use to drink it every fall with college football games but we had not found it the past two years....I must say I am so pleased that Pyramid has brought back this fall favorite....and boy did my beer go down fast today!!! So freaking good....."Oh how I have been missing you Broken Rake!"....

Nana and I went Birthday shopping for the twins.....can't beat a buy 1 get the second at 50% off...Lets just say I think the girls will have a good birthday. Which I think we finally have planned! Grandma Paula will be here on Thursday night, then we are heading up to Spokane on Friday to hit Build-a-Bear, then Sunday we will have their stand up Bear Cake (which I will attempt to make) and Ice Cream.....Should be good times....They are so thrilled and can not wait! 3 already.....I still can not believe it....

The afternoon zoomed by the girls took a great nap, which is still hit or miss these days.....it seems that they really nap about 4 times a week.....and the other 3 times they talk or read in their room......I usually can hear them and the stuff they talk about always cracks me up....from talking about the dogs, to potty training to talking about people they have met....its fun just sitting outside their door listening.......As of lately they really, and I mean REALLY love to do projects.....mostly art projects....they ask from the minute they get up till they go to bed....."Mommy I want to do a project?".....which is usually followed by "Now"....and maybe some whining.....its funny cause it really doesn't matter what it is as long as it involves some cutting or painting or glue sticking.....and when they get done they always want to do another one.....today Nan drew a line on a piece of paper and Mikiah followed it with her scissors....she is really getting good with then, but a times it still scares me that she may cut herself......painting is one of my favorite projects for them to do and I think I am going to have the girls help me make my Christmas Cards....never too early to get started on those! here is a pic of Mikiah 'A Young Picasso'......

Lila has been great although I think she is going to be my picky eater....the girls were both really good....but Lila doesn't like much of anything....she won't eat rice cereal anymore (I really can't blame her that stuff is nasty!).....she didn't like Bananas or Carrots.....and she barely choked down pureed sweet potatoes.....tonight Avocado.....I know strange but I was reading that it is a pefect starter food for babies.....we shall see....I need to get some more fruit to try.....maybe make some pear sauce...hmmmm....I do enjoy making the food.....probably the cook in me........Lila has started to become more vocal now.....and I think partly because of the girls interaction with her.....they do a good job of talking to her and hugging her....with the occasional knock or push her over......which they know is not right and not nice, but still do it......anyway.....Here is Lila telling me her business.......she will be talking before we know it...

Lila @ 7 months

Monday...Monday....

What can I say.....its has been so great having daddy home. The girls love it, I love it, DB loves it.....we all effing Love it....the thought of being apart again sucks....but hey we can do it....We had a good weekend soaking up time with daddy......which explains my lack of posts......we haven't been up to much.....

We watched the Cougs on Saturday.....can we say disastrous.....I am still wondering where are special teams was and our defense....."Can we say Missing in Action!"....I guess we should be thankful that we have some sort offense......I sure hope we can win a few more games...Once a Coug Fan always a Coug Fan......Sunday I don't think we left the house...the neighbors came over for a few beers and some crab dip.......We did make a Killer Chicken Parmesan with Homemade Marinara made from tomatoes from Grandpa's Garden....So good.....

This morning I got in a good work out.....Love that Daddy is here so I can work out a bit longer...although I am sure I will pay for it tomorrow......sore muscles and all.....but I must say it was easy....so that is a good sign that I may be finally getting back into shape.....at least gaining better workout stamina.....

So the girls are doing great....I am amazed everyday by their vocabulary and sentence structure....its just cool to see them develop their language. They are such great communicators. And now with daddy home they are so happy! They want Daddy to do everything...get them dressed, wake them up, put them to bed, read bedtime stories, help with teeth brushing, you name they want him to help them......(Which I love cause it gives me a nice break!) They are super excited to take daddy to the library and the park......and can not stop talking about daddy being here.....they are also extremely excited about their birthday.....Mikiah wants a yellow cake.....so cute......We will be spending a great amount of the week finalizing the birthday plans.....I believe we have a Build A Bear trip in our future......The girls really want a bear in a box for their birthday.....

Well........I am off to watch Heroes.......LOVE IT! So many new characters.....