One-Year-Old!

Owen and Anna turned one yesterday, but we had such a crazy day I had to post today. Weston and Paige got to have a party in the afternoon because they really deserved it for all the help they have been in the last year. They got to invite friends and cousins over for a swimming, sliding, and snow cone party, so by the end of the day the babies were worn out and their birthday cake and presents went about like the pictures show. They wouldn't even sit by each other and look at me for a picture let alone smile! I will post about the party when my sister gets me the pictures because she was my photographer for the day.

Here are some pictures to remember what our lives were like one year ago, everyone said that if we could get through the first year, then life got easier. I think it is true because Anna and Owen are really starting to be show their different personalities and are so much fun. Anna still hates to eat and drink, unless someone has a pop. On the other hand, Owen eats for pure entertainment, anytime and anything. He is like the Nu-Nu from Teletubbies that cleans up everything she doesn't finish or that he can find on the floor. Owen is starting to be the pushier twin who justs climbs over top of Anna as if she weren't even there, then enjoys her screaming. If he can get in a few hits too, he really likes that. He is such a busy, squirmy guy--very hard to keep a hold of at church. Anna loves to be held and is content with things for a lot longer period of time. She is sensitive and very cautious in everything. She loves her blankie and snuggling, when she is tired she gets so excited to be laid down in her bed, what a good girl. They can both say a few animal sounds, their Aunt Tiffy's name(of course), HI, Cheese, and Anna is the only one who will say Mama and Step(Because we are always saying it to her so she'll stand up on her chubby little legs and try walking!) We're pretty grateful for such healthy, energetic, sweet kids.

(Sorry about this one)

What a Jack-Ass!

Donkey is gone, but not forgotten--by many. Mostly by anyone living within 20 miles of us. Tyler won't forget the soothing braying sounds resignating throughout the Bishop's office early on Sunday mornings. I won't forget that same lingering bray as I was going for runs early in the morning --3 miles out of town! Paige won't forget combing her hair, wiping her nose, feeding her grass, and reminding me it is a "she". Weston won't forget his dad calling it every name in the book. Yes, it is sad, but we got rid of Donkey today. She went to a good home in Oxford, Idaho. An interesting girl to say the least, wanted her to pack her water so she could hike long distances??????Okay. Now that she is gone, I kind of miss her. She had the loudest bray you have ever heard but she only did it about 3 times a day.

The next picture is my horse that I sold all by myself and got full price for too I might add.( I was really proud) I was sad to see him go too, but we have had to cut back our animals with the price of hay and seeing as I haven't ridden mine in 2 years, we didn't want to feed him for another 5 years, when I will have time to ride again. So now we only have 2 horses left and the kids are kind of sad because they are only ridable to Tyler.

Here is the outfit Paige wore today. She jumped on the trampoline with the sprinkler, then decided to get dressed. She put all her clothes back on over the swimsuit (unders included). I got a big kick out of it and keep in mind her suit has a skirt to it that she stuffed into her underwear.

Winners Are...

Okay, so the the winners are Megan and Megan. Now it's your turn to pay it forward and I will be sending you your prize in the mail! Sorry, I have been such a slacker on the blog, we are all alive and not on vacation anywhere. The babies are not walking yet, but are getting braver. Owen screams bloody murder if anyone leaves the house without him and they both stand at the front door and bawl to go outside. Weston also graduated from preschool a few weeks ago and just found out he has Miss Shelton for Kindergarten next year.

HFMD

Last week the babies had colds and about Tuesday I decided to take them to the doctor because I was ready to have a nervous breakdown. They were so miserable and Paige was also. Picture me trying to get anything done with two babies pulling on each pantleg. (It doesn't help that those pantlegs were always falling down because they were pajama pants--couldn't go upstairs to even get dressed without screaming and carrying on.) I was hoping they had ear infections, don't you always hope for that so you feel like you can blame it on something. We were planning on camping that weekend and had been telling the kids about it for weeks, so if it was curable I wanted them well. I made the appointment for Anna since she had the highest fever and figured I'd try and get him to check out Owen too. Well, he even looked at Paige and saw she had red spots on her palate so he gave all three thick, peanut buttery, penicillin shots in the butt and sent a swab from Paige to be tested for strep. Figured we were on our way to happiness. Nope. The next day I was rocking Owen and found some blisters on his hands, then I proceeded to look at the bottoms of his feet and sure enough, HFMD. (Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease) Why do we get this crap nearly every stinkin' year! So, our camping trip was ruined because the stuff if so contagious. Poor Weston didn't get to go last year because of the babies and we just kept saying, "We'll go next year when the babies are one." It's amazing how fast kids bounce back from disappointment. We pulled the camper behind the house and made a fire in the backyard and had a pretty good time by ourselves. The best part was, our real bathroom and I got to sleep in the house with the babies.

Pay it Forward...At Last

Okay, I am a big, greedy loser. I won this on Mindy's blog about two months ago and she said I couldn't keep my prize if I didn't pay it forward, and I like my prize too much to let it go. But my stipulation is that Mindy has to update her blog because I have been wondering what the twins look like--It's been a while. (Are they sitting up?)

Anyway, here are the rules:

You simply make a comment to this post in the next week and on Sunday June 1st I will put your name in a drawing and the three people that I draw out get something from me! Winners will be posted on the 1st. If you win, be prepared to PAY IT FORWARD! (Or you get your prize taken away! :)

Hogle Zoo

For Mother's Day I wanted to go to Hogle Zoo, we didn't get there until about 12:30 because Weston had a soccer game. Lesson learned--don't go to the zoo unless you get there at 9:00 am and leave by 1:00. It was Mom and Me day in celebration of Mother's Day and everyone was at the zoo that day. We still had a good time and got to see the albino alligator too. The kids loved the animals, but mostly they loved their rainbow popsicles and the train. The extra little boy on the train was someone we met in line who bawled when he didn't get to sit with Weston, so Weston gave up his caboose seat to come and sit with him. And for any of you who haven't seen Anna lately, her shiner came from falling into the tub, not her bully twin. I had a great Mother's Day because we spent the entire day together, away from home! The babies love to get out of there too, so they are really good outdoors.

Congratulations!

One of my best friends, Amanda got married on Saturday. Isn't she a beautiful bride!!! Tyler and I went to her wedding and luncheon. We had a great time visiting with friends (Emily and Nate) and meeting her new husband. Congratulations Amanda, even though she probably won't read this for a while since she is in the Bahamas, then back to DC to school. I am so happy for you and Jared, now you need to start on your blog!