Laughter...the Best Medicine

Last weekend I was ready to pull my hair out from being a single parent..(Dan had clinicals in Mesa). About an hour before he got home my friend Whitney came over to rescue me. To back up a little. We met her and her husband Troy a couple months before when we were in the same ward. Anyway our ward split and the only block that was taken out, was the one they lived on. Was it enough to keep us apart? No way Jose! Dan and I have had such a blast hanging out with them. So anyway, after Dan kicked me and Whitney out of the house (so we could get DQ and have a break), Troy got off work and all of us went bowling. We had such a blast and we laughed the whole night, like we do every time we hang out. Highlights of the night: Dan trying to throw the ball so fast that he almost bowled into the lane next to us, Whitney doing her victory dance when she didn't bowl a gutter :), Troy getting all mad when he didn't do so hot and me, when I beat Troy! Just kidding, it was only one game and we all know you took a bowling class and you have the best form. :) Anyway here's just some pictures of our fun night out.

We had such a good Halloween and month of October. Just a re-cap. Dan has been busy with school and clinicals and is doing a good job at both. I've been busy with this last wedding...traveling, editing pictures, making her book, and figuring out photoshop. The babies are over 4 1/2 months old and we attempted to try rice cereal. Neither of them quite get the concept. But...last night at the volleyball game my dad gave Violet some of his root beer and she was going crazy for it after that. She was reaching, wiggling and doing everything she could to get her hands on his drink! It was hilarious! Reece tried some too. She would drink when he offered it but made a funny face each time. I know, mother of the year. They are still alive though. The girls are rolling all over the place, attempting to crawl, and are so animated. Reece is still my little squealer. I'll put her in her exer-saucer while I play the piano and she will "sing" along. Both are so smiley. Reece's smile is half her face and Violet's eye twinkle when does. Both love to blow spit bubbles. After every nap when I hear them starting to stir I go in and the second they see me they smile so big and their arms and legs get going really fast like they are saying, "Hey pick me up!" I'm having such a blast being a mom. It's the best job out there.
I've started making baby food. Just to get ahead and stock up. I got my salad master gricer and I borrowed my moms salad master pots. I had such a fun time making it all. I love doing things like that for my babies. I made pear sauce with blueberries, zucchini with sweet potatoes, peas and carrots, plum sauce with strawberries, applesauce with bananas, and all sorts of yummy combinations. Then I put them in ice trays, froze them, and then put them in freezer bags so I can just pop a couple out and warm them up.
Gracie is such a cutie. She has been so weird lately. She usually is such a daddy's girl but now is all about her mom. She will draw something and come to show me. Dan will comment on cute it is and she'll tell him, "I was talking to my mom." Such a little booger. For FHE one night we had our lesson and for the activity we glittered pumpkins. I decided it was more fun for Gracie instead of carving them. She had such a blast and Dan even got into it...making a face with the glue so the glitter would make eyes nose and a mouth when you put it on. We also went on a walk as a family earlier that day and gathered some pine cones to glitter. We had so much fun and it made really cute decorations for the tops of my cupboards. Hope everyone is doing great. Oh- here's the link to view the wedding book I just made. My bride loved it. Just copy and paste the link in your address bar.

http://www.shutterfly.com/photobook/viewSharePreview.sfly;jsessionid=6F6A44EE87FEE120DD31353001BD29DD?fid=3968776a5aaecb1a

Trip to Iowa!

I'm always behind on my posts. Usually about 2 or 3 weeks for a good update. And really, I should be working on editing pictures but instead I'm going to do this. A couple weeks ago I went to Iowa to visit my sister Allison and shoot a wedding. We had such a blast hanging out. Allison is my next oldest sibling and it's funny how we fought so much growing up. Now that we're older we are such good friends and love to spend time together. I miss you and your kids so much... oh-and you too David. :) I flew out on a Friday morning, got there that afternoon, and it was a party from there. We went shopping, went out to dinner (awesome bbq), and had the Dairy Zone (DQ's white trash cousin as Allison calls it) for dessert almost every night. It's like right across the street from her house. So cool, I wish I had one that close. Saturday was the wedding, but that morning Mason, (Allison's oldest) had a soccer game. It was hilarious watching him. He didn't really know what was going on but pretended. The other kids would try to get the ball and would be headed to the other end of the field while Mason was still guarding some imaginary person clear on the other side. It was so entertaining! He is definitely one of my favorites. :) I decided that photography is going to make me fat. The whole week up until the wedding I was sick to my stomach and hardly ate anything. It was just the stress and nerves of leaving my kids, traveling, and the wedding shoot. But as soon as it was over....Dairy Zone and anything else I could get my hands on! Anyway, the wedding went so good and I'm glad Allison was there. She is so funny and she taught me a ton of new stuff. Sunday I got to take Allison's family pictures. They turned out so good and we did a dang good job putting outfits together! Monday morning Allison got a babysitter and we went and toured their capitol building (you'll see pictures of it with the wedding party), we went out for lunch at the yummiest soup and sandwich place, and then drove around to look at really pretty neighborhoods. Of course I forgot my camera so we didn't take any pictures but it was so fun just chatting. I flew home that afternoon and was so excited to see Dan and the girls. He was so sweet and had cooked this huge meal for dinner to welcome me back home. Thanks Brenda, Callie, Camille, Lillie, and Dan for watching the kids. Allison-Thanks for helping me out. You guys are lifesavers! Enjoy the pictures.

Just for Jackie...

Today I had the privilege of taking pictures of my friend Jackie's baby. She is such a doll. Not too happy about the whole situation but we did get some good ones. (stick the pacifier in, pull it out really quick and snap away). :) It was so fun hanging out with you and your mom. We need to get together again soon! Enjoy the pictures!
-Becky

What a weekend!

I'm so spoiled. This last Friday was my birthday and Dan made plans a while back for us to have a little getaway. Thursday night we headed to Gilbert with the kiddos and dropped them off at his parents house. (Thank you Skip, Lynn, and Cambi!) It was the weirdest feeling leaving and knowing that we could go do whatever we wanted without having to worry if the diaper bag was packed, if the girls were fed, are their diapers clean?, naps?, did we pack the stoller?, and how much time we will have until they are hungry again. It was almost as free and liberating as the day I told Dan he can do his own laundry from now on. So wonderful! Well his first surprise was where we were staying. He got us a couple nights at the Marriot in Old Town Scottsdale. First we checked in and then he took me shopping. I've been dying to buy some new clothes. I'm just one size away from fitting into my old pants and I've been super frustrated that it has taken this long for my hips to go back. So, instead of wearing maternity pants with a stretchy waist, I decided that I'm just going to buy bigger pants! I don't know why I've waited this long. We went to Scottsdale Fashion Square Mall and to my favorite store- Charlotte Russe. It was so cute. When one of the girls asked us if she could help, he tells them that I just had twins a few months ago and that they needed to help me find whatever I wanted because it had been too long since I'd been shopping for myself and that he was taking me out for dinner that night. The girls there were so cute. They were pulling stuff from all the racks and had me in their biggest dressing room, trying on all sorts of clothes and giving their input on what looked good. I finally decided on something nice and then it was on to shoes and jewelry. Dan was adorable, picking out different things that he liked and wanted me to get. After we finished dressing me, it was his wardrobe next. After Hollister and help from about 3 people at Gap, we were both looking like a million bucks. He looked so handsome in his outfit. We had such a blast. For dinner, we went to the Pink Taco in Scottsdale. It was so good! Their carne asada skewers appetizers were AMAZING! Also their green salsa was so yummy too. I had the pink tacos for my main course and Dan had the Lobster Enchiladas. Both dishes were excellent. After dinner we went to the movies and saw Eagle Eye. It was a really good movie. We didn't get back to the hotel until after 1 am. We were so pooped! The next day Dan left it up to me to do whatever I wanted. Of course I wanted to shop some more! We hit up Sports Authority for workout clothes, Last Chance, Old Navy, Urban Outfitters, and the mall again. We had such a blast shopping and got some great outfits for the both of us. Dan needed clothes just as bad as I did. I kept saying that it didn't feel like my birthday because I know that any day he would let me go shopping and get whatever I want. That night for dinner was the big surprise. I kept asking him to give me hints. He would tell me, "If you guess it, we're going to McDonalds instead." :) He took me to the Melting Pot. It was FANTASTIC! I love that place and will go anytime he wants to take me! :) It's a yummy fondue restaurant. We ordered the 4 course meal which included cheese fondue of your choice, amazing salads, your main course meat with broth fondue, and chocolate fondue for desert. All were so delicious. When we got there he had reserved a booth that had a curtain on it so you could have privacy and smooch all you want. :) He ordered roses and had them there at our table when we arrived. He is so sweet. Everything was so perfect and thought out. I have the best husband ever!
The presentation of the food was so cool- I had to take pictures. Later that night we walked around mill and toyed with the idea of going dancing but I was so exhausted. I opted for a back rub instead. :) Our little getaway was so fun. I loved every minute of it. Thanks Dan, you are the best!

Sneak peek!

Yesterday Dan and I took engagement pictures for my brother Spencer and his fiance Dustynn. They are such a cute couple. We got some good ones but still have another photo shoot to do next Sunday. Here's just a few of our favorites.




Spencer is such a geek! :)

What we've been up to.

There are so many funny things I've wanted to write about. Gracie- what a character! Here's some of her latest.
“You’re my silliest mommy I ever seen!”
“Oh mommy, I LOVE YOUR HAIR….buuuuut….I really don’t like your shirt.”
Counting in Spanish, “Uno, dos, glace, squawko, cinqo, gliss, sketday, orcho….”
The other day her cousin was over playing and she wasn’t sharing her bike. I was fed up with her being a turd that day and opened the back door and shouted at her, “If you don’t start sharing your bike, I’m going to throw it over the fence.” Her eyes got really big and she excitedly said, “Like really, really far mommy, up to the sky?!?!?!?!” So much for that threat working. :)
The other day Dan and I were talking about working out and I was saying how I just want my abs to go back to normal. He was reassuring that my tummy looked great when Gracie piped in, “Yeah mom, your tummy is like THIS BIG.” (While she was sticking out her belly.” I shot Dan a look like, “I told you so.” I then asked Gracie, what else is big of mommy’s hoping to get the whole truth and nothing but the truth. She thought for a minute then said, “Your NECK!” Okay, so she really doesn’t know what she’s talking about. :)
Gracie loves to sing and has the sweetest voice. She sings everything to the tune of either “I am a child of God” or “Twinkle little Star.” She makes up her own words and sings in vibrato. It is so cute.
We are having tons of fun but are so busy. Dan is doing great in school and I’m kept really busy between the girls, my part time job house cleaning, Pilates, piano lessons from my super talented sister Lynn, computer class, laundry, poopy diapers, laundry, feedings, laundry, hanging with Gracie, and then more…you guessed it, LAUNDRY! I really am having so much being home with my family. I’m so glad that I didn’t start the nursing program. Although it would have been fun, I would be missing out on some really great times with Gracie and the twins. Violet is such a sweetie. She has become really high maintenance. She loves her mom and she loves her mom to hold her ALL the time. I don’t because I can’t but she is so funny how she pushes my buttons and wears on my nerves with her tantrums. She gets really worked up when crying in her crib and won’t go to sleep. The second I peek over the crib she stops wailing and then gets her arms and legs going and starts breathing really fast like she is saying, “pick me up, pick me up!” Then as soon as I do she is all giggles and smiles. She is always looking around and never holds her head still. Now she has a complete bald spot on the back of her head. Reece, what a doll she is! She just started getting really scared when I carry her in her car seat. I noticed it the other day when I was loading them into the car. I look down at Reece and her eyes are so HUGE, and her face beet red, and she is clenching her fists and is totally stiff and holding her breath. We’ve learned to carry her separately. I thought she got over being so jumpy but today I went to check on her in her crib and she didn’t see me at first. She turned her head towards me and about jumped out of her crib. Then she started screaming and wailing. I wasn’t trying to scare her and I didn’t even make any noise but I guess I spooked her pretty bad. She loves to talk, coo, and spit bubbles to anyone who will do it back to her. The other day I was sitting feeding her. I was cradling her and had my hand under her bum. I heard and felt her mess her diaper but waited to change her until she was done. About a minute later I look down, lift my hand, and see that I am holding about a ½ cup of nasty green poop and it is also running down my leg. It was so warm I didn’t even realize she’d blown through her diaper all over me! Gross huh! Violet and Reece are such good babies. Together, they are way easier than Gracie was by herself. But then again, Gracie was my practice run and I did everything wrong with her. She was plain exhausted. The twins are sleeping 10-11 hours at night and nap most of the day. I hope I get to have twins again. These girls have been so much fun and such a joy to have in our family. As crazy as things are sometimes, I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Hope everyone is doing well. Enjoy the pictures.
Gracie flying her "Tite"

My friend Erin had her baby girl a couple weeks before I had the twins. She made these ADORABLE little tutus for them. Of course that meant PICTURE TIME!!! Thanks Erin I love them!








Here's my family working on our cement borders in our front yard. I'll have to post pictures when our yards are done. Hopefully they'll look awesome.

What's wrong with this picture? Yes there is a man on top of my refrigerator, and yes it is Dan. We were playing hide and seek with Gracie and I was it. I found Gracie right away but I could not find Dan! I looked everywhere in every room! Then Gracie squeals, "He's up there!" My husband is such a kid, I love it. :)


A little funny that just happened...
My husband is such a geek. I was expecting him home from work any minute and I hear a knock on the door. I peek out the window and see that it is Dan. "That's weird" I think to myself. I open it and this is the conversation with Dan on the front step. Dan-"Hey I understand someone here is looking for a friend." Me-"Oh yeah, that's me. I see you brought me some pie." (As he hands it to me.) Dan-"Hey nice to meet you, you're really pretty." Me-"Thanks" Dan-"Hey I was just in the neighborhood and was wondering if I could use your bathroom?" Then he walks past me into our room. He's such a nerd...but the funny thing about this conversation is that this is how our lives seem lately. It's like, "Hey I used to know someone who looks like you. There's always a bunch of kids attached to her. Yeah she's really cool but I never see her and I can't quite remember her name." Ah-the crazy life!

Every thing is back to Normal

This is actually Dan posting. I thought that I should write to give an update on things. Becky has been so busy with the girls, school and helping me that she never gets any free time. Two weeks ago Becky and I began doing "the biggest loser". It is with the Mullenaux bunch. This is how it works. Every one who wants to be in the competition puts in ten dollars. At the start of the three weeks we all weigh ourselves. For three weeks we all diet and do whatever we need to to lose the most weight. The winner wins by percentage of body fat lost. So, it keeps it even for everyone. I won't tell you what Becky or I have lost yet, but lets just say that we want the money!!!!!! Because i'm the fattest, that means that I have to lose the most weight of all the competitors. I am shooting for losing about 15 to 20 pounds. Even if I lose twenty pounds I still haven't lost 10% of my body weight. If Becky loses ten pounds (which is imposible, because she would wither away into nothing, She is so skinny) she would for sure win the competition. So I have to do some major working out to do.
Here is a little funny side note. On monday night I wanted a piece of pecan pie. So, for desert we each had a piece (YUM). Then we took the rest of the pie over to Becky's parents house so that they would eat it too. They ate it all up. They are some of our competitors in this competition and each of those pieces was 460 calories. He He He He We are liitle stinkers.