You make the mess, I clean the mess?

Neil and I got to go to dinner a few nights ago all by our own selves. It was one of the nicest times Neil and I have had in a long time. We got to sit and chat together. The was no pressing need to talk about anything. That was nice too, because then our conversation just kind of floated from topic to topic. It is so nice to get to talk to your spouse about things that really effect you, when they are NOT effecting you. I am such an emotional ball lately, that anytime Neil tries to work it out, I just cry. or get mad. And that's fun too. But he has so many points of view that obviously could really help me, if I would listen.

One of the topics I thought was really interesting. . . Neil was asking if I enjoy cleaning up after myself when I am done with a craft? Or when I have to clean up dinner? And I told him "No, clean up is not usually fun." So he asked me why I clean up after the girls so much, instead of making them do it. I know it is a LOT easier to get it done faster, but is that really helping them? Clean up is a part of life. Play time and Work time. So, I should be teaching them now that it is a part of life. And to get used to the idea. I know it is hard now to let them do it, (it goes SO MUCH quicker if I do) but isn't that my job, as a mom to teach them the things that they need to get through life, not just today? And isn't cleaning up your own mess a HUGE part of life. In so many ways!!

Being a mom is so much different than I ever thought. I never realized that it is teaching so many simple things, like HOW to brush your teeth or fold socks so they stay together in the drawer. It is so tedious, but I am so glad my mommy took the time with me. . .

Maybe I am trying to be way to philosophical, but hey, at least I posted something. :)

Christmas Tree Cutting 2010

Here are a bunch of pictures from a GREAT day in the snow!!!! We had such a blast. The weather was PERFECT!!!! and the snow was powder. The kids all did so good. We spent to whole day up in the mountains. Enjoying a fire and eating leftovers. And now I have a cute tree in my living room. Enjoy the pictures. There were so many cute ones that I couldn't decide which ones to leave out.

Aunt Martha's Porch

Trip to Arkansas (part 2)

Neil's aunt and uncle have to COOLEST porch around their home. It doesn't go all the way around, but that is because the back of the house is the dinning room and it has floor to ceiling windows. I love it. The porch is the funnest thing to play on. Our first day at the house it poured down rain. I don't think the kids minded at all though, because we could still all go outside and play. The porch is so wide it is pretty easy for the adults to sit and watch kiddoes play without getting bumped (too much). It would be so awesome to some day have a house with a porch like this; to sit out on and sip lemon aide.

Anna and Abby with their G.G.

Grandmother and Neil.

Pops, Mrs. Mom and Grandmother

Grandmother and Jennifer

The rain coming down.

The kids watching the rain.

Neil with him Mommy

Traveling to Arkansas

Neil and I had the opportunity to visit with his family in Arkansas in the beginning of August. It was a crazy FAST trip. We got to fly in and out of Redding though, so that was super nice not having that extra travel time to an airport. I was very nervous about all the traveling with the girls, but the Lord is a miracle worker and I only drove my family slightly crazy.  Neil tells me I am THAT crazy lady every one laughs at (from a distance).  I used to be very spontaneous, but since I had my girls, I have a very hard time just going and doing. Now I have to plan and think about it. Really annoying! Even for me. I am not sure I like this new trait in myself. Anyway, not what we are taking about.
We had a pretty long layover in San Fran, so I got to start taking pictures early. For all the switching and flying we did, all the kids did really well. But I took too many pictures to post in one blog. And it has been so long since I blogged that I figured I should drag it out. So here are some pictures of our traveling to Arkansas.

Tessa playing with her stickers

Bella and Abby playing with their stickers

Abby watching the planes out the big windows.

Alicia and Dixie

Neil killing some time.

Abby, Bella and Anna headed down to the Kids Zone.

Tessa trying to get in on the fun and making it a little more crazy.

Anna and Jack watching the planes.

This VERY nice, random stranger let the kids play on her iphone. At first it was just one of them. I don't know who started it, but really quick they were all over there trying to get in on the fun. The lady was really nice and let them look and then pretty quickly found a new place to sit.

Finally back on a plane and on our way to Little Rock. This is mostly what Abby did on the plane. It was really nice that we got to take her car seat. I think it helped that it was familiar. And a plus was, we could strap her down.

Anna loved writing on her board. It was the best buck spent. She wrote on it for hours.

Well, here's to a finally making a new post. And hopefully I will get to post more pics from our trip soon. So check back.

They are way to quiet.

Abby and Brylee (the baby girl I babysit) play pretty well together. They either play near one another with different toys, or fight over the same toy until Anna comes over and takes the toy away from both of them (it is never boring . . . and rarely quiet!)
Anna loves to help me with the laundry. She can even carry the basket from the laundry room to my bedroom, but she can't get it onto the bed yet. Although she tries her little heart out to get it up there! Which usually means it spills all down the side of me bed. But, hey, if I don't fold it today, that is where it is going to end up anyway. So while Anna and I were walking back and forth through the kitchen I was watching the girls play with the basket of toys in the living room and they were doing great. So I didn't really think about the fact that I didn't hear them for awhile when Anna and I were putting clothes away in her room. Then it was time to get another load of clothes and on my way to the laundry room this is what I came across! My brand new box of kleenex (110 count) all pulled out of the box. The best part was that Abby had her pacifier in her mouth, while Brylee did not. Which meant that Brylee was tasting most of them. She had, I swear, like 5 whole tissues in there. Although, I didn't even notice this until I tried to put her pacifier in and it wouldn't fit! (Yes, her mother has already hear this story.) They both looked so innocent and adorable I couldn't even be upset with them. It was definately a Kodak moment (only it was on my Nikon).

Anna's New Shoes

Anna and I went to Target about a week ago and were just poking around. She is so fun to shop with (when I am NOT in a hurry). She loves to look at the pretty things and she is pretty good about just looking and putting things back. They had a bunch of shoes and things on clearance. (I love clearance!) And I found there converse on the shelf. I could not help myself and they came home with us. Anna loves to sit down and try and tie them. It actually can keep her busy for a pretty long time. So here are some super cute pictures we took when we got home.