Introducing...

MAX!

Call us crazy, but we adopted this little bugger today. He is currently trying to figure out what in the world has happened to him. He is a 14 month old shih tzu. So far Jake, Justin, and Megan are so cute with him. And I....can't stop baby talking.

Happy Together

Each of these sweet little spirits has their own bedroom. Very frequently this is how they spend their nights. It warms my heart that they can FIGHT like they do and still truly want to be together.

Spring Fever

Boy are we ready for warm weather! Jake asks everyday if it is warm outside yet. Well, it certainly is not, but Travis gave Jake some much needed outside time today. They bundled up and went exploring on the four wheeler and even for a hike.

Chill can't help but chase the four wheeler, and since Travis and Jake were planning on exploring far from home I made Chill stay in the house until they were far away. Justin and Megan were thrilled--Chill not so much. She got plenty of love and then went right back outside (very willingly).

3000 Diapers Later...

The twins are 16 months old today...sniff sniff. That means they have had approximately 3000 diaper changes.

Nooks and Crannies

Having two babies I try not to assume much. I don't make a list and assume it will get done that day...or even that week. I have never assumed the twins would do things at the same time, or be alike. But from the time they were tiny I have assumed they would be the best of friends. I assumed by now they would have their own little language and would hardly be able to be apart. Wrong! For quite some time now Meg has been very aware of Justin. This may be a survival instinct for, if she has a sippy cup and he does not she knows it is either fight or flight. As a general rule, she usually picks flight. Anyway, the past couple of days they have become very aware of one another, seeking each other out to find out and join in to what the other is doing. The past few days have been filled with the adorable sounds of squeals and giggles as they chase and get one another and truly play together. Here they are discovering the nooks and crannies of the laundry room:

Busted!

Often when I am downstairs working on a task, trouble ensues upstairs. I love this video. I was downstairs helping Annie, Emma was up with the babies. Instead of intervening she started recording!

Rule number one at our house these days is to keep the doors shut! Apparently the door to the pantry was left open because Justin and Megan had a blast with the chips. Jake decided to fix the mess. He got out the vacuum and got to work (well, he got a little distracted, but it was sure nice of him to try.)

Oh Jake!

I hope he never thinks to combine these two treasures. We may all have nightmares for months.

If you are ever in need of a good laugh, just call me. There is always something new to tell about Jake that will make you laugh and laugh hard. Recently, we went took the older kids to a movie and then decided to head over to Savers for a little treasure hunting. Jake and I stumbled on this wig. I put it on him and honestly thought he would grouch at it because really, wigs are itchy. Well, he didn't grouch. He fell in love. We meandered over to show Travis and he literally startled when he saw Jake. Soon we came across a sweet little granny who also startled and grabbed her heart and wondered aloud if that were his real hair. We went up to pay and Jake thrived on all the giggles directed his way. The wig didn't have a price tag, but it was Savers after all and we bought it for $1.99. Even if it had been ten times that much, it wasn't coming off his head. The next morning he was getting ready for school and suddenly wondered "where his hair was". Ah yes, he wanted to wear the wig to school and wear it he did.

Peek a Boo

His giggle is soooooo contagious!

Christmas Vacation

Tomorrow is back to school. It is hard to believe Christmas break has come and gone. I have mixed emotions about the return to school. The kids need something to do--they seem to argue more each day. Getting back to the routine is going to be great, but I am going to miss having everyone here. We tried to fit a few fun things in this Christmas break. there were plenty of movies and slumber parties, good food and presents. I have posted the pictures of our Christmas vacation in reverse order....


On New Years Eve Grandma stayed with Justin and Megan and Travis, Amber, Annie, Emma, Jake, and I went sledding just outside of Idaho City. It was so fun! I am not as brave as I used to be, but everyone else made up for it in their sledding mayhem.

Jake is missing from this picture because he had fallen sound asleep as soon as we put him in the truck. He played hard!

When they aren't fighting, they are actually great friends.

It is important not to leave Justin alone, even for a minute.

CHRISTMAS MORNING:

Santa brought guitars for the girls. They were a little disappointed that their hopes of writing songs on Christmas day sounded more like a cat who had fallen ill. Looks like we are looking for a guitar instructor.

The Christmas Eve pajama picture--this was the best we could do.

Jake did Megan's hair for Christmas Eve. She felt so pretty!

The McRae's were so kind to give us RUBBER BAND GUNS. Jake's was in a "time out" fifteen minutes after he had unwrapped it.

Justin thoroughly enjoyed the goodies that we were given. Must he climb on everything?!

We had 25 people over for dinner for the bishopric Christmas dinner!

Jake's school Christmas program. No kidding, he pretended to be Kevin the bird (from UP) in between songs.

Emma's school Christmas program

Megan's first sentence: "Oh, what's that?"