Critters

When we were in Cov. for Thanksgiving, Mrs. Jan took my two critters to see farm critters.  They had a blast getting to feed the rabbits, pigs, goats, deer, etc.  They also discovered a pumpkin patch full of their most favorite item, "baby punkins".  They were in absolute heaven.  There were little statues throughout the farm, and Claire (my reserved child) surprised me by kissing this frog.   

Of course, Natalie was fascinated with this "baby cow" and had to ride on it.  We ended our fabulous day with visiting their sweet, "big girl" cousins.  So many special memories were made that day.

Shutterfly Christmas Card

Shutterfly is giving away discounts if you post your latest Shutterfly project on your blog.  Everyone that knows me, knows that I can't pass up a coupon, discount, sale, etc and just in time for a new calendar (we loved ours from last year).  So, here's our latest project, our Christmas card. 

 

Good Blessings Religious Christmas 5x7 folded card

Create beautiful photo Christmas cards at Shutterfly.com.

View the entire collection of cards.

My girls

And another page completed:

PLAY-DOH!!!

The girls had their first PLAY-DOH experience.  Natalie was very adamant that we make everything "baby" size.  Claire was the first one to mix the two colors, which turned out very pretty.  I love watching them discover new things in this world.  I feel like they are much older than 2, because the amount of information they have already absorbed.  We also went to the park after our nap time, wait no, they didn't take a nap for the 2nd day in a row.  They might be saying bye bye to naps :(  Anyways, they loved collecting the different colored leaves, red was their fave, and holding hands as they walked throughout the park.

This makes my heart go pitter patter.

Oh, they discovered the boys' rope swing.  Love this neighborhood.

Sweet Claire Bear

David and I are ecstatic that all of Claire's tests came back normal.  She was such a trooper.  I would have been so impressed if she was my patient.  She handled the circumstances better than most children.  I am so glad Friday came and went quickly.  When I was working, I was constantly reminded not to take each day or my family's health for granted.  Thanks to God for the miracle of children and the blessings he has given us.

Happy Halloween

Quick post tonight.  David and I are worn out from laying mulch in our front beds and then dealing with the girls' sugar high after trick or treating.  Great night though.  The girls were wonderful and sweet as ever.  They were timid and polite.  Love those "baby punkins" of mine.

I love this picture, not only because David is in it, but because it'll always remind me of the girls' curiosity and genuine excitement for new stuff.  They loved the Halloween lights and decorations (well almost all the decorations).  They weren't too keen on a blow up ghost.

Another attempt

Here's another attempt to make a scrapbook page for the girls' albums.  Just an FYI, you can click on the picture, and it will open into a larger image. 

 

Digital designs used are from Designs by Novita's, Cute Safari.

Zoo Boo and Steam Trains

I'm always behind on these blog posts.  But better late than never.  Poppa and Sugar visited us a few weeks ago and we had a very action packed weekend.  First, we headed to "the city" for the Houston Zoo Boo.  We found out Natalie is scared of the carousel and she likes to wake up sleeping goats.  Claire loved the carousel and the dippin dots!

Oh, and thank you, thank you, thank you Poppa and Sugar for the adorable Minnie Mouse costumes.  The girls absolutely love these costumes.

Waving to the meerkats

Natalie telling the sunning goat to "Wake up!"

Natalie trying to sun on a rock.  Not really, just trying to get a picture of the two of them.  Natalie always tries the unconventional route.

The next day, we headed to the Houston Area Live Steam Engine park.  We did wait for a very long time, but the girls did awesome.  These miniature steam engines are really incredible and these volunteers made such an elaborate track with impressive bridges and miniature buildings.

 

Dallas, Pumpkins, and Beavers

A few weeks ago, the our little fam headed to Dallas to visit my very best friend, Christy, her husband Ryan, and their two doggies.  We drove out to the suburbs to visit a very fun pumpkin patch.  The girls had a blast just plain running down the aisles of pumpkins.  They love their freedom.  I wish I had a backyard that was a huge field so that they could run all day long.  That would definitely guarantee a daily naptime!  Here are some pics from that fun trip.  Thanks Ryan and Christy for welcoming two energetic two year olds into your home.  We had a blast!

 

Ok, now the part about the Beavers.  Next time you are in Texas, you have to check out a Bucees gas station.  It is a Texas sized gas station with a beaver mascot.  Anyways, Natalie picked up a stuffed beaver and wouldn't give it up until we convinced her to give it to the life sized "Mama Beaver".  We did leave with tiny "Baby Beaver" toys.  By the way, they are obsessed with small versions of things and calling that object a baby.  Yesterday, I found Natalie rocking a small piece of sidewalk chalk and saying "Baby chock, bed bye". 

Easy. Breezy. Beautiful.

Claire and I finally got our 1:1 time.  What did she want to do?  Put on makeup, of course!  She got to choose her choice of eyeshadow, and our bashful girl went bold.  She chose bright blue.  Here's a few pics from our fun mommy/daughter time.  Love this girl!!!

 

Thought this was so cool.  Can you see my reflection in her eyes? (Click on the picture below to see it bigger.)  I've never captured that before.

Love this smile of hers.  Just wish my camera was focused better.

"Cancer, Cancer, and Red Hood"

What?  You don't get my title?  David and I laughed so hard this weekend at the things our girls were saying.  The funniest came from Nat Nat when calling her Happy Meal toys by their name.  They are little miniature Madame Alexander Dolls that are dressed up as fairy tale characters (Oh, many thanks to all of our helpers that collected these for us).   "Cancer, Cancer, and Red Hood" can be no other than "Hansel, Hansel (who's really Gretyl), and Little Red Riding Hood".  Once again, I may blog about some small, seemingly insignificant (and sort of strange) happening, but I hope it makes you smile like it does for me. 

Here's a pic of these cute (and smart marketing strategies-McD's got Nancy as a customer!) dolls.  I couldn't find the real Cancer (I mean Hansel), so here's Red Hood, Gretyl, and Wendy the Wolf.  Oh, and Claire loves to make these dolls sit, I mean she loves to reenact our conversations from dinner and tell the dolls sternly "Sit Down. Bottom Down. Sit Down".  She can also imitate my frustrated look when the dolls don't sit :)

My Bday present

My girls are on the same schedule pretty much 90% of the time.  They go down to sleep at the same time, and whoever wakes up first wakes the other one up.  It's rare that I can swiftly remove a babbling twin from the bedroom before Sissy is wide awake and joining in the fun.  Well, today Natalie woke up extra early and Claire was in a deep sleep. I spent the rest of "my time" hanging out with Nat Nat and exploring with her.  We made her first project with a glue stick and macaroni.  The one-on-one time was a great and rare present.  I can't wait for Claire's turn.

Natalie's masterpiece (she told me she wants to major in abstract art)

You don't have a 30th birthday often.  I want to remember so much about this time in our lives.  Unfortunately, one of the main focuses in our life right now is this little Mickey Mouse figure.  The girls are obsessed and it is the cause of many screaming matches, timeouts, and tantrums in the car.  We no longer let them take it out of the car since the debacle in Chic Fil A.  It was like watching pigeons go after food.  The kids all ran towards it when dropped on the floor.  That's when I learned that special toys do not leave your house or car!  Anyways, I needed to get a pic of Mickey to remind me of what life was like at 30.

I changed her clothes because the ketchup spots were a lot more noticeable than I thought. 

Yes, I'm obsessed with her lashes.  They are exact replicas of David's.

Off to school we go....

Since we were in the neighborhood, I knew the girls would get a kick out of visiting Sugar's and Mrs. Swett's  classroom.  We saw the lunchroom, playground, offices, and classroom where Sugar works.  The girls were in heaven with the many toys in the classroom, the fun provided by the water fountain, and being surrounded by their grandmothers.  Thanks Sugar for giving us a tour.