Family Xmas Party

Tonight we had our family Xmas party at Diane's house. It was fun & the food was good. The girls, especially Abby had a blast playing with cousins. Our little Diva girl, showing off her new boots.

Playing with cousins.

Hunter & Shelby.

Sammy & Izzy

Hunter & Callee.

Shelby posing on the floor.

Eating!!!!!

Hammin it up, again.

Ice Storm

On Thursday night we got hit with an ice storm. Marilyn woke up at 3am to check the weather & traffic report. We lost power at about midnight. The power came back on around 10:30am the next morning. She was unable to go to work because the roads were just covered in 1-2 inches of ice. We would lay in bed, hear tree's & tree branches fall & hit the ground. It was a scary sound. Early this morning we had a big branch hit the roof of the house, which scared the pants off me. It sounded like someone closing our downstairs door hard.

So, we have lived in Indiana for almost 6 months & we have endured some different types of weather. We have had tornado's, flooding rain & ice storms. We wanted to live somewhere that had changing of the seasons but, really........................... The bottom picture if you look, there is a power line towards the bottom of the pine tree. It has ice hanging from it.

Big girl Abby

We have had a long journey with potty training. We started almost 1 yr ago & at the beginning it seemed like it was going to be an easy journey. Abby went from diapers to Pull ups right away but, then she would throw fits every time she was taken to the bathroom.

We have learned you need patience (neither of us have) time, (with twins, are you kidding. Not sure what that is) & not in the middle of moving to a new place. People have given us advise & some even say it is easy (those people have only one kid or no kids). I have come to the conclusion that when we started Abby was just not ready. We were getting nervous & embarrassed because she will be 3 yrs old in Jan.

Success at last......We hope!

About 4 days ago Abby came to me & told me she needed to go pee-pee before actually going in her pull ups. She has now gone to wearing underwear only unless it is "quiet time" or "Nite Nite". We have had a couple mishaps but, my girl is finally a big girl.

Moral of the story is: If kids are not ready, they are not ready & will do it in their own time, not yours.

Now, potty training the twinkies???? They are moving to Utah around that time & spend some quality time with Papa & Gramma!!!!

My Darling Daughter......

So, today I was in & out of the house trying to get Xmas decorations out of the garage. The Twinkies were sleeping & Abby was laying in our bed watching her shows for what we call "Quiet time". I would check in every 10-15 minutes, just to make sure everyone was OK. Upon opening the door on one occasion I heard Abby running down the hall. When she runs away it usually means she has done something wrong & has heard me coming. As I get to her room, she is hiding in a corner & says "what, what, what mommy. I not doin notin". Looking at her face I see she has gotten into our makeup & has done a wonderful job at applying it to her face. I tried but, could not help laughing as I was scolding her. I washed her face but, the lipstick of choice is a longlasting kind so, she will have a pink forehead for a couple of days. Kids are so cute.............. Boy, I have my hands full. My mother keeps informing me that these stories remind her of a certain other girl when she was younger. It sure could not have been me, I'm such an angel...............Don't you agree?

Don't be jealous!!!!!!

I will try to make a long story short. After making the long move to Indiana, our big screen TV that we bought in 2001, went on the fritz. I called Circuit City where we had bought it. I had the luck of calling the day before our service contract ended (imagine that luck). We always debate on whether to spend more money on service agreements & this time we did. So, they had someone come out & try to fix it. It took them several weeks to order parts & to fix the problem (so we thought). The TV was back to normal for 4-6 weeks, then same problem. I called Circuit City once again. They said sorry, the contract was over. Needless to say I gave them a piece of my mind. Again, she said sorry & not their problem anymore. A few hours later the phone rang, it was Circuit City & after reviewing the records they will send someone out to fix it again. The nice gentleman came out, told me he would need to order a part. A few days later Circuit City calling to say instead of fixing problem, it would be cheaper to exchange the product. A new TV? We thought maybe they would give us some money towards a new TV but, not what we originally paid for it. When we got to Circuit City, they stated they already selected another big screen for us (pretty much looked like old one) but, they said "go take a look at it, if it is not what you want you can pick something else out for around $1400 & something". Our eyes big, looking at all the big TVs, Marilyn's eyes zoomed in on the flat screen Plasma's. Yeah, right! As you know we have caviar(sp) taste on a tuna budget. However, here is were the story thickens. We found a flat screen 50' Plasma for $1399.00 & still somehow have a store credit of $107.00. Go figure. We never win or get anything dealt to us like that. So, if you are ever debating on that service agreement. I say yes for larger ticket items such as this. It shows that it was worth it this time. The PIC does not do the TV justice.

Sister's at play

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Let it snow!!!!

So, we got our 1st glimpse of snow in Indiana on Tuesday. It was beautiful. It has been a long time since we have lived in snow.

From what I hear the worse it yet to come. but, we are looking forward to it. The PIC's were taken early in the morning so, kind of dark.

Trick or Treat

The kids getting ready to go trick or treating. We went with Pat & Colleen's kids around Aunt Diane's neighborhood. A lot of people that live out in the country (like us) bring their kids into town to trick or treat. There is so much land in between houses in the country, you would walk 5 miles just to trick or treat 2 houses. That would not be fun for getting lots of candy.

Abby loves pulling her sisters in the wagon. Abby is Elmo (duh), Shelby is a monkey & Izzy is a lady bug.

Get yours at Webfetti.com

The twinkies got tired after a while so, mommy & them rode in the car following the trick or treaters. We ate candy & drank milk. What a life!

As the leaves turn

Yep, you got it. We are on day 3 of raking & burning leaves here in country land. I really do not see an end. As soon as we get done raking a bunch up, you look back & the trees are just dropping more on the spot you just finished with! Pam (Marilyn's sister) states you can guess-ta-mate raking & burning leaves at least 5 more times this year. I think I must have been high when we decided to move to the country.

The kids love playing in them & messing up the piles :(

The PIC with just the trees was taken this morning when the fog was rolling in. Please take a look at the leaves on the ground! It really is pretty here in the fall.

Never ending saga...........Stay tuned for more "As the leaves turn".

Leaves, Leaves & more Leaves...

Leaves, leaves & more leaves.. Where does it end? The trees & leaves here are beautiful around right now. However, I HATE RAKING THEM UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We started raking leaves in our yard today. I would say out there raking those bleeping things for 2 hrs & still did not make a dent. We have a blower so, we would blow them to one area, rake & then burn them. Most country folk around these parts have a leaf catcher on the back of their ridin lawn mower. Guess what we are getting next year if we stay in the country?????????????

Tagged I'm it, plus 2

I have been tagged twice, the first one comes from Annie (thanks). Sure makes you put your thinking cap on.....Answer with 1 word only.

1. Where is your cell phone? Charging
2. Where is your significant other? Couch
3. Your hair color? Lo lights(sp)
4. Your mother? Tired
5. Your father? Cook
6. Your favorite thing? Daughters
7. Your dream last night? Drowning
8. Your dream/goal? House
9. The room you're in? Bedroom
10. Your hobby? Blogging
11. Your fear? Death
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Secure
13. Where were you last night? Blogging
14. What you're not? Patient
15. One of your wish-list items? Money
16. Where you grew up? Utah
17. The last thing you ate? Special K
18. What are you wearing? Jammies
19. Your TV? Favorite
20.Your pet? None
21. Your computer? Laptop
22. Your mood? Happy
23. Missing someone? Family
24. Your car? Durango
25. Something you're not wearing? Shoes
26. Favorite store? Walmart
27. Your summer? Humid
28. Love someone? Yes
29. Your favorite color? Purple
30. When is the last time you laughed? Dinner
31. Last time you cried? October

I am new to the blog thing so, I don't have a lot of blogs that I am following. I tag Trish & Diane.


This next tag is from Trish. When I got this I decided to ask Marilyn to come up with some ideas. That was a mistake.... she wouldn't stop coming up with ideas. There are worse people out there & I know some, right? List 5 Quirky things about you & be honest. OK do not laugh.

1. Eyelashes-I have been separating my eyelashes with a straight pin since I started wearing makeup. I need to have each lash it's own when the mascara is applied. ;)

2. Stains-I am a freak when it comes to stains on clothes, especially my kids clothes. I go through several bulk bottles of Shout a month. I Shout every article of my kids clothing, even if there is no stain around the neck area, I Shout it anyway. I get so mad when folding clothes & I see a stain that slipped through the Shout it out process! I need to take stock out in this company.

3. Mail-I have to get the mail everyday. No matter what. If I have forgotten & I'm getting ready for bed, I will go get it. It is not like it is easy either. The mailbox is at the end of a very long driveway.

4. Hair-This one comes from Marilyn but, I do not see a problem. My hair needs to be perfect (in my mind anyway). It has to look a certain way or it starts my day off bad. I am very picky about changing cuts, color & hair stylist. I have natural curly hair & it has a mind of it's own. It does take me a while to get ready-1hr 30min. To my defense 30min is make up. It is hard to do with 3 young kids but, I manage. I really thought having kids would change that, NOT! After showering I have to wait 15-20 for hair to air dry, then I blow dry straight & finally flat iron it. I hate to be rushed too. It drives Marilyn crazy but, I always work the time into my schedule & usually I'm ready to go when need be. You cannot rush looking good :p I know Luanne will back me up on this one!!!!

5. Clothes-I cannot wear the same thing twice. It grosses me out. I do this even with my girls.
That is why I have so much laundry to do all this time. Even if I or the kids wear the outfit for a little while & they did not get dirty.

There I did it. I am tagging this one to Annie (pay back) & Diane (sorry you got 2 just like me)

No more tags for a while pleaseeeeeeeeeee.....

Love wearing glasses

Grampa & Gramma Townsend bought these glasses for Abby when she was visiting them while her sisters were in the hospital right after they were born. They all love these glasses, they are falling apart in the back. One of the Twinkies always have them in their hands & want you to put them on (several times a day).

Girls sitting still for 2 minutes

We actually got them to sit still for 2 minutes for a picture. This does not happen often.

Petting Zoo

Went to a farm that has a petting zoo & several fun Halloween things to do.

The girls had fun & were not scared of the animals.

The Twinkie's got new coats the day before. It is weird getting winter outfits & coats for everyone, since we lived in hot weather for the last 19-20 years. It is funny seeing the girls all bulked up in winter clothes.

Day at the park

After visiting the pumpkin patch we went to the park. The kids had a blast. The park had a pond with ducks. Shelby tried to take a swim several times. We could not keep her away from the water. We tried to walk back to the slides & swings but, she would not have it. She would scream & try to turn around to go back to the pond.

Shelby trying to get back to the pond.

Izzy looks like she is ready to play football.

Abby standing just like her mommy with

her hands on her hips.

Shelby again trying to get back to that pond.

Pumpkin shopping

The girls picked out their pumpkins for Halloween. Abby is going to be Elmo this year. She wanted to be Tinker Bell but, with it being cold here no one would be able to see her outfit with a coat over it & her legs would freeze. Marilyn had suggested to buy a couple sizes too big & then we could put the Tinker Bell outfit over her coat. Now I ask you have you ever seen a fat Tinker Bell??????????

We have not decided on outfits for the Twinks. They are probably going as a lady bug & a monkey (Abby's old costumes). They are still too young to go out Trick or Treating. They will have fun playing at Aunt Diane's house instead.

Playing outside

The girls were having fun playing
in the backyard & jumping on the
trampoline. Izzy is hamming it up
as usual.

They also have a slide & a
merry-go-round that Aunt Diane
gave to them.

Shelby always looks like she is
doing something she shouldn't
(which is most of the time).