Ward Trunk or Treat

I really love my ward! We had our Trunk or Treat tonight (sorry, no pictures cuz I wasn't 100% done with all the costumes, but I will be on Wednesday!!) and we had a great turn out, yummy food, and fun games for the kids to play. I have realized how different things are when you have a ginormous family like I do.....when we had 3 & 4 kids, I knew EVERYONE in our ward, had tons of friends, went and did tons of things and was really sociable. Now, life with 7, is way different. I probably only know about 1/2 the people in my ward, which makes me insanely sad. (it's so bad...I don't even think I know who all my kids Primary teachers are.....yikes!) I am soooooo busy with my kids that my social life has been on the back burner for quite some time. Not that I can't live w/out a huge personal life....it's not like that. I just miss knowing everyone and having things to talk about with lots of people. Hopefully now that I have older kids to help corral the younger ones, I can start getting to know people better. But, besides all that, we really do have a great ward, with lots of really neat people and I love it!! Hmmmm.......maybe Michelle will be a pal and send me some of the pictures she took :)

pictures of the trouble

Babies @ 17 months

So I wasn't planning on doing a twin update until they were 18 months, but man they grow fast!! Here are some things going on in our house of twins (they seriously run the show!!) NO MORE HIGHCHAIRS!! I really hate highchairs! Months and months ago Brinley figured out how to use the handle on the tray so she could send it flying to the ground (of course always when it's got food on it!) and then she will reach over and politely do the same to Brighams (which is funny b/c he is never done eating when she does, so he will look at me like...GEEEEEZZZZ) plus the highchairs have now become their choice of climbing objects, to reach just about anything in the house. (note the pictures of them on the stove and computer desk!) So i got them booster seats the other day, with trays that, so far, they haven't figured out how to take off and we are just as happy as can be. They really love being at the table with us too. Their new favorite word is Stop! Which they yell at each other about 50 times a day (you have to laugh, cuz it really is funny; especially when they are disciplining each other). Right now Brigham is obsessed with my sewing machine, which I thought was a little to girly until Devin pointed out that it's because its a machine and he has to see how it works! Which is true....he will sit behind me on my chair for 20 min. or more and watch me sew. He loves trucks and cars and LOVES the camera and will repeat CHEEZE (like he will have an coronary (sp??) if you don't hurry and take the picture) 100 times until you put the camera away. Brinley is obsessed with shoes (yipee!) and will hold on to her foot as she guides it into the shoe with a look on her face of "come on foot, just cooperate!" She loves to tattle on Brigham, even though 10 seconds before she was doing the same thing, and she loves to sit on the desk while I am on the computer and watch whatever I'm doing. I can't believe how fast they are growing and how much they keep me moving! I wouldn't have it any other way!! ( oh yeah.....4 more weeks till nursery!!!!!!!!!)

John & Kate plus 8

This is one of my MOST favorite shows on TV. Any parent would enjoy this show, and especially moms with multiples!! It's on TLC Monday nights @ 9:00. They have twin 7 year olds and sextuplets that are three! INCREDIBLE!! So I saw an old episode last week and she was talking a lot about how important nutrition is to her and shared a secret about how she hides veggies in her food. So last night I tried it...to my complete AMAZEMENT my family chowed down on my meatloaf that unknown to them (even Devin, cuz he can be as bad as the kids!) was loaded with pureed carrots and bell peppers! I couldn't believe it! You can't even tell it's in there. Then this














morning I remembered that my friend Erica posted about a new book out by Jessica Seinfeld (wife of funny man Jerry Seinfeld) called Deceptively Delicious. The book is full of yummy recipes, for things like brownies, mac & cheese, chicken nuggets...and so on, with all sorts of hidden veggies like spinach, carrots, squash & beets. I can't wait to order it b/c after my successful meatloaf last night I am so excited to try it. My kids are the worst when it comes to veggies....unless its corn or green beans you can pretty much forget it! You can check out her website http://www.deceptivelydelicious.com/ and don't forget to watch John & Kate plus 8....shes my idol!!

My funny for the day

(this is a picture of an Emmy meltdown 2 years ago, after we had been at Disneyland for 5 min.) So I always say it's the funny moments in life that keep us going and yesterday was one of those! We were trying to get the kids ready for church and Emmy was having a melt down (anyone with girls, I'm sure you have NO idea what I am talking about!!) because we wouldn't let her take a bath with Hunter and Mason; trying to explain to her that they are getting to big to take baths together. We kept going round and round with the weeping and wailing "but...I...want...to...take....a...bath...with....the....boys!" (your laughing b/c you can hear exactly what it sounds like huh!) So after about 10 min. of this and threatening to stick her on the front porch and let her cry outside; she contained herself long enough to say, "but YOU get to get in the shower with Dad!" Devin & I were laughing our heads off so all I could say was "you have a very good point Emmy" I guess I didn't feel like telling her "well when you grow up and get married THEN you can take showers with boys!" ha! ha! I love it when they make me laugh!!

The hubby Tag

(this isn't my favorite picture, but I don't really have a ton of pics. of just the two of us) Ok, so my sister "tagged" me so here are the questions about my sweetheart.

Where did you meet your husband?
Across the street at his sisters house when I was 11 and he was 16. I was pretty much her live in slave/babysitter/housekeeper, so I saw him a lot when he would stop by her house. Then in 04' (I think) he broke his hip playing basketball and moved in with her so she could take care of him for 3 months. JACKPOT!!

Where was your 1st date?
The IMAX with his best friend Brady Eaves and his fiance Melissa.

Where was your first kiss?
Outside of his sisters house when I was visiting Mesa (I was 17 and he was 21) He says that I was a bit aggressive, but I don't remember any such thing!!! But he is definately the one that went in for the kiss.

How long did you date?
Actual dating was 1 year (um, pretty much engaged that whole time) Come on, we already knew each other for 6 years!!

When and Where did you get married?
Mesa AZ Temple June 19th 1996. It was hotter than ****!!! But I didn't care b/c I was finally married to my best friend and sweetheart! (our families sure didn't like the hot weather-sorry!)

How did the reception go?
Amazing!! Devin had done trade work with the Wright House reception hall so we had it there and it was beautiful! Kind of started late b/c I had to have help redoing my hair. hehe :) Never got to try any of the food so that was a bummer. But his best friend Randy ordered us a pizza and left it in the back seat of our car for when we left...it was the best.

How was the honeymoon?
Being with Devin was great, I think we could have been anywhere and been on cloud 9; but looking back we sure wish we would have gone somewhere besides California--LAME! It was fun to get yummy strawberry cheesecake from Denny's and stay up late eating pie!

I seriously am married to my best friend and the best husband anyone could ever ask for! I am so lucky that things turned out the way they did and that he chose me! :)
Now I tag...Kristal, Kristine, Jaque, Cristy, Linae, & Hollie (I don't know a thing about your hubbies or how you met!!) And anyone else who wants to do it....it is really fun to find out info about each other before we all became mommies!

Mason @ 6

So moving backwards from Hunters birthday we have Mason (August 16th). Mason is the funniest kid EVER!! He is always making us laugh. Here are some things about Mason right now at ago 6:

** pickiest eater in the world; mostly lives on carbs. And even though 99% of the time he doesn't eat dinner, every night he comes in the kitchen and asks, "whats for dinner?" I guess maybe just to check and see if he will be eating that night or not!

** still sucks his thumb (ok, I just put that in there so when he is 20 we can make fun of him!)

** tries to hang out with his older brothers and do whatever they are doing

** loves to be outside!

** is just plain crazy most of the time, acting weird or saying something hysterical

** is in 1st grade with Mrs. Wood (hangs out mostly with the girls)

** enjoys doing his homework (for now at least!)

** very affectionate, always coming up to me and just throwing his arms around me for no reason and giving me a big squeeze with an "I love you Mom"

** and absolutely loves his Aunt Amanda & Uncle James...he is always asking if he can go hang out with them :)

I love this kid to pieces! He makes me laugh every day. I have always said he was sent to our family to make me laugh. He has kind of gotten used to hanging out by himself, poor guy. I feel so bad for him all the time b/c he doesn't feel like he fits in anywhere. Austin & Hunter want to do big kid stuff and then there are all these girls out here! Including his 3 younger sisters there are 3 more girl cousins his age! Maybe when he grows up he will be the most popular guy in school to make up for it!!

Emmys latest photo shoot

So, I have posted before about Emberlyns obsession with the camera.....here is her latest photo shoot. My niece Natalie & nephew Bryce were over playing and I didn't even know she had the camera until I was looking at the pictures; I just laughed--she is seriously obsessed! I thought she would grow up and be a beautician b/c of all the hair cuts she was giving last year, but maybe she will be a photographer? She is getting pretty good! It will be fun to look back 20 years from now and remember the person she was and what I thought she would become!

Hunter @ 8

So, in case you missed it, I decided to do a post for each child on their birthday about what they are like at that age. So since I started with the babies, I figured I would work my way backwards according to Birthdays...so Hunter is next. This picture about sums it up for him! He is sitting on the couch reading his new scriptures that his Grandma & Grandpa Cronin got him. I will catch him in his closet at night staying up and reading. He is the best kid ever. He has more self-motivation than ANYONE I know!! He is happy to do his homework everyday and tell me about what things he is doing at school, he enjoys being a good big brother, especially to the twins. He just brought home an "all about me" thing from school....His hobby is skateboarding, favorite color is red, and his favorite food is pasta (thought that was cute!) and if anything comes home with "what do you want to be when you grow up" it says Stunt man. Oh please I hope he grows out of that!! He is the son of Dangerous T---heaven help us!!! He loves to be outside, doing anything...driving the golf cart, building a fort, digging to China, skateboarding and learning how to do jumps, pushing the babies on the swing; if it has to do with being outside, he is all over it. He is my most sensitive child, but not in a girl way (I have enough of that!!) and he is an absolute joy to have in our family...not to mention he is pretty dang cute!! When Devin saw Hunter sitting on the couch he just hung his head down and said, "can't they just stay like this forever?" Well said!

Final Cali pictures

Here are the last of our California pictures. We had so much fun trying to get some good photos of our sweet family. It was a little frustrating b/c it was so windy we could only stand in certain places and our hair is all over the place! But I'm still happy with what we got...probably would have been a little happier had I gotten a good smiley picture of Brinley, but what do you do with a 1 year old who wakes up from her nap Grouchzilla!! And you can't ask for a better backdrop!

Christmas in October!!

So I am very excited to report that Halloween costumes are officialy under way! Christmas is the winner!! (thanks Sar for the GREAT idea) It was a real toss up between that and pirates, but I was floored that my kids really wanted to do the Christmas thing! They thought it was so cool--they even want to turn the go cart into our sleigh! So the list so far is Mr. & Mrs. Claus, of course, B & B will be boy and girl ginger breads, Emmy is an Angle, I think Austin and Hunter are going to be elves and I am hoping for a snowman and a Christmas tree (that will depend on whether Libs and Mason have to be the same as someone else!) I am very excited and thanks a ton for all the imput!! It is double great cuz we will have way cute Christmas cards!!! (by the way, is it ok to drink Windex, cuz Brinley was just sucking Windex out of the bottle. hmmmmm.) LOL

Funny girls!

I just put this picture on here cuz I think it's cute. Here is my funny for the day. Liberty came across my Pottery Barn Kids magazine and there is a really cute baby on the front. So this was the conversation that followed.
"Ohhh, what a cute baby! Could we go buy this baby?" (well duh--it is on the cover of a catalog!)
"um, where would buy that baby Libs?"
"At the store"
"What store sells babies?"
"Um, the one by the boys school. (yeah, there is no store by the boys school--maybe she knows about some secret baby selling ring!) I will show you yesterday (today) when we go pick them up."
"So can we go buy this baby?" Liberty asked again
"no, we'll just have to wait for ours"
"why, I really want to go get this baby"
"um, cuz I don't have the money to buy that baby"
"yes you do, you have lots of money in your pockets!"
Wow---the things kids say to keep us laughing! Here is a funny from 2 weeks ago w/Emmy that I forgot to wright about. I couldn't find her dance clothes one morning so the next best thing I could find was a tank top & short set that I bought for her to wear over her swimsuit. I told her that was all I could find so she had to wear it. She came into the bathroom afew min. later sobbing (with the clothes on) I asked her why she was crying and she told me b/c she didn't want to wear that b/c it wasn't modest. I said, "Emmy, your dance clothes don't have sleeves on them either. It's ok, just for dance...that's all I can find" To make a long story short, the crying didn't stop until I found a shirt for her to wear underneath the tank. It was really cute and I thought, "at least there are some things I do right I guess"

Only 5 more months!!

I had my first appointment with Dr. Tutt on Wednesday and I am really happy with him and his office. Everyone was really nice and it wasn't super crowded or anything. That's what I think I like the most is that they don't double book appointments, so when it's your appointment he is just spending time with you and not in and out of 2 or 3 other rooms. I really liked that! I am 16 weeks today! I have been feeling the baby do its gymnastics in there for about 2 or 3 weeks, its fun. The ultrasound was really cute....the baby was on its head doing a headstand with it's feet strait up in the air kickin' away. I am feeling much better these days, but I still have times of yuckyness. I have to eat about 50 million times a day, which I hate--I get really sick of food! Thank goodness for Devin who will go downstairs and make me my 11:00 pm bagel! And just a little heads up.....I am 99% sure that we are not going to be finding out the sex of the baby. Just thought I would mention that so people can start being disappointed now! :) (sorry no picture--if I had a scanner I would share the ultrasound photo)

Need Halloween Help!!

I still haven't figured out how to make these look the way I want, sorry. So I NEED HELP!! I have been making my kids Halloween costumes for the past 6 years and as frustrated as I get every year and SWEAR I'm never going to do it again.....when they all get ready and look so stinkin' cute, I remember why I love it so much. This was last year....the twins were a bee and a flower, the boys were hippies and girls, go go dancers--modest ones :). I usually try to do a theme so we all somewhat match and I am just stuck this year! So I need some ideas! I have had several suggestions of Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs, but I'm thinking I probably won't be able to get Austin & Hunter into a Dwarf costume...and I like my girls to look a little more girly than a boy Dwarf. So any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thought about doing a family of superheros, but still want to explore my options. Hurry! I promised myself I would decide by tomorrow night so I can get going--every year my goal is to NOT being sewing on Halloween, but I have yet to meet that goal!

Legoland

So, since I have had no success getting pictures from my sister (he new camera is weird and we haven't been able to share the pics over the Internet) I am finally posting our pics of our day @ Legoland. I would highly recommend this for anyone with LITTLE kids....8, 9 years is pushing it. My older boys were board at times.
We started out our day with Brigham falling out of the van and hitting the step on the van, putting his teeth completely through his bottom lip. He had two perfect holes in his lip; it was so sad. But we opted not to take him for stitches and it turned out just fine thank goodness!



One of the nicest things about Legoland is that at a lot of the rides they have a little gated off area where kids can play that are too small to ride the ride. Some had jumbo Lego's to play with others had a little sand area, stuff like that. It made the waiting with the babies a lot nicer.

Here is Mason on the Lego go carts. That was the boys highlight of the day! If I ever get the other pictures (my sis has all the really cute ones cuz my camera gave out) I'll post another one about or fun day.

General RS broadcast

Can I just start off by saying how much I LOVE President Monson?! Mason is actually named after him (Mason Thomas) The RS broadcast was wonderful; as it always is. My mom & my sister came over and we ate our yummy mexican food and watched the broadcast in the quiet oasis of my bedroom. (Devin kept all the kids down stairs so it was really nice.) So of course they talked a TON about visiting teaching which I have already been feeling so horrible about. It seems like the 1st year after I had the twins my entire life went haywire & I was lucky to get a shower every day. Not that I should even try to use an excuse b/c there shouldn't be any excuse really....we do have 30 days so why I still manage to wait till the end of the month is beyond me!! Anyways, it was wonderful and as it always does, it made me want to try even harder at being a better mother, wife and sister in the Relief Society. So hopefully, this is the last time in my life that I say, "ok, from NOW on I am going to do 100% VT" Wouldn't that be great to look back 10 years from now and really be able to say that I never missed a month!