Our shopping spree started Saturday morning when we took the babies to the mall to get new Crocs for summer. Jeff thinks they are lame, but I love them (for the babies, NOT for me). They are easy to get on and off (Heaten can put his on and take them off by himself), they are waterproof, and can be worn with socks to the gym (who requires both sock and shoes be worn). Anyway, I was planning on getting a little shopping done while at the mall, but Shenzie had other plans. She still isn’t feeling 100% and did not want her Mama to be out of her site for one second so my shopping got put on hold. After the babies went down for their nap I went out for a few hours and picked up a couple of cute tops, grabbed a coffee, met a new client, and had lunch. It was a nice, much needed break after being stuck at home sick with sickie babies all week.

Twins Times Two!! I must say that neither pair looks much alike in this photo.

Sunday afternoon after visiting with Leah she and I headed off for more shopping. We were both looking for mid length shorts (that weren’t too grandma-ish - no offense Grandma’s). =) It seems that all the shorts these days are either SUPER tiny booty shorts or long knee length shorts. We were in Hollister looking at clothes and big mouth me asks who in the world wears shorts this short!?!? Right then a mom and daughter walk up to the shorts in question while glaring at me out of the corner of their eye. Oops. Apparently people (young and old) DO wear booty shorts.

Normally it seems like if I’m out shopping with the intent to buy clothes I leave empty handed and the times I’m out just browsing or I’m with the babies and can’t try stuff on I find a zillion things. Not this time! This shopping trip was a pure success!!! The first store we went to (PacSun) I found the cutest pair of black Volcom shorts - not too long, not too short. Leah got the same pair in khaki green. American Eagle made my day. Not only did I end up with the cutest pair of jean shorts:

they are a size 2! In my twenties I was really little, size 1/2. Late twenties I went from a size 3 to a size 5. After babies everything got messed up so I have clothes up to size 9 in my closet. I really never thought I’d wear a size 3 again, but low and behold the rest of the shorts I bought were size 3!! I am pretty proud of myself for losing all of the baby weight and then some. That’s the good news…the bad news is the body isn’t what it was pre baby so I still have gross belly skin that is flatter now that I’m working out, but still there. Blech.

Anyway on with the shopping tales.

If you know me you know I wear a black shirt 99.9% of the time. I like black. Black is easy. Every goes with black and black hides the above mentioned baby belly. Leah helped me break the cycle of black and convinced me to get an egg plant/white tank top. After buying it I was a little leary and thought I would end up returning it. After getting it home and trying it on again I LOVE it. Thanks Leah for forcing me out of my comfort zone. =) At Tilly’s I got the most comfortable pair of Hurley shorts - grayish black with light white stripes. They were by far my favorite purchase of the day. On our way out of the mall we stopped at Zuminez and what do I find….the same pair of shorts only white with black stripes on the sale rack! Score!!!

And because I’m sure you’re all dying to see my new purchases (haha) here they are:

The black and white shirt is a halter top. Of course I went for the solid black, but Leah came to the rescue and convinced me to get the pattern one. Of course I love it! Thanks again!! The previous mentioned eggplant tank, another halter - purple top/black and white handkerchief looking bottom, and the three pairs of size 3! shorts. =) The jean shorts and black tank above finished off the best shopping spree ever!!

I wish Leah living here…Canada is WAY too far away!!!! We get along famously and I would love to get to know her kids. =(

All in all it was a great weekend. Thank you Leah for a great visit and thank you to the best husband in the world for giving me back my sanity!!

*I don’t know what setting my camera was on for these photos, but it was definitely the wrong one!

We moved to Las Vegas from St. George, Utah when I was twelve. It was a HUGE culture shock. I felt like a little town bumpkin in the big city. I’ve lived here practically my whole life and cannot wait to get away! It is so funny how so many people think that people that live in Las Vegas live by the strip or go to the strip regularly. When I was young and partied I went to clubs on the strip, but rarely (if ever) did I go just “hang out” on the strip. We live in the far corner of the city and I pretty much stay in a 10 mile radius of here. I never ever go to the strip unless we have out of town company and every time I’m down there it reminds me how much I hate it.

This weekend Jeff’s twin sister Leah was in town from Canada (on a “work” retreat - snicker). Sunday she had a free day so she spent it with us (thanks Leah!!!). We don’t get to see Jeff’s family much so this was a real treat. We picked her up from her hotel (on the strip) and went to brunch. Just driving on the strip is crazy. Taxi’s weaving in and out of lanes, people walking EVERYWHERE. It is like the old video game Frogger where the tourists run across the street dodging cars. The casinos are NOT baby/kid friendly at all. Some (like The Wynn) do not even allow strollers in their casino. There is smoking allowed in all casinos so when you walk through one you leave smelling like an ash tray. Everywhere you go there are billboards of semi naked chicks. Men on the street are constantly trying to stop you to give you cards with naked chicks on them. Women are dressed like skanks with their butts and boobs hanging out. Living here for so long this isn’t shocking to me, but I seriously DO NOT want my kids to grow up in this atmosphere. Leah was shocked at how many people had their young kids out at 1 and 2 in the morning walking the strip and hanging out in the casinos.

The few benefits of living here are…..ummmm….hmmmmm……let’s see. If you ever need ANYTHING at 3am you can get it. Steak dinner at 3am, no problem. Ice cream, candy, popcorn, alcohol, fast food, you name it you can get it 24/7. When we do move (hopefully sooner rather than later) I will miss the convenience of having things available at any given time (not that I’m EVER up at 3am), but still, if I did want something I could get it.

I may hate Las Vegas, but I do not hate the shopping. We have some pretty good malls and outlet stores which Leah and I hit up with great success. I’ll post more on our awesome shopping spree later. With Leah’s help I stepped out of my comfort zone and bought something other than black *gasp*!

Strolling Along Edition:

Doesn’t Heaten look thrilled. =)

The babies (kids) always walk with their heads down so sometimes they don’t see things in front of them. Like the time Shenzie face planted our neighbors truck. Oops.

*I am seriously spoiled by my Canon 50D. Anytime I post a picture taken with my point and shoot (above photos) I want to re-take them with my good camera.

I’ll be over here today telling all about the moped maniacs who were trying to score some drugs from us. *Innocent look* I’ve NEVER done drugs in my life. I swear! Although I just might start with this crazy week. Shenzie is sick. Mama is sick. It is just a matter of time before Heaten and Daddy get sick too. =( Sick Shenzie = Not sleeping Shenzie = Not sleeping Mama = Bad News!

Dear Shenzie and Heaten,

Your Mama is in denial. I just typed the header One Year Six Months. My mind cannot wrap itself around the fact that I have two and a half year olds. When I look at you now I do not see little babies and barely little toddlers. You are little kids now and while I am in denial that you’re growing up this age is SO much fun.

It is so funny to see how very different you are. You are two very distinct little people who drive me up the wall some days, but oh my, I wouldn’t change a thing. You are absolutely perfect in your crazy. I just look at you and all of your antics and laugh.

You are playing VERY good together these days. Some days I will look outside and see you sitting side by side in the sandbox playing quietly. These moments are becoming more and more common and I love them! You love each other so much. Every night before bed you give each other kisses. You always ask where the other one is when you wake from your nap. You kiss each others ouchies away. You hold hands and give hugs to one another which melts my heart each and every time I see it.

My little Shenzie Bug,

Oh how you love your Mama. You are stuck to me like glue these days. Most mornings you can be found cuddled on my lap sucking your thumb with baby bear held close to your face. You have come a long way this month with independence. You will now leave my side at the park to ride the big slides, run with the other kids, and play on your own.

You LOVE to eat and will pretty much taste anything. You love to share my food and I am amazed at how much your little belly can hold. You love candy and will do most anything to get it. You ask for candy daily (using the sign and word which is so cute).

Your 2 1/2 year stats:
Height: 35 Inches ¤ 30th percentile
Weight: 26.13 pounds ¤ 20th percentile

You are a little peanut just like your Mama.

You Love:
Art - painting and coloring
Moon sand
Sliding
Music
Dancing
Bubbles
Candy

You don’t love:
Milk
Getting dressed
Being away from Mama

I love you little Buggle, the most in the whole wide universe!

Love,
Mama

Dear Heaten Bear,

My little cuddle bunny. You are still such a sweet, sensitive, cuddling lover. You are very independent and play by yourself really well. You love to chase the older kids at the park and have no trouble being away from Mama. You are a little crazy in your fixations. These days you are really into lights and if they are turned off then “Ut-oh, broken. Daddy fix.” I hear that many, MANY times a day. You are very particular with things. If your hands are dirty - Ut-oh. If your shoes aren’t on in just the right way - Ut-oh. If anybody else does anything that is out of the norm - Ut-oh. Ut-oh and broken are your two very favorite words.

Your 2 1/2 year stats:
Height: 35 1/2 Inches ¤ 30th percentile
Weight: 28.3 pounds ¤ 30th percentile

I honestly don’t know how you are gaining weight considering you eat like a bird.

You love:
Playing in the sandbox
Lights
Jumping on the trampoline
Riding your bike
Sliding
Older kids
Curious George and Super Why! - you are a tv head
Milk

You don’t love:
Eating
Getting dressed

I love you little man, the most in the whole wide universe.

Love,
Mama

*This letter is almost 3 weeks late which I suppose is good considering you didn’t even get a letter last month! Sorry guys, your Mama is crazy busy and slacked off a bit when it came to your site.

A long time ago I hated pink. I refused to have or wear anything pink (probably due to the fact that in my younger years I had to share many pink rooms with my 3 sisters). My Mom still teases me to this day about hating pink. It was so bad I swore that if I ever had a daughter she would NEVER wear pink!! Hahaahhhaa. That was a big load of crap! My very girly girl daughter chooses to wear pink every single day. These days I have to give the babies two choices of shirt to wear. Everyday for Shenzie I pick one pink one and one other color. Without fail she chooses pink unless purple is an option (which rarely happens since I HATE the color purple). Shenzie is fascinated with her younger cousin Haylee and for awhile would only wear clothes if I told her they came from Haylee. She’ll still point at something she’s wearing and say ‘Haylee’. Her favorite socks are her tall knee high pink ones. Her favorite shoes are her plaid Converse which she is growing out of. At the age of 2 1/2 she wears a size 6 shoe but within the month will be in a size 7. She wears a size five diaper. Size 2t pants. Size 2t or 3t (depending on the brand) shorts, skirts, and dresses. She wears a size 3t shirt and if it isn’t long enough to completely cover her pants she will freak out!

Heaten is much different. He only wants to wear ‘old clothes’. The babies both know what old and new mean so if I bought him any new clothes I have to tell him they are old. He also picks his shirt each day, but could care less about color. We have more of a game ritual where he thinks it is quite funny to stand and ponder his decision for 3 or more minutes. When I finally tell him to hurry up and pick he’ll pretend to pick one so I’ll go to hand it to him and he’ll pull a fast one and quickly change his mind choosing the other one. He thinks this is quite hilarious. On days when we aren’t rushed to get out the door I think it is quite funny too…on those other days when we’re late I could probably do without our little game. Heaten wears size 2t pants, 2t or 3t shirt (depending on the brand), size 5 diapers, and size 7 shoes. He has a funny morning habit of taking his socks off and throwing them from the bed along with his doggie while yelling MAMA, MAMA. It is getting to be summer here and soon we won’t need socks at night anymore. The only problem is the babies scream and cry if I forget to put their socks on. I don’t know how I’m going to transition them to sleeping with no socks. Any suggestions?

Easter Edition:

The babies had a grand old time this Easter. We spent the afternoon at Grandma’s with the whole family. Much, much fun was had!! They loved finding the eggs and of course Shenzie, my little candy monster opened them all up and started shoving the candy into her mouth as fast as she could before I could take it away.

Major Pain! Last week while running the track at the gym I hurt the heel of my left foot. I noticed it hurting the day after running but didn’t think too much of it. The next day I ran on it again (kind of a dumb thing to do) and since then it has been really bothering me. To walk barefoot or in flip flops is really painful. I’ve looked up heel pain cuases and found it could either be plantar fasciitis, heel (or stone) bruise or a stress fracture of the heel (calcaneus). My guess (and hope) is it is just a bruised heel and will heal quickly, but it seems like it is feeling worse rather than better. Today at the gym I rode the old grampy’s bike - you know the bike with the seat that sits back instead of up. I felt like I should be reading a magazine while pedaling. At least I burned off the piece of chocolate cheesecake I ate last night!!

My old computer ran Windows XP which I really liked. My laptop runs Windows Vista which I really don’t like. Guess what my new computer runs? Of course, Windows Vista. If that is not bad enough it runs Windows Vista 64 bit which I know nothing about, but is making my life a living hell. Apparently not all software will work with the 64 bit thingy one of which is Adobe Photoshop CS3. After searching the internet for hours we found that some people were able to make it work by doing a few simple things. We were not one of those people so now I have to upgrade to PS CS4. Yay I get new Photoshop, but BOOOO I don’t really need it or even want it. I really like CS3. One of the reasons I chose to stick with PC over Mac is so I wouldn’t have to buy all new software. Ha, the joke is on me apparently.

*A couple of side notes. I do NOT deal well with change. While I love having a new computer I hate learning all the new crap about it. I hate having to upgrade PS to CS4 and reinstall everything so now it is out of order. Small things yes, but enough to drive me batty!!

Jess - No, I can’t put XP back on here. Something about having 8gb of RAM is why it has to be 64bit (can you tell I know NOTHING about computer talk) and something about Raid Controller. I just do what my super duper studly IT guy tells me. =)

I’ll admit to being a little spoiled, and once again I’ll admit that I love it!!! I will also admit I have the best husband in the whole universe!! Jeff surprised me with the most wonderful Anniversary present. What was it you ask? Diamonds? Platinum? Some blingity bling?

I’ll give you a couple of hints:
It is shiny
It is smart
It is faster than the speed of lighting

Da da da da!!!!

A new computer!!! The timing couldn’t be better since the viruses have taken over my current computer and I am SO done with it. Most girls want jewelry and flowers for their anniversary. Not me! I’m just not a blingity bling girl. I would way rather have something I can use rather than a piece of jewelry. I have all of the jewelry I could want. What I don’t have is a desktop PC that is not chocked full of viruses and trojans. I love my computer, but I must face the facts….it is getting rather old, it is kind of slow, and now with these viruses THAT WILL NOT LEAVE it is just garbage. So THANK YOU to my wonderful, amazing husband for my brand spanking new, fast light lightening computer!!!! *Swoon* I’m in love!!

And now finally I can resume posting pictures of my favorite people ever!!