"Eva, Where is that Bag I gave You?"

So ... I went to the Tanger Outlets yesterday with a friend. The Children's Place was having this incredible sale. I didn't spend more than $2.99 for anything (plus 15% off). When we were done shopping, we had 4 kids, 2 strollers, and 4 BIG shopping bags. Needless to say, there wasn't a lot of room for much. We fit things here and there between the 2 of us, and I still had one bag left ... so, I handed my sweet 2 year old the lightest bag and said, "Eva, can you hold this for mommy for a minute." She did for a minute.

We go on our way to a bunch of other stores, and then loaded up the car and came home (40 minute drive). We get home unload all the kids, coats, snacks, drinks, trash, my purse, and of course the 2 big shopping bags. BUT WAIT - I had THREE!!!!

SO, I frantically search the car - NO BAG. Then I call my friend - NO BAG. Then I call The Children's Place - NO BAG. Then I call every other store that we stepped into, and the main office - NO BAG! I was so sad. Then my friend remembered seeing Eva holding one. SO the conversation with Eva went something like this:

Mommy: "Do you remember the bag I gave you to hold in the store."

Eva: "YES."

Mommy: "Where did it go?"

Eva: "Under the pants."

Mommy: "What pants?"

Eva: "I put it under the pants."

So, I called the store and told them my 2 year old told me she hid the missing bag under "the pants" in the store. After a few minutes of searching every T-stand and rounder, the manager comes back laughing. "She was right, the bag was hiding under 'the pants'."

At least they found it - but, I wasn't very excited to have to drive back there today to pick it up. Serves me right for buying so much stuff, and giving one of the bags to my 2 year old!!!

Lil' Guy Ties

I've had some fun this week making Lil' Guy Ties. I had a good friend having a baby shower, so I made a few for her and a few for me. What do you think???

P. S. - The one on the right isn't quite done, I ran out of an important material. But, hopefully soon. I think I'm addicted!

Kicks with "Kix"

You know how they say "Double Trouble." They were right. They are fast and messy TIMES 2!!! So darn cute, but so darn messy!!!

Splish Splash x2

Why is Tub Time so fun? I know for the twins it's all because they love to ...
SPLASH, SPLASH, SPLASH!

Winter Wonderland Part II

So, this is day 5 of our winter snow storm house arrest. It's been snowing all day today and supposed to snow tomorrow, give us a break on Friday, then snow for the next 7 days straight. This will help you better understand Malea's prayer tonight.

Malea:" Please bless the snow to go away ...
and NEVER come back.
So, I can go back to school."

But, the girls have gotten a little braver. They went out and played with our neighbors across the street. They built snow caves, and went sledding. Yes, Malea did start this activity with gloves on. But, Kiah didn't - and half way through sweet Malea gave her gloves to Kiah. Maybe her fingers are still frozen and that's why she wants the snow to go away so bad. I think it's really because we are all getting a little crazy and she desperately wants to go back to school.

While Kiah and Malea were out in the snow Eva was having a dance party inside. Well everyday is a dance party with her. Today I just caught it on film. And yes, she always dresses herself (a hundred times a day) hair accessories and all!!

Our Wonderful Winter Wonderland

Pittsburgh (as well as the rest of the East Coast) got a great storm over the weekend. We got about 2 feet of snow. They said it was the biggest storm in 100 years. It started on Friday night about 1pm or so and snowed for 24 hours straight. It was perfect timing, Saturday we just spent the day inside and loved it!!! We took the kids out in the snow for a short time. Honestly, they were pretty wimpy and being in the snow didn't last very long. But, it's been a great relaxing break from the busyness of life.

This is the beautiful view from our front door

This is the view looking out our front window

Passing the Time(we tried blueberry and strawberry this time along with our cinnamon rolls - YUMMY!!!)

Malea has this thing with hanging around the house. Anything she can find to hang from; the table, chairs, even the side of the couch. It is hilarious. Maybe I should start doing it, she has some killer abs!

Our Little Monkeys Turn "1"

I can't believe it, but it's true. It has been a year since our little monkeys were born. It has been a wonderful ride! And, now the easy part is over and the real adventure begins!! Tate has been walking for about a month, and Talee is quite close herself. They are up and down the stairs all day long and into everything!!! Tate weighs 19lbs. 1 oz. and Talee is 18 lbs. 12 oz.

We thought it would be fun to get together with our friends the Nelsons, who had their little son Paxton a day before the twins, and were our neighbors in the hospital. We are so glad our sweet friends the Gneitings joined us for the celebration too. Devin's birthday was the same day as the twins! And yes, the kids love him because he is a monkey too!


The little Birthday Monkeys

The Cakes

We enjoyed a yummy strawberry roll that Jessica brought and a monkeys favorite food - Banana Splits.

Talee gagged on her cake and then threw it on the floor.

Tate loved it so much he licked his plate clean.

Which as you can see, Talee didn't quite understand.

"Oh, well. Your loss!"

Kiah and Malea made special birthday hats for the babies. Tate loved his!

Then, a little milk to wash it all down! I am sure Tate was wishing it was chocolate!
Sweet dreams our darling little Monkeys!!!

Journey to Jerusalem

Joseph and I had the amazing once in a life-time opportunity to travel to the Holy Land with some friends of ours Billy and Kristy Hull. They were going to visit her parents Bob and Sue Allen who have been serving as service missionaries at the BYU Jerusalem Center for almost 18 months. They will be returning to Arizona in about a week and a half after touching many people's lives in Israel. Being with Bob and Sue and the Allen family on this trip, has made a lasing impression in our hearts and changed our lives forever. Thank you for letting us come!

After sorting through over 1500 pictures that were taken on our trip, we have put together a slide show of some of our favorite spots, and people. This grouping still has over 350 pictures, so for those of you that don't have that much time - we have posted a few of our favorite things below!

We loved the locals! Many so different, so faithful, so amazing to watch and learn from!

One of our favorite places to visit was the Sea of Galilee. This spot is the same today that it was over 2000 years ago. Beautiful! We could easily see why Jesus spent so much time here, and called His apostles from around these waters. Many miracles happened on the sea and around the hills nearby. We had a special opportunity to sit on rocks by the waters edge, sing some songs, read some of the miracles, and remember. Two mornings we also arose early and watched the sun-rise. Breath-taking.
While in Galilee we went to the Mount of Transfiguration. That day it was all hidden in a cloud. Fitting and Majestic.

In conjunction with our dead sea float we also had a mud scrub. So slimy and FUN!Shawarma was one of Joseph (and Billy's) favorite things to try in Israel. To see what Shawarma is you will have to see the whole slide show :-).
The Garden Tomb. This spot was worth all the time and money it took to go on our trip. This spot truly is very sacred and special. We know that "He is Risen!"