It's Autumntime!

Autumn is absolutely my favorite time of year! I love the little bit of chill in the air (usually!), football, the changing leaves, general conference - not necessarily in that order. Even the sunlight looks different to me, and I love it! I wish fall and spring were longer here instead of summer and winter. Oh well!
This fall, we are busy looking for a place closer to Jeff's work and closer to what's left of our family. We are busy looking at different places in Centerville, Bountiful, Woods Cross, mainly South Davis County. If I could just get Jeff to go to SL county...but, I'm not holding my breath on that one! But, never fear, we'll find something. And now, its even more complicated because the kids will be starting kindergarten next year and we want to make sure they will go to a good school. Lots to think about! I'll post pictures when we finally decide on something. Wish us luck!

"isms"

I thought I would post some of the "isms" that Mason and Mallorie have come up with. Keep in mind, this is not all of them, just the ones I can think of right now:

Mason:
gonk - an insult
sunscream - sunscreen
You're driving me nuts! - he learned that one from Mommy... :)
"I need some privacy" - when he's trying to go potty and doesn't want Mallorie in the bathroom with him.

Mallorie:
"Mom, my little legs are running out of gas" - when we're on a long walk and she is getting tired
Werewolbs - werewolves
"Cute little fella" - this refers to any living thing that she thinks is cute including all animals and most bugs, even spiders.
"Mom, you forgot me some milk" - or whatever it is that I have not gotten fast enough for her.

Both:
Jelly Bug - in Utah, its called a potato bug. I grew up calling it a roly poly.
"Watch on me!" - when they want me to go outside and watch them play or watch them in the tub. They also ask "Who's gonna watch on us?" when I have to go somewhere without them.

If I think of more, I'll edit the post later!

Preschool!

It's here already! Preschool started last week! I have been dreading and looking forward to this time all year. Dreading it because it means my kids aren't babies anymore, and looking forward to it because its 5 hours a week that I can kinda be Robyn again, not "the twins' mom". So, its been all crazy! But the kids have liked it so far. I was really worried that there would be tears and screaming, but they were actually fine with me leaving. They walked in and started coloring and when I said I was leaving, they just gave me a kiss and a hug and said bye. Aaaargh! Its wonderful because they feel secure in themselves, but scary because they don't need me as much anymore. Being a mom is confusing, isn't it?

I signed the kids up to go to Oak Hills elementary in Bountiful, which is down the street from Jeff's parents house and its where Jeff went to school when he was little. I think its pretty cool that they get to go to the same school. And, our cousin Cameron goes there and he has assured us that he will be their "bodyguard". I was worried about what kind of school it was if they needed one! But its nice to know that he'll watch out for them. The first day Mallorie said a little boy pushed her so she didn't want to go back the next time. But it turns out he just followed her too closely on the slide and probably just bumped her. Mason said that if he had seen it he would have punched the kid. OY! He's got a little aggressive streak in him-just like Dad-but I think he's more bark than bite. If it came right down to it and he got hurt, he'd run crying for mommy! Also, just like dad! :) JK! The other things they talked about from the first day were snack time (of course!), playing on the playground, and they asked me if I saw "the little chubby girl". There is a girl in their class, we've since learned her name is Allyson, and she has the cutest, chubby cheeks! We're working on calling her by her given name instead, though. I don't think they called her that to her face, but who knows?

All in all, it has been a great experience so far and I think it will be really great for me and the kids. If nothing else, they can meet new friends and experience life away from mom and dad for a little bit each week. The picture of the kids with their arms around each other is from the actual first day of school. The picture in front of the school is from the second day! They didn't change much in 4 days...

Another Birthday!

It seems like we're just having tons o' b-days to celebrate! Today is our bro-in-law Brandon's birthday. Come to think of it, I'm not sure exactly how old he is...maybe 25? After about 25, everyone seems the same to me until they get about 35. Anyhoo, some stuff I like about Brandon: He is a computer geek. You may think this sounds rude, but I'm okay with calling him that. First, because it is a title he has given himself, and second because I say that as a compliment. If you ever need to know anything about computers or need your computer fixed, he's your guy and I think its pretty darn cool. Ok, another thing I like about Brandon is that he is a perfect match for our l'il sis Katie. He is such a great guy and is so devoted to her. I mean, really, what other guy would watch the Disney channel - AND LIKE IT! - with his wife? And the last thing I wanted to say about him (but not the only other thing that I like about him, I just don't have enough time to go on and on...). He is who he is and makes no apologies for it. I really admire that. Computer geek, Disney channel watching, World of Warcraft playing Brandon is a great guy and I feel lucky to have him in our family. Love ya Brandon, Happy B-Day!

I tried to find a song that I wanted to play that would express my feelings about this anniversary, but nothing fits. So I just want to have silence. Moments of silence for all those who died on this day in 2001. It is just as horrible, scary, and sad to me today as it was the day it happened.

I hope that everyone took a few moments to remember those that were lost on September 11th, and those that have lost their lives since defending our freedoms. And please, please pray for the men and women of our military. They need all the love and support they can get and we owe them so much more.

August Rush

Did you see that movie August Rush? I didn't, but the title works great for the past month of our lives. It seems like we've been so busy, and yet I can't think of anything we did out of the ordinary. Weird, huh? Because I've been so busy and haven't posted for awhile, I missed posting two very important birthdays. My dad's birthday was on the 12th, and my brother-in-law Juan's birthday was on the 20th. They are both very important to me and I love them so much. Juan really is like an older brother to me and I look up to him very much. Some things that I admire about Juan: He's a freakin' genius! He has three Ph.D.'s. That's right, I said three! In (I hope I get this right...) Microbiology, Molecular Biology, and Biochemistry. It's mind boggling, I know! He is one of the most spiritual people I know. He always provides great advice and is so accepting of everyone, no matter what. So, you can tell he's pretty much fantabulous. Love you Juan!

I can't even tell you how much my dad means to me. He has always been the one that keeps me grounded and focused on what is important. Where my mom is my best friend to vent to and have fun with and cry to, my dad is the one that I can always go to for unbiased advice. Even when I don't like the advice he gives, he is usually right in some way. Don't tell him I said that! He taught me to be an inquisitive and an independent thinker, and how to figure things out for myself (look it up!)

So, sorry its late, but Happy Birthday to Dad and Juan, love you!