Thanksgiving!

This is the girls first Thanksgiving that they were able to partake in all of the yummy traditional foods.  Hands down, their favorite has to be pumpkin pie.  The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

We celebrated Thanksgiving a day late this year.  All four of us have had a terrible head/chest cold that is lingering around.  We are quite the snot, cough, sneeze crew these days.  It's fairly sad to see the girls sick and it isn't easy when you are sick also.  Things like this make me appreciate my mother all the more.  I don't remember her ever taking more than a couple of sick days for herself, but she was always there for us when we were sick.  So this week when I wanted to crawl into bed and cry, I thought about her, popped some Dayquil, and cuddled with the girls.  

We have so much to be thankful for this year.  All of our family and friends have been very supportive and helpful.  Without their support our lives would not be complete.  The girls have had a fairly healthy year and for that I am ever so grateful!  I am thankful for all of the fortunes and misfortunes we have had this past year, because without them, we wouldn't be the people we are today.

Here are some pictures I took of the girls today.  Sorry no pics of Jason and I......we are still sick and not in any way shape or form photogenic today.  :)

Jillian licking the pumpkin pie off her face.

Yes, I have one of 'those children'...you know, the ones that like to rub their food in their hair.  Good times Kate!

Jillian showing me her big belly after eating a big ol' Thanksgiving lunch!

Miss Kate is thankful for the stretchy pants on days like these.  (mommy is too!)

Random-ness

Well, this week has been a crazy one.  It started out last Saturday when our heat went out.  It was 58 degrees in the house so we had to make several phone calls to get someone out to fix it.  Nice, huh?!  We got it fixed and now we are all warm and cozy inside, but outside is a different matter altogether.  It has gotten super cold here in KS this past week, so we haven't spent much time outdoors.  Plus the gals are somewhat unpredictable mood-wise thanks to teething.  You never know if and when they will start screaming, drooling, and chewing on anything in site.   

Last week the girls had their 16 month check up.  Both of them are right on target and doing very well.  Kate is now 25 lbs and Jill isn't far behind weighing 24 lb 12 oz.  Obviously they are being fed well.  :)  They got their first flu shot in hopes that we will avoid it entirely this season!  

Both of the gals are expanding their vocabulary and adding a few words.  Hopefully soon they will 'verbally vomit' as the dr. said it.  She said that her child didn't speak and then one day started speaking and wouldn't stop.  In the meantime, we are reading to them daily and step by step naming and explaining things.  They have taken much more interest in repeating our words and trying to speak.  Oh and something new this week is helping mommy out.  They both have taken a lot of interest in "clean up" - putting toys in the basket and in following orders.  Even Jill is proud of herself when I ask her to bring me her empty cup for a refill.  Now if I can just train them to do laundry, cook, and clean....

Socially, both of the girls are angels.  Of course, I am biased as every mom should be.  Both of the girls love their Gymboree class and enjoy hugging all of the other moms and instructors.  Like I have mentioned before, I don't know wether to be offended that my kids will love on other adults and ignore me at Gymboree or proud that they are interacting and over the 'stranger danger' stage.  It's a mixture of both!  

Here are some pictures from this week.

Kate giving Bailey hugs

Jillian chillin' out with Bailey

Jillian being silly and pretending to go 'night-night'

Katie showing me how fast she can run

THESE TEETH HURT!

This is Murphy showing us his best impression of a unicorn.  You know you need to bathe your dog when his hair will stand up by itself.  Poor Murphy!

Spreading the Love

The girls have finally decided that after a fight they should hug each other and make up.  After a pushing match I said, "Kate you need to hug Jill and give her a kiss because you were being naughty."  Much to my surprise, she actually listened to me and reached over to Jill and gave her a big hug.  Luckily my camera was close by and I was able to get a few shots.  Not only are they very huggable this week, but they have also learned to slap your hand when you say 'give me five.'  They find it very funny and usually end up in all giggles.  

Kate giving her puppy some hugs

Kate's new bracelet

Jill fussing that Kate pushed her

Giving each other hugs

Grammy and Boots Visit!

Last week Jason's mom "Grammy" and Al "Boots" came to visit us in Kansas.  The girls loved hanging out with Grammy and Boots.  Jill especially loved crawling in and out of Al's lap all weekend long.  Here are some pictures from the weekend.

Kate, being pathetic since Jill was in Al's lap.

Kate trying on Grammy's shoes

Jill cruising in Grammy's shoes

Kate and Jill getting tickles from Grammy

Grandpa Boots playing with the girls

Vote

I thought for sure I was going to be the mom waiting in line for hours with two screaming kids just to cast my vote.  Most news sources were saying that lines were long, but moving.  I dreaded the thought of dragging the girls to the local polling station to wait in line.  So imagine my surprise when we arrived and there was only one other person there voting!  YEAH!  The girls and I were in and out within a matter of 10-15 minutes. The girls were given their "I voted" sticker.