the photo shoot at epic

Yesterday we went to visit Brandon at work for lunch. It is a fun work environment with themed buildings and fun landscaping outside with a waterfall, ponds, and a stream. The kids loved playing all over and I had a great time snapping shots. Here are a few of my favorite pics:

I asked Brooklyn to stand next to the painting of guy with the tatts...this is as close as she would get. What a relief.

Brooklyn on a dragon swing made of an old tire.

Brooklyn's loved the dancing frog statue.

Gotta love the attempt at the Family picture!  We will take what we can get!  

Even the twins are in this picture :) I'm 4 months along in this picture. 

DAL

Dallin is starting to use some basic sign language and I am so excited to have him communicating in a way that doesn't include the irritating crying and whining sound.

Yesterday he signed banana for the first time. When I gave it to him he was so excited! He put the banana down while he clapped and cheered for himself. Then he picked up the banana and chucked it on the ground. Did he really want the banana or just something that would make a nice sound as it hit the floor? Oh well, it is a start.

Pictures of the kiddos and Brooklyn's little party

Here are some fun pictures of the kiddos and a few from Brooklyn's family birthday party. I can't believe she is 3 already!

Buy cute PJ's! I think I will!

I have received a couple emails from friends asking: "How are you?". Well, this is me right now.

I am not living in the here and now (probably not a great idea...I'm working on it : ). I am always thinking about when the twins come and what that will bring. One of my biggest fears with the twins is what if one or both have medical issues...in the hospital for a long time etc...that is what I am freaking out about lately. Life will be insane when they are both home. But my mom will come out for a while and Brandon's mom will come out. But Everyone has offered to help and that is a comfort.

I am still excited, but this morning I started reading a book about the first year of twins...not a medical book, but practical mom to mom advice type book. It was supposed to be a little humorous and what not. I was crying all morning (gotta love the HORMONES!). It talks about how hard things can be and keeps saying to put things in perspective and laugh about it. Example: Buy cute PJ's so you don't feel too bad when you are wearing them for the 3rd day in a row without showering. But the book doesn't really address already having 2 other kids and what to do with them and how to survive that on top of the twins. I am sure it will all work out and family will help and our ward is amazing. But I am getting a little stressed.

I am starting to feel a little better and now. I need to kick into high gear and start cleaning and cooking again. It is so hard to do it even though it isn't making me sick to smell the food.

One thing the book mentions that was a life saver was Crock pot meals! Once your kids start napping more consistently you can plan to do crock pot meals during the morning nap. But I am not likely to try a bunch of new things when I am so busy, so if you have any crock pot recipes that you like please send them my way! I am going to start trying them!
Dinner time is already so crazy around here, so I am really excited about this idea!