Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Feels like I've been gone so long.....

Here's to randomness (if that's even a word) since I don't even know where to begin......

I'm super bummed that I missed a nostalgic "I'm thankful" post. I just can't bring myself to write it now though. Guess I'll keep my list rattling around in my brain this year.

The twin dogs officially turned 2. We went all out. Sang happy birthday to them. Thought about having a get together to celebrate but went out to dinner instead. Without kids. Including the twins. I don't know if they appreciate my gift to them yet, (taking away their bottles) but they are doing fabulously. I can see them eating us out of house and home.

Had a nice Thanksgiving with Jeff's family and dessert with my sister and her family. Didn't cook a thing. Not a thing. Weird. But I'm not complaining. Loved it. Everyone said something they were thankful for. My husband said he was thankful for me. My heart melted.

Accomplished one goal while I was in Southern CA. Went to the Mattel outlet store and stocked up on gifts for my kids to give at birthday parties. I was almost banned from shopping there again on vacation since the gifts take up all extra space in the van (I do this every year), but I got some mega deals, and when one's children get invited to about 10 birthday parties a year each, it pays to have toys on hand. Jeff says that when birds fly over me they say, "cheap, cheap", but I think he's secretly pleased that I saved him a bunch of money. At least that's what I tell myself.

Stretched ourselves thin trying to see family and didn't have time to visit even one friend.

Did I mention that my dad flew up to visit us for a few days before Thanksgiving? It was great.

I can tell I was tired when I wrote this because I thought this was worth mentioning: On the way home I swear I saw a cow putting out the vibe. I had forgotten that this is sort of an inside joke, but putting out the vibe is standing with your back to someone sticking your butt out, like Jim Carey does. The cow in question was right by the freeway with his/her butt to the traffic with it's front legs bent so it's back side was directly at us.

My kids are super travellers. I mean amazing. It took us 18 hours to get to Los Angeles, and the twins only got out of their car seats for 10 minutes once. No complaints. None.

My new favorite dessert is a pumpkin cake (the recipe calls it Pumpkin bars, but I think it's more like a cake) that my friend Shannon shared on her blog. I love BBQ'd carne asada, fresh pico de gallo, and grilled green onions sprinkled with lemon and salt.

When I'm "home" in Oregon I miss Del Taco and In and Out.

Bought our Christmas trees tonight. Douglas Firs. One is 10 feet, one is 6. $30 bucks total. Yep, $30 bucks. I think Christmas trees are the one good bargain here. Jeff put the Christmas lights up on the house, too. It's beginning to look alot like Christmas. See what delirium does to me? I start singing Christmas songs.

I've missed blogging and your commets.

OK. Done. Finito. Off to bed I go.

22 comments:

Casey's trio said...

You're Back! Hooray:) I agree that it feels like you were gone a long time and you were missed. Sounds like you had a great vacation and I am amazed that the twins traveled so well. Love all of your random thoughts and updates in this post, but you lost me at the cow...what kind of vibes was he putting out?!?

Casey's trio said...

BTW, How do you keep the kiddos away from all of the Mattel toys...great move on your part for stocking up~

Casey's trio said...

Would love to see the recipe for the pumpkin cake or the link to your friend's blog!

p.s. Making up for lost time and leaving you lots of comments:)

Laurie said...

Glad you are home and that the car ride was a dream.:) Wish it was a trip that brought you by our door.
Maybe someday. :)

Debra said...

Sounds like you had a wonderful time! Isn't it great not to have to cook anything? This is two years in a row that I have not had to cook. It is wonderful!

WTG on scoring all those gifts! I would have done that same thing. Actually, I do the same thing! We have so many birthdays that we are invited to, also, that stock up on gifts too. I save so much money that way too.

Your dh is awesome. How sweet that he said that!!! I'd also love the link to the blog for that recipe. I canned 8 huge pumpkins after Halloween so I have a ton of pumpkin.

Inquiring minds want to know. How on earth are you keeping the twins out of the Christmas Trees? We opted for a little 32 inch one that is up high away from curious little hands!

AutoSysGene said...

Wow, that was a lot of randomness. We missed you, too! Love that treesonly cost $30 around you. Pumpkin cake, yum!

Glad your trip went well and when birds fly over me they say 'cheap, cheap' too!

Laura said...

I love the birds fly over you saying, "Cheap cheap" comment. I am in that catagory too! You were missed. I know how much of a whirlwind it is trying to see family. By the way Christmas trees like that cost like $80 here! Happy Birthday to those cute twins :)

Claremont First Ward said...

Thanks for the comments! Casey, you know me so well.....thus the multiple comments! ha ha.

I keep the kids out of the toys by hiding them.

My trees are not decorated yet this year. Last year the bottom few feet looked ridiculous because the twins re arranged the ornaments, we'll see how it goes this year, but I think it'll be fine.

Shannon said...

Yay you're back! Love the super random post. Thanks for the pumpkin bar shout out. Glad you love them! Can't believe you got 2 trees for $30! Last year we spent around $100 on one. Can't believe the kids did so well in the car. What good kiddos! Welcome home!

The Pruetz Family said...

Welcome back! Your blogging has been missed!

Tamara said...

glad you had a good trip. Wish we could have taken one of those. Our Thanksgiving was on the quiet side with lots of cooking! We did have a good time in spite of it all.

Good luck with the trees and the twins. Our tree is up but only has lights on it so far. Abigail has done a good job staying away from it but I really doubt that will happen once the decorations are up.

Are You Serious! said...

Your Christmas tree sounds like the way mine looked last year. Except everything on the bottom 3 feet moved up to the top so that my twins would quit touching stuff. It didn't look too bad at night with the lights on but during the day it looked ridiculous.

I want to know your trick for the boys in the car. My twins and Olivia were HORRIBLE and we only drove for 5 hours. I was ready to duct tape some mouths! :)

AutoSysGene said...

I have a good idea for the bottom of the tree when it comes to little ones. I'll be putting it on my blog tomorrow, check it out!!

Melissa said...

Sounds like a great trip Angie. I'm glad your kids are so awesome in the car. Unbelieveable. I've never heard of anything like that. I'm going to miss Christmas in UTah this year shhhhhhhhhhhh don't tell my family though!!

I am Arizona; a person, not a place. said...

I want a tree this year so bad, but with 2 9mo old girls crawling all over it isn't possible this year. Luke is totally bummed, but we've made up for it with a gazillion lights all over the place! Your trees sound beautiful! I love christmas time!

jeremiahrjones said...

Whoa! There goes another bird...

"Cuckoo! Cuckoo!"

Now I know what was missing over the Thanksgiving break--your blog!

"Cuckoo!"

Check out my blog, because I'm puttin' out the vibe just for you.

latree said...

welcome back..... feels like recharged whenever we meet our family. do you feel so?

Nancy said...

I am also from Southern CA.

Now that I moved East to the Keystone state I too miss Del Taco and In and Out Burgers. I love the fries at In and Out. Anyway thanks for that memory. I can't wait to go back for a visit and EAT.

Stephanie said...

You were so missed! Welcome back and I'm glad you had a wonderful and safe trip!

My name is Tammie said...

I am so glad youre back! And what troopers your kids are traveling that far and not whimpering about it. You must be so relieved!

My mom used to stock up like that too on toys. I never knew until later, but man does it sound like a good idea.

Pumpkin cake huh. Your going to share that recipe right?

Kristin said...

Glad you had a good time. I hear you about the gifts. I have started just shoving $5 in a birthday card. What kid doesn't like money? I'm cheap too. Our tree permit cost $5. We are going to cut one down tomorrow. Sort of a tradition. There is no snow here yet, so at least we won't have to pack the snow shoes. Can't believe you're kids were that good. The 4 hrs. to mom's makes me want to slit my wrists. "are we there yet?" whine whine whine. Ella WILL NOT sleep in the car. I know, what baby does that? But she won't, she pulls Kate's hair, screams and throws things at us the whole way. I'm not kidding. About the cow, um, are you sure you were actually awake? The pic Brooke posted of all the cousins was so cute. You both have beautiful children. I'm still being too lazy to post, I have a million things in my head and camera, but I've been too crazy with the holidays. Hope your Christmas is good!

Carrie and Troy Keiser said...

Sounds like you had a great time on your vacation! Happy birthday to the twins! Yeah for good deals! :)