Folsom Fun

How do you get rid of those rainy, gray skies, winter blues?

Go to Nana's and Grandpa's (of course)!

We headed up to Folsom this past weekend to see Louis' parents. They had not seen the twinners since Christmas and it was time for some lovin' and spoilin'. We had fun hanging out, playing Wii, going to church and playing cards. 

Baby Bowling!

Weight Lifting!

Learning to play Mario Bros. from Dad

Sarah, happy to be with Grandpa at church

Sarah finds the printed program delicious.

Matthew thinks the speaker is enthralling

"Did you eat my biscuit? Open up kid."

"He won't give it back."

Thanks for a great time, cute clothes, and yummy food!

Cue Eye Roll

Yesterday afternoon we were on our way to Mommy/Baby yoga when it occurs to me that I forgot to eat lunch. (I assure you, a rare occurance.) Anyways, I realize there is no way I can go until 5pm with nothing in my stomach. I usually have nuts or crackers in the car but not this time. So I decide to pull into McDonald's and grab a shake, not the most healthy option but it does fill you up. Tis the season for Shamrock Shakes (yum!) and I might as well take advantage of this once a year opportunity. The conversation at the drive through went something like this:

Employee: May I take your order?

Me: I'd like a Shamrock shake?

Em: A what?

Me: A Shamrock shake

Em: Please repeat that.

Me: A..Sham..rock...Shake

Em: What's that?

Me: The minty green milkshake that you have a sign for right here on the menu.

Em: Really?

Me: yeah, really?

Em: Did you say a caramel shake?

Me: No, a...Shamrock...Shake!

(can hear conversing on the other end)

Em: Um, ok, that will be $2.49, pull up to the window.

Pull up to window

Em: Did you say a Shamrock Shake?

Me: Yes, I did. (by this time I'm trying not to laugh)

Em: Ok, hold on. (pause) Here it is, have a nice day.

I think McDonald's needs to keep their employees updated on menu changes.

It was totally worth the hassle. Yum!

Twin Tuesday: Peek-A-boo or Baby Jail?

Tootsie

Today is the anniversary of the invention of the Tootsie Roll in 1896. I could eat a bag of those in one sitting.

The candy was named after the inventor's daughter whose nickname was "Tootsie." The Tootsie Pop did not come along until the 1930's and the candy was included the rations for soldiers in WW II because it stayed fresh for a long time even under extreme temperature conditions.

Hanging With Dad

We Don't Have a Secret Handshake

When I am in a store I get asked a lot about the twins. Identical? How old? How do you manage? Do you want six more next like Jon & Kate, ha, ha? (yeah, right) I don't mind because most people are very nice and friendly and Matthew loves flirting with the ladies.

Lately though, people must think I have some great insight on Octo mom because I have multiples. They always ask me about what I think. Why do you think she would do that? How could she carry that many? I don't know people. It's not like moms of multiples have a secret club or anything. I think she is a little (ok, alot) on the unbalanced side of life's equation too. Everyone else transfers embryos hoping for ONE. Even J & K just wanted to have one more.

Like Father, Like Son: Mischief Indeed

Matthew (At 8 Months) in February of 2009:



Me (At 13 Months) In May of 1978:



What do you think? Any relation? Or are all boys prone to mischief? Is it genetic?

Twin Tuesday: Sneaky

Matthew, with his stealth, Army-style crawl, sneaks up on Sarah to steal her magazine. She is not pleased.

News Flash (esp. for grandparents)

We have forward crawling by Matthew. Sarah is trying to decide between that or sitting up by herself. Pray for us and send fencing ASAP.

Happy Valentine's Day

Early Valentine's Present

This is Purple Pod.

Isn't it cute?

It's my early Valentine's Present.

I goes with my Bose Portable Sound Dock that Blog Man gave me for Christmas.

My very old ipod was not compatible. (too bad)

When the twiners are restless I can bring it into the nursery and turn on the lullaby playlist.

They like their naps that way.

Or nursery rhymes during playtime. 

Or my music.

Or Blog Man's techno. (Matthew digs it.)

And the sound dock doesn't even need to be plugged in going from room to room.

We really love our apple stuff at the Gray house.

Thank you Steve Jobs (and Blog Man).

Update

We've been a little under the weather here the last couple of days.

Louis came home on Friday. On Sat we went to a fun Valentine party hosted by the fabulous Hayley and Tyler.

With delicious food, as shown by Kaari.

And awesome white elephant gifts.

Who doesn't need a sparkly Spider Man head?

And then on Sunday we all woke up with colds (except Louis who thinks getting sick is a waste of time). He left for Las Vegas where his company is having their sales training.

So I'm sick with two sick babies and Louis gone for 4 days. Who you going to call?

AUNT MALINDA! (Auntie M)

Because Malinda came to help I was able to get some extra sleep and am feeling better. So are the twins who love their Auntie M. THANK YOU!

Twin Tuesday: Balancing Act

If Chuck can do it, we can too.

Cleaning Cupboards

I found a packet of taco seasoning while cleaning out my cupboard. It says it's best if used by March '06. That's best, not expired. What do you think? Do I risk it?  

Oh, and I definitely threw away the spice that said it expired in 1984. That must have gone from my mom's spice drawer to mine about 5 moves ago.

Leaving On a Jet Plane

Louis left at the crack of dawn this morning to fly to Boulder for a business meeting. Something to do with all his tech bloggyness. Then he is home for one day and then off to Las Vegas for a work event. So I'm home alone with the twinners. (I have govt. issued mace to all potential thieves out there.)  It's stay-indoors kind of weather so we are hanging out, crawling on the floor, listening to music, reading books (or gnawing on books), and just generally taking it easy. No daddy play time tonight :-(   They are stuck with me and pureed peas I made them for dinner. Yum! 

And here is a really good article written about my #1 guy. Miss You!

http://www.scribkin.com/2009/02/05/i-am-blogger-1-louis-gray/

Frugality Challenge

As today's challenge in the February Frugality Challenge,here are some of my homemade Valentines. I already had all the materials because my scrapbooking stuff is overflowing the closet. So I didn't have to spend a penny or go running to Michaels.  I had to make a few thank you notes anyway, so why not? The embossing on the two top cards didn't come out too well in the picture but it looks cute in real life.

Twin Tuesday: 34 weeks

We are rolling around like crazy at the Gray House and working on growing some hair.

"I'm ready for my close up Mr.deMille."

Say ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh....

Happy Groundhog Day!

Ahhh.... Poor little chunky guy got scared back in his hole. It certainly didn't seem like winter though when taking the twins for a walk in a t-shirt and shorts today. 

Love this movie. "Never drive angry."

Who doesn't want to save a buck?

I never like to pay full price for something if I can help it. I always buy clothes on sale and wait for movies to come out on appleTV just to save a few bucks. I use coupons for stuff I buy on a regular basis and always try to find things at the cheapest price available. Sometimes I even buy something not because I need it but only because it is a great deal. My shoe collection can attest to this. Blog Man on the other hand will buy according to what is the most convenient, meaning mostly what is online and can be delivered. He can't fathom why I would turn the car around and go back for that $3 coupon I left at home. That being said, check out my new favorite website by the super savvy shopper herself,  Hayley.

dearsavvyshopper.blogspot.com

I never go to the grocery store without checking out her site. She gives you the scoop on the latest deals. She also gave the heads up on Old Navy's great clearance sale. I was able to get the twin's swimsuits for this coming summer for a steal.

Pretty cute huh?

She also found out about the great clearance going on at Shade Clothing. Since M and S needed a new color scheme of my shirts to make burped milk designs, I had to take advantage of their over 50% off prices for a few new items. (free shipping too!)

Go check out her website for the latest money saving opportunities.

She is having a contest this month to see who can save the most money from challenges she designs. Go on over and leave a comment telling her I sent you. (I get POINTS for the challenge!!!) 

That's dearsavvyshopper.blogspot.com

Posing on the Couch

Sarah at 6 months  

Me at 3 months (same dress)

(don't you just love the 1970s orange pillows?)