Long over due.....

So it's been over 2 months since Ben's parents came to visit and I'm JUST now blogging about it.  I know.  I'm a total slacker.  Anyway, his parents, Grammy and Grandpa (as Lilli calls them) came to visit us for a few days in January.  It was great because we were able to bless the boys and have Ben's Dad and Mike stand in the circle.  We felt so blessed to have them here and hope that they'll be able to come again soon.   Lilli is always talking about her Grammy giving her this or seeing her Grandpa.  She was definitely spoiled!  Thanks Grammy and Grandpa for coming out. We love you and miss you very much!

Oh Lilli!

Yes she's wearing a dress over her pajama pants, with sock AND flip flops on!  Very creative!

Lilli has gotten quite the imagination.  She loves to pretend like she's getting chased by dinosaurs or a witch is coming to get her.  The other Sunday, she and I hid under a blanket because the witch was going to take Lilli and put her in a cage.  I even tried making my voice sound like a witches but she totally knew it was me.  She looked at me and said, "Don't Mom." It was hilarious!  She loves to play dress up, as is evident by the picture of her and her little friend, Emma.  Lilli loves to get herself dressed (see above picture(s)).  Sometimes I just let her do it, and other times I pick out her clothes.  She's getting so independent.  She loves to help in the kitchen.  Tonight she helped make pizza.  She loves her baby brothers and is always making sure they're happy.  When they're crying, she tells ME to get their binkies.  She calls them sweetheart all the time and is constantly giving them kisses and making them smile.  She loves to hear them talking.  She's such a joy!  

Happy Birthday baby bro!

This was taken last year when Lilli and I flew back to Wyoming.

Lilli loves "her Kennan."

Today is my little brother, Kennan's birthday.  He was born 12 years ago and is the baby of our family!  I can't believe he's 12!  Kennan was named after a BYU men's volleyball player who did volleyball camps with my dad.  He (the vball player) was an awesome, really nice, good guy.  A good name, because Kennan is an awesome, really nice, good kid.  Ever since Kennan was a baby, he has been a cuddler.  I remember coming home from college and he would want to snuggle with me.  He would always put his hands up my sleeves.  He always had to snuggle with my mom before bed.  He was just an affectionate kid.  And still is.  He's excited to receive the Aaronic Priesthood and can't wait to be like his big brother and serve a mission.  His nickname was hairy monkey.  He loves to play NBA games on the computer.  He plays football, basketball, and wrestles.  He hates clowns and loves to be outside.  He loved playing Power Rangers or Ninjas on the tramp with Brady and Trevor (my brother and cousin).  Kennan is definitely the baby of the family and we all just love him so much.  I hope that my boys are like both my brothers.  They always do what is right and are just great boys.  I love my brothers so much!  Love you Kennan!  Hope you had a very Happy Birthday!

Life with twins

Yesterday someone asked me if I liked having twins and my immediate reactions was yes.  After thinking about that questions for a while, my answer would still be yes.  I'm not going to pretend that it's been all fun and roses or that I've been super mom.  Honestly, it's been so hard.  The hardest thing I've had to experience.  Recovery with this pregnancy has been hard emotionally; coming off of double the hormones sucks.  There have been days where I haven't wanted to do anything or see anyone.  I've barely been able to bring myself to get out of bed most days.  I really feel like having twins is one of my trials in life.  I NEVER wished to have twins.  EVER.  But the Lord had a different plan.  And while its been doubly hard, its also been doubly rewarding.  I was able to carry these two babies with no complications and they came into this world with very little complications.  I have wonderful friends who help out when they can.  When both babies are screaming, I have a wonderful husband who helps me in every way he can.  He gives me encouragement and supports me.  He practically shoves me out of the house to go hang out with "the girls."  Even though nursing twins is a whole other experience, it really give me a chance to bond with the boys.  I just love watching them.  When Alex is screaming because he doesn't want to nurse, Aidan is looking at me cooing and smiling.  When Aidan is screaming  because he wants to be held, Alex is laying down laughing and cooing.  They melt my heart.  I love my twins and just have to remember that with the hard times also come the good.  It really makes me appreciate the good things in life a lot more.  

Now..........I have to go comfort a screaming, hungry baby!

Promotion

Ben is now a Staff Sergeant.  His promotion ceremony was Friday.  He had the boys, Aidan and Alex, "tack" on his stripes.  Sergeant Owshani bragged about Ben for a little bit and then I took both boys up on stage.  I'm very proud of Ben and all that he's accomplishing.  He wants to serve his country and is really striving to be the best airman he can be.  I couldn't be prouder!! 

Valentine's Day

I know I'm super late on it, but our Valentine's Day was pretty all right.  We didn't do anything during the day (Ben had to sleep from working the night before), except I went shopping for our yummy dinner that night.  Ben did get Lilli and I flowers.  Me - Roses and Lilli - what else, lilies.  It was very thoughtful of him and Lilli was in heaven.  Anyway, we put Lilli to bed and then Ben and I had our dinner.  We kind of went all out.  We had king crab legs, shrimp dip, filet mignons, baked potatoes (Ben had a sweet potato), salad, Logan's sweet rolls, and Cream Soda.  It was so delicious! 

Happy baby and a picnic

I keep telling my mom that Aidan is now smiling and cooing.  It's so cute.  I feel blessed because for the most part, both babies are happy.  Last night, Alex was just a laughing and cooing in the bassinett while Aidan was screaming bloody murder.  They take turns.  Saturday night, both babies slept from about 7:30pm to 4am.  Yeah, I felt incredibly rested.  But that was the last night.  I think they're going through a growth spurt because they are eating every 3 hours at nights and every 1.5 to 2 hours during the day.  Do I feel like a milk cow!?  Yes, I do!  But I know that it's worth it for them.  They're growing growing growing.

It's been pretty cold and rainy here, so Sunday Ben made some yummy pulled pork and we thought it would be fun to have a picnic inside, on our bed.  We put a blanket down and had our little picnic.  We had sandwiches, Capri Suns, carrots, apples and chips.  Then, for dessert, we had ice cream.  It was a lot of fun and Lilli loved it!  We might just do it again sometime.  

Lilli has been getting up in the middle of the night and coming down, turning and the tv and making herself quite comfy on the couch.  Several nights now, when we've gotten up with babies, she's been asleep on the couch with the tv on.  It's very frustrating because she's so cranky during the day.  Any ideas for how to get her to stop coming down.  We don't feel comfortable locking her in her room (in case of a fire).  I don't know.  I've also been trying to do different things with Lilli's hair.  This picture I did her hair in piggy tails with messy buns.  She doesn't really like getting her hair done and whines and complains, but its getting so long and needs to be done.  She's a cute one.