She didn't used to be like this...

Babies come with... aromas.  There's pee, barf, poo, feet, sour milk, and... in Grey's case... Man Stink.  I don't understand why Lily's nose suddenly turned on some time in July.  All these years, and the "aromas" never bothered her.  Now she holds her nose, runs away and cries whenever she walks into a strong smell.  It doesn't even have to be a bad smell!  It could be a delicious home cooked casserole (which I make all the time... right.) and she'll still run from the room holding her nose!  And don't get me started on Grey's room.  She won't go near the kid half the time.  Poor boy.

One night I went upstairs because Lily was shouting something.  I am guessing one of the two *ahem* tooted and Lily just couldn't handle it!





Those pants used to be clean...

A demonstration

In July, while we were at my mom and dad's house in Spokane, Aaron's mom had an unfortunate spill down the stairs.  It involved 3 components. 

1.  Missing the last step
2.  A few trays of freshly pureed appricots ready to be dried for fruit leather (yum)
3.  A "pop" coming from the ankle

The result was crutches, a bad sprain, and weeks of hobbling around trying to get work done.  Oh yeah, and apricot goo all over the basement.  So after our time with the Van Every's, we stayed a few more days in Salt Lake with Aaron's family before driving back to Omaha.  Lily and Ruby were very concerned about Grandma's foot.  Aaron caught this little gem on tape just the other day...

Balloon Kisses

For weeks, Lily and Ruby have been giving us these "balloon kisses." We don't know where they came from, or why they called them "balloon kisses." It is just too cute. Finally, we got an explanation. Here it is.

Definition: Balloon Kiss

Imagination

It is so fun lately to watch the twins play. They are always talking to their toys and they have a different voice when they do. It's too cute. I love these kids!



They are also really into books now.  Not just the books, but the actual stories.  They love being read to.  Up until a few months ago, it was really hard to try to read to them, because they just wanted to turn the pages.  Now they sit, listen, and memorize their books.  Their favorites include:

Turkey Trouble


Where the Wild Things Are


And of course,
The Book of Mormon

So what if they sleep in their undies?

Birthdays

Well, we had several birthdays around here in the last few months.
**WARNING**
This is pretty much one of those "I'm their mom, so I think it's the most wonderful and adorable thing in the whole-wide-world, so I'm putting it on my blog" kind of posts. I understand that - while it makes you crazy and unstable - you might not share my opinion on what is bloggable. But guess what... I DON'T CARE! THEY'RE SO CUTE!

Let's start with Baby Grey. He's not my baby anymore. Scratch that. The darn kid still won't walk at almost 14 months... so yeah. He's my baby. My giant, 27 pound - "carry me everywhere, Mom" - Baby Grey.



We had his birthday party at the park right outside our house. He was perfectly content chomping on his cake and watching the guests. He's an old soul, I guess.

This boy is AMAZING! Since he was a little baby, he's always been able to make you feel like you're the only person in the world that matters to him! It doesn't matter if he just met you that minute. He looks into your eyes and connects with people. I love him to pieces! He loves his big sisters... and his dad (Of course, who wouldn't!?). We just adore our Baby Grey!

 

And on to the Twins!

Their birthday was a hoot.  They had a blast all day long.  They got panckaes for breakfast, a hallway full of balloons, presents, and their own cakes.  Not a bad day for those 3 year olds.  Seeing their faces... not a bad day for this 27 year-old. 



My favorite line is when Lily says, "Oh, wow!"  when she opens the princesses!  Love it.

We sang to each girl separately so they know they're special.  I'm such a good mom, huh?  Lily was born 5 minutes before Ruby, so we sang to her first.  Then we waited 5 minutes before letting Ruby have any cake.  Just kidding, we didn't.  Anyway, Lily specially requested a pink flower cake, and Aaron delivered.  If this dentist thing doesn't work out, he can be a cake decorator.



Here's Ruby's infamous "Pink Dog Princess Happy Birthday Cake."  I love that girl.  For a week, that's all she talked about.  She really wanted a "Pink Dog Princess Happy Birthday Cake."  She loved it!

 

We just love these 2 girls.  They are the best big sisters, the best little girls, and the best friends anyone could ask for.  They are ALWAYS trying hard to do what is right.  They really want to be good, and I know I need to sit down and learn a few lessons from these two on being Christ-like.  I love them so much.  These two really are special.  Just you watch.

Funny Foods

Lily and Ruby talk all day long.  Non-stop.  If they don't talk to me, they talk to their toys, the chairs, the wall.  And don't get me started on when Aaron comes home!  We can't get a word in edgewise (what does that even mean!?) 

People always ask me if they have their own "twin language."  Granted, I don't really know what is said (or in what language) behind closed doors, but to my knowledge, no.  Sorry to burst your bubble.  Oh wait... Unless you count this:



Aaron:  "Ruby, say 'plum.'"
Ruby:  "Crum."
Aaron:  No... "puh, puh, plum"
Ruby:  "puh, puh, crum."
Aaron:  Say "please."
Ruby:  "Please."
Aaron:  "Say 'plum.'"
Ruby:  "Puh, puh, crum."

Haha, never gets old.

And what about this one?



Mom makes a mean dish of Ratty Old Lady.

Here, chicky chicky chikcy!

Every year, the Smiths meet up in Mendon, Utah at Greg and Andy's.  It's always a blast!  From the first year Aaron and I went (before we were married), we were hooked.  Mendon is a tiny town in the Cache Valley of Utah.  Everyone wears cowboy boots.  You know the type. 

Well... what makes the celebration so wonderful is that they empty a pasture in the middle of town (which is cooincidently also the edge of town), they fill it with little children, and then they set chickens, pigs, and bunnies loose.  Once that happens, they yell, "Go," and the fun begins. 




Lily was sure proud of herself!  Too bad she couldn't bring her chicken home!  She did get a ticket for a dollar at the concessions stand, though.  She got Cotton Candy.  All is right in her world!

Twin Time Games

Here's a fun game Lily and Ruby love to play.  It's called, "Chase Me Down and Give Me Hugs and Kisses."  It's entertaining for all involved. 



We're at Aaron's parents house on vacation for a while.  It's usually pristine and lovely.  Then we show up.  Then we destroy it.  They get that from the Van Every side, I guess.  :)  Thanks for putting up with us, Grandma and Grandpa!

Dancing Queen

Lily loves to ask me for music.  And if it's not the right kind of music, she says, "No!  Really fast!"  She's actually pretty good, too!



She's only 2 and already embarrassed of me.  Won't even dance with her mother! 

"No!  It's MY dance!"

Silly Lily

Who loves potty training?  I do.  Oh!  Big Poo Poo!

Scrunchy Face

He's so cute.  Here's our buddy making his scruncy face!

Love.

Not a Country Girl?

While celebrating the 24th of July (State holiday in Utah that celebrates the arrival of the Mormon Pioneers in the Salt Lake Valley after crossing the plains to escape persecution in 1847), we spent some time in a cow pasture.  More details in that in an upcoming post. 

For now, just enjoy this bit of fun from our day.

Letter to Harvard

Dear Harvard;

Let's just get this out there once and for all.

I know they're amazingly smart.  I know you want them and all their brilliance to attend your Ivy-Leagueness.  Sorry, though.  The Smiths breed Cougars.



Oh, and you should see them do the alphabet!

Love,
The Smiths

Monkey See, Monkey Do.

A lot of people ask me if it was hard having twins.  Duh.  Can I say it again?  Duh.  But a huge investment in the beginning (time, sleep, tears, stretch marks, etc), and I think it's going to pay off big time.  Meet Lily & Ruby: My live-in babysitters.  Oh, and yes.  I'm going to exploit it as much as I can.

Just a little more training, and I think they'll be ready.






Ok... so I won't be exploiting this particular skill... but it's still pretty funny.

We're not home, please leave a message.

When Aaron took off to Baltimore for a Dental Convention (yeah, how fun does that sound!?), the kiddos and I packed up for a weekend in River Falls!  While we were all out in the yard enjoying the new spring weather, Ruby snuk (sneaked?) inside. 

Sounds important...

The Little Man

Let's be honest, ladies.  What does every woman want?  A man who can do push-ups.

It's worth it.

No matter what happens on the hardest day of any week... it's worth it.  I love these two girls!  



Oh, and yes... they are stealing all of my clean dishtowels from the drawer to use as 'blankets'.  But it's ok.

Elmocize!

Take that, Jillian Michaels!



Play the next two vids together. I think they could totally teach at Bally's or something!

Baby Grey - In stores now!

Kids bored? Don't you wish you had a Baby Grey to play with? Best. Toy. Ever.



What? The top of your head isn't ticklish? Weird.

Elmo taught my girls how to "make a funny face." A talent like that is something that needs to be passed on. Lily, Grey will thank you some day.

Cabin Fever

Have any of you ever been to Nebraksa? I mean REALLY been to Nebraska? I don't want to hear about how you cruised through on I-80; or how you had a layover on your way to Maui or something. We have snow piled half way up our front door... it is bazillions of degrees below zero for weeks at a time. The wind will literally eat your face off. When you live a winter in Omaha... then you can judge me.

Sometimes, all you can do is "run around."