TarterDadis update

Now that the trip is thoroughly chronicled I can get back to blogging about . . .well, nothing really. We've just been doing the same stuff lately. We are anxiously awaiting spring. The weather has been brutally cruel here, one day the sun will be shining, the bulbs are poking up, we spend the whole day outside and then next it will be freezing and dumping snow. It is not unexpected but it is so mean to wave the wonder of Spring before me and then quickly take it away. This winter has been much more manageable than the past 2, the boys are really getting better at playing inside and having enough to keep them busy. But my house would sure appreciate if they could start playing outside again.

So let me update you on the munchkins for a bit. They are firmly 37 inches, no matter what I tried to get them taller for the trip and around 30 lbs. They are, as they always have been, within ounces of each other and within 1/2 inch. Since we get this question a lot (A LOT) I'll mention that we don't know if they are identical. Lowell and I have always felt they are fraternal but there is some debate. The closeness in height and weight and similarities in eye and hair color sway us toward identical at times but who knows? There were 2 sacs and 2 placentas (saw them early so I am sure) but 25% of identicals are that way, it has to do with how early the egg splits. We could have genetic testing done, but it just doesn't matter enough to us yet to do so. Their favorite thing continues to be each other. They have so many jokes that I just don't get but I love it, they are so funny. They will just laugh for hours. They also torment each other incessantly, best friends and worst enemies all in one. I think this is the part most people who think twins would be so fun don't take into account. You think of kids with their best friend and how riled up they get, with twins you never get to send the best friend home. It is awesome to always have a play mare, but it is hard to always be so hyped up. They also love their doggies and are just barely getting to be really gentle with them. They love their daddy so much and have so much fun playing with him. They love to snuggle with me too and we have lots of good "chats". Lately Carter epecially has been telling me that I am "pretty" and a "princess". Chances are he's just buttering me up for something but I still love it. Lowell has always been able to get his way with me by flashing me a certain smile and he's passed it on to the boys. I am such a sucker. Davis talks a bit more than Carter and also a little more fluently. Their language has really taken off in the last few months making conversing with them much more interesting. Carter will chat with you too just not for as long as Davis. They still refer to each other and themselves as "Tarter and Dadis" or "TarterDadis". They call them CarterDavis at the gym since they have trouble telling them apart and it has stuck for them.

(Note the candy I bribed them with to smile in Carter's hand :)--hey, it works!). They still adore doing puzzles and will spend quite some time working on them. They can do each puzzle quickly but will do them over and over. Davis has gotten more into coloring lately and actually coloring what is on the page and not just scribbling everywhere. They both like to paint whenever I let them, the mess is not always enticing. They enjoy lots of TV shows and movies, Tom and Jerry, Shaun the Sheep, and Olivia being favorites. They like to watch the "TarterDadis show" as well, the DVD I made of their photos from last year. Even I am sick of watching it now! They are getting to be quite good on the Wii fit, with my help they have both reached champion level on the advanced setting for the balls on a plate game. Being light has its benefits, they are the top scorers on lots of the games. Davis even likes to do the yoga. They would play Mouse Trap every day if I'd ever get it down for them (drives me nuts) and are still loving the Tomy train set they got for Christmas. They love to read, many mornings I will think Carter is still sleeping because he is so quiet but I will find him sitting on his bed reading. Such a darling boy to let his mama sleep (love him!). They love everything Dr. Seuss and Disney which adds up to quite a lot. And of course every book that also has a ride at Disney is high on their list right now.

Here's Davis giving Daddy a physical.

They are crazy about their family, they just adore all their aunts, uncles, and cousins. They'll ask me several times a day to call Uncle Robbie or if they can go to Aunt Hillary/Cyndel's house. They are STILL potty training but I've given up on stressing about it. When we get closer to school in the fall I may have to push the issue but for now we cheer all their successes but try not to get too discouraged by accidents. This week they've decided they no longer like going to the store with me no matter the incentive so I am switching to 4 am stops at WalMart again. Davis is already getting excited for Easter, he asks about eggs all the time. Foolish me always thinks that's what he wants for breakfast before he explains they have to have candy inside. And a chocolate bunny.

Carter checking Daddy over

They still love all things pasta and chicken nuggets. Very carb-y kids, always have been. They also love apples and bananas and all things cheese. They want fruit snacks and candy every moment of the day, which of course they don't always get but there is no doubt they inherited my sweet tooth. They also love dirt and bugs and more dirt. Boys through and through (bodily functions are hillarious!). They are getting better at cleaning up after themselves but of course not perfect. They are silly and fun and naughty and the light of my life! They'll be 3.5 in a month.

There you go, a thorough update on the kiddos, see even with nothing to blog about I come up with something! Hillary is off from school next week so we will likely be off adventuring a bit with her. She is such a doll, she watched the kiddos last night so Lowell and I could have a late night date, such a pleasant evening visiting. Thanks Hill, we love you!

Trip Day 7: Disney Day 3

Well my faithful readers, you have made it to the end of the trip. Hooray! Saturday was busy at Disney as was to be expected. Not only was it a Saturday but also Valentine's Day and part of a 3 day weekend. We only planned to come on Saturday at all because it was the only day The Haunted Mansion would be open and it is one of Lowell's favorites. We got to the park early and caught several good rides before it got busy. The boys were in a good mood to be back at Disney, it is safe to say that was their favorite park of all the places we went. We took advantage of Fast Passes and I finally got to ride Autopia, something I haven't done since I was a kid. Not that great really, not worth the wait. I got my last ride on Space Mountain as well, can't get enough of that ride! After nap we rounded out whatever else we wanted to do, I never did get to It's a Small World or Toon Town but I did get one more round on Soaring over California, my fav ride at California Adventure. Here's Carter and Lowell on the Zephyr, sticking their tongues out at me.
And my fav shot of Davis from this trip, sums it up pretty well.
Big smile and 2 thumbs up! I didn't tell him to do that either, it was all him. We stayed to watch the fireworks which were awesome of course, better than I remember from our honeymoon (though then we had the added bonus of watching it from our hotel window). We got the bubs giant suckers as big as their heads and mama was weak and picked up another toy, a light up Buzz Lightyear they had been eyeing all week. We got some candy (Disney has the best candy!) for us and to share and we headed out.

Goodbye to Disney's California Adventure

Goodbye DisneyLand! We had fun, but I don't know that we'll be back next year. Seems like a good time to skip a year. All in all it was of course a fantastic amazing time. We saw and did so much, it was just awesome! The fact that we did the whole week for the whole fam for $1000 was pretty impressive as well. Any time the boys see one of the characters we saw or read a book about one of the rides they will rattle on and on about that ride. "Monster's Inc ride, Tigger Pooh ride, big scary mountain" (Matterhorn), etc. Here's a clip I almost forgot, it's the boys dancing in line waiting for the Monster's Inc. ride and also at the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse show (they LOVED it!).

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As much fun as all that was it was a strain to spend so much time in close quarters with little sleep with my whole family. We love them to pieces and wouldn't have done it without their help but it was still stressful for everyone. Hence wanting to take a year off before going again. I'm not opposed to a quick trip to Europe next year however, budget and no baby permitting. We loaded up the car and left Anaheim around midnight and drove all night. Lowell drove to right around Nevada's border before he was bushed and then I drove to Nephi. I was listening quite intently to Twilight making the trip even pleasant for me. What an obsession that fueled! Still working on Midnight Sun (I can only read it at work--being online) and rereading Twilight now. I LOVE Midnight Sun (it's Edward's version of Twilight) but I love Edward so it makes sense.

Yesterday I enjoyed my day off by taking the kiddos shopping (bad idea) and to the park (good idea) and then to the dino museum after nap. Yes it sounds redundant, this time we had planned to go to Farm Country but did not make it in time. No matter, the kids love the museum so we can go every week without upsetting them a bit. Less than one month until my beloved Gardens open again, I can hardly believe it. I can't wait! We enjoyed a bit of a blustery nearly spring morning today by staying home. Gasp, I know I hardly do that but we needed a potty training day and I was rewarded in that--no accidents. We jumped, flew a kite, planted the beginnings of our garden (seed cups), and then did puzzles. It was a good morning, one of those days where I feel like a good and successful wife and mother. Got dinner made, kids in bed, dishes loaded, showered and off to work 14 hours almost on time. Lowell would say I am a good wife and mother every day but I can assure you I do not meet all those goals every day. Anywho--back to the grind (LOL, yeah right like I am really working) hope you all have a great day!

Trip Day 6: San Diego Zoo

I am definitely starting to lose track of days here, that might be a good hint that I am blogging too much about this trip! Oh well, only one more day beyond this to go. There's just too many great pics and fun things still to share! First off thanks to everyone for the well wishes and good thoughts, they have helped. The "off-ness" I have been feeling is fading and becoming much more manageable. I hope to be myself very soon. I was especially surprised to have a comment from an old very dear friend who I haven't been in contact with for years, my high school boyfriend. Oh course he left a comment and no way to contact him so I am calling you out--if you read this, email me so I can catch up with you! (dodiemt@hotmail.com). It's funny he just wrote, I was thinking of him the other day with all the anxious feelings I have been having it reminded me of when I have a real nervous break down my freshman year of college. It was mostly because I had just broken up with this boy and yet he was the only one awake to save me in my panic attack--he was kind enough to talk me through it all night long. Another funny thing--he looks quite a bit like Lowell, they were born on the same day, and both their moms are nurses. Weird right? I guess I am weird for always trying to keep in touch with old friends, I don't know why it is okay to do so with girlfriends and not boyfriends. Anywho . . .me rambling.

We had a good weekend, the weather was nice enough to go play at the Discovery Park in Pleasant Grove (I think, I am lousy at the city boundaries over there). I then caught Twilight again with my parents while my boys slept and then we went up to the Children's Museum. Who can get enough of that real helicopter? My kids certainly can't! Sunday was mellow, I finished Breaking Dawn thus completing all the books in less than 3 weeks. That's only over 2000 pages, no biggie! :) I actually can be an avid reader with the right material, my job provides the free time and I one to become immersed in a character hence my draw to Bella and Edward. I read 22 books in the first months after I started my job and before I got a DVD player :). All the good movies lately have been based on books, all of which I have read. New Moon comes out in November and Twilight will be in stores next week! :) I have to say I am content with the conclusion and still debating which book I like best--I liked each in different ways and for different reasons. I will be rereading them starting today after I finish Midnight Sun and maybe I'll decide after that.

On to real life! So after our little retreat in La Jolla, we met back up with my fam and were pleased to find everyone still alive. We headed over to the zoo and my oh my that place is huge! We started with the bus tour to get an overview--here we are: The boys were not the most pleasant that day but not terrible either. Here they are shouting no in a loud chorus that got a few stares.

I think after all the amazing things we had already seen this week, live animals wasn't near the draw it would have been at other times. I still enjoyed it though--they have every animal imaginable there. I just have to laugh that when I ask the boys now about animals we saw, they always come up with the ones from the jungle cruise. After the bus tour my parents and sibs minus lovely Hillary decided that was all they wanted to see and were going to head back to Anaheim to have a restful evening. We stayed and had a good time seeing some amazing animals.

I think Lowell was a little less than thrilled to stay! This picture so makes me laugh, please Heidi, please stop with the pics. The pandas were ever so fun to watch.


The glare messes this up a bit but this is a young tiger eyeing down my children as a lovely snack. I also enjoyed the aviaries, the hippos, and the gorillas--our zoo only has 2 gorillas, the San Diego zoo had a whole herd to watch move together. We were all pretty exhausted so we didn't stay until it closed either, but several hours longer than the rest of my family. We then drove down South of San Diego to visit a good friend of mine. Dawn and I met in a BabyCenter online pregnancy group. The whole group met 2 summers ago in Tahoe and I have met up with 2 of the gals since then now. It is unique to know someone so well but not spend a lot of time with them in person. And of course since we were in a pregnancy group together, she also has a little boy very close in age to my monkeys. We didn't get to visit very long, but the kiddos sure enjoyed playing with Aaron and his toys and I love loved getting to see him again. What a cutie! Dawn has an older daughter and a younger daughter as well and her whole family is just so beautiful. What a great chance to visit!

Next we made the drive back to Anaheim pretty well completely trashed. What is it about vacations that wears you out so bad! Here's the kiddos (and Hillary) sleeping in the van. And they went right to bed when we got back top. Okay, stay tuned for the final day of the trip coming up next! Loves!

Looking for the Sunshine in My Soul

It seems silly to even mention it, but it's my blog and I'll cry if I want to! I've had a tough week. The dumbest part is there is really NO reason for me to have been bummed. All is well in my life. There are SO many others who are struggling with a multitude of trials and I couldn't be more blessed of the Lord. But yet I spent a good part of this week really not feeling like myself. I have been blessed with a "sunny disposition" and a mild temperament. I like to think I am laid back and just go with the flow. This weak I was very anxious, even scared and oddly emotional. All I can think of for the change is that I have recently started on thyroid medication. All the women in my family have faulty thyroids and I always knew it was only a matter of time until I would be on meds. My first abnormal test was in college and since having the boys it has really gone down hill. In the last little while it was really bothering me--always being cold and tired, being so incredibly forgetful, and especially the inability to lose weight. So yea for me when the blood test finally proved what I have known for a while and my doctor got me a prescription. I can't believe how not tired I am. It is actually truly weird for me to not be tired all the time. I just adjusted to that being how it is and figured working the hours I do and chasing my kids would make anyone tired. And I still think it would but I was not always a tired person. The last couple of days I have woken up (before my kids!) after 8 hours of sleep just feeling great. Not 10+ hours later still tired and waiting for my 3 hour nap. I also have warm toes, so crazy and have lost nearly 10 lbs in 2 weeks. Definitely a welcome change. But then this week out of the blue came the blues. I wonder if it is simply PMS and it has been so long since I have had normal hormones I have forgotten how it is. Or it is just an adjustment as my hormones kick back in and do their jobs. It only makes sense that when your hormones have been out of whack for many years when they begin to regulate there will be some growing pains. But I am sick of them and hope they pass quickly, because it really is not me. And I want my sunshine back.

So I'll talk about my little sunshines! Wednesday was bright and beautiful here so we trekked to the park. Here's the little men on their scooters, my did that block walk take forever!


Climbing away, oh so happy to be in the sun, me too!

Not without its consequences though, see the blue spot above Big D's eye, Carter accidentally ran into him and he fell and hit a stair. I was afraid we'd have another black eye, but it seems to be healing okay now.

Carter managed some sand rash on his face as well, from falling while climbing. We also made a visit to my nieces this week as well as the Dino museum (yes again!).

Today we had a play day, staying in our jammies until noon, making cupcakes and sail boats.

I also, yes I am sucker, let the boys ride their bikes in the house since it was snowing today.

I love my Davis!

I like this smile a lot!

Brothers, holding hands while riding bikes, in the house, in their jammies. Oh my.

I think that is about it for our week. Tomorrow I hope to make a trip to either the zoo or the children's museum depending on the weather. I hope you are all well wherever you are and know how much I appreciate your friendship. Much love!

Trip Day 5: Sea World

So on to Day 5 of our trip. By this point I must admit we were all getting a little worn out and over stimulated. It's a bummer that put a damper on Sea World because it was really cool. But we had seen a lot already and the boys particularly were getting burned out. It was a bad omen to dress them in a shirt that said "When you're this cute, it's okay to be this crabby" as well. Oh well. We got up early and made the drive down to San Diego where we stayed overnight. Arriving at Sea World we made the unfortunate realization that I was given bad information and the strollers were not in the car. I didn't want to pay $17 to rent one (probably a bad choice) so we just let the kiddos walk all day. We hit the Bay of Play first and of course it was awesome. Really if we could have stayed there all days the boys would have been perfectly happy. There was just so much more to see and with mostly adults in our group the play area got dull fast. We next watched the dolphin show which was really fun. Such amazing creatures. The sun was right in our face and I got a bit of color--something I was actually excited about since it was snowing back home. We then saw the penguins and arctic animals. The Arctic Expedition was my favorite area to visit, there is something so majestic about polar bears and beluga whales to me. Seeing them under water made it even better. Carter watching the walrus swim

A polar bear eyeing the tasty morsel that is my son.


Carter buggy climbing the "ice" in an area that turned out to be off limits. Whose mommy doesn't know how to read signs? We headed over to the Journey to Atlantis ride which my fam enjoyed okay, I skipped because of the drop, and Lowell skipped because he was too grouchy. We skipped the rapids ride too, didn't want to get wet when it wasn't all that warm so a bummer all around on the rides. We headed back to the Bay of Play to give the boys some free play time.
Carter on the spinning ride. They really loved this and the day seemed a little brighter after that. Next we picked up lunch and sat down to watch the Shamu show, my favorite part of the day overall. The whales really are so awesome and the way the show is put together kept giving me goose bumps. Here's a couple of shots:







And here's C&D today singing the Shamu chant. They got a real kick out of it but I was happy we didn't get wet. Lots of other people got soaked!

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We next headed over to the tide pools which were fun, the aquariums which were sub-par in my estimation--our local aquarium was better than that (the park as a whole of course was much better but the little individual aquariums weren't great), and the rays. These rays were super friendly and amazing creatures. Here's Hillary and Davis petting one.

Lastly we watched the sea lion show (funny) and then headed out completely exhausted! This was Lowell and my "night off" so the boys headed one way with my family and we headed the other. A special thanks to Cyndel who shouldered the biggest load of watching the boys, and also Robbie and Hillary for their help. Lowell and I found our hotel in La Jolla and got checked in and chilled out for a minute. We really needed to unwind. We were close to this landmark, one of my very favorite buildings in the world:

The San Diego Temple. This shot is from the freeway! I've heard it has caused a lot of accidents as people round the corner and are shocked at what they see. It's too bad we didn't have time for a session, I have never been inside. I still think it is gorgeous though! Here's the view from our hotel balcony:

Lowell and I went and had a long dinner at P.F. Chang's. It was busy so the service was slow but we didn't mind. It was delightfully quiet. We headed back and watched The Office and 30 Rock (so funny!) before we passed out. In the morning we treated ourselves to the hotel breakfast which, unfortunately, I promptly threw up. I don't know what was up with me this trip--I was sick so much of the time! I hated to waste the money for breakfast but took some comfort that at least I wouldn't have to count the calories!

Trip Day 4: Disneyland Day 2

Back again with the pics, yes this could last a while! But as Jillian would say, if I didn't blog it, did it really happen? First on Friday we had the UVMOM Valentine's playgroup. I was VERY lucky my friend Lyndsie volunteered to have it at her house because we had 21 kids planning to come and my house is a little tight for that many. Only 19 came (we missed you Jess!) but that was still plenty--they are all between 6 months and 4, most in pairs :). I think it turned out okay, the kids ran crazy, we made bags for our valentines and bird feeders (glue 3 pretzel rods together in a triangle, let the kids smear on peanut butter and sprinkle bird seed) and then distributed the valentines. Here's a couple of shots: All the cute bags lined up ready to be filled

My Davey boy was happy to be there (and to be leaving, he was ready for lunch and a nap!)

Carter L O V E S his candy!

If you are a member of UVMOM, I'll be posting more pics on our facebook page. I worked this weekend so that mostly what else I have been doing . . .seems like a lot of hours lately--for some reason my days clump together in the schedule and I am just finishing the busy clump, plus I had tons of call backs last week (read, lots of moola, zero sleep!). I am very ready for a couple of restful days off. And I have to commit to myself to not spend them both reading twilight. I am already getting depressed that I only have 1.5 books to go. I'm pathetic! But I do love Edward again, book 2 he was getting kind of iffy, but all is well.

So on Wednesday of our trip we had another big day at DisneyLand. It's safe to say the boys were excited:


Here they are lined up with their strollers all ready for departure. We spent the morning at California Adventure and enjoyed the new Toy Story ride--the bubs and I did it twice, once while the brave folks did California screaming. It is a lot like the Buzz Lightyear ride where you are shooting at targets, but there are also 3D glasses and I liked it better.


Here's Davis riding the carousel. We then headed over to Bug's Life Land which is one of the boys' favorite areas. Never very busy and perfect rides for them. This year they were tall enough for the bumper cars. Yea!
Davis with Daddy on Flik's coasters, or whatever it is called

Me and Tarter Sauce

Daddy and his boys with Grizzly mountain in the background

Lowell and I with our "bug eyes" waiting for the Bug's Life show. This is my FAV show! California Adventure has always been great for us for meeting characters.

Here's the boys with Goofy

And Minnie, Carter loves her! We missed her once and he just sobbed.


And our family with Lightning McQueen. I need to see if someone got a better pic. I got to try a Disney specialty this day, a turkey leg. Sounds weird but they sell them from the carts--giant turkey legs. I quite liked it, moist and flavorful. Lowell wasn't as enthused. The boys and I chowed down waiting for everyone on Tower of Terror (no freaking way!) and then we headed back for nap time. We headed back in the evening for Davey's favorite part, meeting Mickey!
They just loved him!

Heck, so do I! I'm even starting to get some color in my cheeks at this point, gotta love sunshine! We played around at Disney and hhit a few more rides though this evening for some reason was pretty busy. The boys didn't want to wait in line so we played at Goofy's house in toon town with Grandpa. Then we headed over for Fantasmic. I love that show too, the Disney folks are definitely the masters at projecting on to a mist. This fueled Davis' enthusiasm for Mickey as well.

Rob and Mr. D waiting for the show. Gma and Gpa took the bubbies back on the bus while the rest of us "kids" did Indiana Jones again. This was the only day we stayed until close. And because I am a sucker and my kids are spoiled we brought them back a Mickey Mouse. We usually get one nice thing at the park each year and this was it.

Davis loves his and hasn't slept without it since. Carter likes his too but not as much. Maybe I should have gotten him Minnie? I made dinner that night, yummy chicken stir fry, nothing like a lean protein and tons of veggies when you are on vacation! And we all crashed hard like every night. :)

Paying it Forward

Here's a fun one from Jillian:

The first 3 people to leave a comment on this post will receive a hand made gift from me during this year. When and what will be a surprise. There's a small catch...You knew there would be didn't you? Post this on your blog then come back and leave a comment, telling me you're in. Fun, huh? Remember, only the first 3 comments receive the gift.

Sounds like fun, huh?

"A comment a day keeps the bummies away."


P.S. I had a GREAT time at the movie last night. Dinner and a movie--thank you Aunt Dinda for watching the boys. You rock!!! Also, don't watch a movie about a book you have read twice in a week, I kept saying the curtains should be yellow, the kitchen chairs don't match, that wasn't in the book!