Going WAY back but must be documented

 Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
(Adriane was our Photographer for this one)

My family has been going to Colorado for Christmas since I was a little girl.  The tradition has continued with our babies now.  This was their first of many, Lord willing.  Well, we may throw in a few more tropical Christmas Vacations for Daddy...

 This was his first experience with a snow white out and third year going to Colorado.  He is my hero!  

For not growing up skiing he is a champ and while he would rather be sitting on a beach he does really appreciate the sport and family time tucked in a warm, lovely, mountain lodge.      

Which brings us to how we got to this lovely lodge. 

No better way than Harvey the RV!!  My parents bought an RV several years ago and we have definitely benefited greatly by this purchase.  

I'd say our trip was a success.  Complete with NAPs!!  We did it, I can't believe it!! 

Some how we only got a few phone pics and most of them are of the boys sleeping... I guess I was so shocked that they slept like this that I kept having to take pictures of them.  

Thankfully we stopped at a Hotel to finish the night.  We all were getting a bit tight and ready for a little more personal space.  

Shortly after we arrived we got to see our sweet friends Cassie and Geoff who we ALL love so much!  

This year our Christmas pic turned into a New Years pictures.  

One of my absolute favorite things is "snail mail" especially family Christmas cards.

So this is the third year in a row for us to get them out... Whew it's a lot of work.

Some of my Favorite things the boys got were picked out by my nieces and nephews right out of their own toys.  Lovingly and lightly used but perfect for us!!  I love this idea.  Not only did they get to GIVE but they also sacrificed something they have loved and got to share it with some one else.  I'd say that is a great tradition and fabulous lesson.  

We also loved our gifts from the rest of our family.  They were REALLY spoiled this year and we are still keeping busy with our new toys. 

 The Girls in the family also started a new tradition.  We made each other presents.

We usually draw names and just have to each buy one present but we let the guys do that and made some fun stuff.

This is what I made and "made" printed.  

I stitched these fun designs onto T towels.  They turned out really fun and if you have elementary sewing skills you can absolutely do this. 

I also printed some fun freebies that I collect in a folder on my computer.

These Season prints were from Here Check out all the freebies.

And I purchased a PDF file for these really cute recipe cards from Here.  This would be a super fun hostess gift. 

My sister Alison made canned Huckleberry Jam, Chocolate Sauce, and Pineapple/Jalapeno Relish.  (what a treat)

Adriane made us some really great baby proof Christmas ornaments that will be very helpful for next year.  

I think we will continue this tradition.  

Thanks Mrs. Cheryl for our Christmas Sweaters

We are almost 11 months old still wearing our 9 month clothes.  

We love this Crazy Rozy!!! 

Cooking with Aunt Ali

Christmas morning.  

Colorado 2013 

(Photo By Ali Herron)

Hope your year has started off GREAT!!  

My prayer for this year is that I would know Jesus more.  I want to love my husband better this year than I did last year and study/learn more about him, I want to go on more dates with my Hubby even if it takes extra effort.  I'm Praying also I would put aside all things I "need" to do and play, love, read and be creative with my boys.   

I love my job as a wife and a mom and I want to Glorify the Lord in this.  

Also personally I want to finally lose this baby weight to hopefully soon put it back on sometime this year.  So excited to be able to get outside and exercise.  I am getting a little antsy for spring and warmer weather.

Have a fabulous Tuesday Friends.      

10 Months 11 days late

Back to blogging after a long winters break.  Still to come is a quick update of our Christmas Trip in an RV to Colorado...check back maybe tomorrow.

Can't believe my guys are 10 (and 1/2 under my breath) months old.  I have already starting the preparations for their 1st Birthday Party.  We are keeping in Simple BUT I keep thinking of fun Ideas to do... darn Pintrest.    

(Elijah is always pulling his socks off)

10 Month Update:

Silas and Elijah are almost completely weened off nursing.  :( Sigh, from a sad mother but also thankful they are such great eaters.  They eat just about anything I put in front of them.

All Fruits including Guacamole by the spoonfuls, 

Vegetables 

Eggs...lots of Eggs...A fried egg with peas or spinach or whatever... Sneaky BUT they love it. 

Peanut Butter

Tortillas

Ham, Turkey, Cheese

Grilled Chicken

Pasta

Mashed Potatoes... 

Oh sheesh LOTS of things!! 

  

Teeth!  Elijah has 2 Silas has 4.  

We are standing up, letting go occasionally, and moving along furniture.  

Mr. Luster and I are having a blast with these two crazies.  

I love that there are two of them.  They follow each other around, keep each other company, and play together.  While having twins has been a bit of a juggling act I would do it again in a second.  Minus the REALLY miserable first 3 months BUT praying that doesn't happen again.  

They are in such a fun stage that I am trying to soak up.  They are FINALLY saying momma.

Moms out there I have a theory:

Way back in the garden of Eden.  When Cain, the first baby born, starting cooing and he said,"da da da da" Adam decided that was what his name was going to be.  Daddy... yep I can live with that... He said my name! :) 

Why do they always say Da Da first. 

Have a fabulous Day!

Christmas Trip To Colorado in an RV with twin babies update coming soon. 

Starting off the Weekend....

Its Snowing in St. Louis... and I have the perfect drink in hand.... I cannot take credit for this amazing idea but I must share it.  My friend Wendy taught me this and it is truly Fabulous.

Coffee with a spoon of Coconut oil and my little addition, a bit of wonderful Trader Joe's Whipped Cream...

Life Changing... 

Aside from all the wonderful natural healing and cooking ways you can use coconut oil STICK IT IN YOUR COFFEE!!! Its good for you and gives a fabulous natural flavor to your cup... I have had 3 this morning. :)   

And if you are unaware of how delightful these little treats are or have an addictive personality... :)  you better not try these!!!!  They are really good! 

My Cousin Dani came to visit which is ALWAYS fun to have another hand and a sweet face that loves our boys.  We Love your Dani.

And Just a few pics to share from this weekend so far.  

Eli

Oh dear... crawled right out of his britches :) 

Oh to be a twin... I of course don't remember what being like a twin was like at this age but it must have been fun!!  Always someone of to play with... 

Our first shopping cart rides.... Wahooo... 

Steal my Heart!!!  

The rest of our weekend will consist of Packing, Packing Packing.... Headed on a BIG adventure in an RV to Colorado... Any tips on nap times with twins or sanity for the adults with 2 almost 10 month olds, 1 sweet cousin that is 1.5 years old, and 6 adults :)... Don't worry we are staying in a Hotel on the way.  

Seriously Any Tips :) 

Have a Fabulous weekend.  

9 Months and Merry Christmas

We are 9 Months old and its gettin CRAZY around here!!!  

Silas can now crawl ALL over the house and stops to pull up to a standing position on most things.  He is getting better at falling but we have had a few doosies :( You still love your Passy... 

You also absolutely know that your mama can't stand to hear you cry for very long and so you cry for you and Eli.  I wonder sometimes what Eli is thinking wide awake letting you scream knowing, she will come, so you don't waste the energy :)

Silas you will eat basically anything I put in front of you.  So glad you both are great eaters.

Elijah you are still most happy pulling along with the Army crawl which you do pretty quick.  You pull up to stand occasionally but at this point you are content to watch your brother do the hard work.  You are my cautious one when it come to other people.  But you both have done such a wonderful job in the church nursery or when friends and family are around.  Eli you are my thumb sucker and it is the cutest darn thing!!!  You both had your 9 month well check up this week.  

Elijah is 15 lbs 12.8 oz 

Silas 15 lbs 3.4 oz

Both of you are 26 3/4 in. tall

 and the only % above 2% is your Head Circ. at 17.5" (34%) I think this means you have lots of brains!!!

There isn't a chart for multiples but 

you both are growing at a fabulous rate for twin boys.

 We love you both so much.        

My Absolute favorite thing to put out during Christmas is our beautiful Nativity.  I was given this as several gifts over the years from friends and family.  I am so thankful for it!

Isaiah 9:6

For to us a child is born,   to us a son is given,

and the government will be on his shoulders.  And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Also I was super excited about their stockings!!! So fun to go from 2 to 4.

What are some of your Christmas traditions?  

I am new at this but excited to get to start some special things my boys will remember forever.  

I ordered Si and Eli each a Christmas book about Jesus.  I think this will definitely be a tradition.  I grew up always having a big basket of Christmas books under the Christmas tree and always loved it.  I am going to write in their books and then someday, Lord willing, I will be able to give their kids the books.  A friend of mine wraps their books every year and then they open them each year as an Advent treat or just when they want to read a Christmas story before bed.

Hope you are having a fabulous Christmas season and that you know 

Christ's Everlasting Love.

Celebrating the Bride

I can't believe how fast November flew by.  I had the honor to throw a bridal shower for my sweet friend Emily.  Here are some fun pics of the event. 

My Sweet Dad helped me with some of the fun decorations.  I need some of my own power tools :).  

Party Favor... Ornaments (Thanks Dad for cutting so much wood for me)

I drilled a whole in each wood piece.

Painted a simple Christmas tree on one side and the date of E and T's wedding on the other side and  then dipped them into polyurethane. 

We also used some of the wood pieces to label the delicious food.  We painted them with chalk board  paint and then wrote on each of them.  

The Bride and Kelli (Other Hostess... my sweet friend)

Bridal shower game that isn't super Cheesy!! 

Break up into teams and give each group 1 Roll of Toilet Paper and 1 Roll of tape.  

Give Each group 10 mins to design a beautiful wedding dress... It was a big hit and super fun!

The Beautiful Bride

Bride and Cheryl her Momma

This was the after party clean up.... and Us eating the Crack Dip... it was amazing!!! Recipe Below :)

 My fun Pinterest Vintage Doily Table runner...

(say that 3 times fast)

 Which is a collection from different thrift stores.  Love it!!!!  

Pine cones came from the tree up the street and were dipped in grey and white stain and the fun wood pieces came from my parent's farm and I gave them a good coat of Polyurethane.

Fabulous Holiday Fruit Dip (Crack Dip)

Carmel Cream Apple Dip

by Cindy Dude

Picture from Cindy's Blog

Cream layer:
1 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened
1 tsp. vanilla extract
3/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1/4 c. granulated sugar
1 container Marzetti's Caramel Apple Dip
1 bag Heath English Toffee Bits

Put cream cheese, both sugars and vanilla  in a food processor and pulse until smooth.  Or using an electric mixer, beat on medium until smooth and creamy.  

Spread on a serving plate.  Either a dinner size plate or a decorative platter.  Top with Marzetti's caramel dip found in the produce section of your grocery store.  They have just recently added Marzetti's Sweet and Salty.  I think that sounds wonderful.  I have not tried it yet, but I bought one to try this weekend.  I am going to be big as a barn!!!!

Spread the caramel over the cream cheese to about a 1/2 inch from the edge. About 3/4 cup or so. Then sprinkle with the Heath bits, (not ones with chocolate). About 1/2 cup.  
Very easy.  

Find this and other FABULOUS Recipes as well as a super cute way to serve this dip:

Here

And leave a comment telling her how fabulous it is!!! You will absolutely love it!!! 

Hope you have a Fabulous Weekend.  

Fall Catch Up...

 Our babies are 8 MONTHS OLD.

Eating Baby Food and snacks like cheerios and a few bite size veggies.

Silas is crawling like a champ and pulling up ON HIS FEET this kid is making me sing and shoot "TRUST and obey, for there is no other way, to be happy in Jesus but to TRUST and obey."

Silas's crib is already at the lowest point.  Makin me nervous!!!

Eli is my talker!!  His nickname around here is Easy E because he is just a sweet laid back dude.  

He says DaDa all the time and just jibber jabbers all day long.

He moves just as fast but prefers the army crawl and sits up really well. 

I am continually reminded of how unique they both are and how much I want to love them exactly how they are.  Having twins, or just more than one kid, it is easy to compare...blah blah blah... (I don't want to do this) all babies are different and fearfully and wonderfully made by the KING.

  

Our sad attempt to visit the pumpkin patch it was absolutely the most sunny day, which was beautiful but not great for photos.  I also had really high expectations for the folks standing around as photographers... no such luck, we did get one pretty good one.  

Rockin the Cardinals hoodies that Anthony came home with for all the world series watching we did this fall.  We love us some cardinals.  

Hmmmm what else...

The boys and I took a trip to Montana to visit Ali and Scott and the cousins... First plane ride... Whew... that was fun... okay not terrible but one of those flights I was REALLY READY to get off. 

Note to all traveling moms with twins:  There is only one extra oxygen mask in each row soooo that means whoever you are traveling with has to sit in a completely different row than their momma.  Praise the Lord for my mom who is a super hero!!!

Also this fall I have gotten to do something I love to do but don't get much chance to.... Photography

Sweet family photos and Senior Pics

The Scharr's Family pre birth of their sweet baby boy.  

Sweet Kayla Class of 2014

Can't believe she is almost out of high school.  I met this precious girl when she was in 6th grade.

Go Cardinals!!

St. Louis is hands down one of the most fun cities to live in if you are a baseball fan.  The cardinals could have a disappointing season and still... it is such a fun event to be apart of.

Fortunately we are having a REALLY great season and we have gotten to go to quite a few games this season.  We have also fortunately birthed twin boys who love being held and outside with lots going on. We always prepare for the worst but so far have been pleasantly surprised!!!

That awkward moment when you want to ask the stranger to try again since Eli wasn't looking but you chicken out... oh well...

Handsome Daddy and his boys... 

Silas and Mommy...who in this picture obviously could have used a nap that day. 

(the mommy that is)

My sweet Eli... lookin a little sleepy as well.  

Go CARDS!!!!  Have a great Wednesday!