Doesn't it just figure?

I'm starting to get used to the fact that I am no longer in control of my life... between having 3 kids, 2 of which are 2 year old TWINS, 2 jobs (well, maybe its really more like 3 - not counting the family...) and a whole lot of personal commitments, I'm trying really hard to learn to be flexible.

And yet, when my carefully planned (but yet still flexible!) timing for our trip to Southern California to see family and friends was all screwed up I have to admit, I almost lost it. Now with the van still in the shop, a rental parked in the driveway, patiently waiting for me to buy it snow chains and load it with enough underwear and snacks to provide for a small army, I wonder if we will make it through the holidays this year!

If you were expecting to see me and my bright shining family, and we don't show up... check the Super 8 in Central California, somehow I feel this might be my destiny this year.

Twins on Thanksgiving

Took this picture before we went to our "Oregon folks" Thanksgiving dinner. We are so grateful that Jen's family has adopted us for Thanksgiving, Easter and all the other holidays that we would have normally spent with family back home.

Dinner at Grandma Line's is always a treat - a buffet overflowing with delicious food, and a special table for the little girls to sit at. And of course, the men (varying ages) all fall asleep in front of the TV after the meal. :)

Jack looks so much like our nephew Dan did at this age, and Sophie looks a LOT like my cousin Mary Rose... I hope she turns out as beautiful - inside and out!

Sophie's Boyfriend Nate

Okay, so he's not really Sophie's, but Sarah shares when they are here. She wants to know Soph's secret - Nate says it's how she asks... "Nails?" in her sweet little voice...

Either way, Sophie's got Nate wrapped around her pretty little pinky toe!

Back in August we went to a "Doodle Romp" to meet a local breeder of Labradoodles. Jack and Sophie found a couple of pint sized chairs and watched the pups play in their cage. The Labradoodle? Well, we're definitely getting one when we are ready for a new dog... but Josie isn't done with us yet - so we'll wait. :)

Sarah will be SO PROUD of me...

Okay - so I had asked for some help to set this up... but apparently I didn't need the help - just a few free minutes!

This may be a bad idea (i.e. too time consuming to maintain!) but I'm willing to give it a shot in order to keep friends and family (both near and far) SORT of up to date on our lives (if you care) and to share photos of the kids - since that is the most requested and most difficult to fulfill multiple times!

So, as I cruise along on this journaling journey bear with me... I'll TRY to keep it up! I suppose, worst case scenario, I can ask Sarah for help again! :)