Christmas Pictures 2012

Branson, MO Trip 2012

So every year Doug's parents, Sister and I always go to Branson around the first weekend in November. This year Doug decided to go with us since we have the twins, usually he is hunting!

We left Thursday night after work around 5 pm. Around 7 or so we stopped for dinner at Cracker Barrel. Normally we just go through Stake N Shake but thought it would be best to let the kids have a break and then it gives us a chance to feed them and hopefully they sleep the rest of the way there. And of course we had to do a little shopping while we was there, and my mother in law made a mistake and didn't catch it till we was already at the vacation house but she paid double for the purse she bought Lilly, she just thought the price was $20.

But anyway we ate dinner which was terrible and got back on the road. Finally around 10 we arrived at our vacation house in the Ozarks. We got all un-packed and tried to put the kids to bed. No such luck, one they were in a strange place and two they didn't have their bed and that's usually the only place they will sleep. Lilly didn't give us much troubles and went to sleep, Bryce on the other hand not a chance. We fought him for hours before I gave in and just said let him sleep in the big ass bed with us. Doug was opposed to this but finally gave in and it worked. The first night Doug didn't sleep scared he was gonna roll over on Bryce, I slept OK but would wake up if there was any movement from Bryce at all. And of course several times he did wake up screaming and I would hold and rock him back to sleep.

Friday morning rolled around and around 9 am we all headed out. First we had breakfast at Ihop (Yummy)! Then we headed to the outlets.

(Lilly getting her very own Coach purse from aunt Susie) and her ears pierced. 

We then headed to dinner at Joes Crab Shack (a fun time) 

I love Getting Crabs

Crabby Momma

Crabby Daddy



Crabby Pants



After dinner we was headed to see the Baldnobbers Show, If you have never been to this show you should really go. It is so funny and tons of fun! This year for the show we had shirts made for the twins that read: Our First Trip to the Baldnobbers. These were a big hit by the staff and thought it was a great idea and may start making them.



My First Trip to the Baldnobbers



All the singers in the show are all family and generations of family. One of the singers Joy Bilyeu-Steele became very close to our family so we decided to get a few pictures of her holding the kids at intermission, but it ended up just being Lilly since Bryce fell alseep half way through the show. Then we got one more with all of all the girls Joy, Megan and Patty. Patty is the mom of the show and Megan dates Pattys son Brandon who is also in the show.

After the show was over and as we was leaving Joy stopped us in the parking lot and talked to us for a few more minutes. We thanked her for a great evening and cant wait to see them all again next year.





Joy



Joy, Megan, Patty

Finally it was time to head home and hopefully get some sleep.

This time taking no chances Bryce was laid down in our bed and the kid and I slept all night long, Doug not so much because he got to listen to us snore all night long, and actually recoreded it on his phone. The next morning we also found out that his Dad didnt get to sleep much either as mom kept him up snoring all night long to.

Saturday morning Dad dropped Sue and Mom off at Silver Dollar City and then met Doug, the kids and I at Ihop for breakfast again (yummy)!

After we was finished since dad got no sleep he went back to the house to sleep while Doug the kids and I went exploring. We was going to see another show or the Ripleys Believe it or Not place or other shops, but we ended up just doing more shopping. We first went to the landing where we popped into my Step Mom Rosyln whom we have never met but adore. While there she bought the kids a shirt for Christmas. (Thank You Rosyln).

After we was done there we happen to see earlier in the day a sign for a craft store that I wanted to check out so Doug took me there. This turned out to be a awesome store that Doug even loved and wanted to take his mom back there the next day. After that store we headed to the Christmas landing so I could get the kids first Christmas ornament and do other shopping.

After we was done there it was finally time to meet his parents for dinner. We went to an all you can eat buffet. It had whole lobster, crab legs and tons of seafood side items for $31.99. So worth the money and we are for sure going back there next year. After dinner we headed back to the house to relax. Doug finally got to sleep through the night!

Sunday morning Doug got up early with the kids and I slept in for a little. When I got up the kids were playing and watching TV everyone else was anxious to get going so I hurried up and got ready. First we took his mom back to the craft store and then we went to lunch and then more shopping before heading over to Springfield MO to the Bass Pro shop there cause the one in Branson sucked this year.

After shopping there it was straight home with a small pit stop in Sullivan for gas and dinner around 7. Around 10 we finally made it home and all went to bed.

Thanks Mom and Dad for a fun filled Vacation and cant wait to do it all over again next year.

Tons of New Pics of the Babies

Warning!!! Warning!

I know I have been MIA for a very long time now, but there is a TON of posts coming to you this week. I am finally getting caught up and after all of my blogs are posted I will continue to stay caught up. I promise this time!

I'm So Sorry,

Brandi

Shutterfly Christmas Cards

Well my Favorite time of the year is here. Its time to prepare my Christmas Cards!

I just love Christmas cards, I love to send them and I especially love to receive them. Everyday after work the first thing I have to do is check the mail. I am like a little kid when I see a card in the mail, I get so excited and cant wait to read it. I don't think I have ever given Doug a chance to open a card.

This years photo Christmas card will be extra special for me because this will be the first year that I will have my twins on them.

But for the past 2 years now I have been purchasing all my Christmas Cards from Shutterfly.

The first year we used our Engagement/Christmas photos we had taken.

Then this past year we took a photo of us with me being 7 months pregnant with the twins.



Sorry its Blurry!



Now this year we are doing family photos to add to a design we choose. Choosing a design is always a difficult thing to do as they have so many awesome designs to choose from.

But thanks to Shutterfly and a email I received, if I once again blog about them, they will send me a credit to their site. This is a sponsored post. Thank You Julie and Shutterfly you are awesome!

I do want to mention to all my readers out there that Shutterfly has some awesome specials going on so check them out: http://www.shutterfly.com/special-offers.

And Here is a few other ways to connect with them:

• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/shutterfly

• Twitter: http://twitter.com/Shutterfly

• Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/shutterfly/

• Instagram: Shutterfly

• Google +: https://plus.google.com/+shutterfly

• Blog: http://blog.shutterfly.com/

TMI - My Pregnancy With The Twins

I saw this on another Blog and I thought I would join in.

Symptoms:


Sore Boobs- Yes. Preconception since I was doing IVF through 3 months.
Darkening Areolas- Yes.  Months 1-delivery and they got darker each month

Spotting- None.

Mood Swings- Occasionally. Only because I was in pain, but for the most park I was OK!

Frequent Urination- Yes. Months 3-delivery. Every night I got up 2 times a night.

Fatigue- I was tired from the beginning through 5 months. After that I was ready to go go go, and all I heard was get your sleep now. LOL!

Morning Sickness- More like 24/7 sickness. Anything or everything I ate or drank was more than likely coming back up.
Heightened Sense of Smell- Yes. Especially Doug's Chew cup (spit cup) that sat on the end table.
Food Cravings- Shock tarts & Buffalo Wings- But this was never a good idea since I had heartburn so bad and then that usually meant it all coming back up.
Food Aversions- Not really. But I am not a picky eater anyway.
Extra Saliva- Not that I noticed.

Nasal Congestion- Not that I remember.
Bloating- Not really.

Aches and Pains- Yes, My Ribs since Lilly was jammed under them, Stretching of my ligaments, Swelling of my left foot. Back pain at the end.
Thicker/Shinier Hair- Unfortunately NO, actually it fell out more than anything.

Hunger- I was hungry more often, but couldn't eat as much during one sitting or I felt like I was going to burst. But I pigged out alot.

Nosebleeds- None.
Heartburn- 24/7- Tums didn't work but Zantac was my best friend.
Swollen Hands/Feet- My Left foot was the size of Texas. But none anywhere else.
Leg Cramps- Yes,  I woke up alot in the middle of the night with a Charlie Horses. and I had to be careful not to point my toes when I woke up.

Varicose Veins- None.

Trouble Sleeping- I woke up a lot to either pee or re-position myself.
Shortness of Breath- Yes, I usually had to use my inhaler alot. But this was mainly from Lilly sitting on my lungs under my ribs.
Braxton Hicks Contractions-None

Leaky Boobs- Yes at the very end right before delivery.
Dry, Itchy Skin- Yes, my belly. EXTREMELY!!!
Stretch Marks- Just a few on my bottom. Don't be jealous!

Weight Gain- Yes, 20 lbs. Lost to much in the beginning from being sick all the time.

Swollen Gums- No. Just bleed alot.

Linea Nigra (dark line down the middle of the stomach)- Yes. But mine was actually a light colored.

Gas- Yes, unfortunately.

Constipation- Yes, Alot but I have always been this way.
Diarrhea- Not that I remember.

Pregnancy Brain- I forgot alot.
Weird Dreams- All the time.
Overheating- Yes, occasionally.I would break out in a sweat.

Pelvic Pressure- Yes, Since Bryce's head was so low.

Things that weren't listed but I experienced:

My Ribs lifted upwards to accompany Lilly's position, and it was uncomfortable and we couldn't do nothing about it.
Restless Leg Syndrome: This was bad. Every evening during months 2.5-8 my legs would HAVE to move. I would shake or tap them up and down as I watched TV or ate dinner. Going for walks and massages would help, but as soon as I stopped the feeling of needing to move them would start up again.