Parowan Market

For the last several months, Mike has been juggling accounting with a new and everlasting business venture- the local grocery store.  He has been training an incredible employee to take over most of the accounting, and trying to focus more on the store.  It has almost been 2 months since the changing of the guard.  My dad retired, and Mike jumped aboard.  I am thrilled knowing my kids will grow up with the same familiar four walls that I did.  I smile a little as we pull up to the grocery store and the twins start cheering daddy's name; they know the four walls contain a daddy's smile, a daddy's hug and daddy's candy jar.  I have lived with their daddy for more than 10 years now, and his patience, his thoughtfulness, his charm, and his wisdom will be a benefit to the store, the employees, and the customers.  I catch myself thinking, "he is the perfect fit," all the time.

Nelson and Braden going for a spin in Dad's new accounting/store office

It has already overtaken our lives.  Every waking minute (and probably the sleeping ones for Mike) is dedicated to this new venture.  Managing time is of utmost importance.  There were plenty of nights in accounting where Mike never slept, and so we welcome this new kind of busy.  Mike feels like he can steal moments of conversation and learning with our kids while they work beside him, stocking groceries or facing the shelves, and I feel empowered knowing there are things I can do to help him.  I was so powerless as an accountant.  I can't consider myself his best help though.  I still get a knot in my stomach walking in with the two-year-olds.  I'm fairly blind to the work when each eye is focused in different directions trying to keep track of them.  But if Mike can take a break, and let himself be distracted by their charming interactions, there are things I can do, even as well as him.

We are learning what is par for the course.  The parking lot froze and started breaking up in January after a very heavy freeze.  That is especially a bummer, since we will have to wait until spring to get it fixed.  Several freezers have gone down and have been de-iced, with a few other minor mechanical problems.  The servers have gone down, making credit card transactions impossible, and Mike spent a whole day with the tech guy on another occasion working through some program and server problems.  There have been some mean customers and some ordering snafus.  And some late nights and early mornings.  All of January, Mike worked 6 days a week, on an average of 70-80 hours a week trying to manage both businesses.

February has already brought so much improvement and we are happy to be able to see Mike a little more!!  He enjoys the time with customers, and getting to see so many people, especially friends, every day.  It is a big difference from working in our back office by himself for so many years.  He loves handing out candy from the Cha-cha Chili candy jar to the kids and greeting people by name.  The employees have been great and caring for the most part, and we are happy and thankful to have such a great crew.  We have enjoyed finding and trying out new products.  The kids have loved running around after closing hours, playing hide-and-seek or rollerblading on freshly cleaned floors.  Mike loves to plow snow, and I honestly think he'll be disappointed when spring rolls around.  We love our new Sunday tradition of walking around the store to check freezer temperatures.  The store is so dark and quiet and has a fun feel.  We love what the store is for our family.

A challenge, maybe a risk, definitely an adventure.  Can't wait to see how our first year turns out, and can't wait to see what exciting things we can do together as a family with our new business.  I'm just thrilled for all of us, and feeling pretty blessed.

Short Trip to Long Beach

The kids got airplane tickets for Christmas!

They have been begging to go on a real plane for a very long time.  We attempted to buy one-way tickets either to or from our family reunion in California, but that never really felt right, making Mike or me drive with the babies all the way home by themselves, and still so expensive.  So when this steal-of-a-deal popped up, I jumped!  The tickets were 93 cents each way, plus taxes and fees, making the total $24 round trip per person.  Phenomenal!  I literally had people calling me up to be their travel agent after Mike bragged about the deal for me.

We left after work on Tuesday night and arrived in Las Vegas fairly late.  But in the city that never sleeps, there is still plenty to do!  We had a hotel on the strip (Monte Carlo) and walked from there to the Bellagio to see the fountains.  We watched two of the shows and hit Walgreens for some "breakfast" food.

Joey, Michael and Mike watching the first show

Adelyn, showing me the beauty before her

Kids taking pictures of us

After about 5 hours of sleep, we woke everyone up for the big day.  We had to be to the airport by about 6am because our flight left at 7.  Everything went flawlessly, and we were in Long Beach by 8am.  I loved the small airport because it meant the kids got to walk right onto the tarmac and get a good look at the plane.  As far as the plane ride goes, the kids loved take-off, but after that, we had to really prod them to look out the window at the tiny houses and clouds, because the plane came equipped with individual TVs that the kids were lovin'!  Go figure!  They were thrilled with the complementary animal crackers and pop!  Thrilled!  Coming from a frugal family, they know what it means to appreciate free stuff!

Joey and Michael watching our plane get loaded up with luggage (none of our own)

Adelyn checking out the pictures she just took with her new camera

"Breakfast food" from Walgreens

Yay for Jet Blue!

We picked up a rental car and drove straight to the beach.  I love having GPS on our phones!!  I had done a little research and decided we'd hit Seal Beach.  It was empty!!  A few people were walking on the pier but nobody was on the beach but us.  Anyone walking on the pier stopped to gawk at the children who were obviously "not from around here."  The temperature of the water said 52-56 degrees F, and my kids had plunged themselves into its very depths!  Even Adelyn, which was amazing, considering I'd left her swimsuit at home, and she was in jeans!  They had so much fun!

Michael running from the waves

Michael

Adelyn

Content to be on the beach

Even Abby was getting a little tan

Michael and Joey

We had decided to play the beach by ear... maybe stay there all day if the kids were content, but seeing how cold they were going to be the rest of the day, we went with  Plan A and drove up the coast to find a whale watching tour.  Considering Adelyn was soaked, with no extra clothes, I looked up "thrift store" on my phone (love GPS... right?!)  and we found one that was right on the way.  When we arrived, it was very obvious that this was a thrift store targeting gay/lesbian patrons (the GPS didn't tell me this).  But they sold clothes, among other things, and we were able to find Adelyn something to change into so she didn't freeze.  I also bought Mike a tie.  Every tie needs a story, right?

The whale watching tour was pretty chill.  We were on the boat for about 2 1/2 hours and saw 5 whales, plus a few dolphins and sea lions.  One whale came right up to the boat, which was amazing!!  Mike and I both got a good look, but I'm not sure the kids really did.  They saw the group of three whales pretty easily, and the other sea life, so it was good.  It was a little cold/windy and we hadn't eaten lunch, or slept much, so we snacked on more "breakfast food" from Walgreens and Joey and I cuddled up for most of the boat ride.  It was a good time, even though we probably wouldn't do it for the whales again.

The crew ready to set sail, and eating more "breakfast food"

I was probably the coldest!  And I really wanted the scarf around my head.

Whale watching (Joey, Michael, Adelyn).  See Adelyn's new skirt?  Cute, huh?

These are the captains pictures.  This whale came right up to our boat and we could see the orange barnicles all over it

Little tail flip.  So pretty!

We returned the rental car and arrived at our flight just in time to board the plane.  Dinner waited until Las Vegas (Panda Express) and we were home by 11:00 pm that night.  We let the kids sleep in, and they were back in school by lunch on Thursday.  I still can't believe they only missed a day and a half of school for a trip to California!

This trip will go down in history as Mike's first official day off since we started buying the grocery store.  May there be many more Wonderful Wednesdays to come!

My Two Babies are TWO!

Cleaning up one of their many messes

Ganging up on Michael

We have two of the most delightful individuals running around our house these days.  What would we do without them?

Braden is a typical adventurer.  He likes to do things like sneak out of mom's church bench to run up to dad on the stand.  He is usually good to warm up to others, and it is pretty typical of him to have bumps and bruises from all his adventures.

Braden with road rash and asphalt all over his face after a fall. 

He loves cars and basketballs.  He loves to walk and run, especially when mom would rather hold him.  He doesn't think he needs to hold a hand when we walk across a street or parking lot.  He thinks he always knows where he is going, and gets frustrated when I direct him somewhere else.  He is sweet and compassionate.  He shares most of the time, and is kind to his brothers, most of the time.  The most recent episode, is just a cute example: Nelson was wiping his hand on our chalkboard and it got all dirty.  He showed his dirty hand to Braden.  Braden ran over to the sink and grabbed an overhanging rag.  He took Nelson's hand and gently wiped it clean.  Braden likes to snuggle when it's book time, and goes to sleep very well at nights, even in his toddler bed.

Braden  loves the Little Red Riding Hood pop-up book and hearing Goldilocks and the Three Bears

A few nights ago, before bed, he said, "Hey Mom," and when I answered him, he said, "Pretty."  I was touched to the very core.  And then the next night when he was saying it again, I realized he was more likely saying "Beddy" because he knew it was time for bed.  The boy likes his sleep.  When he is ready for nap or bed, he just wants me to hold him.  So, usually around dinnertime, I end up with him begging at my ankles or knees to be held.  He loves being in the older boys' room and playing with big kid toys; enough so that I can usually get him to do this instead of picking him up.

Braden

Nelson is such a fun character.  He gives these "looks" all the time that make everyone laugh.

Nelson seems to always have a new sideways glance

And he loves to make people laugh, and be happy.  He is starting to use his words to be funny too, and it cracks me up.  He likes to go on fun adventures with Braden, as long as Braden has already tested the waters.  He loves to be held and snuggled a lot.  When he was sick a while back, and I needed to get dinner rolling, I realized that he would snuggle with anyone, as long as he was being snuggled.  Michael is always good to be a snuggle substitute for Mom, whenever Nelson needs it.  Nelson likes to try new foods, and is a great eater.  He likes manzanilla olives and pickles, which most our kids could care less about.  Nelson loves balls, and does this cute little squat where he gets low to the ground, and then "dribbles" the basketball.  He usually gets 6-7 good dribbles in, before the ball goes dead.  He loves playing basketball at half time when we are at Michael or Adelyn's games.

He is my little informer.  When I have left the room, he likes to tell me what I've missed when I get back.  If I leave at lunch, he'll grab my hand when I come back and show me his plate, "all done!"  and one morning he grabbed my hand and took me into his room to show me what he'd been doing all morning while I was sleeping, "puzzles, books, beads" and was so proud.  He also has learned to say "trouble" when he thinks he needs to rat someone out, including himself.  He loves his TV shows, and I can't resist letting him watch them, just to see the twinkle in his eye when he hears the Windows Media startup music.  He can say Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Pluto, and Daisy better than almost any of the kids' names.  The only exception is Braden.  He loves to say Braden's name.

Nelson

They love each other with no exceptions.  Yes, they fight a couple times a day, but they don't make it an exception.  One time, I started video recording them fighting over a toy grocery basket.  Their hands were raw from holding and pulling so hard on the basket.  This went on for a very long time, so I stopped recording.  They were screaming and crying and fighting so very hard.  After several minutes, Braden won the war.  Nelson smothered his face into the carpet and wept.  Braden patted his back, and gave him the basket.  I know that had Nelson won the war, he would have done the very same thing.  They are almost always looking out for the other guy before themselves.  They certainly have a best friend in one another.  We have a mom in town who, at the time of our conversation, had two sets of twin girls, with a little boy in-between them (I had 3 kids, with no idea there were twins in our future).  She told me that sometimes, she wished her little boy had a twin, and my jaw hit the ground.  Seriously, you would want another set of twins?  But I totally get it now.  They have a really neat relationship, and I see how special it is, and I want all my kids to have special relationships.  I think that's why twins are always so "cute."  They have something that none of us have and our hearts just eat it up.

They love to watch each other play games on the phone.

On their actual birthday, we postponed the official celebration, but we allowed absolute chaos. There were streamers, a parachute, balls, games and cake everywhere! We made their Jake and the Neverland Pirate cakes to be eaten in a couple days, and did everything we could think of to help them enjoy the day, including multiple rounds of ring-a-round-the-rosies.

Braden smashing extra cake in his face.

Nelson, licking the chocolaty goodness from his fingers

Everyone gets into the chaos.

Adelyn helping them blow out some candles

It seemed like they pulled out every game!

Jake and Hooky as they are so called in our house.

Homemade haircut

Today, after we had a marathon haircutting night... all four boys anyway, I calculated how much we saved. It's a hobby of mine. The barber in Parowan costs about $12+tip, so maybe 13.50 x 4 boys= $54. If we go to the haircutting college in Cedar, it would cost $9 in gas, then $5 per boy= $29 (plus 40 minutes of driving, and another 30 minutes in a salon, trying to get two, two-year-olds and a scared 4-year-old to cooperate. Now, if I were doing an awful job, like when I first started cutting Mike's hair about 11 years ago, I should probably pay $29 for an educated newbie, but I'm getting better, so I keep it up.

Yep, my very first haircut, from the good ol' days of 2002.  I have much improved!

Actually, the front didn't look as bad as I remember... or maybe his handsome-ness masks the hack job :)

One of my favorite parts of the twins getting short haircuts, is that it helps me tell them apart.  When Braden's hair is short, it won't lay down in the front, it sticks straight up.  My good friend, Kathi, pointed it out when they were just a few days old... they definitely had different little hairlines in the very front.  However, they have cowlicks in the same places and the exact same color and texture, so it's not too big of a help for anyone else.

Nelson: not only does his hair lay down nice, but it WON'T stick up in the front, and with gel, it looks silly.

Braden: If we try to lay his hair down, he gets a little ocean wave "whoop" that won't do as it's told.