Week in Phone Pics

I didn't take a ton this week, because honestly - I forget!!

- in downtown Knoxville, with a view of the historic Tennessee Theater
- Riding up to Knoxville with our gameday shirt on

- Working  down south, so had to travel the Natchez Trace parkway. (lots of people love it and all - I absolutely HATE it - no service, no radio, etc. If i died on this stupid parkway, no one would ever find me. And then you have people that like to drive 30mph to enjoy the scenery too)

- Jules wore my cardigan for an entire evening and she loved it

- Hanging out before bathtime

- Jules just hanging out in the dog's cage - she's really not in timeout, even though the picture suggests otherwise, lol

- Hugging goats
- Weekly (daily) trip to the grocery store. Note that the cart has a play car, but by the end of the trip they both were fussing to get up top, and had to split leg holes. (and Josh inhaling grapes)

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Linking up with iPhoneography  and InstaFriday and my week in iphone pics and iphonephotofriday

Steppin' Out Saturday - UT vs GA and a bouncy house

We were back up in Knoxville this week to watch my cursed Tennessee Volunteers take on the Georgia Bulldogs. It was yet another loss, and our quarterback broke his thumb and is out for 6 weeks. Awesomeness. Thank goodness for fun tailgating - otherwise, this season would be zero fun! The game was a night game (7:30pm) so we didn't get there until 2:00, which gave us the morning to hang out with the babes. My and my mom decided to take them out to a local bounce house and let them get a WHOLE lot of energy out so they would hopefully take a great nap for my sister Ginny (the babysitter, who also took them to the zoo that afternoon - they had a fun day!)

Future Cheerleader!! (Thanks Grama for the outfit!)

Sweet Josh is wearing a top from Mimi and Shorts are Crazy 8

Going down the slide (Mimi's in the background)

Joshie on the slide!

There was also a ball pit, and my, they do love ball pits

Later was the fabulous tailgate/not-so-fabulous game!

Want to know our menu? Well, super!

Grilled hamburgers and bratwurst/buns
My Buffalo Chicken Dip (a must have yumminess)
Seven Layer Mexican Dip
Salsa
My homemade Pizza rolls (also a hit - I need to post this recipe as well)
Veggie Tray
Fruit and Cheese Tray
Chocolate Brownies
Beer (and liquor too of course)

On Moi: Dress: Maddy M//Tank: H&M//Boots: Nomi//Accessories: Crass Couture Boutique in Knoxville, Danielle Stevens, and Etsy

me and Jake :)

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Halloween - Year 2

What to do, what to do? This is such a big decision for me. This is their second Halloween and I must make them the cutest twins that have ever been a part of such an event. I think they might have won some national award last year for being the cutest twins you have ever seen, so this year cannot be an exception. And I feel like there is a small window of years left to do the really cute over-the-top cute outfits. I also don't want to spend a fortune on a costume they will only wear once, for maybe an hour as well. I looked at some consignment sales this year for some, but none of them seemed right and cute "enough". Last year, I wanted to do Tom Arma, even though I know his costumes were expensive. I ended up finding both on Craigslist a couple of weeks before Halloween, and I must say, they were precious as little bears.

Now...to top it for this year. The slideshow below contains u6some super cute outfits. Currently here are my TOP contenders:

Dorothy and the Lion (opportunity to get to dress one up as a super cute lion)
Butterfly and a Caterpillar
Flower and a Bumblebee
Tortoise and the Hare
They LOVE Mickey and Minnie and Piglet and Pooh, but I would need to find some really cute costumes, instead of cheapo looking ones if we were to go that route.

What do you think? What are your top suggestions for twins?

We could go...

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Parent magazine local blog nomination

we have been nominated by Parents magazine for best local blog in Nashville!!!!!

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By Best Local Mom Blog

Weekly Photo Project 17 - Night Night

Dear Jake,

The babes start each morning and each night with them in your lap, reading books. In the morning they are drinking their milk. At night, they are all tucked in their sleep sac and listening to your read them a bedtime story. We call it "Night-Night" - the babes call it "NiNi" (and its super cute when they say it). Its your favorite time of day. You aren't with them as much during the day, so nighttime is a special time for you. Its all about Daddy and the Babes, and that's as it should be. I know you hate the blog, but how else can I document something so special? Yes, I know this is a special time for you, but its also a special time for me as well, because it warms my hart to take pictures like these. Thank you for being a good daddy to our babies.

Love,

Me

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DIY project - Children's Growth Chart

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Whew. Its done. Its FINALLY done. Hallelujah/raise the roof/break out the champagne/ and everything in between. I have no idea why it has taken this long to get this project done. Months and months! First, there was the decision issue and trying to decide what look I was going for and what graphics I wanted. Then, it was the shopping for material and deciding again on scrapbook pages, etc. Then my printer broke. And the second printer wouldn't work. So, whew. Its DONE.

Why, do you ask would I do a do-it-yourself growth chart and not just buy one? Because I just never found one that I loved. Their nursery, as you know kind of has this french theme to it. And all the growth charts I found were too cartoony, too cutesy, too polkadotty, and just too baby/kid looking. Also, I wanted something that they could roll up and take with then wherever they went and coudl keep it forever. So, I decided I wanted to do my own. I have searched the internet high and low for tutorials. I honestly just kind of winged it. I figured I could Mod Podge about everything. So, this is my no sewing, no wood growth chart. I am anxious to hear your thoughts, because quite honestly, I thinks it FABULOUS!!!

Supplies needed:
Scrapbook pages
Printer
Some computer know-how
Material (I used some clearance Waverly outdoor fabric, I figured it was a little thicker, and hey - on sale!)
Scrapbook numbers
Scissors (or an exacto knife, which I don't have)
A wire hanger
Mod Podge (one container per growth chart)

Step 1.
I designed these myself. I found some free graphics on the computer (again, this took forever. I couldn't make up my mind). For Josh's I used vintage sports graphics. For Jules, I made hers more "French" and did graphics of birds, a chandelier, and the Eiffel tower of course! My favorite is the crowns. I adore crowns!  I changed the color of some in photoshop. I also wanted to do a silhouette of them, which kind of goes with their frame above their crib. I did this in Photoshop, which was pretty easy if you know your way around. You can also just do a picture of them here if you want. Again, this took time, I know, but I love it. This is all just matter of taste, really. I set everything up in Microsoft Word on 8.5 x 12 pages. It took 5 pages. I went above 5 feet, but you can make it shorter if you would like.

2. Bought 12 x 12 scrapbook paper at Michaels and cut it to 8.5 x 12. They I printed out my designs on them. (I would recommend practicing on some scrap pages before printing out the final product, just to make sure your layout is correct) Again, I used 5 pages.

3. Cut your material. I recommend going ahead and buying 5 feet of material for the back of your growth chart. I did not, so I had to glue it together about half way down. Again, your call. It certainly would have made it easier, but I was going for the cheap "clearance fabric scraps", so there. lol. So, cut your material to about 9-10" across and as long as it will go (you need to cut over the 8.5" width, because you need some room on each side - it will make sense later).

4. Start Mod Podging. I used a whole bottle of Mod Podge for each growth chart. Put Mod Podge on the back of each scrapbook page and CAREFULLY align them up long-ways. (here is where I wished I had 5 ft of material). About halfway down I had to also align the fabric design up and glue that too. Again, it ended up being fine, but it would have been easier if I didn't have to do this step. Also here is where you would stick up the numbers to it as well.
*important - leave an inch or two of material above your top page to allow room for your hanging rod.
*important - please make sure there is no air bubbles as well - that can create headaches late (from experience)

Mod Podge on the back of the scrapbook page

Make sure the pages are aligned EXACT using your Mod Podge. (they should stick and stay put though)

Lining up the page on the fabric. (note the extra fabric up top and to each side, although I could have used more space on the sides)

5. Mod Podge like crazy. I would Mod Podge the front, let it dry, then turn it over and Mod Podge the back. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.

Its all lined up and done. Now we Mod Podge on top like crazy.

Here is where I had to line up more fabric. Its not too bad, but again, you could just buy more fabric too.

6. Take the cardboard out of your wire hanger. Using Mod Podge, apply it to the underside of the fabric along the top of your growth chart. Carefully roll your cardboard tube up.

Drying. Note the cardboard tube on the upper side.

7. More Mod Podge until its gone. Then hang and let dry and set.

8. Trim the edges using an exacto knife or scissors. I only had scissors.

Trimming the bottom

Trimming the edges. Again, its best to have to have a bit more give here, as its easier that way.

Cut the edge of the cardboard tube so its even to the fabric.

9. Loop a ribbon through and hang! Tada

I am so proud of My Do-It-Yourself Growth Charts!! And FYI - The bottom is a French Proverb (you know how much I adore French things!) It says, "Les petits ruisseaux font les grandes rivières" which is translated to mean, "Tall oaks from little acorns grow" - perfect for a growth chart, no??

Front of charts

Back of charts

Close-ups of the top, where I have their full name and birth details. Then the middle where I have some graphics.

The bottom where their silhouette is and more graphics

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A-Z of Moi

A little bit about me on your Thursday! I saw this over at Danielle's blog, and wanted to do it as well. Thought all my (10) readers wanted to know a little bit about me. So, here ya go!

A. Age: Right off the bat an age question! A very young 32. Crap. 33 as of Sept 8th. (still having a hard time with it)

B. Bed size: Queen. We will probably get a King if we ever find a new house to move into.  We're looking. Here's hoping!

C. Chore that you hate: Emptying the bathroom trash cans. Hands down. I would rather clean toilets.

D. Dogs: No dogs, but two cats - Gus and Zelly. (don't post about them near enough, poor things)

E. Essential start to your day: Coffee

F. Favorite color: Red

G. Gold or Silver: Depends on the outfit. Right now I am into gold accessories, though. But my rings are platinum.

H. Height: 5'1". I'm petite :)

I. Instruments you play: I used to play the piano at one time in my life, also the flute. I sing, though, so the instrument I have used most often in my voice (yes! It's an instrument!)

J. Job title: Youth Market Director for the AHA

K. Kids: Two of the cutest, funniest, smartest around: Joshua and Julia, born 1/8/10. Wanna see a picture of them? Look in about any post on this blog. Its about them after all!

L. Live: Brentwood, TN - suburb of Nashville, TN - Basically where all the rich country music stars live - although we don't live anywhere near them :)

M. Mother’s name: Mary Glenn (she has a double name - so sweet and southern)

N. Nicknames: Mandy, MPS

O. Overnight hospital stays: When I had the babes (of course) and when I had these awful, horrible cysts when I was about 5 weeks pregnant (thanks fertility drugs)

P. Pet peeves: There is nothing NOTHING more irritating to me that bad customer service - when you expect certain things and get the complete opposite. Thats why Chick-Fil-A is awesome. Also another Pet Peeve is when you are waiting on a parking space in a parking lot, and that person backs up and turns in your direction. Just annoying, really, but it drives me crazy. Why not just turn and go the other way so I can pull in without waiting for you?

Q. Quote from a movie: "Luanne, why don't we just go up there and say "This was our last weekend together, and we didn't feel like going to Fort Sumter and touring goddamn colonial homes. We wanted to go to the beach and meet boys and go to wild parties and dance." I mean why can't we tell them the truth?  - from Shag, quite possibly the best movie ever.
R. Right or left handed: Right!

S. Siblings: Ginny, 18 months younger, and Leslie, 4 years older. Yes, I am Jan Brady

T. Time you wake up: I get up a little eariler than the babes during the week - 6:30 (they get up at 7) and then at 7 on the weekends. I wish they would learn to sleep in some..

U. Underwear: Hanky Pankys are the best ever

V. Vegetable you hate: Brussel Spouts and Onions. Onions are made by the devil.

W. What makes you run late: A better question is what doesn't make me run late. I am a horrible - HORRIBLE judge of time and long it will take for me to do something.

X. X-Rays you’ve had: teeth, body (from a car accident) and back and neck (chiropractor)

Y. Yummy food that you make: I make lots of yummy things. I love this pasta that I make with pesta and ckicken and sundried tomatoes. I also love making creamy pastas too. but mostly I get requested for my Buffalo Chicken Dip

Z. Zoo animal: I like Elephants and really big animals that you normally woudln't see. But if you asked Josh and Jules, they would say the Meer Cats and the Goats at the petting zoo.

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