What they're up to

   This coming month will count the 2 year mark these two have been in our lives.  Can you believe it?  TWO years! I sure can't.  Pretty sure we have fallen more and more in love with these gremlins as the months go on.  

    Oakley is still a little bigger than her sister.  But not by much.  We are guessing they weigh about 25lbs now.  They both have most of their teeth in.  Those vampires are just finishing.  

They still sleep in cribs and have yet to try and climb out. We are in shock really at the fact they have yet to attempt to do so.  Naps are still a regular thing.  Generally every day from 1:30-4:30.  I don't know what I'll do when they refuse to do so.  It's my time to get things done I need.  

We thought they would never talk, but now it seems we can't get them to be quiet. ;)  
They copy and say almost everything we do.
If you never believed that twins had their own language. Come spend a few hours with these ones.  The use complete sentences, usually only to each other.  Most the time we can't make sense of it but most the time it's the best part of our days.  
Aussie Bear has become their best friend.  He lets them hold on to his fur and drags them around the house.  They often use him as a pillow or to sit by and read to him.  
Books are still their favorite thing to occupy their time.  They love to be read to, but are definitely OK with just sitting together and reading by themselves.  


Kenzington has shown us she is the adventurous one of the two.  She will jump off the couch first, climb as high as she can first, and try out new things first.  I imagine most mothers would be worried or nervous to have a kid so willing to take risks.  In all honesty it makes me so excited to get her going on bikes, motorcycles, snowboarding and more!  


Oakley isn't against being out there but she will sit back and watch to make sure "sissy" doesn't end up hurt. Even then she often just takes a leap of faith, ha!  She has shown us how motherly she is towards others.  Making sure to gives hugs and kisses if anyone is upset or crying.  Even just on the drive by she'll stop to give a hug and smile.  It's something that pulls on those little heart strings.  


             Call us crazy, but we started potty training about a month ago.  K was showing all the signs of being ready.  She would hide in the corner, get mad when her diaper was wet or messy or even just tell us she went potty.  We went for the Naked Butt potty training.  Keeping them naked from the waist down for a solid three days and consistently putting them on the potty.  They still run around in just undies or nothing at all if we are at home to keep it easy for them to run to and from the potties.  
One thing I do want to address is that ACCIDENTS DO HAPPEN!  We have been told so many times even after having just one accident, that we should give up.  That doesn't make sense to me.  They love running around in their undies now that it's warmer.  They also love telling us and showing us they can use the potty themselves.  So why on earth would we put them back in diapers just because they couldn't run to the bathroom in time once and a while?  It's a work in progress, Dr's and books even say that depending on the kid it could happen over night or it could take years of training.  
To us it's about being positive.  Letting them know "Pee Pee goes in the potty", if they do make a mistake.  But positively reinforcing them when they are successful. We are down to 0-1 accidents a day and have yet to have any accidents while out on the town.  They do wear diapers or pull ups at night or nap time.  Even then their diapers have been getting drier and drier at night as the weeks go on.  

I can't even express how proud and happy they make me.  They have been through some amazing things in their short 2 years.  I can only imagine the ones they have ahead.  Every day they show us something new and simple things we should all sit back and enjoy!  
I'm lucky enough I get to spend most my day with them before heading off to class at night. It's hard to leave at dinner and not come home till they are fast asleep.  But in the long run it is what is best for our little family.  I am just so thankful that from 8am-5:30pm I get to share all the new things they are experiencing each day.  I get to hear those adorable voices as I go to wake them saying "mommy! Momma!".  That's something I don't think even words can describe.  

fondant cake

(Just cuz, hehe)

For the twins birthday coming up this month instead of buying or having someone else make a cake we decided to have me give it a go. Some of you probably saw the theme or ideas I have for their party and if you didn't you can check it out here. :) 

I figure why not document our little experience.  I'll go through it an explain things we messed up or can do better next time now that we know.

Yesterday- after acquiring a recipe from a friend of ours- my mom and I attempted the cake (she has the better kitchen of us two and also has all the baking supplies that I don't).  OK, the cake part was easy, depending on what ever cake you want, my mom had already made a simple white cake and had it ready for us.   Then with a little bit of Milk, powder sugar, and a touch of this and that we made just regular white frosting with a hint of cherry flavoring.  

We covered the cake, sides and all, with frosting to prevent crumbs from getting in the fondant.  (That and the fact we need some messy icing for when they break into the cake!)

After sticking that in the fridge so the icing could harden a little, it was on to the fondant.

Here is the recipe I got:

(I did research the web and found several different ways to make it, one of them buttercream)

‎16 oz. bag mini marshmallows
2-3 tbs. water
1 tsp. lemon juice (optional all it does it make it a little less sweet)
1 tbs. light karo syrup
approx. two pounds Powder Sugar
lots and lots of crisco!

In a large microwave safe bowl, coat with crisco, then add the marshmallows and water, Microwave at 30 second intervals stirring in between until marshmallows are melted. Take out and add karo syrup and lemon juice (if using). If you want to make the entire batch one color add it here, you can also flavor the fondant with your typical candy flavorings here as well if you'd like just make sure you don't use the lemon juice. Then it's just a matter of kneading in the powder sugar until it reaches the right consistency. You want it nice and firm. Make sure you coat everything the fondant will touch with crisco (including your hands!). Best if refrigerated overnight, but make sure to use an air-tight container! Air is fondants worst nightmare! When you go to use it you will have to work with it for a while to get it as pliable as you'll need. If you don't want to color it all one color, you just separate the block into sections of as many colors as you need and knead in the food coloring.

 After using a bowl to mix the main ingrediants- mallows, water and karo and some red coloring- you can choose to use your hands to knead in the powdered sugar, which we did.  Later, after how hard it was starting to become we realized if you do have a mixer-which we did-and it had a kneading attachment-which it did-that using that would have been a better route and should work just the same.

Once it was to a decent consistency it was time for dinner and like the directions say you should let it sit over night, but instead we just popped it in the fridge covered for a couple hours.  

 After dinner we took it out and at first thought we should put Crisco down on the counter top and my hands, but the fondant was looking a bit greasy.  In fact my hands didn't really need the crisco at this point because the fondant was very manageable. So this is were we learned the more powdered sugar the better it became, looks wise as well as easier to manipulate.

We didn't add enough powdered sugar to the batch until we had already covered the cake, but now we know.

After flattening to what we thought was a decent width and diameter, I slowly picked it from the counter and draped it over the cake.  Smoothing out the top and tapering down to the bottom. It was surprisingly easy to get it over the cake and in position.

But that's when we realized something, when I originally iced the cake with the cherry flavored icing, I didn't realize and had left it un-smooth and un-even in several areas.  This was a problem because once draped over the cake, the fondant took the form of everything underneath.  Oops. =p  Also I ended up cutting the fondant a bit too short in spots, so definitely try to compensate for what you will want to tuck into/under the cake a bit. 

After finishing with the cutting and attempts at smoothing we placed it in the freezer for about an hour or so.  Until we decided it was time to eat.  This is where we learned some more..

The fondant was a bit thick, so next time when we are making the cakes I need to make sure it's a lot thinner.  With it being so thick it was a lot to chew on and to everyone who tried it thought it was a little over powering.  

We also decided that instead of the lemon juice we want to try some flavoring next time. Not that it tasted bad, because it tasted like marshmallows..yummy..but it would have been nice to maybe have a little bit of extra cherry flavor in there or something. 

As for the coloring, we originally placed the coloring in at the start so it was all pink instead of all white. But, if you do plan on using several colors which we plan to for the cakes on their birthday.  After messing with the left overs and adding some more powdered sugar it was surprisingly easy to knead and we didn't see that it would be a problem to make a whole batch white, then separate and add coloring by kneading later.

In the end everyone had some and seemed to enjoy it although the fondant was a bit thick.  It was a great first attempt-in my honest opinion- especially when neither of us had tried it before and I never bake, haha.  

It kind of makes me excited to make the final cakes, to mess with coloring, flavoring and cutting shapes and molding to make what we want. 

❤ Happy Monday!

Hey loves

I am Blog of the Week over at Cherie's beautiful Lots of Jewels blog!  Not only do I love her style but I love her "letters to my children" posts, so great!  Go on over and take a look!

PS.  That pretty little "jewel" up there!  She makes those!  Check out her Esty Shop you know you'll love it. ❤

Oh so crafty

As you probably saw I was going to attempt being a crafty person not too long ago.  

With the help of my mothers sewing machine, some advice on fabric/material shopping, not to mention help in the sewing department, and a few choice words after some hiccups- I finished.  :)  

It was fun, something I'm not used to, and a learning experience. I have a couple of different fabrics I want to try out here in the near future.  So who knows, I have a couple ideas running around in my head and I'm not sure what to do with them. 

Anyway I hope everyone is having a fun weekend!  Ours went from 75 degrees and sunny to 30 degrees with 6in of snow on the ground, in a matter of a day.  So we are hunkered inside at the moment. 

Ill have scenes from our weekend tomorrow ❤

Amazing Monday Giveaway

Alright ladies and gents!  We all know how much us women love love love feeling pampered! I mean, I know I do!  Specially while being a mom and having NO time for myself, there is nothing like feeling as though I just stepped out of the spa, all while in the comforts of my own home.  :) 

So why not get some nifty new products for free?!

Thanks to an up and coming sponsor we have this great giveaway for everyone.

Here is the loot!

The winner will receive:

Nu Skin's - Polishing Peel Skin Refinisher

Along with:

One Contouring Lip Gloss

In your choice of-

Toasted Bronze

Tender Beige

Sweet Pink

Sparkling Wine

Or Crystal Clear

How To Enter:

(Counts as one comment)

-Be follower of Me and You, Plus Two

-Comment with your favorite thing you like to do to pamper yourself

Extra Entries:

(separate comments each entry)

-Blog or Tweet about the giveaway (leaving a link or twit account in comment)

-Follow @HettyA on Twitter

-Follow @AdamsNuSkin on Twitter HERE 

If you simply would like to browse other awesome skin care products and much more! Head on over HERE and check it all out!  There are some things I cannot wait to try myself :)

If you would like an even better spankin' deal of 30% off EVERYTHING you buy, simply become a preferred buyer by sending the following deets to my e-mail addy (top right of blog), and I'll pass it on to set you up with a preferred account to log in with right away!

(ATTENTION: All information sent to me will remain private and not solicited to any one business or persons.  All information will be used simply for the making of your Preferred Buyer Login.)

-First and last name

-Mailing address

-Phone Number

-E-mail Address

-Password (for your login)

-Password hint  (ex: password: Sally Hint: my dog)

Winner of the contest will be announced on my happy happy birthday Saturday, March 19th!

Good luck everyone!  Spread the word! 

Most of all-

~ Have a great Monday! ~

❤

Blog Guidebook

So, I'm seriously in love with some of the blogs I follow!  Life is so busy with out some of these bloggers I'd miss some cool things that are out there.

For example I found this site just as I was starting to really get into blogging but was recently told of some great offers they are doing:

The Blog Guidebook

It always has great updates and ideas for us up and coming bloggers.  Not to mention for a limited time you can list your blog for free in their Category listing.

ALSO- they are doing another limited time only to add a button listing of your blog.  So all others out there can find your blog and check you out!

Stroll on over and take a look at em!

OH happy day!

It came! It came!! I'm sure you read not too far back I won an amazin' giveaway!  Well it came in the mail yesterday!

*Jumps with joy*

I was so excited I had to try it on.

(Ignore bad lighting and horrible iPhone photos, ha ❦)

It's from Chrissy's shop at Whimsical Poppysmic.

She was such a doll through the whole process checking to make sure I got it in time and that I liked it.

It came all wrapped up in the most adorable wrapping.  Oh and meet my new little friend too..

Absolutely love it and want to say Thank you Chrissy for the great gift! :)  

Everyone should pop on over to her shop and check out her cute goodies!

Well I'm off to do more homework and spend some time with my little family. 

Busy busy week ahead!

Everyone have a great Stressless Sunday!

5 Fav Friday

 (via)

 (via)

(via)

1.  New song from the best band ever.  Rope

2.  Everybody knows the nerd is the word.

3.  Me.  Old photos make me happy.  (Wishing I had more on my computers)

4.  Mustache!!!! From Whimsical Poppysmic

5.  The girls room will look like this one day!  (I'll make sure of it) <3

I'm no chef

I'm going to be honest here, I'm not a chef by any means.  I don't cook and choose not to learn, despite the many many cook books my mother has given me over the years.  That's bad I know!  One day I'm going to have to stray from this and actually learn some recipes.  On the other hand I love to bake.  I'm sure all you girls out there remember those Easy Bake Ovens!?  Oh boy did I love mine!  I love dough soo much I would end up eating most of it before it was baked! But mostly I love baking because some of my best memories with my mom when I was little was helping her make cookies or cinnamon rolls. 

(By the way, I'm not bias or anything but my moms cinnamon rolls are WAY better than anyone else!)

In the future I really truly hope to make those memories with the twins.  Teach them the ways of eating dough and playing in the flour!  

I just love that items are at the tips of our fingers these days thanks to the interweb!  I was just browsing and came across some really great cooking/baking items for kids:

The Kitchen Helper-

This is something I totally wish I had now!  The Bakers Hat (ages 3-8)-

The Apron (You know your kiddies will look awesome in this, for girls of course ;)  )-

Or for the Boys (or girls too I guess)-

Now, I think my 2nd favorite part about baking with my mom was rolling the dough through the flour!  So much fun! Then cutting them out into crazy shapes!

Accessories-

Cookie Cutters (my favorites I've found)-

Well....You get the picture!  I'm excited!  It's going to give me some great reasons to get the girls interested in baking and having fun while making a huge mess!!

It's so hard not to anticipate the future and what great things are to come!  

Lulapalooza Giveaway

Everyone needs head bands!  Don't even second guess that, you know all us girls do!  And all you guys out there love surprising your gal friends with something cute.  

Here is a great giveaway being put on by Lula @ Lulapalooza for this beauty:

This pretty goody is being given away by Michelle from Wishful Thinking.

To enter:

 1.  Follow both Lulapalooza and Wishful Thinking-Post a comment on Lula's post telling her you follow them.

2. Tweet/Post about the giveaway for an extra entry-again Post a comment to Lula on the giveaway post telling her in a separate comment!

If you simply want to just buy some awesome you also get a coupon code for 15% off at Bobbins and Bits! Just enter LVLULA.

Happy Monday all and good luck :)

*yawn* What a day!

It has been a long tiring day!  Woke up at 6am to leave for our first Rugby game today at SUU!  Boy was it freeeeeezing!  20 degrees with snow and wind...yes..I couldn't feel my toes, or face, or hands, or eyeballs.

Sadly after a long drive there and freezing to death we didn't win, BUT we made them bleed and let them know this new team with tiny players can show them who's boss!  GO UVU RUGBY!

The drive back was FUN :) we played the iPod game where someone would pick a song on the iPod, you'd put the headphones in and turned it up so loud you could only hear the music and not yourself..then you sang....LOUD!! LOL It was hilarious!  I strongly suggest this to people who have a long drive ahead of them and nothing to do!

Best part of the day!?

Coming home checking my blogger and finding out that I won my first giveaway!!!  From this adorable shop Whimsical Poppysmic!  that was shown to me by this awesome blogger Nicole from Sounds of Laughter Shades of Life.

This is my new prize!!

YAYAY!  I can't wait! :)  Thank you again Nicole!  And I will probably be purchasing from Chrissy's shop in the near future for more of her cute stuffs!

Anyway, it's been a great day and now it's time to retire by watching a movie, eating some otter pops, icing my legs and falling asleep. 

Hope everyone is having a great weekend!

My 5 Fav Friday

Happy Friday all!  Have a safe weekend! <3

Giveaway

Yet another great giveaway I've stumbled upon while doin' my blogness!

Found here at <3 Elycia's Blog 

The prize:

How to enter:  Go to Elycia's Blog Leave a comment telling her your favorite item from m.sartin designs as well as your e-mail address for if you win!

My favorite(s):

Yummy Baby Hat

m.sartin cowl-taupe

LOVE EM! :)

Extra Entries: 

1. Blog or tweet about the giveaway and leave her a link!

2. follow mindy on twitter! 

The winner will be announced Thursday January 27th!  Good luck!