Like mother, like daughter, like daughter!

Well, it's been a big weekend. Friday at 12:01am was the premiere of New Moon--the second in a series of vampire movies based on four books written by Stephanie Meyer. Why am I so worried about my kids growing up? I'm 35 years old and can still act like a teenager with the best of them. Corey and I went to the re-release of Twilight and then saw New Moon at 12:01am. All told, we were at the theater for 7 hours. It was so worth it! Dreamy vampires and hunky werewolves, what more could a girl want? Then after a little sleep we decided to see New Moon again. Corey, my dad, my sister, the girls, and I met up with a friend of mine from work and her hubby to see it again at 5p the same day. It was just as fabulous the second time. Yes, I am a Twlight Mom!!!!!! Taya and I wore our matching "I Love Vampire" t-shirts. Then, Chloe told me in a very sad voice, "Mom, I don't have a vampire shirt." So, I borrowed her an "I Dreamed of Edward Cullen" t-shirt and we were good to go.

I must admit, about half of my new wardrobe is vampire/Twilight/Edward related. One of these days I'll end up on What Not To Wear for being the 40 year old that won't stop dressing like a teenager! EEK!

To top the weekend off and since the weather was so nice, we decided to try to put up some x-mas lights. Yup, that's me on the roof freaking out trying to string x-mas light at the tippy top of the house. Just a walk in the park for someone who already has the second most dangerous job in the world. Yup, I recently heard that the job of flight nurse is right behind crab fishing as world's most dangerous! For some reason, while I was on the roof, Corey kept asking me if my life insurance was up-to-date. Now why would he care about that?

Hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving! We are heading to Corey's grandma's on Thursday for turkey, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie!! YUM!

I don't want them to grow up!

I am really having a hard time with Chloe starting school. A much harder time then when Taya started school. I suppose it's because Chloe is my baby. When they're both in school and I'm home, I wander around my empty house and feel pretty sad that neither one of my girls is home with me. Don't get me wrong, sometimes I really do enjoy the peace and quiet and not having to listen to them fight. I think that's one of the reasons I like to stay so busy. I get lonely when I have nothing to do and no one to talk to and the house is quiet. But, I don't want them to grow up! I don't want them to become sassy teenagers that are embarassed to be seen with their mom. I want to keep them little and cute and needing me forever. But, life goes on and time goes on and there is nothing I can do about it. So, for right now, I'll treasure the moments that I have with them and enjoy them at whatever stage they are at.

They are still little girls though. Evidence of that is Chloe's continued fascination with dolls. I really like the fact that Chloe still plays with dolls. I am constantly picking up dolls that are wrapped in blankets from every corner of the house. She sets them in a row and reads to them and plays house with them. I sit and watch her and just laugh. Maybe Chloe still is my baby. At least for now!

Wow! Between school, work, and the kids and their activities, I have been so busy I haven't had time to do much blogging. I like to stay busy, but lately it's been ridiculous. I realize that most of it is my own "fault" as my hubby and friends are constantly pointing out to me. I sometimes (okay-most of the time) don't know when to say enough. But, I accept that about myself and continue to march on and get done what I need to get done. It helps me to plan some fun activities to look forward to. I look at it as a reward for all my hard work. Corey, the girls and I are going to Thumper Pond over New Years with a friend of mine from work and her family. Thumper Pond is a huge indoor water park. The girls can't wait and I'm excitied to go too! Corey and I are also planning a trip to the Riviera Maya in Mexico in February with a bunch of friends from work. Corey and I haven't been on vacation together in about 4 years. It will be a much needed break from reality and a chance to get away from the cold and snow.

This fall, I'm taking a Health Informatics class through the grad school at the University of Minnesota. I'm working on finishing my Master's degree in Nursing. It's not my favorite class, but I'm getting through it and am about halfway done. The class is mostly on-line and I have to go to the Cities to campus twice during the semester. We have weekly discussion assignments and four large projects we need to complete throughout the semester. When I'm not doing stuff for school, I'm working on various projects for work.

Sadly, Corey's grandmother (his dad's mom) recently passed away the end of October. We went "up north" for the funeral. His dad was in town from Pheonix so we got to spend some time with Papa Mike. Several days later, my nephew (Corey's sister's little boy), Gavin, was baptized. Corey and I (along with three other family members) were his godparents. He is such a cutie. Two friends of mine from work have sons named Gavin so we have to refer to them as Big G, Little G, and Baby G so we know who we're talking about. Baby G is such a cutie and he is really getting to be smiley and fun. The girls love to hold him and play with him.

For Halloween, we did our traditional annual pumpkin carving. Each of the girls picks out their own pumpkin and a pattern they want to carve on their pumpkin. They love pulling out the pumpkin guts although I usually end up helping them finish their carvings. Taya is getting good and was able to carve her pumpkin almostly completely on her own. Then, the girls and I dressed up like vampires and we went trick-or-treating around the neighborhood. It was cold, but not entirely miserable. The girls made a haul in candy. There is one house at the neighborhood across the pond that goes all out for Haloween and has a graveyard in the front yard and all kinds of scary monsters in the garage. Chloe was really scared to go up to this house, but took my hand and went because she wanted the candy. Afterwards, she was so proud that she had gone to the "scary" house.

My good friend Jordy recently celebrated her 50th birthday. For many years, I worked as a PCA in the nursing home in the town where I grew up. I met Jordy when she started working there. In fact, I trained her in. I'm trying to think how many years ago that was--at least 15 years I'm sure. Even though Jordy and I don't talk all the time, we have remained in contact and remained close friends throughout the years. We have been through loss and heartache and joy and celebrations! I can always count on her. It was really fun to see her and also many of my old friends that I used to work with that I hadn't seen in years! The girls enjoyed dancing to the live polka band and I enjoyed seeing and catching up with my old friends.

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!

Well-

I should be working on some school work while the kids are at school, but instead I'm here blogging away. This stuff really is addictive! (Thanks Tracy and Meridith!)The snow doesn't seem to be stopping. Ugh! I guess all the snow put me in the mood to decorate for Halloween. I love to decorate and take pictures of my house decorated for the different seasons. I guess I got that from my mom. She always had the most beautiful deorations up for Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. I am not as good at it as she was, but I still love to try. I miss you mom!

We had a fun filled weekend! Saturday, the kids, Corey and I went over to some friends for an Oktoberfest party. We had sausage and kraut (Corey loves the stuff), but I had to rinse the kraut off before I could eat the sausage!! (Much to the cook's dismay!) We played some poker and had a great time. I don't think I had ever played poker before. Luckiliy, we didn't play for real money or I might be mortgaging the house right about now. The girls had fun playing on a drum set and playing with other kids at the party. At the end of the night, we found Chloe asleep with her new "friend". How cute!!

On Sunday, I was a "mean" mom and made my kids get up to go to Sunday School. We went out for Chinese and then went to "Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs." It was a cute movie and the girls really liked it. Then we went to Willy Wonka at the Paramount Theatre in downtown St. Cloud. We have season tickets to the Children's Theater. We all love going to live plays! After that it was finish my 20-page paper for school, practice piano, baths, and to bed so we could start the week.

Gotta love Minnesota!

Yup,

The last time I checked the calendar it was October 10th. But, it is Minnesota, and this morning we woke up to snow! The girls were so excited they skipped breakfast and had to dig out their snowpants, hats, and mittens and go play in the snow "before it was gone". Oh, to be a kid again! "I don't know why you and daddy don't like snow", Taya wondered. "I love it!"

The Buddy Walk--Como Park

We had such an awesome time at the Buddy Walk in Como Park on September 20th! The walk was to raise money to support people with Down Syndrome. Corey, Taya, Chloe and I went to support my friend Tracy and her daughter Molly who has Down Syndrome. The girls enjoyed face painting and playing with Tracy's younger kids--Gavin, Maggie, and Molly. The girls actually did better than we thought they would during the walk. They walked the whole way and only started complaining the last 1/2 mile! After the walk and a little lunch, we went to Como Zoo for awhile and enjoyed seeing the animals.