These are the cinnamon rolls I made this morning with Alisa. I am considering it to be a trial run, as my mom and sister and I are planning to make them just before Christmas. Of course, I will be 15 pounds heavier by then, as this recipe makes 8 tins of rolls. While they were cooking, I took a few photos for some friends’ Christmas card.
I think that was a good one. Then I headed over to my sister-in-laws house for her birthday. She’s married to my husbands’ brother. Here they are in Spain on their wedding day 4 years ago.
The Man’s mom and sister and I helped her decorate her house for Christmas. She mentioned she was so glad we enjoy decorating, because she certainly doesn’t. I asked her what brings her joy to the same extent. And in her thick, Spanish accent, she answered me, “Studying. I love to study.” I suppose that’s why she’s the university professor with 2 masters degrees and I’m the one with the cute house. And I guess when you love to study and don’t care about decorating, then you also don’t care when your husband builds a putting green in your backyard. Don’t believe me?
There it is, baby. Green in all its glory. But back to my day. The girls had fun with their cousin, as always.
Then later, when we came home, we had carolers. We’ve never had carolers….some freshmen girls from the youth group. And it was great, albeit a bit strange to have people singing to me on my porch. But great. And they left these behind.
And, unfortunately, they’re gonna be ON my behind. Along with 8 tins of cinnamon rolls. At least Santa will have some company.
my day in pictures
all i want for Christmas
And so it begins. I went Christmas shopping yesterday and it kind of snowed. I mean, it was 40 degrees out so I have no idea how it happened. And you had to look really hard to actually see the snowflakes. But it did snow. I took that as a good sign. I had high hopes for my shopping outing. After all, expectations were extremely high…here is the request list I had to work from:
Twin B:
three dinosaurs
one farm
one dollhouse
a small boat
And shorter but no less complex…
Twin A:
three Diegos
rainbow hair
The rainbow hair is no joke. She tells me she wants her hair to be every color of the rainbow (with brown on the sides). Whatever happened to a pair of skates? A dolly? Two front teeth? Needless to say, Wal-Mart was fresh out of live dinosaurs.
a follow up
Attention everyone. I just received this important document via email from my sister. If it makes no sense to you, then read this. Regardless, I have to ask…which mask do you think is better? And though I know this photo offers incriminating evidence to the contrary, I do have a neck…for the record.
thankful in all things
They come into the world helpless to feed themselves, to clothe themselves, to control their own bladder. They are dependent on us for everything. And everything they have needed has been provided. It has been a tough road with twins and a baby (who is really not a baby anymore, but that’s another post). It has been a challenging, exciting, blessed four years. And it is sweet, because at the ages they are now, they still think we know everything, can fix everything, can make everything better. I like that they think that.
But it is hard work knowing everything, fixing everything, making everything better. It’s a thankless job in many ways. A great job, but a thankless one.
So when it comes time for them to verbalize to their preschool teacher what it is they are thankful for, I am tempted to take offense. Because what are they thankful for? Hospitals. And the dentist. No, I’m not kidding.
