Perfect...

Is the best word to describe last weekend at The Cabin with Jake's family. The weekend getaway including some yummy meals was their Christmas present from us, but it was a selfish one as we all had such a fabulous time.

Our family got up there a day early to have some time to ourselves that we didn't get in January, and it was very sweet! We had a fabulous hike on Friday morning (yes, he is Superman)...

followed by a trip to our favorite, Mercier Orchards, to stock up on vital items like Pink lady apples and apple butter.

Everyone else arrived Friday afternoon, and the serious fun began. Here's a taste (I would apologize for the amount of pictures, but I'm not actually sorry- it's my blog, right?!)...

We celebrated Cade's 3rd birthday on Saturday night with cupcakes that Paul decorated with the big kids (p.s. Paul made this amazing giraffe cake for Luke's 1st bday last month- we're talking about a bake-off...)

It was beyond precious to me to see my children and nephews enjoy the same things I enjoyed as a child, and the time us parents and the grandparents had together and with them was priceless. Thank you again Aunt Boo and Uncle Wayne, for another wonderful weekend!

Date weekend!

This weekend was long-awaited!

Friday night- Cobb Parents of Multiples Club (yes we're members) consignment sale, no kids allowed. We racked up. Then we went out for a late dinner (amazing salad and pizza!)- first dinner date in about a month, and much-needed!

Saturday- spent day in Cartersville, great playtime with Mimi and Bop Bop, yummy eating, and... Blythe's FIRST GIGGLING!

Sunday night- second date of the weekend- Jake and Jeff's Christmas present from Lyndsay and I (Jeff- one of high school and Auburn best friends who married Lyndsay- one of my precious Auburn roommates)... BUBLE CONCERT! OK, so it was a selfish gift, but the night was INCREDIBLE!!!!! We started with a great dinner at J. Alexanders, then went on to the concert.

Buble's a great showman, the band is so amazing that we'd go to a concert where they played alone, and of course, the guy has got a crazy good voice! Top it off with sweet time with dear friends, and it was a wonderful night!

Thanks, Mom for all your babysitting- she did Friday night, Sunday night, and this morning while I went for a haircut! I know, we're really really spoiled.

First Cereal and LBD Grits

Joy made it apparent this week that what she was getting from me was not going to cut it for a growing girl, so yesterday was their first rice cereal! Here is her momentous first bite...

And her initial reaction, bless her poor hungry soul!

Blythe was sort of along for the ride on this one, as she could probably have waited a few more weeks.

I think she wasn't quite sure how she felt about it, but it definitely wasn't like

this one did!

Joy employs the "stick your fingers in your mouth at the same time as the spoon and suck really hard to get everything you can off of them" technique. Blythe prefers to pull the bib up to her face and mouth on whatever dripped onto it. Both plans are messy, but I like that they each only do one or the other. Abby Jane did both techniques!

Now.

Last night, we had Asiago Cheese Grits, which I have decided is the little black dress of cheese grits. Oh my, they were phenomenal. Who knew switching the cheese to asiago and adding a few other items could make cheese grits a sophisticated side? Delicious paired with salmon, and you absolutely must try it. (The only thing I changed was halving the butter... there's so much cheese that you don't need it for flavor.)

12 years

It's been 12 years since my precious Daddy went to be with the Lord. I could write more than anyone would want to read about who my dad was, things he taught me, and things God taught me in Daddy's sickness and passing.

What I will share with you on this day is what was most vital to Daddy to pass along to us and others throughout his life, and especially in those final months:

The most important thing in life is relationships, first with the Lord, and then with others.

I am far beyond thankful for having had my dad for 16 years, and I am also so indescribably thankful that MY girls have the powerful blessing of the amazing wonderful man who they call "Daddy."

Four months

Blythe and Joy turned four months last week, and it is CRAZY to me to think they're a third of the way to being one-year-olds! Thank you to Jake's Aunt Gladys for the girls' dresses...

We are entering into the "coming alive" phase of personality starting to just pour out. While they still nap significantly more than Abby Jane did at this age, they are awake for much longer periods of time, so it's fun getting to have more interaction with them! Though more awake time can have it's challenging aspects as well...

Blythe's a regular roly poly, almost seeming to show off that she can roll both ways. Joy, on the other hand, presses up on her little baby arms for a few minutes, then just barrel rolls with no precursory stretches. We joke that maybe Blythe's a bit of a fancy pants/dilly dallier, and maybe Joy's a "get in, get out, get it done" type of girl! We shall see...

Here is Blythe...

Blythe is also an amazing Houdini. One night last week, Jake went in to find her having kicked off socks and pants, feet out of swaddle, one arm out of a sleeve, the other arm stretching out over her head out of the swaddle as well. She is ridiculously strong!

Blythe is a GREAT smiler and is still doing that breathing-really-fast that will become her laugh.

Here is Joy...

Joy seems to possibly be teething already? There's something white there. I would be OK if teething holds off a little longer!

Joy has also graced us with a definite laugh, and it's funny- more of a low chuckle. I LOVE it.

Both girls are getting better at lasting longer in the bumbo. Which means we will be starting cereal soon! I'm enjoying relative simplicity of feedings for now!

They still wake up in the night for pacifiers or re-swaddling on occasion. Which means likely this month will also be the weaning from the swaddle month.

Abby Jane remains vice president of entertaining/comforting and is AWESOME at soothing them. Favorite lines from her...

"I see that smile, Joy/Blythe!"

"Is she happy, Mama?"

"Abby Jane make her happy?"

"I LOVE my sisters."

Zen Sandwich and more

This weekend we caught a glimpse of post-doctoral life by having two full days of "just-us," laid-back family time. Here's some pictures from when we played in a field and had a picnic at Kennesaw Mountain on the beautiful sunshiny day that was Saturday. To say the weekend was therapy is an understatement.

Abby Jane about to hug Joy in the Bjorn...

When Jake referred to the lunch I am obsessed with as my "Zen Sandwich" yesterday, I decided it needed some face time. It is actually a wrap, and it is so delicious that I look forward to absolutely SAVORING a variation of it EVERY DAY. Here is today's Zen Sandwich...

The bones:

Ezekiel sprouted grain tortilla (thanks, Les, for getting me hooked on our Jan. visit out there!)

a very thin layer of hummus (maybe 1 tsp)

generous amount of spring mix or baby lettuce mix

light drizzle of light balsamic vinaigrette

The other additions I choose from:

turkey

red, yellow, or orange peppers

purple onion

avocado

swiss cheese

edamame

Warm it for 20 seconds after assembling so the poor wrap can attempt to close over all that deliciousness!!

Last night we had chicken and onion kebabs (with tomatoes, peppers, and mushrooms added) and LOVED the dipping sauce (though grating onion has a mascara-running-down-your-cheek pungency!!!) We had the gorgonzola-walnut potatoes in this month's Southern Living and were equally delighted. I did use fat-free half and half, cut the butter in half, and amped up the gorgonzola to 3/4 cup instead. Easy, fast, and pure delight.

Snowday... Again!

It snowed on Tuesday... the 8th time we've seen snow since moving from SoCal, the 3rd snow with enough to play in, and the 1st time that Jake's been in town to enjoy it!!!

Lucky for Blythe and Joy's poor younger children heart's, Jake coming home on his lunch break to play with Abby Jane meant they got to stay inside nice and warm with Mama and not get trekked outside in the cold! I just came out for the photo op.

Boogie board got repurposed again...

So all that was fun. Time for spring now!!!!!