My Pancake Maker

The kids came back last night - they had a great time with their dad (he is going to send pictures, so I will post them later - but they spent the week at Lake Tahoe - one of their favorite places). Miles learned how to make pancakes (THANKS Grandma Gilmore) and was eager to show off his cooking skills - so we had pancakes for breakfast.
I was impressed - he not only mixed the batter himself (measuring too), but he poured the batter and flipped the pancakes himself. He wouldn't let me help at all - in fact, when I suggested he go sit down and eat with the rest of the family - he refused and cooked the entire batch himself. Here's what it looked like!

I have had a hard time this summer (and spring before that and winter before that) letting people help me. I used to think that I could do everything by myself - but I am learning (slowly) that I do need help (lots of it). Anyway - one of the things that I wanted to do this summer was to start a MTC - yes, it stands for Missionary Training Center (I got this idea from my sister-in-law, Thanks Elsa). Anyway, I wanted to focus not only on scriptures and stuff, but also on the practical things that missionaries are expected to know - like cooking, sewing, laundry, etc. Anyway, it was an idea that lasted for only 3 days - dispite the fact that both boys have been begging to cook all summer. So I really do appreciate Grandma Gilmore for taking the time and having the patience to help Miles - he loved it and loves that he has a new skill - not to mention, he is really good at it, so I love that he enjoys helping me (at least helping me cook - helping me clean his room or practice his piano is another thing). Anyway - thanks to the whole Gilmore family who took good care of my kids this week - they had a blast and got a lot more attention then I have been giving them for a while!!

The Photo Shoot!!!

I took advantage of having only 2 kids this week (Miles, Ethan and Abby are with their dad at his family reunion) and got the twins pictures taken. Here are some of the best shots!
Piper is on the left and Paige is on the right. Piper is usually the one who has a hard time sleeping, but for some reason - she slept through most of the shots (which is a good thing, because she also tends to be the fussier of the two)

PAIGE

PIPER

I will have to post more later - I have to finish my last paper (due tomorrow) of the summer - I am super excited to be done with my classes for a few weeks and to have the kids back. Hopefully we can cram everything that I wanted to do this summer into the next two weeks before school starts again - wishful thinking:)

SISTERS!

Just a couple of cute shots - Paige always has her fist in her mouth - here she even managed to get Piper's fist in her mouth and Piper didn't even object!
They even yawn at the same time!

Abby is always begging to hold (or pet) one of the twins - here she even managed to talk grandma into letting her hold both the twins (Piper is on the left, Paige is on the right).

Welcome to the World - part 2

Piper Gilmore was born July 17th at 2:05 p.m. She weighed 6 lbs 3 oz and was 18 1/2 inches long. She has lived up to her name - her cry is at least 4 times louder than her sister's. She is also a beautiful baby and has the cutest "gas smiles".
Here is the proud brother. It is interesting to me that Miles has taken more to Piper and Ethan has taken to Paige (not to say - they could tell them apart almost from the beginning) - but they have both been good help - now if only I could say the same thing about Abby!!!

Welcome to the World - part 1

Paige Gilmore was born July 17th at 1:35 p.m. She weighed 6 lbs 5 oz and was 19 inches long. She is a beautiful baby and has a sweet disposition. She is also very strong - I don't expect anyone to believe this - but she has already rolled over from stomach to back - 6 times!
Here is Abby with Paige - she is sure the proud big sister!

Ethan is also taken with his sister - Paige has a blonde streak in her hair - the same place that Ethan has his blonde streak - so Ethan is quite excited about that. Her hair is also slightly lighter than her sister's so we are wondering if maybe she will have Ethan's hair color and blue eyes?