A visit to Santa

Last week we took the trips to see Santa at the mall. They did a great job!! I was very impressed, it always works out better if I assume the worst (like all 3 screaming!) then when that doesn't happen- it's a good night! Caitlen started to cry a bit, but somehow we got her to stop! No one is smiling (except Santa) but I think it's a great picture!


New chatter around our home...... we have a few "Santa" items around the house & the trips walk all over saying "Tanta, Tanta...Ho..Ho..Ho. Heck, any man with white hair, he doesn't even have to have a white beard & he is "Santa".... Poor Geppetto in our Pinocchio books is Santa... the Skipper to our bath time Tugboat is now Santa. We had the show "Duel" on last night & there was a gentleman w/ white hair & a white beard- the kiddos couldn't take their eyes off him- "Tanta" "Ho, Ho, Ho" it's just too cute!!

Christmas Baking
I love Christmas goodies- cookies, candy- oooohh, yummy!! I was planning on making some goodies this year & I was talking with a couple of friends (Michelle & Karla, my morning workout buddies... funny we were discussing baking while working out!) & we decided to get together & make some stuff- it's always more fun to do just about anything with friends!
We started a couple weeks ago with a "Cookie Night" over at Michelle's- besides making quite a mess....We made, Sugar Cookies, my personal favorite, but can take a long time, the making of the dough, chilling the dough, cutting out the cookies, baking them & then you still have to frost them!-- That is when it is much more fun to make them with friends & a couple bottles of wine! We also made Monster Cookies, Peanut Butter cookies w/ Reese's Peanut Butter cups (not sure the actual name for those cookies) & Chocolate Chip Cookies. Then we got together the next day to frost- we only ended up frosting 1/2 the cookies the first day. About a week later we got together again & frosted the remaining Sugar Cookies- that is quite a feat! We did make it a little bit of a competition- we each made our own Sugar Cookies and after they were all done & decorated we had a tasting contest. For Michelle's sugar cookies, she relied on her personal favorite- Betty Crocker (yes, the package where I think you add just water), Karla made cut out Sugar Cookies & I tried a new recipe Sour Cream Sugar Cookies. And the winner was.............. Karla!!!! We decided to just make one kind of sugar cookie next year & divide up. It's hard to have 3 different kinds going, taking them out of the oven & trying to remember who's was who's.
Then last weekend we got together at Karla's house to make some Christmas candy- we were mixing & dipping....& dipping.... & dipping for I think close to 8 hours!!! We made Wreaths (similar to krispie treats) dipped pretzels, dipped Ritz w/ peanut butter, cake balls (white & chocolate)- this was my first year for cake balls & I highly recommend them- yummy! Oreo balls, peanut butter Bon Bons... humm, I think that might be it. It was a lot of dipping- I think everything except the wreaths were dipped in almond bark! I forgot to take pictures, I did take a quick one towards the end, but some of the candy had already been boxed up. I then divided the candy & cookies up- handed a few goodie boxes out to my neighbors, got the goodie trays ready for Christmas at my mom's & Christmas at Sharon's and we have some to nibble on around the house this week...ooooo, so, yummy!

A big THANK YOU to Michelle & Karla for getting together with me to do some Christmas baking, I know some of the days were longer than we thought & at times our backs & feet hurt, but it was fun & I really hope we do it again next year!

Happy Thanksgiving!
What a busy week & I ate too much! We had a great Thanksgiving, we started out on Thursday going to D.J.'s cousin's house- Jeff & Lisa (thanks so much for inviting us!) D.J's aunt & uncle were up from Atlanta, it was good to see you Chris & Les! We went a bit early (11:00ish) for a 12:30 dinner assuming the kiddos wouldn't make it to the big dinner & that would give us a little over a hour to visit & then we'd have to leave. Much to our surprise the kiddos did great! It's always hard at someone elses home & lots of people, I think there were 50+ people-- that is a lot for the kiddos to take in. They played well, all sat down for us to feed them... ok, semi sat down, we corralled them on the floor & fed them- heck they'd do about anything for food =) Around 1:30, getting close to nap time, we headed home.

Then on Friday we had Thanksgiving dinner at Sharon's around 1:00pm. Debated a little about heading out shopping early Friday morning, but didn't this year, my mom was only a maybe & I didn't want to go alone.... come to find out she did go! Maybe I'll go next year, I always say that, but every year I hear how rude the Black Friday shoppers are & I really hate that!

The kiddos fell asleep on the way to Nanna's house, had to pause & enjoy the silence! Oh, don't they look too cute sleeping away!

We got over to Sharon's a bit early (yes, we still try to get everywhere early, I don't like being late.... for those of you who know me, this is old news) We got to Sharon's & fed the kiddos, they played a bit reading books & destroying Nanna's house. Then they headed off to bed.... which worked out great-- Me & D.J. got to sit down & eat a dinner without trying to feed the kiddos or having little beggars! It was a great dinner! The we just hung out, ate some dessert & it was time to get home.




Saturday was my Thanksgiving at my mom's & also her Birthday- HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!! Don't you love the Pumpkin Pie/Birthday cake (I think we are missing a few candles?) We did the same at my mom's, we got there, fed the kiddos & then me & D.J. were able to eat! I LOVE Thanksgiving dinner, I think it's my favorite... turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, greenbean casserole.. yummy!! Then we enjoyed the rest of the day chatting with my family. We swapped Christmas lists (I don't know when the heck I'm going to get shopping!) Watched all the kiddos play (mine didn't seem to want to nap too well!) Heard about Jenna's surgery, yes, my poor little sister had to get her gallbladder out Wednesday night! Glad it went well & she is feeling better!! Then we had to head out a bit early because Austen was feeling a bit warm. After we got home & fed the kiddos some dinner, I headed back down to spend the evening with my mom. I really miss just sitting and chatting with her, got really used to it during the summer when we stayed with her so much! Happy Birthday Mom, Love you!
Here are a couple of pictures of the kiddos getting ready for Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving morning after breakfast, who needs toys when you have fun red cups?

Here they are all dressed & ready to go!

CP Girl's Christmas Party
Each year me & my high school girlfriends have an annual girl's Christmas Party. This year we had it a bit early (last Wednesday, November 22nd) and EVERYONE was able to make it!! That is the first time in, I don't know how long, that everyone could come!! Thanks girls, it was such a fun night & so great to see everyone. Some of us brought our children..... I will be rethinking that idea next year, it was fun to see the kids that were able to make it. We have children ranging from 3 months old to 17 years old & in college! I really enjoy our get togethers, love catching up & oh, we laugh soooo hard!!!. I love that after all these years we still get together & enjoy each others friendships! I feel blessed to have known you guys for... omg, some of you 28 years+! True friendships, so hard to find!
I love you guys!
l-r/f-b: Debbie, Amy, Karla, Michelle, Traci w/ Brady, me, Heather & Beth.

Here's a picture of the kids that were able to make it.

Here's a big group photo!

Go Vikings!!

Here's a couple of pictures of the kiddos in their Viking outfits. I think they look absolutely adorable! Love the girls cheerleading outfits (thanks Nanna!)

Touchdown!

Elf Yourself!
I love this!! It's too cute!!! It makes me laugh every time. Check it out & then do one of you &/or your family. It just makes ya smile!
I had done this last year, but you could only do 1 elf, this year you can do up to 4 at a time.
Too fun! Enjoy.

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=9516007425

Trick or Treat- A Bumblebee & 2 Ladybugs



Here is a picture of the kiddos pumpkins. I bought one of those pumpkin kits & they each picked out the eyes & mouth for their little pumpkin. They are seated Austen's, Caitlen's & Brooklen's. Austen's is funny, I think Caitlen's is a bit scary & Brooklen grabbed both pieces that were yellow- too funny.








Here is a picture of the kiddos playing with their pumpkins before we "decorated" them during the day.


The kiddos did a great job trick or treating last night! We probably walked to a dozen houses +, they did so good! But then it was getting a bit chilly & all their noses were red, so we headed home. We ate some dinner & then Austen wanted his costume back on & every time the doorbell rang he ran to the door- it was too cute!! He was my little helper handing out candy.
Picture below: Caitlen, Austen & Brooklen

Caitlen, Brooklen & Austen- Brooklen's excited to head out Trick or Treating! Caitlen, Brooklen & Austen- they took the eye & mouth pieces off their pumpkins right away Hope everyone had a great Halloween!

Happy Halloween!!

I love Halloween & I'm super excited to take the kiddos out for Trick or Treating tonight. This will be their 1st Halloween that they get to Trick or Treat, last year they helped hand out candy. I know they will only make it to a few houses, but it'll be FUN!! We went on a walk this past weekend to see how well they'd walk & hold on to our hands-- they did GREAT!!! The girls held on to D.J.'s hands & Austen held onto mine. We walked about 3+ blocks, they stopped a couple of times to check things out & they each fell a couple of times, but pretty good. We'll see how well they can do in their costumes, in the dark & with a lot of other people running around. Keep our fingers crossed it isn't too cold or windy. Hope everyone has a Happy Halloween. I'll try to post pictures tomorrow of the kiddos in their Halloween costumes (if my camera cooperates)!

Camera on the Fritz =(
Sad news... my camera is on the FRITZ!!! Sometimes it works, but most of the time it doesn't!! We went to the pumpkin patch a couple of weeks ago & I only got 2 pictures taken (both of Austen) before it decided to shut off on me & not come back on!! I can't have 3 one year olds & a camera that doesn't work!!
So, I'm asking for your help--I need some opinions/comments. What's a good camera out there? Does anyone have a camera that they just LOVE or just HATE. D.J. has looked a little online, but I like to get real opinions on what works good. I'd like one with a fast shutter- these kiddos move fast =) So, please let me know!!
Thanks!

Happy Birthday D.J.

Happy Birthday to you,

Happy Birthday to you,

Happy Birthday dear D.J.,

Happy Birthday to you!!

(I bloglifted this idea from my sister Jenni, for everyone's birthday she complies a list of some great things about that person.)
Today was D.J.'s birthday!! To help celebrate his day I have complied a list of 36 things I know about him & some that I love him anyway!

1. Birthdate October 14, 197? in Cedar Rapids, Iowa
2. Full name: Derek Jon Ernberger
3. AKA: D.J. and Austen, Caitlen & Brooklen's Daddy
4. He is a Libra- very balanced & weighs out all options.
5. We were married on May 16, 1998- 9 1/2 years ago!!
6. He has a good sense of humor. I love that he thinks I'm funny, someone has to get me. =)
7. D.J. is an awesome Daddy! He adores his children. They are so super lucky to have him for daddy!
8. He was stunned & in total shock when we saw 3 babies on the ultrasound. He still sometimes cannot believe there are 3, but he also can't imagine it any other way.
9. He came up with the trips names & spellings: Austen, Caitlen & Brooklen. (the night before I went into labor)
10. He was the first one to change one of their diapers. He still does his share of diaper duty.
11. He took the midnight feeding when the triplets were babies.
12. Does most of the bathing of the trips.
13. He has one brother, Dusty who is married to Monica & they have one son, Michael.
14. Loves Heavy Metal music. Enjoys rock concerts, music is at it's best LIVE. Wishes he was a Rockstar!
15. Likes to keep all his CD's in alphabetical order, very wide selection of music from Barry Manlow to Metallica.
16. He is a big Atlanta Braves (ATL) fan.
17. Loves to watch all sports- from bowling & pool to baseball & football. He can honestly watch any sport on TV.
18. Can play almost any sport- & is good at all of them!
19. He is a NASCAR fan & an Iowa Hawkeye fan-- these 2 things I could really do without =)
20. Has his undergrad degree from the University of Iowa.
21. Has his MBA from the University of Colorado.
22. He has lived in 2 states and 6 cities/towns.
23. Favorite movies: "My Cousin Vinny" & "Fletch".
24. Favorite snack: Flavor Ice
25. Favorite beverage: Caramel Macchiato from Starbucks
26. One of his favorite places: Lake Powell with all our Grand Jct friends!
27. Loves his Harley & misses riding it. Loved going on rides up in the mountains.

28. Has too many "Stupid Human Tricks" to count!
29. Has had 9 different jobs.
30. I believe he has only called in sick 1 day, ever!
31. He currently works at AEGON, USA.
32. He likes reality shows.
33. He does all of the "man" chores around the house- trash, mowing, taking care of the vehicles (yes, which sometimes includes filling my van with gas) & any other "yucky" job!
34. Likes electronic gadgets. tries to keeps up with all the new technology.
35. Does not like winter. Hates to be cold.
36. You are my bestfriend, you make me a better person & I love you more each day.

There you have it! I hope you had a great birthday D.J.! I'm glad it was on Sunday & we all got to spend the day together.

Forever! k