Winners!

When Jamie and I were born, twins weren't all that common. People would stare wherever we went and there have been more than one time that someone has stopped us in the mall or at the library to ask if we have ever considered modeling. I'm not trying to toot my own horn here, it was merely the fact that we were identical twins.

When we were younger my mom thought getting us into acting and modeling was a great idea. That didn't last long. Apparently when we would audition for commercials we would laugh when they asked us to cry and we would cry when they asked us to laugh. There was a frozen fish sticks commercial that used to be on TV all the time. The part we were auditioning for was for the two kids who were supposed to run downstairs to the basement and there they would see boxes of fish sticks popping out of the freezer. The camera would zoom in on the children's faces and there was supposed to be an expression of shock and surprise. We couldn't make that face. We didn't get the part.

Another time when I was probably 4 or 5 and I was in a room by myself sitting in a chair looking at 3 people behind a desk. They asked me if I liked Big Bird. I just giggled and acted shy and then eventually shook my head. The whole interview lasted about two in a half minutes. it doesn't take a brain scientist to figure out if I don't like Big Bird I'm not going to get the part in a Sesame Street commercial. That was the last straw. My mom got tired of driving us to LA, so she gave up on us. We always joke how if she would have persisted maybe we could have been the Mary-Kate and Ashley Olson of TV. Oh well!

Something good did come of this (Mom, pay attention, this is for you!). For our portfolio my mom had a professional photographer come over and take some headshots of us. We wore red shirts with white floppy, cotton hats with red hearts on them. I L-O-V-E this picture. It makes me smile when I see it. i can remember the day, getting my hair curled, sitting on the brick wall..all of it. It is my most favorite picture of Jamie and I. The picture captures our personality, our love for each other, the happiness in our eyes and smile. I just love it.

Well, this is a long way of getting around to it, but we WON! Thanks to all you diligent voters, the boys won a classic photo session with an AMAZING professional photographer. It was a tight race between us an adorable little boy with a painted-on tiger face. As the clock crept closer and closer to midnight our trusty counters, Dave and Misti, let us know we were in the lead by about 11 votes....they even stayed up until 1 am Utah time just to make sure "picture #5" didn't swoop on us and take the lead at the last second. When Mindy went to declare the winner at midnight last night there was a glitch in her Internet and she wasn't able to view the results right at midnight. So, to be fair, she declared TWO winners. Either way, we're winners and the boys got over 190 votes! You guys are awesome!

The reason why I've been so adamant about winning this thing is so that maybe, just maybe, these pictures will capture all those things that I see in my favorite childhood picture. Hopefully these pictures will be something that the boys can look at when they get older and smile how I do when I look at mine.

I'm sure I will have some truly brilliant pictures to share with all of you when we have our photo shoot! Thanks everyone and thank you Mindy!

We're getting a TEMPLE!

The rumors have been swirling for awhile, but it's official now. Two new temples are being constructed in Arizona and 1 will be right here in Gilbert! Check this out!

LDS Church NewsPublished: Friday, Apr. 25, 2008 Plans to build two new temples in Arizona, one in the Gila Valley and the other in Gilbert, were announced by President Thomas S. Monson. This will bring the total number of temples to 134 already in operation or in the planning and construction phases."It is my personal priority to make sure members of the Church have access to the blessings of the temple," said President Monson. "It is here where members learn of their divine origin and destiny; where they are strengthened spiritually as individuals and as families. Temples are sanctuaries from the storms of life."There are currently two temples in Arizona: one in Mesa and another in Snowflake. The temples in the Gila Valley and Gilbert will bring the total number to four.The two new temples are the first to be announced by President Monson since he became president of the Church on Feb. 3.

We are so blessed! We have always lived so close to temples both in CA and in UT and have been so fortunate. We are thrilled to be the closest to this new Gilbert Arizona Temple than we have ever been to one of the Lord's houses. That's saying quite a lot when we've lived in Orem and would attend the Provo Temple and lived in Lehi and would attend to Mt. Timpanogos Temple. It's pretty spectacular and we can't wait!!

Circus

MacGillivray Bros.

CIRCUS

proudly presents a terrific duo of magnificent family productions touring the nation!

Starring Wyatt MacGillivray

and Ringmaster Dax MacGillivray

Watch as Dax holds the oinking stuffed pig and the Amazing Wyatt rolls over!

Well, he didn't quite make it all the way over...but he was so close. I can't believe my little guy is about to roll over. Dax was so proud of him. He was so encouring telling Wyatt to "come get the pigggggg-ie!" I really felt like I was watching a little show at the Circus with baby animals! They were both so cute. Just a little more training I guess and then we're hitting the road!!

Don't forget to keep voting for the boys @ http://bloggingwithmindy.blogspot.com/

Finalists!

My friend from college told me about her cousin who lives nearby who is a professional photographer. She was having a contest where you could win a FREE classic photo session and 2 FREE 8x10 prints. A photo from the session will also be showcased on her new photography homepage! To enter the contest you needed to email her a photo that you yourself have taken and must include 1-4 people. The free session will only include the person/people in the picture you submitted.

I have wanted so badly to get the boys pictures professionally taken now that Wyatt is smiling so I hurried and emailed her one of my few photos of the boys. Her children were going to choose the finalists and she posted them on her website this morning. Guess what??! Wyatt and Dax are picture number one.

The winner will be selected by an online blog poll This is here I need your help. Go to http://bloggingwithmindy.blogspot.com/ and vote for Dax and Wyatt. Only one vote per person per day. One the right hand side of the screen is the contest poll and make sure to click on "Picture 1". You don't have to have a blog or need to sign in to vote; it just takes one little click. I know there are tons of you who read our blog and don't leave comments, so go over and at least vote for the boys' picture.

And hurry, picture #3 is already kicking our butt!!

While you're there, check out her photography site, she's amazing!

Hopefully this time next week the boys will be winners!

Fishing

When I was younger, I loved taking weekend trips with my mom. She was always so fun and would plan a few overnighters for us just because. They wouldn’t be far, Palm Springs or San Diego, but I loved that one on one time (or in my case, being a twin, two on one time) with my mom. I will always have those memories because it meant so much to be doing something with my mom away from the normal day-to-day life. We grew closer, we bonded, we shared a new experience. I hope one say I will get to do the same things with my girls. But until I get a little girl, I will have to be the one to send off Austin and the boys for their weekend getaways.

A few weeks ago Austin asked if he could take Dax fishing. YIKES! A lot of you don’t know Dax and his personality, but I recently concluded, with the help of my sister Jamie, that Dax is definitely spirited. It’s the perfect way to describe him. He has boundless energy, is a total dare-devil, and is extremely passionate and determined (i.e stubborn). All this energy and liveliness makes him extremely accident prone. Fishing, with poles, hooks, lakes, boats and so forth, made me extremely nervous. But, I knew Austin was dying to take him, so I finally gave in, with a tiny prayer in my heart that all would return safely.

Austin's parents spend half the year in Utah and were headed back this week until October to avoid the blistering summer. I know Austin was just as excited to go fishing with his dad before he left as he was to take Dax for his first time. Those three all acted like little boys in a candy store the entire week leading up to the trip. Dax could not stop saying, “go fishin’ with my daddy and my bam-pa”. They took half a day cleaning out the pop up tent trailer, met at the grocery store in the wee hours of the morning before work to get food for the trip, and made a midnight trip to Wal-Mart to get Dax his very own Lightening McQueen fishing pole.

They left Friday afternoon and were coming back Saturday after lunch; a quick 24-hour trip. Poor Dax. I know if I ever send him away to camp or anywhere else, he’ll be so embarrassed of his mom. I packed 3 of his brightest shirts in his closest in case he wondered off, 5 pairs of socks in case his got wet, 12 diapers (that’s like packing 12 pairs of underwear for 1 day…come on!) and his favorite pillow and “numbers” book for bedtime just to name a few things that went into his over sized bag. I’m a little bit of a crazed overprotective mom, but luckily he’s too small to understand my madness.

I took to the night off with a tribute dinner at Red Lobster with my mom and Wyatt and toasted (our raspberry lemonades) to the boys gone fishing. Of course on Saturday we shopped.

The boys on the other hand…..

They headed out on the boat as soon as they set up “camp”. Dax sported a pink life vest and cast his Lightening McQueen rod, in it’s entirety, into the lake within the first 5 minutes. I think he was in charge of the net at that point. It got cold quick so they headed to shore and started the fire. They cooked their tin foil dinners and headed to bed for an early start in the morning. It sounded like Dax slept the best of all three of them, thanks to my great packing, because the two older boys froze! They headed back out on the boat until lunchtime when they decided to pack it in and head home. Sadly, they didn’t catch any fish! I wanted to see the classic picture of Dax holding up his very first fish, but no luck this time. Austin concluded that Dax probably scared all the fish away. Sure!

Even though no fish were caught, they all had a great time. Dax survived, but barely. He took a dive in the boat and hit his lip and cut it in two places. It bled like crazy and Austin asked his dad if he thought he needed stitches. Consensus: No. Then he fell out the tent trailer door and caught his foot in between the two small steps. He cried like crazy and Austin asked his dad if he thought his leg was broken. Consensus: No. Phewww!

I am so glad they made it all back in one piece. If there were no stitches and no broken bones, I call it a success, even if there were no fish to show for it. Dax will remember that he got to stay up late and look at the stars, roast marshmallows in the fire, sleep next to his dad in the great outdoors and spend the day on a boat. He loves his dad more than anything and I don't blame him. Austin truly is his hero. Dax is still talking about fishing with his dad and his bam-pa.....

The Day Has Come

My Wyatt is no longer a newborn.

I tried to deny it.

It all started Sunday at Church when I was holding him and half a dozen women stopped me in the hall and gushed at how big he was getting.

Really? You think? I was kinda surprised…shocked even. There’s no way he is that big…right?

I’m lucky. I get to see him every second of every day. And yes, he is obviously getting bigger, but isn’t he still my newborn? I’ve been in denial all week about it. How did this happen?

When did he start chuckling, making high-peeched squeals, and laughing?
When did he start opening his hands rather than them being in little fists all the time?
When did he start holding his head up while on his tummy, and better yet, laying it down rather than letting it fall?
When did he start grabbing at things and bringing them to his mouth?
When did he start taking an interest in toys and wave his arms?
When did he start holding his head sturdy when sitting on my lap?
When did he start cooing at himself when he catches a glimpse in front of the mirror?
When did he start recognizing my voice before he even saw me?

When did all this happen? I guess I came to the dark realization today when I was talking to my twin sister, Jamie, who doesn’t have the chance to see Wyatt as much as everyone else in my family, and I started our conversation off by saying, “He’s getting so big”.

Uggg. It’s so sad that this day has come. Wyatt is no longer my little newborn.

Melting

We're melting! 95 degrees today and we're melting. It's not even considered summer yet, and we're MELTING!!

Help.

I’m outta a Job….

….My job of being a mom.

Well, kinda. I still change countless diapers, fill up the Diego cup endless times a day with juice and water, get asked a thousand times a day “what are you doing, mama?” and read the same stories over a million times. But, my job as the entertaining, amusing, interesting MOM, has been taken over.

My “two boys” have truly discovered the benefit of having each other as brothers. This week I started using that phrase a ton and Dax has been repeating it all week long. My two boys no longer need me to make them laugh, make them smile, or tickle them. They have each other.

When Wyatt hears Dax’s voice his eyes light up and he smiles bigger than when anyone else talks to him. Wyatt follows Dax across the room, even though I am sure he gets dizzy watching him run from one corner to the next. Wyatt “talks” to Dax and tells him all his funny, and sometime, sad stories; not me.

Dax asks for Wyatt first thing in the morning. I can barely get a kiss out of him before he is running off wondering, “Where’d White-y go?” Dax shows Wyatt his ouies, brings him his toys to see, and definitely gets more hugs and kisses throughout the day than boring old me.

I am so thankful they have each other and love each other so much, but I am kinda jealous. I loved my job as the fun, exciting mom. I miss it. What do I get to do all day if I don’t get to tickle Wyatt because Dax is already doing it or if I don’t get to play cars with Dax because he’s lined them all up next to Wyatt? I miss the attention and miss being the center of their little worlds. I wonder, is this only a glimpse of what is to come?

I know these two may not always love sharing everything, especially as Wyatt gets older and more mobile. Who knows, this could just be a phase. Either way, I pray these two will always know the benefits of being brothers a being my “two boys”.
And if all else fails, they can still have me. Because according to Dax and the new phrase for today: “Mommy’s a boy”---followed by a mischievous laugh. Thanks bud, good to know!

Life

Last week a one of my closest friends from high school and Huntington Beach surprised me on my doorstep. We haven’t seen each other since my wedding day and have only recently been in touch through the blogging world. You can imagine my surprise when on a typical Thursday morning my doorbell rings and I opened the door to a face I haven’t seen in close to six in a half years…and her daughter!

My first reaction was total and complete shock. I was so excited to see her standing in front of me! Then complete horror set in!

It was 10:30 in the morning. I was showered, but that does not mean I was looking good. I had no make-up on and my hair was air-drying. With the AZ heat, that equals a hot frizzy mess. I was dressed, but that does not mean I had on a cute outfit. I was in shorts and a boring shirt from lets face it, a few years ago (there wasn’t much on the agenda that day, so what was the point?). I was at home, but that doesn’t mean the house was clean. There was a diaper next to the front door, toys scattered EVERYWHERE, Dax was running around with syrup on his face from breakfast, Wyatt was still in his pajamas waking up from a nap, the couch was pulled away from the wall because our home builders had been in the day before fixing the drywall, dishes were piling up, you could see mini hand prints all over the TV screen, dust bunnies along the baseboards, loads of laundry peeking out the door….the list goes on and on.
I could not have been more embarrassed to be visiting with my friend that I haven’t seen in all these years with me and my house looking the way we did.

We had a great visit and when she left, I kicked it into high gear. I needed the house to be back in tip-top shape. Who knew who would pop in next and I needed to be prepared! I am a firm believer that your house is a reflection of you. I stay pretty on top of my household chores. Laundry, dishes, toys picked up, floors swept; the basics. I try to have a clean house every night when Austin gets home, and if I can’t get it all finished, I just burn a candle and hope it smells like I was cleaning something.

This little visit got me to thinking….

So what if there is still food on the table from breakfast? Or if there are three spit up cloths on the floor because we went through so many making Wyatt laugh after he ate he couldn’t keep anything down? I want to be living, not cleaning! It reminded me of a quote….

I don't want to drive up to the pearly gates in a shiny sports car, wearing beautifully, tailored clothes, my hair expertly coiffed, and with long, perfectly manicured fingernails.I want to drive up in a station wagon that has mud on the wheels from taking kids to scout camp.I want to be there with grass stains on my shoes from mowing Sister Schenk's lawn.I want to be there with a smudge of peanut butter on my shirt from making sandwiches for a sick neighbor's children.I want to be there with a little dirt under my fingernails from helping to weed someone's garden.I want to be there with children's sticky kisses on my cheeks and the tears of a friend on my shoulder.I want the Lord to know I was really here and that I really lived.

That is exactly how I feel!

I want everyone who comes to my messy house to know that I spent an hour on my hands and knees in the grass looking for lizards rather than folding laundry, or that I couldn’t stop playing peek a boo with Wyatt for 45 minutes to clean the bathroom because he was smiling the entire time, that the mess on the counter was from when Dax pulled the chair up to help me beat the eggs for breakfast and most of them sloshed out of the bowl, that there is no point in making my bed in the morning because when the garage door opens when Austin gets home that is where Dax hides from him, that the majority of the dust bunnies are there because Dax runs around with the Swiffer being a "helper", that we ran outside in the grass in our bare feet chasing bubbles rather than loading the dishwasher.

Yes, all those things around the house eventually need to get done, and somehow they do (and if they don't just remember the candle trick), but for the time being, I want to enjoy these moments with my children and be an active part of their lives. All those other things can wait.

So if you drop by, and it looks like a bomb went off, just remember, this is our crazy life and we love living every single second!

April Showers!

Happy April! Even though we’re not planning on too much rain here this month, that’s still the theme! Wishing everyone a happy Spring and sending family member's birthday wishes and couples happy anniversaries'....and everything else going on this month in our growing family!!

1st: April Fool’s

2nd: Happy Birthday Taylor and Rockwell

5th: Happy Anniversary Mel and Gav

9th: Happy Anniversary Shanen and Josh

11th: Happy Birthday Chance

16th: Happy Birthday Lani and Shanen

18th: Happy Birthday Jayden

27th: Happy Birthday Gavin