Must Have Mountain Guide

We are one day away from leaving for the beautiful Mountains of North Carolina!  My amazing father in law rented a minimansion huge house in Banner Elk, NC for our family, my sister and brother in laws family, and Chris's aunt to stay for 10 days.  It has 6 bedrooms, a game room, a hot tub and an outdoor fireplace...what more could you need?!

We are both frantically wrapping up everything at work and stressing about packing...okay I'm stressing about packing...Chris is doing just fine. He keeps reminding me about his expert packing/organizing skills but I'm still nervous that not everything will fit in our Ford Flex. We are desperately trying to pawn off some of our baby gear on willing family members.

This is our very first road trip with the twins are I'm pretty nervous about how the 10 hour drive will pan out. After polling family and friends (and yes I'll admit it some total strangers) on how to approach the long drive we had a few options:

A) Put everyone in PJ's, leave at bedtime and drive straight through the night
B) Leave super early (5 am ish), put twins and Megan in car still asleep, and try to stick to their daily schedule as much as possible while making numerous stops
C)  Break the drive up into two days by leaving early-mid morning and plan an overnight trip at a hotel along the way
D) Let the twins play in the morning at home, wear them out, and put them in the car at nap time (about noon), hopefully they will take 2-3 hour nap, wake up and play/watch movies for a few hours, stop for a nice long dinner so they can run around, put in PJ's and place back in car to sleep for the night. Arrive at midnightish and transfer to playpens.  Cross fingers they will stay/go back to sleep upon arrival.

We choose OPTION D!  I am desperately hoping that everything goes exactly as planned but I'm also trying to take it easy and prepare myself for the possibility that everything could go very very wrong. Woosah...

After a bunch of research and some experimentation I've created a must have guide for our trip to the mountains!

Babyganics Insect Repellent- This awesome insect repellent is deet free and has a very nice natural smell. It’s also non greasy and I feel safe putting it on the twins since its toxin free.  You can find most of the Babyganics products at Target.

Bon Voyage Duffel Bag- I found this adorable bag while I was doing an exchange at Forever 21. I immediately knew we had to have it for the trip. I’m packing right now and it’s fitting a ton of stuff!

iPlay Wide Brim Sun Hats- These were a gift from our friend Lauren and they are absolutely perfect. If your kids are anything like mine they hate sun hats and are constantly trying to pull them off.  These have ties and are perfect for keeping their precious skin shaded while you are at the beach, the lake or on long hikes.

Kelty Pathfinder 3.0 Child Carrier-The best hiking backpack I have seen so far. They have excellent reviews on Amazon and they are the “go to” baby backpacks for avid hikers that have “baby baggage”. These are a pretty pricey but Chris remarkably found both of ours on Craigs List!

RCA Twin Mobile DVD Players-Chris and I vowed never to have TV’s in our cars for the twins but we caved when friends began telling us horror stories of long drives with young children.  These had some of the best reviews on Amazon and they can play two different movies at the same time. This is a must for families with more than one child. It’s too early for Eden and Remy to argue over the DVD choice but I can only imagine the fights as they get a little older. When the babies are asleep we can let Megan watch a movie since we can just flip it around the headrest. 

Fisher Price Deluxe Car Booster Seats-These are perfect for a long vacation at a cabin or a friends home where you know the place you are staying will not have high chairs.  These are foldable, attach to any chair, and have an easy to clean tray. Chris was even able to attach these to the wooden picnic table we got them. You can find these are most Targets and of course on Amazon.

I am really excited to get away from life for a week and enjoy some quality time with our family!  Time to sit back and relax:)

Late Weekend Windup

We started the weekend off right by celebrating my nephew Jobe's 12th birthday with pizza, brews, and amazing cupcakes.  The weather was beautiful so we rode our bikes over with the twins in their iBerts which was great except that Eden spent almost the whole ride trying to take her helmet off...sigh.  When she finally decided to enjoy the ride she rested her hands on top of mine on the handle bars which was oh so sweet:)

We had a fun time enjoying the seasonal summer Sam Adams beers and talking about how grown up my nephew is.  Jobe greeted us at the front door with hugs, welcomed us inside, and even got drinks for us. What a sweet host and a fine young man!

Megan and the twins had so much fun helping Jobe open his presents and snuggling with doting family members.

Chris had a ton of work to do before we left for North Carolina so I handled the babes while he checked off his to do list. Megan and I decided to take Eden and Remy out back for some chalk action. It wasn't going so well because they kept trying to eat the chalk while completely ignoring our very loud NO'S! 

It was getting hot and my patience was running out so I grabbed a bucket, pulled out the hose and filled it with water. It was so hot Eden and Remy actually enjoyed it when I sprayed their legs with the hose (okay maybe Remy didn't truly enjoy it but...he didn't cry). They took turns splashing around in the bucket and soaking their non-swim diapers with water (this was obviously unplanned). Eden tried to stand up and walk and her enormous, water soaked diaper kept dragging her down. She fell on her bum every time and it was hilarious!  I finally took our clothing optional sign (courtesy of a long ago gift from Aunt Erica/Cookie) to heart and let them roam around naked. 

Thanks for the cute chairs Kimmy!

Saturday night Chris put on this white hat and stayed home with the twins, Megan AND my niece and nephew so my sister and I could have a night out with our cousin Mallory and our friend Anne-Marie.  He is hands down the BEST HUSBAND EVER! We enjoyed some amazing signature dishes at Carrabba's followed by a few drinks downtown.

Sunday was boring and rainy so we took an afternoon trip to Target to get some last minute items for our trip to North Carolina.  After dinner Chris and I took a stroll around the neighborhood to break in the Kelty hiking backpacks (with beers in hand of course). We got a few funny looks from neighbors but the babies were were super relaxed and enjoyed the comfortable ride.

Four more days until we leave....HOORAY!

Weekday recap

This week at the Galli household seemed to be crockpot week. Chris and I had a unspoken agreement that we were going to avoid going out to dinner or order takeout (which we do occasionally A LOT!) in an effort to save money for our upcoming trip to North Carolina. Monday's crockpot was chicken with black beans, corn, salsa and cream cheese which we ate on tortillas...it was amazing! Even Megan ate it right up! Crockpot on Mondays works out really well since I go to yoga and don't get home until around 7:00.   Chris also attempted a new crockpot creation with chicken, fresh tomatoes and basil from our garden, onions, mushrooms, and a little balsalmic.  I admit I was skeptical but it was superb as well! Megan was not too big of a fan and dinner was a struggle last night.



Chicken/Tomato/Mushroom/Onion Mishmash

Tuesday after work I had my running shoes on and the twins in the stroller all ready to go for a nice long run to the beach when I got a text from our friend around the corner Roni to come over for a little playdate/happy hour with the kids outside.  Hmmm running or wine? I ran over to Roni's to see if the quick run would help make my decision and I had some sudden pain in my calves.  I think this had something to do with the 5K I ran last weekend and not stretching like an inexperienced idiot.  Now my decision was easy...WINE!  The twins had so much fun batting at bubbles and playing chalk with Roni's beautiful little girls. Roni and I had fun chatting in between keeping chalk out of babies mouths and refereeing the kids "gentle touches" and attempts at sharing.

Notice little Layla trying out the twins hats!

The girls were clearly conspiring against Remy...poor Rem!

Wednesday Chris was off but Megan had a doctors appointment so I stayed a little while to help with the babies during the wait at the doctors office.

Nothing like waking up to sweet babies playing in the crib together!

Playing peek a boo with Papa

While Chris and Megan waited for the Doctor, the twins and I walked to Barnes and Noble to get some coffee. I instantly realized what a great place this is to take them! They can run around, look at all of the books they want, play with toys, climb on the little stage etc. They had so much fun playing!  I'm going to have to remember this on rainy days...a place where they kids can go crazy and I can get Starbucks=WINNER.

I did get a chance to get in an evening beach run with the kids. It was going great until I stopped to take this picture...

Then she lost it so I gave her the only thing I had...my Starbucks water cup.

.

She's hooked and she doesn't even know it.

Chris finally had a chance to put the new iBert seat on my bike so naturally Eden and I took it over to Uncle Kanoa's and Auntie Brittany's to show them how much Eden loved they new seats they got the twins for their birthday! Auntie and Uncle wanted to try them out...

All in all the week went by pretty fast but I am very very excited for the weekend! Our weekend will be filled with family parties, bridge runs, and cousin night and I am oh so excited!

Must Mother's Day Be Over?

I'm not sure if anyone else feels this way but I wish EVERY single day was Mother's Day. Yesterday morning I slept in until 8:15 am! That NEVER happens anymore. I'm naturally an early riser and I've always felt like a bum sleeping past 8 am...but things change when you have babies and you no longer have the choice. Back to Mother's Day...

I was awoken by Megan reading me the sweetest poem ever. See poem HERE!



See what I mean?! Every day please!

 
Chris walked in with a steaming cup on coffee in my favorite mug and my Starbucks cup filled up with fresh ice water (If you come to our house you will rarely see me without my Starbucks water cup, I'm a little obsessed). I got to take a quick shower then it was time to celebrate our Mommies!



 This year my husband had a great new idea for celebrating our Mom's on the big day. Rather than divide our time between the two and battle crowds at restaurants we had an outdoor picnic at a local beach park and invited both of them.  My sister-in-law invited her sweet Mom Gail so we really had a lot to celebrate. We picked up fresh bagels, coffee, orange juice and donuts and ate at picnic tables under one of the pavillions.   Besides a few stray love bugs, the weather was excellent and we had a great time.
 


The twins loved playing in the grass and batting at love bugs
Eden's outfit
Remy's Polo (shorts: The Children's Place past season)

    


Grandma Barbara and all of her grandkids!

  This year we made my Mom a human L-O-V-E photo collage made from pictures of her grandchildren. Unfortunately the twins are too young to understand making their arms and hands into the letter "E" so I attempted to get a picture of the two of them holding the letter E...can you say epic fail? After 5 mintues of singing, dancing, and silly faces we finally got a picture of them semi holding the E and looking at the camera so we went with that. Unfortunately, the printer processed the photos horizonally instead of vertically so the E was cut off...BIG sigh.  I will have to reprint the last photo to make it perfect but here is Mom with the finished product!




L-O-V-E

  For Grandma Barbara I found the cutest Create your Own Mug at Starbucks. I had all of the grandchildren write their name and decorate it for her and they loved it.  Unfortunately, I forgot to take a shot of the finished product but you can find the mug here: Starbucks Create-Your-Own Mug

Here are some group shots after breakfast!

After breakfast the babies had nice nap while Chris, Megan and I enjoyed the pool. The original plan was to go roller skating after naptime but once we got a taste of the hot sun and cool pool we decided to stay home and hang out in the backyard.   Remy had a short nap so we got to spoil him with some three on one family time while his Eden continued to sleep. We even got to try out the new floats they got for their birthday and Remy loved every second of it!



Sweetest thing I have ever seen!





I'm so lucky!

 
I also got to open my gifts!



Ring made for me from Megan's artwork posted on www.artsonia.com



Should I be worried that the main theme of my card is pacifiers and wine?! At least there are more pacifiers than wine (WHEW!).



Although the contents of my goody bag from the hubby is a dead giveaway

 


Finally we enjoyed a nice dinner at a local Italian restaurant.  Instead of ordering full meals and being stressed about feeding the babies, keeping them entertained, and eating ourselves all in an hour and a half we kept it simple. Chris and I enjoyed some amazing appetizers and drinks but most importantly I didn't feel rushed and I got to enjoy the finer things in life...like my beautiful, sweet babies (yes, Megan your my baby too!).

Chris and Megan worked so hard and gave me such a special day!  The best part hands down?  Not changing a SINGLE poopie diaper!