Colorado Tepens: November 2011

Been a while since that last blog. The hard part is that I cant remember what has happened since we last checked in. I know there has been a lot of yelling, kids not listening, timeouts, go to your rooms and wine, beer and ice cream. People say we are so lucky to have had twins. At times I would agree, but when the kids are being bad, not so much. People with just one kid or when they have them with a couple years or more apart have it much easier in my opinion. The kids used to play and get along great. Now they like to get into trouble together or fight. They know what buttons to push for each other, when they create a mess it is twice as big, twice as much kids screaming, twice as many he/she hit me. Trying times sometimes, but that is why we have the wine, beer and ice cream included in the list. I think after the kids bedtime, it always tastes so much better after a bad day.

Mia and Wes had their second sleepover a couple of weeks ago. Our friends the Nuetzels brought their two girls over for some cookie making, movies, playtime and overall good times. They all got along great and had a great time. They played upstairs in the loft and then worked their way to the basement for some pool and foosball. I'm sure Tim and Reynee enjoyed a whole evening without kids and being able to sleep in in the morning. The best part of the whole sleepover thing is that we get to drop our kids over there for a night next time....cant wait.

My parents came over for a visit for a couple of weeks. Always good to have them spend some quality time. My dad assumed him usual position on the corner of the kitchen bar. I think we will have to have that chair replaced sometime soon since it is getting worn out from all his sitting and reading a book on it. My dad was able to waterproof the ballasters on our deck and the adirondack chairs. I dont think the deck was done since he did it last. I put that on Di's honeydo list at the beginning of spring, but she never bothered to do it. She was more interested in shoe shopping. Next time I will have to entice her with a shoe shopping trip if she does it.

The basement is 100% finished finally. Yeah. So I decided to finish the drywall in the garages and have been working here and there on them. I almost have the first coat of mud on all the joints and seams. I'm hoping to be able to finish up all the mudding over turkey weekend and be ready to paint.

Speaking of turkeys, the kids birthday is coming up next weekend. Having a big 4th bday party on saturday. I volunteered to smoke something on my fabulous smoker, but di said we didnt have to smoke everytime we have people over. She dont know.

Halloween wasnt too long ago. Wes was Elmo and Mia was a purple fairy with wings and all. They had a great time collecting candy and we promptly let them keep a small bag a piece and di took the rest into work.

Funny story....I had a recall on my truck so we were all headed to pick it up from the dealer. On the way there, Mia asked when we were getting on the ship. We were both like, what are you talking about? She said ship....arent we going to the dealership?

We went to MO on vacation to visit my college roommate Skip and his wife Beth. They bought some more acres and are building a house. It has a great view over Shoal Creek. The house was supposed to be finished so we could stay there, but the Contractor wasnt able to get it done on time. Last I checked, it still isnt finished. The 5 month schedule has turned into 10....hopefully they will soon be able to celebrate with a double wide sacrifice and roast some wieners and marshmallows in the flames.

Our annual Octepenfest was a grand success. We had around 50 adults and kids there. I smoked a couple of briskets and a couple of pork butts. Had a couple of 5 gallon kegs filled with beer from the local brewery just up the road. All the food turned out fabulous and I think everyone enjoyed themselves. We didnt have any food left. So if you ever want to come on out and have some good BBQ with us, it is always the first weekend in October. Consider yourself invited.

This is for my brother Brian..... DUDE !!!!! Inside joke, but him and his kids will get it.

That is all for now....Tepen's out....