this is our new car..................

Jake and I were sitting around one evening and he said to me "you know what are family really needs right now?  a new car!"  haha!  Well, the conversation didn't go exactly like that... it may have been more about how the Fusion lease was coming to an end and it was between getting a new car or driving Jake to and from work everyday.  So a new car it is!

Just to recap, since we've been married we've had a plethora of motorized transportation devices:

1. Buick Lesabre
2. Mazda Speed3
3. Yamaha Vino Scooter
4. Jeep Wrangler
5. Dodge Durango
6. Yamaha WR426F Dirt Bike
7. Ford Fusion
8. Dodge Grand Caravan
9. this is our new car..................

2014 Ford Mustang V6 Convertible

just kidding!  this is our new car..................

2014 Ford Shelby GT500 Mustang

just kidding!  this is our new car..................

2015 Aluminum Ford F150

just kidding!  this is our new car..................

2014 Ford Shelby GT500 Mustang (but in grabber blue)

just kidding!  this is our new car (for real this time!)

2014 Ford Mustang V6 Coupe (with the black appearance package)

Jake is loving his car!  He already has big plans for his mods ;-)  I guess living in motor city and working for Ford seems to fit us well!!!!

Get the Hel(mets) Outta Here!

The magical day finally arrived!  The twirls don't have to wear their helmets anymore!!!  

It was good timing cause Siena had learned how to take her helmet off, so I spent most of my day fighting her.

We had their last checkup on  6/6/2014 13 months (with 11/4/2013 6 months in parentheses)

Siena

• Head Circumference: 44.5 (41.5)
• Left Front: 14.5 (13.4)
• Right Front: 14.5 (13.5)
• Head Width: 13.0 (13.1)
• Head Length: 14.5 (13.3)
• Cephalic index: 89.7 (98.5)

Jaide

• Head Circumference: 44.5 (42.0)
• Left Front: 14.7 (13.7)
• Right Front: 14.7 (13.5)
• Head Width: 13.0 (13.1)
• Head Length: 14.7 (13.4)
• Cephalic index: 88.4 (98.8)

The cephalic index range for a baby girl between 6-12 months is 69.5 - 87.5.

They didn't really change from their last appointment.  She said the helmets have done their job and their heads are done rapidly changing.  They both still have a flatish spot about the size of a quarter but it's soooo much better than when we started.  And that spot will get better as their heads continue to grow over the next few years.

I can't believe we're finally done!  It's ironic cause they could actually really use them now that they're getting into stuff.  But I don't think I'll miss those sweaty stinky things.  I know the babies don't mind that they're gone.

I've been looking at getting the helmets bronzed.  It will cost $3000.  But I think it will be worth it, don't you?


Before/After... (I realize that the curls kind of conceal the head shape, but they're so cute!!!)

This is just too cute!  Love my girls!!!

Twirls: 12 Months

The twirls had their 12 month appointments right when we got back to MI.  They've caught up on weight but their height is still short.  Short and chubby - taking after their mommy!  ;-)

Siena

• Height: 2 ft 3.75 in (3%)
• Weight: 19 lb 7 oz (36%)
• Head: 44.45 cm (29%) or 17.50 in

Jaide

• Height: 2 ft 4 in (5%)
• Weight: 19 lb 15 oz (44%)
• Head: 44.45 cm (29%) or 17.50 in

They are at such a fun age, starting to really become little people!  They are also starting to show distinct personality differences.

Siena Karry Glauser

• explores - only plays with a toy for a sec
• throws tantrums - will throw herself on her back and scream if she's mad
• wants to sit on my lap.. especially if Jaide is there
• seems more adventurous - learned to crawl first
• goes eee ahhh (high/low)
• her hands are tickleish - she laughs every time I wipe her hands off
• she knows her name... she starts to crawl fast away from my when I say her name
• pushes the button on her toy elephant than dives into my lap cause she's scared
• always tries to escape my barricades:

The video shows how Siena goes eee ahhh (it is really long, but she only does it right at the beginning.  Youtube is being slow tonight so I'm not going to edit it down)

Jaide Katherine Glauser

• sits and plays with a toy for a long time (loves her purple kitty laptop, especially likes to dance every time it plays twinkle twinkle)
• more aggressive when it comes to fighting for toys
• more apprehensive and timid when it comes to crawling
• just learned to crawl and sit up to bum
• does her creepy laugh
• loves to dance/shimmy when excited
• will lay on the couch and cuddle with me
• hugs her dolls
• has got her leg stuck between the slats in her crib twice (but she screams, I check the video monitor and see she's in trouble)
• likes to pull herself to standing

This video shows how Jaide hugs her dolls.  So sweet!

This video show Jaide can finally crawl.  She goes for a few crawls then dives onto her belly and switches to army crawling.  The last minute of this shows it the best.

 Jaide stole Siena's blanket...

Then the next night Siena stole Jaide's... already acting like teenagers!

The doctor said to reduce their bottles, transition to whole milk, and feed them mostly with regular food.  I had been avoiding this because I didn't feel like cleaning up the mess 3 times a day.  But I've given in to the fact that our house will look like a constant culinary catastrophe.  

This is just a video of the twirls playing with Scarlett's fire truck.  I added it cause I know Kandy likes to see their nakey bellies!  :-)

Playset and Bird Rescue

When we first got home from UT our lawn was waaaay long!  The grass went to seed and was out of control.  Jake left right away on another business trip.  So it was up to me to take care of the lawn.  I put the babies down for a nap and set up Scarlett with a ton of chalk.  Then I broke out the mower.  I haven't mowed a lawn for a few years but it was just like riding a bike ;-)  Now Jake knows my little secret skill...

My neighbor's kids are getting a little too old for their outdoor playset, so they asked us if we wanted theirs.  YES PLEASE!!!!!!!  So a few of our ward friends came over and helped Jake carry it over to our backyard (see, not having fences has its benefits).  I left a note on our door so they would know where to go, Scarlett had to make one too...

We have already logged several hours on that thing.  It's perfect cause we can go outside and play while the babies are napping, in the evening when Jake is home, or for a quick few minutes throughout the day.

While Jake was assembling it, we heard a bird trapped in our storm drain.  I mentioned it to my other neighbors (who know a lot about birds and love them more than we do).  He came over, crawled in our drain and rescued the little bird.  The best part was the whole time there was another robin squawking nearby.  When they carried the bird over to their bird feeder the other robin followed, she hovered the entire walk.  We think it was the mommy bird!!!  How sweet!!!

Drive UT to MI & Jake's Bday

The drive to MI was much easier than the drive to UT.  After being on the road for over 8 days I think the girls finally submitted their will to us.

Scarlett has a hawk eye for all windmills and water towers.  

We drove through a HUGE storm.  Everyone on the road drove with their emergency flashers in order to be seen.  The rain was so loud that we couldn't hear our audiobook.  It was a tense few hours.

The second day on the road was Jake's birthday.  I felt bad cause his bday kinda sucked - but since he spent my bday at the Ford Racing class I didn't feel too bad ;-)  I took my bday badge and modified it for him.

This video is of Jaide's happy shimmy-dance - it makes me laugh every time!!!

These girls have lots of teeth and love to use them to crunch and munch.

Scarlett's favorite part of staying in hotels: the luggage cart!

Jake's fabulous bday dinner (he didn't feel like dealing with a restaurant).  He picked out a frozen mac and cheese from the mini selection by the hotel front desk along with some ice cream.  Glamorous!

Luckily the room had 2 TVs... so he got to watch off-road racing while the girls watched a cartoon (and I stood in the corner snapping pictures like a creepy stalker).

I made Jake a BYU fleece blanket and got him a few other gifts to open on the road.

Jaidey Lady refuses to crawl - instead she does the army crawl:

I know I've already posted about these PeaPod Tents.  But I LOVE them!  On this vacation the twirls slept in 9 different rooms and I can't believe how well the slept!!!  It worked like a charm!!!!!!

Before we loaded up the next morning, Jake jacked up the wheels so he could tighten the lug nuts.  What a good dad!

The first thing Scarlett did when we got home was jump in her polka dot chair and kick her feet up.  Silly girl!!!  We also had a lovely surprise on our counter and in our fridge.  Laura had sneaked in a bought us groceries!!!  Love her!

Will we drive to Utah in the future?  Yes.  But... probably not for several more years.  I think once the girls can play games and get their own snacks it might be easier (of course, flying will be easier then too...) we were able to bring a TON of stuff back to MI with us in our stow-and-go compartments (so surprised at how much we fit in there!)  So it was worth while this time to drive.  And now we know what they're both like.  I think the biggest factor in our future travel method comes down to the fact that Jake spent 6 of his precious vacation days driving cross-country.  If we drive again it will probably be with whoever flies out to help me drive.  We'll see if I have the same resolution after the next time we fly....

Ford Racing: Boss Track Attack

While working at the Mustang 50th Celebration in April I had the chance to chat with the guys from Miller Motorsports Park. They had brought a bunch of their Mustangs to take people in rides around the Las Vegas Motor Speedway road course. Anywho, as we were talking I found out that as part of Ford's partnership with them we get a bunch of free passes for their racing classes in Utah. I spoke with my boss about it and he mentioned that we never use all the passes and that I could use a couple the next time I was in Utah. Luckily for me we were heading out that way for James's and Hailey's wedding.

I got in touch with the guys at Miller and asked if there were any openings for me to get in a class during our week in Utah. They asked if I'd like to do their Boss Track Attack 2-day program. With no twisting of my arm whatsoever I conceded to their peer pressure. The Boss Track Attack is for customers who bought one of our Boss 302 Mustangs (basically our race-ready car that's known for beating cars twice it's cost at the track; you can see it here). These customers are given an opportunity to go to Miller Motorsports and take a 1 day racing class that shows them what their cars are capable of; they then have the option of paying for a 2nd day of class if they like.  I had the option of bringing a guest - as long as they were willing to pay for their own way.  Luckily my father-in-law is a big car racing enthusiast!

The first day we were there was spent about half in a classroom and half out on the track. We started by learning what kind of line we should take on the course. The basic idea is to enter a turn from the outside edge, make your way to the apex, and then exit to the outside edge again. It sounds easy but in reality it takes a lot of practice. 

The instructors each jumped in a Mustang and we followed them around the track a few times to see what lines they took. They slowly got faster as we got more comfortable, but I'm sure it was pretty slow for them.

The next thing we learned was how to brake and accelerate. The idea here is that you only brake and accelerate when going straight. In reality you break before a turn, then as you turn the wheel you let up on the break, and then as you turn the wheel straight again you accelerate. To teach us this they had us get in a funky Ford Fusion. The Fusion was attached to 4 castor wheels (1 on each corner). The castors were hydraulically controlled and could lift the car enough to take away enough traction, so it felt like driving on ice. It taught us what happens to our traction if we aren't braking and accelerating properly.  Carl and I jumped in our car with the instructor then another instructor jumped in the back.  The entire time we were locked in that car together the two instructors just grilled me for insider information on the next Mustang.  Luckily since I'm in the marketing group right now I know exactly what information I can give out.  Then I just played ignorant to the other things. 

The last mini lesson was about heel-toe clutching. This is the proper way to shift gears while braking. To do this you have your right foot on the brake, your left foot pushes the clutch, you shift gears, then while keeping your right foot on the brake you also use it to push the accelerator to rev the engine while letting out the clutch to give a smooth shift. If you don't heel-toe clutch then when you let off the clutch the car jerks, because the engine speed doesn't match the wheel speed. This causes you to lose traction in the middle of a turn.

At the end of the day we spent some more time on the track. This time the instructors sat in the passenger seat to give us pointers as we drove. By pointers I mean they were shouting "GAS GAS GAS GAS GAS!!!; NOW BRAKE BRAKE BRAKE!!!!, GO GO GO, HARD BRAKE, ETC." I'm pretty sure my lap was pretty slow from being self conscious, but it was definitely helpful. 

The last thing we got to do was ride along with an instructor while they went really fast around the track. It was super fast compared to how any of us were doing it earlier, which was funny, because a few people had some big ego's going into it thinking they were great or something. Even though the instructors were going super fast they still seemed relaxed. In fact, one of the instructors was checking his text messages while driving.

By the end of the day we were exhausted. The next day we spent more time on a higher speed track. I won't go into too much detail, but I learned a ton from the entire experience and on the drive from Utah to Michigan I found myself trying to keep our minivan on the ideal line on the freeway.

My cool trophy and shirt.

Here's an article Motor Trend did about the Boss beating out the BMW M3 and Audi A8 Attack: http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/coupes/1102_2012_ford_mustang_boss_302_test/.