On a Jet Plane...

Payton and I left on a jet plane today for California...

Both of our flights were uneventful - which is always great.

My dad and mom picked us up when we landed and we stopped at "Unc" and "Auntie D's" house to say hi.  They had gotten us DEL TACO!  WOOT WOOT!

 

It was exactly as I remember it. Chris - are you jealous?  (Don't worry, I will bring some home with me!)

Payton got some snuggling time in with Auntie.

Have fun with Kenzi!

We are so excited to be able to hug on family and go to Cody's (my nephew) graduation from boot camp and Aunti D's graduation from nursing school!!!

Snowing...

We had our first day of rain/snow since moving here.  It melted as soon as it hit the ground, but it was fun to watch it fall.  We bundled up in our ski jackets, scarves, gloves and beanies...  Dylan was hoping for school to be closed, but he still had to go.

Remember my post about C.O.P.S.?  Well the sales lady, Caroline, wanted to thank us and sent us all for lunch at the Club House.  (We went right when Dylan got home from school - so a late lunch.)  It was a fun time.

Here is the view of the golf course from our table.

We decided to try to go outside and take a quick family photo.  And I say quick cause it was rain/snowing a little still...which means FREEZ-ING!

Here's Craig, my F-I-L, he was our camera man.

The kids did NOT want to take a picture and this is the best one we got...

So - I live where it snows...  {NEVER thought that would happen!} It's funny how God changes your life so you realize that you are NOT in control and have to surrender to HIS will.  =)

Jeremiah 29:11-13 (ESV) ~ For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.  Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you.  You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.

Payton's Gymnastics Class

Payton goes to Gymnastics/Tumbling class on Mondays and has a blast.  Fortunately she has an awesome and patient teacher, Ms. Becca!

Rain Gutters and Christmas Lights

Chris and his dad cleaned out the rain gutters today...

Did I mention that Chris is afraid of doesn't like heights?  =)

This kids thought it was cool that they could hang out Dylan's window.  And of course they tried to get too far out.

The pretty front door.

They then hung Christmas lights on the roof line and porch railing.

I will post a finished picture soon!

What I Ate...

Woo hoo!  This is my 300th post.  I don't know why that is exciting exactly...but I thought I would mention it.

Monday November 21, 2011

 Iceberg Wedge (I forgot to take the picture before I chopped it)
Water

Tuesday November 22, 2011

Pepperoni Pizza (I had 3 slices of this)
Crudite Plate with Ranch Dip
Water

Thursday November 24, 2011
Thanksgiving Dinner (or "Linner" as we ate at 2pm)

Turkey
Stuffing
Yams
Green Bean Casserole
Mashed Potatoes
Cranberry Sauce
Buttermilk Biscuit
Drink:  Half Sierra Mist & Half Pineapple Juice
Dessert:  Pumpkin Cheesecake {made by the very talented, Tamara Tappan - yum!  Thanks Tamara!} with Whipped Cream (which it didn't need)

Friday November 25, 2011

Quesadilla (with WAY too much cheese in it - ugh!)
Del Taco Mild Sauce (that my mom sent me - sigh!)
Water

Saturday November 26, 2011

Vegetable Beef Soup over Brown Rice
Mixed Vegetables
Water

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!

Today was the first time in 32 years that I was not at my parents house to celebrate our Day After Thanksgiving Family Dinner.  I sure missed being there and seeing everyone!

Our day was fun though.  We did stuff around the house in the morning (me - laundry, Chris - worked on the yard, kids - played).  For lunch we had.....LEFTOVERS!  {Which are somehow, really yummy the next day.}  Then played outside for awhile then at 2pm went shopping.  It was still crowded from the Black Friday but at that point I didn't notice any great deals.  We spent a whole $3 on tortillas and a bottle of water.  Woot woot!

We ate dinner when we got home.  Then topped off the evening with Christmas Music, helping put up and decorate Papa & Sasha's tree and drinking hot cocoa ("kiddie coffee" is what Dylan and Payton call it) and eating popcorn.

It really is beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Thanksgiving Day 2011

The day started with a little coloring time.

Followed by some prep work of the thanksgiving meal, then a break to go and work out.  Chris on his trainer and I did Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred (Payton even joined me for a little bit).  {Trying to counteract the damage that will be done later - guess I'm glad I can say I'm eating for two!}

Got ready for the day then back to the kitchen for cooking and even a bit of cleaning for the kids - it's a family affair.

We ate our yummy meal out on the patio.  It was a beautiful day.

Took a nap and relaxed then went back for dessert:

The yummiest Pumpkin Cheesecake...EVER!  My friend Tamara made this.  Seriously SOOO yummy.

We finished up the day with a family walk around the neighborhood.  It was a GREAT Thanksgiving...

I interviewed the kids and asked what they were thankful for and here are their answers:

Dylan - "I am thankful for God, my family, for daddy, my friends, my toys, Nathan, my legos, my bedroom, my bed, my school, flowers, trees, woods, computers, games, movies, my Cars tv, my hats, my clothes, my socks, my underware (hee hee hee) and my books."

Payton - "Ah, I'm thankful for going on a flight, I like going on a walk, for running and chasing.  I'm thankful for doing stuff that people want me to, for breaking my wheels, for some wonderful food, for loving my mommy and the baby, for chasing daddy, and for doing stuff that is right and for loving somebody, and for headbands that are pretty.  I'm thankful for Dylan."

I am thankful for Jesus Christ paying MY debt so I can spend eternity in heaven and escape the punishment I earned.  I am so thankful for God providing all my NEEDS in this life and blessing me above that.  His grace is more than I deserve.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!!  Especially my family in California and Colorado - missing you guys today! {tear}

C.O.P.S.

We live across the street from a model home and 3 almost finished houses.  [Note:  The model home should be locked most of the time because it is completely furnished.]   Today Sasha (my mother-in-law) saw 4 young boys (pre-teen age) go into the model and were in there for way too long.  Looking out of Payton's window, I could see them in the house running around.  Anywho - long story short... Sasha called the sales office and the sales lady showed up.  They did some minor "child" vandalism: popped popcorn, threw it around the house,  messed up the beds, put things in the bathtubs and started filling them up with water, and threw stuff around.  Nothing major, but a hassle and completely wrong all the same.  So she called the cops.  Four sherriffs showed up, houses were searched and the boys we caught heading up to the park.  It was fun to see C.O.P.S. in action.  They separated the boys, questioned them, called parents, parents showed up....  It made for an interesting afternoon.  Dylan whispered to Chris, "This is pretty cool, but also kinda sad."  Hopefully this was a good learning lesson for him.

Then our evening was spent playing with Littlest Pet Shops (While sitting in a hula hoop! - Why?  I have NO idea).

And Daddy and Dylan having quality time playing the Wii (Yes, sitting in bean bags on TOP of Dylan's bed! - Why?  Once again, I have NO idea).

Oh and one week from today Payton and I will be on a jet plane headed for California!  Can't wait to see family and friends.  Woo hoo!

Nothing Better...

There is nothing better than catching your daughter looking out the window "Waiting for Daddy to get home."

There is nothing better than sitting down to blog and finding random self-portraits of your son on your camera.

There is nothing better than having these sweet moments captured for me to remember....

Tough Noggin!

Last night, right before bed (of course), Payton fell off of our bed and smacked her head.  Chris ran into the room, scooped her up, I grabbed ice and we all consoled her.  She was ok after a couple of minutes and we settled back into getting ready for bed.  We turned on a family movie (because we had to keep her awake for a little while to watch her) and turned off the lights.  I turned on the bedside lamp and because of the lighting, discovered this:

 

Yes, THAT is where she smacked her head.  She has one TOUGH NOGGIN!

* * * * *

On a brighter note, I got to meet up with a long time friend today, Raquel and her kids.  I knew that she lived in Georgia and thought that she was over an hour and a half away.  We had been trying to plan a Saturday to get together but once we got talking realized that she is only 45 minutes!  We met at a park in the middle and spent a couple of hours catching up while the kids played.  It was such a great time, I can't wait to do it again!

Oh and of course I took my camera and forgot to take pictures!  Doh!

Bananas - Tip

Have I got a tip for you...  We eat a lot of bananas in our house and the problem with bananas is that they go bad SOOOOO quickly.  I've tried a lot of different ideas to make them last longer.  For awhile I was using Debbie Meyer Green Bags.  Although they work good, it looked bad to have a green bag of bananas sitting on the counter.  I was so excited to stumble across this tip.  

When you get home from the market, take the bananas apart.  

That's it!  Easy right?  When they are left in a bunch, they ripen quicker.  Try it.  It works!

Cutie Patootie

What I Ate...

Sunday November 13, 2011

This was for lunch:

Nachos with Black Beans
Buffalo Chicken Wraps (buffalo chicken, blue cheese, celery, ranch dressing wrapped in a tortilla)
Water

Tuesday November 15, 2011

Goosh
Water

Wednesday November 16, 2011

Lasagna
Steamed Italian Green Beans
Garlic Bread
Water

Thursday November 17, 2011

I went to the Festival of Holidays Women's Event at my church and had a yummy Thanksgiving meal.  Salad, turkey, roasted potatoes, green beans, stuffing, bread, and a yummy pumpkin dessert.  But I didn't take a picture - sorry!  It was really good.  Just take my word for it.

Friday November 18, 2011

Burritos (ground turkey, refried beans, lettuce, tomato, onion, cheese and sour cream)
Taco Rice
Water

Cold

Can I be honest?  I am still in my jammies from this morning...  Yes, yoga pants, tank top, huge sweatshirt, socks and ugg slippers.  I will spare you the picture but you get the idea.  I was so glad to not have any plans today because it was so stinkin' cold.  How cold was it?  Let me show you a picture:

It is so cold we can keep our water bottles out on the patio to get/stay cold instead of in the refrigerator.  Hummm, I wonder if it will get cold enough this winter to make popsicles outside!

{Think Dylan's bus driver noticed or cared that I was still in my jammies picking him up this afternoon?}

4 Months

Yesterday was my 4 month mark.  (If you want to see my belly with my last pregnancy, click here.)

Baby boy is moving around a lot which is always exciting.

I went to a women's event tonight at church and had to dress up.  I barely fit into my dress pants and this shirt sure showed my belly!  Did I mention that it was so cold tonight?  On my way home tonight the temperature gage read 36 degrees and a little snowflake appeared next to it for a frost warning.  Yikes!

Tornado Warning

What do you do during a tornado warning???

Go out and play in the rain of course!

Baby Lewis #3

Ultrasounds are so exciting!  Here is the profile of Baby Lewis.

There is the top of Baby Lewis' head and hands.

And there are the feet...

Another side profile of the whole body.

And yes, it's a boy!

We are so excited!  We were telling Payton that she gets to be the only girl (since she had said the baby was going to be a girl and if it was a boy she would be very "frustrated" -  see HERE for the video).  She is excited about being a big sister.  After awhile she ran up to Chris and said "Daddy!  Dylan hit your ONLY SISTER!"  He giggled and said you mean my "only daughter".  So sweet!