Picking out our Christmas Tree

We were on the ball this year and picked out our tree the day before Thanksgiving.  We were hoping we would have the place to ourselves and we were right!  I guess everyone is busy prepping for the holidays to come pick out a tree.  We were one of the only ones there which made it so much more fun.  Peyton patiently waited in the sled while the rest of the family walked around looking for the perfect tree.  We found it, or so we thought, until we brought it home and realized it was about two feet too tall.  Oops!

Life Lately

I realize, as usual I've been slacking here on the blog, although in my defense updating this is not my top priority when I'm keeping up with the two littles.  Not to mention taking pictures is the last thing on my mind when I'm snuggling and playing with them.  I really do try to put the phone down and enjoy our time together.

We've been busy working on our Fall Bucket List and making good progress.  We've decorated the house for fall which Noah loves to help with.  We've picked out Halloween costumes, made some yummy desserts and other treats, we've been outside roasting s'mores, making fires, picking the last of the garden and eating all the raspberries we can.

We've watched way too much football for my taste, but Noah is loving it.  We even headed to to watch some GV football in person.  The kids loved it.  I crashed at the end of the night and slept like a little baby.  Two kids at a football game is tough work!  We've even taken our winter pictures for  our Christmas cards so we're for sure ahead of the game.  Now if we could just get Peyton to start walking....

Florida & Disney's Magic Kingdom Trip

We've been back from Florida for almost a week now and I really have to post some pictures!  What a fun time we had!  This was Peytons first plane ride so I was a little worried about how he might handle it.  He did great, or as good as a baby could do.  There were some wiggly times but he handled it like a champ and feel asleep for about half of both plane rides so I'll take it.  Noah is obsessed with watching movies on the iPad so he was super content and awesome to travel with.

When we got to Florida we rented a car.  It's so much easier with the kids not having to rely on someone else when getting around.  We shared a three bedroom condo with the rest of the family.  The kids and Jeff and I shared a room which wasn't the most fun with their loud sleeping, but it sure was fun and convenient to have everyone stay together.   We were out at the pool most of the time and then during nap times someone would stay back and chill while Peyton or Noah slept.

Our last day we went to Magic Kingdom.  I've never been before and really didn't mind one way or another if we ever went but I will say it's a great place for younger kids like Noah and he really had a great time.  So did the adults.  Luckily we had fast passes for all the rides we had which made it so much more manageable with an inpatient kid. Noah did so good on the rides.  He wasn't scared at all like some of the rides at Legoland in San Diego.  He even rode his first roller coaster and I couldn't be more proud.

The next morning Jeff drove the kids and I to the airport and we headed back home.  We were stopped by TSA and I received a nice little pat down.  They tested and then threw out my milk which was a huge bummer but eventually we got through.  A little stressful with one parent and two kids but we made it on our flight with a couple minutes to spare. When we finally landed I was so happy to be home.  We had a great time but the thought of everyone sleeping in their own room was so exciting.  We all slept all night without interruptions and woke up feeling much more refreshed.

Summer Walks

One of my favorite things lately, now that it's getting warmer is going on our after dinner walks around the street.  Peyton is so chill and just hangs out and Noah rides his bike riding way faster than he should and giving me heart attacks as he turns the corners.  Sometimes late at night, when the kids are tired I swear that's when they get the whiny face going and I feel like they need the most attention.  Being outside though makes everything better and re-sets their mood so we're ready to take baths and do our night time routine.

This weekend, although not after dinner, but after nap, we headed out as a family to GV for a walk.  That is by far the best place to walk around.   Now that is summer it's just slow enough that there aren't students everywhere and Noah can ride around without running into somebody.   I love taking pictures of the kids there too.  The trees and flowers are the best around the spring and summer and I snap away while they just hang out.  We get to talk about the buildings and show Noah where we lived while on campus.  We talk about what we want to learn when we go to college or look at the bugs and leaves on the ground.  So much to do!  But mostly, we get out energy our and it makes a great way to settle into a nap or into bed and that my friends, is easy parenting at it's best. ...as Jeff would say.

You Win Some, You Lose Some

I'm starting to get really excited for the warm weather coming up.  We had such a nice mild weekend and we were able to go outside and kick the ball and catch some pretend bears with our blanket traps.  Peyton walked around the driveway in the walker while he watched Jeff and Noah run around.  Jeff also worked this weekend so we had to fill up some time with some fun activities.  Some worked, some did not.  We attempted to go on a walk on a new trail.  Peyton lost it and screamed the whole way, Noah decided he had enough after about 20 minutes and begged to go back to the car.  On the way back he fell of his bike and refused to get back on which means I pushed the stroller while I carried the bike back a quarter mile.  Needless to say, that part did not work out.  Peyton went down for a nap and Noah and I made dinner and we were back to normal.   On Sunday, we did get to make a special dessert during one of Peyton's naps.   Easter chocolate and cheesecake cupcakes topped with Easter sprinkles.  Noah is always such a good helper in the kitchen.  He loves to help me crack the eggs and use the hand mixer to mix everything up.  Of course he never passes up a chance to taste all the things.

With an empty weekend coming up and more nice weather ahead, maybe we can re-try our walk since Daddy will be home.  I'm ready to get the patio furniture out and start having dinners outside.  Not only is the sunset the best out on the lake, but there's so much less clean-up and that makes a happy Mom. 

San Diego, CA

What a great trip we had to San Diego last week.  It's taken us a couple days to recover from the time change and getting back to our routines.  Lucky for us Noah slept in a couple of mornings after our trip but we're back to normal now with an early wake up.  Peyton had a great time with Grandma but we we're all happy to see him and get some hugs and kisses.

The wedding turned out great!  We did get a little rain but nothing we couldn't handle.  Laura was a beautiful bride and we're so happy she finally made it down the isle.  After the wedding Jeff, Noah and I enjoyed an extended vacation and did lots of touristy things.  We visited a naval ship, walked around the whole city enjoying yummy food, visited Lego Land which was a blast, and even visited the seals at the beach during an awesome sunset.  We can't wait to go back to visit again since we have so much more to see.

Holiday Family Pictures

One of my favorite things to do in the winter is take our holiday pictures.  Now that we've found an amazing photographer it's so easy to get it set up.  The kids have a good time.  We run around and play and end up with such great pictures.   I love to see our family get older every year.

I waited 'till the last possible minute to get these pictures taken in hopes for snow, but it never came.  It was so cold and windy this day that we had to make it super quick.  Poor Peyton couldn't really handle the cold and Jeff had to take him to the car a couple of times to warm up.   Noah on the other hand loved every minute.  I'm pretty sure he doesn't even feel the cold.  Next year I should just suck it up and realize there is no way we're having snow pictures.  Either way, we got what we needed and we were in and out in about 40 minutes.  Success.