Easter Success

We had a great Easter this year.  It was our first real Holiday away from home, and it was a little tough for me.  I spent the day before making all sorts of goodies, and kept finding myself wishing that I was with my mom baking. 

The kids loved that the Easter Bunny came and left them each a small gift- a game for Austin and a movie for Sydney along with some chocolate.  Austin then got a haircut and we all got ready and headed off to the Hammonds for Easter. 

We had to many snack foods that we were all stuffed before dinner was even ready.  It was an awesome time- the kids had a BLAST playing with all the other kids, and hunting their eggs. 

We are so thankful that we have friends here to spend holidays with- it makes being away so so much easier!

We got home a little later than anticipated, and went to call family, and of course our phone was dead- go figure!  I did get to Skype with my mom and dad, so I went to bed with a smile on my face.

Hope everyone had a great Easter!!

 Sydney opening her Easter gift

 Austin excited for a new DS game

 Snack snack snacking!! 

 Austin coloring Easter eggs!

 Sydney coloring her eggs--- Notice her hands!

 Proud Austin =)

 She's so silly!

 Daddy and Sydney

 She obviously thought that using utensils for eggs was over rated.  Hands work better!

 All the kiddos getting ready to go hunt eggs!

 This is the best I could get from them =)  They are

so adorable!

xoxo
k.

Update

Harold C. Alton

For those of you who don't know, my Grandpa Alton passed away September 12, 2009. He had a heart attack, and passed shortly after. I don't think I've ever had such an empty feeling in my stomach. And even now, almost a month after his passing, I'm tearing up just trying to write about it.
My mom was down helping us out since I had thrown my back out badly the week before. I remember praying one night in particular asking God to heal my back. And then I immediately took it back, and told God that if there was a reason my back had gone out so badly that I could deal with it, and I could accept it. But that if there wasn't a reason, I asked for healing.
It was a very convicting time for me. If my mom had not come down to help me out, I wouldn't have gotten to be with the family in the way that I needed to be.

I am still holding onto a lot of guilt from his passing. Guilt that he never got to meet my daughter. He was to meet her 1 week after he passed. He was so looking forward to it, I know. And I haven't been able to accept the fact that he never got to. I wish I would have made the trip home earlier so that could have happened. But how was I to know?
Guilt that I didn't call him on his last birthday. I knew it was his birthday, my mom e mailed to remind me. I kept putting it off, saying "oh, I'll call him in a bit." That bit never came. And it won't, ever. And let me tell you, saying "Happy Birthday" to my Grandpa at a hospital, after he'd passed is something that tore my heart apart.
There are so many things I wish I would have said, wish I would have done. In a way I wish I wouldn't have missed the last 6 years of his life. But in the same breath, that also means that I wouldn't have the beautiful family that I do. And it's a family that I know he was proud of, and loved dearly.

I will never forget my Grandpa. I will never forget the wonderful, caring, loving, supportive person that he was. The light and laughter in his eyes will always be with me. He was at every game in my youth. Even weekend tournaments, him and Grandma always came. He was such a presence in my life. Always there. He had an enormous impact on my life, and a tremendous influence for me. He loved unconditionally, and I will forever be grateful for and to him.

I am so thankful to have the family that I have. Being able to be with them at one of the hardest times of our lives was so amazing. The love that everyone has for each other leaves a lot to be said of the family that Grandpa and Grandma raised and influenced, and I am proud to be a part of that.


xoxo
k.

Twin Lakes Take Two

I forgot about Thankful Thursday! Oops.... oh well!
Just wanted to let everyone know that my MRI came back fine. No tumor, Praise God! Hopefully someday I can figure out what is triggering these awful migranes and get them under control! Haven't had any face numbness since my last episode while I was still pregnant, so that's encouraging! Here's more pictures from Twin Lakes! I still have one folder left to upload, but will do it another day! Enjoy!

Austin and his new friend Patrick playing

Daisy and Austin crashed Uncle and Auntie's sleep over!

Nana and Sydney having their daily talk

Austin in his cape

He had a blueberry ring pop... turned his mouth, teeth and tongue BLUE!

Walking down to the lakeHaving fun in the water

Nana and Sydney

Austin hitched a ride on Daddy's shoulders

Papa and Sydney

Austin and Daisy cuddling with Nic

She's PASSED OUT! Nevermind the retro couch =)

Austin licking up every last drop of his ice cream

Daisy and Sydney... she loved Daisy! She asked if her and Sydney could be sisters, but just live in different houses... too cute!!!

Austin, Sydney and Daisy

Austin running to the lake

Jumping off the dock in the deep part!

Go Austin! He's our little fishy!!!

xoxoxo
k.

Fourth time's a charm??

It better be! This is the 4th time today that I've tried loading these today. The last time I tried, I had ALLLLL the pictures loaded, captioned and ready... I hit POST, and it had signed me out. So I signed back in, and they were GONE! Hours of work (A LOT of pictures...) down the drain. So I have decided to load a few pictures a day until I get them all on here. I'm not taking that chance again. I was so mad!!!


Austin said he had water in his boobies, so he needed to feed Sissy!!! HAH!

Papa and Sydney

My Beautiful Baby

She fell asleep on my mom like this! Too funny!

Daisy and Austin relaxing watching cartoons

Wow, he's definitely a ham!!!

Playin' in the water

Jumping off the dock!!

Swimming in from jumping off the dock

A storm rolling in

Beautiful even when stormy!

View from the Ferry

Little grin... I just LOVE it!

She's got one of her cloth diapers on. Still big for her. When it's on, she can't bend her body... haha!!! These diapers say they fit 8lb babies... THEY LIE! Sydney is almost 12 pounds!

TEN FOR TUESDAY!!!! YAY, I remembered!!

1. I had my MRI yesterday for my brain scan. I haven't had one in a long time... since I had them for my back. I use to be somewhat freaked in the MRI machine, but I guess it's getting worse as time goes on. I did NOT like it... at all. And I was only half way in. UGgh, I was so glad when it was over. I practically jumped out myself! The results are already in, so I go to Boise tomorrow to find out what the scan says. I'll post tomorrow I'm sure on the results.

2. Sydney's 2 month well baby appointment is Thursday. I am so anxoius to see how much she weighs, how long she is and how she's doing. Lord knows she's getting huge! I keep thinking back to how skinny and lanky she was when she was born. And to look at her now, you'd NEVER know she was so thin! After this appointment, we will be getting her ears pierced. Not sure when exactly, but we have to wait until her 2 month check up so she can get her shots.

3. Austin is still with his Nana and Papa. He stayed with them after our Lake vacation. It was so hard leaving him. It's his first time away from home. Sounds like he's having a blast though! My mom said he keeps asking for us, but over all is doing well. They went to see the trains at Waterfront park today, and went to the little Water park on Western as well. She said he had a BLAST. I so wish I could have seen it!!

4. I didn't know that the Today show was hours long. Sydney and I came downstairs at 7 this morning, and I turned on the TV and decided I'd watch the Today show. I'm never up this early, so I thought "What the heck, I'll watch it!" Next thing I knew, we were both passed back out. I woke up a couple times, and the today show was still on, so I kept thinking that I wasn't sleeping for too long since the show was still going. Well, I finally got up because I had a splitting headache, and checked the time..... quarter till 11:00!!! Come to find out, the Today show is a few hours long! HAHA!!! Oops!

5. I pulled out my girly John Deere fabric yesterday. I'm going to be making Sydney a dress, so I'm excited to get that project started. Will probably do that while Austin is away.... makes it a little easier.

6. We got Austin a bike for his birthday. Just got an e mail from Wal Mart saying it was in. (We did the site to store shipping... it's FREE!) I am so excited to go pick it up and get it ready for him. I can't wait until he sees it!!

7. We were going to have Austin's birthday party on the 8th, since his REAL birthday is on the 9th. But all his little friends will be gone on the 8th, so I think we're going to have it on the 15th instead. That way he will get to play with his friends. That's what birthday's are all about...having fun with tons of friends!

8. Speaking of his birthday... he's going to be THREE!!! I cannot believe it. I am in SHOCK. He's already three years old. Where did the time go? It seems like yesterday that we brought him home from the hospital. He has brought so much joy and love into my life. I won't ever be able to thank him enough. I love that little boy so much!

9. I've decided to end my Mary Kay business. It just isn't going well at all. I have lost a ton of money in it, and it's time to get out. I wish it would have turned out different, but it didn't, so I've just got to accept that. I'll be sending all my inventory back to headquarters within the next month, so anyone that wants anything that I've got in inventory until I send it back, it's all 40% off, so just let me know.

10. I started back at the gym today. Friday is payday, so that marks Day 1 of Weight Watchers again. I did so well on it last time, and don't really know why I quit. Just got lazy I guess. But the gym felt so great today, so I can't wait to get back in there tomorrow. My first goal is that I want to be down 20 pounds by November 11th, which is my 25th birthday. Wish me luck & Cheer me on! =)

More pictures to come tomorrow!!

xoxoxo

k.

10 for Tuesday and update!

Okay, so I started this yesterday, so I'm still counting this as my Tuesday post. I have soooo much to do this week, I can't even believe it. We got home from Dad and Nancy's Saturday night, and leave again Friday morning. We have had an appointment in some form every day so far. Monday was my 6 week check, Tuesday I took Austin in to get his allergies checked out, and a spot in his groin that he had been complaining about (everything checked out okay) and today I had a follow up with the Neurologist in Boise. They will be scheduling an MRI for me to scan my brain to make sure there's nothing abnormal (hold the smart ass comments please....) showing up. So I will keep you updated on that.

Vacation was a blast. We got to Dad's Thursday evening. We got a lot of relaxing done, and a lot of fun was had. We went to Saturday market... where it was so unbelievably hot that while baby wearing Sydney in her sling, I seriously just about melted. Needless to say, it was a short trip! We came back home and cooled down in the AC while Austin took his nap, made dinner, and then we were off to the park in Springfield for the 4th of July fireworks. Austin got his first cotton candy there, and thoroughly enjoyed the fireworks this year.
The next day, Sunday, we drove to Nanie and Pa's house in Sheridan. We really loved our visit with them. We don't get to see them often, so we highly cherish the time we do get to be with them. I am so thankful that both of my kids have been able to be with them as well. They don't know how lucky they are!
The rest of the week was just a bunch of relaxing, a visit from Connie, Paul, Aaron and Michelle, cooking a pig butt, a little shopping, and drinking wine. We loved our visit, and as always, it ended too soon. Can't wait to see you, Dad and Nancy, when you drive through here in August!!!

Okay, so here's my 10 for Tuesday...FINALLY!

1. This has been the most tiring 5 days, I swear! (I didn't think I'd say that so soon after having a baby... this feels weird...) We arrived home from Oregon Saturday. Sunday was our 6 year anniversary. 6 years already!! We have been together for almost 10... wow!! There's been Dr. Appointments every day since Monday... two being in Boise. Errands galore in Boise as well. And only MORE doctor appointments to come!

2. We went to Furniture Row AGAIN today. The furniture that we got in exchange for the crappy stuff we bought way back when is already breaking down. Where we sit the most, it's already sinking down to the bottom of the couch. The cushions on the back of the couch are shorter than the back its self. The seams of the couches are already coming out. Ridiculous!!! So we went over to exchange our set, ONCE AGAIN. We expected to have to argue quite a bit to get this to happen, but they said not a word to us, just offered, once again, to exchange. Good customer service yes, but not sure it's worth it. So for that, I don't recommend them. I'll post another blog of our furniture so you can see it. We love it.

3. Small things in life give me GREAT joy. I'm talking small. Like in a bottle of wine. I LOVE Sutter Home Moscato. They have the BIG bottles at Fred Meyer. So, since we were in Boise today, I got a BIG bottle of it to take to the lake with us. Now I am wishing I would have gotten two BIG bottles while there so I could have cracked one tonight. I'm needing it.

4. Austin's birthday is soon. Really soon. August 9th to be exact. And if you ask him, he will tell you. Along with how old he is now, and how old he will be, and his full name. TOO cute! We've decided to go with a Spider Man theme. That's his big addiction right now, so we know he'll love it.

5. Tuesday, when I took Austin to the doctor... we were waiting at the base pharmacy Austin was being a little crazy. At one point I got onto him because he was rolling around all over the floor. He got up and "webbed" me (like spider man does) and told me "You can't talk no more momma, I web your mouth shut." WOW!

6. I think Sydney's got an upset stomach tonight. She has been extra fussy, and had a few questionable diapers this evening. Awesome.

7. Bryant has been working nights since we got back from Oregon. This hasn't been the most ideal thing for us this week! Trying to get unpacked and re-packed again while he's sleeping during the day, and doesn't wake until 11pm for work... a little hard to do. I'll be packing the kids tonight (Austin will be packed right after I FINALLY finish this blog... then Sydney later) and then I will have Bryant sleep in the spare room when he gets home from work in the morning so I can pack our stuff. After more doctor appointments that is.

8. My house is a pig stye. I'm not joking. You should see it right now. Not being home much this week, or if I am, being crazy busy doesn't bode well for my house cleaning. I pray that I will have time tomorrow to get it picked up and my floors washed before we leave Friday morning.

9. I am sooooooooooooooo thankful that Sydney takes a pacifier. 95% of the time it soothes her. Like now. She just woke up crying and I gave her the pacifier and she's content and sucking away. Austin didn't get how to suck on them when he was her age. He'd spit them out continuously. But thankfully she can!

10. I think that less attention is really catching up with Austin this evening. He's been getting gobs and gobs of attention lately, and now has basically only me this week since Daddy is working nights. Tonight he is UNRULY. Thus, the need for my wine. I'm about to go crazy tonight. Thankfully his bed time is 9:30, and it's 9:26 right now =)



These are some of her pictures. I will be taking more of her and Austin together when we get back from the lake.
Love this picture!

I'm so thrilled that I caught her little smirk on camera!!

Austin loved Gramps' hats. They must have been having a pretty serious conversation here... probably about spiderman. =)

One of my favorite pictures!

Love this boy!

Sorry, I couldn't get over how incredibly cute he looked!!

Cousin Aaron holding Sydney

Bryant, Michelle (Aaron's wife), Uncle Paul, and Aaron

Bryant, Michelle, Aaron

Austin in Gramps' jacket. He loved it

Austin dressing like Gramps, and Aaron reading him a book

Aaron and Michelle reading Austin a book.

Yumm!!! Austin drinking milk through his Oreo straw!

Austin Olive Fingers =)

Delish-i-oso!

Drive over Santiam Pass...beautiful

Santiam Pass

Swimming in the hot tub with Gramps

By the end of our trip, he was dunking his head all the way under the water! Go Austin!

Mini Trampoline... Austin loved it!!!

Bry and his daddio

Gramps holding his "Sweetness" (That's his name for her!)

Grammie with Sydney

Sydney in her 4th of July dress

Austin at the park waiting for the fireworks...eating his first cotton candy!!!

He looooved it as you can tell! Gramps enjoyed some too!

HAA!! Stuff that face kid!

Austin and his 4th of July shirt!

I love this picture =)

He kept saying "ROCK OOOOON!!!!"

This is Austin's firework picture!

Beautiful moon that night!

He was in awe!

Grammie was holding Sydney and holding her ear so it wouldn't be too loud for her... Sydney grabbed onto her hand and didn't let go! Too cute!!

Pa with his Great Grand-daughter.... the first girl in the family since Aunt Connie!

Austin, Daddy, Pa and Sydney

Austin playing with the home-made trains that Bryant played with when he was young!

Bryant, Austin, Nanie and Sydney

Nanie with her Great Grand-daughter

Sydney was just loooookin' at her!!

I had fallen asleep while Austin was napping on me. Bryant got up (he was in the chair next to me) to get the camera to take our picture, and I woke up, but didn't tell him. So right as soon as he went to take this picture I made this face =) haha GOTCHA!!

Austin was having potty issues this day.... so he got some Milk of Magnesia. He thought this thick white mustache was preeetty cool!!

Nanie & Pa with their grandchild (plus me=) and their great grand children.

Thought they looked cute!

Generation picture... awesome!!

Austin at the Saturday Market... looking at the cool fountain!

Aunt Connie and Sydney =)

Austin waiting for the Ice Cream Truck

The Ice Cream Truck.... or rather... Van! Austin was soooo excited! I was too, because I have memories of getting to get treats from the Ice Cream Truck too!

He'd asked for his treat, and was waiting patiently!

Spongebob Squarepants popcicle!! He LOVED IT!

Lava Beds going over the pass.... very awesome

These are so amazing to see

Sydney passed out on Connie's couch.... so sweet!!

Mount Washington

Not sure what lake this is, but I was shooting these pictures out the car window when we were driving down off the pass

Austin's bowling...yeah!

Had to take a picture of the cool shoes and socks =)

He loooves bowling! He had a blast!

Go Austin go!!!

Aaron, Bryant and Michelle on the bumper cars

Austin and Uncle Paul