New Year's Eve 2011

Kevin, I can tell, loves two things most about this house. His workshop, complete with reloading bench, and the yard to spend time in.
We had a great holiday season but thankfully the holidays are done and we can get back to life as usual...
This weekend Kevin could hardly wait to start cleaning up the backyard, he even pulled the truck into the backyard to make loading it up for the dump easier. One truck load down, many, many to go! I think we will probably have to rent a dumpster when we remove some of the cactus! Brandon went along for the ride to not only to one but two of the town's landfills thanks to one of them being closed but not putting that on their website.
I do admit that Arizona winters are the best. Last weekend the highs were in the 50's and this weekend they are in the 70's....no wonder people move here!
We will be doing our usual New Year's Eve festivities, hanging out with the boys and going to bed long before the ball drops, so here's looking forward to a great 2012!!!!

Chompers and freckles

This evening after bath time, while wrestling Mr Piggles (aka Mason) into his pj's, I discovered Mason is not only getting two more teeth (on either side of his top front teeth) but that a molar has broken through on his upper left side!!!! And, here I thought he would forever only have his four front teeth.

Brandon has his first freckle. I found it a couple weeks ago when we were painting. It's on his right hand , just below his wrist. I'll bet he gets lots of freckles, just like me!

Day at home

We spent a much needed relaxing day at home today. The kids followed Kevin around as he worked on weather proofing our garage and front doors and then spent time with me making turkey noodle soup.
I thought we needed to show a few pictures of our house since I realized I never did get around to posting pics when we moved in this past July.

Family outing

Kevin and I had a little extra time off after the holiday and with Aunt Gail in town thought we'd visit the International Wildlife Museum. This was my first time (or at least that I remember) and the boys may have been a bit young, but it was fun.

Payne Christmas

Great-Grandma Anne and baby Brooklyn
Melanie posing like a fashionista
Grandma helping Brandon with his new boxing gloves...look out little brother!
Aunt Gail
Brandon and Taylor
Mason (yes he is still in love with his pacifier)
Brandon and Easton
Baby Brooklyn
Mason snuggling with Grandma Diane

Ashley-Lou-Who, looking too cute!

Christmas day was spent with Kevin's family. This year we were blessed with another visit from Aunt Gail, a healthy baby girl, and Brian and Peggy were able to have an extended stay in Arizona.

Family time

We arrived at Great-grandma's house early and had a chance to visit before the holiday festivities started, which usually means Brandon has demanded to go outside to play. Brandon, Mason, Aunt Gail, and Kevin toured the common areas and spent time exploring the fountain, as usual, even getting to see a beautiful bird.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all!!!

We didn't get to sleep in but we did get to snuggle with the kiddos in bed this morning before remembering Santa came to visit us. Brandon and Mason were surprised to find a big red wagon by the Christmas tree, which they immediately climbed in to finish unwrapping presents. We decided to follow Kevin's family tradition of an unwrapped gift under the tree from Santa...and so starts our family traditions!!!



This Christmas was a blast with the kids. Brandon definitely understands what to do with gifts and Mason seemed to just take it all in, mostly interested in the Pez he received the night before.

Brandon's favorite gift...the red dirt devil vacuum we found on clerance at Target.
Mason's favorite gift...the green John Deer tractors (and anything his big brother is interested in).

But we have one more gift coming...a new swing set for the boys...should be here next week. The boys are going to love this...especially as it warms up!

Thank you all for the great gifts, for spending time with our family, and for the support you always give us.

Christmas Eve

Kevin and I braved making a turkey dinner for my parents (yes, both my mom, stepdad, and dad spent the evening in each others presence and actually had a great time) this year. It was great to have people over to our house and let the boys be in their own environment.
Our turkey dinner turned out great and the evening was spent reminiscing of old times and watching the boys take in the holiday!
Thanks to my parents for the great gifts and for spending the evening celebrating with us.

Christmas-Round 2

This evening we celebrated the holiday with my Dad's side of the family. As always, we ate good food, enjoyed the company of family and an old friend, and were blessed with presents galore for all the kids.
I love the excitment all the kids have as paper starts being ripped off the packages. It is pure joy on their face as they quickly examine their present and then move onto the next.
Thanks to everyone for the gifts!

Kweiser Christmas

Brandon and great Uncle Lou, just enjoying some snacks.
My Mom and I in the midst of preparing Christmas dinner.
Thanks for the gifts Uncle Johnny and Aunt Rachel...
The boys (including Kevin) love to play with the Chuggington train.

Today we celebrated an early Christmas with the Kweiser side of the family. Most everybody was there and of course the kids started their first round of presents.

Brandon didn't have to be told twice that it was time to come in to open gifts, he immediately dropped the sticks he was playing with and ran for the door! A big thanks to Uncle Johnny and Aunt Rachel for the Chuggington train set and the alphabet floor mats.

New Arrival

Welcome Brooklyn Marie, the lastest addition to the family (that makes baby #5 for Brian and Peggy)!!!! It's offical, Easton is out-numbered now with four younger sisters.

Blogging, reading, and running

There was a time in my life that was just about me. I ran when I wanted, ate when I wanted, did what I wanted, and slept when I wanted. I owned my schedule, thrived in my routine, was in control of my world. I know this sounds very self-centered but it was true.
Now, almost three years after having kids, I sometimes feel lost in my life. It took me a while but I have accepted and embraced my new role, relinquished whatever control I thought I had. Don't get me wrong, being a mother has been one of the best experiences of my life, but I have managed to lose myself along the way. And yes, I will take ownership for it, for the most part.
So, as I think about what I need, I realize running used to keep me grounded (gaving me a chance to clear my mind, do something that was truely for me). I want to read the stack of books I have bought but haven't got around to reading, and of course blogging, which helps me fulfill my need to keep a scrapbook of my family.
Simply put, I miss running the most. And for the record, running with a jogging stroller does not count. I plan to get back to running, to train for the Warrior Dash and the Bisbee 1000. Maybe I'll even consider running a half marathon, it used to be on my list of things-to-do. Lets hope I can MAKE a little time for me!

Random pic's

Just some random pictures from our daily life....