MacDonald Family

Going to kindergarten......

2011-04-13T13:53:00.000-07:00

It has been a sappy week for Charlie and I. This week was huge for us....we went and picked up Gwynn's kindergarten packet (honestly it's more like a novel). I know we still have a couple months but our baby girl is growing up so fast. I still can't believe Gwynn is 5 and will be starting kindergarten in the fall. This is a picture from Gwynn's 1st birthday! The picture above is from Gwynn's school birthday party. The girl of course had three different parties. All three were a blast and she got spoiled as always! These two are best friends!! They love each other so much. I am so happy they have each other. They defiantly share a special bond!Gwynn and her dear friend Cami (who is with us one day a week). These two have been peas in a pod since they were one. This winter we were able to go to the snow. We went with Aunt Sasa and Grandma and enjoyed some sledding and snow angle making. Gwynn and her swim class. Gwynn is an excellent swimmer. We are excited for this summer when she can show off her skills. She has been in swim for the fall, winter and now spring session. It has defiantly paid off. Gwynn with one of her many birthday gifts she received in the mail. This one came wrapped in all purple. Charlie and I have many wedding festivities to attend this spring and summer. This was our first! It was simply amazing. Last week we were able to spend the day at the park. We rode our bikes to the park and then stopped off at Aunt Tarah's for a snack, bubbles and chalk fun. I feel like time is flying by...We seem to get busier and busier the older Gwynn and Payton get. I wish sometimes life we slow down so we could enjoy everything a little bit more. We are busy with school, play dates, story time, swim and lots of work for Charlie and I. I also watch Gwynn's friends Cami and Johanna three days a week. Gwynn and Payton love having a friend come to play they ask me everyday "who is coming to play today!". I have no complaints. I love this busy fun life! Hope you enjoy the pictures....I would have more of Payton...... except for he rarely stays still long enough to get one! He is a boy to the core!

2010-11-15T20:48:00.000-08:00

Over the past couple weeks we have been having a ton of fun. We went to four different pumpkin patches this year with family and friends. We also had a nice Halloween with all the cousins. Both Gwynn & Payton had a wonderful time with family and friends.

Gwynn being silly in the nut house at the pumpkin patch!
Gwynn, Payton and Evie in the corn maze.

We enjoy the activities Bridgeport has to offer for families and children. Beau the pirate, Gwynn the mermaid, Evie the butterfly and Payton the Dragon!

Gwynn and Evie sharing a ride.

Gwynn's school showcase and Halloween fun! They always learn adorable little songs they preform for the parents before each holiday.

I love this picture...I took it while they were having a camping trip in our back yard! They had a lot of fun in the tent with Dad!

Payton has a little nightly ritual where he picks anywhere from two to four cars he must sleep with. I have to kiss and tell them all goodnight...Payton snuggles tractors not stuffed animals when he sleeps! Too cute!

Payton and Gwynn at the Nordstrom's fashion show looking rather dapper!

Almost two weeks ago I flew to Arizona to meet up with Brook and Claire to do some serious wedding shopping. We found Brooks wedding dress! It is amazing! We also found and purchased all our bridesmaid dresses and hair pieces. The wedding is going to be very vintage glam and defiantly one of a kind....to give you an idea...they are closing down the historic old town in Roseburg for the wedding.

Myself, Brook and Clair after we found the one! Three happy ladies. Clair is five months pregnant too..with Baby Cash. She hardly looks pregnant!

We have all been doing well. I enjoyed my trip to Arizona. It was nice to go to some really great restaurants and have girl time. I feel blessed to have shared in one of Brook's big moments in the planning of her wedding. I am excited for all the fun to come.

Charlie is staying busy at work. Last weekend he and a large group of friends went mountain biking and had a blast. This weekend Charlie and Joe will be heading to Eastern Oregon. I must be honest... I really have no idea what they will be doing other then riding around in man vehicles...I feel bad but it sounds like french when Charlie describes it to me!

Gwynn and Payton both have swim, school and dance this week as usual. We stay pretty active in between with play dates. I am training and working too!

I look forward to having Beau this weekend on Saturday as well as spending the first of four Thanksgivings with family!

Charlie, Tiffany, Gwynn & Payton MacDonald

2010-10-20T20:22:00.000-07:00

I know it has been far to long since I have blogged! Our life has been a bit crazy to say the least! So.... here are a couple pictures of our kiddos. I would have more but I was having a hard time uploading this evening.

We had a very busy summer and fall has proven to be the same. I am going to try very hard to keep up on at least one post every two weeks! I have had many requests for some blog posts.

Here is a quick little update about everyone:

Gwynn is currently in school as well as ballet, tap and swim. She absolutely loves all three. In swim she is the best little swimmer in her swim class (could have something to do with swimming since she was six months old). She loves ballet and tap too(she spins and dances everywhere). She likes tap a little more then ballet because of all the stomping. It has been really fun to watch her grow and develop her skills in all her activities. She has been doing all three activities for the past two years plus! Gwynn also started riding a big girl bike with no training wheels at the end of the summer. She is a very good bike rider like her Dad. She is at such a fun age. Gwynn is the most sweet,smart and sassy little four year old!

Payton....BOY ,BOY, BOY!!! I never realized there could be such a difference between a boy and girl. My main priority with Payton is keeping him alive. He climbs, runs and growls or meows at everything. He loves to be a dinosaur,cat or dragon! He will play with trucks and train all day between climbing on everything and running really, really fast (I consider myself a pretty fast runner but... he is hard to keep up with!). Payton is also in swim and he loves it! He is doing just as amazing as his big sis! He is such a lover... very sweet if you can get him to sit still for a minute. He is a little love bug! He is very hard to discipline because he has no ill will he just wants to go! So sweet busy and wild! He will make you laugh your pants off.

It has been super fun to watch Gwynn and Payton together. They have the sweetest little bond. They protect each other and absolutely love one another. It makes me so happy to watch them play and enjoy each others company.

Charlie has been very busy with career and his current project with PSU. He has been working very long hours and is doing amazing in his new position. He has been able to do a bit more mountain biking these days now that the kids are older. That always puts a huge smile on his face...and mine too! I love to see him happy! With work so crazy he needs his mountain biking!

I have started working for a makeup artist in Portland (who was voted Portland's best 2010) and train one day a week as well as have weddings on the weekend. I also continue to watch Gwynn's friend Johanna two days a week. I plan to run a 10k at the end of the month and a half in December. I also have some fun vacations in the future. Other then that I just chase, play,spend time with girlfriends and run like crazy!

I hope this gives everyone a little insight into what we have been up to. We look forward to the Holidays as well and seeing friends and family soon! Much Love!

Payton being silly Payton...his window was down...fitting for him!

Silly with his best friend Beau!

Auntie Brook and our hansome little man at a wedding we attended this summer!

Miss Gwynn! We were waiting for Payton to wake up so we could go to into the pumpking patch and she said "Mom you should take my picture it would be so cute"! It was!

Charlie, Tiffany, Gwynn & Payton MacDonald

Life

2010-03-21T20:41:00.001-07:00

This past week was a very busy one for us! I started watching Gwynn's little friend Johanna Monday to Friday eight to five. I am still getting used to having three. She fits perfectly in with our family and we are very happy to have her! We had our usual activities this week, school, dance, swim, a park visits and the Zoo. We had a play date on Thursday with Aunt Libby, Evie, Aunt Tarah and Beau. It was hard to get many photos because everyone was running around having a great time. We all enjoyed the amazing weather and good company! All three kiddos were out shortly after we got into the car!

Payton being silly....cheese!

All five kiddos piled into the jeep one of the new exhibits at the Zoo!

Payton and Evie both seemed very interested in the BIG fish!

Three little monkeys...checking out the monkeys!

Libby & Evie did the same! Evie was very interested until I snaped a photo!

The two lovely ladies!

Payton loves the cheetah and lions.... he was chasing this cheetah on the other side of the glass....it was too cute to watch!!! He loves the Zoo so much! Gwynn's dance class fun! She is getting good. I can't wait until her recital.
Gwynn feel asleep after a very busy day....melted my heart and no amount of noise could wake her!

Gwynn is four!

2010-03-08T20:28:00.000-08:00

Gwynn and her great Grandma! Gwynn, Cami and Ashley blowing bubbles during freeze dance.

Coloring Gwynn's outline.

Freeze dance fun.

Charlie with sweet Evie and Payton.

Gwynn and me..these pictures are far and few between these days..I am usually on the other side of the camera!

Beau..loves bubbles!

More pictures Mom, really!

Limbo was my favorite game. The girls were all giggling and having a great time.

Cupcake pinata.

Gwynn turned four this past Friday. In the morning Gwynn had gifts and cupcakes from Saint cupcakes in Portland. We then had Gwynn's friend Cami over for the day and Gwynn's first sleepover. Grandma also came over and spent the day with us. We went to Dance, Red Robin and Safari Sam's to celebrate Gwynn's birthday. We then had a fiesta dinner with my Mom and sisters who drove up from Scott's Valley California to celebrate Gwynn's birthday. It was great to catch up and spend time with everyone

Then on Saturday we had our birthday bash. All of Gwynn's close friends and family attended the party. It was so much fun watching all the kids running around having a great time. We played games, eat lots of food and cupcakes. Gwynn has the sweetest little group of friends and her birthday went off with out a hitch! Gwynn had a blast!

On Sunday we did some cleaning, running and resting. Joe, Jessica, Natalia and Selina stoped in for a visit. The girls played very well together and I got my baby fix loving on the very sweet Natalia.... it gave me the worst baby fever!

My brother also had a beautiful baby boy last weekend. He was born last Friday and he weighted nine pounds ten ounces. He was perfect! I held him for over and hour and half...like I said before I have some serious baby fever. I am so happy for my brother and his wife and there new amazing little one.

I also have some more big news...Brook also got engaged! She and her fiance will be married in February of next year! Lots of big exciting news and we couldn't be happier!!!

Gwynn and Payton meeting there new cousin for the first time! What a hansome little man.

Love it!!!

2010-02-15T19:17:00.000-08:00

We have all been battling a pretty bad cold this past week. We still managed to have some fun in between runny noses and fevers. We watched many movies and did a lot of relaxing and low energy projects with the kiddos. Everyone seems to be at the tale end of the cold and is slowly getting better. We hope you all had a great Valentines day with the ones you love! We most certainly did!

Gwynn and I made some valentines day cards for her class at our local pottery barn kids. She did a great job and had a wonderful time!

Before....can you tell what Miss Gwynn is about to get done???After...look carefully......................... More Valentines projects, just for fun.

Payton at the park before the cold set in. It was such beautiful day we stayed at the park for three hours.

Gwynn and Cousin Beau on the swings.

The three water babies at the Y.

Gwynn and Payton helped me make some pink mini cupcakes for Daddy on Saturday.

Gwynn loves to bake and Payton really likes to lick everything!

Decorating

On Valentines Day we had heart shaped pancakes with berries and whip cream.

Happy Boy!

Charlie, Tiffany, Gwynn & Payton MacDonald

life with the MacDonalds

2010-01-31T21:22:00.000-08:00

Hmmm....where to start! Gwynn & Payton have been really busy and fun! This past week was busy, Gwynn & Payton had many activities and functions. We had an art presentation at Gwynn's school, the children's museum, a zoo day, dance, and swim. I also watched Beau for a day. This past weekend we accomplished many household chores and caught up on some much needed rest. We also had a nice little visit with Aunt Rachel and a play date with Grandma. This coming week is going to be super busy once again. I absolutly love both kiddos they are an absolute blast, very busy but awesome!

Gwynn is very into dressing herself...she wore this outfit on our little date on Friday night to ice cream. Everyone made her feel very special and asked her all kinds of questions about her princess dress. I think Payton is laughing at her in this picture...are you wearing that out?? Gwynn loves her dance class of hip hop, tap, and ballet. I think she loves tap best because she can be loud! She also has only two other little ladies in her class. They are both some of the sweetest little girls I have meet. They all hug and kiss after class and say they love one another...so sweet!

Payton after bath time telling me all about the cars on his sheets, my favorite time is bath and after when he runs around naked trying to avoid diapers and pj's!

Bath fun!

Gwynn being my little monkey at the Zoo, we love all the new exhibits!

Payton and Gwynn climbing all over the lion statues.

Payton loves the sea lions! He would have stayed here all day!

Gwynn at the Zoo with another one of her outfits..it took me an hour just to get these pants on her..she always says their not fancy enough or they are too fancy! She would wear a dress everyday if I let her.

This week we will be doing some more house hold chores. I think Gwynn finally talked us both into painting her room purple. It's a very mellow purple. She has been asking for the past two months!!! Wow this kid never forgets anything...we kept hoping she would give it up but instead it has gotten more intense! She definately knows what she wants and can't rest until it is accomplished..I sometimes get frustrated...but she strangly resembles someone else I know. We will see how it goes....purple is her favorite color!

Charlie, Tiffany, Gwynn & Payton MacDonald

Best 4 years of my life!

2010-01-21T21:09:00.000-08:00

Charlie and I had our four year anniversary today! We had a nice calm night of fun! Charlie got some of my favorite Sushi and beautiful Lilly's for me on his way home. We then made some very good crepes as a team...peanut butter & chocolate and cream cheese and strawberries! Gwynn & Payton helped mix and create. They were a big hit!

I truly feel so blessed to be married the the best person I have ever meet! I love our beautiful life. We had our family celebration tonight because we are a team and all have a very important role in our family marriage. Next Thursday we are going to have our own little date with a blazers game and happy hour. It should be fun! Every year just gets better and better and the happy memories continue to pile up! I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with my amazing husband & super kiddos!

We also continue to be super busy with school, dance, swim and play dates. Gwynn went to the Zoo this week with her school. Payton is doing really great in swim he is doing very good at all the drills and loves to go under the water. Tomorrow we have dance and then we are adopting two extra kiddos (Carter & Jackson) for the rest of the day! It should be fun!

Payton excited for swim to start!

Gwynn, Payton and Evie outside the children's museum after our fun play date last week!
Payton's first nap in his big boy bed! Three hours!!!
Payton a good little hiker, in Forest Park!
Charlie's & Gwynn having some breakfast!
Long lost pictures of Charlie's birthday and Gwynn's Christmas production at school!
Gwynn & her buddy Cami!

Can you find Gwynn?? She was a hen who flew into the rafters.

The great fun we had this week!!!

2010-01-10T22:09:00.000-08:00

This past week was a crazy great week. We started swim again with Payton. He loves the swimming part as long as he can be crazy and do lots of under water swimming. He doesn't love the structure/instruction of being told what to do in the water. He just wants to GO! GO! GO!!!!

Gwynn also started dance again on Fridays and is doing a mixed class of hip hop, tap and ballet. She loves it and was such a good little dancer. She is very into it this time around. She has been asking for a while to do dance again I wanted to make sure she was really interested this time. She defiantly seems to be at a perfect age for taking instructions.

This week we also tryed out little gym with Beau in Lake Oswego. Payton really liked it for the first ten minutes...... but just wanted to run around the rest of the time. Gwynn and Payton both also had a dentist appointment at our amazing dentist office where they both got spoiled rotten and had very good appointments. They both are doing great Gwynn absolutely loves the dentist. The assistant said she is one of the only three year old who sit there the entire time and lets you clean her teeth. Payton on the other hand hated the dentist and was held down for his appointment screaming and kicking!!!

Payton also moved into his big boy bed. I found a great deal at Pottery barn kids. It is just what I wanted for the little man and he seems to love it too! He took an amazing three hour nap today and went down for bed with out a problem! Charlie also made Payton an amazing train table for all his wooden trains. I am pretty excited about both!

We also had a date night while Grandma came over to play. It was really nice to have a little night out. Then we both had a little happy hour with our friends... my girl night was Thursday and Charlie's guys night was on Friday.

I plan on posting some long lost pictures of Gwynn's Christmas production as well as Charlie's birthday fun! I will also post some new pictures of our cutie bugs!

Oh what fun!...Thanksgiving and Christmas Special!!

2009-12-30T15:05:00.000-08:00

The two teams for the second annual turkey bowl. We let the other team win this year to avoid an emergency room trip like last year!

Next year I can play right dad?

The ladies and all their matching aprons. Beau's first birthday party....Tarah went all out she was a pirate! What a fun Mom!

Weekend at the ranch.

The kids enjoying a ride with Grandpa Eddie on the riding lawnmower.

The Christmas tree that Gwynn picked out.
Gwynn likes Santa, Payton? Not so much! Gwynn also made a gingerbread house with her class.

The Sherwood Holiday Parade and Nutcracker..Gwynn loved to watch the ballerina's. She has picked up some new moves since then!
Christmas at Grandma Sherry's and Jims house. The kids got spoiled as usual.

Gwynn helping little Evie open her presents.

The zoo lights after a day of fun at Grandma Sherry's and Jim's House.

Our trip to Reno.

Charlie's sweet outfit for the ugly sweater party. Payton and Gwynn also had ugly sweaters but Gwynn refused to wear hers. I guess she thought it was far to ugly for a fasionista like herself.

Playing in the snow up by Mt. Rose.

And I'm spent!

Gwynn making a snow man with Mom.

Gwynn as she came down stairs christmas morning. We had all been up for two hours waiting on her. Gwynn also made Santa some cookies the night before...I think she ate as much as she made for the big guy!

She loved the jewelery box that santa brought her and she thought the extra ballerina was pretty neat.

Charlie's Birthday, Gwynn's excited about daddy's new shoes.

We have been so busy enjoying the Holiday season I haven't had time to post in a long time....I won't bore you with a novel because it would be one. We all enjoyed our Holiday season more then words can say. Thanks to all our wonderful family and friends who made it so wonderful! We love and appreciate you all! Enjoy!

2009-11-18T20:28:00.000-08:00

This past Sunday we went up to Mt.Hood and did some sledding. Both kiddos had a blast. Gwynn's favorite part was falling off the sled she was laughing so much. We all had a great time. We took a little break for a picnic lunch and Gwynn said Mom do you think after this we could try that again..sledding of course! We all had a great time. It was so much fun to watch them both having such a great time.

Gwynn and Payton and there new snow outfits grandma picked out for them.

Gwynn had her Thanksgiving performance at school on Monday night for parents. Gwynn did a couple songs, prayer and then we all enjoyed pumpkin pie with apple cider. Gwynn was front and center and did an amazing job. She sang all the words to the songs and did all the movements she learned in school. We are so happy with Gwynn's preschool. She has learned so much and is doing an excellent job. Gwynn's school is very family oriented and its so much fun to watch Gwynn grow and learn!

Gwynn was dressed in her turkey costume she made in shcool. It was so cute!

Charlie, Tiffany, Gwynn & Payton MacDonald

Halloween

2009-11-02T21:27:00.000-08:00

Our Halloween started on Friday with a fun party at our local Y. We met up with Gwynn and Payton's Aunt Tarah and cousin Beau. I would post pictures but I broke my camera while at the party and can't download the pictures. Gwynn had a blast at the Y with cookie decorating, crafts and many activities. We then went to Charlie's work where the kids were spoiled rotten and had a nice lunch with Daddy.

On Saturday we had a very busy day that started with a hair cut for both kiddos. The salon was having some great deals if your little one came dressed up. We took advantage of the sale and festivities the salon put on. We then went to Grandma Sherry's home and had a wonderful lunch and cookies with family. Gwynn had a great time eating some cow cookies Aunt Libby had made from Gail's famous sugar cookie reciept. They were wonderful! We then took Gwynn and Payton to Bridgeport for some trick or treating and festivies with adorable Evie, Libby and Brian. It was so fun to watch all the little ones in costumes. Payton had a blast running and Gwynn had fun making friends and dancing a lot. We then headed to our friends Bri, Matt, Carter and Jackson's house where we had some festive jack o latern pizza, spooky punch and dirt with worms for dessert. Gwynn then did more trick or treating with her friends while Payton slipped into his diaper and handed out candy with Charlie. It was so fun to watch Gwynn have such a blast. She would have gone all night if we would have let her. She was so happy and had so much fun! Payton also had a blast running like crazy. I am so excited for all the fun to come with these two little crazies...it just gets better and better!

Gwynn after her hair cut!

2009-10-20T20:54:00.000-07:00

Today was a very hard day with the kiddos. Payton has had a cough at night mostly for three weeks and has developed a nasty rash. I took him to the doctor today and of course in my children's typical manner they charm the entire office. Oh, he sure doesn't look like anything is bothering him... all the nurses and staff said. He smiled and got every one's attention. After many how cute and what a little man! Payton was checked out by the doctor. He informs me Payton seems fine with the exception that he will probably always need a steroid for his skin or some type of cream, lotion or potions. As the day wore on Payton was in time out six times and Gwynn double that. While Gwynn, Charlie and I were having tea tonight I told Charlie the kids gave me an ulcer tonight joking of course...Gwynn corrected me and said NO MOM...we gave you a run for your money!!!

This past weekend was awesome. We had a great day on Friday with Grandma, Libby, Evie, and Aunt Rachel. We went to the most amazing pumpkin patch. The kiddos also got spoiled rotten by their aunts and Grandparents. On Saturday I went on the most beautiful run and enjoyed the sun and amazing fall colors. I took Payton and Fritz with me which doubled my workout. Charlie and Gwynn went to the Barber while we were running. We then met Sarah at the Portland Children's Museum and enjoyed playing with the kids. We had a nice picnic with some great sandwiches from the Pearl bakery that Sarah picked up on her way to the museum.

On Sunday Charlie made a great breakfast and we went for a walk to the park and walked a local trail. Sarah then headed home for Seattle. It was a great visit with Sarah and I think she got an opportunity to see how much Payton and Gwynn's personalities have changed over the past couple months. Charlie and I enjoyed the rest of our Sunday by spending time as a family. It has been a truly great fall so far we are truly enjoying the season!

2009-10-12T20:48:00.000-07:00

This past week was a blur..... but a very good one! Gwynn is doing great in school and it's nice to have some one on one time with Payton. We had a wonderful week going to story time at the library and making a trip to the Zoo to visit the new exhibit. The kids were great and loved the animals. Gwynn's favorite animal to look at is the big alligator. I don't think Payton has a favorite yet but he is very afraid of the fish. He wouldn't let go of my leg and was holding on for dear life and looked very concerned. Gwynn is at a great age where she loves to learn and look at all the animals...Payton on the other hand climbs on everything and is trying to kill himself the entire time.

On Friday we had a nice dinner with friends and family. My aunt and Uncle came up from Medford and we were joined by Tarah, Brodie, Beau, Matt & Bri for a nice dinner at one of our personal favorite restaurants Thirst. Then the adults went to Oliver twist in the Pearl for a martini. It was great to get a chance to chat and relax while grandma took care of the kiddos!

On Saturday we went to our local pumpkin patch and in the evening Charlie went to watch football with friends. While Charlie watched football the kiddos and I had a movie and ice cream night. The kids had a blast playing in the corn maze and riding the tractor at the pumpkin patch. Payton didn't want anything to do with the pumpkins he just wanted to run to the tractors. Gwynn also had a field trip today to the pumpkin patch with her class. Tarah and Beau wanted to check out our favorite pumpkin patch so Gwynn made her third trip to the pumpkin patch. She loves it so much she was so bummed when we left for the second time today. I told her not to worry we were going again on Friday with her aunts, baby Evie and Grandma. It calmed her down she said "O.k. Mom, cool!" put her head down and fell asleep.

On Sunday we went for a walk to our favorite donut shop and then to Church. We had a great weekend & week. It feels so good to be home again and on a schedule.

Charlie, Tiffany, Gwynn & Payton MacDonald

2009-10-10T16:37:00.000-07:00

Charlie, Tiffany, Gwynn & Payton MacDonald

Gwynn's first day of school!

2009-10-05T19:59:00.000-07:00

Gwynn was exceptionally well behaved this morning and did everything Charlie and I asked her the very first time. She was so excited to go to school and smiled for all the pictures. Today when Gwynn showed up for her first day they had a welcome sign on the door that read "Welcome Gwynn"!. When we went to leave she was almost too busy to say bye. She gave me a small kiss and ran away to circle time. When I came to pick her up she seemed less then excited to see me. I don't think she was ready to come home yet! Her teacher told me Gwynn did an amazing job today and was a great listener. Gwynn's teacher also gave her a special card telling her how excited she was to have Gwynn in her class and what a great job she did on her first day. When we were in the car I was so excited to hear about her first day..... but she was to tired for a proper chat. When we got home she asked me if she could go to bed! She took a long nap and when she woke up she was ready to chat. She told me she read a book about a frog who played basket ball and also learned letters and numbers none of which she could remember. Next Monday she gets to go on a field trip to the pumpkin patch! I think Gwynn is going to love going to preschool. It was a great day to see our little lady so confident and independent...and of course not a lack of sappy moments from Mom....and a little from Charlie too! I don't think Payton even knew what to do with out his big sister today and just stayed attached to me all day...I felt like he kept looking at me like Mom what are we going to do now!

This past week we made a trip to the library, the children's museum, the park and McDonalds on the very rainy Tuesday! We also made Aunt Tarah some birthday cupcakes and had a mini birthday party for her. Gwynn was all about the details...Mom we need cupcakes, flowers and we need to sing her happy birthday! The kiddos had a blast and were very well behaved.

Last weekend we did mostly chores, we got all caught up on many neglected items around the house and unfinished business. On Sunday we did our weekend big breakfast and walk at a nearby park in Wilsonvile. I also put up some pictures of our weekend hike the weekend prior. I got some really great pictures of Gwynn, Charlie and Payton.

MacDonald's-Charlie,Tiffany,Gwynn & baby number two!

Our long lost blog!!!

2009-09-27T21:14:00.001-07:00

I have really missed our weekly blog but hope to start again now that life has slowed down. I wish I could write about all the details of our summer but it would be a novel so here is the short version with some pictures.

I posted some pictures from my sister Erica's wedding where Gwynn was an amazing flower girl. It was a beautiful wedding and Gwynn was so happy and excited to be a flower girl. She really did perform well too considering she had a major melt down prior to showtime. Erica was the most amazing beautiful bride.

I also posted some pictures of our summer fun activities. We have had our busiest summer to date but had a great time in the process. We have had a wonderful summer. The kiddos have been riding bikes, scooters and many park, zoo, and museum visits. We also had to post the cute picture of Miss Evie she is just so darn cute!!! We also have a new addition to our family....a cute six month old puppy we adopted from my mom. His name is Fritz and he is an amazing dog who fits right in to our family. I have three kiddos now!!!

We had a great weekend. Gwynn had a sleep over at Grandma's house on Friday night. While Gwynn was at Grandma's we went to dinner with Payton at one of our favorite restaurants. On Saturday I had a wedding and the kiddos got to play with Libby, Brian and Baby Evie. In the evening we took Grandma and Grandpa out to dinner to thank them for saving me last weekend when I forgot the bridesmaids dresses for Erica's wedding!!! Today we went for a nice long hike at Silver Falls and did some shopping. It was so nice to be home and spend some time with family.

This week I have promised Gwynn a mommy date. She has been asking me everyday if we can go on our weekly date but with Charlie's work schedule it has been hard. We are going for sure this week. I miss my one on one time with my smart little cookie. It's so fun to talk to her. We also plan to meet with Libby and Evie for a hike and get everything all geared up for Gwynn to start pre school next Monday.

August fun

2009-08-24T21:24:00.000-07:00

This month has been a busy one so far. Last weekend was my sister Erica's bachlorette party in Reno. Charlie took the kiddos over to visit family in Summer Lake while I was in Reno. Gwynn & Payton had a blast in Summer lake and enjoyed all the animals and outdoor activities. A good time was had by all!

This weekend we traveled to Reno again for Charlie's friend Kevin's wedding where Charlie did an outstanding job as a groomsmen. The wedding was beautiful and Charlie and I had a great time with three hundred other guests. We stayed at my sister Brook's home. The kiddos visited with there aunts and my mom came over to watch Gwynn & Payton while we went to the wedding. Gwynn and Payton enjoyed playing with the dogs and swimming in the pool. On Sunday they suprised me with a birthday dinner, cake and some very special gifts.

2009-07-23T20:21:00.001-07:00

We made a fast trip to Longview this weekend on Sunday to visit with Libby, Brian, Baby Evie and Aunt Sarah. We took the kiddos to the park and had a nice BBQ with some of Libby & Brians very sweet neighbors. Evie is the most amazing beautiful baby. Libby & Brian have the whole parenting thing down pat. Libby looks amazing and seems to have been made to be a Mom. Charlie and I enjoyed holding and talking with Miss Evie. She is so sweet and lovely! It was a short but nice visit. I think we all were missing everyone. Life has just been so busy it seems impossible to get to see everyone as much as we would like.

Payton leading with the belly as always!!

Gwynn after Gymnastics posing!

What a happy little gal! Gwynn thinks everytime we go anywhere now we need to buy baby Evie some clothes..its pretty sweet. Gwynn will say "Mom this would be so adorable on baby Evie." I honestly don't know where she gets some of the things that come out of her mouth..yesterday she informed me that Payton "is breaking her heart"..when I asked why she said "he wasn't being very good at sharing!"

It has been really great having Tarah, Brodie, and Beau so close. Payton, Gwynn and Beau get to see each other almost daily. It has been really wonderful having them fifteen minutes away. Once I decide what I am doing with the kiddos I call Tarah and see if she wants to go. It has also been great to have her so close for babysitting for all my work activities. I always know they're in good hands. Gwynn also tells me daily that Tarah is her best friend!

This week and weekend should be very low key for our family. It is the calm before the storm. After this weekend we do not have a free weekend for over a month!!

Weekend at the Ranch

2009-07-12T17:19:00.000-07:00

We made a quick trip down south to visit with Papa Eddie and Grandma Gail this weekend. Gwynn and Payton had the best time. Both love being outside. Gwynn was glued to Papa Eddie the whole time. It was a nice relaxing time. On Saturday during the day we visited with the my grandparents, cousins and my dad. The kids had fun playing with grandpa Dave at the park. In the evening we went to dinner with the Graf family, Papa Eddie and Grandma Gail. We then went and viewed the vehicles in the Cruise. The kids had such a great weekend out at the ranch. Gwynn is at a great age and really enjoys being outdoors with her Papa Eddie.

Gwynn loves the four wheelers rides with Papa!
All the calves were very interested in Payton..he was not as interested in them.

Payton watching Papa and Daddy change irrigation! Gwynn helped too!!

Payton at the park with Grandpa Dave! They both love all their grandparents to pieces!!!

2009-07-05T20:21:00.000-07:00

Gwynn and Payton washing very dirty little feet in the sink, Gwynn running away from the boys and her first sparkler.

Payton giving me something to do in my spare time!

The past two weeks have gone by so fast. I honestly don't have the time to blog anymore. I am thinking of using the blog to just post pictures. With Gwynn and Payton running in two separate directions at all times doesn't leave much time left for much of anything else....right now Gwynn is pretending to be a dog and insists I feed her raisins one at a time on the floor! We also have been battling some Summer colds over the past two weeks.

This weekend we had a nice 4Th. I did a wedding all day and Charlie and the kiddos hung out with Aunt Sarah. They went on a walk to the farmers market in old town Sherwood and then played with the kids in the pool. After I arrived home from my wedding we headed off to our friends home to celebrate. The kids had fun running around and playing in the pool. Gwynn had fun with her first sparkler and screamed with excitement every time Charlie lit a fire cracker. It was fun to relax with good friends and watch all the kids play and have a good time. The BBQ was a big hit with about thirty people total. Gwynn and Payton got lots of attention and loved it!

Today we did a ton of chores and I did some work for Posh Bride. We then felt like we needed a bit of a break so we took the kids to the movies for a break from the sun and heat. We watched Ice age three. We all ate way to much popcorn but had a great time together. Both kids were wonderful.

Last weekend we traveled to Bend for my first marathon in Sun River. We all had a lot of fun. Marathons are so family friendly. They had many activities for Gwynn and Payton. They had jump houses and all kinds of kid activities. We also had friends who went over for the weekend and hosted a big BBQ. Gwynn and Payton had fun running around with a group of eight kids all under eight years old. The whole weekend was a big success, the kids had fun, Charlie and me had an opportunity to relax and I did well in my marathon. I was the fifth women to finish with a time of 3hours & 40 minutes. I also qualified for the Boston marathon. I know I am capable of doing even better next time. My favorite part of training and completing a marathon was all the support I received from Charlie & Gwynn as well as the positive example it sets for both Gwynn and Payton. Gwynn is so funny about running and always asks if we can go for a run and loves to pump her arms...she says "just like you mommy..huh"???

This summer should keep us pretty busy with all the business weddings as well as family weddings. My sister Erica is getting married in September and Charlie's friend Kevin gets married in August. Charlie is a grooms men in Kevin's wedding and Gwynn and I are both involved in Erica's. We will be traveling to Reno twice next month and to California in September for the wedding and an annual Disney Land Trip. We thought this summer would be very layed back and low key...that never seems to be the case anymore!

A small update!

2009-06-11T22:47:00.001-07:00

Payton's first time falling asleep in his high chair.

I love this picture of him first thing in the morning. Gwynn said "Mom come look at bubbers crazy hair"!

My two cows!

Gwynn with her friend Selina as she refers to her. When we were in Seattle to help Sarah move the ladies & Mr. Payton went to the park to play. The kiddos had a blast and Sarah treated us all to a wonderful lunch at a little hole in the wall Mexican restaurant.

We also celebrated Sarah's birthday this past weekend. I got to snuggle Miss Evelyn. She is such a sweet good little baby. I had a hard time giving her back.

Sarah opening some of her many presents. Gwynn trying to be helpful. Libby and Brian made some really good chicken with home made BBQ sauce. It was a nice lunch and the kids had fun playing in the grass with all the other kiddos.

Gwynn & I also ran a race this past weekend. I ran the 10k and Gwynn did the kids fun run. I think she had fun just watching all the people. There were about 360 people total in the 10k and about 30 kids in the fun run. I finished in the top ten women and number five for my age group among the women. It was really fun and I think everyone had a great time!

Gwynn and her cousin having a little lemonade!!

Gwynn finishing the race & warming up!

A Great 1st Birthday Bash!!!

2009-06-01T22:26:00.000-07:00

Payton's birthday bash was great. The weather was wonderful and all the kids and adults had a blast. The kids played in the pool, sprinkler and sand box. We all ate way to much great food. We couldn't have asked for a better birthday for Mr.Payton. Thanks to all the friends and family who came from very far away. We were so happy to see all the surprise guests that showed up! Payton is very loved!!

Payton loves chocolate and his new sand box. He sits in it with Gwynn and drives his trucks around making car noises.

Payton and Gwynn received so many wonderful toys and cloths. They have been playing really hard while dressed very well. For every gift Payton received so did Miss Gwynn. She was pretty excited! Payton was a good birthday boy. He just smiled and played the entire time. He never had a bad moment. He was really great about opening all the gifts. He had no melt downs and was all smiles!

Beau and Gwynn enjoying the pool. Beau is such a cute happy little man. He defiantly loves his big cousins.

Payton is One!!!

2009-05-27T21:32:00.000-07:00

Payton enjoyed having some cake made with love by Gwynn and Mom! Gwynn was so excited to make Payton birthday cake. We also sang happy birthday all day long to Payton. Gwynn was so excited to celebrate her brother! She is sweet!

Opening a few presents from Mom, Dad, Gwynn, Aunt Libby & Uncle Brian and The Allonzo's.

I think Charlie and I are still processing that Payton is one! The time flew by. He is such a sweet little man. He let me rock him to sleep today. He fell asleep on my chest the way he did as a newborn. It melted my heart and made my day. It was exacly the same time I held him the day he was born a year ago. I think we have babies to make us appreciate all the little things in life..like rocking a sleeping baby.

Payton spent his birthday sleeping mostly. He took two two hour naps. He also played with Gwynn outside with his trucks. He loves being in the backyard on a blanket with all his trucks. He makes truck noises and pushes them all around. He occasionally stops for a small snack of dirt!

We decided to make Payton a sand box with matching picnic table for his birthday. I found one I really liked in Pottery Barn. Charlie is duplicating it for him. He will have a great place to play with all his trucks very soon!

We are also having Payton's birthday party this weekend for all our friends and family...we will have many more photos to share. I will also post some of our camping trip this past weekend. It was such a blast!

Mothers Day Weekend!

2009-05-11T19:59:00.000-07:00

We had a really great mothers day weekend. On Friday we had dinner with a group of friends in Sherwood. Gwynn and Payton got to play with a bunch of kiddos. The adults chatted and had really good BBQ. Our friend Matt made some amazing stuffed burgers.

On Saturday Grandma and Aunt Sasa took Gwynn and Payton to watch Elmo live. They also packed a picnic and visited a park near Grandma's home. Then Charlie and I went to pick the kiddos and had dinner with the family. Gwynn told us all about her super cool day. This is one of her new words as well as "its a deal mom"! When I ask her to do something she says" o.k. cool" or "its a deal". I love her new catch Fraze. She and Payton really had a good time with Grandma and Aunt Sasa.

On Sunday I woke up to coffee and presents in bed. Charlie, Gwynn and Payton had a whole day planned for us. After I opened my presents and had some coffee. I went for my long run for the week and had a personal best for time.... thanks to my new running watch I got for mothers day! I did 16 miles all at 8.5 minute miles. Charlie and Gwynn made some really good french toast with berries and whip cream for our Mothers day brunch. Then Charlie and Gwynn packed a picnic and we headed for Hagg lake where we hiked and had our picnic. It was so beautiful on the lake and the hike was really fun. Gwynn and Payton where both so happy to be outside. Gwynn found a hiking stick and wore her back pack the entire time. Inside she had cookies and band aids, two of her favorite things. Payton just kicked his little legs and talked most of the hike. It was such a sweet and thoughtful mothers day! I have a pretty amazing family. I defiantly felt appreciated.

Payton is walking....Gwynn is talking with choice words!

2009-05-04T19:10:00.000-07:00

Payton showing off his new skills!

Charlie and Payton helped some of our neighbors with some yard work.

Gwynn and Payton giving me something to do in my spare time.

Payton is officially walking! He started over a week ago but finally is really walking! He still crawls a bit but mostly around Gwynn & Cami. I think he has been knocked over one to many times by the wild duo. He is so wobbly and cute! He gets so proud of himself every time he walks across the living room and smiles and laughs. He is really showing his personality off these days. He is a boy for sure! He loves his bucket of trucks and cars and will pick one and take it with him all over the house. He also loves to dance all the time and screams really, really loud a lot! He loves to hear his own voice. He is a definite firecracker! He is always busy with something full of energy. When he is paired with Gwynn they can do some serious damage!

Gwynn has also been pretty funny these days. Last Friday I was driving home from the gym and a man walked across the street and Gwynn said "Oh Sh**&t, Mom did you see that guy!" It took quite a while for me to process what had just come out of her mouth. She has really loved saying her new favorite word, Sh**&t. I try not to make too big a deal of it because... if it gets attention any three year old will continue to say it to get a reaction. I just say in a calm, no big deal voice,

"we don't say that word". She also picked up Shut Up and loves to tell me to Shut up if she doesn't like what I am saying. When I tell he we don't talk like that she says "Oh, come on Mom I am just joking!" or " Mom, your killing me!" I never really thought we cursed much and I know we never tell each other to shut up...I guess we really need to watch what she is exposed to as well as our own mouths! Despite how bad it is that she says these words I truly want to die laughing because it is priceless to watch and hear. She is so carefree and happy and thinks their just new words to add to her vocabulary.

This weekend we had a nice dinner with our neighbors on Friday and a banquette at the Portland Children's museum for businesses who donate to the Museum on Saturday. We went to represent Walsh and had a great time. We sampled many local restaurants and did a lot of wine tasting. There were also many different silent auctions to bid on as well as games to play. Aunt Tarah came up from Corvallis to watch Gwynn and Payton. It was fun to have a little date night.

We also went to Al's garden supply this weekend and Gwynn and I picked some flowers to plant. Gwynn loves to run around and check out all the plants. She wanted one of every pretty flower especially if it was little.

The month of May is going to be very crazy for all of us. With all the big upcoming events

Payton's first birthday, Libby's baby, four weddings, parties, mothers day, guests and a camping

trip with the Alonzo family. I am excited for all the fun to come this month!

2009-04-25T10:04:00.000-07:00

Gwynn on her way to the beach and enjoying some of the beautiful sunshine.

Payton and Gwynn on Easter. The picture below Charlie snapped on our way to the beach.

I think this picture pretty well sums up how Payton felt about the weather at the beach!

I know its been a long time since I have posted anything!!! I never seem to have the time to sit down and do it anymore....to busy with Miss Gwynn & Payton!!!.... so here is an update!

We went and visited my Mom in Santa Cruz about two weeks ago. We had a great time! I should say the kiddos had a good time. I got really sick on the plane and I couldn't shake it the entire visit. Gwynn had a blast at the beach and playing with all her Aunties. She was attached to Tarah at the hip. When ever she woke in the morning she would roll over and ask where Tarah was...I was chopped liver! She also loves baby Beau...and tells me all the time Baby Beau loves me mom! Beau does love her too..she can make him smile and laugh and loves to entertain him. My mom lives in a neat beach house in Santa Cruz. It is located up on the hill overlooking down town Santa Cruz. We walked down town and to the boardwalk from her home. We visited many little shops and walked the boardwalk. My mom also took us to all her favorite restaurants. We did a lot of shopping and eating,some park visits and of course the beach while visiting. Gwynn and Payton both came back with new summer wardrobes. They were spoiled as always. The kiddos had a blast and it was great to get to visit with the whole family!

When we came home from the airport Charlie was so sweet and had a present for Gwynn. A new pair of crocks that she wears every day, everywhere. It's so funny because I swore my kid would never wear those!! The ugliest shoes I have ever seen!! Over the past year when ever we go to Joe's or any sports gear store Gwynn can spot them out a mile away. She also will carry them around the store and scream bloody murder because she needs the crocodile shoes!!! But she loves her new shoes and like many things you say prior to having children...you just let go... especially when you see how much joy it brings this little person. This one goes with..plastic toys, princesses and all the other my kid will never category!

The first week home we just relaxed until I was well. Then Gwynn got to go have a sleep over with Grandma Sherry on Friday. On Saturday I took the CBEST and Sunday we had a belated Easter brunch with Grandma Sherry and Grandpa Jim. Grandma spoiled the kiddos as usual. Gwynn had fun looking for eggs and running around in the sun. Payton had fun sitting in the sun playing with eggs in the grass. In the evening I had a girls luncheon and had fun drinking wine and chatting with a group of eight women I have meet since moving to Sherwood. While I was with friends the kiddos played with Aunt Sarah, Libby and Uncle Brian.

Since being home this week we have been busy with dance, play dates, park visits, and the pleasure of having Charlie home for a week. I think I am getting a little spoiled and will have to get used to being home alone with two kiddos.

Charlie has done a lot of work around the house and in the yard. He also managed to help three of our neighbors with some big projects in there yards. He is the super dad hero on our street!! He also has been able to get the Unimog to work and drove it down and parked it on the street. This is a huge accomplishment for him & he is pretty proud of all his hard work!

We also made a trip over to the beach. We packed a picnic and brought Gwynn's friend Cami. The girls had fun chasing birds and playing in the sand. It was so cold and windy. Payton wasn't sure about the wind. He did enjoy playing in the sand. On our way home all the kids passed out. A very exhausting but fun day.

This coming week Charlie starts up work again on Monday and will be very busy once again. He will be working up to seven days a week. I continue to train for my marathon and it is going very well. I ran and 18 mile run last Sunday and I am doing a 2o mile run tomorrow. I never realized how time consuming it is to train for a marathon. The long runs, ice baths and the meal consideration and preparation..not to mention creating a safe long run. I couldn't do it with our my amazing husband and all the support and encouragement I get from him & my little cheerleader Gwynn. She always asks if I am going to exercise (run). In addition to training for the marathon I finished my first test to apply for Grad school and will continue working on my admittance package.

Gwynn continues to do well in dance and is practicing diligently for her recital. We also plan to get both kiddos in swim for the summer. They both are really becoming best buds. Payton likes to imitate all that his big sister does. I think that's were he gets his love for dance from. Tonight when we were driving if Gwynn dances Payton follows, if Gwynn blows strawberries Payton does too. I told Charlie tonight we really need a flip for funny moments like these. I am so excited for all the fun memories they will have together being so close in age.

Good times!

2009-03-29T21:44:00.001-07:00

This week was a bit relaxed. We played with Gwynn's friends, Gwynn & Payton got to see some little baby chicks, a visit to McDonalds on one of our many rainy days and on Friday we went to the Zoo. Payton loves the Zoo just as much as Gwynn. Gwynn has loved painting everyday...Charlie helped her a bit when he got home from work on Saturday.

Charlie and Gwynn being silly!

All smiles! My two water babies!
Gwynn checking out the big guy at the Zoo! He was swimming hot laps to say hi to Miss Gwynn.

The rest of the weekend was nice. Charlie worked both Saturday and Sunday in the morning. On Saturday when he came home he played with Gwynn and Payton. In the evening we went out to a very nice dinner with our friends Bri and Matt and then had dessert at Mint. It was very nice to have an adult night. Then on Sunday after Charlie came home from work he mapped out a 14 mile run for me and bought me some gel for my long run. After I came home from my run we relaxed a bit. Sarah came over in the afternoon and took Gwynn and Payton to the park with Charlie so I could relax. It was really nice. When they came back from the park we all had dinner dessert and the Sarah was off to Seattle. It was so nice to see her. Gwynn had a blast as always..she really wanted to go home with Sarah! When Sarah was leaving Gwynn kept saying "Gwynn come too, Gwynn come too!". It was a good weekend!

A little about Miss Gwynn and P Dizzle....

2009-03-23T19:53:00.000-07:00

Gwynn & Payton both enjoyed the jump house in Corvallis.

Gwynn went to her friend Johanna's birthday party at the Wilsonville bowling alley and really enjoyed herself. I defiantly think we will go back as a family it was very kid friendly. Gwynn has also been into dressing Payton up. I love this picture because I feel like he's saying..I am still Manly Mom with his little pose. He is such a happy little man and lets Gwynn do silly things to him. They both have really been playing well together.

Gwynn has been quite funny and busy as always. She received a Bob The Builder t-shirt from her great grandparents that she wears everyday and night. The only time I can get it off her is if it is wet or really, really dirty. The other day she refused to take it off to get into the bath. I didn't feel up for an argument or tears so I just stuck her in the bath t-shirt and all. It got a little wet and finally came off. She is wearing it as I type not to mention that she wore it all day took a bath and wanted to put it back on!

This last week was a hard long one. Gwynn and Payton both came down with a stomach bug. It hit Gwynn on Wednesday when we went down to Corvallis to visit cousin Beau and Auntie Tarah. We took the babies and Gwynn to a cool jump house. All the babies and Gwynn had a blast but I called it a day after Gwynn got sick. She was sad and wanted to keep playing but she was pretty sick so we headed home.

Charlie has also been putting in long hours at work on weekdays and weekends. I think we both feel like we are neglecting our home and yard but we both are so exhausted every night all we do is get the kids ready for bed and go to bed early. I have also been getting up very early to make sure I get my runs in before Charlie leaves for work. Its been hard but we both count our blessings that he has such an amazing job in this economy!

This past weekend Charlie had to work a lot so I took Miss Gwynn to the Children's Museum to use her year pass she got for her birthday. We had a blast of course she spent most her time at the Bob the Builder exhibit and wore her favorite t-shirt.

Our crazy little life!

2009-03-17T21:16:00.000-07:00

Life has been a whirlwind lately in the past two weeks we have remodeled our bathroom, had many guests, Gwynn's big 3rd Birthday bash, Payton's 9 month celebration, fraud on our accounts, I started my process at getting into grad school, training for a marathon, Charlie almost got the unimog to start and a dinner party! Oh... and Gwynn gave me a little hair cut...or trim!

Gwynn's 3rd birthday was great! We had her birthday party at the Portland Children's Museum and all the kiddos had a blast. It was really great we had a little room where all the kids could have a snack and then they were free to play all day or until a melt down before a nap. Gwynn was spoiled rotten as usual and had a blast. She was so happy and excited to have her birthday at Bob the Builders as she refers to the Museum. She also got a Bob the Builder t shirt she wears almost every day with a skirt of course.

Payton and Gwynn both also had there doctors appointments. They both are developing at record breaking speed. The doctor did some pretty cool development tests on them both. The both are also growing well. Gwynn is finally out of the 25Th percent for weight and height and is now considered average for both weight and height. Payton is of course a big guy to us but he is about average also. Gwynn and Payton both had shots too. Gwynn didn't cry and wanted to watch her arm as she got her shots. Payton on the other hand screamed bloody murder and hated Charlie and I for about five minutes!

We also remodeled our bathroom and it looks amazing! Charlie worked very hard and I am so impressed with all his talents in this department. It's truly amazing how well everything came together.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

As usually life is busy but very good. Charlie is super busy at work working six two seven days a week. I continue to do makeup a bit on the weekends and watch little Cami two days a week. Gwynn is loving dance and doing wonderful. Payton is so busy speeding through the house getting into everything and anything he can. He and Gwynn have an energy level that increases with each month. Gwynn and Payton have also started to play together at times. Its so cute and melts my heart when Gwynn taps him on the head and talks gently to her little brother.

And on a side note...Gwynn has really been into giving mommy piggy tails lately. Yesterday she was giving me piggy tails and I felt a tug and it actually hurt. I said" aah"..and Charlie looks up and says... "she just cut your hair. " I looked down and she had cut about half an inch out of the back of my hair. All I could do was laugh! She then said "its OK mommy, its OK!" and rubbed my face!

Busy Bee's

2009-02-24T20:31:00.001-08:00

For the past couple weeks I feel like life has been at an all time busy high!

Charlie has started some new projects that keep him very busy at work. He has also started the remodel on our bathroom. I am so excited to see the final product.

Gwynn continues to do well in dance and loves it! She also has been enjoying her play dates with Cami as well as story time and music and movement. She amazes me everyday with how much she understands. It is so nice and fun to be able to carry on a conversation with her and understand completely what she is saying a vise versa. She is so witty and funny!

Payton is such a happy little camper now that he is mobile. He is getting into everything! He try es to eat dog food daily and can open all the drawers and cupboards in the house. He loves to crawl after Gwynn and Moxie and is quite proud of himself when he does so. Payton is also on antibiotics once again for his fourth ear infection this season. He is all smiles these days. He is also working on his second tooth working its way out. He looks so adorable with his little tooth when he smiles.

I can honestly say I am having the most fun with the stages they both are at...tired but so much fun! I count my blessings that I am able to spend everyday with the two of them! Its a blast and honor to be these two little ones Mom!

P.S. It will be a while before I can post any new pictures, I had to send our camera away to be repaired. I will figure Charlie's camera out and start posting when I get time!

Payton is mobile!!!

2009-02-10T19:35:00.000-08:00

Payton can crawl!!

Gwynn& Cami in there matching P.J.'s after a bath!

Gwynn likes to do Payton's hair for him!

Gwynn & Aunt Sarah on our walk to the park.

Making Valentines Day cards and treats! Gwynn had a blast but had a hard time not eating all the treats!

Payton started crawling yesterday!!!! All day today he was pulling himself up on all the furniture. He had lots of spills. I swear he is trying to walk!!! I will catch him pull himself up on the side of the couch and next thing I hear is a thud and he is lay ed out flat on the floor! He thinks crawling is pretty cool! Today I was in the hall and her crawled to see what I was up to..he had a big grin on his face.... as if he was really proud.

Gwynn had dance today and Cami came to play yesterday. It has been amazing to watch Gwynn change over the past couple months. Gwynn is officially potty trained and her vocabulary is astounding. Gwynn and Cami play so well together and really enjoy there play dates each week. Gwynn is talking a mile a minute and has so much energy. She is doing very well in dance most days...today she was to busy checking out her pig tails in the mirror with her hands on her hips. She is such a good combination of sugar and spice...or should I say spicy!

Last weekend we had the opportunity to visit will all the girls..Libby, Sarah and Rachel. Gwynn and Payton both got spoiled with attention and had fun going to the park and playing at Libby an Brian's house. Gwynn was so tired she feel asleep on the living room floor. On Saturday Rachel, Charlie, Brian and Colton worked on the basement. The girls and I spent time with the little ones. Gwynn had a blast going to the park and eating all her favorite food! I told her it was a special treat to go to Libby & Brians and get spoiled with tasty treats. It was so nice to have Libby and Sarah give the kiddos some extra love while everyone else worked.

Gwynn & Payton have a bunch of great Aunts!!!

2009-02-01T21:13:00.000-08:00

Gwynn & Payton having fun at the park by Auntie Tarah's house!

This weekend we had the Alonzo family over for Friday night. On Saturday Joe and Charlie worked on the unimog while the girls and the little man headed to Corvallis for fun on Saturday and Sunday.

On Saturday Tarah, Libby, Rachel, Jessica and all the kiddos went to lunch at American Dream and then Libby and Rachel took Gwynn and Payton to play while Tarah and I took baby Beau for a walk in the sun.

On Friday night Gwynn and Selina played hard and enjoyed dinner at there little table.

On Sunday Tarah, Brodie and I went for a walk to the park. Gwynn wanted to push her stroller most of the time.

Beau enjoyed the sun on Saturday.

Having a nice bath!
Payton had a good time in the swings at the park. He was all smiles and giggles.

2009-01-25T19:59:00.000-08:00

Charlie and I had a great time this Saturday celebrating our anniversary. We went to happy hour and a movie. Grandma Sherry came over and cuddled the two little ones. It was great to go out and have an adult evening. The kids were great for Grandma and we had a blast.

On Sunday Carter turned five so we celebrated his birthday at the pump it up in Tigard. Gwynn had a great time with all the boys. Gwynn was the only girl with five little boys. We then went back to the Ellis home for pizza, cake and presents. Gwynn played hot wheels and checked out Carters new hot wheels bike with flames. Bri also made Gwynn a cute little goodies bag with all her favorite items. Gwynn had so much fun she was ready for a nap as soon as we came home.

Payton is a water baby just like his big sister...he gets so excited before and after the bath...I think this picture pretty much sums up how much he loves his bath time!

Gwynn is defiantly my mini me..if I clean she cleans. She loves all things girly but has a tough side and isn't afraid to try new things. I love to watch her daily growing she is turing into a beautiful little person.

My best friend Bri and I last weekend at the cocktail party. It was fun but Charlie and I didn't stay long we wanted to get back to our two sick little ones asap. It was fun to have a glass of wine and chat with some friends.

MacDonald's-Charlie,Tiffany,Gwynn & baby number two!

A hard week

2009-01-23T16:19:00.000-08:00

A cute little picture of our sleepy little man....if he would only sleep that well at night!

Charlie is training Gwynn to read four wheel magazines while in the bathroom....

Patyon loves this toy her recieved from Grandma and Grandpa MacDonald. He dances to the music and rides it everyday...if he is fussy it makes him smile and dance!

The past couple weeks have been rough. Gwynn and Payton woke up really sick last Friday night with a really awful cough and couldn't sleep. They were both later diagnosed with croup. It was very scary when Gwynn woke up screaming. Since our first doctors appointment we have been back three times and now both kiddos are on antibiotics and seem to be on the road to recovery. I have been trying to get them out of the house in the fresh air at least once a day this seems to help Payton but makes Gwynn worse? We have taken walks to the park and played in the garage. I am getting a bit stir crazy!

Charlie and I celebrated our anniversary on Wednesday with some pizza and wine! It was nice not to have cook and just enjoy our family. We had planned to go snowboarding this weekend to celebrate but with two sick babies its to hard to leave. Aunt Libby and Uncle Brian were going to baby sit and wanted to have a sleep over before there little sweat pea arrives. We bagged the idea all together but plan to go out for dinner and a movie tomorrow while grandma Sherry gets her cuddle time in with the kiddos.

I must say we have crammed a lot in the past four years....two babies and a house later. There is no one I would rather go through the adventures of life with. Charlie is kind,funny,thoughtful, honest, and strong. I thank him for the two beautiful healthy babies he has given me as well as the opportunity to stay home and take care of them both. He truly is my best friend and I can't put into words how much he means to me. I just feel so blessed that we get to enjoy the rest of our lives together. On our anniversary and always, I want to celebrating the wonderful man you are and the husband I love! Thank you for letting me talk your ear off while you doze off to sleep everynight.... its by far the favorite part of my day!

We have been missing our dance lessons, swim and play dates this week but hope everyone is tip top next week so we can get back on schedule. We also really want to visit cousin Beau and Aunt Libby! We are having so much fun having Beau in our lives and can't wait for another baby girl. I never thought I would get so excited for someone else to have a baby but when you have an amazing sister like Tarah and sister in law its hard to contain yourself! I am so happy Beau has blessed our lives and can't wait for Libby & Brian's little bundle! I am so excited for Libby and Brian and truely can't ,can't wait!!!! I am so happy and excited!

A FUN WEEK

2009-01-06T20:59:00.000-08:00

Last Wednesday we went down to Corvallis to visit Cousin Beau, Tarah & Brodie on our way to the MacDonald Ranch. We picked up some American Dream pizza in Corvallis for lunch ( the best pizza!) to help feed the busy new parents. Beau has been a bit colicky. Beau has some acid reflux problems but has been put on medication that has been helping. Tarah looks amazing and is the most wonderful new mom. Brodie is a very hands on Dad who is doing a great job.

Gwynn really wanted to cuddle and hold Beau. She really likes her new cousin. It was so sweet to see Gwynn and Payton interact with there new cousin. I got a lot of good cuddle time in too. I rocked Beau for a good hour or two before Charlie pulled me out the door to head south.

Payton and Beau are six months apart.....Payton was already trying to pick on him! We had a great time out at the ranch this past weekend. It was so much fun to watch Gwynn having a blast. She absolutely loves her PaPa Eddie and Grandma Gale. Everything she did from brushing her hair to going potty PaPa Eddie was the first to know! She also had to know where he was at all times. She still keeps asking me if we can go to PaPa Eddies and ride the motorcycle( four wheeler) and the tractor to feed the cows. We also spent some time walking and trowing sticks into the stream. She would help herself to putting on her red boots and coat and head outside all by herself...she couldn't get enough of being out side on the ranch!
Gwynn played so hard she would fall asleep anywhere in the house. Gwynn & Payton also got to play with some of her cousins who taught her hide and seek( she asks me all day to play with her...I think she gave up on me and has moved on to Moxie). We also had a wonderful Mexican meal while in Myrtle Creek to celebrate Gail's birthday. It was nice to be on a mini vacation with no cooking or cleaning. The ranch can be a great place to relax and read a good book. I also had fun chatting with Gale and her children and there families. There are lots of kids so Gwynn had a blast! It was so fun to watch both Gwynn and Payton have such a great time and the MacDonald Ranch.

Baby Khole the newest addition to the Westbrook family..she is so beautiful and tiny. She is only two weeks old! Her mom also looks amazing with a new mom glow.

Gwynn had her first class this term for dance and was moved up a class to be with the older girls. She did great! If you can't tell Gwynn is annoyed I am trying to take her picture...come on Mom lets go to dance!!!

MacDonald's-Charlie,Tiffany,Gwynn & baby number two!

Christmas

2008-12-28T19:23:00.001-08:00

Happy little babies...they can't wait for Christmas!

Christmas morning..she found her bike from Santa first!

The night before Christmas making Santa cookies
While Gwynn and I made cookies Payton wanted to open a couple presents from Mom & Dad

Gwynn before her first bath after round one of Christmas cookies for Santa

Payton starting young.... peaking into presents on Christmas Eve!!

Our first round of Christmas at Grandma's house Gwynn was out before we were out of the driveway!

Happy Payton on Christmas morning

Gwynn's new exercise shoes as she refers to them...pink Puma's a must with no pants

First attempt at riding her new bike

Christmas with Aunt Libby at Grandma's house Gwynn and Payton got spoiled rotten!

Payton loves to unwrap presents like a pro!

Christmas this year was really nice and low key. The weekend prior to Christmas we went to Grandma's house had fun in the snow, lots of good food and good company. The week of Christmas we had a very white Christmas with lots of snow and fun in it!

On Christmas Eve we watched movies and baked Santa cookies. On Christmas morning we were up bright and early opening presents. It was fun to watch Gwynn all sleepy eyed stumble out of her bedroom and into the tree of presents. She was in such good spirits and helped her brother and mom and dad open all the presents. We then had a nice breakfast and a small walk in the snow. The day was spent relaxing and eating. It was the most relaxing we have done in a long time. We truly had a wonderful Christmas!!

Snow fun

2008-12-17T19:58:00.000-08:00

The Zoo lights were so much fun!

Baking Daddy's cake!

Some of the many pretty lights at the Zoo.

The snow on our street.

Gwynn decorating chirstmas cookies with mom!

I love snow!

I love food!!!

Gwynn decorated Charlie's birthday cake too! ....can you tell!

Charlie, Gwynn & Payton enjoying the cake.

Baking cookies...Gwynn ate so much frosting I thought she would be sick for sure!

Enjoying the Sherwood Christmas parade with hot coco.

Payton & Daddy enjoying the parade fun too.

Baking Charlie's birthday cake...once again she ate so much I thought she would be sick.

I have a cookie so I am ready for the snow in my spicy new snow pants.

Placing the star at the top of the tree.

High five santa!

The past week and weekend have been a fun! We have been doing all kinds of festive activities, baking sugar cookies, making cards and getting the house ready. We have had a lot of snow and fun. On Friday Charlie had his work party that was really fun. It was nice to socialize with all the Walsh employees. We are truly blessed that Charlie works for such a great company.

Saturday I worked in the afternoon and then we went to Zoo lights with Grandma, Grandpa and the Ellis family. Zoo lights was amazing and Gwynn and Payton had a great time checking out all the lights. It will defiantly be a family tradition. We also celebrated Charlies birthday with Pizza at the California Pizza Kitchen.

On Sunday Charlie turned 28! We made him some healthy breakfast (he had his check up and has slightly high cholesterol so were all on a diet) and he opened gifts. We then did a bit of shopping and then came home for dinner and birthday cake that Gwynn made.

On Monday Charlie stayed home from work and he and Gwynn did some sledding and had fun around the house. Yesterday I drove for the first time in the snow and did a great job! I took Gwynn to dance unfortunately once we got there is was cancelled! She was bummed so we went to the gym so she could play with some little ones and then to McDonald's that was packed due to all the snow. Gwynn ended up having a blast. Today was a cozy home day. I played a lot with the kids made a roast and just played house. We are getting ready for a weekend of Christmas fun with the family and then aunt Brook flys in on Monday (her birthday)!

Six months, Ma Ma & Gwynn's Holiday fun!

2008-12-10T21:35:00.000-08:00

Today Payton had his six month doctors visit and charmed all the women in the office. He has started nodding his head at questions I ask him. When he nods his head it is the cutest thing in the world. Today at his doctors visit he was smiling and acting shy with all the women. I also asked him if he was tired and he nodded no so I asked him if he was happy and he nodded yes and smiled big! The nurse was amazed and went and told the entire office...I only know this because Charlie over heard them talking about Payton while he and Gwynn were waited in the waiting room of the doctors office. He weighted in at 17 lbs 12 oz and is 26 inches long. He also had three shots and didn't cry!!! Payton also started saying Ma Ma this week. He says it when he get tired or bored and it melts my heart. He says it in the cutest little voice!

Gwynn is doing great also. Gwynn has been so wild lately. She has more energy then I know what to do with. She is busy all the time and is always chatting my ear off. We did many Christmas activities this weekend and she had a blast. On Saturday morning we went and found a beautiful tree and then came home and decorated it as well as the house. It is by far my favorite tree to date. Gwynn had a blast walking in the trees with Moxie she even found a walking stick to bring home. Later in the day we went to see Santa fly in by helicopter at the Sherwood toy store and then went to the annual Christmas parade and tree lighting in old town Sherwood. In Sherwood they also have booths with free activities for the kids as well as free, coco, hot dogs and many other cute holiday goodies. Miss Claus was also at the festivities! It was so fun to watch Gwynn enjoy all the holiday cheer!

Good times!

2008-12-04T21:29:00.000-08:00

A lot has happened in the past couple weeks and we have been busy. It has been nice to have a little bit of down time. We are all getting so excited for the Holidays to spend time with family and friends. It will be so much fun to watch Gwynn this year. She is already getting the concept of Christmas. I am so excited to watch her and do some holiday activities.
Gwynn got a new little friend over the holiday...Moxie! One day this week when I let Moxie out for a potty break... I found Gwynn with her pants in the grass...she wanted to pee in the grass too and did...Priceless! Gwynn laughs daily and begs for Moxie every night to sleep with her. I also find Charlie snuggling with her quite frequently I can't decide who loves the new addition more.

Most of the girls...Tarah was still in the hospital.

The fab four before the big Thanksgiving day game!!

At our family football game I got my turn in the hospital. I got five stitches in my left knee and pretty beat up from head to toe. It was well worth it our team was kicking butt! I was about to make a touch down before I was taken down! After xrays and stitches I had a big glass of wine and some wonderful food!

The beautiful baby Beau!!! He came in at 8lbs11oz 21.5 inches. He is a beautiful baby. Tarah is a superstar and did amazing...NO DRUGS, NO YELLING!!!! The entire process was an amazing experience. I couldn't be happier for Tarah and Brodie...I already know they are going to be the most amazing parents. I love baby Beau already just as much as my two little ones!

Charlie and Payton out at the ranch...I can't tell who loves it more out there???? Two cutie pies.

Payton is such a lover. He loves to cuddle with me daily. He had two ear infections this week but is doing great today. He has had lots of love and sleep this week. I swear he is going to crawl any day. He also loves to scream a lot! He scream to get my attention then smiles at me then continues to scream loud! He is pretty funny!

Erica and I cooking for the big feast! We had to cook for twenty five people... the food was great and the company was even better. It was my favorite Thanksgiving to date!!! Next year we will win the football game for sure!!!

Something Old, Something New

2008-11-16T19:28:00.000-08:00

Halloween night Gwynn in her second costume of the evening

The spread at the baby shower

Gwynn walking at aunt SaSa's
Payton enjoying the hike
Gwynn playing shy

The view on our hike

My personal taste tester...they were a hit!

Cinderella and Gus Gus

Tarah's personalized seat at her shower

Tarah's Baby Shower

Gwynn,Payton and Charlie enjoying the pumpkin patch

Mr. P

I thought I would finally put some long lost photos as well as some new ones. This weekend was a nice relaxing one for the most part.

On Friday Gwynn, Payton and I went down to visit a very pregnant Tarah in Salem. She is doing wonderful trying to walk that baby out!

Saturday morning we visited Forest Park and did a nice hike while enjoying the beautiful weather. Gwynn was in the back pack and Payton rode in the jogger. They both were very happy to be outside. Gwynn kept giving us the thumbs up to let us know she was enjoying herself. Payton just smiled and enjoyed all the attention her received from other hikers. On the way home they both passed out. I then did a little Christmas shopping while Charlie had some play time with the kids. Charlie went with his friend Joe and watched a game in evening. I think we all had a pretty great day. Sunday Charlie was up early and off to mountain bike with Joe and some other friends. Charlie said he had a great time enjoying being outside. I got an opportunity to visit with Jessica and Selina for a while while the boys finished up there ride. We are all enjoying a little bit of down time before Charlie is off to Boston and the upcoming holiday.

More good news!

2008-11-13T21:52:00.000-08:00

This week has been good. We had dance and play dates with friends and many neglected chores. Payton and myself successfully got over an awful flue bug that hit hard the first part of the week. Tomorrow we are going to visit a very pregnant Tarah before she pops! She is doing very well but the doctors think the baby is coming a bit sooner then planned. I think I am just as excited as Tarah for the new addition to our family.

We are also so very excited that Libby also joined the preggers world of wonder. She is having the good old morning sicknesses but seems to be making a good environment for the little bean to grow. She is almost over the three month period so we hope things get better after the first trimester.

We are all doing very good and look forward to a little bit of family time before Charlie leaves for Boston and life gets crazy busy again!!!

Way Too Long!!!

2008-11-05T18:19:00.000-08:00

Some over due vacation pictures from Lake Havasu, Disney Land and Santa Cruz.

Charlie, Gwynn & Payton at Disney Land

Gwynn making her first wish

Relaxing on HavasuPayton too

Two happy babies!!

Santa Cruz at my Mom's Place

Pooh Land in Disney Land

Gwynn calls this a big sand castle

I just learned to wakeboard..third times the charm

More fun in Disney Land

The Dumbo ride was done twice

Toon town

Gwynn's first rollercoster ride

Charlie on the wakeboard

Gwynn's first tube ride

Life has been absolutely crazy since we got back from our vacation life is finally winding down before it gets crazy again(holidays and new babies). Since we have been back we have celebrated Erica's big 21er, Tarah's baby shower, Halloween and a trip to Seattle with a lot going on in between.

Charlie has been really busy at work. He is finishing up his second Columbia store at the airport and continues his many other tasks at work. We just feel so fortunate that he has such a great career when so many people are going with out. He has been working more and more but we are counting our blessing and making the most of the family time we do have together.

Payton is developing at record breaking speeds. I have a feeling he will be crawling before the month is over. He looks at Gwynn daily like he wants to get up and run after her. He also has been chatting up a storm and is very interested in eating he has been tasting our dinner nightly. He continues to be a sweet perfect little baby.

Gwynn is doing great too! She has an ever expanding vocabulary and is a busy little bee. She loves her princesses and dance. She has the entire princess figurine collection that watch her eat, bath, play and even tells them to watch her pee! She takes then everywhere with her and talks to them. She also loves her daily tea party at which all the princesses attend. She wants tea everyday after her nap.

Halloween was a blast this year also. We had a nice dinner with Grandma Sherry and made candy apples. Grandma brought the kids a treat for the holiday. We had our first trick or treat outing with Miss Gwynn and Payton. Gwynn wanted to be Cinderella ever since our trip to Disneyland. On Halloween we got her all dressed up did her hair, makeup and dressed her to the nines as Cinderella. Payton was Gwynn's little friend mouse Jack. Gwynn wore her dress all of thirty minutes and then decided she wanted to be naked...so we tryed to get her dressed to go trick or treating and she did not want to put her dress back on. Gwynn told us she wanted to be a Cowboy...her version of a cow so she put on her cow custom from last year and it was off to trick or treat. We just stayed in our neighborhood were all our neighbors had made Miss Gwynn a treat bag or cup. It took an hour just to do our street because everyone wanted to have us come in and chat. It was so wonderful and reminded us why we love Sherwood so much! We have the most wonderful neighbors and community.

Life is good and we are happy for all our many blessings. I will make a big effort to keep up with blogs life is busy so bare with me.

Vacation Part 3!

2008-09-25T10:54:00.000-07:00

Zion National Park...Gwynn was too tired to walk.
Super Dad!!!

After we departed with Park City the vacation continues to be a great time. On Saturday it was off to Zion National Park were we went on a hike and took some beautiful pictures. On Saturday night we traveled to Bolder City and spent the nite in a hotel and visited the cute down town and had dinner at a brewery with live music were Gwynn and Charlie danced. Gwynn as usual charmed everyone with her dance moves and smile. The next day we visited the Hover Dam and went on a little walk to view the Dam from different angles. On our walk back to the car Gwynn got her worst nose bleed to date.... Charlie had to carry her back to the car.

Then it was off to California to visit my family. We stayed with my aunt in Red lands were the kids got spoiled rotten. Gwynn had a blast with my uncle Dennis (in my family everyone refers to him as the baby whisper..babies and kids just plain love him!!). My aunt and uncle took us out to Lake Havasu on there boat/yacht. Gwynn and Payton both had an absolute blast. Gwynn was jumping off the boat and swimming. Gwynn also had her first ride on an tube were she said "whooho, wow!!!", and "wee". She had such a great time and defiantly is our little water baby. Charlie, Reagan and I all did some wake boarding also. Charlie and Reagan did some cliff jumping....Gwynn was in the boat watching saying me too, Me TOO! She really wanted to jump off the big rocks. Gwynn seriously has no fear!! We had lunch at an amazing Mexican restaurant they frequent in Havasu. It has the best Mexican food we all agreed. I can see why they drive three hours for it and and some quite time on the river . We all then pilled back into the car for the long trip home were everyone fell asleep instantly. It was one of our favorite parts of the trip. It was so nice to be outside on a sunny day and watch our two babies have such a wonderful time. Gwynn's big bright eyes and smiles made Charlie and I melt.

On Tuesday we went to Disney Land were Gwynn and Payton were amazing we stayed from eleven until nine. Gwynn was bright eyed once again and looked around taking everything in. She was very quite at first just looking around in amazement. Gwynn went on all the kiddy rides...tea cups, dumbo, Mr.Toads wild ride, and many more. Payton also got to go on a few rides including the Pirates of the Caribbean, Winnie the Pooh and Jungle Cruz. It was nice because the first half of the day it was just our little family then Dennis and Reagan meet up with us.. Charlie, Reagan and I went on some big rides while the kiddo's crashed in the strollers. Dennis was our baby sitter and he played the kids to sleep. Dennis also had to spoil Gwynn with a special dress up outfit and some cool toys. We are defiantly getting loaded down on our ride home. We plan to make Disney Land at Lake Havasu a yearly family vacation. Until its not cool anymore to Payton and Gwynn.

On Wednesday we headed for Santa Cruz, we took the 101 for the scenic views and it was a pretty drive. We visited with my Mom and sister Ali in Santa Cruz. They have an amazing place right in town were you can walk to the old down town. We went on a walk with my mom on Thursday morning and she showed us around. She also took us out for some coffee and breakfast at a cute coffee shop called Lu Lu's. It was so good to see her and Gwynn kept calling her Banana instead of Grandma or Nana she is banana. It was a great visit and now were back in the car and headed for Oregon for a couple more stops on our way home.

More photos will be posted after my camera is charged up....stay tuned in....for part 4 and the vacation final post!!!

Family Vacation Part 2

2008-09-17T20:06:00.000-07:00

Franklin rocking the Mohawk!

Olympic Training Center. This was so fun to watch! It looked like a lot of work.

Gwynn and Charlie trying to ski down the slopes in the museum

Our vacation continues to be a great time. We went for a long walk on Tuesday in the morning and enjoyed the beautiful weather and scenic views. We also took Gwynn to a very cool park in Park City where she ran her self ragged. Gwynn also made a friend while at a local coffee shop a huge poodle named Franklin who she loved on. Libby the kiddos and I then meet up with Charlie for a wonderful lunch. Then we checked out Charlie's Columbia project and did some shopping at the mall. We also visited the Olympic training center and got to watch the skiers jumping into the water. While at the training facility we visited the museum and had fun exploring all the interesting exhibits from the 2002 Olympics. Then it was off to the airport to send Aunt Libby home. It was fun and a lot of help to have her here for a couple days.

Today Gwynn, Payton and I went to the park first thing in the morning and then on a very long walk. We found a really great bagel shop to get some lunch and stumbled upon a very neat baby store that carried all kinds of unique baby clothes, gifts and toys. Gwynn and Payton both got a new wooden toy. We then came back to our condo and went swimming until Charlie was finished at work. We all then went to dinner and now are just relaxing and enjoying being together as a family. I am truly so impressed with how wonderful the kids have been and how amazing Park City is.

Family Vacation Part One

2008-09-15T20:55:00.000-07:00

We just started our two week family vacation and its been great. We left on Saturday afternoon and arrived in Nampa Idaho late in the evening at our friends Monica, Martin and Cruz's home. We had a great time catching up and watching Gwynn and her little friend Cruz play. It was so good to see my friend Monica it had been such a long time. Monica and I have been friends for almost ten years!!!

On Sunday we meet up with Libby and got to see Libby's friend Wendi's adorable children. We all packed in the car and started traveling to Park City Utah were we are staying for the rest of the week. The first part of our car ride was a bit rocky but the second part went very smoothly I think having Libby's extra hands helped.

Today was our first day of exploring Park City. Libby the kids and I went out for a wonderful breakfast. We then went exploring down town Park city and visited some local shops until Charlie was finished with his work. We then visited some of the local resorts and viewed some of the amazing homes in the area. We then went to Park City Mountain resort and all went down the alpine slides. We all had such a great time. Gwynn loved going fast down the slopes and made two trips down, one with Dad and one with Mom. The second time up the slopes with Mom & Libby Gwynn thought she would try to wiggle her way out and fall about twelve feet down. I think Libby and I both had a mini heart attack so Libby asked Gwynn a million questions to keep her busy while I held her on my lap with a death grip. The second time down the slope with Mom Gwynn was saying weeee go faster!!! She needed a warm up run with Dad before she felt comfortable. We then went to dinner at a little Mexican restaurant for Margaritas food. Gwynn and Payton both have been so well behaved. It was a good start for our long vacation.

Birthday fun!

2008-08-30T07:54:00.000-07:00

One of our first family pictures where everyone is sitting still for a couple minutes...

Gwynn is doing wonderful....she is almost offically potty trained and here is her little treat for...well going potty on the potty while we were out and about! She is talking my ear off daily and is one happy little girl. She has been having a lot of fun in the sun and at home with Mom and her little brother who she loves to kiss on and inform him he is too little for many of her favorite foods and activities.

Payton is growing and changing with every passing day. He is holding his head up really good and had his three month birthday on the 27th and he couldn't be happier! There is honestly not much to say about the little guy other then he is perfect!

I must say I am one lucky lady! I have the most wonderful husband and he comes with a pretty amazing family too. I feel so spoiled and its not even my official birthday yet. This week I have received many wonderful gifts from family and friends. I have received a gift a day and it makes me feel pretty special! On Wednesday Libby came by and took me out for a drink, appetizers and some much needed adult time. It was fun to chat and get out with a sassy little lady. She also gave me a gift of some much needed dish towels and a gift card to one of my favorite stores Create and Barrel. Libby is my official dish towel go- to- lady..... all my best dish towels she has given me for gifts and I love them all! On Thursday I received a beautifully packaged magazine Vogue with a subscription from Charlie's Dad and step Mom Gale. I am sure it was Eddies idea.... This is one of my favorite magazines and I got lucky this day the kids both took long naps so I had an opportunity to read the magazine I received. It was so nice to just sit and relax with a good magazine. Then On Friday Sa Sa sent me the most beautifully wrapped gift card to another one of my favorite stores Lucy! Gwynn loved the way it was wrapped and kept asking to hold it! The same night we went over to Charlie's Mom and Jim's house were they made quite and extensive spread of steak, shrimp, shrimp salad green beans, vegetable salad and wonderful dessert. Sherry made it feel like Christmas she gave me so many gifts... everything I needed for my kitchen and a little something for myself...a cake stand, salad bowl, punch bowl, t new cooking utensils, cookie Collier and an adorable shirt from my all time favorite store Nordstroms! My Mom and sisters Ali and Kirstin sent me an adorable top today from Anthropology and I love it! It was nice to see there penmanship on a card because they live so far away and I don't get to see then often. They did pick a shirt that fit me to a t! Thanks ladies I miss you a ton!!!
I must say its not all the gifts I have received but the amount of thought and effort put into them. Its nice that the people in my life know my likes and interests. I feel so blessed to have such an amazing group of people as my family who are defiantly getting to know me pretty well. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH I FEEL SOOOOO LOVED!!!

Fun Stuff!

2008-08-17T22:18:00.000-07:00

Gwynn and Cami enjoying the Zoo!!

Gwynn is continuing to do well with potty training its about fifty fifty the ratio to success to accidents. It is making me a more patient person. She is defiantly trying to figure this whole potty thing out. She is also talking up a storm. She knows how to make mommy feel bad this weekend she asked me if she could see Libby, Brian and Sa Sa ( what she calls aunt Sarah). So I took her up to Long view and she had a blast with her aunt Libby. She also got to see her grandma.

Payton is a happy little camper smiling and making Charlie and I laugh with all his silly faces. He is on a pretty consistent schedule of eating, pooping, smiling and then sleeping. He is a sweet little man.

I got brave and took Gwynn and Cami to the Zoo this week when my sister Erica was up for a visit and they had a blast. They enjoyed talking to all the animals and enjoyed some ice cream. It was fun to watch them run around and check out all the animals. Gwynn asks me every day if we can go look at animals so it was nice to do so.

Last weekend we traveled down south to the MacDonald ranch. Gwynn had a great time playing with rex the ranch dog and grandpa who she refers to as Pa Pa! Its so cute! Gwynn finally is old enough to enjoy the ranch. She did have a hard time sleeping and taking naps because she was afraid she might miss something fun. She had a blast and got into some trouble too. She was being extremely quite so I went looking for her to find her in the middle of her grandparents bed with all the white bedding around her and pink lipstick everywhere. She got into her grandma Gale's purse and had applied Joker style lipstick. It was pretty cute. She also helped Pa Pa change the irrigation. She asked Pa Pa if she could come change the sprinklers please and she did.

Gwynn, Payton and what not!

2008-08-04T22:07:00.000-07:00

I keep waiting for the day where I feel organized and normal again but think it will be a long time before this happens again. Having two kids is the most rewarding aspect of my life to date but also very time consuming. I am always doing something for one or the other and its a blast but before I know it it's ten at night and I can't remember what I made for dinner.

This past weekend we went to Carlton for the "walk in the park" a wine tasting event to celebrate Charlie's Mom's birthday and everyone had a blast. We all spent most of our time enjoying the venues wonderful food.

Gwynn is continuing to do great with her brother. This evening it was a little too quiet in the living room so I walked in to find Gwynn cleaning her brothers private parts with half the wipes out of the box. I also got serious about the potty training now that I am getting used to having two and it went really well. Gwynn looked like she needed to go potty and I told her to go to the bathroom and she came out and said Great Job Gwynn...Mommy great job. I went and looked in the toilet and she did do a great job so we danced around a bit did high fives nuckles and had a bowl of chocolate to celebrate...this after two accidents but I feel like she truely gets it this time.

Payton is also doing wonderful. He is happy and awake most of the day. He does get a bit fussy if its too hot. He smiles all the time and is making all the adorable baby noses that melt your heart. He is also growing so much he weighs 13.2 pounds and is above the 95th percentile. He's last doctors appointment was awful and he was in a lot of pain after his shots. It was hard with a two months old and a two year old in a doctors office for an hour.

We are all doing well and growing and changing everyday. I am excited because Charlie is home this week. We will post new pictures very soon!

Busy, Busy!

2008-07-27T20:55:00.000-07:00

We have been pretty busy. Charlie has started traveling and I am getting increasingly busier with Posh Bride with four weddings this coming month. The past week and weekends have been very full. This last week we had our first week with Charlies new travel schedule and it went well. The new little one and a toddler add to our busy life.

Gwynn and Payton are growing and changing everyday. Gwynn's vocabulary increases every day and she is such a sweet big sister. Gwynn also received a cute bob on Friday night. Last week she had a fun packed week with many park visits, a sleep over with aunt libby, a trip to OSU to watch aunt Kirstin cheer lead, the movies (space chimps, Gwynn loves her monkeys), Charlie's company picnic for the kiddos as well as a wonderful new play house that Grandma Sherry and Grandpa Jim made. Gwynn spent most of Sunday in her new play house and it was hard to get her to come in for dinner and a bath.

Payton is growing so fast and changing everyday. He is gaining weight and starting to have longer awake periods in the day and sleeping longer periods in the night. He is charming Charlie and I on a daily basis with adorable smiles and cooes. He has been much more mellow lately... much like Gwynn was as a baby.

We are all doing very well and loving life and all it has to offer.

It's a Boy!!!

2008-07-17T22:12:00.000-07:00

I am so excited to announce Tarah is having a boy!!! I am so happy. The picture above is Tarah's baby bump at almost five months. Tarah had a feeling it was a boy and really wanted a little boy. We are so excited Payton will have a cousin his age. Payton and Dallas will be six months apart. I am also so happy to start all the fun of planning the baby shower now that we know the sex!!!

Bug whisperer!

2008-07-14T22:16:00.000-07:00

Gwynn has been keeping us very well entertained this past week. On Friday when I put Gwynn down for her nap it was very quite and then all the sudden she started yelling and screaming from her room...GET OUT, NO, NO, STOP, OUT WITH YOU!!! I ran in thinking someone had climbed into her bedroom window and was hurting her to find her yelling. It took me a moment to realize what or who rather she was yelling at. Gwynn was yelling at the fly in her room. A couple weeks ago we watched Charlottes web and ever since she has been very into talking with all the insects that fly into our home...well mostly she just yells at them.

Gwynn also has been extremly in love with her brother. She copies every single thing I do to care for him. She gets him diapers and wipes she also tries to change his diaper by herself if I turn around. She loves to help me with his bath and getting him dressed. She also informs me when ever he starts to cry by shouting... "oh no Payton sad or Payton is hungry". She trys to undress me to help feed him faster then proceeds to climb all over me while I am feeding him to make sure I am doing a good job and then burps him with me. If I ever put him down Gwynn runs into his room gets a great big armful of toys and brings them to Payton and shakes them in his face. I am so amazed at how incredibly much this little one loves her new brother. It really makes my day.

I am also proud to announce Payton is doing much better since I haven't been eating dairy. He is turning into a mellow baby much like Gwynn with one exception....He definanltly prefers Mom over anyone else. He has been waking up once sometimes twice a night. We are all figuring him out and loving it. He also has started smiling on a daily basis... love it!

4th Fun!

2008-07-08T20:40:00.000-07:00

We had a blast this past weekend. We traveled to Seattle for the 4Th to spend time with Joe, Jessica and Selina as well as my uncle's wedding. We had a great time spending time with the Alonzo family. Gwynn and Selina played so well together and really enjoyed each others company. Joe and Jessica were amazing hosts. Joe and Jessica made wonderful meals and provided great company. On Thursday we got in and had pizza from Jessica's favorite pizza place. Then on Friday Charlie and Joe went out to do some wheeling. Jessica, Tarah, myself and the little ones had a relaxing morning and went for a nice long walk. We then went shopping at the super mall. In the evening Joe and Jessica made a wonderful BBQ spread and we all watched fire works on there back lawn. Gwynn and Selina ran around together with no shirts on until it got to cold and they had to put pj's on. The following day we went for a walk and Starbucks on the waterfront and then we went to my uncle's wedding in the evening. The wedding was simple and classy with a little of Seattle's flair. There was a live band and my uncle's friends were all amazing dancers so we had good entertainment. It was great to see all my family. Then Sunday we traveled. We made a stop at Libby and Brians new place in Long view and were really impressed with all the work they have done on there diamond in the rough. The house is looking very good and were excited to see it change.

My sister Tarah spent the entire weekend with us and we enjoyed her company. I felt like I had a live in nanny and she was getting some good practice before the arrival of her little one. I do have to say she is one of the cutest little preggers I have seen.

Poor Gwynn & Payton!

2008-06-25T21:19:00.000-07:00

Yesterday at around twelve Payton started crying and didn't stop until Charlie came home from work. I was so busy trying to keep Payton happy by the time I got to give Gwynn some much needed attention I realized she had a fever of 102! I had already called the doctors office earlier in the day for suggestions on how to calm Payton down and they said I needed to bring him in the following day because there may be something wrong with him. I called back this morning to see if I could bring both kiddos in earlier and they said of course...so with my two sad little ones we were off to the doctors office. The verdict is out..... Gwynn has a bug that is going around she will have a fever for a couple days that will lead into extreme bowl movements and then should subside. Payton on the other hand wasn't such a slam dunk. Payton has extrem gas the doctor said it is the worst she has seem in a very long time. Payton is on medication and I can't eat any dairy to see if it will help the poor little guy. The doctor thinks he is intolerant of dairy. Our doctor said he is in a lot of pain so we hope me not eating dairy and the medication will give him some relief. I will keep everyone updated!

A little update!

2008-06-22T20:25:00.000-07:00

Life has been busy for the MacDonald family with a lot of change and adjusting but all is well! As many of you know we were going to be moving to Park City Utah this summer for three months but plans have changed. Charlie now will be travailing two to three days a week to work in Utah. I will be home with the little ones. We both have mixed feelings about this but are grateful it is short term. I know I will miss him a ton! He is such an amazing hands on Dad it will be hard with out him.

Payton is doing very well and getting more adorable with each passing day. He is continuing to grow at a rapid pase and is developing more and more everyday. He is a great baby who defiantly prefers his mom to anyone else. He is still sleeping most of the day with awake hours in the evening. He is waking up about two to three times per night. We are all learning about what makes the little guy happy and its a fun process.

Gwynn is also doing very well. Gwynn loves being a big sister and is doing a wonderful job. She helps me with diapers and her newest job is burping Payton after he is done eating. She loves her brother and is so wonderful with him. She gets very worried when he starts to cry and and loves to tell strangers she is a big sister. I couldn't be more proud of what a great little person she is. I am truly impressed with how well she is adjusting on a daily basis. I also think things will continue to improve once I can get out more and let Gwynn run off some of her energy.

The past two weekends and weeks have been packed with activities. Charlie's sisters Libby and Sarah as well as there significant others came up to visit and attend the car show with Charlie in Sherwood. It was a lot of fun and I am sure will become a family tradition. Sarah also brought us a ton of pre made wonderful meals we are still enjoying as well as beautiful flowers. The MacDonald girls know how to pick beautiful flowers! My mother was also up for a visit on Friday and Saturday morning. She enjoyed holding Payton and playing with Gwynn. Our fathers day was filled with a lot of relaxing, a park visit and a walk. Gwynn picked a breakfast spread of donuts, cake and sausage for Charlie.

This past weekend Charlie's father and step mother came up for a visit and treated us to dinner and gifts for the little ones. Payton received his first pair of pedi peds in camo. It was a great visit. I also had a last minute wedding on Saturday that went very well. I think I have done every type of wedding possible now. This wedding was a musical! It was very hard for me to leave both Payton and Gwynn but Charlie did a great job with two for eight hours. We then had a dinner with a group of friends in Sherwood and today Charlie headed out to Utah. We are all doing great and loving life and all the new and exciting changes. I am hoping once I get adjusted a bit more to two little ones I will be able to blog more often.

Payton's a tank!!!!

2008-06-10T19:11:00.000-07:00

Today Payton had his two week check up and he confirmed our thoughts that he looked like he has been "chunking up" a little bit. He weighed 9 lbs and grew an inch!! That's 1lb 5oz heavier from when he was born. We were both very suprised that he gained that much especially after it took what seemed like forever for Gwynn to gain that much weight. So it seems like he is getting plenty to eat and everything else checked out great.

We also confirmed that the pediatrician at the hospital where he was born was full of B.S. when she was getting us all freaked out about whooping cough. Our pediatrician said that there is no way that he can get it since he actually gets the vaccine from Tiff, so good news there. Other than that everything has been going good. Tiff has had to sit up with Payton a few times because he hasn't quite adjusted to the night hours being sleeping hours. I have also gone back to work now and I think Tiff is doing a great job keeping up with the two of them and keeping Gwynn from climbing the walls. She's a little bit attention starved but she is getting used to having to share the spotlight with Payton.

It still looks like we are going to be heading to Park City Utah after the fourth of July and have begun looking for places to stay over there. We also are excited about staying with the Alonzo's the weekend of the fourth while we are in Seattle for Tiff's Uncle and soon to be Aunts wedding.

It looks like we will finally be getting some nice weather up here and are planning on taking advantage of it by going to the Sherwood Car Show this weekend with the Tenbusch clan from Longview. Payton is going to have his first experience with muscle cars and smoking tires!! Hope everyone else gets to enjoy the sun while its here and hope to see all of you soon.

Life is good!

2008-06-03T16:08:00.000-07:00

Life is good for our family. We are really enjoying our time together learning how to balance having two little ones.

Gwynn loves her new brother and enjoys kissing him and touching his little nose. Gwynn tells me he has a funny nose all the time. I think she is amazed with how little all his features and body parts are. She also likes to copy Payton and pretend cries like a baby and requests milk when he is having milk. I think Gwynn is going to make an excellent big sister. She is so sweet and gentle with her new brother. Gwynn also has been so spoiled with gifts by well wishers. Charlie is an amazing father taking Gwynn on little outings everyday. Today they went and got supplies to finish her dollhouse and went swimming. She is a very happy big sister.

Payton is doing very well. He is eating and sleeping great. He only wakes up twice a night so far. We went to the hospital yesterday and meet with the lactation nurse and Payton is already back up to his birth weight. He is a very mellow baby even more so then Gwynn was. We feel really blessed to have such a calm newborn and hope he keeps it up.

Thanks again to all the friends and family who have brought food and gifts. I think our fridge is more full then it has ever been. I know we all appreciate everything everyone has done for our family. Thank you all so much!

I am also happy to announce Tarah had her first doctors appointment today and her baby's due date is November 25Th!!! I am so excited for her and Brodie!

The MacDonald Family is Officially a foursome!!!

2008-05-28T12:00:00.000-07:00

Baby Payton Edward has decided to come and join the family and is doing very well. The C-section wasn't a slam dunk like they thought it would be but in the end everyone came out happy and healthy. Payton joined us at 12:51pm on Tuesday and weighed 7lbs 11oz (exact same as Tiff when she was born!), 20" long, and a 14" head circumference. He also tested very high on all of his tests and is very responsive and nursing like a pro! Tiffany is sore but very happy to have a little baby boy to snuggle with and barely lets

me have a chance! Gwynn, Tarah, and Brook came to visit yesterday and Gwynn was super sweet with her baby bro and even got to hold him for a short while. Tarah and Brook have been keeping a close eye on miss Penny Pants to make sure she isn't throwing any parties while we are at the hospital! Grandma Sherry was the first one to see the little guy besides us and I think she agrees he's a keeper!

Some of you may be wondering what happened to Owen but after much deliberation and discussion we had settled on a couple of alternates to wait and see what he looked like when he came out. One of our alternates was Mavric but when he came out without aviators we decided it wasn't the name for him. We are both very happy with our name choice and his middle name came obviously from his Grandpa Ed MacDonald.

We want to again thank everyone for their help and support with this pregnancy and hope to see many of you soon.

In two weeks are family will grow!

2008-05-11T10:34:00.001-07:00

Its finally sunk in that there will be a new little baby very soon. We are all very excited about the arrival and trying to get all last minute details finished. We have had a very rough past two weeks with illnesses of every kind but I think we are in the clear! This weekend we had our hospital tour and are excited. The hospital is brand new and very beautiful.

Last weekend we had a great beach day. Gwynn enjoyed building a sand castle and flying her kite. She was a little bit nervous about the ocean but loved the day at the beach.

This morning when I woke up Charlie and Gwynn were cooking french toast and strawberries. It was wonderful. They also had a huge stack of magazines and an adorable card for me on the table.... in hopes I would relax and read. Charlie wanted me to get a maternity massage but the thought of someone touching me today sounds very unappealing. I would rather spend time with Miss Gwynn and Charlie. I think that is the best gift possible!

Getting ready for the little guys arrival!

2008-04-21T19:05:00.000-07:00

We have been so busy with getting ready for our newest addition! This past week we picked up Owens bedroom set and his room is ready for the most part. We still have some last minute decorating and organizing but it is coming along really well. I love the colors and patterns we chose. We also started packing the hospital bag. We had our doctors appointment last Wednesday and our new due date is the 27Th (four weeks after this week)! I can't imagine getting any bigger. I feel like every inch of my body is being taken over. I am thinking I am going into labor who knows when??? The little guy is also really getting on my nerves literally he has been on my sciatic nerve which makes your right of your hip hurt. I also really changed my work out routine because I am in so much pain. It was pretty constant until the past couple days and he has moved a little which relives the pain. The doctor said even pain medication wouldn't do much because the nerve is so big. This never happened with Gwynn so its all new to me but apparently its pretty common in pregnancy.

We also had a monumental milestone for Gwynn this weekend. Gwynn's room graduated into a big girl room. We found a really great bed for miss Gwynn with the help of Charlie's mom Sherry. Gwynn slept in it for the first time last night. I heard the putter patter of little feet at four in the morning and then it was into bed with Mom & Dad (this has been the norm lately). I don't think any of us are getting the best rest but its so nice to wake up with all the ones you love...pretty soon all four of us! Gwynn also was so sweet today when I put her down for her nap she was so excited to sleep in her big girl bed she hopped in and slept for well over two hours. She also has loved reading and coloring in her new bed. Its and adorable white four post bed with optional canopy with a trundle bed underneath that works great as a steeping stool for Gwynn to hop into bed and piece of mind for Charlie and I if she happens to fall out of bed. Gwynn also loves her new bed so much she just put herself to bed at seven thirty tonight she said nap nap OK cool and went and got into her bed!

Charlie and I also wanted to take a moment before there are no more..... to thank all our dear friends and family who have been so supportive through out this pregnancy. We appreciate all your love and support more then words can say. Thank you all for always being such active participants in our lives when we need you the most! We love you all!

Nice weather!

2008-04-14T21:33:00.000-07:00

The past weekend was great with all the nice weather. We took Miss Gwynn to the park everyday and spent a lot of time in our backyard enjoying the warm sun. Gwynn is so happy when she is outside. Charlie also accomplished many household chores our yard and home improve every week. We also had a local photographer take some maternity photos on Saturday. I really wanted Gwynn and Charlie in on some of the photos but Gwynn was not a big fan of the studio. I think we may have a couple cute ones of Gwynn kissing my belly. It defiantly was an interesting experience. I chose to do maternity photos because I wished I had with Gwynn. I think we got some really good photos. I was doing one photo that was very brave for me...... I had to get down to my underwear and a white piece of fabric covering my chest. The photographer had left to give me some privacy while I got situated and Charlie and Gwynn were outside playing when they opened the door good and wide while I am laying on the ground half naked...very awkward! Gwynn proceeded to walk in and tried to get naked also. She took her socks and shoes off and was lifting up her shirt started trying to take her pants off and laid next to me on the floor. It was hilarious! She kept her shirt up the whole rest of the time and kept rubbing her little belly.

Gwynn also developed a fear of spiders this weekend that had Charlie and I in stitches. She will scream and put her hands up to her mouth and run away. She did it all weekend. I was in the kitchen and she started screaming and had her hands up over her face and I found the smallest bug in the world on the floor. Charlie and I wonder where it comes from considering neither of us are afraid of spiders or bugs of any kind.

In the past couple weeks Gwynn has been a mixture of pure joy and a little bit of terrible twos. She is putting words together and loves saying thank you mama... your welcome. She also is testing Charlie and I relentlessly. She is so smart and sassy! She can count to ten and is working on twenty this week. She can say bits and pieces of her alphabet and spell her name. She is working on writing it also. She is such a Daddy's girl lately it is absolutely adorable. She gets tired of me everyday around four and is ready for her Daddy time.

Good times with the MacDonalds

2008-04-02T19:26:00.000-07:00

This past week and weekend were a blur and I can't believe tomorrow is Thursday. We have been pretty busy. It's been so nice to have Charlie home again. Gwynn is also much happier with Daddy home. Gwynn was sick for most of the week and on Friday and Saturday had a fever of 103. She was so tired and just wanted to lie around most of the time. We took her to Horton Hears A Who just to get out of the house. She sat through the entire movie and loved it.

This week has been much better ( I think the nice weather has helped). We have had a busy but good week we ran errands Monday, Tuesday was Cami and Gwynn's play day as well as a long park visit and today I took Gwynn to the park for a picnic and to play. Charlie came home early and I went off to my doctors visit. I will be going every other week until the little guy comes. I asked the doctor today if he was huge because he definantly feels huge and he said no..... but he is BIG! Today at the doctors office it felt very real that he would be here in no time. I also feel like we have so much to do before his arrival. Tomorrow Cami comes over and then its swimming in the evening. On Friday we have Gwynn's two year check up and a play date with a local play group. This weekend I have a very big wedding on Saturday and a trial run on Sunday. Charlie plans to start our many chores we have to accomplish before our newest addition comes.

Charlie had a blast on his trip and had many funny pictures and stories when he came home. I will post some so everyone can see his hot hair cut. There are also some amazing scenic pictures. Charlie had a great time with his friends and enjoyed biking in beautiful Utah.

Gwynn has been very demanding lately and very much a two year old. I am so exhausted at the end of the day (I am sure it could be the little person in my belly too). Gwynn is put in time out about ten times per day and some major fits come with it. She is testing both Charlie and I relentlessly. She is definantly a little firecracker. She is still super sweet but is definantly giving Charlie and I a run for our money!

Poor sick little one!

2008-03-23T20:48:00.000-07:00

On Saturday Gwynn's Grandma came and picked her up for a movie day and decided to kidnap her for the day. Gwynn came home after a ton of fun no napping (to much fun at Grandma's) and a belly full of goodies after being spoiled by her grandparents and aunt Rachel. I know she had a blast! Almost immediately after she arrived home she started acting funny and then blew out of three diapers. Gwynn is still doing very bad this evening. She has had horrible diarrhea and everything she eats comes right out. My sister Tarah and her husband came up for Easter Sunday and thank goodness they did Gwynn was to sick to go anywhere so they ran to the store for pedialite, diapers and crackers. She took a four hour nap today and has tried to eat a lot but it all comes right out. Its so hard to have such a sick little baby on your hands. She also wants me to hold her all the time. I want to hold her so badly but I am starting to get contractions from doing it to much and don't want to go into labor while Charlie's gone! So please pray for Gwynn's recovery from her illness and maybe I will be able to give her a late Easter this week!

Weekend Fun!

2008-03-17T19:11:00.000-07:00

This weekend was great for our family. We traveled to Central Oregon to celebrate Charlie's Dad's 60Th Birthday. It was a blast! We stayed with Charlie's uncle Tom and aunt Karen who took wonderful care of us. Gwynn had a great time playing with her second cousin and looking at all the animals. She had fun with the chickens and horses. She also was very fond of her Aunt Libby and Uncle Brian. She wanted Libby at all times it was so adorable. It also made the weekend a bit easier on Charlie and I. If we wanted Gwynn to do something she would do it for Libby but of course not mom and dad! On our visit to Central Oregon we had a wonderful lunch in Bend at the Deschutes Brewery. We also went to the hot springs where Gwynn swam her little heart out. The whole gang then went to the Cowboy Dinner Tree. The food was great and huge. Charlie had the steak and I had chicken we still have a ton left over (the portion sizes are so large). It was a great weekend and everyone seemed to have a great time. Charlie's Dad also seemed to be so pleased with his surprise birthday bash!

This week should be good we have plans to have Cami over to play two days and a visit from Grandma. Charlie leaves on Friday for his week long trip to Utah. Aunt Tarah is planing to come up to keep us company while Dad is gone. It will be nice to calm down a bit and prepare for the new little guy's arrival.

Sorry its been so long.............

2008-03-12T20:31:00.000-07:00

I must apologize for this taking so long. I have been so busy and for a while our computer was not working. I now feel like life has some what slowed down and I have a moment if only briefly. I wanted to thank all our friends and family for our wonderful baby shower and Gwynn's second birthday. We all feel so blessed to have such a great and wonderful group of friends and family.

Our baby shower was so wonderful and I have to hand it to Bri, Tarah and Brook for all their hard work. I definantly feel so blessed and happy to have such wonderful best friends. It was by far one of the best showers I have ever attended. It was good for both the guys and gals. There was an open bar, great food and a fun atmosphere. I think the guys seemed to have the most fun. Our new little one is also completely set for an entire year. We received every thing off our registry and what we didn't get we received money for. Thank you all so much for all the wonderful gifts we truly do appreciate it more then words can say! I know this little guy is set!

We also had Gwynn's birthday party the same weekend on Sunday. Gwynn also was spoiled beyond comprehension. She had thirty five guests at her second birthday. It was such a wonderful day out we all got a little muddy but it was a blast. We all enjoyed mini hamburgers, wonderful salads (especially the potato salad provided by Sherry, thanks!) and lots of treats. Gwynn had chocolate cupcakes "her favorite". Gwynn received a ton of clothes, (first by Brook of course a years worth and more by the rest of our family and friends), toys, all very good quality, books, art project goods, money for her college fund and much more. I also was so pleased with her scrapbook it turned out so cute and I am sure she will love it for years to come. I myself have found myself enjoying scrap booking due to this little activity. I think its fun when you have a little one to make pages for. Gwynn also had fun on her actual birthday Charlie got Gwynn the most adorable CD player and Cd's for her birthday and presented it very nicely the morning of her birthday pink daisy's, a birthday balloon she is still carrying around the house, and matching wrapping paper on her presents. She had all her favorite food on her birthday Brook and I made waffles with Pb for breakfast, chicken nuggets for lunch and dinner at Red Robin with a birthday song and mile high mud pie. She went to bed exausted, fat, and happy!

The week after the parties was a blur I had makeup lessons, doctors appointments, a ton of cleaning and my sister Brook stayed with us for the week. Gwynn and Brook had lots of good bonding time. Gwynn has been asking for her everyday. Brook would run around the house with Gwynn on her shoulders and danced with her everyday and let her eat a ton of chocolate. Gwynn keeps asking me for shoulder and back rides which is getting increasingly more difficult with every passing day. I am also trying to detox her from all the chocolate but that's what aunts are for! Charlie was busy at work and had a lot more work given to him this past week. On Friday Brook and I flew to Reno to celebrate my grandmothers 70Th birthday. It was an absolute blast. It was so nice to see all my family. I also had a long list of preggers questions for my mom and aunt who are both very well educated in the medical field an obgyn and a midwife/rn. My grandmother was also extremely spoiled as well as myself. My aunt took us all for pedicures and manicure and we ate at some of the most amazing restaurants in Reno. I definantly think I came back five pounds heavier after all the lobster, steak and veal! We also enjoyed the nice weather, outdoor malls and took a nice drive to Carson City.

Our doctors appointment went very well. We are still going in for a c section on the twenty fifth unless labor comes early or our doctor decides to do the c section earlier which he said is a possibility. We just have to play the waiting game and see how the pregnancy progresses. We basically have two months and two weeks to go worst case. I really can't imagine my belly getting any bigger it went through another growing spurt and feels huge! He continues to be a crazy man in my belly kicking and punching at all hours. He feels huge and strong! I also definantly am starting to feel pregnant again I am so tired and have confused a million dates in my head. I have started to write things down to help stay organized.

We also have a fun filled weekend coming up. It is Charlie's Dad 60Th birthday surprise party in Central Oregon with Charlie's family. We are going to the Cowboy dinner tree for dinner and just visiting with the family. I did have an opportunity to do a fashion show for brides this weekend doing makeup for models and free advertising but had some confusion on the date and decided not to for a couple reasons. First and foremost Gwynn has had the worst separation anxiety since I left her last weekend...for example today I went into the garage for about ten seconds and when I came back in side she was balling saying mommy, mommy and ran up to me and hugged me tight. It melted my heart! She won't let me out of her sight and she is very clinging. I can't do that to her again she also has been really sad every time Charlie leaves I think she is on edge for one or both of us to leave. I also think it will be good to visit with Charlie's family we don't see often and Gwynn will have both Mommy and Daddy!

SIX MONTH VISIT, PUREE QUEEN

2008-02-05T18:32:00.000-08:00

Today we had our six month visit and it went well. Our doctor and nurse were very pleasant which made for a nice visit. Our offical c-section date is May 25th unless I go into labor earlier. The doctor said this is a possiblity. We are so excited just to know when the little guy will be here. That gives us 14 weeks until our newest addition arrives (three months/two weeks). I am unsure why they say your pregnant for nine months if you do the math its more like ten. I do have to admit I can't imagine my belly getting any bigger it feels so huge and I can definitly tell I carry it differently then I did with Gwynn. My belly is more like a tire then a basketball. I think with girls it's high and all in the front, with boys its more all around your mid section and low.

I didn't get in trouble this time for too much weight gain so that was a plus. I must say I don't recall feeling so nervous about such a small thing as weight with Gwynn...it seems silly when your growing another human in your body. I am so aware after my last visit and paranoyed. I know it's a part of being a women and ninety percent of women have body image issues but you would think the one time it would be acceptable to let up would be when your pregnant??

I was inspired by Jessica's last blog to include my newest experiences with getting Gwynn to eat healthy. She won't eat any vegtables unless its covered in ranch (cholesterol) or hidden. Prior to having a child of my own I never understod how mom's would say my child won't eat vegtables...I would think.. just make them it can't be that hard...needless to say I am eating my own words. It is almost impossible on some days to get Gwynn to eat any vegtables and I find I go to bed feeling like a horrible mom. I decided to do something about this little problem. I recieved a cook book for christmas from my friend Bri called Decepciously Delicious and have been making many recipies from the book..brownies with spinach and carrots, turkey meatballs with all kinds of vegtables and many more. I must say it is a ton of work you have to clean,cut , steam and then puree prior to starting the recipe itself. It is working but it is a lot of work. Gwynn loves the chocolate brownies little does she know its basicly dark chocolate with spinach, carrots and whole wheat. She thinks it's a treat, we both win! I go to bed feeling better and she thinks she has the coolest mom in the world who lets her eat treats everyday! I hope this passes and soon I will be able to put whole vegtables out and she will just eat them but until then I will truck on!

Hair fun,potty, O.K...sure!

2008-02-03T19:45:00.000-08:00

This weekend Gwynn recieved her secound hair cut courtesy of mom. We set up the portable dvd player in the bathroom so she would sit still. I then gave her the most adorable bob. She was so good she sat on the toilet and counter and enojoyed her movie. I was pretty impressed with my cuting abilities..her hair is not perfect but close. I think she looks older which makes me sad ( I want her to stay a baby forever). I also cut most of her blonde hair off to reveal a light brown with bits of blonde. She also seemed to be impressed with the cut as she smiled at herself in the mirror after I finished.

We also started serious potty training this weekend. I took Gwynn to the store and let her pick out her new underwear. I gave her three choices princess, cars & elmo. Gwynn chose princess underpants and princess pullups for in the evening. I also bought two bags of choclate chips to bribe her with. Every time she sits on her potty she gets a choclate chip. After a weekend of many failed attempts we had our first sucessful pee on the potty. She was so proud of herself. I think she has started to get the concept. Our dream is to have her potty trained by her secound birthday (we'll see how it goes)!

Gwynn has also been really into saying O.K. sure! It dosen't matter what you ask her her response is O.K. sure..so when we ask her if she wants to potty, eat, play at the park her response with a huge head nod is ok sure! If she asks Charlie or I for something she responds quickly for us O.K. sure before we can come up with a response. It's one of the funnest things Gwynn has picked up to date.

Fun, Fun!

2008-01-27T18:13:00.000-08:00

This past week went by extremely fast. This week we filled our days with play dates, McDonald's, swimming, park visits, reading and much more. Gwynn is continuing to love her new friend Cami. On Tuesday we colored, danced and took long naps. Thursday it was nice and sunny we packed a picnic and went to the park. This turned out to be a horrible idea it was so cold both girls started crying and I had to walk home carrying Gwynn and pushing Cami in the stroller. I was a little disappointed I thought they would love it (turns out its still a little to cold for picnics and park visits no matter how many layers your wearing). Gwynn and Cami both also seem to be coming down with colds so on Friday I disinfected our entire house and shampooed the carpets hoping this would get rid of any germs.

On Saturday we went to the Gym, shopping and then to Carters birthday party where Gwynn played and eat lots of chocolate cake. She always asks me if she can play with kids and then asks for Carter and Jackson. She loves them like brothers its adorable how well they all play together.

Our little boy has been so busy in my belly. He keeps me up at night or sometimes wakes me up by kicking so hard (something Gwynn never did). He is way more mobile then Gwynn ever was. Last night I was laying on the couch with Charlie he could see him moving all around and felt him kicking very hard he didn't stop for a good hour. I have a feeling he is going to be bigger and more busy then Gwynn was as a baby. I also picked Gwynn up on Friday and he kicked her as to say "Mommy can't pick you up anymore"!!!

Today we did home projects and decided our nursery would be dark cherry furniture with earth tones for our little boy. Our color scheme includes pale green, brown, cream and some pale red & blue accents. We found a nursery on Pottery Barn we really like so we are trying to copy it at a fraction of the price. We plan to do a wall mural in our sons room (we also found this on Pottery Barn). We then went to Target and registered for some basics for our baby shower now that we have a theme. We also realize how much we need and don't need this time around. It really hit home today that in a little over three months we will have a new born baby boy. We are all getting so excited!!!

IT'S A BOY!!

2008-01-21T20:09:00.000-08:00

It's a boy! Today we had our ultra sound and it was so much fun. It took two and a half hours because the little guy was moving around so much. The baby boy is completely healthy and growing very well. We did get some good pictures of him but he wouldn't let the tech get a good facial picture. He would move his hands up over his face so we couldn't see it. The whole ultra sound he was running around and making the job hard for the technician but she was such a good sport. I was in the room by myself most of the time while the technician got all the basic measurements of the heart, kidneys, stomach and the rest of the internal organs. Then she went and got Charlie and Gwynn and told us all as a family the sex! A BOY! Gwynn was such a good girl for the whole event when she was told she was having a baby brother she kept saying baby brother. It was so cute! Charlie and I feel so happy and blessed. I know we both would have been extremely happy with a boy or a girl but it will be great fun to have one of each. The technician also informed us that according to her measurements of head circumference and bone the baby appears to be older then my doctors prediction. According to her measurements the baby is 22 or 23 weeks old which would make me a week or two shy of six months. This also could move the due date up as soon as May 19Th. We will have to wait to hear from our doctor to get the final due date. We are so excited and feel its so real and coming so fast that there will be two little ones running around very soon.

2008-01-20T18:22:00.001-08:00

This weekend we had a fun packed weekend. Friday night Charlie and I went to dinner at a new Mexican restaurant in Sherwood for our anniversary. It was nice to have a dinner alone. Charlie and I had a wonderful meal talking about Gwynn and the new baby ninety percent of the time. It was a much needed alone time for the both of us. Aunt Rachel came over to play with Gwynn while we were out. They had fun eating pizza, coloring and watching Cars.

On Saturday I had to work in the morning with a bride and Charlie and Gwynn went to the park and played. Later in the evening we went over to our dear friends Matt & Bri's home for a wonderful steak dinner. Gwynn had a blast playing with Jackson and Carter. They are such a fun age, they jumped and ran all around the house like a bunch of crazy but very happy little monkeys!

On Sunday Gwynn and I went to the gym, target and then cleaned like a crazy person while Charlie got in some much needed rest. Charlie was feeling a little under the weather due to his own infliction.

We are all really looking forward to tomorrow the BIG DAY! For anyone who doesn't know we find out the sex of our little one at two! It feels like it has been for ever. This weekend the baby kicked for the first time so Charlie could see it. Gwynn also wanted to get in on the action so she put her hand on my belly to feel the little one kick she then proceeded to try to hug my belly as if it was not a part of my body and said oh baby...and made kissing noise and gave my belly two really big kisses. I have a good feeling she is going to be a great big sister.

The newest additon to our family!

2008-01-15T20:23:00.000-08:00

About two weeks ago I started looking for a little one to watch in our home a couple days a week. I thought it would be fun to have the extra money as well as a playmate for Gwynn. I interviewed three families and settled on a sweet little girl who is fourteen months her mother is also really great. We will be watching our newest addition on Tuesdays and Thursdays from nine to three. Today was our first day and it went very, very well! The day started out with some discipline on sharing but three hours later they were sharing everything cheerios, milk and trying to share clothes. They had a blast playing together laughing and hugging it was more then I could have ever imagined. They were being so good and quite in Gwynn's room I went to check on them Gwynn was sitting in her chair and Cami was reading to her...pointing to letters and babbling and Gwynn seemed to understand every word. I am so happy that we have a new little one to spend our days with. I am hoping to get some cute pictures of the two of them on Thursday to post!

Weekend

2008-01-13T18:02:00.000-08:00

The past couple weekends have been very relaxing. Its always nice to spend some time at home after the busy holiday season. We have been doing a lot of work around the house. I have been working on my business, "Posh Bride", doing marketing and some much needed paper work. Gwynn and I also found a sweet little girl Cami who is a bit younger then Gwynn to watch two days a week. Gwynn is having some serious only child syndrome and this will be great helping her prepare for the new little one. Charlie has been busy at work and studying for his exam and has a hard time studying with miss Penny running around. Gwynn is very into Charlie and I playing with her at all times. She is having a hard time playing alone she always wants Charlie or I to come back to her room to stack blocks or color in her color books. Other than the normal not much is new with the MacDonalds just enjoying each others company. I think it may be the calm before the storm(the new baby, Gwynn turning two and so on).

FIVE MONTH CHECK UP!

2008-01-10T19:56:00.000-08:00

So...today we had our five month check up on our baby. The heart beat was great and the baby seems to be growing perfect. We find out on the twenty first our baby's sex and we are excited. This is where it gets fun....so we can go shopping for the proper gender. I do have to admit this pregnancy has been anything but fun. I was really sick at first and couldn't eat much, and had heartburn when I did and feeling as if I had a constant hang over. At the first ultra sound there was a blood clot behind the baby and the doctor was very cold and said I might lose the baby and acted annoyed when I teared up. I was put on pelvic rest. Needless to say we changed doctors after two more bad, cold visits. I then found a doctor who seemed very nice until today. Since the beginning of this pregnancy I have been so cautious and scared for every appointment. I worry about the baby's health constantly and can't wait just to hold it tight and safe in my arms. Well today at our visit the nurse weighed me and I thought to myself good job steady weight gain. I then of course gave a sample of my pee and it was off to hear the heart beat. After the heart beat was heard the doctor let me know everything looked perfect and then he looked at the chart on the computer and said WOW YOU HAVE GAINED A LOT OF WEIGHT....To me this was a total shock. I looked at the doctor shocked and then he asked me if I work out as if to suggest I should try it. I got a little mad with my crazy hormones and told him yes I work out five days a week and last I checked 15 pounds at five months isn't horrible. I also informed him that I don't just sit on my butt and eat all day. I kept thinking this is why males should not be obgyn's..this would never happen with a women doctor. I then think the doctor wanted to put his foot in his mouth and said he would tell a fat or skinny person the same thing. He then proceeded to tell me I should only gain 10 pounds in the first half and 20 in the second half. I wish I could just tell my body to gain ten pounds or twenty..think of how easy it would be to lose your baby weight if it was that easy to control your gain. I did a lot of fretting over this because I felt horrible like I was doing something bad to my baby and then realized..if he was a woman who had been pregnant before or had the crazy pregnant women hormones he would have never made the comment considering I am only five pounds over his recommendations. I also called my mom who works in labor in delivery as well as my friends who had been pregnant in the past and they all assured me that this was hardly any weight and that it was normal if not under normal. It did make me feel better but I can't get my doctors annoying little comment out of my head...I also decided to be fair he gets one more chance and then on to doctor number three if need be...... a women will be a must!!!!!

On a different note..Gwynn is doing very well. She is using new words everyday. She also is very into being my baby. In the morning she likes me to rock her like a baby and tells me she is a sleepy baby shhhhhhh. I think she is getting ready for the new little one. She also says baby..belly. Gwynn also loves eating her crayons on a daily basis. I am not even sure where she finds them but its her new favorite thing to eat. Gwynn is getting really good at identify colors with her crayons she knows black, pink and yellow. She can also count from six to ten. I start counting and she finishes. There are so many new and amazing things she does daily its hard to keep up. I know Charlie and I both feel she is the most amazing and wonderful thing to happen to the both of us! She keeps life fun and fresh!

Prune Hands

2008-01-02T19:42:00.000-08:00

Gwynn has been extremely funny lately about her hands. She wants to wash them all the time and can't handle if she has the smallest amount of food or dirt on them. She is constantly asking me for baby wipes she loves hand sanitation and refers to it as soap(anyone who knows me well knows I am as anal as they come in this departments so can't help but wonder if its my fault). The other day after a long bath her hands were all pruned and it freaked her out she kept saying wash.. wash and wiping her hands on her legs. She was very troubled by her prune fingers and almost cried. She showed me her hands and said help, help and since I didn't help her she found her Dad and cried to him for help. She kept staring at her hands in confusion and was very distraught. Charlie and I think it is so very amusing except how sad it seems to make her that we can't fix it. This has happened several times since the first instance and it is absolutely hysterical except for how much it bothers her. I hope her prune fingers don't scar her for life!!

Busy Holiday Season!

2008-01-01T19:12:00.000-08:00

The MacDonalds had a very busy holiday season. We enjoyed four Christmas celebrations with our family members. Gwynn was very spoiled she received many wonderful and thoughtful gifts..to name a few a kitchen set, a bike, tickle me Elmo (a new favorite of Gwynn's), a year long pass to the Zoo (we used for the first time this weekend), and many books, baby dolls, toys and clothes. Gwynn received a little bit of everything she could ever want or need.

It defiantly was interesting traveling with a toddler. Gwynn let it be known her favorite place is home. Gwynn had a very hard time eating, sleeping or just plain behaving. I felt very badly she seemed frazzled, extremely overwhelmed and over stimulated. She seemed pissed off that we were making her travel and not letting her sleep in her own bed or eat her normal meals. We actually cut our trip a little short due to this. We had been gone for about six days and decided it was in our whole family's best interest to go home and spend some good quality time together. Prior to our decision we had spent two days with Charlie's mom and step father, two days with my family and the rest of the time out at the MacDonald ranch (Charlie's Dad & Gail's Home). It turned out to be a very good choice to return home. Gwynn immediately went back to her old self and was eating her regular meals, sleeping very well and taking her scheduled nap. She also was so happy running around the house laughing as if to say... yea!!! were home! I was honestly worried while we were away that she had hit the terrible twos early but as soon as we returned home our little angle was back. It made it very clear to Charlie and I for the first time since having Gwynn that our lives are drastically changeing especially with one on the way.

While at home we had a great time. We found a new hiking trail in Estacada and went to the Zoo. We also finished up a bunch of chores around the house Charlie put in a new door in our kitchen, finished up some painting and many other chores that had been neglected. We cooked together as a family, watched movies, read lots of books and relaxed.

All in all we had such a wonderful holiday season. We truly are blessed to have so many people who care and love our family. It was so nice to catch up with all the family whom we get to see so seldom and the ones we do see frequently. We love you all and wish you the best in the year to come!

Sit Still

2007-12-18T21:10:00.000-08:00

Last Friday Gwynn had her first official hair cut. I did some research and found a cute little children's salon called sit still. I made Gwynn an appointment and invited Grandma along for the ride. Sit still is an adorable salon with two cute cars for children to have there hair cut in. There is also a flat screen on the wall for the children to watch cartoons during their cut, as well as candy and a mechanical rocking horse. It was a wonderful environment for both myself and Gwynn. It was very clean, modern and sassy. The employees were all so kind and did a wonderful job. Gwynn was so good she sat in a pink car and played with a cute comb and checked out the salon during the process. Grandma video taped the whole event for Charlie and our personal video library. Gwynn decided she wanted a trim with a little bit of sweepy bangs. After she was done with her cut she got some all natural organic hair products to keep up her style and a cute little first hair cut card that included a bag with her locks of hair and a Polaroid taken by the salon of her first sassy style. It was such a fun milestone for Gwynn in her growing up process and the salon really made it wonderful.

2007-12-09T18:42:00.000-08:00

We had a great week of playing, play dates, story time and of course Christmas shopping. This weekend we had Charlie's work Christmas party on Friday night. It was very nice this year. It gets better every year because we have made friends within the company. Its nice to have people you get excited about seeing. While mom and dad were away Gwynn played with Grandma at McDonalds and looked at Christmas lights.

On Saturday we went to a tree farm in Sherwood and picked a beautiful nobel. Gwynn was hilarious and very unsure about all the trees and long grass. She was apprehensive to go into the trees to find one. She insisted someone hold her ninty percent of the time. The only time she wanted down was when Charlie was sawing the tree down. As soon as he was done she wanted me to hold her again( which is getting increasingly more difficult with my growing belly). We then decorated the tree as a family and Gwynn of course liked all the tacky ornaments I didn't want to hang. Later in the evening we went to visit santa but the line was so long we thought we would try later in the week. Then it was off to a party at our friends home. We had a great time, the ladies were in one room making candles and having drinks (not me of course) and the gentlemen were in the living room with the babies. There were about twenty people total excluding all the crazy kids. We learned how to make candles and decorated the glass. The candles were all organic soy and don't burn hot. It was really neat and it was good to know that I am not burning any unnatural substances into our atmosphere. In addition if Gwynn touches the wax she won't get burned! On Saturday I had to get up at four to be at a wedding in Vancouver at six thirty. Then when I got home Charlie and Gwynn had been busy working on projects and cleaning for me. It was wonderful. We also made some snicker doodle cookies and did a little more Christmas shopping. This Christmas is going to be so much fun with Gwynn she loves all the pretty lights and decorations. This morning when Gwynn woke up she looked at the tree and said "WOW"..."pretty" and just stared at the tree for a good five minutes while she was waking up. It was a super holiday fun filled weekend and look forward for the many more with all our friends and family!!!

Lots of fun with turkey week!

2007-11-25T21:12:00.000-08:00

The past two weeks have been a happy blur. We have had two weeks of Thanksgiving fun. Last weekend we had a dinner with Charlie's Dad and step mother on Saturday. It was very nice. I had my first attempt at making Thanksgiving for a group. Libby, Brian, Sarah and Greg also came for dinner. It was a nice visit. Gwynn also loved all the attention she received from everyone. The dinner turned out very well in my opinion. The following day it was off to Sherry's (Charlie's mom) for another wonderful Thanksgiving. Rachel made wonderful pasta from scratch. It was great to visit with all Charlie's family.

This weekend we traveled to Ashland on Wednesday to have Thanksgiving with my family. It was so good to see everyone. We all live in so many different states it was so good to visit. My Grandmother is also a wonderful cook who made a great meal as always. There were around thirty people at my grandmothers. We stayed in Ashland with my sister Erica. I must say she lives better then I ever did in college. She was so sweet and gave us her room with a huge bed and our own private bath. Erica also insisted on cooking us breakfast every morning...even though she normally doesn't cook....pancakes, bacon, eggs and so on. She also made Charlie the most wonderful sugar cookies. For a girl who doesn't cook she sure can! We stayed with Erica for three days. Charlie went riding two days and I took Gwynn for some nice long walks. The weather was so wonderful. We also had many wonderful meals at the local restaurants. We attended the Ashland holiday parade and light ceremony on Friday and went to Porters for dinner where my aunt rented us a private room so we could have a nice calm dinner with someone waiting on us. On Saturday we took Gwynn to my aunt and uncles home to let Gwynn swim. They have an amazing pool that is heated. We all got to do our favorite activities on this trip....eat, play and spend time with family.

Growing too fast!

2007-11-13T21:26:00.000-08:00

Gwynn is growing up way to fast for me. I get sad about it because I feel like the days fly by way to fast. I always wonder if I could have done more for her everyday. I want her to have the best life possible. Its so fun to watch her grow and gain new knowledge everyday. I just can't help but think if I miss any moment of her life I will wake up and next thing I know I will be taking her to college..and balling my eyes out. Gwynn has been talking up a storm and imitating everything I do. This is good and bad..it makes me so aware of all my actions. Gwynn loves to read more and more everyday. She walks up to me all day and says.. read.. read. OF course I stop what I am doing and read to her in the kitchen on the floor while dinner burns, in the bathroom, anywhere in the house she doesn't care. She just backs up to sit in my lap. I have read Sticky People at least ten times a day in the past week. Gwynn knows whats coming next in the book and she will say it with me. I find it so adorable. Gwynn also loves trucks and points them out wherever we go..in the car, on TV in the store. She also loves makeup and says so..she tries to get into my work makeup daily and says please..please makeup! Its becoming more and more evident that she will be a reflection of her parents as well as her friends and family. Its amazing how children can change and shape you as much as we do them. Gwynn makes me want to be a better person and in doing so I hope we can create a wonderful little being.

Good weekend!

2007-11-05T19:39:00.000-08:00

On Saturday we got up and spent the morning together as a family. We had a nice breakfast together then Gwynn and I went for a walk to the park while Charlie worked on his truck. We then drove to Brian & Libby's home so they could have a sleep over with Gwynny Penny. Uncle Brian had been wanting to have a slumber party with miss penny for a long time! Charlie and I had a dinner event on Saturday for his work...so we thought it was time Brian got his wish. It is adorable how much Brian loves that little girl. I think they had fun too! Gwynn did get Brian and Libby up pretty early on Sunday morning...three a.m. ready to play. Charlie and I had some good quality time together while Gwynn was with Libby & Brian. Charlie's work put together a wonderful dinner with some of the most amazing food I have ever had. It was very nice. It was honoring Charlie & his company for the work they did at Pacific University. It was so amazing to see all the work Charlie did. I was so impressed with him! After dinner WALSH treated us to a room at The Grand Lodge. We had a relaxing night and in the morning a wonderful breakfast and then came home to meet Miss Gwynn. Gwynn came home on Sunday and was happy to see Mommy and Daddy but very tired. Later in the evening we took Gwnny to Disney's Princesses on Ice. We decided to take Gwynn because there had been commercials advertising the event..when ever it was on Gwynn would stop what she was doing and get excited start dancing and clapping. We were told by some of Charlie's work associates that all the little girls dress up for the show as there favorite princess. We decided to dress up Gwynn as a little tinker bell. It was so cute to watch Gwynn check out the other little girls costumes. She would look down at her dress and then at the other little ones. When we got to our seats we had the princess from Aladdin to our left and Snow White in front of us. Gwynn took the liberty of petting them both. The Little Mermaid was Gwynn's favorite act. There were bubbles coming down from the sky. It was so much fun to see how happy she was watching the dancing, singing, lights and special effects. Gwynn started getting tired of sitting towards the end but seemed have a great time despite the fact. She was sound asleep on the drive home. Charlie and I had a great time watching Gwynn's facial expressions and her reaction to the other children. It was so sweet and we realized once again there is absolutely nothing we wouldn't do for this little princess..even if it means sitting through Princesses on Ice!