Valentine's Day.

Brett is out of town today.

It's the first Valentine's Day we have not spent together.

We never do anything big for the day but I do miss having him here with me to celebrate.

At least I get to spend the day with my littlest Valentines. 

Happy Valentine's Day!

How have you enjoyed your day?

If You Came to My House Today...

You would see that we are decorated for Christmas.

 (I made this wreath a couple of weeks ago and I'm loving it. Now I just need a better hook.)

You would spot our new friend, "Reindeer", who magically appears in a new place each morning.

I would offer you some of these.

Nilla Waffers, Nutella, Bananas and Sprinkles.

Thank you Pinterest.

Or I would let you try this.

Strawberry Yogurt, 1/2 cup peanut butter and 1/2 cup powdered sugar.

The perfect dip for fruit.

Jacob loves it.

And just to keep it real...you would see this.

It never stops.

InstaFriday {late}, Thanksgiving and Christmas Lights.

We have been busy as I'm sure all of you have been too.

Since I have a had little time to blog the last couple of days, I thought I'd just throw all my ramblings into one.

Lets start.

I missed InstaFriday this week because I pretty much forgot that it was Friday.

Here's my cell pics from the week.

The littlest Raider fan and he even painted his face.

 They got to ride in the "cool" cart together for the first time. Big stuff for these guys.

 An afternoon movie with the cousins.

 He likes to use a beer coozie while having a little juice. Super classy.

 We went to the aquarium this past week.

It always cracks me up that the kids are always so fascinated with the frogs.

 Miss Radley reading about the sea life.

 The turtle was showing off.

 We made blackberry banana smoothies the day after Thanksgiving...so yummy.

Speaking of Thanksgiving, we had a wonderful day.

We spent time with both sides of our family and Ethan told me it was the best day ever. 

Here are some pictures of the day.

The Lewis Family

Lewis cousins.

Just us.

My boys.

Game Time.

The last picture is horrible but it represents the most fun of the night. 

Every year after we've eaten Thanksgiving dinner and settled down a bit we play Left Right Center.

Have you ever played?

It's great for big groups, which is perfect for us, and we love it.

I heard that after we left (kids needed to go to bed) the rest of the gang busted out the wave while playing.

My family is awesome. 

On Saturday Brett got all the decorations out of the garage and I've been working on decorating the house. 

I think this is the first year I've had all the decorating done before December 1st.

Well all but the tree.

Today the boys "helped" Brett with the lights.

They only managed to break one light.

Not too bad. 

I hope you've had a wonderful holiday weekend!

Thanksgiving {and a new tradition}.

While we were having dinner tonight we went around the table saying what we are thankful for.

Ethan replied, "I'm thankful for my whole garden and my whole family."

So simple and sweet.

While I could go on and on for all I am thankful for, I'm keeping it simple as well.

I'm thankful for Brett, my boys, the roof over our heads and our health.

Right now, in this moment I couldn't ask for more. 

I'm happy and fulfilled.

I have a great sense of contentment, which is not always easy for me, and I like how it feels.

I love our life, what we are doing, what we are learning and how we are growing (I know that sounds really cheesy but it's true).

I'm also loving the stages the boys are in right now, while they are sometimes rough, I wouldn't have it any other way. 

I don't want to forget it.

So this year, I'm starting a new tradition.

I'm writing both of the boys letters of thanks, telling each one why I am thankful for them at this time in their lives. 

I'll put them away in their keepsake boxes and hopefully years from now we can sit around the table at Thanksgiving dinner and cry as we read all the letters I have written over the years..

At least that's how I see it playing out in my head. 

I know things will change as time goes on and I don't want to forget why I'm thankful for each of them in their own special unique way.

Lastly, Happy Thanksgiving to you.

I hope you enjoy the holiday with those you love most.

I know I will be and thanking the Lord for every minute of it. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

  1 Chronicles 29:13

"Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name."

The River and The 4th.

Our 4th of July didn't go as planned. 

My parents have a house in Arizona along the Colorado River and that is where we had planned to spend 6 whole, wonderful days. 

Turns out the boys got sick, the a/c was doing them no good, and we needed to come home early.

It was not one of our funnest (is that a word or not?) trips ever.

We did manage to have a little fun and I have pictures to prove it.

I seriously think my sisters and I have the cutest children ever. Sorry everyone.

They also happen to be very white, which means loads of covering up.

 It was my sister's birthday while were there, so of course we had to make a cake.

 

On the morning of the 4th we packed up and headed home. 

Jacob had been up all night and I knew we needed to go home.

As we were driving home I told Brett that we had to make the best out of the week. He had already taken off work and there was no point in wasting his time off by being bummed out over our canceled trip.

So when we got home Brett headed to the store for food and the nearby firework stand.

We're lucky to be able to do fireworks in our neighborhood and Brett put on a good show. 

This next photo is not the best picture I have ever taken, actually it's pretty horrible, but the expression on their faces is priceless.

I'm not sure how he did it but Jacob fell asleep right in the middle of all the noise.

Although our 4th didn't go as planned we had a great time.

The kids loved the fireworks and we wouldn't have been able to do them at the river. 

Things always seem to work out in the end, don't they?

I hope you had a wonderful 4th too.

A Belated Mother's Day.

Brett and the boys didn't celebrate Mother's Day for me this year on the actual day.

It was our last day of camping and we were traveling home and really that's no way to celebrate.

Brett had told me that I would get a belated Mother's Day this year, which was fine by me.

So Sunday was my day.

I didn't wake up with the baby and I slept in (well if 7am is sleeping in).

I soon was sat down at the table to this...

The paper, coffee, breakfast, and a basket filled with goodies for the day. 

I also got freshly squeezed orange juice which has never happened. Nice touch.

Before getting ready for the day, the boys and I had a little jam session...

Then we headed out to lunch.

We went to one of our favorite spots, Wahoo's, and we ordered these...

Baja Rolls...So good!

We tried to get a picture of me with the boys...

At least Ethan was looking.

We loaded up in the car after lunch to find out the battery in the car was dead.

Usually stuff like this really irritates me but I think I was too relaxed to care.

My Grandpa came to our rescue and then we were on our way home.

I then left the house for a little alone time to shop and get a pedicure...

 I can't remember the last time I had a pedicure. I was so relaxed I almost fell asleep in the chair. I could have easily stayed another hour. 

That evening the boys went to my Grandparents house and Brett and I headed out to dinner.

We had a gift certificate to a great fish restaurant in our area and ate until we were about to burst. 

It was a fabulous day.

Hope all you moms had a wonderful Mother's Day too.

Well Hello.

So it feels like I haven't blogged in months.
I know it's only a couple of weeks but it seems like so much has happened.

First and foremost, Happy Mother's Day to all you moms out there.
I want to take a second to thank my mom for being the best there is, really truly she is.
She's helped make me the person I am today and I know I wouldn't be as fabulous as I am without her. (haha, Mom, did you get that one?)
She loves and cares for me and my family more than I could ask for.
She's always there, even in the most inconvenient hours, to lend a helping hand.
She's an amazing example of a wife, mother, care giver, and friend.
Thanks mom for always being you and being the best. Love you.

Speaking of Mother's Day, I didn't really get to celebrate today so we're celebrating next weekend.
I'm not sure what we'll be doing exactly but I hope it involves beautiful weather and the beach.
If the weather sucks maybe I'll just crank up the heater, wear my swimsuit, lay on the couch, and sip a fruity drink with an umbrella in it.
Can you tell I'm ready for summer?

So where have I been you ask?
Well Brett and I have been to Cabo and back, and the four of us went on our first camping trip.
All within 10 days.
Needless to say, the laundry is ridiculous, the fridge is bare, the house is a disaster, and I'm more than tired.
But it was all worth it. We've had fun and made some lasting memories.
I'll share photos as soon as I can.
My SD card reader decided to quit working and I need to find those cords that connect the computer and the camera together. You know what I mean right? I'm sure they have a name for them. Wish me luck finding them.
Until then, goodnight.
I need to sleep.

Easter Festivities.

We had a great Easter weekend.

We dyed eggs, went to church, had egg hunts, opened baskets, spent time with family, ate tons of good food, and relaxed.

I hope your Easter was enjoyable as ours.