Friday Five

1. I am so thankful for friends!! We have some amazing friends who not only love and support us, but they love our kids too. I don't know what I would do without them.

2. I started my last book in the Baxter series today! I don't know what I am going to do when I finish it. I really may be a a loss!!

3. I'm looking forward to celebrating our anniversary in Sedona this week!! It will be our first weekend away from Natalie though.

4. Now that July is almost here I feel like I need to start thinking about school stuff. I did a pretty good job of avoiding it all of June.

5.  I still have not ordered baby announcements because I cannot get over how expensive they are. I know I need to, so if you haven't received one yet, it's not because I forgot about you, it's because I'm cheap and haven't ordered them yet.

Family of four . . . 9 weeks

New things about Brandon: This week Brandon has started to try the one nap a day thing. Some night shave been better than others, but when he gets only one nap he is usually very cranky at night. He also went swimming with daddy and grandpa this week. He has water wings, and is doing great. He would swim around the pool no problem on his own, but was afraid to jump off the steps into the pool on his own at first. Today he was not afraid any more and just started jumping in and swimming!!

New things about Natalie: Baby girl is now drinking between 2-4 ounces regularly.  She is up to drinking four more often. She also turned two months this week!! I can't believe how quickly the time is going! She is awake during the day longer now, and thanks to Sarah's generosity, we now have a swing for her to nap in like her cousin Lucy. We went in for Natalie's two month visit on Tuesday, and she is now 9 pounds, 9 ounces, and 23 inches!! Still really low for her weight, but up in the 76% for her height. Hopefully that means she'll be more like her daddy!

New things about Tyler: This week we started a chore list and how we are going to break them up. Tyler wasn't too ex tied as he got the blinds this week. It has taken him a really long time, but they will look great once he is all done. He is continuing to tutor this week, but we are both looking forward to vacation!!

New things about Cassandra: I had a very hard week this week. On Monday a really good friend and her husband left to move to Illinois. Today I had to say "see you later" to another really great friend. I'm sad to see both of these amazing women leave as they not only love me, and help me, but they love my family as well. I will miss having them both here, but I know it won't be too long until I see them again!! I can't wait for my first trip to Vegas!!

Current weight: 138.4

Total weight gain / loss: I put on a little weight while we were on vacation. I knew all the fast food, eating out, and sitting in a car for hours wasn't going to help. I am looking forward to starting a work out plan on Monday, as well as trying some new healthy eating things. I will keep you all updated as I go.

Wordless Wednesday

Thoughtful Tuesday

I am so thankful for friends who have given us so much for Natalie to use. I'm glad that we have been able to pass it on as well. Since we had Natalie, and we knew we were stopping at two, I have been able to give all of Brandon's clothes to our friend Hans. I have also been able to start shipping things to Nicole for her baby girl coming in a few weeks. I just love how generous people have been, and am so thankful that I can share the wealth with others!

Pinterest - Muffins

Brandon and I decided to make Tyler some muffins this morning from a recipe I found on Pinterest. I can't link to the recipe though because it says the link is not real.

So . . . Here is the recipe I followed. If someone knows where it came from, feel free to let me know!!

These muffins are supposed to taste like the Costco muffins.

1 box cake mix (chocolate)

2 tbsp flour

3 eggs

2/3 cup milk

1/3 cup vegetable oil

1 tspn baking powder

1 1/2 cup chocolate chips

Mix everything together.

Bake 20 minutes at 375

Tyler loved them!! Next time we are going to try a lemon poppy seed kind!!

Friday Five

1.  We are so thankful for our two week vacation, and being able to spend so much time with family and friends. We are so excited that we are headed home today though!! Excited we get to sleep in our own beds, and more important the kids can sleep in their own beds!!

2. I read Message in a Bottle by Nicholas Sparks over the past two days because my mom just read it. I'm excited to go up to their house next weekend so we can watch the movie together. We love Nicholas Sparks books and movies!!

3. We are not going to take another road trip like this for at least a year!! Next year we'll get to go to beautiful Lake Tahoe!! Hopefully we'll get to stop in Orange County and Nor Cal along the way to visit family we don't get to see nearly enough!! (Yes Nicole; you, Jon and baby girl are our family too!!)

4. I am almost done with the Baxter family series by Karen Kingsbury. When I finish I really think I'm going to be at a loss. I love this family and reading about what happens to all of them. Makes me wish we lived closer to our families.

5.  There are some events in the upcoming week I'm really not looking forward to. I'm hoping the good times go slowly, and the painful ones go quickly. I know it will go the other way, but we're going to cherish every moment with our friends who are moving this next week!

Family of four . . . 8 weeks

New things about Brandon: staying in a hotel is very challenging for him. There are just so many things to play with, and in a hotel they are almost all right at his level. We have moved things for the past two days so that way he wouldn't play with them. That's easier than continually telling him no.

New things about Natalie: she has not been eating very well since we started traveling again. I don't know if it's the change of schedule, water, or what but she has been spitting up a lot more lately. We had another all night sleeper too!! It was great!!

New things about Tyler: He can't wait to be home!! Driving from Ft. Wayne, Indiana to Phoenix in a week is not Tyler's idea of a great summer break. Spending time with family and friends is though.

New things about Cassandra: I have seen more than I have wanted to of the back seat of our car. Between feeding Natalie and entertaining Brandon I can't wait to not have to sit in a car for a long time!! I am ready for some good healthy food too. All of this fast food, and eating out is really starting to get to me.

Wordless Wednesday

Thoughtful Tuesday

In the past week we have gone to two different zoos. We went to the children's zoo in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, and then we went to the zoo in Omaha. I understand it must be expensive for the up keep of the animals and their exhibits, but I feel like zoos take advantage of you. At least both of the zoos we were at let us bring stuff in with us, as long as there was no glass.  Either way though, $15 for an adult to get into the zoo? Then, thank goodness B is still under 2, because if he wasn't then he would have been like $12!! Both of the zoos were really cool though, and I wish we would have had more time at the Omaha zoo.

Family of Four. . . 7 weeks

New things about Brandon: Brandon had a great week. He was able to meet his great grandparents on Tyler's side this week. Now Brandon has met all of his great grandparents.  We learned this week that Brandon does great in the car, but not on 12 hour drives. There was really nothing that would keep him occupied other than sleeping for a long time.

New things about Natalie: Natalie did great in the car this week! We were really worried about her, but we were so thankful how well she did. Natalie took her paci more this week too, which made the car rides easier too.

New things about Tyler: Tyler had a great time driving this week. He was our super hero who drove us across the country! He loved being able to visit with his family too.

New things about Cassandra: I was so happy to finally meet the rest of Tyler's family this week! It was nice to be able to put a face to the name. I didn't overly enjoy our long drives, but it was worth it in the end.

Friday Five

1.  Indiana was a blast! We were able to spend lots of time with Tyler's family. The kids were able to meet their great grandma, and only great grandfather! It was awesome to see so much family gathered around too. Tyler wishes we could visit more often, and I wish we could get together with all of my family more often.

2. I finished a series by Karen Kingsbury this week. I was able to finish the Firstborn Series thanks to all of the driving we did this week. If you are looking for a series I would recommend starting the Baxter series.

3. We have agreed that as much as we enjoy road trips we think we will enjoy them more when the kids are older.

4. I am tired of fast food. Driving on the road we haven't had very many other options. I can't wait until we get home and we go on a diet, stop eating fast food, drinking soda and can have fruits and veggies again!

5. In Indiana we were able to meet up with our friend Christie who used to live in Phoenix. It was so nice to be able to spend time with her and catch up. We miss her!! 

Wordless Wednesday

Thoughtful Tuesday

We were able to meet Tyler's family today. I have now officially met all of Tyler's family. Tyler's grandma and grandpa were able to meet the kids too. It was a good day. We're looking forward to a reunion tomorrow with everyone too!

Friday Five

1. We woke up this morning in beautiful Colorado. Makes me miss the green ofCalifornia  and annual summer trips to Lake Tahoe.

2.  This past week Safeway had Smirnoff on sale for $6.75 a bottle. I also had two coupons for $4 off when you buy 2 bottles. We bought six bottles, and I can't wait until we get home to try some new Pinterest recipes!

3.  We are so excited to be headed toNebraska  today to meet our niece Lucy!

4.  Last night was Brandon's first night in a traditional hotel room. Luckily we weren't there for even 12 hours. He didn't do too bad, but his favorite thing to do was pick up the phone and pretend to talk.

5.  I'm excited that after our drive yesterday we are going to take three days to drive home instead of just two. Six hours in the backseat with two kids is long enough. Glad we only have two more 12 hour days!

Family of Four . . . 6 weeks

New things about Brandon: Brandon had a blast playing at the Watts house yesterday. He was able to run around and play with other kids. This is something he doesn't get to do very often since our friends who have kids are both a year younger than Brandon. Brandon's new thing has been getting up between 5 and 6. It isn't the best thing in the world, but Tyler has been getting up with him.

New things about Natalie: Natalie has gotten used to her car seat!! Amen! We were really afraid of our drive today, as we have been in the car since 7 am. It is now 8 AZ time, and we still have 44 miles to go. I have been able to feed her in her seat, and she went right back to sleep. I'm a little worries how sleeping tonight will go, but as long as Tyler gets sleep that is all that will matter. Natalie has also been able to spend more time with daddy this week, and took her first trip to grandma and grandpa Hathaway's house!  It's crazy to think that she is already 6 weeks old though!

New things about Tyler: Tyler is excited to be on summer break. He has been taking the 5 am shift with the kids so I can sleep in. Thank goodness he is a morning person! He has also started to use the carrier, which has been nice so I don't hold Natalie all day. Tyler has also been an amazing driver for us today! I know he's looking forward to resting this weekend though, and once we get home from this trip he's not going to want to go any where for a long time.

New things about Cassandra: I went to the dr on Wednesday and have been cleared for everything. I'm excited to be able to start working out. When we get back from vacation I look forward to starting a workout schedule, and eating healthier. I know this road trip isn't going to help, as there aren't really any healthy options when you are eating on the road.

Wordless Wednesday

Thoughtful Tuesday

I need to start being better about taking pictures!  I went over to the Watts' house today to hang out with them before they move.  They are going to be leaving next week, and since we head out of town tomorrow, I knew I had to go over there to see them today.  I love them, and they have been one of the families that I have grown the closest with over the past five years.  I have had two of their children, and I was going to have their third child this next year.  Any ways, I went over there this morning with the kids to hang out before we had to say goodbye.  I had my phone with me the whole time, and I didn't take one single picture!  I even cried with Eileen before I left, but no picture.  Luckily, I had Eileen take a picture of the girls and I on the last day of school, and then she took a picture of E and I at her party last week too.  I am going to miss this family tremendously.  They have been such amazing people, and one of the reasons that I was so adamant about staying at Shepherd.  This family always goes above and beyond, and does more than is ever asked of them.  I love them, and have been so blessed to watch E grow up over the past five years.  I am honored to be able to call Eileen a friend as well!  They will be missed at Shepherd, but they will also be missed by me!

First day of school, August 2010 

Last day of school, May 2011 

August 2011

Brandon's Baptism, December 2011

Last day of school, May 2013