Who'd a thunk . . .

That the weathermen would get it right? Often when we get predictions of snow nothing comes of it. Monday night we got predictions of 2 to 4 inches, but when we woke up Tuesday morning, there was nothing more than a light dusting. I thought, "too bad, Amelia would have enjoyed it." Well then it began to snow. And it snowed, and snowed, and snowed, and snowed. By two o'clock there was a good two inches on the ground. So then we layered up and played in it. Amelia had a ball but Charlotte wasn't so keen on the cold. Erik and Amelia built a little snowman and enjoyed their snow ball fights which was mostly throwing snow at each other. The snow is mostly gone now but we had fun while it lasted.

Erik and Amelia (Erik brought the tape measure out to see how much snow had fallen)


Mommy and Charlotte


Our Snowman


The Family


Our House

Baby It's Cold Outside

Amelia is kind of like the post office motto. Neither rain, nor sleet, nor snow can keep her from enjoying being outside. On Friday mornings we attend story time at the library and then go play at the park. Even though it was 28°F outside, while we were loading up after story time, Amelia ended her half real words, half gibberish sentence with, "go to the park." Luckily I had anticipated this and had both of the girls bundled up. We were the only ones at the park, but we had a fun time none the less. I must say that I am truly enjoying this cold winter. We're anticipating snow tomorrow, so perhaps we'll have some more fun in the cold soon!

High on the slide


Amelia on the swings


A self portrait


Charlotte giving me smiles during story time

Giggles

This is for Grammy, Grandpa, and Nana. Enjoy!

Alright, Alright

I've been tagged 4 times since this blog started. Well, technically this is both Erik's and my blog, but lets be realistic, I've pretty much kept this going myself. Most recently I was tagged by my mother. Well, I can't ignore that, so to be fair, I went back and did all four of the tags I received. I'm officially done after this, so I would appreciate if no one tagged me again. My brain hurts from doing this.

From Mom
I am: tired
I know: I didn’t get everything done today
I want: to like this more
I have: to prepare for Sunday
I hate: cutting my nails
I miss: “me” time
I feel: hopeful
I hear: the computer and the TV
I smell: neither good nor bad
I crave: caramel brownies
I search: using Google
I love: getting a break
I care: about my husband
I always: love checking the mail
I believe: I’ll never have enough pairs of black shoes
I sing: to Amelia all day
I write: nonsense
I lose: my temper a lot
I win: sometimes
I never: go to bed without a clean face and clean teeth
I listen: to my new under the cabinet radio (thanks Erik!)
I am scared: I’ll have too many regrets
I need: to try harder with Erik
I am happy about: Lost starting soon

From Catherine
10 years ago:
1. I lived in Idaho
2. I was in college.
3. I still had braces.
4. I lived with some of my best friends.
5. I missed my family

5 things on today's to do list:
1. Fold laundry.
2. Put laundry away.
3. Renew my library books.
4. Make dinner.
5. Survive.

5 snacks I enjoy:
1. Cocoa Chex Mix
2. Granola Bars
3. Chocolate milk and a banana
4. Chocolate Chip Cookies
5. Popcorn

5 things I would do if I were a millionaire:
1. Buy a fabulous car or two.
2. Payoff all debt.
3. Give my parents money to buy a new house.
4. College fund for the girls
5. Shopping Spree!

5 places I have lived:
1. Indiana
2. Ohio
3. North Carolina – Goldsboro, Fayetteville, Cary
4. Idaho
5. North Carolina – Raleigh, New Bern

5 jobs I have had:
1. The Party Machine
2. Bagel Girl
3. Fabric Store
4. Temp
5. Banker

From Andrea
20 years ago:
1. I lived in Fayetteville.
2. Amber was my best friend.
3. I was considered one of the “cool” kids.

10 years ago:
1. I was in college.
2. I still had braces.
3. I lived with some of my best friends.

5 years ago:
1. I got married.
2. I was still in college.
3. I was a lot thinner than I am right now.

3 years ago:
1. We were trying to have a baby.
2. I got a job at RBC Centura.
3. I had no idea how my life was about to change.

1 year ago:
1. My father was about to celebrated his 50th birthday.
2. I was crazy.
3. I had just been called to the Primary Presidency.

So far this year:
1. I’m adjusting to life with two children.
2. I can’t stop baking.
3. I finally got our checkbook back in order since having Charlotte.

Yesterday:
1. I did a ton of laundry.
2. I finished reading a really good book.
3. I talked to my sister on the phone.

Today:
1. I baked pumpkin muffins with butterscotch chips.
2. I took a shower even though I had decided not to take one when I woke up.
3. I got both girls down for a nap at the same time and then folded some laundry.

In the next year:
1. I’m thinking about growing my hair out again.
2. I’d like to make more of a conscious effort to enjoy the little things.
3. I’d like a real vacation.


From Heidi
1. Where is your cell phone . . . kitchen counter
2. Your significant other . . . is my rock.
3. Your hair . . . brown and actually “done” today!
4. Your mother . . . is the standard which I measure myself
5. Your father . . . is a very intelligent man who sometimes enjoys acting like a child.
6. Your favorite thing . . . whenever I get to do exactly what I want to do.
7. Your dream last night . . . ???
8. Your favorite drink . . . mostly water but I’m lovin’ caffeine free pepsi right now too.
9. Your dream/goal . . . to pay off all our debt.
10. The room you're in . . . office/guest room
11. Your hobby . . . reading
12. Your fear . . . trapped in a small space
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years . . . closer to the coast.
14. Where were you last night . . . at home.
15. What you're not . . . energized.
16. Muffins . . . chocolate chip
17. One of your wish list items . . . bigger car
18. Where you grew up . . . Fayetteville, Cary, Rexburg, Raleigh, New Bern
19. The last thing you did . . . work on dinner
20. What are you wearing . . . my standard of jean, a t-shirt, and my adidas sandals.
21. Your pets . . . none
22. Your TV . . . Oprah is on, but no one is really watching it.
23. Your computer . . . in front of me.
24. Your life . . . challenging
25. Your mood . . . not too bad right now.
26. Missing someone . . . not really
27. Your car . . . needs gas
28. Something you're not wearing . . . a watch
29. Favorite store . . . Target
30. Your summer . . . HOT
31. Like someone . . . lots of people
32. Your favorite color . . . green
33. When is the last time you laughed . . . today (it was either that or cry)
34. Last time you cried . . . yesterday
35. Who will resend this . . . n/a
36. Done something stupid to entertain . . . the story of my life

Just in the (St.)Nick of Time

Well December has been a busy month, and I wish I had had the time (or made the effort) to devote individual blog posts to all the fun times we've had, but I didn't. My last goal of 2008 was to get a post in. So here is a (very long) recap.

Friday, December 19th was Amelia's 2nd birthday, although if you ask her how old she is she says, "Three." We had a small celebration with Erik, Charlotte (who slept through it), and me. It was really nice not to have to do a big production. I made beans and rice for dinner, which pretty much is Amelia's favorite dinner (with spaghetti and tacos being close seconds). I also made a cake for Amelia and was once again reminded that I did not inherit the cake baking genes from my mother. (You can see her fabulous creations at www.CakeDreamsbySally.com) I made vanilla cake, and even though I followed my mom's directions to watch for the sides of the cake to start pulling away from the edge of the pan, all three layers were under baked and turned out more like pound cake after they fell. Luckily they still tasted good. I didn't feel like making icing, so a little butter cream icing from Betty Crocker worked for me.

Amelia and her Cake


Yummy Cake!




After we enjoyed cake it was time to open presents. Amelia was all for this. She tore the wrapping paper off the first present and then proceeded to go for another present. We had to point out that there was something inside the box. Even better!Lucky Amelia received a doll stroller from Mommy and Daddy, an Elmo guitar from Aunt Catherine, and super cute outfit from Nana. Later she received some giant lego-like blocks from Nana and a tea set from Grammy and Grandpa (I'm sure its for herbal tea). The next day Amelia had a piece of cake with lunch, and after she was done she asked, "Presents?"





This box was in the running for best gift.


Amelia didn't have to wait long to open presents as we celebrated Christmas three times! Sunday after church we headed down to Harkers Island to celebrate Christmas with Erik's Dad, Grandparents, his sister Allison, her husband Russell, and Russell's daughter Avery.

All the presents.


Charlotte sleeping on Great-Grandmama


Yea!


"I help!"


Charlotte and her Grandaddy


Christmas Eve was a miserable day full of wrapping all the presents, a doctors appointment (Amelia has an ear infection), folding laundry, trying to keep kids happy, and packing for our trip down to Nana's house. I originally was hoping to leave around 2pm. The time kept getting pushed back as 3pm, 4pm, and 5pm came and went. Finally around 6pm we were ready to get on the road. Thankfully it was only an hour long drive. We got settled in at Nana's and woke up the next morning to see that Santa had come!

Amelia and Nana with a puzzle.


Elmo Dishes!


"What did Santa bring me Mommy?"


I carried on a tradition by taking a picture of Charlotte in her stocking.


This is Amelia's stocking picture.


Last, but not least, we headed up to my parents house last Saturday. This is the Amelia opening the tea set that is actually her birthday present.



In a way I'm glad the craziness of Christmas is almost over. The bad part is that we have to find a place for all the stuff when we get back home. And we have to take down the decorations. It has been wonderful to spend so much time with our family members this holiday season. We are looking forward to 2009 and the adventures it will bring.

Goodbye Pop Pop

This past weekend we spent time with Erik's family mourning the loss of his step-father Johnny. Johnny died last Wednesday, and although he was having health problems, his passing was quite shocking. It was evident when hundreds of people showed up for the visitation that he will be missed by those he left behind. The man I will remember is one who loved to tell a joke and loved his friends and family. The family is doing well, thanks to a lot of love and support from extended family, friends, and neighbors.

Charlotte and Pop Pop

Happy Bird-day!

Thanksgiving is probably my favorite holiday. There is no stress of buying gifts, no leftover candy, and no worrying about how late my stupid neighbors are going to set off fireworks. Its all about the food, and of course being thankful. And I am thankful for the food. This year, in what was supposed to be an effort to make things less stressful for us (in not having to travel), Thanksgiving Dinner was held at my house. I'm not sure it was less stressful, but perhaps stressful in a different way. Wednesday was spent baking. I made pumpkin pie and pecan pie, pumpkin chocolate chip muffins, and cream cheese danishes. The latter two were for breakfast.

Wednesday night most of the family arrived (Catherine and Mark had spent the week with me) and the chaos ensued. Well, organized chaos. Christian and Mary spent the night at a hotel, but the rest of the Plautz family stayed at Casa de Lewis. Catherine and Bryan slept in Amelia's room, Mom and Dad were in the guest room, and Mark, Michael, Daniel, and Alex kicked it in the living room. It was tight quarters and a lot of stuff. Still, it makes me happy to have my family together even when it is crazy.

Dinner was delicious and our 20lb turkey surprised everyone by being fully cooked in an hour and forty-five minutes. It was still juicy too! The fixin's included macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, green beans, green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole and rolls. Dessert was pumpkin, pecan, french silk, and lemon meringue pies and a blackberry jello dish. Mmm, so yummy. In fact I think I may have to go enjoy a piece of pie when I'm done. Charlotte slept through dinner so I actually got to use two hands to eat. That is something to be thankful for! I am so thankful and feel so blessed. I have such a wonderful family.

All the Cooks


How the guys chilled while waiting for dinner.

Playing the Guitar


Playing old school video games on the computer.


Dinner


The Kids Table (ha, ha)


Amelia Enjoying Pie


Sleeping Charlotte



Amelia and Grandpa