Merry Christmas!

Our House, On the Corner of Our Street

Here is a little advice. Never buy a house that has to be completely painted from floor to ceiling and needing various other home improvements, when you are in your first trimester. Or really, if you are pregnant at all. You know those shows you watch on Saturdays that are about people who buy fixer-uppers hoping to rehaul and "flip" them? I watch those shows and I see all the mistakes people make, thinking they are going to get X amount done in X amount of time. I always thing of how foolish those people are.

Now I know better. While we are not attempting to flip our house, we did intend on making many improvments before we moved into the house. We went into closing thinking we could get everything done in six weeks. Yeah, right. Combine a sick and tired pregnant woman, a guy already putting 40 hours a week into his day job, 2 rambunctious children needing constant entertaining, and a house older than half of my siblings and delays happen. I had such high hopes of moving into a house where all the projects were finished and we just got to enjoy living there - gone! The plan is to move in this weekend. While the driving back and forth between houses (a 20+ minute drive) and living off of fast food life will hopefully be over, I think we'll just be trading one form of chaos for another. Well we've got about five months until the newest Lewis joins our family, so that is our new goal. Wish us luck!

I Simply Remember

Over the past week I've been thinking about a few things that have brought a smile to my face. In no particular order, these are a few of my favorite things.

* Living on the coast and already having been to the beach three times.

* Already rocking an awesome tan.

* Girls night out and wonderful friends to spend time with.

* Hearing my 19 month parrot back almost everything that is said to her.

* Mani/Pedis and having long nails (not super long, but longer than usual).

* No Bake Cookies (Yes, I got the recipe to work!!!)

* Talking to my mom and my sister.

* Good books to read.

Yes there is more, and this list is ever evolving, but for now this will do:)

Like Dust in the Wind

Last Sunday I wanted somthing sweet. Big surprise, right? I decided to make some cookies - some No-Bake cookies. Now I used to make awesome No-Bake cookies. They were pretty and shiny and moist. Now my cookies are dry and flaky. I found a recipe that assured me my No-Bake cookies would be restored to their previous awesomeness. That was not the case. As I was stirring in the oatmeal, the mixture became dryer and dryer. Eventually I was left with this, not even suitable to try to shape into cookies. All wasn't lost as Erik is using it as an ice cream topping. Perhaps my problem is in trying to halve the recipe. Maybe I'll use fewer oats next time. If there is a next time.

Sprinkle

It was warm enough today to get the sprinkler out and have some fun. Amelia loves to play in the sprinkle (her version of sprinkler), and although Charlotte was hesitant at first, it didn't take long for her to get in on the action.











Relaxing after all the fun in the sun. I'm appreciating all the hot but not sweltering days while they are here.

A Trip to the Circus

The Cole Brothers Circus came to town and we decided to give it a whirl. The circus likes to trick you into coming by offering "free" tickets for the kids and discounted tickets for adults. The adult tickets, with the discout, are $12 each, and then if you want to sit in acutal seats instead of bleacher seeting its a $2 upgrade per seat. It was amusing to watch people show up 5 minutes before the show started and being surprised when all the bleacher (free) seating was taken up.

All in all it was an enjoyable evening. There were tigers, and trapezest, camels, zebras, elephants, clowns, dirt bikers, motorcyclist, dancing, and more. Amelia really enjoyed the show and Charlotte amused herself by walking up and down the stairs and climbing on the stairs.

Daddy and his girls. I'm not sure why Amelia has a grumpy face.

Amelia and Taylor (her cousin) riding a camel. Please forgive the evil eyes, the lighting wasn't great.

Mommy and Charlotte

Enjoying some cotton candy.

Charlottes favorite part was climbing up and down the stairs and playing on the chairs.

Part of the Show

Charlotte loving some soda and then crying when I took it away. She would seriously have drunk all 30+ ounces if I let her.

The Finale

Easter Tulips

Not having found anything I loved, I decided to "make do" when it came to Easter dresses for the girls. Unexpectedly we found ourselves in Raleigh Easter weekend and a quick trip into Gymboree on Friday, while taking a turnabout Crabtree Valley Mall, yielded these beautiful tulip dresses. Well actually it yielded Amelia's tulip dress. We had to trek to Triangle Town Center for Charlotte's dress, but I was enamoured of the dresses, and it was worth it.

Sunday morning the Easter bunny "hid" eggs around grammy and grandpa's house for the girls to find.

Amelia checking out her booty.


Charlotte sharing a chocolate bunny with her Aunt Catherine.


I'm not exactly sure what Amelia is doing here, but this picture makes me smile.

Sweet Charlotte


Grown-up Amelia


It was a wonderful weekend to be spent with family celebrating both my Grandpa Joe's life and the resurrection of our Savior. I am grateful to have so much to be grateful for.