Happy Thanksgiving

We have so much to be thankful for. Our children, our health, our family, our time that we get to spend with each other.. Just to name a few. Last night we celebrated Thanksgiving over at my grandparent's house (as I have done most every year since I was born) and it was just as wonderful as I remember when I was a little girl. At one point I was sitting on the sofa in the living room, watching Payton run after her cousin Trent, and I was thinking how I remember running around after my cousins at Grandma and Bapa's house when I was little and how neat it is to now see my kids do the same. I've spent many holidays at my Grandparent's home and now I have my husband and two kids here too. I truly feel blessed to have such a close relationship with my grandparents, and I'm so happy that my children get to be close to them as well!

I'm so thankful that Payton loves her baby sister.

I'm thankful that I get to be a mom..

..have healthy babies..

..be a wife and have a wonderful husband..

Payton and Trent

..be close to my nephews..

My sister-in-law Rachael and nephew Kaden

..and have a loving, happy, healthy, beautiful, couldn't ask for a better, family!

Gracie, Trent, Payton and Kaden

I'm so thankful for many things that I couldn't even begin to list them all. I feel that I'm blessed in many areas of my life!

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and were able to spend it with the ones you love!

Nugget

Payton's vocabulary is constantly increasing and it's fun to ask her to say things and hear what she comes up with. Yesterday I asked her to say our last name. As everyone knows it's a bit tricky to say, but once you know that none of the letters are silent, it's quite easy to say. Well, our wonderful almost three year old has her own version on how to say Zdenek. And it's Nugget. We were in the car just getting back from Costco and I turned to Payton and asked her to say Zdenek. Matter-a-factly she says, Nugget. Ryan and I busted up laughing! This definitely has to be a first for me! I've heard may versions on how people pronounce our last name, but this is the first.

Here's Miss Nugget playing in her doll stroller. She was very persistant on not wanting to wear underwear. I figured, what's the harm, since we are hanging out at home.
Look at that cute tush!

Payton is such a silly girl and she brings a big smile to our faces everyday!

Gracie's four month pictures

At the beginning of November we took Gracie to get her four month pictures taken and we finally picked them up last week. Here are the ones we thought were good. Unfortunately the photographer wasn't able to get Gracie to give one of her big smiles (which is really surprising considering how much she smiles. Anyone who's around her a lot, knows this to be true!). Gracie was really good throughout the entire process! We had a weight check for Gracie last Tuesday and she is weighing in at 13 and a half pounds. We have an appointment with Children's mid January to discuss Gracie's Lyrngomalacia. Her breathing pretty much sounds the same right now, occasionally it sounds a little quieter. Her sleeping habits have worsened in the past month, but that doesn't keep Gracie from being a very happy baby! I'll keep everyone updated on all of her happenings.

Accident free

Payton is on day four of potty training and it is going GREAT!! She has not had an accident since the first day (Sunday). She got the hang of going potty in the toilet a lot faster than I had expected. Sunday provided a lot of laundry, but a lot of cheers and excitement as well!

We were lucky that Payton was excited about wearing her "bathing suit".. aka underwear. That's what started this. I wanted to start potty training her this past weekend, but every time I would mention going in the toilet, she would say no. Thankfully she saw her Minnie Mouse underwear and wanted to wear them. So, no more diapers!
This is what Payton's outfits have been consisting of the past few days. A shirt, "bathing suit", and rain boots. She's very into dressing herself. And yes, she wears pants when we go out in public, but the rainboots (that are a size too big) come with as well. :)
She is however having a little difficulty wanting to go #2 in the toilet, so if anyone has any suggesstions on how I can make it not so scarey for her, I'm all ears!
When you see Payton next, make sure you give her a big high five and tell her she's doing a good job going potty! She's very proud, as she should be, and so are we!

Raining ice cream

A couple of weekends ago, the family and I headed over to my parent's home in Ronald, WA to stay for a few days. Ryan commuted to Issaquah and the girls and I stayed and hung out while he was at work. On Thursday morning, Payton ran into my room and we opened up the blinds and she shouted, "It's raining ice cream!" I thought it was such a cute way to describe that it was snowing!

Unfortunately that morning I didn't take a picture. We received quite a bit of snow, which unfortunately melted by the afternoon. Thankfully that next Tuesday, the day we were leaving, it rained ice cream again.

I love hearing what Payton comes up with to describe things. It's so creative and imaginative. Such a smart little girl!

Our little coconut is Five Months Old!!!

Today is Gracie's five month birthday. I can't believe how fast time is flying and how much she is growing up! She really does need to slow down! She's rolling around EVERYWHERE, has two bottom teeth, is trying to sit up on her own and loves to stand (if you hold her fingers of course). With Payton, I was always ready for the next milestone, but with Gracie I'm not ready for how fast she wants to grow up. :(

This was taken after one of Gracie's naps. I heard her cooing and giggling through the monitor, so I took the video camera up and recorded a little of her cooing away. She was so happy.
I thought this was really cute. She's very interested in her feet. She loves to grab them, hold on and roll from side to side. It's really cute to watch.

Here she is post roll. Sometimes she'll get rolling around and get herself wedged into places (like up against the chair). We've had to remove her bumper from her crib since she likes to roll onto her tummy and sleep up against the sides of the crib. Silly girl!

Gracie's a pretty happy baby and we are all so in love with her. She brings a smile to our faces and we are enjoying every moment!

Gracie has another weight check next week, and we're anxious to see how much more she's grown.

Ryan and I feel so lucky to have two healthy, beautiful little girls. They both sure are cute!!

Tag 4X4

My friend Hilary tagged me in her blog to go to the fourth folder in my pictures and pick the fourth picture in that folder and post it.

So, here's the picture..

This picture was one of Payton's two year pictures. I can't believe how much she's grown and changed since this was taken. I feel like she's not a baby anymore, but a little kid. :(

This was fun looking back at pictures from awhile ago. I tend to forget about how fast time has gone until I see how little Payton was, not too long ago!

Now it's my turn to tag... I'm tagging Brandi L., Jeannie S., and my step-mom. So ladies, go to your pictures and choose the fourth folder and the fourth picture in that folder and then post it. I can't wait to see what you find!

Thanks Hil for tagging me! This was fun to do!

Halloween X3

Halloween this year has been a three day event for Miss Payton. Thankfully, we can now move on to the next Holiday.

WEDNESDAY:

Our good friend Austin had a Halloween themed birthday party. All the kids dressed up in their costumes and had a super fun play date.

Most of the kids together (ages 8 weeks to 4 years)

From left to right

Bee Maddie, Pirate Will, Caveman Crew (baby in Taylor's arms), Word Girl Taylor, Tigger Levi, Basketball Player/birthday boy Austin, Shark Adrian, Construction Worker Gabrielle, Dinosaur Jack (standing up), Dragon Ryan, Princess Caitlin and Ladybug Payton and Butterfly Gracie sitting on the floor.

The kids decorated cookies as well

Birthday boy Austin blowing out his construction cone candles and Hudson looking on
The girls and I had a great time getting together with our Stroller Stride friends. We've all become pretty close and have been getting together quite a bit lately, which has been great!

Payton and Gracie

Two very tired little girls!

THURSDAY:

Every Thrusday Payton has her music class and Miss Alana had all of the kids dress in their Halloween costumes this time.

Princess Kelsey, Tinkerbell Allison, Minnie Jordan, and Ladybug Payton

Here are some more of the kids in Payton's class

Her friend Scarlett was also a Princess this day

Ladybug Olivia crawled over to say "hi" to Gracie

At the end of each class they play with the parachute. One of Payton's favorite things to do in class.

After class the girls and I headed over to my mother-in-law's school, Alderwood Early Childhood Education http://teacher.edmonds.wednet.edu/aecc/aecc/index.php, where she helps teach younger children.
They were having a Halloween themed class and invited Payton to come and trick-or-treat from classroom to classroom, as well as play with the kids. Everyone was so welcoming and friendly to Payton and Gracie.

Gracie and Zepher playing on the floor.

Zepher was so sweet and gentle and would help me entertain Gracie. I really enjoyed getting to know the kids in Joanne's class and I know Payton had a blast playing with them!

Payton playing with the pumpkins

FRIDAY:
Where Payton has her music classes, they were hosting a Pee-Wee Monster Bash. They had many different things to do for the kids; Cookie walk, face painting, monster maze, storytime, dance room, craft project, etc.

Payton handing in her ticket to participate in the next Monster game

Pin the eye on the Monster

Jordan and Payton.. "what should we do next?"

Payton showing me her bubbles that she received from dunking the ball

Fishing for a prize

Payton, Jordan, and Allison checking out their goodies

Feeding the monster

Mikey Mouse Scarlett, Ladybug Payton, Tinkerbell Allison, Minnie Mouse Jordan, Goofy Cooper, and Daisy Duck Kelsey

The kids had such a great time at the Monster Bash. I'm sure we will do it again next year.

HALLOWEEN NIGHT... FINALLY!
Ryan, the girls and I went over to our friends Jason and Nika's house to have dinner and do some trick-or-treating around their neighborhood.

Ladybug Payton and Butterfly Gracie

Payton, Gracie and Butterfly Kiley

Payton and Ryan trick-or-treating

Payton wasn't too sure about knocking on people's doors. She would knock really lightly and turn to us with this proud look on her face and then get scared when someone would open the door. She started to get the hang of it after a couple of houses. After we went to about 10 houses, we went back to the Osbjornsen's to hand out some candy. Payton enjoyed doing that too! She loved opening the door, looking at everyone's costumes and then would give each person a piece of candy. The next morning after Halloween Payton kept asking to trick-or-treat some more, but we keep telling her it's once, more like three times, a year. I'm thankful it's over and to see her in something else besides a ladybug costume, but I am looking forward to next year's festivities too.

Visit from Granny and Aunti Di

A week ago, Ryan's Granny and Aunti Di came to visit all of us for 5 days. It was wonderful for all of us to get to spend some time together!

Ryan's Granny lives in Illinois and Aunti Diane lives in Maryland. I've met Granny quite a few times, but I hadn't had the opportunity to meet Aunti Di. It was wonderful to be able to spend a few days with the two of them and for Aunti Di to meet Payton and Gracie for the first time and for Granny to meet Gracie as well!

The two of them flew in on Wednesday night, so the following night my mother-in-law Joanne had everyone over for Thanksgiving dinner. She always makes delicious meals and we all have a great time when we get together to induldge! Payton and Gracie had a great time getting to play with their cousins; Cedrick, Cassius, and Mia (Nathan's fiance's children).

Mia, Gracie, and Cassius
Beautiful cousins
Mia, Gracie, Cassius, Payton and Cedrick

Mia and I make scary faces..

Kisses for Gracie, who was ready for bed

Gracie and Cedrick

such a sweet picture!

Joanne made yummy caramel apples as well as a very yummy dinner!!

The scary witch and Cash

On Sunday all of us again got together for dinner at Chopstix in Everett. We had been there before with Joanne and Chuck to listen to the dueling pianos. It's so much fun there and we all have such a great time!! Payton especially enjoys dancing to the music.

Daddy and Gracie (those are child earplugs in her ears)

It's kind of hard to see since it is dark in the room

Cassius, Cedrick, Payton and the back of Mia's head

Mia and Payton dancing

Granny and Gracie

Aunti Di, Granny and Gracie

Every time one of them would be holding Payton or Gracie, I never had my camera near me to take a picture. Thankfully I got a couple of pictures before they went home.

Nathan and Taunia (Ryan's brother and his fiance)

Me, Ryan (sleeping) and Payton trying to hide

Joanne, Payton, Aunti Di, Granny and Gracie at Chopstix

Ryan, the girls and I had a great time being able to visit with Granny and Aunti Di! We look forward to seeing them next summer.