Egg Strata... Yum!

Make a Smilebox recipe

Happy Birthday, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year!

What a full and exciting week we've had! First, we've had more snow than I've seen since living in Rhode Island 20+ years ago! It started to fall the week leading up to Grey's birthday, causing Jude's school to close (even though some days it just rained). Then on the 18th the snow really started coming down, but by Saturday (Grey's B-Day) people were able to drive around. Then more snow and we were stranded! Betsy and my birthday, we were able to get out, my second time leaving the house in over a week. It is amazing how this city shuts down due to snow, but we did get quite a bit. My in-laws still had enough to get stuck several times throughout the 2 weeks of snow! I think, in all, we had around 2 feet in some areas, we had about a foot at our house. This may seem like a little bit to some parts of the country, but here in Seattle, we haven't seen this much since the 50's! I think ;o)

For our birthday, we got together with friends for Chinese food from a favorite restaurant. A place we've been going to for years now, Greenwood Mandarin, has opened a second place only five blocks from Betsy's, so we were on it! We were able to walk since it which was really nice since it was so snowy out. We had about 15 people there and then we all went back to Bets and Bob's for cocktails. We had a great time telling stories from childhood. I learned one that I have blocked out, but Kurt, and even Bets (after hearing it), remember it vividly! I don't forget anything, so after hearing it I can see why I did. If you want to know, you're gonna have to ask me about it. I won't publish it! It did have me just about rolling on the floor laughing though. That night was full of laughs! Adam being the good sleeper that he is, slept well while Bets and I made him up. This it the aftermath of our trouble. Hehehe... It was a fantastic birthday!

Christmas was such a great day! Adam didn't have to work, so we had him around all day! He did have to work the morning before, so Christmas Eve night, guess who had to do all the wrapping by herself? Mrs. Clause! I did get him up to wrap my presents at least. That is somewhat typical though. ;o Christmas morning we had to wake up the boys around 7am to get the day started. One day, I'm sure we won't have to wake them up, they'll wake us up, but I'm glad I'm not getting jumped on Christmas morning. They were so excited to see what Santa brought for them. Jude found his new snowboard and Ethan found his doll house and horsies. They found Greyson's alligator piano/xylophone for him. He's still getting the hang of this opening present thing. I'm sure by next year he'll be a pro!

Then we had breakfast together before heading out for the day. First up, Grandma and Grandpa Lott's. We had a relaxing day playing in the snow and enjoying each other's company before the mangle of opening presents.

We were waiting for Phil and Jacqui to come from Jacqui's Aunt's house, to open presents. As soon as they arrived the tearing began. I just wish we could have had more time to spend with them, but we were then off to Grandpa Chris and Kathy's house. We almost weren't able to make it because of the snow, but we borrowed Adam's parents Jeep and just barely made it into my dad's driveway. The snow was unbelievable that day! Both our cars were fully stuck at Jim and Doris' house. We had our usual Honey Baked Ham and baked beans at my dad's along with other yummies. Bob and Betsy were able to make it (most of the way) with chains on their car and a little help from my brother Kurt. So it was a nice time there too!

The boys had the best time opening presents as usual, but because of the snow and Adam having to work the next day, we couldn't stay too long. After returning to Adam's parents', he, his dad and brother dug out one car and we finally headed home for the evening. It was a long day and Adam decided to go in late to work. It wasn't like his load was going to be on time... there was too much snow everywhere!

Over the next couple of days, Jude got to snowboard in the neighborhoods with Adam and Uncle Kurt! He was so excited to have both of them to show him how to snowboard. He got right on and killed it! I knew he was going to. Next weekend he is going up to Snoqualmie with his dad and uncles. He can't stop talking about it!

New Year's was very uneventful at our house. Adam had to work that morning (2am) so he was in bed before the boys, and I spent my usual 1 1/2+ hours getting Ethan to sleep. Around midnight I heard fireworks going off, but I'm not sure where they were coming from. They seemed to last a little while.

Now, the snow had melted away, but Sunday, evening before Jude was to go back to school, it snowed about 2 more inches, and guess what? They delayed school for the whole district! It gets better though. It started raining at some point in the night, so we didn't have any snow come morning! So, once again, no snow, just rain, and delayed school which means NO SCHOOL for kindergarten! Jude has been asking to go back to school for over a week now to see his friends. Tomorrow it better be open! I'll just drop him off if they cancel it for some reason. I don't know why they delayed the whole district? Couldn't they have just delayed the schools that actually had something on the ground? It's really frustrating to see bare roads and have school canceled so many times.

Break time... I just heard shuffling in the kitchen, and found Jude sleep-walking. He is always looking for somewhere to pee. NOT MY KITCHEN!!! I steered him into the bathroom and walked him to his bunk. Some how he tried to skip to the second step on the ladder. His leg went way behind him at first though. He kills me when he sleep-walks.

Anyway, that is how our holiday season has been. Jude finally goes back to school after having 3 weeks & 1 day off school. We are all ready for life to get back to normal and for the snow to go away for a long while. I need a vacation from my vacation! I think I'll head to the coast.

If you want to see more pictures from our winter vacation, check out my Flickr site.

Happy Birthday Greyson James!

One year ago today, I was waking up bright and early to my first contraction that actually hurt! As soon as it was over I turned to look at the clock, 6:05 am, I knew that this was going to be it! About fifteen minutes later another contraction, and an other ten minutes after that. Then they started every five minutes or less from then on. I thought a shower would do, but NO! Have you ever had that feeling of showering knives... I have. Then I told Adam he had to blow up the exercise ball ( I hadn't thought of that earlier), so after pacing around while he did that, having horrible contractions, I had one bounce and said F that! Nothing helped.

"Adam, I think it's time to call the hospital... what they want to TALK to me, are you kidding me!" Once I made it through that contraction I got on the phone. I let them know how quickly my other deliveries went and how far apart my contractions were now. The nurse started to let me know when I could come in, but here came another contraction. I said a quick goodbye and hung up the phone. As soon as I could talk again I told Adam, "I can't remember if she said to come in or wait a little more?" He started to ask me why I didn't listen and I said I'M HAVING CONTRACTIONS!!! He called back and when he got off the phone, he said the nurse laughed a little and said come in. We got our things together and went to the hospital. I was swearing the whole way pressing my hands and feet against the roof and floor. I hadn't felt this out of control my other deliveries. They were both planned.

We got to the hospital after one mishap that I don't want to publish. I got to my room at 8:00 am and they asked what I wanted. "A shower and an epidural!" I was told that if I was at eight centimeters, I would not be able to get the epidural, so she needed to check me. Eight! But my water hadn't broken yet, so they could still do it. No shower though. All of a sudden it was such a whirl-wind. I had one nurse trying to get an IV going, but couldn't get in on my arm, so she had to do it in my hand. She told me, with showing me NOT to bend my hand back like this... she just did what she wasn't supposed to do and poked the needle in my wrist! Then the anesthesiologist showed up and worked on getting my epidural in, YEAH! My doctor was there waiting for everything to start. She said that this was why WE INDUCE KATIE!

Just then, I heard Adam say that he was going to throw-up! I said, "you're going to throw-up?" Everyone in the room turned their attention to him. He was as white as a ghost! Karen, my Dr., was right next to him getting him to sit down and wiping him down with a wet towel. I think that he did actually pass out for a brief moment sitting up! They got him some juice and placed him on the window seat at the foot of my bed to watch the show.

There was an eighteen-year-old girl there who was watching that day (she was friends with the anesthesiologist, and had just gotten into nursing school). Karen asked for her to help hold my leg for me while my nurse got the other. Karen broke my water (which still hadn't broken at 10) and told me to push! In my last deliveries, I had so much meds in my epi, that I couldn't feel a thing. This time I could feel what I was doing a little, and DIDN'T like it! Karen said to push a little better on the next push. I did, and within two pushes Greyson was here! He was born at 8:45 am one year ago today!

I can't believe a year has passed! I still think that this has been the fastest year of my life!

Happy Birthday Greyson!

Birthday Party!

Today we had a great Birthday Brunch for Greyson's party. I must say that having a brunch is the best way to celebrate... anything! Even with the "snow storm" here in the Seattle area... 3 inches here, almost everyone made it. It's amazing how the city shuts down with a little snow and ice! We had a very enjoyable brunch to keep us full. I made an egg strata that was delicious, croissants with marionberry jam and butter & cut up melon. Simple, but filling. Our place is small, but everyone fits just fine. There were 20 or so family members here to celebrate with us. I love to have everyone here! I must say that this is my favorite time of year, not just because it's my birthday in 3 days, but because of all the family time we get! Did you like that plug for my birthday? ;o)

Guarded presents!

Greyson had a fun time with is girl, Karis, while Jude and Ethan had fun with her big sis, Aria. It's always such a treat to have such good friends over!

Bat Girl & Darth Vader

Greyson, and all the kids, had a good time opening all of his presents. He got such great gifts that are so fun! It doesn't matter that he got two riding toys because hey, we have 3 BOYS! Now we don't have to fight over who get to take a ride. I think Jude and Ethan are having much more fun paying with the presents. Just wait 'til Christmas!

Getting to the cake was YUMMY! As usual, I stripped Grey down to embark on his cake experience! Although, third time around, this was not Greyson's first cake... really, come on we love cake so why deprive him. It was his first time with a piece sitting right in front of him though. He loved it! How can you resist the camera opportunity? He finished off with a much needed after desert bath that Papa gave him.

I wanted to thank everyone for such a wonderful day! We are so blessed to have such a fantastic family!

Now we are relaxing at home watching the snow and wind blow, as predicted. I don't have any where to go, so it's not a problem for me to stay home the next couple of days. Just as long as the power doesn't go out. We don't have a fireplace or gas stove, so if it does we're up a creek. Adam doesn't have to go to work tonight either, so that's great! We just get to be a cozy family. Maybe I'll get some Santa wrapping done so it's not left until Christmas Eve... like usual.

Stay warm everyone and have a very merry Christmas!

Thoughts and prayers...

If you could, send your thoughts and prayer along to my Aunt Martha and family. Her daughter Lisbeth has seizures and fell last week. On top of it all, the State is trying to cut funding to her home. Read her blog to hear about all the details.

Santa!

So I just noticed the comments girls. Haven't checked my email until just now today. Well, Grey DOES cry! Here's the proof. Rachel said she had never seen him cry like this ever, we rarely do too.


Sorry baby, but how can you not laugh at this! Annie, Grey says, "What the Hell!" Really, we put him on a lap of some white and red fluff and then say, "cheese"? Not to mention the camera wasn't working right and we kept him on Santa's lap for about, what seemed like, 5 minutes and then took him off while they figured out the problem and then put him back on. He clung to me. Poor baby! I'm sorry for this, but it is still so cute/funny.

A new look!

Thanks to my friend Annie, well actually her blog, I found a website that allows me to change the background to something that I like a lot instead of something that I think is okay. So here we are with a whole new look! What do you think? And I can change it seasonally. I think that I might like my blog more with the new do.

The Holidays are upon us!

I can't decide if I want to keep this blog going or not. I guess for now I'll just write when I find the time (or have the energy)!

I haven't been feeling like it is Christmas yet, but now I'm sitting by my tree and filling my nose with the wonderful aroma of Christmas! Yes, it is definitely Christmas now!

We got our tree today with Jimmy and Rachel at The Carnation Tree Farm. We found the farm last year and love it! It has become a new tradition for the four of us, and the kiddos, to go cut down our trees. Last year I was hugely pregnant and this year Rachel is small-ly pregnant ;o) I can't wait until next year when we have one more addition... will it be a girl? Hmmm... we'll soon find out!

The boys got to see Santa while we were there and then we headed out for tree pickin', it was great fun! Grey did not like the whole Santa thing though! He screamed through the whole sitting... we laughed! He stopped immediately after getting off Santa's lap which made us all laugh more. (I'll post that pic later!)

Ethan and Jude have picked out the things that they wanted to ask Santa for this year. Jude asked for a dragon snowboard and, up until yesterday, Ethan wanted a pink doll house! Now he wants horses. Too bad Santa already got him a doll house (yellow though, Mr. Claus DID NOT want pink)! I guess we'll just have to splurge and get him the horses :o) Greyson already received his presents from Us, Santa and for his birthday! He needed a new crib since the old one has seen it's last day! Check out my flickr site for more pix of the day!

Greyson is turning one in just two week! I can't believe it! We are having a small brunch at our house for family which will be nice. Although, small is still a Lott (haha) in our family! I know I'm corny but you still love me!

Here he is wearing Ethan's silly crown! Pink Ethan's favorite color! One year ago today I was trying to rest up for Greyson's arrival, and now I can hardly remember it! This year has been the fastest in my life! Wow, that is a lot of exclamation marks! But that is how my life has been this last year. Full of exclamation marks! Now I get to wait for my new niece and a niece or nephew. That would be Molly and Geoff having a little girl and Jimmy and Rachel having... who knows yet!

So for now, I'm finished. Ta ta...

I've been lazy this summer!

So as you may have noticed, I have not gotten around to blogging this summer. It seemed so daunting... but now I have soooo much to write about. I just need to do it!!!

Where do I begin...

Greyson finally got his new bumGenius 3.0 cloth diapers! We absolutely LOVE them! They are just as easy as disposables and even better for is dear old bottom! The top reason we went this route is the fact that we will save almost $3,000 over the life of him in diapers! Big savings! And for those of you that might be wondering, I got this sprayer that attaches to the toilet that just sprays all the guck into the toilet, much easier than in the earlier days! Not to mention, how cute are they? I know, really too cute!

July 4th, Adam put in his two weeks notice at Safeway! He said, "it's Independence Day!" We were so happy for him to make that decision. He was still on the payroll for the next 6 weeks so that our insurance would last longer. But after trying his hardest and not making many sales for the next month or so, we came to the conclusion this is not the right time to get into Life Insurance Sales. Many of his clients, who work in unions, are not doing so well due to the economy and do not have the money at this time to buy insurance for themselves. So even know they really liked Adam and what he had to offer them, it was not a good time. So this past Sunday he started back at his old Safeway with open arms. He is working the Dairy Manager position right now and may go into the Second Assistant position within the month. For now we are happy with where he is, and I am very proud of him for trying something new!

Jude and Ethan have been having a fantastic time playing outside and just being kids! They enjoyed the pool while it lasted, but alas jumping on the side of the pool one too many times has defeated the old pool. POP!!! We got a slip 'n slide and for my boys that is just as fun. I've got to get pictures of that. Being sunny has finally brought out the kids in the neighborhood. The boys have been making a lot of new friends and they spend hours on our hillside playing chase, riding big wheels and lots of ninja and sword fighting. They're BOYS!!! I've got to get used to it!

Grey has learned a lot of new tricks this summer too! Like sitting up and his newest, making himself swing in his bouncer! He bounces for a minute and then lets his feet go and he just swings. It's really funny to see the joy on his face for accomplishing this! He hasn't started crawling yet, but I'm OKAY with that! I am trying to keep that from happening until after we get back from the East Coast. He is really trying to get somewhere though. So we'll see if I can keep it from happening in the next 2 weeks. Last night he started doing these push-ups, from his belly he pushes up on his hands and then on his toes. I can't even do that very well right now. Lets just say, I haven't seen the gym in a LONG LONG time!!! He also likes to be outside watching the boys play. I bring out his bouncer and sometimes his bumbo and he plays and watches Jude and Ethan.

This last week we spent just as a family. We headed out on Monday, the 18th, towards Eastern WA and then down 97 to Bend, OR. We camped at Tumalo State Park for a couple of nights. It was a lot of fun! It was our first camping trip since we had the boys and it went over really well! I can't wait to go again. The boys really liked cooking over the fire and making s'mores! YUMMY!!!

After Bend we headed for the coast to Sarah and Abram's. We thought we were going to camp some more, but seeing the rain the first night we were there, we never made it out of the comforts of home at Sarah's! Hahahaha!!! All the boys have a great time together, and I'm really glad that we can get down there so that they know their cousins. Even Grey and Viva like to see each other!

We had such a busy time while we were there! On Thursday we headed up to Seaside and went around town with our boys for a little while before meeting up with Sarah and the kids. Adam being the candy king brought the boys into a candy store that had 170! kinds of salt water taffy. We came away with all too many flavors, Jude and Ethan had a blast!!! Then we checked out what was going on at the beach. They were setting up the finish line for the Hood to Coast Relay, which I guess is the largest running relay in N. America. It starts at Mt. Hood and ends in Seaside, 197 miles! Yikes! When we finally met up with Sarah, Cosmo & Viva we were ready for some real fun! First, Jude Adam Sarah & Cosmo went on the Bumper Cars, then Adam and Ethan went on the Tilt-a-Whirl! Ethan thought it was GREAT, Adam thought that if he went around one more time he was going to hurl! Ethan is really turning into our dare devil. After the Tilt-a-Whirl he and I went on the Bumper Cars with Sarah and Cos again. Then we all went to the Carousel where I took Cosmo and Ethan while the others just watched. It was a really fun afternoon.

Adam and I took our boys by Arcadia Beach on our way back to Sarah's for some good ol' family time. Then of course there is always a stop at our favorite look-out, Manzanita from Neahkahnie Mt. It was really nice out!

It was a special weekend for Cosmo, he turned 4 on the 23rd! While Sarah and I shopped for the party, Uncle Adam took all the boys to the Tillamook Cheese Factory and Mc-y D's to play for the afternoon. He really does a great job with all the boys and has lots of fun too! I love my honey!!!

On Saturday was Cosmo's Birthday Party! Sarah made capes, and set out crown makin's for the kids and silly noses for them to wear. It was at the community rec. center, in the old gym. It was a lot of fun and there was a great turnout!

For our boys it was the perfect ending to a great week. We left straight from the party to head home, and all the boys were asleep in the car within 15 minutes! That's a good thing! All-in-all it was a fantastic week even with the 1,000+ miles we put on the car! We didn't have many meltdowns in the car, except for Greyson, who was cutting his first tooth! Who knew? In fact, Grey and Viva each cut their first tooth on the same day! Bonding moment!!!

That has been our summer, sorry it got so lengthy, but when I don't write all summer, that's what happens! I hope I put enough pictures in to help break it up!

Next up, Jude's first day of KINDERGARTEN!!! O M Gawd!!!