Self Portrait

I am not good at putting the arm up and taking self portraits-- some people are really good at it-- and to be honest some people practice a little too much at it if you know what I mean....

Anyway-- it might be his short arm- or maybe he has just not had enough practice (and hopefully never will)- but check out Carters attempt at a self portrait.  

I think self portraits like these posted all over Facebook would be much more fun to look at.

Another Playing Catch Up Fave

Maybe these pics will help cool down these hot humid summer days-- our trip to Appalachian in January-- 

Self Portrait

Payten playing in the trees

Posing in the snow-- one of my fave pics

Two of my favorite people in front of one my favorite signs

Just in case you forgot where we were-- a quick reminder

Payten taking pictures

Payten taking another picture

And another picture by Payten-- Joe being sneaky

Guess who took this picture-- you got it -- Carterboo

Another Carter picture

And another Carter pic

Yep we were having fun with the camera

Ice Sculptures in Blowing Rock-- these were really cool! (literally-- ha ha--I crack myself up)

Carter liked them too-- see him taking pictures with his DSI

Just another fun memory-- care of the Brown Family

Ch Ch Ch Chia

For all of you skeptics **cough cough** Mimi/Poppi ** cough cough**, the Chia Pet is growing hair through its grils mini pads girl's pantyhose.  Although, I think Payten may have to shift the face down or call it a porcupine.

My current wallpaper

I just love this!

That Boy!!!

In after school Payten made the "Chia Pet" above.  It is made of girl's panty hose (highlighted because this is important for the rest of the story) wrapped around grass seed and something else for the seeds to grow in--

Anyway tonight Payten pulled it down to water it and to show Mama J-- but before she had a chance to tell Mama J what it was made of her brother chimed in with the following:

"Mama J guess what it's made of-- It's made of "GRIL'S MINI PADS"  (oh and Girl's is not spelled wrong here that is how he says it)

Date Weekend

So I planned an entire date weekend for Joe-- kept all the secrets-- and surprised him with it all (yes I was proud of myself for keeping secrets) -- and I must say he did a great job at going with the flow without knowing a plan-- and for those who know him-- you know that was a great accomplishment for him -- We stayed downtown all weekend.

So want to know what was on the itinerary-- well here you go:

I know what you must be thinking (besides the fact that I am goofy for making an itinerary)-- an Itinerary is a plan right?-- I know it is-- but it was full of hints-- and Joe didn't even try to figure out the hints-- 

But wanna know our favorite part? We went on a Segway tour of Downtown Charlotte care of Queen City Segways-- and even though after hearing the instructions for driving these things I was nervous  regretting my decision to add this to our itinerary-- I actually got pretty good with this machine-- you could say I am a Segway Master now- -kinda like Paul Blart Mall Cop

Anyway-- Joe enjoyed it too-- full of smiles (can't see it in the picture but I promise it was there the whole time-- he was pretty excited and cute about this toy he got to play with)-- 

And I think he was a little proud that I wasn't as wussy nervous as the other girls on our tour. Check out the cool picture I got of downtown-- and yes I took that one handed while styling on my segway-- Yep that's right-- Segway Master right here.  

Ps.  Have I said how wonderful our date was-- not just cause I planned it (ha ha), it was just full of sweetness, love, and time to enjoy each other--definitely on top of the list of great memories (of us)!! (that would be a Keith Urban song reference for those of you that didn't get it-- cause we went to his concert on our date weekend).  K officially rambling-- off to bed now!

One of my favorite pictures ever...

Carter and Joe Flying RC Airplanes together

Beach Th(ing)s 2011

Make your own free slideshow design

The things you do for love

While Joe was applying sunscreen at the beach look what happened

Yes- they both got sunscreen mohawks!! and guess who's day that made :)

I mean does it get any cuter than this-- a daddy sporting a fohawk for his son... the things you do for love

Payten Gives Back

I picked Payten up from school one day and she said...

"I have an idea mommy"

I said what's that..

She says 

"I am going to make bracelets and sell them for $0.50 a piece"

I thought-- okay my little entrepreneur 

She says

"It was my friends idea, but she is going to keep her money to buy things, I am going to give all of mine away to Jesus" 

She has made close to $40-- and kept none of it

If that doesn't make a mom proud I don't know what could!!

(SIDE NOTE: Jesus is the kid that their tithe goes to at church--they have his little picture posted in their classrooms--and yes it is kinda funny that the kid that they give money too is named Jesus-- even though you and I know how to say it-- think of the funny stories that must be coming from the Kindergarten classes at Church)  

5k part deuce

In April-- Payten and I finished our 2nd Girls on the Run 5K together-- we weren't the fastest-- and we weren't the slowest- but we were together and that is all that matters!  

We had a great cheering squad too-- as you can tell one got in the picture and gave rabbit ears- he obviously needs to run a 5k with us next time :)

Still talking about it

In April we helped our Church with a local Home Makeover-- this is a "Give Love" project that our church does every year.  The kids were still talking about it this weekend-- they were so touched- the day of the reveal Payten says-- "this is going to change their lives forever" -- she definitely got the point

Payten just asked today (3 months later and after a great beach trip where we did lots of fun things) could we do it again next year-- I guess it was just on her mind--  Here are a couple pics:

Carter helping daddy put together a ping pong table

Payten in front of the flower pot we planted

Click here to check out a video from the event

And you wonder where I get it from???

My grandma never ceases to amaze me-- She turned 98 on May 8th, and although that is amazing in itself-- what really amazes me is that she still has a sense of humor of a person a 10th her age....Want to see how she made her grand entrance to the Birthday party??

and yes it was her idea-- I was wondering what took her so long to enter-- it is because she made my cousin wheel her to the side of the building so she could put on her disguise!!  I mean really how can anyone not smile at this??

Now on to a couple other--- more serious pics from the event:

Mamamurk and her children (only missing my Uncle Jack who unfortunately has passed away)

Mamamurk and her Grandchildren (Minus 4 who couldn't make it)

Mamamurk and her Great-grandchildren (minus 6 who couldn't make it)

And she even has one great great Granddaughter that couldn't make it -- isn't it amazing how much of her family she has gotten to enjoy

and how lucky are we that we all got to enjoy this wonderful time together to celebrate the life of our Mamamurk!

Small moments

We had a jammed packed family weekend on Easter.  Played raquetball, went to the Knights baseball game, went to see the movie Hop-- and of all the things we did-- look at what Carter wrote about in his class on Monday--

Playing Tball with daddy-- and yes that is Payten and I walking around the fence we at least made the picture. We were picking honeysuckle along the trail by the fence-- (which by the way I couldn't remember how to taste them, guess I'll have to google that too. :))

Best I could do

This is the best I could do for an Easter Picture this year-- Carter was screaming before the pic because his sister accidentally squished his hand in the door as he was putting on his flip flops-- and after this picture we realized they were both being attacked by ants--- so we had to strip them down quick clear them of ants before we could go to Church.  

Makes for a good story one day-- but not so good for pictures.

Oh well.... Happy Easter everyone!

Taking note of my commitment

Cigna has a Shape up Challenge-- and because I am taking the physical exercise challenge-- I was able to get a personal health coach-- so this was my commitment to Tiffany (my PHC) during our first meeting today --- she says if I write/type it out I will be more likely to stick to it--so this one's for Tiffany (and of course me)

Since I have been drinking more sweet tea lately-- she didn't ask me to completely get rid of it (thanks Tiffany) however she did ask me to drop the sugar a notch- from a cup per gallon to 3/4 of a cup per gallon-- (just when Joe started liking Sweet tea- my PHC makes me drop the sweet) we will see how that goes-- I think I will be good-- but Joe may need his own special sweet tea.

Exercise 3 times per week--  30-35 mins-- got to start quick this week-- tomorrow is Wednesday and I am at 0 times for 0-0 mins-- still time to make up right?

Use my portion plate, at as many sittings as I can-- this came in my Shape up Kit-- My portion plate says I have to fill half my plate with Veggies and fruits at least (sheesh-- gotta get those fruits and veggies to fill it with first)-- I can't quite remember the rest-- but I can't mess up too bad considering it is right on the handy dandy portion plate.

So at least I have done step one-- writing down my commitment--

now the hard part comes-- sticking to it--

maybe since she will be calling me every 2 weeks it will help with accountability!!

We will see-- wish me luck!!

Poor Mr. Squirrel

Carter had his 3rd official sleep over at his friend Noah's house a couple of weekends ago.  Because of his dog allergies he has been limited to where he can stay but thanks to Dr. Lupuente at Carolina Asthma and Allergy-- now my little boy can be around dogs with little problem-- sorry for the sidetrack just good news--now back to the story

So needless to say-- because he is so new to the whole sleepover thing-- he gets REALLY EXCITED-- or as he says " I'M SO CITED" to go.  Then you add that he is with his two best buds-- and it just gets more interesting.  So as you can imagine there were some pretty funny and some embarrassing stories that came from the adventure.  But the Squirrel story is my favorite.

So here is the "Squirwle" story:

Noah's dogs had been bringing up Squirrels from the back yard-- no fun if you are a squirrel in their back yard-- your life expectancy is low if you know what I mean.

While the boys were at their sleepover--- the dog brought up another squirrel.  So Noah's dad and the boys go outside to look at the squirrel, and as they gathered around the squirrel Carter says

"We need to Pway for the Squirwle" (Carter's recount of the story).

So the three of them and Noah's dad gather around the squirrel, and almost immediately, and simultaneously the 3 boys put their hand over their heart and say:

"I pwedge allegience to the Squirwle"

Not sure it is as funny when it is in writing and the way it is written was how Carter retold the story-- which makes it funny to hear out loud -- but it is one of those stories that I just needed to get in writing for memory sake.

A Special Visit

From a Special Mimi-- Thank you Mimi for making the trip to Charlotte all alone for Carter's program, shopping, lunch at school,  lunch with me, and for staying for the spring festival!! Some things never get old--mom/mimi time is always perfect!!  We love you bunches!!  Come back soon and you can bring Poppi next time :)

A Little Recognition

Guess who got the

at their second T-ball Game?

Yayy-- Coach said he backed up first base and supported his teammates really well!!

Another Playing Catch Up Fave

At Christmas time Payten and I were invited by two of our MOST FAVORITE people to their house to make Gingerbread houses.

This is not something Payten and I had done together before so here is what I learned:

Go to the Ballantyne Hotel Gingerbread house Contest show for inspiration:

Eat an apple while you are there-- just cause it is free-- and it is not a good idea to build Gingerbread houses on an empty stomach

Stock Pile a ton of fun candy of all sorts (it is best if you keep it for a long time so you are not tempted to eat it while you are touching it) and buy those squirty things for the icing glue-- cause they work awesomely (if that is a word)

Watch Professional Mommy and Daughter in action

Think outside the box (or should I say outside the house?)

Wheat thins make a good roof

Shredded Wheat makes a good roof

And Bubblegum definitely makes a good roof

Take lots of pictures of your progress so you can remember your great ideas

 Take pictures of the memories and the wonderful ladies that made it happen

Make it a yearly tradition for your little girl who was so very proud of her finished product