Radio City Christmas Spectacular...

starring Avery! Aunt Donna gave me a DVD of the Rockette's for Christmas and Avery LOVES it! She cries to watch it immediately upon entering the house. I had an opportunity to video her tap to Sleigh Ride, Santa Flies to New York and The Twelve Days of Christmas. Enjoy!

Happy Holidays!

Busy, Busy!

I haven't posted in a few weeks as I have been incredibly busy. The facility in which Owen and Avery attend school was desperately in need of a director and I just so happen to fit the mold. So, I have accepted the position of educational director and have begun my new roll. It has been so time consuming: reviewing records, immunizations, state policy, enrollments, meetings, etc. I have spent so many hours working. I feel bad for Owen and Avery! However, things are beginning to smooth out and I am preparing to be at home with them MORE! This is a great opportunity for me and I am so excited to be part of such a great team! Wish me luck!

Happy Thanksgiving

Christmas Card - Nativity!

My Aunt Donna (whom traveled with us to Korea and Vietnam) decided this year that she wanted her poodles, nieces, nephews, godchildren and friends to be in her Christmas card. Her theme...Nativity! She borrowed, sewed and gathered all of the necessary materials and costumes and I must say, they turned out adorable! In addition, baby Jesus was ASIAN (thanks to Owen for letting us borrow his baby).

Preparing for deer season 2008

As deer season preparations were underway we decided to head north to my dads farm. The kids LOVE to be outdoors and love the farm even more! They had a great time riding four wheelers, roasting marshmallows, playing on the swingset and hanging out in the deer stands. Wish our little hunters luck this upcoming weekend!

hershey is growing!

I've Been Tagged!!

I have been tagged by Christy.

So here are the rules:

1. Link to the person who tagged you and post the rules.
2. Share seven random or weird facts about myself.
3. Tag 7 random people at the end of my post with their links.
4. Let each person know they've been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.


Fact 1 ~ I cannot stand to eat on paper products. It has to be a glass plate, bowl, dish, etc.

Fact 2 ~ I am a PICKY eater! I cannot eat seafood, internal organs, chicken on a bone, or canned meat - NASTY!!!!

Fact 3 ~ I have food issues. I hate when my food touches! Thanksgiving is the grossest holiday when food is involved.

Fact 4 ~ I married my high school sweetheart.

Fact 5 ~ I cannot stand to be touched when I sleep - not even if it is Owen or Avery. :))

Fact 6 ~ I love to play in the mud on a 4 wheeler!!!!

Fact 7 ~ Toes that are longer than the big toe freak me out! How can that be?

I now tag

Leigh
Jane
Kristina
Christy
Kathryn
Kelly W
Gina

Happy Halloween

Board Breaking Class

Last night was a special board breaking class at Tae Kwon Do. Owen really seemed to enjoy this special night. He came home with a smile from ear to ear and 3 broken boards.

Family Reunion

After 25+ years, my dads side of the family finally had another family reunion. What a reunion is was considering that my father has 75 first cousins. HUGE FAMILY!!
I can vividly remember the last reunion. I was a young child playing with family and friends and came across a bee hive. Needless to say, I am highly allergic to bees and ended up in the emergency room - not much fun!
This year, taking my children to meet their extended family was really nice. We had TONS of food, music, and lots of FAMILY!

Fall Family Festival

Owen and Avery's school put on a fall family festival. Some of the activities included a bounce house, treasure hunt, tattoo parlor, fire pit for s'mores, plenty of snacks and LOTS of friends to play with. The kids all had a great time!

The House that Jack Built

Owen and Avery LOVE to watch Owen's post with the Pledge of Allegiance so much that they felt compelled to sing another song. Although, I have to admit, Avery seems more interested in her sock for the first 1/2 of the song. Enjoy!

Gift Suggestions - Teachers?

Since Christmas is right around the corner Scott and I are beginning our shopping season early. Owen and Avery's teachers always seem to be the most difficult to buy for. I think it is due to the large quantity of gifts that we need to purchase (Owen has a total of 4 teachers and Avery has 6)! Does anyone have any suggestions?

Hershey is Growing ~ 1 1/2 Weeks Old

AHHHH-2 Sick Kids!!!

It all began last Friday. Apparently, Avery was a wreck at school. She displayed loss of appetite and cried most of the day. When I brought her home she had 102 temperature. The temperature remained between 99-101 all weekend. So, Monday I took her to the doctor. Her diagnosis was Herpangina!!! Poor baby. Those blisters are supposed to be so painful!
Then, tonight after Owen got home from Tae Kwon Do he felt warm to the touch. So, I checked him and he had 102 temp. He ate a piece of a grilled cheese and drank some sprite. Not a good idea...it all came back up! YUCK! Will I ever catch a break?

Pledge of Allegiance

Owen has been learning the Pledge of Allegiance at school. Since the words contained within the pledge are more complex than those of a typical 4 year old he alters them. It is too cute to listen to him! He insists that he stand/sit on our fireplace hearth to perform for Scott and I. So, without further ado...Owen and the Pledge of Allegiance followed by Horray for the USA.

This Years Birthday Gift...

(drum roll) was a new Coach purse.

My birthday was last Monday (10/6) so Scott and I celebrated! We went to dinner and left Owen and Avery with my mom. Then, he took me to the Coach store and let me pick out anything that I wanted. I would have been more than happy to just have dinner without having to get up to get something or to take someone potty but...Coach! Who could resist?

Safe Travels

Today, we wish our friends Keith and Gina well as they head to Vietnam to pick up their sons, Sam and Eli.

Swim Lesson

My newphew, Dylan and Owen are continuting to take swim lessons through our local YMCA. I cannot believe the improvements that have been made since we began! I am so proud of both of them!

It's A Girl!!!!

Puppy that is! My cousin Becky's chocolate lab has fathered a litter of pups. So, I think she has persuaded Scott and the kids into one. They are only 6 days old today (Wednesday) so we will have to wait several more weeks. I have attached a slide of our first visit with her (at 4 days of age). The kids have not decided on a name yet. I kind of like Hershey. Anyone have a suggestion on a name?

Busy Weekend

Last weekend was super busy at the Payne household. First, we held a surprise 60th birthday for my dad at our house. I guess about 40 people showed up. It was really nice and dad was so surprised.
Next, we headed to the pumpkin patch for our annual October fun!

Robeez - SOLD!

Pumpkin Robeez for Sale

My aunt bought Miss Avery a darling pair of Robeez for Halloween. We guesstimated the size that she would need. Unfortunately, they are snug so she will not be able to wear them. So, with any luck I am hoping that one of my adoption world mommy friends might be interested in them.

Robeez Brown leather with pumpkin design shoes for your 6-12 month old child. Comes in original package. $24.99 retail. Will sell for $15.00.

About Robeez Soft Soles: Robeez Soft Soles are a favorite of parents because:
·they slip on and stay on little feet
·they have textured suede soles that prevent slipping
·the durable leather construction stands up to the toughest toddlers
·they are healthy for little feet - medical experts recommend soft soles for healthy foot development
·they are comfortable – the quality leather is soft and comfy from heel to toe
·they are versatile – great for indoors or light outdoor use.

Tae Kwon Do

Tonight Owen started his first trial period class of Tae Kwon Do. Owen is such a shy child when he is in large groups of people. So, Scott took him and he had to go into the class area for a short time and then was able to sneak out. Owen did well! He even broke his first board! He had a great time and is excited for his next class on Thursday.

Happy 4th Birthday Owen!!!

Today my baby boy turns 4!!! Can you believe it? 4 already! It seems just like yesterday that we were in Korea meeting him for the first time and 4 years later. We celebrated his birthday on Saturday with friends and family. He had a blast!

Guess Who is Using the Potty?

Avery decided that she wanted to try to use the potty chair and the regular adult potty mind you. The first time she tried was last Thursday (9/11). She stood and front and looked at me. She thought that she should be able to stand and go potty like Owen. Then she tried to crawl up on the seat. So, I took her diaper off and sat her on it. She went. Of course, we made a big deal of it! Since then she does periodically go to the chair and she does potty! YIPPEE for her! Oh, my baby is growing up!!!

Disney on Ice

Following the apple orchard we headed to Disney on Ice. We debating on whether or not to take Avery. We thought that she might not be able to sit still for the show. We ended up caving and took her along. She did extremely well and even enjoyed the show. Owen wasn't overly thrilled as he thought that some of the Incredibles scenes were scary!

How 'bout them apples?

This past weekend was a busy one. We got up Saturday morning, ate breakfast and headed out to our September playgroup which was held at Eckert's apple orchard in Grafton, IL. We took a ferry ride across the river and enjoyed the beautiful weather, apples and company.

Shades of Grey

Regarding Vietnam Adoptions (September 1st)...

Due to a loss for words it is best said by our travel companion, Jessica.

Happy Labor Day!

Photograph Questions

So, on my last post I had lots of friends inquire about the picture card of Owen and Avery. Well, I won a photo shoot during teacher appreciation week last May and finally have gotten around to using it. The photographer was fantastic! We went to a local park and the kids just walked and played and Karen and Matt snapped! The pictures turned out too cute! They gave us a disc full of photos...374 to be exact. I have tried to make arrangements for them at Christmas time but due to pre-existing engagements we unfortunately, were not able to make accomodations. I have included a few more pictures and will do so until I am finished showing my favorites!


Prayer Request: Please pray for my friend, Meredith who has been faced with some devestating news. My she and her husband find peace with the difficult decision that they were forced to make.

Picture for the Week

Owen's New Room

We decided that we would try to get Owen into his own room if we let him pick out the new decor. He decided he wanted to go with Spiderman. So, we bought him a big boy bed, which he helped daddy set up.

Then we bought Spiderman sheets, a comforter, a lamp and wall appliques. He couldn't have been more thrilled to try them out:)).

So, I laid with him each night until he feel asleep. The first night he made it 4 hours, the next 2 hours and then last night 2 1/2 hours. How will we ever get him out of our bed?????

Summer Olympics Featuring Owen and Avery!

The Farm!

Scott, the kids and I took vacation this week. We decided to stay more local this year. So, last weekend we loaded everything up and headed north. My dad has 120 acres in northern Missouri and the kids love to go there. We spent some time on ATVs, fishing and just relaxing.