A Day At Home

Today we were homebound. Weston actually woke up with a temperature so we had to cancel our plans. Plus it snowed and last time it snowed, I got stuck. We need to get new tires on our van, so until then I don't dare drive in the snow. So we just hung out (which was okay because it has been a busy week). We cleaned, had a friend over for lunch, listened to Christmas music ALL DAY, sat by the fire and folded laundry. I even attempted to make my first beef stew. It's not quite done so we'll see how it turned out. Now we are going to watch a movie as a family.So glad I get to stay home with my kids!

Love it when they get along! (doesn't usually last long before Avaree has to bother him and make him cry)

The beef stew in progress

Griffin's Science Project

This is a cell made out of food, if you couldn' t tell. I actually hate these kind of school projects because it ends up being more work for the parent but Griffin did this all on his own! I even made him make the pancake batter. I think he did a good job. Looks yummy, huh?

Prime Rib

Jason made us a delicious prime rib dinner last night. Prime rib is his favorite!

Eating our appetizer, right off the bone!That is Jason's girl!

"Amen"

Griffin had to speak today in sacrament meeting. Of course, we didn't remember until late last night and we have 8:30 a.m church. Griffin wrote a great talk. I read over it and I told him he should close it by bearing his testimony and end it by saying amen. I didn't write it down because I figured he would remember and I wanted his testimony to be sincere. (oops) Griffin gave his talk, which was great but when he was finished reading the last line of his talk he just walked away. We all sat there not knowing what to do, then Griffin made a surprised face because he realized he didn't say Amen so he walked back up to the pulpit to say "Amen". It was classic... I just had to share. (I wish I had a picture of him in his suit but he changed too fast)

Thankful

I love Thanksgiving! It's such a low key Holiday. I love getting together with family and friends and eating good food. I love taking a day to reflect on all everything we should be thankful for, so I want to post a few things I'm thankful for this year...

1. As always, my family. I love all of them!
2. My children, I'm so grateful to be a Mom
3. Jason's hard work and his willingness to support ALL of my family
4. My Mother's example. I want to be just like her!
5. My testimony and the gospel in my life
6. The beautiful home that Jason was able to build for us
7. Good health, especially after Griffin and Jason had surgeries this year.
8. A good ol' mini van that fits everyone and gets us where we all need to be safely!
9. A nice washer and dryer that I use EVERYDAY.
10.Blogging and being able to keep in touch with such wonderful friends!

What are some of the things that you are thankful for?

Thanksgiving

We went up to my aunt's house in Pocatello, Idaho for Thanksgiving. My Aunt Marcia (who is one of my Mom's sisters) and Uncle Eldon have 5 kids and 22 grandchildren with 2 on the way! We had dinner at a church because there are so many people and kids running around. (Avaree was in heaven because she is used to being the only little one) The food was great as always. My Grandmother taught my Mom and her sisters how to cook well! We celebrated Thursday and Friday. It was so fun to hang out, play games, relax, and spend time with wonderful people that I feel so blessed to be related to. Thanks for including us in your Thanksgiving, Payne family!

Avaree in heaven
All of my siblings (including a girlfriend and fiance)

Baylee and Emma

Avaree and Aunt Marcia

Pinning the tail on the reindeer (I think she could see)

Jason obviously couldn't see

Playing games

Nathan, Langton, Avaree, and Summer

Southern Living Party

Last night I hosted a Southern Living Party for my friend Sandy, who is a consultant. They have great entertaining dishes, house decor, and cookbooks, etc. If anyone is interested you can check the stuff out at www.southernlivingathome.com Let me know if you want to order something.

Display of Southern Living Items

The food

Some of the ladies at the party... Sally, Rachelle, Alison, and Erin

Weston's Crash

A couple of mornings ago Avaree and Weston were in the tub and I was right there by them but as quick as I turned around I heard a crash and Weston had fallen out of the tub and was lying on the tile floor. He hit his face on the toilet or the tile. Honestly, the worst injury either of my children have experienced so far. Weston has the hugest goose egg on his forehead and red marks all over his face. It looks like I abuse him. I was so worried. I immediately called the Dr. but they said not to worry as long as he acts like himself and isn't throwing up. After the accident, Avaree said she was sad and sorry. I asked her "Why?" She said, "Because I pushed Weston." So naughty! At least she felt bad, right? This picture was taken the day after and does NOT do it justice. The swelling and marks went down a LOT!

His forehead is still protuding and the bad thing is... he hit his head again today just above the goose egg!
My poor baby, I'm a nervous wreck as he pulls himself up on things and tries to walk because he keeps crashing and I hate to see him hurt!

Monday, Monday

Lunch at Joe's. The food is okay but it is great because it has a CLEAN playground for the kids and it is NEVER busy so you can actually talk.

Becky, Alison, and Erin

Ella, Big Jack, Little Jack, and Avaree

Jack and Ella

Pedi and Mani with the hubby

Later that evening, I met Jason after work for a quick pedicure and manicure (yes my big, construction man!). It was great way to spend time relaxing with my husband and we both needed it! Then it was back home for dinner and FHE with the rest of the "krew".

Weekend Fun

Busy weekend... on Friday night our ward had a progressive dinner for the adults. We LOVE our ward and it is always fun to see people's houses! (sorry no pics) Then on Saturday, Jason worked, but he actually worked at home! It was so nice to have him around and get some things done on OUR house. Then that evening we went to dinner with some from friends to Ruby River Steakhouse, we didn't make a movie after so we came back to our house and had some great rounds of Scattergories. Thanks to my awesome live in babysitters, Baylee and Griffin. Sometimes you've just got to get out! Erin and Brian Hansen, Holly and Sam Clark, and Jason and I at dinner

Book Group

I am part of a great book group! I love all the ladies in it and we have great discussions. This month we read Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. It is about a women writer and her journey to find happiness and God. It was interesting. I didn't love the book though because I couldn't totally relate. She left her husband because she wasn't happy and she went and lived in Italy, India, and Indonesia to find herself. I liked learning about other cultures and it was interesting to read about the first time she prayed, etc. Praying is something I just grew up doing and probably something I take for granted at times. I feel so blessed to have been raised in the church and to have known all my life that I am a daughter of God. I didn't have to try and figure that out at age 35. Anyway that is my 2 cents on the book for all you readers out there. (I actually didn't finish it all either)

Some of the ladies in the book group... Katherine (with baby James), Me, Alison, and Brandee

Bedhead

Avaree woke up the other morning and her hair looked like this...

It actually washed out better than I thought. I wonder if she was having a bad dream and rubbing her head back and forth??

Fox 13 News

Jason got his 2 minutes of fame today! This afternoon we received a knock at our door and it was Fox 13 News asking for Jason Kessler with Kessler Hatch, Inc. Random! They ended up interviewing him for 20 minutes about being a builder in Suncrest (the community we live in) and getting permits through Draper City, etc. They only aired 2 minutes of the interview but they showed our house and our view. Jason did such a good job! He wasn't even nervous. I must say I am proud to be his wife!

Granite Bay, CA

Jason's sister, Paulette, lives in Granite Bay, California. (a little town outside of Sacramento) It is beautiful. They are doing a big addition to their house so we flew out there for 4 days so Jason could help them with their electrical and plumbing. I came along to watch the kids and hang out with Paulette while the guys worked. Baylee and Griffin stayed home with my brother Brady. Paulette had to work the first 2 days we were there, so I stayed at their house and hung out with the kids all day. The next 2 days, Paulette and I took the kids to the zoo and we attempted some shopping (the best you can with crying, tired children). Of course, we ate at some yummy places that you can't get in Utah... Pick Up Stix, Chipotle, & Inn N Out. We had fun... other than the lack of sleep. We flew in early Thursday morning and that night we stayed up til 1:00 a.m. talking and Weston woke up at 4:00 a.m. and didn't go back to sleep. He is such a good sleeper, don't ask me what that was all about?? We are still trying to catch up. We got home late last night. Avaree and Weston were so exhausted they slept in until noon! (I loved every minute of it) Oh, and yes, I gave up on potty training for now. 3 and a half months of work... and I didn't accomplish anything.

The addition... it is going to be awesome! (see the existing house?)

Snack time

Bathing in the farmhouse sink since the bathroom was under construction

It was the perfect size for Weston

Avaree thought it was a pretty cool "tub"

Silly girls

Audrey and Avaree... pretty cousins

This is how the whole weekend was... at least one child was crying or whining at all times (from exhaustion)

Weston swinging

Tire swing (the weather was beautiful for November)

At the Zoo

Audrey and Paulette on the train ride, tickets please!

Weston, Avaree, and I on the steam train

So tired

TWINS

Of course, after shopping we had to get something matching!

Sad faces

Loves

Surprised faces

Weston and Jason... twins too in blue? (one of the only times Jason laid down other than sleeping) That night John's parents fed us all dinner. It was so nice to have a home cooked meal that I didn't have to cook.

Watching a movie and eating cheese quesadillas (Paulette has a talent for making quesadillas) If you look close, you can see that the girls colored all over themselves.

Thanks for having us John and Paulette. We love you guys!