Quote of the Day

Mason singing his day's of the week song: "Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday. Hey Mom! There isn't even a yesterday!"

Good thing someone had a camera

Thanksgiving post preface

I must give a huge thank you to Eva for taking a few pictures of our Thanksgiving this year, then posting them on Facebook so I could steal them to post here on my blog. Your the best Eva, for without you where would our Thanksgiving post be? Picture-less, thats where, and no one likes a picture-less blog post. 

So the Payne's Thanksgiving this year was very low key. The kids were out of school on Wednesday so my friend Shauna and I decided to take the kids to see a movie, Bolt was the overwhelming winner. I didn't actually see much of it, our 19 & 22 month old baby girls thought there were far too many other things to do than sit and watch a movie. So me and the girls went out and walked the mall, it was pretty fun to watch those two explore together. I dont think I told Shauna this but I took the girls into a Brighton Store and two stores later I notice Cambria used a little five fingered discount to score herself a $45 Brighton lipstick case. Don't worry we brought it back, but afterwards Cambria tried and tried to get herself back into that store. She's not only a very smart girl, but has impeccable taste, can't blame her for that. That night the boys got to have one of their best buddies Tanner spend the night, I think I can safely say that was probably their highlight. We love having Tanner over. 

After a Wednesday like that Thursday was extremely quiet. Darren went to our ward's Turkey Bowl, (have to get pictures of that next year!) while I made apple and cherry pies and sweet potatoes. Sweet potatoes people, not canned yams with marshmallows, real sweet potatoes with pecans and yumminess. Then after cooking and hanging at home for most of the day we headed over to Darren's parents around 3:30, where we started your typical Thanksgiving revelry of talking, eating, hanging, eating, repeat. It was fun to see everyone and the kids always have a blast with their cousins.  

Mmmmmmm, looks tasty guys. Just save some for the rest of us. Chad and Travis going carnivorous.
Friday morning Shauna and I got up early to do a little black Friday shopping at Target. We got some good deals but mostly had a good time doing a little Christmas kid-less shopping. 

The rest of our long weekend was spend just hanging out with the kids, and enjoying time off. And here we are a week later already decking the halls and looking forward to our Christmas vacation. T minus 11 days and counting.

You've just one the Super Bowl, what are you going to do now?

Oh you know what I'm going to do! I'm going to Disneyland. Here are a few things I learned this weekend with my mom, sisters, aunts, and cousin.... #1-The land of Disney is a whole new world when not one of the screaming, crying, or sleeping kids around is yours, when you don't have to stand in the mass line for Dumbo, again, and you realize there are such things as "thrill" rides out there for the taking, and I'm not talking about Mr. Toads Wild Ride. #2-sisters who get together and are loud, giggly, obnoxious, silly, gabby, and maybe just a bit inappropriate, come by it hereditarily (its a word). And its quite comforting to see these lovely traits in those who have conferred them on to you. #3-When you cram three sisters into one hotel room, there will not be much sleeping going on. At 1:00a.m. there seem to be all new philosophies that are vital to discuss. #4-Staying up to discuss philosophies seriously takes its toll, we are none of us 17 anymore. And possibly the most important #5-Girls weekends with the family are good for the soul! Thanks all you girls for a very enjoyable weekend, it was so great to spend time with my sisters, my mom and her sisters and our wonderful cousin, Meredith. I hate that we don't get to see each other more often, it certainly is fun when we do. Enjoy some of the shots from the our Watkins girls gone wild weekend. 

This ones for the Girls

She's ingenious really, she can turn anything into either a necklace, bracelet, purse, of some kind of foot wear. Thats my girl, although I'm really not sure where she got it, heaven knows I am generally inept at all things fashion, foot wear, and SHOPPING! I am not much of a shopper, (although Darren and the bank might argue) you have to make decisions in shopping, and I try to avoid that whenever possible. But this little girl of mine is oh so girl, nine times out of ten I only have one of every shoe in my closet and its a hunt as to where Riley ran off with the other one. And bowls. Bowls are her other choice in fashion foot wear, watch for it on the red carpet. She loves to skate around the kitchen in whatever type of bowl she can get her hands, and feet, on. I suppose it shouldn't be quite such a conundrum as to why I always seem to be doing dishes.

She also loves babies, but most of the time she has to get her baby fix at Grandma's or her cousins, she should be easy to shop for this Christmas. She is not totally wanting however, we were given a small baby for her that we have affectionately nicknamed "ugly baby", and it does not disappoint. Check this out....

Rightly named isn't it? 

The best part is that this thing came with a Certificate of Authenticity. Which is good because I don't want just any old knock off of Ugly Baby. Only the best for my daughter.

Now our conversation progresses from ugly baby to super super cute baby! I'm pretty sure I have a Certificate of Authenticity for this one too, I like to call them scars. Well worth it!  

This girl is so darn cute and so much fun, she cracks me up and has so much personality for a 21 month old. Where does she get it? 

What separation of church and state?

So Mason comes home the other day with a sticker on his shirt. He is so excited to show it to me and tell me how he got it, here is how it went. "Mom, guess how I got this sticker?" Me: "I couldn't you'll just have to tell me." Mason: "We were talking about the three boats and how they came to the island. (Boats=Nina, Pinta, Santa Maria. Island=Americas) and when my teacher asked who it was that drove the boats, I said it was Jesus. She gave me a sticker for saying Jesus drove the boats to the island!"  I tend to thing that the sticker was a result of good old fashioned children's hilarity. And although it warms my heart to know that Mason is being spiritually minded, may he keep it forever, for it is life eternal. I have a feeling that it may take many Columbus Day celebrations before he is willing to renounce Jesus' physical discovery of the America's. Not to say there wasn't divine intervention, but the whole separation of church and state thing may make the teaching that Jesus discovered the America's problematic. Ah, the innocence of youth, if only we could keep that forever too!

Compromise

So Darren hated my blog. Ok, maybe he didn't it hate it per say, but yeah ok, he hated it. He didn't care for the template I was using, although I, of course, loved it. But seeing as how I am such a nice wife (stop your laughing!) and I don't want to alienate him from our blog, I decided on a compromise (and you said it couldn't be done). Here it is: for my pain and suffering at the loss of my bowling blog, I reserve the right to make a playlist of songs that Darren would otherwise taunt me endlessly for listening to, but which he will not do now in the name of compromise! See how great that worked out, and although I will miss my bowling pins and Darren will mute his computer each time he checks out the blog, we hope that all the rest of you out there enjoy the result of a little conflict resolution.

Sunday Sweethearts

Having never been in a Primary Presidency I can say whole heartedly I love Primary Program Sunday. I do feel for those who have to write, organize and execute the program, but for those of us who simply get to sit back and enjoy their hours of hard work, its a rather delightful Sunday. This year Spencer dazzled us with his bilingual skills, spouting a little "I am a child of God" in Portuguese. While Mason informed us that he was going to "serve a missionary some day".  All in all this years program was a huge success, and the kids were as adorable as ever. So here is my thanks to all you Primary Presidencies, and teachers out there for taking one Sunday to do what we parents can't seem to manage the other 51 weeks of the year, getting our kids to sit quietly through Sacrament. 

My kids looked so darn cute today, all ready for the program, that we had a little photo shoot before church. 

Aren't they so dang adorable?!?!

Don't hate us cause we're beautiful

I am sure it is not hard to see just why I love these amazing, shall we say ladies, for lack of a better term. These beauties before you make up our Young Women's presidency, and I really do consider myself lucky to be among them. We have the greatest time and I learn something from them every moment I spend with them, it may not be makeup tips, but trust me its always something profound. I had to share with you all just how lucky I am to serve with two of the most incredible women I have had the pleasure to know. I know I am not the only person who's life has been changed because they had the pleasure of associating with these ladies. I have learned how to be a better person because of them. 

And they are flippin' hot babes too.

 (that ones for you Shauna)

A lot of makeup, tons of hair product, a few girdles later, and not bad eh?

And one last picture for the record books. It really should be no secret that I love squeeze cheese, I pretty much eat like a kid. I love hot dogs, pizza, popcorn, sour gummy candy, processed cheese, processed meat, yes that includes SPAM, and any other food that would seem absolutely disgusting to any civilized adult. And not only do I eat like a kid, I also act like a kid, its really no wonder I love being in Young Women's so much. It gives me an excuse to act the age that I feel (16ish), so here is me and Lauren getting a little wild with the squeeze cheese. I seriously don't know what I will do when I have to start acting my age (21ish right?)

Soccer & Birthday parties, a Mothers Life.

The boys started their first year of soccer this Saturday. Of course they love it and had a blast, Im just glad that Darren played because I am so clueless when it comes to soccer. I never did get into it and enjoy playing it that much so thank heavens for Dad. Although I will admit that there is a whole new enjoyment to soccer when your watching you 5 & 6 year olds playing. Spencer got to play goalie for a while, he enjoyed it until at at one point he stopped the ball in the goalie box with his hands and another kid kicked it at that same moment. Natalie, our ref, had to mention to the other kid that once the goalie grabs it, no kicking. Masons favorite thing was of course making a goal, of which he had one, I wont mention that half of the goals made for our team were kicked in by our opponents. At age 5 its hard to comprehend that there is a my side/ your side. All of the parents had a good laugh and loved watching our future David Beckhams start their careers, no pressure boys.

Then later that day we had Mason's birthday party at the in-laws pool. Thanks guys! It was the easiest birthday party I have ever done, and the kids all had a blast. Of course we had to do a Star Wars party, my boys biggest obsession, and how do you like our Darth Vader cake? We also had a Darth Vader pinata, and Mason scored a super fun battery powered quad-runner. I dont know about you guys but I wish we had stuff like that when I was a kid, I did hop on for a ride however, I felt like I was 5 again.

Now we are back to another Monday, ready to start another week of school. My kids are getting smarter by the day, Spencer brought home his first spelling & sight word test on friday, and of course got 100%. He also mentioned the other day that he wanted to go to PE at school, I said "PE Huh?" and he says, "Ya mom, physical education."  Well it has been a few years....

Mason's teacher Ms. Oliver gives me a daily report on how many times she calls him Spencer. She knew Spence from last year and just cant help getting them mixed up. But she says that every time she does call him Spencer, he looks at her with his hands on his hips and says "Im MASON", and then laughs. She told him to just be grateful she doesn't call him Riley. 

Speaking of Riley, she and I miss our boys while they are gone to school, but we have some serious mother-daughter bonding time. She is so easy going and low-key that most of the time she is just along for the ride. What a blessing for a third (and final) kid. 

So what more can I say....Life is Good.

My little Mason man.

Its a big day in the Payne household, its my Mason mans birthday! It is still hard to believe that Mason is 5 years old. Here are a few things that I love about Mason:

He loves to ask "Mom/Dad we're dudes right" and everyone is Mason's dude. He is such a loyal friend.

He is all boy! If you will play catch with that kid, he will be your best friend for life, and never let you stop. He is a natural athlete.

He is so funny, he cracks me up all the time, with something he says or something he does. He loves to make people laugh and is very good at it.

He is such a great brother! He can make Riley laugh like no one else can. He loves to play with her and they always have a great time. He is also so kind to Spencer, always wanting to make him happy.

He is so sweet, and gives great hugs (when you can get them out of him) He is a very busy guy.

The bottom line is that I love my Mason so much. He is such an integral part to our family, we would not be the same without him. I am so grateful that the Lord sent him to our family, and consider myself incredibly blessed to be this amazing boys mom. 

Love you Mason, happy birthday!

Ah, isnt he so cute. He will be a serious heart breaker, a toe head with gorgeous blue eyes, and so sweet.

Wild things at the zoo (the animals were fun too)

The 2012 Olympic Team

Before I get to our zoo experience I have to give a shout out to some of the most amazing women around. These are just a few (about half) of our awesome basketball group that plays every Tuesday and Thursday.  I am so grateful for Tiffany who kept on me for months to join them over 2 years ago. I love these women so much and if ever I am not able to make it to basketball I miss them more than I can imagine. They are all incredible, and not only at basketball! And since I missed my chance to tell Ginger how much she meant to me, I want all you girls to know that I love you all so much and I am blessed to know each and every one of you. We try to get together once a month outside of basketball for brunch and thank you to Julie being our hostess this month, its always fun to talk when we're not so out of breath.

Santa Barbara Zoo

We went to the zoo this saturday with our very good friends the Nilsons. We have known them for so long, since Spencer and Tyler were 9 months old. Since then we've had our Mason and Alex, as well as our Riley and Brad. (oops I broke the cycle) And now Julie is 3 weeks away from her 4th boy! She is more than welcome to break the cycle for me there. We used to live just down the street from each other, we both moved a few years ago, and now we are about 30 minutes away. But we still keep in pretty close contact, not only for me and her but also for our boys who always have the best time together. Labor day weekend seems to always be our weekend together. We started the tradition a few years back with camping at the lake and there have been many fun adventures since. Here's a few shots from our latest.

My mother in law always comments that she thinks its funny Julie and I are such good friends because we are so different. This is true, she is the sweetest person you will ever meet, so I am just grateful that she puts up with me. Thanks Julie you are the best!

Welcome to the next 18-20 years of your life.

Mason started kindergarten and Spencer first grade today, sad right? For me the saddest part is that this is what they will be doing for the next 2 decades. I feel for them, the crap that they will have to deal with and go through, why wish that on anyone. But for now K, and 1st are exciting for them so why spoil it. It was crazy to me this morning making a lunch for Spencer, he always eats lunch with me, however he of course was thrilled. He is in a 1st grade-2nd grade split so I'm a little worried, what are those big 2nd graders going to be teaching my man. Mason on the other hand only wanted to make sure that he got a treat for his snack, he has his priorities. I think he will have a great time in kindergarten and know that he will love Ms. Oliver, and she wont be able to resist loving him!

And for all of those out there, like me, who keep losing another kid to the public (or private) school systems, this songs for you!

Things that make me happy. (in no particular order)

CheapER gas prices-

Now I realize that $3.93 is no bargain, however I went to fill up my tank the other day and the pump stopped at $94.38. Usually for me the pump stops at either $75 or $100 depending on the gas stations limit. (I did get up to $120 once at Costco) So it took me a minute to figure out that I had just filled my tank for under $100. This was a magical moment.

The fall line-up-

I hate to admit it to all of you, as well as myself, but I am a sitcom junkie, I am so excited for September when all my favorite shows return again. In my defense I ride on my recumbent bike about 5 times a week and the only thing that gets me through the hour ride is a good show to watch. I have already checked out the websites and I am pretty sure there will be plenty to keep me riding! 

Kids who behave when it really counts-

Darren had to sit up on the stand today in church because the bishop was by himself, so I had the kids all by myself. I positioned myself between a couple of good friends to help me when I had to take Riley out. But after we made it through sacrament with no incident the bishop got up to the podium and said, "President Payne and I were having a good laugh because usually by now he has had to take Riley out at least twice, but neither of us has heard a word from her today. So maybe we will have to keep Darren up here more often." After I gave him the over-my-dead-body look I had a good laugh with the rest of the ward, and gave my kids an extra kiss for behaving when it really counts.

Oldies music-

If any of you know my Dad you know that I was raised on oldies music, and I still love it. (Hence the new playlist, just some of my fav's) I really do think that oldies music is what helped me pass my drivers exam, let me explain. I am a terrible parallel parker, still can't do it, my driving teacher also knew I couldn't do it. But every time we were out on the road driving with him he had the oldies station on. It became a game for him to see if I could name the song and the artist, I was rather impressive I must say. So when the driving test came and I totally bombed the parallel parking part, he told me that he would pass me but suggested that I not parallel park for a while, I listened and still don't. So I would like to attribute my drivers license to oldies music, may you live on forever.

These are just a few of the small things that make everyday an adventure for Laura Payne.

Consolation

Well I'm sure you will all be sad to know that Janet and I lost first place by half a game, and the trophy's were pretty cool this year too. Oh well, I imagine there are more important things than winning bowling trophy's (I'm still trying to figure out what) and I love it all the same. Janet and I always have the best time together, I will miss her so much next season as she goes off to nursing school, ah how quickly they grow.  But I have been fortunate enough to recruit another wonderful friend to play with me. And so another great season begins.

I had to throw this next picture in because it struck me as funny that even with this huge group of kids, this is not even half of the grandkids in Darren's family. So double the amount of kids in this picture and you will have an idea of the mass chaos when the whole family actually gets together. Its pretty rare that we actually get all 9 Camp/Payne kids together but when we do just imagine the raucous party that ensues. You gotta love big families right?

Well, it is now days until school starts up again, and the kids are so excited. What I'm not really sure of is if they are excited because of school or because the summer is over and that means they can play wii again. I decided last April that we were going to take a hiatus from the wii this summer, I figured there has to be better things to do with our summer right? I refuse to believe we bought a house with a yard for nothing.  And so ever since I hid the wii games Mason has been asking, "Mom, when is summer going to be over?" He has not however been pining away the last few months, they have been forced to find other things to do, and I think they have had a good time. So at the surface I may seem to be the worlds meanest mom, and although sometimes I DO deserve that title, I think a video game free summer has been a tradition I may keep in the years to come. SSHH, dont tell my kids, they may never look forward to summers again. Ah mmooomm!

The anticipation is killing me.

How on earth can I sleep tonight when there are bowling results to be found out tomorrow? I tell you what, a geek I may be, but this is exciting stuff! My partner and I were in the lead last week but I had to bowl by myself and finished before anyone else, so I don't know how everyone did. I will be honest, I don't think we will get it, again, but my anticipation will not be stayed. And truthfully its not about the money, last season we came in 2nd by one game and got .60c less than the first place team, no, for me its all about the trophy! When Darren bagged his 40lb Dorado in Mexico he decided to have it stuffed, I very sweetly told him that I would rather not have it in my house. (It is the ugliest fish) But I will tell you this much, I am dying to have a bowling trophy sitting right above the fireplace. It would be the perfect addition to my home decor, I have been decorating around the possibility. So as I lay restlessly in bed this night, I will be wondering, is bowling something worth praying for? No, I suppose not, so instead I will dream a dream of my name on a little plaque on a golden statue of a little bowling person shining brightly on my mantle. Can you see it too?

We had our ward camp out this weekend and I love ward camp outs. Of course it doesnt hurt that we camp at a beach up near Santa Barbara. It is so beautiful, and Im sorry to the rest of you but we have the best ward ever. Even Riley has her best buddy Cambria!
All the kids stayed up way too late, ate way too much junk and got way too dirty, and that right there is the recipe for an awesome camp out. However Spencer on the way home said to me "Mom, I had a lot of fun camping and all, but I really love my bed." Its nice to know that wherever we go there's still no place like home!

Mason on the other hand only came by to see us when it was time to eat. He and his best buddy Tanner couldn't take time out of their play schedule for anything less.
A good friend of ours brought a Zodiak and took all the kids cruising around the ocean. Me and a few of the girls also got a chance to go for a spin. What do 4 women out in the middle of the ocean do for fun.....dare each other to jump out, and yes, I took the dare. The water was very cold and salty, and I had trouble getting back in. It does not help when you cant stop laughing. (I got pulled out of my swimsuit and gave the little fishies a show)  Ah good times.
Riley was such a trooper, she slept through the night and the trains, she mooched food off of just about the whole ward (we've taught her well), and she was covered from head to toe in dirt. And boy, a day like that can really wear a girl out. Its just a good thing no one can put Riley to sleep better than dad! She is such a daddy's girl, my only consolation is that she still calls him mama. 
So another great end of the summer adventure for the Payne's, one more weekend and the kids are back to school. Im still not quite sure what I will do with both of my boys gone for parts of everyday. Oh, dont let me fool you, I have plenty of stuff to keep me busy; the house, my books, RILEY, young womens, bowling, basketball, RILEY, laundry, blogging, RILEY. Plus we still have a fun Labor Day weekend trip to Legoland planned! And we are talking about taking the waverunners out this weekend so if anyone is interested in a trip to the lake, give me a holler. Otherwise we'll talk to you next blog post!

The beach, the pool and other great things!

Wow did we have fun this last week! A little crazy for mom but so great. Three of Darren's siblings came into town this last week from Georgia, Oregon, and Michigan. It was so great to see them all and have Sherrie and her kids stay with us. We got everyone together as much as we could in the form of swimming, going to Zuma (our favorite local beach), or just hanging with the kids. I personally have a serious love-hate relationship with the beach. It is great to just let the kids play, play, play all day and they are so worn out by the end of the day it makes for an easy evening. But my hate for the beach is that it is so SANDY. My kids are so gross when we are done that it is all I can do to let them in the car. And as you can see, Riley loves to eat it and that always makes for a fun little surprise in the days that follow! ;-) But in the END there is nothing quite like it. (pun totally intended)!

Another fun day trip we took was to the Skirball Center in LA. They have this great exhibit called Noah's Ark that is totally hands on for the kids. What a blast, and not one grain of sand. You can play on everything, touch everything, climb all over, and make a picture to take home. A great way to waste a day.

But in the end who can beat a day at the pool! Its the best entertainment there is and my kids love to swim so everybody wins.

All in all this was such a fun week and I speak the truth when I tell you absolutely nothing else got done around here, the house is a mess, no one has any clean clothes, there have been very few home cooked meals, and I don't know when the last time my kids had a real bath. Ahhh a mothers work is never done, especially when the mother doesn't do it. But its summer right?!?!