Washington DC

In front of the White House....(or as Landon called it, "his future home.")

                                                            The Lincoln Memorial

                                                    Payton and one great president!

                                                The Washington Memorial - 554 ft high!

Landon actually reads the brochures.  :)

A beautiful view from the top of the memorial... 

Our tour inside the Library of Congress.  If allowed, Landon would have camped out there. :)

We also got a tour inside of the Capital.  (We had our feet on the star... but unfortunately, I forgot the significance.)  ;)

Payton and I with a statue of one of our finest Presidents ever -- Ronald Reagan!

A few shots in the museum. The Smithsonian is amazing!....and free!! :)

Whose brain do you think is larger? :)

A general's stuffed horse.  Eew! 

The last pictures are of the war memorials - where there are too many numbers, too many names, too many lives.  May our heroes never be forgotten!

Vietnam Memorial

Korean War Memorial

WWII  Memorial

This wall says it all...

First Broken Bone

Payton broke her finger the day before we left to DC.  It was a stressful day getting her to urgent care,  then following up with orthopedic doc...all along, trying not to give it away to Landon that we were leaving the following morning on a trip!

It happened on their last day of PE. I typically never run my kids to the doctor for every little ailment, but I knew there was a problem when she came to me with her finger was completely perpendicular to her other fingers!  Ouch!

 This has pushed her school a few weeks behind.  Let's just say...she's not ambidextrous!

It will be nice when she can get back to combing her own hair, etc.  Not to mention, she's swings her arms when she walks...so we have all gotten beat up some.  :)

Landon is 16!

Landon's birthday gift was a surprise trip to DC!  He is so unobservant, so pulling off a trip was pretty easy.  :)  He's leaning towards law and politics, so touring the Capital, the Library of Congress, etc. was a real  treat.  Since my kids have always been appreciative and grateful, making sacrifices to bless them has always been really easy.

    A yummy blue berry muffin for breakfast.

                                             A few hand made decorations I was able to pack.

                           A gift that was portable.  He told us he couldn't wait until his 100th birthday.  :)

Since I couldn't bake a cake this year (packing it would have been tough!)....we told him he could choose any place for his dessert.  It wasn't a surprise to us when he choose a molten from Chili's.  (Treat yourself one day...it is amazing!)


I will post pictures later of the trip, but I want to end with this...(which I gave him the day of his birthday).

       “16” Things I Love About You!

       

 1. I love how you making me laugh (so often!).

 2. I love how you still hug or kiss me (even with friends around).

3. I love that you open my car door.

 4. Actually, I love that you open all doors - you’re a true gentleman!

 5. I love that you watch Wheel of Fortune with me (even when you don’t want to!).  :)

 6. I love how everything you hold turns into a sword or guitar.

7. I love how you don't hold a grudge and are peace maker.

8. I love that you call me mama. 

9. I love your grateful heart!

10. I love your passionate debate. (And always in a controlled manner). 

 11. I love your patience.

12.  I love that you still allow me to call you ****....(of course not in public, unless I slip...oops!).

13.  I love your dedication and passion for learning.

14. I love when it's not a good day and you ask, “Does someone need a hug?” And then give me one.

15. I love your quick wit!

16. I love your faith and love for our Lord Jesus Christ.

  Happy Birthday, Son.... you are a true joy!

    

Resurrection Sunday 2011

We had a wonderful day celebrating our Risen Savior! Our church put on a beautiful musical. (I LOVE my new church! It took months to find after moving back, but it was so worth the wait.) We had a wonderful brunch on base and then spent the rest of the day spending time as a family. Each year, I'm more humbled as I reflect on what my Savior went through for me: betrayal, torture, separation from His Father and death. It's hard to think about the immense pain and suffering He went through.  The days leading up to His resurrection are somber. But today, it's a celebration of Him concurring the grave!  It's a day to celebrate and thank Him.




A quick snap shot before service.

Getting ready on Good Friday for our time of communion.  This Bible is the only antique we brought back from Germany.  It's from the 1800's.

Payton baking a cake for her family....

...and this is just a glimpse of the crumbs that were through out the kitchen. :)

The beautiful results!

I don't know which is sweeter...the cake or my daughter?   :)

Why the Ties?

My parents came for a visit and brought a couple of my nieces and my nephew.  They ALL had a great time.  The real kick was taking them to Pinnacle Peaks on their last day (it was my dad's 71st birthday and his FAVORITE place to eat!).  We told the kids that they had to wear a tie, or they weren't allowed to go in.  But the truth is, ties aren't allowed in this cowboy steak house!  So in the middle of dinner the waitress comes and tells them they are law breakers, and their ties have to be cut off!  My older niece, Destiny, looked at me and said, "This is uncle Max's tie, they can't cut if off!"  I reassure her they were old (and very out-dated) ties that I keep around just for Pinnacle Peaks.  :)

A BIG Day!

 Landon got his driver's permit!

  He will start off slowly (in terms of how much he'll drive...but, I'm especially refering to his speed!).  He drove a little around the base after we got his permit, and also drove us to Payton's soccer practice.  I have to say...he's doing really well!  And that's a HUGE complement coming from me, the worse back-seat driver around.

He passed his test with  flying colors.  I told him he's lucky he didn't have to take a driver's test in Germany! It was one of the most painful experiences I've had. It was worse than a root canal...(without anesthesia!).

A picture is worth a thousand words..... :)

A Torturous Day

When you are a homeschool mom, your kids are "always" with you.  However, there is one place I don't  allow my kids to go with me - and that is....the torturous grocery store! (I took them when they were babies, but when they were older, they stayed home with daddy or sat at a table in the commissary with a book.)  I figured, if they didn't know what was available, they wouldn't know what they were missing. Well yesterday, I was on base and needed Landon's strength to load lots of water for me. So instead of getting dropped off at the library, he went with me. I soon realized it was nice having him push the heavy cart while I shopped.  It didn't take long for the torture to begin! The kid was suffering. He drooled as he walked down the isles. He couldn't believe all the wonderful junk food he has missed out on. He felt neglected!  I laughed as he gave me a scenario of every meal he planned on eating when he moves out on his own. (I told him to invite me over!) :)  Seriously, my kids know (I've told them enough times!)...that when I'm no longer responsible for his health, they will make their own decisions on what they eat. However, it's my job to teach them the importance of a healthy lifestyle - and a "treat" (Mr. Webster's definition: treat - noun an occurrence that causes special pleasure or delight; something considered choice to eat;)...not a lifestyle!

Anyway, he did fess up and tell me that he appreciates me keeping them healthy, and that he will always have junk food in moderation, like we do now. I guess only time will tell.  :)

 I did cave in, and he left with his very own large bag of (fried, not baked!) spicy Doritos. :)

Valentine's Day

I love Valentine's Day!  It's a day we set aside and show our loved ones what they mean to us.  When Max and I were first married we used to go out for a nice dinner. We soon realized ...Valentine's night was crazy! The wait was long, the service was bad, prices were inflated, etc. So instead, I started making a special dinner for us. I pulled out the china, lit the candles, and we exchanged beautiful cards and small meaningful gifts. Then we had kids. Ah, we now have to change our plans? Wrong. Why would we? Isn't this day about love? The only thing I changed, is the menu. The fancy meal was replaced with a heart shaped meatloaf. (Which "real" beef is a treat for them, since I typically use ground turkey for everything.)  :) We have always received homemade cards or a poem from the kids (although, Landon's have now gone digital!).  The kids get to open their long awaited coupon books I make. (I blogged about these books last Feb.).

 We end our grateful day with thanking our Lord for His "perfect love" and our love for each other.

Arizona Skiing

Skiing in Arizona is wonderful!!  We are only four hours from the mountain, and we get to ski during the week, so the place is empty And, I don't have to freeze to death, because we're in Arizona!  Love it!  The kids are begging for another trip.  We'll see if it happens.

                                             A beautiful sunny day!

Kids ready to hit the slopes....mama waiting for the sun to come out.  It did! :)

Landon staring at the vending machine, debating if he wants to part with his $. 

                 Payton taking a hot chocolate break. (She on the other hand, is always ready to part with her money for yummy food/drink.)  ;)

                                   Landon at 15....

.....12 years earlier, at three.  What a cutie pie! :) 

Tournaments

We had back to back tournaments.  Payton's soccer team played in the 21st annual soccer tournament here in Tucson.  They were thrilled to get to play the "highlight" game.  The field was beautiful and it with an actual score board - they even got their names announced over the intercom.  The dad who introduced them asked us to send him our daughter's nick names.  So it was fun to hear "Payton Shnookums Maxwell."  :)

 They didn't win the game, but they sure played like professionals.

                     Nice kick....

                     Run, Payton, run!

The following weekend, we drove out to Albuquerque for a Tae Kwon Do tournament.  It was such a blessing to have my whole family there to route them on.  They've never had that.  Their coach and a couple other students from their class also flew in.  There were no knock outs, so I was happy!  :)

               A nice picture before they got sweaty. :)

Landon placed second in forms.  (Of course we were all bias and thought he deserved first!)  :)

He's now getting ready to spar.  He didn't win, but he did well for not competing in several years.  This is just the first of many tournaments. Their new school competes often. 

Payton getting ready for forms.  She didn't win, because she forgot one move. She's done that form a million times...but all it takes is one mistake.   

......but she won in sparring, so she was happy.  I'm still hoping they will change their interest.  Ballet and golf is what I'm still routing for. It's so much safer. :)

CHRISTmas 2010

We were blessed to be able to go to NM for Christmas (a seven hour drive was a breeze compare to the  24 hours one we took a few years back!).  We were running late to church (which is an hour from my home town), so I wasn't able to get as many pictures as I normally do.  (My family was happy about that - I've been told on many occasions that I take TOO many pictures.  I could think of worse habit to have! :))  I did still managed to capture a few....

Since we are home a lot (homeschooling), we tend to live in sweats...so it's a nice to dress up. :)

                                                     Me and my handsome guys....

It's hard to believe she's in soccer and TKD...she looks like a princess.  She's a perfect balance (in my eyes!)...plays hard, but cleans up well. :)

Landon enjoying some R & R time (relaxing and reading)....with a blazing fire from his Ipad. Too funny... :)

Payton outside hoping the snow would continue....it didn't happen.  But, that was okay, she got to ride Rusty (Tata's horse).

20 Years of Gummy Bears

Max and I just celebrated our 20 year anniversary.  It was a wonderful celebration with lots of reminiscing, an amazing dinner (at the same restaurant where we celebrated our first anniversary!), laughter and tears (he presented me with a beautiful Italian charm bracelet, and wrote what each charm meant and how he felt about me).  Let's just say, I wish I would have worn water proof mascara. :)  He had to leave on a short TDY this morning (a business trip), and as I was hiding his gummy bears and a note in his bag, it occured to me just how many packages he's eaten in the past 20 years.  I began this "sweet" gesture when we first married, knowing everyone needs a sweet treat when they travel. Since he grew up in Germany, these were his favorite candy (and of course it has to be Haribo, not some generic American brand!) :)  I'm not trying to say that gummy bears are the reason for 20 years of marriage. Everyone knows that's marriage is about: compromise, communication, not focusing on flaws (since we all have them!), putting each other first, not sweating the small stuff, etc. - but making them feel special (because they are!) with random acts of thoughtfulness and kindness, helps. So, gummy bears are just a tool I use, to show the most wonderful husband in the world how much I love and appreciate him!

My Birthday Girl

We celebrated Payton's 12th birthday last week. What a fun, loooooong day! She was up at 4:00 am unable to sleep anticipating the day ahead. And, when Payton wakes up...so does everyone else. (she doesn't intentionally wake us up...it just happens!).  I don't think anyone loves and appreciates birthdays more than my daughter.  As a matter of fact...her future husband needs to know this. :)

The absolute best part of her day is "horsing around." It was definitely easier to carry this tradition on in Tucson. This was the 7th year Max and I have scrambled, searched, begged, etc. to get this young lady a horse ride. Thank you, God, for providing this very special treat, for this very special girl. (Yes, I'm bias!)  ;)

 ...and she's off!

Once again, a homemade cake was requested.  My choices were limited.  In the past, I've made a horse head,  horse shoe, horsed in corals, etc.  So this year I decided to turned to the western attire. (Plus anyone that knows Payton...she lives in her boots!)  Max still teased me saying, "what a great hammer!" :) 

Happy Birthday, angel girl. It seemed like yesterday that you sat on your very first saddle....

May God bless you!  I love you VERY much!!