The Spa

Saturday was Allison's birthday so my mom took Allison, Debbie and I to Glen Ivy Day Spa in Corona. We got facials and sat in the mineral spas and did the mud baths. It was really relaxing and fun. Then we went out to dinner at Rosine's. I wish I brought my camera because it was pretty funny to see all of us caked in orange mud, we looked like aboriginees. You can see pictures of the spa at www.glenivy.com

Will the Cuteness of Peyton Never Cease?

Looks like she's ready to be done nursing. What do you think?
Peyton's favorite snack: her fingers.

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas

This year since we're going to be out of town for Christmas we decided not to get a real tree. We set up our tiny three footer that we had in college. We told Mason it was his tree and let him decorate it. He ended up just taking handfuls of ornaments and just laying them on the branches. So Mom had to help a little. Sister also helped a little in between trying to eat the ornaments.
And of course the obligitory tantrum when decorating time was over. "But I wanna do the ordaments Mooooooooooom!"

I've Been Tagged

I was tagged once before but it was one of those ones where you have to list six interesting facts about yourself and I was saddened that I couldn't think of six and so I didn't do it. This one is way easier though because its about Zach so here goes:

Husband's Name: Zachary Paul Leak
How long have you been married? 4 1/2 years
How long did you date? Four months before engagement, four months before wedding.
How old is he? 26 but will be 27 on New Year's Eve.
Who eats more? Right now him but when I'm pregnant it is definitely me.
Who said "I love you" first? Neither of us really... he was telling me how much he cared about me, saying everything but those three words, but I could tell he wanted to say more but he seemed nervous so I asked him "Are you trying to tell me you love me?" and he said yes.
Who is taller? Him even when I wear heels.
Who sings better? I wish it were me but its actually him.
Who is smarter? I am definitely smarter academically but he's definitely got the business smarts.
Whose temper is worse? Mine for sure. It takes a lot to get him riled up.
Who does the laundry? Me but when I get behind on folding he will help.
Who does the dishes? Him most of the time.
Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? I do because it is further away from the door.
Who pays the bills? Usually together but if not together then I do it.
Who mows the lawn? He did once, our lawn doesn't grow, maybe we don't water it enough.
Who cooks dinner? Me, that why he does the dishes most of the time.
Who drives when you are together? He does, I hate driving on the freeways in CA
Who is more stubborn? Me, hands down.
Who is the first to admit when they are wrong? He is.
Whose parents do you see the most? Its pretty even right now but we did live with his parents for a summer in college.
Who proposed? He did, on one knee and everything.
Who has more friends? Probably the same but I see my friends a lot more since his friends are mostly back in Utah.
Who has more siblings? I do, I have four brothers and one sister. He has one brother, two sisters.
Who wears the pants in the family? On the surface it may seem that I do, but honestly we share
one big pair of pants.

I only know one other person with a blog so I tag Sheena.

Thanksgiving

We hosted Thanksgiving at our house this year. It was my first time making a turkey and it actually turned out pretty well. Debbie, Stu, the kids and Allison all came over and the Martinellis was flowing like wine. Allison was in charge of drinks and she brought eight bottles and only took two home! I finally had a chance to use my china for the first time.

I made this for the kids to snack on until dinner was ready, they thought it was pretty funny.

The post dinner coma on the couch while Zach was busy doing all the dishes, what a guy!

Ten Things I'm Thankful For:

-my two beautiful, healthy kids

-a husband who is too amazing for words

-to live in a home where we can actually have family over for Thanksgiving

-extended family near by

-parents and in laws that are actively involved in their grandkids lives despite living so far away

-knowlege that I am loved by my Heavenly Father

-that Peyton no longer cries for hours every day and is sleeping through the night

-my college education

-that I'm able to stay at home with my kids

-that I already have all my Christmas shopping done and its still November!

Peyton: Cuter than ever!

Just when you think she can't get any more adorable she goes and raises the bar. She really does look like the Gerber baby.

Guest Post: Aunt Allison

Mason and I had a great time at Disneyland earlier this week so I offered to report on our little adventure.

The fun began when we stopped at the ATM to get cash on the way. I let Mason insert the card, push the buttons, remove the cash, etc. On the way back to the car he said, "That was fun, Aunt Allison. Let's do that ride again." He clutched the receipt in his sweaty little fist for hours because he thought it was money. I finally convinced him to put it in his pocket.

The real Disneyland was a hit, too. The highlights were seeing Buzz Lightyear, killing Zerg, the teacups, the Dumbo ride and the corndog and churro we shared.



Above is a photo of Mason and me by the Christmas tree. You can tell by the look on his face that he didn't really want his picture taken. I was just happy to have survived with only one ketchup stain. Below is a photo of the corndog before he attacked it. The corndog didn't stand a chance.




Waiting in line for the rides was a bit of a struggle for Mason. One time I looked down to find him prying some little girl's fingers from the railing and yelling, "Cut that out! Let me go first!" So, then I realized that I'd have to hold him so that he wouldn't terrorize other kids, climb all over the railings or all over other people. That didn't go over too well, either. He said really loudly, "Get your hands offa me!" I guess I missed the memo that Mason was the one in charge of Disneyland.

I told Meredith about how trying to hold him in line was like a WWF smackdown match that I was totally losing and she didn't have much sympathy for me. She said that's what it's like everytime they change his diaper, get him dressed or feed him. He's one active little boy. The fact that he's so dang cute does outweigh his other antics.

Halloween!

Mason had a great time trick or treating. We went with my friends Jenn and Jolene and thier kids. He walked right into the first house we went to like he owned the place. I'm suprised he didn't get hit by a car since I was trying to hold Peyton and push the stroller at the same time (Peyton did not want to ride in the stroller.) Peyton was the most beautiful flower ever!

Punkin Head

We've had a rough week because Zach got called out on "catastrophe duty" because of all the wildfires/high winds. So he's been gone since Monday 10/29 and won't come home for good until Wednesday 11/07. He was able to come home for a few hours on Halloween and helped Mason carve his pumpkin. Mason wanted a Blue's Clues pumpkin. He's home for a while today but he has to go back tonight. It's been hard but it'll be worth it because he's making a lot of extra money right now.

Pumpkin Patch

On the Saturday before Halloween Aunt Allison came up and we went to a pumpkin patch. It was kind of rinky dink but the nice one we were going to go to burned down :( They had a petting zoo and rides. When this ride started Mason had a look on his face like he just peed his pants he was so scared. I've never seen him look that freaked out before. But by the end he was smiling and waving.

Apple Picking

We went apple picking in Tehachapi. Of course Mason fell asleep in the car on the way there so when we got there he was cranky because he got woken up. Then it was FREEZING! And not by California standards, I'm sure some of you Minnesota or Utah people would have been surprised. He was not a happy camper at first but he got into it.

The best part of apple picking... eating all the free apples you can before you have to weigh your basket. Just kidding we only tried one to see how good they were and how many we wanted. When we got home, I made a delicious apple cobbler.

Cookie Monsters

Zach and Mason made oatmeal raisin cookies for family night on Monday. Mason's favorite part was licking the beaters. They turned out suprisingly well.

Potty Training

To start getting Mason ready for the idea we checked a few books out from the library about the potty. One was about all these different animals and how they all got "a potty for their bottoms" I found this on the floor and asked Mason what it was and he said all the animals were sitting on the potty. He picked out Cars and Spiderman undies, but since he had an accident in them he refuses to wear them anymore (unless its on his head.) He does really well on the potty and goes every time he tries but he doesn't want to interrupt what he's doing to sit on the potty. Its a struggle getting him to try. This might be a slow going process. I'm not sure what to do to motivate him. We are using candy right now. I might start a sticker chart to earn a toy or something like that. Any tips or advice would be appreciated!

Four Months Old!

She is finally starting to like her exersaucer. She also loves her floor play gym. At her four month checkup she was 24 3/4 inches long and weighed 12 lbs 2 oz. The doctor said she looked like the Gerber baby but I'm sure he says that to all the moms. She even showed off her rolling over ability by rolling from her back to her tummy and almost rolling off the exam table! Then she spit up all over the floor. Like brother, like sister.


In the new highchair eating rice cereal for the first time. She didn't know quite what to think of it. She had this confused look on her face the whole time. I'm not sure if she's quite ready for it. She kept pushing it back out with her tongue and trying to grab the spoon. We'll try again soon.

Mom the Preschool Teacher

My sister sent me the website to her friend's blog. It is packed with fun activity ideas for preschoolers. I got inspired and Mason and I had a blast trying them all out. Here he is making a collage. When he was done he kept saying his collage was "so bootiful."

Here he is during marker masterpiece time. He colored for a little while but was definitely more interested in making marker wands. We pretended we were Harry Potter and he learned how to say "Expelliarmus!" I know we are nerds but it was fun.

We made some sensory activity centers with rice and beans. We colored the rice with vinegar and food coloring and he loves burying his animals in the rice or beans and then digging them out. I realized I need a bigger tub to contain everything in because he had a hard time keeping the rice off the floor. When I get really motivated I'll build him a sensory table.

We made noodle necklaces. I colored the pasta the same way I did the rice. I bought yarn and plastic needles. He kind of had a hard time with this at first but he got the hang of it. He also kept trying to eat the noodles. He says he likes them crunchy. The website is www.likelyclassroom.blogspot.com. I can't wait to try the new styrofoam/golf tee idea. Mason would love that. Thank you Auntie Allison for sending the link and to her friend for starting the blog!

The L.A. Zoo

We went to the L.A. zoo last Monday. It was the first activity we've done as a family since Peyton was born. It was a sunny, 80 degree October day. We went to the San Diego zoo in the spring and I have to say that compared to that, the L.A. zoo was kind of crappy. It was nice to get out of the house and Mason had a good time.

Video Clip

It took some persuading to get him to do it for the camera. He likes to sing to her but not when someone tells him to. Our camera only allows you to record for 16 seconds so it cuts off his finale.

At Grandma's yesterday, we were getting lunch ready and I asked Mason what he wanted to drink. He said "umm... proby just Diet Coke." He got milk instead.

New Quilts

A few weeks ago we went down to my grandma's house and we all tied a quilt for Mason. My grandma stitched up the edges by hand. I took the quilt frame home with me and tied a king size quilt for our bed. Yesterday we went back down to grandma's so she could show me how to hand stitch the edges. I got about two inches done in an hour. I did the math and figured winter would be over by the time I finished, so I called Allison and had her bring her sewing machine over and we had the whole thing done in half an hour. Thank goodness for modern technology.

Mommy's Little Helper

Mason helped me make pizza last night. He mostly just ate the cheese. He loves to help in the kitchen, even though it ends up being more work for mom.

Peyton has started rolling over. If she is on her tummy she will flip onto her back. If she's on her back she will turn to her tummy, then usually flip right back over. Here she is in mid flip.