Sunday Morning Ads...

I wanted nothing to do with the floor this morning. I wanted to read the newspaper at the table, just like mom and dad were doing. I think I will buy this new flat screen TV advertised at Best Buy for the Super Bowl.

Trip to Ohio...

Hey, Grandma Stone those buttons are pretty cool.

Art, Sharon, Doug, Addie & Becky

Saturday morning, we took off bright and early to visit Doug's family in Ohio. They live just west of Cleveland. We had lunch with Grandma Stone and dinner with Art, Sharon and Becky. We had a wonderful visit with everyone and really enjoyed the day.

Sorry Art, we couldn't help out more with the Browns... GO COLTS!!!

Check Out The New Blog...

http://paynehousehold.blogspot.com

Pictures of Gracie Jane... our little "Boo."

Christmas at the Zoo...

Like my new coat and hat? Mom got me all bundled up for a fun afternoon and evening at the zoo with Nana, Grampy & GiGi.

Is Grampy brave or what? Petting sharks... who ever heard of such a thing! Mommy says he's CRAZY!!! Giggles galore! Those penguins are sooo funny. "Happy Feet" make for happy little girls.

Once the sun went down the lights on display were gorgeous! Mommy walked me everywhere so I could "ohh and ahh" at all the bright, shiny, twinkling lights. Very cool!

Preparing Christmas Dinner... Imagine this being narrated by Julia Childs accent

First you take the eggs, break and separate the yokes from the whites.
Measure the sugar ever so carefully,

this is the critical part of the recipe.

Whisk briskly over heat until a light meringue froth appears.

Our little kitchen queen cooked and baked all day long. She was so stinkin' cute. She would stir and then stick the spatula in her mouth. She really liked letting daddy try all of her new recipes! We've only had this for 2 days and it's awesome! Thank you Santa!!!

Christmas Morning...

Santa left me a new kitchen... all my own!
Do I look like a professional? Rachel Raye watch out!
I got a new bean bag chair.
It's nice for reading all of my holiday books.
Whew, this Christmas morning business can wear a kid out!

Some R&R with Disney Christmas classics is just what this kid needs.

Twas the Night Before Christmas...

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be the there.

The children were snuggled all warm in their beds,

While visions of sugar plums danced in their heads.

Merry Christmas!

Love - Doug, Angie & Addie

Christmas Eve with the Reusser Family...

Drew and Nathaniel hosted Christmas Eve dinner at their new home tonight. Everything was wonderful and the food was delicious! We had a really enjoyable evening with everyone.
Grandpa and Grandma Reusser spoiled us all rotten... they're good at that!
The Shaver family. Addie had such a great time playing with the "big" kids.
Two of the three members aren't looking at the camera, but at least no one is throwing a fit while the cameras were flashing.
Addie was SOOO stinkin' cute tonight while opening gifts. She went to town on the wrapping paper. She really figured out how to open a gift tonight. She oh'd and ah'd over everything and clapped when she was done opening the gifts. It was absolutely precious!

The Newton Family Christmas...

Friday, mom, dad and I set up camp for the weekend at Nana and Grampy's. GiGi Tovey was in in town and the house was set and decorated for a weekend full of shopping and partying!
A rare photo of mom and dad alone... I wanted absolutely nothing to do with photos!
Let the party begin. Nana and Grampy hosted our Christmas party with 40+ family members and close friends. The food was yummy! Hey Deming, what'ya eating? Can I have some?

Gifts and toys are SOOO much fun! I love playing with my cousins!

The Holiday Flash

Mazie turned 1 today and she wanted to show off her birthday suit!

Toyland, Toyland, Good Little Girl and Boy Land...

We have issued the 3 gift rule for Christmas for our family. Jesus received 3 gifts, so our children can always expect 3 gifts from us. Hey, no one said, they had to be 3 small gifts.

Christmas Came Early...

Up the slide
To the summit Down we go!!!

Our basement is now home to a jungle gym. Let the good times roll!

Silly Girl

Santa's first gift arrived a little early this year...

it was kind of a hard one to hide!

Addie delivers her Christmas gift to mommy and daddy.

Folks, I had tears in my eyes! This is the start of something great! This was such a special night at the Reusser home.

It's a GIRL!!!

Yes, that's right Mandy and Jesse are having a little girl. I am just tickled PINK!!! They had their 20 week ultrasound today and everything looks healthy. Gracie Jane Payne will make her big debut sometime in early May.

Fun with the Fasicks...

Posing pretty with my girlfriends Cassie & Alexis
I LOVE Miss Debbie, she gives me snacks, even before dinner!
Bob pretends to be Mae West during a mean game of Crainium.

Friday night we had the Fasicks over for dinner. Of course they spoiled Addie with Christmas gifts. Thee theme was pink... new pink poodle PJs, a pink princess ball and a pink Care Bear. After dinner we played Cranium and charades. We had so much fun. What great neighbors we have!

The Six Degrees of Emily & Angie...

Emily is a very good friend of mine. Sometimes our lives are just a little too much alike... it freaks us out! Emily and I both teach 5th grade at SCIS. We married our husbands on July 14th, 2001, and celebrate our anniversaries together each year. Both of our husbands coach baseball together. Emily owns Baxter, the dog I rescued several years ago. Emily and I now share one more thing in common, the due date of our first born child! Yes, Miss Emily is finally going to be a mommy and her baby is due July 29th, same as Addie!!!

CONGRATULATIONS Emily & Matt!!!

Annual Ornament Exchange...

Thursday evening was our annual SCIS Ornament Exchange. We all gathered at Vicki's for a fun night of food and friendship. We were all so excited that Carrie could bring our newest girlfriend, Olivia... isn't she a punkin'!?! The night was full of stories, laughter, picture sharing and catching up with each other. Merry Christmas girls... I adore each of you!

Picture Perfect...

My Man...

I spent the weekend in Terre Haute. Doug had a baseball clinic this weekend at the high school, so he didn't go with us. I'm always a little disappointed when he doesn't go somewhere with us, for the simple fact that I truly enjoy his company. (He usually has a legit reason.)

Today I came home to some surprises... he had done some home decorating projects. Usually he sticks to the construction aspect of the home building and allows me to decorate. I will have to say that the man has some domestic skills.

He hung crystal ornaments from our entryway chandelier. He arranged family photos on the wall of our staircase... went and bought frames and all. He hung all of the artwork in our basement, including our anniversary gifts... movie posters.

Doug finished our basement with his own 2 hands. He included a very nice home theater in the plans, which we enjoy on a very regular basis. For our 6th anniversary we ordered and framed 6 of our favorite movie posters.

I truly felt like I was in someone else's house. Nice job Martha, but I'm afraid that I'm going to have to revoke your "man card."

Santa's Little Helper...

Oh, a tub full of pretties!
Smack one of these on and I'm ready to go under the tree!

Ruddy...

Enough, if enough mom! Nana gave me the reindeer and I want to take him home! I demanded on Ruddy sitting on my lap for the car ride home, I wasn't having it any other way!

Ruddy was a pretty good sleeping buddy and blankie!

Piano Lessons...

I received my first piano lesson today Mr. Frosty.
I played the keys right along with him.. that's called a duet.
All I really wanted to know, was where the music was coming from???