Cleaning heaven:)

Ok fellow clean freaks, I found the best cleaning product ever! It's call the Earthstone. It's a bathroom cleaner that looks like a pumice stone and it takes away any hard water stains, mildew, and soap scum. Since we moved into this house 2 years ago, I've had hard water stains in my sinks and toilets and I've tried everything to get them off. It always looked like they were dirty no matter how much I cleaned them. I used the Earthstone and instantly they were gone!! Everything looks so much cleaner now, no rings around the toilets or drains in the sinks. So excited! I bought it at Walmart for only $3.99. Thanks Shari for introducing this product to me. I'm in love:)

P.S. They have a kitchen one too!

Lincoln City Trip

Peyton in her backpack happy as a clam

Brayden getting a ride from Papi

Brayden on the beach

On our balcony

From our room!

We just got back last night from a week in Lincoln City, Oregon. I think I can speak for all of us when I say that we didn't want to come home yet. We had such a good time! We shared a two-bedroom suite with my parents, my sister Desi, and my brother-in-law Jimmy. My other sister Selina and her family came and also stayed for a few days in a nearby hotel. We stayed at the Inn at Spanish Head, which is a beautiful resort right on the beach. We had the most amazing view of the water! This was my families first time to the central Oregon Coast even though it's only a 4 1/2 hour drive, but we will definitely be back. This was one of those trips that we really didn't have anything planned and that was the best part. We played on the beach a lot, went for walks, shopped at the outlet mall (really good deals), flew kites, made sandcastles, played games, read a lot, went swimming, watched movies, ate at some really good restaurants, played ping-pong, and just hung out with our family. It was nice to have the family help out with the kids some and Travis and I were able to take little outings alone too.

The kids did great, and I think Brayden had the most fun out of everyone. He would sit in the sand for hours just dumping the sand into the bucket, to the tractor, and back out again. I think he would still be sitting in the sand if we still let him. We also made sure he tried some new things too. He flew a kite, petted some starfish, and really bonded with Titi Desi and Uncle Jimmy. Peyton did a great job and loved being carried around in her little backpack(thanks again Sarah, that thing is awesome). All-in-all it was an amazing trip and we can't wait to go back. It really did remind me of Hawaii and I realize it's the closest we can get without getting on a plane- I'll take it!! It was great to spend so much time with family and I feel like we all bonded on this trip. So to my family, are we up for the beach again next year? Can't wait to see where we are going next:) Maybe next time we can get away without any "bathroom incidents":)

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to the men in our lives! I was lucky enough to grow up with a dad who loves the Lord and second his family. My dad was there for almost every game, concert, ceremony, track meet, and then of course to scare my boyfriends away. He encouraged us, prayed for us and sacrificed a lot. I always hoped and prayed that I would marry someone like my dad and I did. Travis is not only an amazing husband, but an awesome dad!!! I always get so frustrated when I hear people talk about dads being "hands off." I don't understand it. Travis has been hands on since Brayden was born and hasn't stopped. The kids love daddy and can't wait to spend time with him everyday, and vice-versa for Travis. Travis always says that he got his example of how to be a dad from God. There is no other explanation. I think that is the way God intended it. This is an excerpt from the father's day card I bought my dad, I hope it's something my children will say to Travis someday: "They say we call come into this world with nothing... but I had a remarkable father who put food on the table and a roof over my head. He prayed for me, praised and encouraged me, sacrificed his needs for mine, showed me love, acceptance, and self-worth... So really, I came into this world with everything. Your love gave me my first glimpses of God. " How cool! So, Happy Father's Day Travis, I think you are awesome!!

Fun Pics

Just wanted to share some pictures...

Peyton ready for church

Mommy and Peyton

Daddy and Peyton

Brayden and Peyton

Thanks to our friend Shari, we know about all the cool stuff to do in Pierce County for family fun. Travis and Brayden went to the fishing derby at Bradley Lake Park this last Saturday morning. They woke up early, stopped for donuts and milk, and caught 3 fish. Brayden actually reeled the fish in each time and even put the worms on the hook. He was so excited when he got home to show me his fish:) Travis ate them for dinner last night and Brayden actually had a few bites.

Portland, here we come!! (Again:)

We just returned last night from another trip to Portland. Most of you know that we(especially Travis) go down there often. Travis has work meetings down there anywhere from 1-5 times a week. It's actually a weird week if he is in the Tacoma office every day. He doesn't mind the 3-hour drive usually because he listens to sermons, catches up with people on the phone, and sings to music. However, it does get old after a few days in a row. If he has to be there consecutive days, it's easier for him to stay the night. So I have a few choices, stay at home alone with the kids, or we all go down there together. Somehow, I go down there a lot:) I feel like I know Portland better than I do Puyallup:) The things we like about Portland:
1.Travis and I get to catch up with each other during the drive
2.We get to sing in the car with Brayden
3.Tax-free shopping
4.I don't have any cleaning to do!
5.Travis and Brayden get to go swimming
6.I don't have any cooking to do
7.It's fun to stay in a hotel
8.The kids are learning to be flexible with their schedules and sleeping wherever we put them (Yes, they both take naps in the double-stroller while I walk the mall)
9. We get a lot of family time
10.We get to hang out with friends and family
11.It's like a mini family vacation!
I do enjoy going usually. It's hard when they kick us out of the hotel at 12pm and Travis' meeting isn't done until 4. That means I have to walk the mall for 4 hours during nap time, which is fun at first, but gets old after awhile. Thank God the kids will sleep in the stroller! Anyways, we try to make the most of each trip depending on Travis' schedule. We've eaten at a lot of new restaurants, gone to the zoo, went ice skating, checked out all the local malls, visited friends and family who live down there, and checked out a lot of the local hotels. We try to cherish this time because who knows how long it will last. Yeah for Portland!

We had dinner with Tim and Kristy Sibley at one of my favorite restaurants, BJ's. This is Brayden, Peyton, and Macy, their daughter who is 3 months old. Peyton looked huge compared to Macy, but I'm sure she'll catch up soon.