Back the Train Up...

Take a look at what Payten got from Laura and Shayne for her birthday!

Her name is Carmen and yes she is a monkey. But the best part is that Laura made her and her clothes! As some of you know my sister is an outstanding knitter. I think she out did herself on this project. Shayne had to help too he had to sew the buttons on her sweater. For right now she is put up and just for looking at, Payten is a bit too young to play and take good care of her.

Wait until you see the slippers Laura made me for my birthday and the ones she made for Payten. One of my next posts I promise!!

March

Trying to be one of the boys!

You can now see the reason for the lack of posting. Truly there hasn't been to much excitement in the Otto home. I've been working at school all day and 3 plus nights a week at the rink - so that has left dad home with the kids more often. The kids have tons and tons of fun as you can see in the pictures but if you are asking if the boys play girl things I'm sad to have to say no.

Payten has her own pink monster truck (thanks Grandma Peggy), she is a part of the on going wrestling match, she doesn't scare easily on hide-n-go-seek, and is the (I think) running back of living room football. They are making her into a tom boy and of course it drives me crazy. New plan for summer to teach as much skating during the day so I can be at home at night to play dolls and house with Payten.

The kids just love daddy's bedtime snacks! For a good week it was root beer floats - look at those smiles!

Feburary

The month of February seemed to fly by! We finished up Cody's hockey season with two more tournaments (5 total for the season), mom working full time, Payten at daycare everyday, dad busy with work too!

We did get a snow day the 2nd week of February Cody just won't give up he said that his sister had to come out and play with him. I finally gave in!

Ok little sister are you ready for a ride?

I love it brother -- lets do it again!

Escape to Mexico

Yes mom and Desirae` decided last minute to go to Playa del Carmen, Mexico! When I said last minute we mean last minute we booked our trip Jan 26 at 6:30 pm and left on Jan 28th at 6 am we came home on Jan 31. It was a day before I started my long term sub job at Monroe for 2 months.

The beautiful site from the beach!

We had so much fun -early to the beach everyday, ate, had a slushy drink (or two), then to entertainment at night, and then to bed to start all over the next day. Wonderful to only have to worry about me for 4 days. I missed the kids a ton but I'm looking forward to doing it again! Oh don't worry we didn't leave the big boys home alone they headed out on a snowmobile trip. Yes the girls were in 80 degrees and the boys in -10 degrees, I think we got the better end of the deal!

Desirae` thought my kids needed musical instruments.

I promise someday I will take you with little girl.

1st Birthday!!!

We had a wonderful birthday party despite the week we had prior to her party. The 3 kids kids were sick they all took turns and mom got to clean it up (yes I said 3 kids dad was sick too)! So mom's princess wasn't her normal bundle of fun but she did shine! We had lots of people at our house including Nana and Papa, Grandma and Grandpa, Laura and Shayne, Stacey and Dylan, Hannah, Great Grandpa Larry, and Great Grandma and Grandpa Roberts!

Birthday Theme was........ Princess Pink!!!

This cake tasted better then it looked and I loved the way it looked! If you need a cake place make sure you stop at The Sweet Shop! Cookies are super cute and tasty too.

It was tough to get her to sit next to her cake, I guess she has a mind of her own.

It took her over 25 minutes to open all of her gifts. She is still learning how to do this give her till Christmas 2010 and she will be flying through gift opening.

Hello everyone I'm the Princess!

I'm not ready for bed I'm riding my new horse!

Happy 1st Birthday Payten!!!

Jan 13th was Payten's first birthday! Where does that first year go? I got a new camera for Christmas this year so I did my own photo shoot. Still working on the editing portion of photo's so if anyone can give me lessons that would be great. But here are a few that are my favorite (yes I took more then 400 photos).

Look at my super cool piggy bank that Laura and Shayne gave me for Christmas.

My birthday hat!

Ok mom I'm tried now!

Now on to her birthday party! That was a rough week for everyone in our house. We were passing around a bug and of course everyone got it but mom. So that left mom cleaning up after all 3 kids. (yes daddy was sick too) Payten wasn't her charming self for her birthday party but we managed to make the best of the night. We had everyone make it Grandma and Grandpa Otto, Nana and Papa, Hannah, Laura and Shayne, Stacey and Dylan, Great Grandpa and Great Grandma Roberts, and Great Grandpa Larry! It sure was a full house.