Livin' the Lemen Life: 2009

This is Eric's revised picture

MERRY CHRISTMAS

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. We did but we wished we could be with family and I wished for some snow. We tried taking a picture of all of us together and this was the only one that Preston smilied in so don't mind my crazy face in the back. If you haven't noticed, take a look at Preston's bump on his forhead. We were over at a friends house on Christams Eve and one of the kids (3 years old) picked up Preston and lost balance or something and hit his head on a dresser. We are not sure exactly what happend because they were playing in another room and a 3 year old told us what happened. She came up to me and said the he was picked up then thrown. I didn't get to worried or upset I new I had to first go see the scene of the crime.

Anyway here are some pics from our Chirstmas. Hope you enjoy them.

Thanks you for all of the gifts that were sent. Preston loves them.

He started to get the hand of opening the presents. He opened about two right when he woke up then we had to stop to eat breakfast.

Preston got a late birthday present form his cousin Rylee. Thanks Rylee!

Here is a short video of Preston opening a gift

It's that time of year again. I only wish there was snow. I have been getting in the Christmas mood by making crafts and listening to Christmas music. But Eric is being a bah humbug by not letting me play music when he is home. He did help me put a gingerbread train together. (My family sent) He did the construction work and put it together and I did the decorating. Preston tried to help, but he kept breaking it instead of helping. I think I will let him distroy it after Christmas.

I have been in a really craftly mood for Christmas. I only wish that there was a micheals craft store. I find a craft I want to do and I can't find anything for it. It can be very frustrating!!

My first project (that I knew I could accomplish) was to make a gingerman wreath. I didn't want to make them edible because I knew I wasn't going to eat them so it would have been a waste of better and eggs. So I made them out of cinnamon, applesauce, and glue. I thought it turned out great

I then decided the make the gingermen for the tree. I made salt dough for the tree because the other mixture didn't make that much for a lot of cinnamon. Preston has learned pretty quickly not to tuch the ornaments. He will get close to the tree then look over his shoulder to see if anyone is watching. It's really cute.

I turned our picture frames into the word joy. I put all of our gifts or should I say Preston's gifts on top of the tv. I knew no matter how many slaps on the hand he would still want to get into the gifts.

I was a little creative with this wreath. I a bush by our house and attached them with wire. I was really proud of this one.

Hope everyone is having a wonderful Chirstmas season!!

My mom's package made it. It took it a long time, but it made it. Aunt Mindy got him this cute birthday had and he hated it! As soon as I put it on he was crying for me to take it off. Thanks any way Mindy.

Aunt Janna sent him this cute little dog that he LOVES! (At lest the dog likes the hat)

Grandpa and Grandma Martin sent him a bath toy.

I have fallen in love with squash soup. I really don't like squash, but it was made for a mops group and I always wanted to try it. It was so good!! And it is the perfect time of the year for it. Here is the recipe that I used.

BUTTER NUT SQUASH SOUP

1 Tablespoon shallot, minced (I only had a white onion and it worked)

1 Clove garlic, pressed or minced (I pressed mine)

3 Cups butternut squash, Peeled and seeded (the longest part)

1/2 Cup chicken broth

Combine sallots and garlic with a little butter in a pan and saute until translucent. Add squash and chicken broth. Bring to a boil then simmer for about 20 min. Pour everything in a blender or food processor and puree. Pour back into the pot to heat through. I added more broth so it wasn't as thick. (I like it thinner.) I also added some ginger to taste. So yummy!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PRESTON!!!!

Preston turned one today

At firs all he wanted to do was suck on the suckers. We pulled them off and he didn't waste anytime at all.

I think he liked the sucker most of all

Aunt Lynn sent some cloths. Thanks Aunt Lynn.

Grandma and Grandpa Lemen sent some cloths and a VeggieTales dvd's and cd's. Thanks Connie and Rich.

We gave Preston a big toy train with a handle. (We only got a picture of him opening it)

The sweetest molet ever!

Our Halloween was not that great. We all got sick a few days before and Preston got really sick on Halloween. So we didn't get to got out with Preston in his cute costume. Maybe next year will be better.

Eric reenlisted on October 28.

And this is how Preston feels about it.

On Sunday morning, it was so nice outside that Preston and I spent it exploring.

Preston walking

What a great night. I was out walking Preston and there were leaves on the ground and cool crisp air all around. Houses were decorated in Halloween and it got me all excited for the season. (except I can't bake any pumpkin bread or cookies because Eric is on a low to no carb diet) The next great thing about tonight is that Preaston took his first steps!!!!! He was so proud of himself. I was so surprised. Eric didn't even get to see it because he is in bed. Next time.

Preston finally fits into his sunday suit from his Aunt Mindy. He lookes like a little man. I love it! I didn't get that great of a picture because we were going to be late for church and when we got back Preston was a sleep.

I didn't put his collar over his tie. woops

We got our new bedroom set. Our bedroom is so small that not all of the pieces could fit. So we have one out in the frontroom holding our tv. It works out great because our other tv stand was all open so Preston got into everything. Now we have no problem

The bed is so tall! It is all hand made. The would is mahogany and beach wood.

We got to take a nice vacation back to the states. It was a needed bread from Turkey. Our first stop was Utah were my family is at. We had a really good time and they loved spending time with Preston. One of the days (only pictures I have) we went golfing

We got to go the Las Vegas and have some fun. We left Preston back with my parents. We had one day in Vegas by ourselves. (which was greatly needed) Then Eric's dad came out and we got to hang out with him. The next day was the big surprise for Eric's mom. She thought she was coming to vegas with her sister for a bithday party. That was true, but she didn't know lots of family members were also going to be there. When it was Preston's grand enterence, she screamed so loud that it made Preston cry. He got over it and loved his Grandma. It was a good surprise.

We got to go indoor skydiving. It was really cool!

Of course Eric was the best. By his Third try he was doing flips. If is dad wasn't hurt there would be a BIG competition going on.

getting our gear on

This is the best picutre we got.

Grandpa playing with Preston at Aunt Lynn's

We got to go to Omaha to see our friends. We first stayed at Tami's. (Thank you Tami for putting us up.) Then we stayed at the Stahlies house. (Thank you Stahlies) We had a great time at both. Brandi and Preston watching our men go Karting.