All about mememememememememe

Meme time.
I was tagged for a meme by Aubrey at Pilgrims at Ashley Avenue.



I've never actually been tagged for a meme before, so this will be fun.



1) LAST MOVIE YOU SAW IN A THEATER.WE just saw Kung-Fu Panda today. I've been wanting to take Ellie since we saw the preview ages ago and Brandon actually went with us! Of course Ellie fell asleep about 3/4 of the way through the movie. I think it was actually a popcorn coma. That girl can put away some buttery popped corn.



2) WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING?Sadly, I am not reading anything right now. It is unusual for me, but I've had a lot to do lately and if I am into a book, I will not do anything else (clean, cook, parent).



3) FAVORITE BOARD GAME? Trivial Pursuit. I am a dork.



4) FAVORITE MAGAZINE?Just for fun, I like any of the trashy tabloid ones at the register. I know, completely shallow and useless, but I can't help it.



5) FAVORITE SMELLS? right now, fresh peaches or nectarines.



6) FAVORITE SOUNDS? hysterical laughing from a 3 year old



7) WORST FEELING IN THE WORLD?disappointing someone you love



8)WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU THINK OF WHEN U WAKE "Seriously, it's only 6-something. I don't need to be up until 7. Yes, you can have juice box if you get it yourself."



9) FAVORITE FAST FOOD PLACE?Chick-Fil-A. Or anywhere with good fries.



10) FUTURE CHILD'S NAME?Just trying to think of one for this baby is hard enough. I'm stumped. But for a boy- Henry.



11) FINISH THIS STATEMENT—’IF I HAD A LOT OF MONEY I’d…Buy our way out of the Army and move to the beach.



12) DO YOU DRIVE FAST?Umm. Yes. Most of the time.



13) DO YOU SLEEP WITH A STUFFED ANIMAL?No. Just about 500 pillows to prop up all the pregnant.



14) STORMS–COOL OR SCARY?Cool. My dad and I used to sit on the front porch and watch them.



15) WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CAR?1976 Ford Grenada. Sexy!



16) FAVORITE DRINK? Diet Coke with lime or Coke Zero cherry. I mean water- Just in case the OB is reading.



17) FINISH THIS STATEMENT-IF I HAD THE TIME I WOULD…do more crafts



18) DO YOU EAT THE STEMS ON BROCCOLI?nope, only the florets



19) IF YOU COULD DYE YOUR HAIR ANY OTHER COLOUR, WHAT WOULD BE YOUR CHOICE? for real, back to blonde like it used to be naturally, but for fun, RED



20) NAME ALL THE DIFFERENT CITIES/TOWNS YOU HAVE LIVED IN.Mt Pleasant, SC, Columbus and Ft. Benning, GA, Ft. Polk, LA, Enterprise, AL



21) FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?only baseball



22) ONE NICE THING ABOUT THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU?I haven't even met Aubrey, but she's been commenting on my blog for a while and I read hers regularly. I found it somehow and started commenting because she lived in Charleston. Not only is she a doctor, but I also admire her sewing.



23) WHATS UNDER YOUR BED?Empty luggage, dog hair and probably some of E's toys



24) WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE BORN AS YOURSELF AGAIN?? Sure, it's worked so far.



25) MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL?I'm more of a late morning, noon type person



26) OVER EASY OR SUNNY SIDE UP?gross! scrambled please



27) FAVORITE PLACE TO RELAX?If I'm really lucky, the beach, but more regularly, the couch in the A/C



29) FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR?My mom's homemade OREO



30) OF ALL THE PEOPLE YOU HAVE TAGGED, WHO IS THE MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND FIRST?I don't really know. But I will tag Melissa and Barbara because they are my friends and the only ones I know with a blog that actually read mine and comment :( So sad, it's supposed to be 5 people. And Kim I will tag you too and you can post it on myspace if you want :)

Happy (Really) Belated Birthday

So we finally had Ellie's party with her friends today. Only a month and a half late. No problem. She enjoyed it just as much as she would have last month. We had a Little Mermaid theme and played outside in the pool and Slip N Slide for a little while. It was pretty hot and the kids wanted to come in pretty quickly. Thanks to everyone who came and shared the day with us.
Ellie has already been playing with all her new stuff. She even made Brandon play the Ladybug Game (she won!) and we did both of her puzzles. Right now she is back to playing with her Pet Shop. She keeps walking around making us kiss the little animals. We also have PlayDough on the agenda for tonight and 3D Sidewalk Chalk once it dries up outside. I may even let her draw something. heehee
**PS- anyone who got better pics than I did, please email them to me. I didn't get very many.

More Beachy Fun

Here are some of my favorite pics from our beach trip courtesy of Barbara and her super speedy camera skillz.

Aww, so sweet. I think this is my very favorite picture. I don't have many of the 2 of us so it makes it even more special.

Painting pottery oh-so-seriously. I almost looked psychotic. Frightening.

Practicing Big Sister skills- not being bossy. (or tattling)

I just love this one.

Crazy mad dance party. Now she looks a little psychotic in this one. Yikes!

Fishing with Daddy

Today we went to the lake (and endured a thunder storm). It was really fun and not too hot thanks to the rain. Here are some shots of my fisherman and girl.

Playing Catch-up

It's been a busy and FUN week here at the House of Payne.

I will try to be brief. (ha!)

Sunday we spent the morning in the "woods" with Brandon for Father's Day. We actually went to the archery range on post and walked around with him while he shot at all the targets. It is pretty much in the woods and we were the only ones there so it was nice and peaceful. Ellie really loves to be outside, especially with Daddy.

Monday was just a regular day. We jazzercised and then hung out at home.

Tuesday all three of us took a scenic drive to Ft. Benning for a retirement ceremony. One of the guys from Brandon's troop in Iraq was retiring. We got to GA early so we could ride around and see our old house and visit our favorite places- Shooter's Gun Shop and Chef Lee's Chinese restaurant. Both were the same as always. Being the smarties that we are, we forgot about the time difference from AL to GA and missed the actual ceremony completely. We got there just in time for the long congratulations/shake everyone in town's hand line. I don't think anyone knew that we weren't there the whole time. It worked out great because E didn't have to sit still through the ceremony. I was looking forward to it because the building was cool and we were HOT. We took the Volvo and the A/C decided to freeze up on us. That was unpleasant. But E slept most of the way there and back so that was good. That's the last nap she took this week. I am afraid they are gone forever.

Wed-Fri Ellie and I had a "Girls' Getaway" with Barbara and Abby. It was awesome. Barbara's parents have a condo in Sandestin, FL and we were lucky enough to stay there with them for a couple of days. We enjoyed the sun, sand and seafood. I took a few pictures, bur Barbara-the-picture-taking-machine took lots more. Check out Abby's Blog for the full story and all the pics. The beach really threw me off. I am only used the ones in SC so the Gulf's water and sand was so different. It was the first time I'd ever been. But it was beautiful and Sandestin and was incredible.

Today E and I went to the Children's Festival in the Park which was right across the street from our neighborhood. There was a lot to do, but it was so hot we didn't stay as long as E would have liked. She did a few of the activities, but some were too big for her.

Happy Father's Day

To all the dads out there.....where ever you are.
We love you!

Babies R Us, here we come!

Yay! Dothan got a Babies R Us this week. Well, it's a Toys R Us and Babies R Us in one building. Ellie and I went to the grand opening yesterday to take it all in. They had characters walking around and free cake and all kinds of fun things to do. She was all excited about seeing the characters since we'd been talking about it for a week. But as soon as she saw them all larger than life, she was scared. After a while of walking past them and waving she finally wanted take pictures with them. The store is really nice and neat and I am excited to have one so close. In LA we had to go all the way to Houston to get to one. It was pretty crowded yesterday and I'm sure it will be through the weekend. We'll definitely go back soon though. There are a few baby things that have gotten popular in the last 3 years that I want to get. Here are some shots of E with the characters.



Weird alligator/dragon guy. Not sure who he's supposed to be.
The ever popular Strawberry Shortcake dressed as a princess.
And of course Geoffrey the Giraffe.




There was also a CareBear, Diego, a Ninja Turtle and Darth Vader (who most kids were terrified of). They were no where to be in the few minutes between when E decided she wasn't scared anymore and I was too tired to walk around anymore.

It's a.....

...girl!!!




Today was our ultrasound of #2. That is offically her name. Just kidding. We haven't even begun to talk about names yet. We are very excited, but I am still in shock that the baby is not a boy. I have felt so differently with this one so I assumed. You know what they say about that...





Ellie is very excited and told the doctor that she was going to share. Here are the newest pics of her little sister.


Side View


Front View
Girl Parts (seems a little obscene, but just in case you wanted the proof)



2 Tiny feet



The ultrasound tech was really nice and we were in there for at least half an hour. Mom and Tyler are visiting so it was a crowded room. The baby was moving like crazy. Flipping and running away from the tech. We saw all 4 chambers of the heart and heard the heartbeat. Ellie loved that part. And we saw the kidneys, stomach and bladder. Well, at least that's what the tech said they were. Could've been anything for all we knew. The machine was hooked up to a big flat screen TV on the wall so we all got a really good view.

My appt afterwards was good too. I still have not gained any weight. In fact, I lost some more this time. But I think it's just from chasing Ellie and staying busy. And Jazzercise of course. It was the first time someone actually told me to make sure I was getting enough calories. Not usually a problem for me. I'm sure I won't ever hear it again.

2 Cute Kiddos

Cutie #1. I couldn't resist posting this picture. I think it looks like a Sports Illustrated, Jr. pose or something. She cracks me out!

And #2.

I am not referring to myself. I am referring to the one that must be a giant since my belly is so big already. Just thought those of you scattered far and wide might like to see it. 21 weeks and couting. And tomorrow we'll know whether to drape it in pink or blue. I'll be sure to post it as soon as we get home. And please excuse the smiley face. I was taking the picture myself and telling Ellie to stay out of the picture- because she was butt naked. So you can imagine the lovely expression on my face. It was not attractive.