Another classic Lewis family adventure!

To fully appreciate this story, you first need a little background information.

We never put our kids to bed without a bath. I am neurotic and a little OCD, I know. Anyway, I can count on one hand the number of times we have skipped baths before bed. We were both really tired and skipped bath time last night.

Carter woke up REALLY hungry this morning and ate an entire Nutra Grain bar, yogurt, and a banana for breakfast.

So I thought it would be fun to let the kids play in the tub for a while this morning because we normally sort of rush through bath before bed. I filled a tub with bubbles and every toy imaginable and put both kids in together to play while I sorted laundry. All was well until I heard Carter say "Mom there are big crumbs in the bath! Hurry!" I knew where this was going. Sure enough, Evyn had pooped in the tub. It was one of those moments where you stop and assess the situation and still don't know where to start.

I started by getting all the toys out to sterilize, then I got Carter out and put him in a towel and started draining the tub. The problem was that the "crumbs" were actually entire grapes and pieces of undigested squash that kept clogging the drain. So I got a wash rag and started clearing the drain to let the water out. I put Evyn in a towel and closed the door trying to contain the situation as much as possible.

The water finally was almost out of the tub, which left me with the opportunity to collect the chunks of grape and squash in the wash rag and dump them in the potty. I was not enjoying this, but feeling pretty good about how well the clean up process was going. It was at this point that Carter looks in the potty and says "Oh, that is BISGUSTING!" and starts wretching violently. This makes me laugh. Until he starts throwing up. I had no idea that he was a sympathetic barfer. I am kneeling on the floor trying to clean the drain, and he refuses to throw up in the potty because the "crumbs" are in there, so he turns around and covers my feet in throw up. Nutra grain bar, banana, and yogurt- all smelling rather fruity. The only reaction I know to have is to laugh. I am trying desperately to keep Evyn out of the barf, help Carter clean his face, disinfect the tub, and start a new bath.

I promised Carter a trip to the pumpkin patch today and he was scared that I would not let him go if he was sick, so he quickly assured me that he was not sick- only allergic to baby poop. My sentiments exactly.

Our Little Getaway (A Top Ten List)

Mike and I went on a little kid free mini-vacation for the first time in at least two years. The highlight of our trip was the phenomenal U2 concert, but every bit of our time was wonderful. In an attempt to not bore you with the details, I have done my best to compose a top ten list of the highlights. Here we go.

10. Our trip to the State Fair. Why I love the fair so much, I do not know, but the state fair did not disappoint. Oprah was filming there that day, so that was cool. Also cool was Big Tex and the enormous butter sculpture. We declined the chicken fried bacon and fried butter but did get to see a dog show. The farris wheel was sadly closed for repairs. It was 58 degrees and overcast. Perfect.

9. The Cheesecake Factory. One piece of cheesecake after dinner and one to take home for the next night.

8. Waking up without an alarm clock or child. Heavenly.

7. Shopping without strollers and diaper bags.

6. Ten hours of uninterrupted conversation in the car. Turns out we still have lots to talk about!

5. Experiencing the new Cowboy Stadium. It was so big that it was almost obscene, but still cool to see.

4. Fajitas at Uncle Julio's- a sentimental favorite.

3. Bono and The Edge. Be still my heart. Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For and With or Without You blew me away.

2. Coming home to these two precious babies.

1. Quality time with the love of my life. We took our camera along, but only took these two self portraits! I love this boy so very much. We laughed and giggled, held hands, and remembered how much we really do still like each other. Good times!

Our adventure at the fire station.

Carter loves firetrucks, firestations, firemen, fire hats- you name it. We are blessed to be friends with the fire chief in Lubbock and he is always so sweet to answer all of Carter's thousands of questions about how brave you have to be to be a fireman, etc. A brand new firestation opened about two blocks from our house, and Carter received a hand written invitation to the grand opening from Fire Chief Rhea! He was not about to miss the big day. I am blessed to have an amazing principal who lets me also be a mommy, and I got to take Carter to the ceremony and lunch today.


This was the color guard about to post the colors. Carter had lots of questions about the bagpipes.

During the ceremony, one of the city council men was talking about how the Lubbock firefighters were the best firemen in the nation. Carter proudly marched up to these men and told them that they were the bravest firemen in the world. Needless to say, they were happy to take a picture with him.

Sweet boy. He was the only little man there and thought that he was so very grown up.

Fire Chief Rhea! Carter's hero.

We even met the mayor! Carter wanted to know how he got to be boss of the city. And he was proud as punch that they had the same kind of hat on.

We had a fabulous day and I will savor the memory of watching my little fireman soak it all in!

Splish splash they were taking a bath!

Does life get any better than Mister Bubble and these two precious little pumpkins?

Silly, emotional me.

I was just looking at pictures of Evyn when she was brand new and got all kinds of emotional. I know that I feel a perfect sense of completion with our little family, but part of me is sad that both of my "babies" are getting so big so quickly. It seems like yesterday that we found out she was on the way. I think I am feeling all sentimental and whatnot because she is finally starting to drink out of a cup, which means that I am finally weaning her (before going to the U2 concert- woot!), and while I am completely ready to have my body back, I can't help but reflect on how this is the close of a chapter. I will never nurse another baby. (I apologize if any men are reading this.) I love the book "Let Me Hold You Longer" by Karen Kingsbury, and I am completely having a "let me hold you longer" kind of moment right now. So, I will focus on savoring each day with my sweet little ones because as every mommy knows, tomorrow will come all too soon! Thank you God for the gift of each new day with my family.

The Tradition Lives On.

I love the Fair. It is so trashy and filthy and wonderful. I find that if you embrace the experience and force yourself to ignore the repulsion that you naturally feel, it is really a fabulous evening. Here are some highlights from our annual evening of fun.

The whole Lewis clan. Mike looks really giddy, no?

Carter put away an entire corndog painted with mustard. A boy after my own heart.

Nothing says committed relationship like hands in the back pockets.

I believe that this picture speaks for itself.

This was the first year that Carter really got into the petting zoo. He was fearless.

And he even held the ducks and chicks all by himself like a big kid.

Evyn was especially fascinated by the ducks.

This picture was taken right after we saw a cow take a huge leak. Carter and Mark both thought it was hilarious. For the record, Mark is the best sport ever. Carter thinks that Mark is the 5th member of our immediate family. I love that!

Riding the carousel like such a big kid.

This girl loves to be outside and was an absolute doll tonight. She waved and talked and smiled. She even got to taste some corndog. Gotta start 'em young!

Mommy loving her babies. I am still able to squat in this picture because it was taken before the funnel cake.

Carter is strangely drawn to this robot. It terrifies him but he wants to see it up close.

My thoughts exactly!

I feel like the very hungry caterpillar- between all of us we purchased three corndogs, lemonade, pork on a stick, corn, lemonade, a turkey leg, a chalupa, and a funnel cake. I would call it an all around great night! I can hardly wait for next year.

My little itty bitty.

Evyn is teeny tiny. She wasn't even 7 pounds when she was born, and she still lands close to the 15th percentile for weight. Being a freakishly tall and generally large woman that has spent most of her life feeling a little like Fiona Shrek, I love this about Evyn. I will not love her any less if she grows up to be tall like her mommy, but I am savoring the anomaly of her size right now. She is growing and gaining weight, but is still such a petite little thing.

The weather cooled off this week, and I needed to put her in some clothes that were a little warmer. All of her 12 month clothes are still way too big, and the clothes that she has for 9 months are all summer-y, so I ended up moving backwards in her closet.

Here is Evyn at 4 months wearing a precious little capri pant outfit.

Evyn at 11 months wearing the same size 3-6 month outfit.

Evyn at 3 months in one of my very favorite little getups.

My sassy little 11 month old sporting the same duds.

Little miss at 5 months proudly modeling her purple jeans.

Evyn at 11 months making that purple denim work!

And just because I thought it was fun, here is Carter destroying the same bookshelf at about the same age (I think he was 9 months in this picture).

I love the look on her face in this picture. "Mom, leave me alone. I clearly have plastic food to prepare for dinner. A woman's work is never done."

And, last but not least, here is big brother living the life. Feet propped in the recliner and breakfast on a tray. Every man's dream!

You cannot lose my love.

My sweet friend, Heather, has been updating my music library. One of the songs that has completely captivated me is "You Cannot Lose My Love" by Sara Groves (click the title to check it out). The first time I heard it, I realized that tears were running down my cheeks. For all you mommies, it is completely worth the $.99 on itunes.

I know that dedicating a song reminds most of us of calling in to a radio program in junior high, so at the risk of sounding corny I would like to dedicate this song to the two most amazing little people I have ever known. Every word is true. I love you guys more than you can imagine.

You Cannot Lose My Love

Sara Groves

You will lose your baby teeth.

At times, you'll lose your faith in me.

You will lose a lot of things, But you cannot lose my love.

You may lose your appetite,

Your guiding sense of wrong and right.

You may lose your will to fight, But you cannot lose my love.

You will lose your confidence.

In times of trial, your common sense.

You may lose your innocence, But you cannot lose my love.

Many things can be misplaced;

Your very memories be erased.

No matter what the time or space, You cannot lose my love.

You cannot lose, You cannot lose, You cannot lose my love.

Fall, Family Bike Rides, and Fun!

Fall is my very favorite season of the year. I love the crisp air and the cool mornings. I love sleeping with a window open and needing a blanket. I love the changing leaves and the way that colors seem to jump out at you when it is overcast. It all just makes me feel so alive. I love sitting on the porch with Mike- sipping coffee and solving all of the problems in the world after we put our beautiful babies to bed. I am even starting to enjoy football. It seems like Fall arrived in Lubbock overnight and I am just so thankful for the arrival of a new season. I love it!

One of the best things about this time of year is that you can get outside and enjoy it without sweating and being miserable. We have had a lot of fun this month riding bikes together! Carter has really picked up some speed and we are enjoying our family bike rides. We normally go around the block and then end up in a church parking lot where we play "follow the leader." Evyn loves riding too, so we will have to enjoy this before it gets too cold out!

Here is my sweet family getting ready to ride!

Carter is so big and independent. I honestly think that he is close to not needing training wheels anymore. We'll see.

Please ignore my thigh and try to focus on the cute baby on the bike!

And just for grins, here is baby Carter riding the same bike with his daddy. This seems like it was yesterday.

I always love Sunday mornings because the kids look so sweet. I could not resist snapping a few pictures before we headed to church this morning. Evyn got upset in the nursery this morning so I took her with me to big church and she slept on my shoulder through the whole service. Heavenly.

Don't they look absolutely angelic?

She loves this play table (thanks, Summer)- it makes all kinds of music and noises. She pushes buttons and dances and smiles. She is way more musical than her brother ever was. She even dances when I sing to her. So sweet.