SuMMeR FuN!

Last weekend we went camping as a family, including my mom and grandma. It was a lot of fun and nice to just get out and enjoy the fresh air, and try out some of our camping gear that has been collecting dust. Camping can be a lot of work when you have kids and I am beginning to see for myself. You know all of the little things that you need to remember to take along with you including: sunblock, food for meals and snacks, toys, clothes, sleeping gear, fishing gear, swimming gear, etc, etc... (bedtimes are also complicated when there are four in a tent, but we managed) ...you ged the picture!! Despite all the work we did have a great time as a family. This is something both Mckay and I grew up doing with our families and therefore plan on doing with our own family.

Dad and Payton hanging out in the shade.

McKenzie and Payton enjoying the outdoors.

Payton and Dad fishing (we did catch several fish and Payton had a blast reeling them in when we would get one on the line...he would giggle the whole time).

Fishing with my mom!

Payton also has been going to swimming lessons. He is so comfortable in the water and even went off the diving board. He was the shortest child in the class, which means that the water would be at his chin at times, but that did not hold him back...he looked forward to going to lessons everyday with his cousin Allyssa. After swimming we would eat luch in the park and let the kids play.

Last day of swimming lessons "PLaY DaY"!

Allyssa and Payton.

McKenzie having fun in the sun while waiting for Payton.

HaPPY FaThER's DaY!!

I could not ask for a better husband/father in my life. I am so lucky to have married this wonderful guy. Mckay is such a fun dad for the kids and so helpful to me when I am in need of a couple of extra hands. I have not been feeling well today and have been running a fever...needless to say it has not been the relaxing day that I had hoped to give Mckay, and he has stepped in to help with the kids. I will make it up to you Mckay and appreciate all that you do everyday for our family! We love you so much. I also want to wish each of our dads a Happy Father's Day and know that we have been thinking about you and appreciate all you do!

SoMeTHinG To CeLeBRaTe!!

Mckay recently finished his last and final class!! This means no more homework (when he is home, he is ours). Other then the fact that he plans on taking the CPA Exam, and will have a lot of studying before that time comes. He has worked so hard for our little family and we appreciate all of his hard work in our behalf. He will begin working in the middle of July, so until then it is PaRTY time!! We plan on doing a lot of camping, going to Montana, boating, fishing, swimming, and just being together as a family. I love when we get breaks to spend a lot of quality time together! I am sure going to miss him when he starts working full-time! Payton loves it when Daddy comes home, he always runs up to him to give him a giant hug and then says "I missed you DADDY"! He speaks for the whole family :)! To celebrate graduating and my brother Brian's Birthday, we had a BBQ at my parents house this weekend. There was lots of good food and we had a great time. We are so proud of you Mckay and love you so much!!

One thing that we love to do as a FaMiLY is to pull out the

"Couch Bed", (that is what Payton calls it)

then we like to watch movies and eat popcorn.

McKenzie mostly likes to roll on the mattress,

she is not too interested in watching movies yet.

Lately McKenzie is getting more daring. She has taken a few steps as she tries to move to objects that she thinks are close enough to take a risk. She is at such a fun age and is such an easy going little girl.

On Friday we think that Payton must have gotten stung/bitten by some sort of insect. At first his ear was a little red and swollen, but as the day went on it just kept getting worse and worse, until it was huge and twice it's normal size. It was red and warm like a fever. He looked so funny but at the same time, it was hard to not feel bad for him. I kept trying to figure out what had happened but he didn't seem to know. We showed Payton what he looked like in the mirror and told him that his ear was really big. It was so funny to see his reaction...he grabbed it and tried to pull it off and then he went into denial mode and said "It not big, it is little". It is getting back to normal now, not to mention the two small poke marks where the culprit must have gotten him and a little discoloration. I wonder if it was a mosquito, he seems to be allergic to mosquitoes and swells up really big, feels warm, and welts up when he gets bit. Last summer he got bit on the face and his eye was almost swollen shut.

I have heard that this goes away with age. Does this sound normal?

RooM DeCoraTioNS

I have been working on a few craft projects for Payton's and McKenzie's rooms. There are not a ton of things that I can do to spice up their plain bedrooms, so I try to be creative, that is another reason why I look forward to buying a home (so that I can decorate the way that I want and paint). Payton loves CARS so his room is reds and browns, to match his McQueen and Mater quilt that I sewed for his last birthday. McKenzie's room is pink and green to match her crib set. I am happy with the outcomes! My mom has not seen the final project so I told her that I would post it for her...this might not be interesting to the rest of you, but I always like to look at creative things that other people do, to get cute ideas!

Payton's picture frame

Payton's magnet board

McKenzie's picture frame (I neet to put a picture in it)

McKenzie's magnet board