Bear Lake Swensen Reunion

Off to another family reunion.  This time it was with Mckay's side of the family as well as the extended family.

It was a lot of fun and good to get to know everyone even better!

One day was pretty much spent at the LAKE!  The kids didn't mind and enjoyed playing in the sun, water, and sand with their siblings and cousins.

Brielle being silly with Grandma's sun hat.

Cooling off on a hot day felt so nice!

These little canoes were a huge hit with the kids.

It was shallow in most of the area, so we strapped them in jackets and off they went paddling all over the place.

This picture brings a smile to my face as I can still hear Brielle saying, "I re-waxing".

Looks pretty comfy if you ask me!

My girls, having fun on the raft together.

Payton really took a liking to these and had the hang of steering them in no time!

 These three had so much fun together.  (Lindsey I borrowed your pictures.)

Having fun!

Pals!

Tipping over!

My hubby and me!

Playing on the shore was another favorite thing to do at the Lake.

I love that this lake is so kid friendly and you don't have to worry too much about them getting in to deep.

The girls having so much fun.

Taylor is such a character.

Brielle loved playing at the beach.

We also did a little jet skiing and boating as well.

 

The next day we went on a little hike around some nearby ICE CAVES.  It was a bumpy ride getting there in our cars, but the kids sure liked it.

Meet the Ice King, that is what Taylor was calling himself once we got there.

Payton liked to explore in the dark caves.

Once again Brielle is being packed around in the handy backpack.

The kids thought it was cold there and kind of weird to see ice/snow in the middle of the summer.

Kenzie and me

Kade and Payton

The "Ice King".

Enjoying the fresh air.

Maggie, Kenzie, and Asher found a few butterflies.

So did Brielle.

Only she never let hers go.

 

It was a fun weekend that flew by.  We really enjoyed visiting with family! 

 

One a side note:

Payton has been battling a little bit of ear trouble with all of the swimming this summer.  At first we thought he was just getting a re-occurring ear infection (he was put on amoxicillin 7/8/2013)

Height:4 feet 1 inch (33.20%), weight: 59 pounds (60.85%), but upon further checking and continued ear pain, we realized that it was in fact a case of Swimmer's Ear.  He was put on some drops and weight was 58 pounds (56.24%) at an appointment on 7/22/2013, when the Doctor let me sneak him in after Brielle's 2 year well check-up that day.  He is doing much better now!



Brielle's 2nd Birthday!

Brielle is the Birthday GIRL now!!  She enjoyed being the center of attention for the day as she turned 2 Years Old!  We celebrated a day early since we would be traveling to Bear Lake for the Swensen Family Reunion, on her actual birthday.  Although we still made her birthday fun as well.

We met my mom in town that morning so she could give Brielle a few gifts.  One of those gifts was a new doll that is interactive and likes to be fed/take a Binky.  Brielle really loves babies and is a natural little mommy so I know she is sure going to love her new toys.

For dinner we ordered Papa Murphy's pizza, a favorite of the kids, including Brielle!

Pizza Party with the Birthday Girl!

Yummy...She especially loves the toppings first!



Brielle's rainbow cake.  She was so pleased with how it turned out!

Time to open presents.  My mom had Young Women's that night and the other family members were busy, but Dean, Cynthia, and Max were able to make it in time to open gifts and have cake and ice cream.

She can't wait to see what is inside!

Her own little purse.

Brielle and her siblings...eager to see what she got.

She was so cute and curious!

A new stroller for that little baby my parents got for her.

It is just her size and she absolutely loves it!!

Time for Birthday Dessert!!

By now she has gotten the hang of what happens come cake time.  Her face says it all as she sat there waiting to blow out her candles while we sang to her.

Trying to blow, but not close enough!

I love this sweet little face!

Birthday's are the best!

Getting ready to BLOW!

With a little lift from Dad, she was able to get close enough and blow them out!

Yeah for cake and ice cream.  Brielle gets the first serving!

She was one happy girl being the center of attention on her BIG day!

The next morning we woke up and finished packing for our trip to Bear Lake (we met up with the rest of Mckay's family for a fun weekend reunion).  This was Brielle's actual Birthday so we let her choose where to eat lunch.  With a little help from her siblings (they persuaded her) she chose to go to McDonald's where there was sure to be a playground!

After eating a few chicken nuggets, Brielle was soon eyeing the playground and was ready to go PLAY!

Taylor and Kenzie having fun.  It sure is fun having a sibling with a Birthday (the rest of the kids get a little spoiled too).

One thing I always admire and appreciate in Payton is how he often drops everything to take care of his younger siblings.  He is such a good helper, even when I don't ask, I think he almost enjoys watching and taking care of Brielle at the playground better then running off and playing without her.  I couldn't ask for a better oldest child.  Payton is so attentive and caring, sometimes it blows my mind and I wonder why he stops to take the time when he could be off and playing/doing what he wants.  Brielle takes full advantage of it though and he treats her like a queen.

Taylor and McKenzie like to play with their siblings too, but they are more about doing what they want!

Brielle was ready to play once we arrived at the reunion house.

Happy Birthday Sweetie, time to play with your family and cousins.

I can't believe she is 2 already!  She is growing up so fast!!

Brielle had her 24 Month Check-up on 7/22/2013.  Here are her 2 year stats:

Height:  31.25 inches  (1.46%)

Weight:  24 pounds  (34.12%)

Head:  18.9 inches (69.35%)

Here are a few fun details about my sweet baby girl:
She is such a jabber box and can talk your ear off.  She often sounds like a little chipmunk with her little voice (I love to hear what she has to say).  Sometimes she will surprise us with new words or sayings we didn't even know she knew, much less, understood and can say.  The other day while in the car she said "I hab the Hiccups", Mckay and I looked at each other as if to question we really heard her right, and then looked back at her, and sure enough her little chest would cave in with each little hiccup.  It was pretty cute!  Brielle is an awesome sleeper (I am pretty lucky that way).  This is a good thing because it seems like we have been all over the place this summer!  She is a great little eater and loves most food thrown her way, Cheese and Bananas might just be at the top of her most requested list.  She loves babies and rocking them while saying "SHH SHH" comes naturally to her.  She is a cute little mommy!  She also loves all animals and seems to have no fear as she approaches them to pet them.  She is a water baby and loves swimming and bath time.  I can tell she is maturing because she is starting to love playing dress up and girly things like nail polish with McKenzie.  Her siblings will do just about anything for her and she knows it!!  Brielle is such a huge part of our family and is loved and treasured by us all!
Happy Birthday little one! 

 This photo was taken earlier this summer and she was really enjoying a day of dressing up with her sister.

 Oh so pretty!

 Sisterly LOVE!

While babysitting Max we had a fun time laughing at him in a swim cap!
(Just a few other fun memories from this summer I had to throw in.)