Bus Pics

Standing at the back of the bus looking forward.

Standing at the front of the bus look back.

Suprisingly, it fits in front of our house without blocking a drive.

The weather finally got a little warmer this week, so Ty had the opportunity to start working on the bus. Back in November, he purchased a 71 passenger school bus from Fairview Heights, IL. His ultimate goal is to turn it into an Illinois tailgating bus. This week, he and a few firemen started dismantling the seats. They removed all but one, because the heater is connected to it. Then he swept it all out, and when the nice weather returns he will power wash the inside of the bus.

Newspapers

Rolling in a sea of papers!

Ty and I love to read the newspaper in bed on Sunday mornings, while Payton watches Handy Manny. This past Sunday morning she decided she wanted to read or rather destroy the Sunday paper as well. She prefers the advertisement section because it tears more easily!

Easter Pics

Payton and the bunny admiring one another.

She seems content just sitting with the bunny.

We are still a few weeks away from Easter, but we decided to get pictures anyway. Payton had the opportunity to sit with LIVE bunnies for her latest photo shoot. As you can imagine this was no easy feat. The bunny kept trying to nibble off the flowers on Payton's dress and she kept tugging on the bunny's ears. I guess it all turned out fair in the end! We got some cute shots that I thought I would post.

Sick Again:(

It has been a very tiresome week, as we have had a sick little girl. Yes, this is the third time that monkey has been sick since I have stopped breastfeeding her - flu/ear infection/flu. We came home from Belleville on Sunday afternoon and that is when it all began. We have had a week of poo and vomit. Ty's famous quote from the week was "Payton had an ass explosion"! Payton finally started feeling and acting better on Friday. Thank goodness. We are not used to seeing our little girl act so lethargic and sleepy all day. It is good to have her back to normal again.

Kim's Baby Shower

Angie, Kim, Payton & Me, Kenzie

On Sunday, we headed down to Belleville to celebrate the anticipated arrival of Baby Bossler. Kim's mother-in-law hosted a wonderful baby shower for this event. We are keeping our fingers crossed that this baby is born over spring break, so we can go down and meet him!

It was so nice to see Kim and Angie. We definitely need to get together more often!

St. Patrick's Day Parade

Payton puts a smile on Jasper's face during the parade.
She had to take a break from standing in the window!

Franny's Firetruck
(This was purchased by a fireman last year and he got Franny's to sponsor it.)

Last weekend was super busy for the Sitko family. On Saturday, Payton and I began our day by going to Alexis' volleyball game at St. Agnes. They won in two sets!

At noon, we headed downtown for the St. Patty's Day Parade. There was quite a large turnout. We had the benefit of watching from an upstairs window at Bridge Jewelry store. It was so much less crowded than the streets. The parade lasted for almost 2 hours! I swear that it is getting longer each year. After we left downtown we went home to rest up.

At 2:30 Payton and I hopped in the car to go to Hudson's 1st birthday in Chatham. The theme for his party was bananas. The McCubbins' had their house decorated beautifully for the party. I can honestly say that I have never seen so many kids in one room, except at a school. It was crazy fun!

Then after a quick dinner at home, we headed to Sue and George's to visit with Uncle Pat. Needless to say, that when we got home at 9:00, we were both worn out from all the day's running around.

Uncle Kevin's Birthday

Payton lies back in Kevin's arms as he feeds her ice cream

Then she moves on to banana pudding

Now Uncle Kevin gives her a talk

Last Saturday, we celebrated Uncle Kevin's birthday at Mom's house. Uncle Kevin loves Payton to pieces and spoils her unconditionally when he is around. We were very happy to spend the day with him!

"Big Girl" Bath

Payton has such a BIG heart already!

Enjoying the bubbles

This is the face of a very happy child!

Now that Payton is almost one and weighs a staggering 15 pounds, I decided that it was time for her to enjoy a "Big Girl" bath, complete with bubbles. Needless to say, she was overjoyed! She loved splashing the bubbles all around and blowing them off of her hands. She also crawled back and forth from one end of the tub to the other numerous times. I guess she won't be needing the baby tub anymore!

Party Planning

She looks like a toddler with that hair!

Getting tired....

She can be an onery little thing!

I have been planning Payton's 1st birthday for the last couple of weeks. It has been fun looking at all the fun children's themes. Finally, I decided on cupcakes. Who doesn't love cupcakes? After quite a bit of searching I found the perfect birthday invitations for her party. I needed just the right picture to put on the card, so I decided to take a new one. Finally, after 2 hours of following Payton around the house I got the perfect shot. In the meantime, I scored some pretty cute ones, so I thought I would share!

Busy Birthday Weekend

She loves the rides!!!

Payton & Daddy riding an elephant

Payton, Daddy, & Noelle (posing on the car)

Kendall enjoying her cake!

Payton and Hudson

On Saturday we attended two birthday parties. First, we celebrated Kendall's 1st birthday at the Fireman's Club in Springfield. There, Payton was able to see many of her little buddies. She also enjoyed some delicious cake!

Then we headed down to Maryville for Jackson's 4th birthday party at Alfonzo's. It was so good to see all of my college friends with their husbands and children. Payton enjoyed hanging out with the older kids and playing in the arcade.

Sick:(

Payton was a sick little girl on Thursday night when mommy came home from school. She had a 102.9 degree fever. Ty took her to Prompt Care in the early evening. Turns out, Payton was at the tail end of an ear infection! She showed no signs of discomfort until Thursday when she slept ALL day. The doctor prescribed Amoxicillin for the ear and Tylenol to bring down the temperature. Payton felt much better come Saturday.

Good news...Payton now weighs 15 pounds! She is getting to be such a BIG girl!

Grandma Pia's Birthday!

Payton's famous backward "bye-bye" wave

Last weekend we celebrated Grandma Pia's birthday! We went to Grandma Erika's for an early dinner. Payton enjoyed the yummy cake and ice cream she had for dessert.