A Visit from Greggy

She loves the piano

Payton and Greggy

Not feeling to well:( She slept until we got her up!

Last week, Payton's cousin, Greggy, came to visit from Ohio. He and Payton are only 16 days apart, but he is so much bigger than her and quite the bruiser.

On the day that they were to get their picture taken together Payton was feeling a little "under the weather", so we didn't make it. We will try the next time we see them!

The two liked playing around each other, but they rarely played with each other. I just don't think that they are quite to that stage yet. Maybe, when they see each other at Thanksgiving things could be different. It is wonderful to see how fast they are growing!

Cute Pic

I just thought this was a cute picture of Payton! After swimming at Gramma Sue's, her hair was a little knotty, so I put it back in a headband. It makes her look so much older than almost 15 months!

Viva Las Vegas!

Just the ladies

The ladies with their men

The entire crew!

For my 28th birthday my husband surprised me by booking a trip to Las Vegas. We stayed 3 nights and 4 days at the Venetian. It was absolutely amazing! What made it even better is that he invited some of our friends to celebrate with us (GG, Jamie, Angela, and the Docter's). My dad and cousins even came over to hang with us in the city on Saturday night.

We spent our days lounging in the pool, and our evenings in the casinos and clubs. We also enjoyed wonderful restaurants: Circo at the Bellagio, BOA at Caesars, and Los Caminos at the Venetian. A good time was had by all, and we've already started planning our next trip!

By Tuesday, we were longing for home and our little "Monkey". Maybe next time, she will get to enjoy the bright lights of Vegas too!

Mommy's Birthday Dinner

Since we will be in Las Vegas on my birthday, my mom wanted to have an early birthday dinner to celebrate. We planned it for Sunday because Ty was off, but as luck would have it, he worked a hire-back. Oh well!

Payton did not want anything to do with Grandma's homemade chicken and noodles, but she loved the rolls and dessert. The pictures above, show her eating whipped cream. She wasn't happy with how the fork was working out, so she just licked her plate! Reminds me of the scene in "A Christmas Story" where Ralphy's mom tells him to show her how the "piggies eat". She's too funny!

Bath Time Fun

Styling her hair

Lounging on the couch and enjoying some "toons"

Payton is getting so big, so fast. And by big, I mean taller. She spends her days running around and playing outside. There is hardly a moments rest for her, Ty, or I.

These are just a few fun pictures of Payton taking a bath. Her hair is so long when it is wet. It is practically half way down her back, that is, when I am not styling it up!

After Payton's bath, I put on her diaper and wrapped her up in a warm blanket so she could lie down and relax. She snuggled up on the couch and watched "toons" for 20 minutes before heading outside again.

Babes of Summer

Payton qualified as one of the top 10 "Babes of Summer". This contest is put on by the local radio station, 103.7 WDBR. If you have an opportunity please vote for her by clicking on the following link: http://wdbr.com/Babes-of-Summer-finalists-/4510558 She is wearing a pink dress with a matching pink bow!

Thank You!

First Swim

Payton with a hat on playing with a shovel and bucket

Mommy and Payton scooting around the pool

Payton enjoyed her first swim of the summer after a busy morning at the park and an hour and a half nap at the Sitko's. She woke up a little before two, put her swimsuit on, and joined the rest of us down at the pool. She wasn't as trusting of the water as she was last year. It took her a little while to warm up to it. She did not like the covered floaty, but she didn't mind the life vest. She played with all sorts of toys, but her favorite part was splashing in the water. I can see that this is going to be a summer spent in the sun. Payton loves being outdoors!

Picnic at the Park

Payton loved swinging in the "big girl" swing

Skipping from step to step

She was really hanging on

Not sure about sliding down the slide

Payton loves her food ~ bread, cheese, puffs, and juice

On Sunday, Uncle Kevin and Kim took Payton to the park to play and experience her very first picnic. Rotary Park is very accessible to younger children. There were so many things that she could do. Payton had a blast swinging, sliding, and climbing! After two hours, she was wiped out and had to go home to take a nap. We cannot wait to do it all over again. Thanks Uncle Kevin!

Almost Finished

Cooler and trash area

Bar area ~ a mini fridge will fit

Primed and painted
I cannot wait until if is all uniform looking!

Illini rug for the storage area

The bus is getting a makeover both inside and out. Ty and Mike spent a morning last week finishing up some construction on the inside of the bus. They made a bar and sectioned off an area that will hold coolers. On his own time, Ty continued sanding, priming, and painting the bus. The guys are meeting again tomorrow, and hope to complete the finishing touches to the inside. As of now, the bus will be primarily blue with an orange stripe running along the side. It will hold 18 people and there will even be room for storage in the back. I cannot wait to see the finished project!

Payton's specially made birthday outfit from Mrs. Frawley

Landon admiring Payton's bow

Ty, Payton, and Landon dancing to the music

On Monday, we went to dinner at Texas Roadhouse with some friends that were in-town from Colorado. We won't see them again for awhile, as they are expecting again in mid-August. Landon, age 2, enjoyed playing with Payton over the last couple of days. He is getting in much needed practice, because soon he will have a sister of his own to entertain. He liked her bow so much that he asked if he could have one of his own! He is too cute.