I Have A Secret....

It's not enough for me to finish my master's degree, sell my house, and move in with my in-laws. Ty and I topped it all off with getting pregnant again. We are so excited to be expanding our family once again. Baby Sitko is scheduled to be born on April 22, 2010. Exactly eleven days after Payton's second birthday! I can already see more "diamonds" in my future (April baby).

Watch Out! Payton's Driving

On Thursday, Ty brought the bus home to prep it for Saturday's football game. Payton loves to run around and play on the bus, but today, she thought she would try her hand at driving the bus. She climbed in the driver's seat and started moving the steering wheel. Next thing we see is Payton leaning over to grab the stick shift to change gears. She even stood up to honk the horn!

SOLD!!!

On Monday last week a realtor emailed me and asked if we were still looking to buy a home and if we were interested in selling. Ty and I talked and we decided that we would be willing to entertain any offers. She stopped by on Tuesday to look at our home before suggesting it to other realtors. On Wednesday, we had our first walk through. Then we had three more on Friday. One on Sunday and two on Monday. We received an offer on Monday evening from one of the clients. We battled back and forth, and he finally accepted on Tuesday.

Our home was only on the market for 5 days!!! We will continue showing it until all of the inspections are complete. If all goes well, we will close on September 30th. And for the time being we will move in with the Sitko's. We are still unsure of whether we want to buy or build, but in the meantime, we will save $$$ while we are living with them!

Wish us luck!

Illinois State Fair 2009

GIANT Slide

This is "Sancho", the steer

This year's state fair was Paytons second go around. We participated in the twilight parade on Thursday night. This is the kick-off for the eleven day event. On Friday, we returned to sample a gyro from the Greek tent. Payton definitely gives it a thumbs up! We went again this past Friday with Ty. Unfortunately, the weather was not cooperating, so we only stayed for a couple hours. Needless to say, Payton was not as impressed with the Filipino food (pancit), as the Greek food. We returned again on Saturday with Grandpa and Alexis. Payton was able to pet farm animals at the 4H area, watch a monkey show, ride the giant slide, and eat more junk food than I even want to talk about. I have to say that her most interesting experience was sitting on Sancho the steer.

Laundry Helper

I was folding laundry this weekend when Payton decided that she wanted to help. She proceeded to throw all of the clothes on the floor and sit inside the basket. She drank her juice and snuggled with her bear. She even let me push her around the house.

First trip to the Zoo

Pushing the stroller

I used to take pics on this very same seal when I was younger.

Payton and Daddy

On Friday, August 7th we took Payton to the Henson Robinson Zoo in Springfield. She loves animals, especially monkeys, so we thought we would try it out. The Springfield Zoo is just the right size for someone her age, because it is not very big. It takes about an hour to walk through. More than anything Payton was interested in pushing her stroller around. Oh well, there's always next year!

Lake of the Ozarks

These are not the faces of a "happy" boater

Hanging in the condo with mom

We headed down to the Lake on Friday evening when Payton was going to sleep. It always makes for an easier four hours if she is not awake and crying!

We spent the days swimming and boating. Needless to say, Payton is not going to be an avid boatwoman. She cried from the moment we left the dock to the moment we walked back into the condo. I think it was a combination of her having to wear a life jacket and the boat rocking back and forth that upset her. I guess we will try again next summer.

We also did a great deal of shopping while we were there. I got a lot of great deals on her clothes for next summer. It is hard to resist all of the cute little girl clothing!

Taking a drink

Enjoying the water

Payton received a water toy from Jodi for her 1st birthday and she has been playing in it all week. The greater the water pressure, the higher the water spouts. She likes trying to catch the water in her mouth and plugging the holes so the water can't come out. It is incredibly hard to get her out of the water. She loves this thing!!! Thanks, Jodi.

Sweet Home Chicago...

Chad, Ty, & Bryan hanging on the deck at the ball game
(It was too ugly to watch!)

Ty and me at Higgins' Bar in Wrigleyville

Thomas and Payton enjoying some watermelon

Last weekend we headed to Chicago and one of its suburbs, Hinsdale, to spend some quality time with cousins. We arrived on Thursday and went swimming at the club my cousins belong to. Payton loved splashing in the water and playing under the mushroom waterfall.

On Friday, Uncle Tom, Ty and I drove down to Wrigleyville to meet up with Louis. We hung at Higgins' Bar before the rain delayed game and then headed down to the ballpark. Unfortunately, the Cubs lost, but that did not stop us from enjoying ourselves. Several of our friends were in town as well, so we joined them at local establishments for food and drinks.

Saturday morning we headed back to the burbs and went to an animal park with the kids. Payton slept the entire time!!! Early afternoon we packed up the car and drove back to Springfield. Hopefully they will be able to come down and visit us during the State Fair.

Fourth of July!

Hanging on the dock!

Watching the boats from the balcony

Swimming with daddy on a not so sunny day:()

I remember last year that this was the first big holiday that Payton celebrated with us. She was so tiny, but she loved staying up late to watch the fireworks...

This year, we headed to Lake of the Ozarks for the 4th. Not quite the weekend we were hoping for. The weather was overcast and cloudy a majority of the time we were there. So, we settled for shopping and dining instead. It was fun to watch Payton explore the condo and stare in awe at all the big boats that sped by.

We also got to visit with GG, Roma, and Prity, as they were all down there celebrating GG's birthday. While at GG's aunt and uncles home, Payton was able to feed the ducks that jumped up on the deck from her very own hands. She really liked it!

There were no fireworks for Payton this year. She was in bed long before they were shot off! Oh well, there's always next year.