Fall Fun

We had such a great time enjoying fall this year. Payton loved her first trip to the pumpkin patch. She ran around with mini pumpkins calling them "apples" and the goats from the petting zoo "doggies." At our Pumpkin Party we made sweet treats, drank witch's brew, and painted pumpkins with the family. Finally for Halloween, Payton was the sweetest little Tinkerbell. We just love fall!

ONE Amazing Year

Well, it seems like just yesterday I was holding my precious newborn baby in my arms.......and within a matter of minutes she turned one! This has truly been the best year of our lives. Bryce and I are so blessed and grateful to have this wonderful, heavenly gift. Everyday has been better than the last. Payton also just learned to walk a couple of days before her birthday! We are so thankful to have the opportunity to be parents to this beautiful little girl! Here are some pictures of her first birthday party, along with a few from this amazing year!

Ahhh....laska

For our 4-year anniversary, Bryce and I went on a cruise to Alaska. It was the most beautiful, incredible place I have ever been to. We saw humpback whales, bald eagles, sea lions, and even a bear. The landscape was amazing. The weather was absolutely perfect....in the 70's and sunny. I never imagined I would see people tanning on this particular cruise! Some of the activities we did included whale watching, a historic train ride through the mountains of the gold rush era, and ziplining. It was so much fun that we couldn't help but talk of plans for our next trip to Alaska before we even left! We also spent an extra day in Seattle where we met up with our good friends Chad and Courtney. Here are a few pictures of our adventure, although honestly they hardly do the real thing justice!

Juneau

Skagway

Perfect reflection (that water is the ocean, not a lake!)

Ziplining

Our ship the Golden Princess

Ketchikan

Victoria, B.C.

Mariners game in Seattle

Pike Place Market in Seattle

Deep in the Heart of Texas

Last week Payton, Kim and I went to Texas to see Nick graduate from high school. The weather was perfect and everything was so beautiful and green....which I had yet to see since we've only visited during the winter months. Unfortunately, I also discovered that Payton takes after her daddy in the allergy department, so she spent most of her visit doped up on Benadryl and Tylenol! Plus, NO ONE (Mom!) ever mentioned the plethora of ginormous bugs and creepie-crawlies that were waiting to greet us. Kim found a scorpion in her suitcase among the other daily "friends" in her room. So I was lucky enough to share my bed with her and a miserable baby, both who I am pretty convinced conspired to not allow me any sleep! We also went to a lavender field where there was a Lavender Festival.....or as Nick would later call it a "Steak-and-Red-Meat-Eating Festival" to his friends, so as to preserve his manhood. The trip was a lot of fun and I am so proud of my brother for making his great accomplishment!

Too Stinkin' Cute!

We just love this little girl!

Happy Easter!

Yesterday we visited the Easter Bunny at the park and then went over to Uncle Eric and Aunt Tiff's house for a nice little pre-Easter get together. This morning we had a great breakfast and then discovered that the Easter Bunny had paid us a little visit and left something for a very special little girl. Payton loved her little duckie basket and all the goodies she found in it. Especially those Cheerio-filled Easter eggs....which she doesn't mind sharing with Tana.

Just Chillin

I thought I would post these cute pictures of Pay as she watched her daddy wash the car the other day. I especially love her outfit.....nothing goes with some jammies like a nice pair of sunglasses and a cold refreshing beverage!

A Day with the Fish...and Sharks!

Today we spent a nice family day at the Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay. Since Payton loves her Baby Einstein's "Baby Neptune" movie, we thought she might like to see the real ocean creatures up close. It was so nice to spend some quality time together as a family. I'd like to think Payton really enjoyed herself too since she literally fell asleep 30 seconds after we left the exhibit....dreaming if little fishies I'm sure.

Cupid Was Here

Is there anything else to say?

Growing Like a Weed

Well our sweet little girl just turned 7-months old and this past month has been full of new events. We experienced the "joy" of teething and all the wonderful symptoms which that encompassed. Also, Payton is standing while supporting herself (most of the time). She has also started babbling nonstop and has discovered such phrases as "ba-ba-ba, ya-ya-ya, and ta-ta-ta." She enjoys having conversations with us and herself all day. However, no crawling yet as she still hates being on the floor for very long!

Super Bowl Fun

Yesterday we went over to the Kitchen's annual Super Bowl party to watch the big game. I'm not quite sure if Payton enjoyed the experience as much as her daddy did, but we had a great time spending the day with friends and family.

Already winning bets

Mommy and Pay dressed in Rams attire as our tribute to Kurt Warner

"I just don't get what all the commotion is about"

Hangin' out with Grandpa Steve at the party