Payton having fun at the beach

Friday morning, first thing, we all got into our suits and headed to the beach (5 min away). At the cabin the there are a lot of rocks and a large drop off in the water. Rosie suggested we take Payton to play in the sand and make it so she's able to walk into the water at her own pace, rather than fall into the water. Payton LOVED it! Ryan and I really do have a water baby!

Payton really enjoyed playing with the sand. Filling up the bucket and then dumping it out to start over again.

Payton walked right into the water. It didn't phase her that it was a little chilly. Once she picked up her feet and realized that the life jacket would keep her floating, she would forget that she could touch the ground. Payton liked being able to float. A few times she got a little nervous when she would roll from her back to her tummy and then back again. She felt a little lack of control while floating.

I swam Payton out to the end of the dock so she could climb up the latter.

Grandma helped her kick and swim. Payton had so much fun!

Payton especially loved jumping off the dock. She kept wanting to do more and more!

Fun with bubbles and Grandma

Thursday afternoon, after Payton's nap and boat ride, Grandma and Payton wanted to make HUGE bubbles out on the deck. Unfortunately they weren't very successful. I think Rosie (Grandma) used up a whole bottle of dish soap in their attempt. We never figured out why it didn't work, but it was fun watching Payton and Rosie continue to try. Gracie and I of course watched on while the two of them attempted..

Pre-bubbles, Grandma and Gracie relaxing on a lawn chair. Gracie's neck is getting so strong and she loves to sit up.

Payton loved stirring up the bubble juice, but unfortunately she was making really small bubbles inside of the tub.

Grandma and Payton were unsuccessful in their big bubble making, so they resorted to a fly swatter that made lots of little bubbles. Payton enjoyed chasing after the little bubbles and popping them. The two of them were laughing so hard and having such a great time!

Gracie relaxing while the craziness continued.

Payton is in love

On Thursday, my dad took all of us girls out on the boat and around Loon Lake. Payton was in love with the water! She loved being on the boat and having the wind blow in her hair. She would point out ducks and ask "what's that?" to most anything she saw.

Payton on the Pontoon boat
Me and Gracie (she slept the whole time)

Payton with the wind in her hair

Payton excited to be out on the water

Miss Gracie asleep

When Payton woke up on Wednesday morning, she looked out our bedroom window and yelled "WATER!" she was so excited that everywhere she looked she could see water. We're all having so much fun at the lake and not yet ready to leave.

Morning at Loon Lake

Tuesday evening Ryan packed up the car for me so first thing Wednesday morning Payton, Gracie and I could head out of town to go to Loon Lake with my dad and step-mom. We left the house about 8:15, met Ryan in Issaquah to give him one last kiss before we headed over the pass, and then we met my parents in Cle Elum so we could climb in the truck and go to Loon Lake. Thankfully we were stopping in Cle Elum so I could let Payton stretch her legs for a bit and feed Gracie before we made the long trek. My dad needed to stop in Wenatchee so we made a detour across Blewett Pass and then over through Spokane and into the town of Loon Lake.

Wednesday was a LONG day for the three of us girls! From start to finish, it took us girls a total of twelve hours to get to the lake. Of course we stopped in Cle Elum to get in the truck, then in Wenatchee for lunch and for dad, a couple of more times to feed Gracie, for dinner in Clayton, and then finally for good at the cabin. Phew! What a day! The girls were great! No one got upset or mad for being in their carseats.

Gracie (a little fussy from the long day) and Grandpa (my dad Neil)

View from the deck at sunrise
The following morning Payton, Gracie and I were up at 4:45. The girls and I are sharing a room and Payton heard me changing Gracie's diaper. It was impossible to get Payton back to sleep, so we got up and headed downstairs to play on the deck. It was already so warm and of course absolutely beautiful out! We got to see the sunrise!

View from the other side of the deck

Payton's in good spirits considering how early we all got up! Gracie thankfully went back to sleep for a few more hours while Payton and I played and I drank a few cups of coffee!

How could you not want to smile?

Gracie smiled (for real) for the first time a couple of Sunday's ago (she's done the gas smiles since she was born). However, Ryan's been the only one to get her to smile! Since that Sunday she has only smiled a couple of times. Well.. yesterday Ryan got her to smile a ton! Thankfully I had the camera in hand and was able to take a picture of it!

Here's our babe!
Gracie and Daddy. He makes me smile too! :)

Natalie's 29th Birthday

Yesterday was my friend Natalie's 29th birthday! Her husband Jesse invited us over for a BBQ to celebrate with them.

The birthday girl without candles to blow out, so she lit a match. Thankfully no one was harmed while taking this picture. ;)
Me and Ryan

Jordan sitting on Allison's lap and Payton driving the Jeep

A glimpse into our future! Three girls piled into a car.

(L-R) Jordan, her dog Graham, Kelsey, Payton and Ashley

Cooper- what a little stud!

Aaron blowing bubbles for Kelsey and Payton

I didn't get very many good pictures, but we had a really good time hanging out with friends. We had yummy margaritas and tasty burgers. It was such a beautiful day out and nice and relaxing.

Happy Birthday Natalie!

Chad and Sonia's wedding

On Saturday my good friend Chad got married! Ryan the girls and I made the trip over to Cle Elum to stay with my dad since the wedding was taking place near there.

Sonia and Chad
It was a beautiful day

Mr. and Mrs. Chad Cross

Ryan and I at the reception

My dad and step-mom watched the girls for us. The girls did great! Payton wasn't upset that we left and Gracie slept half the time and took the bottle fantastic.

My good friend John and his girlfriend Beth

John and I have known each other since we were two. Chad, John and I used to spend a lot of time together as we were growing up. It's crazy to think how long we've all known each other and how much we've all been through together. It was fun to be able to see them again since it had been awhile since we were all three together last.

Me and John

Chad and I

John, Me and Chad on my wedding day

I threw this picture up just to show how much older we all look now. I never realize how old I'm getting until I see pictures from forever ago.

Congratulations Chad and Sonia!! Ryan and I had so much fun and we hope to be able to get together with you soon!

Weekend at Grandpa and Grandma's

This past weekend Ryan, Payton, Gracie and I headed over to Cle Elum to visit my dad and step-mom. My good friend Chad was getting married on Saturday over there so Ryan and I wanted to take that opportunity to go and spend the weekend with them. Friday early afternoon the girls and I picked Ryan up from work and headed over the pass. Thankfully it's only a couple of hours and it was beautiful day which made the drive nice.

Payton and Grandma cutting pictures. Payton loved that Grandma let her help!
Grandpa and Gracie on Saturday morning. Gracie thankfully is a pretty good sleeper and only gets me up once in the middle of the night.

Grandpa and Payton pulling weeds. Hopefully she'll be this excited to help Ryan and I out when she gets older!

Payton and Grandpa blowing bubbles. Payton kept wanting to pop the bubbles.

Gracie and Grandma

Gracie was a bit hard to please this weekend and would fuss quite a bit. Thankfully Rosie has the touch and Gracie would calm right down, which gave Ryan and I a chance to relax.

Me, Ryan and Gracie

My dad and Rosie wore Payton out on Saturday causing her to be in bed around 7:30! Ryan and I were passed out by 9:30! We all had so much fun hanging out with them! Payton keeps saying "Gampa Gamma bubbles!"

The girls and I are looking forward to going to Loon Lake with them this weekend for 5-6 days!

Playdate with Grammie and Chuck

About every week or two, Ryan's mom Joanne and her boyfriend Chuck, have been coming over and kicking Ryan and I out of the house so she can watch the girls. It's been so nice for he and I to have some alone time. We've gone out to dinner or gotten dessert or just ran to Target. It's nice to just concentrate on each other and not have to worry about being interrupted and just be together.

On Monday, Joanne and Chuck came over to have a play date with the girls. They've been wanting to come over for a couple of hours to just spend time with them while I'm home so Payton doesn't start to think that every time they show up, Mommy and Daddy leave.

Grammie and Gracie
Chuck and Gracie

Gracie tuckered from all of the attention. :)

After Joanne and Chuck left, Payton sat on the steps waving and calling "Bye bye Grammie! Bye Bye Chucks!" and would blow kisses. I think she really enjoyed being able to run around the house with Grammie chasing her and doing Ring Around the Rosy while I was there too!

We're looking forward to our next play date!! :)

Payton's friend, Jordan's second birthday party

Saturday July 26th was Payton's friend Jordan's birthday and on Sunday she had a big Mickey Mouse party at her Grandma's house. It was so much fun and Payton was pooped by the end!

Jordan and Payton chasing each other.
My friend Kelsie had her son Levi on July 7th. Kelsie and I are in Stroller Strides together and her older son Austin is a friend of Payton's. Levi and Gracie I'm sure will become great friends as well! The two of them slept pretty much the whole party.

Jordan's party was Mickey Mouse themed and Natalie and her mom made a Mickey and Minnie Mouse cake and cupcakes. Yummy!

Allison and Jordan

Jordan's grandpa bought her a Power Wheels and the kids were ecstatic about it! It plays the radio and was so cute!

Austin and Payton

Jordan also received a VW bug power wheels and was nice enough to let Payton drive it around for most of the party. Payton LOVED it! It was hard to pull her away.. looks like we need to buy her one now too! :)

Payton and Jordan

Gracie was so good during the party. When we got home I think she was a bit pooped as well!

It was such a fun party and we were so happy that the weather held up for it!