Weekly Happenings - 7/21 - 7/27

1.  Since Daddy wanted to get some work done on the the bathroom, Garrison went with me to Peyton's piano lesson.  Peyton didn't want us to go to the playground (because she didn't want to miss out!) so we went for a walk around the block.  It was fun to just take our time, explore nature, and of course, take a break by sitting down in the middle of the road!  Thank goodness it is a quiet neighborhood and I was able to quickly get him to move over to the side of the road.  Silly boy!

2.  On Friday evening, we went down to visit Grammy & Grandpa!  First thing on Saturday morning, Peyton wanted to call Grandma to come over and play.  She got the phone, dialed it herself and invited her to come over.  Daddy & Grandpa played in a golf tournament that morning (Daddy won for most accurate drive!) while the rest of us enjoyed a trip to the playground then Walmart and some rest time.  Daddy had lots of work to do, so he left after the tournament but the kids & I stayed for some more fun!  After Garrison's rest time, we went bowling (Garrison's first time) and it was a blast!  They really didn't use the bumpers much and both got a spare in their game.  We had such a great time.  Then it was off to dinner at El Camino to celebrate Grammy's birthday!  The dessert?  Sweet nachos where they put whipped cream on your face while they sing Happy Birthday!  Peyton was so impressed that she wanted to replicate for herself - hilarious!!  

Funny story from overnight Saturday night - Garrison called out for me but Grammy went to check-on him.  She found him bent over the ottoman next to his bed in a half handstand, fully asleep!  Guess he really can sleep anywhere!!  Sunday brought playtime at Grandma Mintun's before going out to lunch at McDonald's and heading back home.  Of course, a trip home is not complete without a stop at the Donut Palace for donut holes to snack on during the trip home.  The kids talked Grammy & Grandpa into taking them to the pool while I got a few things ready for Garrison's party next weekend and Daddy played in a golf tournament.  A good time was had by all!

3.  This coming week is a big one - Garrison turns 3 on Tuesday!  The cookies are ready to go for his classroom party - can't wait!!

Weekly Happenings - 7/14 - 7/20

1.  Thursday was Peyton's Grandma / Peyton day and she had a great time!!  Of course, she woke-up early that morning, got herself dressed and came down with her backpack packed, all ready to go!  They spent the day at the mall shopping, getting pedicures, riding the carousel and visiting a few playgrounds!  Then they went back to Grandma & Grandpa's house to spend the night.  First-up was a tasty dinner at the Mexican restaurant in town and then Whitney joined the fun for a girls sleepover.  Friday morning, they went to pick-up Wyatt and Grandpa treated the girls to McDonald's for breakfast!  Then they wrapped-up their visit with a trip to three playgrounds and lunch before it was time for Peyton to come home.  What a great day!

2.  On Saturday morning, Daddy had a project to work on (re-doing our 1/2 bath which is quite a project) so the kids & I took a trip to Deanna Rose!  We had an AWESOME day and enjoyed the beautiful weather!  We covered the entire park - watched the cow get milked, mined for rocks, rode the pony (check-out the shades!) and even checked-out where Garrison's birthday party is going to be.  We even enjoyed ice cream as a special treat - yum!!

3.  Later in the day, the kids convinced me we should go for a dip at the pool.  It was a bit chilly but we still had fun!  We even had a private pool most of the time - sweet!

4.  We continue to harvest tomatoes from our garden but Peyton wanted to give one of our carrots a try.  It was small but it was big enough to eat! :)  Tasty!

5.  On Sunday, we celebrated Grandma & Grandpa Todd's anniversary - their 40th!  We had a tasty lunch at Olive Garden.  And a few weeks ago we took our first family picture with everyone included!

Weekly Happenings - 7/7 - 7/13

1.  On Sunday, we drove down to the lake to spend a few days at the lake with Grandma & Grandpa Todd.  Peyton was drawn to the water immediately and had her swimsuit on within minutes of getting there!  Garrison wasn't as into the water on this visit but enjoyed being "all boy" playing with sticks and rocks, including throwing rocks in the lake.  We had a great time - boat rides, jet ski rides, a trip to Jolly Rodger (where Peyton & Garrison got to hold Corona, the mascot parrot), lots of swimming, s'mores, a trip to the outlet mall, fishing and a visit with Wyatt, Whitney & Uncle Landen too!  Peyton loved to swing in the hammock with Grandma and tell her stories; Garrison's favorite was probably learning to pee outside - that or throwing rocks with Grandpa.  Peyton & Whitney are truly two peas in a pod when they are together and Wyatt is so great to play with Garrison - soccer was their favorite game.  All-in-all, we had a great few days with lots of time to relax!

2.  On Thursday, it was time to make our way back toward home but the kids got to extend their vacation a few more days with Grammy & Grandpa!!  They continued to stay super busy with lots of fun things - playing in a new pool in the back yard, lots of cooking (including jello and a lemon pie with "Elsa blue" meringue), a visit with Uncle Mark & Aunt Mary, sleepovers with Grandma Mintun,  bubbles and card games.  On Friday night, they even got to eat spaghetti straight off the table - no forks or plates.  This was pretty much the highlight in their eyes and all they could talk about on Sunday when they arrived home.  And man, did they sleep well after their fun vacation!

3.  While the kids were away, Mommy & Daddy got to....play.  Well, play and get several projects done!  We enjoyed dinner out one night, lunch another day, knock projects off of both of our lists and enjoy our neighborhood deck crawl.  I need to get pictures to add here but those will come later.  We had a great time while feeling accomplished at the same time!

4.  Peyton's class has been busy this summer - here are just a few fun pics from her trip to the zoo and to the T-Bones game.  Love how much fun she is having with her friends (Victoria & Connor).

Weekly Happenings - 6/30 - 7/6

1.  Garrison has been working really hard on taking care of his business on the potty.  He had two good days in a row so we treated him (and Peyton of course) to ice cream after his swim lesson.  Garrison's was gone before we even made it home!  Yum!!

2.  On Wednesday, Grammy & Grandma Mintun came up to pick up the kids & I to start our vacation since Daddy had to work all day on Thursday.  Our adventure started on Thursday and continued on through Sunday and man were we busy!!  We rode the ponies countless times, enjoyed lots of carnival rides (Garrison's favorite was the tractor ride; Peyton's the Sizzler that only Daddy would ride with her!), yummy carnival food - corn dogs, funnel cakes, snow cones, pulled pork nachos and root beer; enjoyed the parade where Peyton & Garrison got to ride with Grandpa for part of the way (and accept the trophy!).  We also watched Mr. Stinky Feet, wiener dog races, the Firequacker 500 and the cardboard boat races.  Last but not least, we went to 4 bear shows!!  The kids LOVED seeing the bears and even feeding them.  They saw a total of 10 brown bears - amazing.  Grammy & Grandpa also treated the kids to their very own bears and they named them Fred & Ginger after two of the bears in the show - they love them!

In-between all of the Old Glory days activities, we also had lots of play time around the house with Grandma and crafts/cooking with Grammy, too - the weather was gorgeous!!  And Chad & I were even luck enough to sneak away for a round of 18 - something I don't get to do often and it was awesome.  All-in-all, it was a whirlwind few days but so much fun!!