Do the Zoo

Apparently we decided to be busy this weekend!  ah.  It was nice weekend...  Saturday, just this and that, then the balloons... and today, my parents came for a visit and we fought the heat and went to the Blank Park Zoo.  Probably crazy to do that, because it WAS so hot...  but we weren't sure when we would get the chance to do that again this year (or at least summer).  I've wanted to include my parents in something like this for awhile, and they loved it.  So did K.  

Here are a few pics!

In 2 1/2 years - this is the FIRST picture with my parents and Kayson!  Love it.

Kayson enjoyed a 3 hour nap!  Now it's almost bedtime...  Ryan had to leave for Minnesota a little bit ago, so we are just hanging out now.  

Nice weekend...  too bad it goes so quickly and we have to work to pay the bills!  ;)

Hot Balloons

That's what Kayson calls them...  Hot Balloons.  We tried to get him to add the 'Air' to it and he just won't. 

At last minute tonight, we went down to Indianola to the Hot Air Balloon Classic.  We both had never been there before... and first impression was --- LOTS OF PEOPLE.  There was so much traffic, it was crazy!  We bypassed some of it and found a gravel road to go around the town and we soon found an open lot/grassy area where others were and we stopped there.  

Kayson was in awww...  he really liked see the balloons.  We stayed about 30 minutes, then headed out...  wanting to hit A&W for supper.  Yum.  K ate great... and even got a kid cone for himself...  what a lucky little boy!  ha.  

It was a nice night...  now, I am going to sit.  

These two are keepers.

Ryan reminded me that I should have brought my better zoom lens!  Oh well!

Closed

I've closed one more book... it's been a while since I read the last one, but I've been trying! 
Last night I finished "Are you there Vodka? It's me, Chelsea"...  written by Chelsea Handler.  I've just recently gotten 'into' Chelsea - she has a talk show on late at night and once in awhile, Ryan and I will watch it...  she's funny, a different kind of funny.  There are times I don't really understand her, but I'm trying to figure her out.  JeanAnn had read the book and mentioned that it was hilarious, so I thought I would try the book.  And it was - it was funny, vulger too...  and just plain interesting to hear the stories that Chelsea has and how she is very descriptive with her words.  Two thumbs up.

Thinking

• It's Tuesday night... Ryan's traveling again...  makes for a quiet night (from 8:30 to 10:00).  Hopefully he'll be home Thursday night.
• Tonight, K & I met Colleen & Cali at the pool... we planned for a hot night at the pool, and it ended up being rather cool.  The sun was behind the clouds most of the time we were there!  Kayson did great - and Miss Cali is a FISH!  What a big girl!
• With the hour at the pool, I had a tired boy tonight...  not a peep after 8:10.  WOW!
• It's suppose to rain in the next couple days - our yard could really use it!
• I've gotten roped into watching The Bachelorette again...  I haven't been too crazy/fond of Ashley on this season, but can now say that I really like the last two guys... and I hope they all find love.  Love is good.
• Monday I took the day off and shopped in Williamsburg with my Mom and sister, Tricia.  We had a good time... and shopped til we dropped (in the heat)... and now I have some buyers remorse.  ha.  I really shouldn't, cuz I got some great deals AND I truly needed some new clothes.  It was a successful trip. 
• I think I'll head to bed...  or at least watch TV in bed.  I'm exhausted!

Kansas City Trip

We took a trip down to Kansas City this past weekend...  with the Taylor's.  We met up with Blair, Martina & Tate, and Mike & JeanAnn late Friday night...  Our original plan for the trip was to see a Royals baseball game, but we scratched that due to the heat.  So... Saturday our next plan was to shop and do whatever the day let us...  and we did.  In the morning, Blair & Ryan enjoyed a great round of golf with their Great Uncle Jim...  a hot morning, but I think they had a great time.  While they were gone, the rest of us played in the hotel as much as we could, and also hit the swimming pool.  Kayson, of course, loved that.  We got him down for an early nap, then a late lunch was had... and shopping.  Unfortunately, it was brutally hot out - we hit Legend's Outlet Mall in Kansas (which is an outdoor mall).  We picked up a few things, but it just was too warm to stay too long.  Kayson had had enough!  (Ryan and I as well!)  Ryan was pooped from the sun and heat from the morning of golf.  We relaxed Saturday night...  

and Sunday we headed to St. Joe, MO to see some more family...  lunch was had, then more swimming!  I tell you what, we pack things in and we were exhausted!  ;)  But overall, we had a great time... it was nice to see family and be away from home for a change (at least for me!).  We did have a tired, crabby Kayson on our hands, but once we were in the truck to go home - he was out for the count...  I'm not sure he made it 5 minutes.  Poor kid!  ;)  

Thanks to Mike & JeanAnn for everything - they truly do spoil us all and we greatly appreciate it.  

Here are some pictures from the weekend!

Papa, Grandma & Kayson playing 'WAR'  ;)

with Cousin Ashley!!  She's so great with K!

Maxin' and relaxin'!

Splashin' Aunt Tina!

First bath with Tate!

For one second - Tate was sitting still!  Cute pic.  ;)

HOT

Our weekend consisted of being inside.  It's just too damn hot to be outside ... at least for more than 10 minutes!  We did our best to keep busy this weekend by doing things inside.  We even purchased new 'art supplies' for Kayson...  and that was a big success!  A lot of movies were watched too! Otherwise, we really didn't do much of anything... 

This is our fireplace... notice the humidity.  Yikes.  Kayson said it was dirty!  ha.

Doing some art... 

I squeezed in a photo shoot of him - outside Saturday early a.m., what was I thinking?!  This is about the only good one.

White shirt, white hair.  ;)

Proof of the art we did!  Not too shabby!

We have a Dreamer & Talker

Kayson dreams... and talks...  A LOT in his sleep.  Over the past several weeks, we've both woken up by him talking and moaning in his sleep.  I remember vividly the first time, I went in there...  and just watched him, then eventually rubbed his back to wake him as his talking and wimpering was getting louder and louder. 

Last night around 10, he started crying...  and saying "Ouch, it hurts"...  We both went into his room, and he was fast asleep...  (we both thought we would find an arm or leg in between the crib posts...)  We patted him and shushed him... and he stopped.  It's so bizarre to see your child do this!!

Ryan and I both talk in our sleep...  I hear Ryan a lot, and I know Ryan has told me that I talk too...  so knowing that Kayson does this isn't a huge surprise, but still weird to watch and listen to! 

I guess it is true -- that little mind does go a mile a minute!  Even when he's sleeping!  ;)

Tuesday already?

I honestly can't believe it's Tuesday night already...  I really shouldn't complain.  Some days/weeks take.for.ever!  I'm glad it's almost mid-week...  it's been a long couple weeks at work especially.  

We had a good weekend.  We didn't do much on Saturday - some errands and just hung around at home.  Sunday my sister, Trish, and her girls came to town to shop... we met them for lunch and had a great time.  Kayson was a treat -- meaning, ornery and a 'show-off', but he ate well, so we couldn't complain too much!  Sunday late afternoon, the Taylor's came to visit...  to celebrate Ryan's birthday.  He turned 32 on Monday.  We had a nice time...  Kayson played hard with Papa Mike, while the rest of us just hung out... and I felt like I got some nice time with Tate.  Tate is getting so big... and just a busy little boy already!  Such a cutie!

Kayson's been a really good boy lately.  And to top it off, he's been eating like a champ!  He's always eating well at daycare, but the last two nights, he's been just sitting in his chair and mohwing down.  I'm loving it!  There's just something about knowing and seeing your kid eat...  everything on his plate!  ;)

Tonight while I was putting K to bed, we talked about Daddy being gone tonight and how he'll be back tomorrow.  Kayson asked if Daddy sleeps... I, of course, said "Yes, he'll sleep in his hotel room."  He then proceeded to tell me about hotel rooms and swimming.  He asked if Daddy would swim.  It just makes me smile - he remembers everything, and I feel, is so smart.  We talked about staying in a hotel in a couple weeks when we go to Kansas City with the Taylor's.  This was our conversation:

K:  "Tate swim?"

Me: "Well not really - Uncle Blair will hold him, but he'll be in the water."

K: "Daddy holds me... and gets my face wet!"  "I want to swim!"  

Our conversation went on and on...  I eventually had to stop and we HAD.TO.GO.TO.BED!  ;) 

I'm glad it's Tuesday night...  Ryan will be home tomorrow, Tate's 6 mo pictures will be taken Thursday night... then it'll be Friday.  Now I just have to make it through the work DAYS!

Friday Projects

Ryan had this past week of work...  his list consisted of doing some things around the house.  He was very productive...  and didn't get to take a nap (his words).  ;)

Friday I was able to take the day off as well...  we finished staining the deck.  Wow - what a project.  I told him - we pay for a lot of things to be done around the house -- why didn't we pay for this project!??!  ha.  It's ok - it worked out... and it's done.  And looks great.  

Before

After

Pretty...  dark red color.

Another project we tackled...  and I did most of it, of course, with Ryan's help.  We planted some flowers around our tree in the front yard.  I'm anxious to see how the flowers do and if they 'fill out' in that space.  

I think it looks nice!

Pretty flowers

We had a great day together...  we were hot, sweaty, tired... and didn't kill each other!  ;)  Here's to a nice weekend!!

Sweet and Busy Boy

One of my favorite things to do is watch Kayson sleep.  Is that because he's so busy every other time in his days?  :)  I used to never go in and check on him before Ryan and I go to bed... but over the past couple weeks, I peek in at him, make sure he's covered up and stare for about a minute.  It is by far the sweetest thing I've ever seen and experienced. 

This morning, since Ryan is on vaca, Kayson woke up while I was getting ready...  he asked to lay in Mommy and Daddy's bed.  I let him... layed him down next to Ryan and they snoozed.  Again, the sweetest thing...  makes me just smile.

And now on to the 'busy' part of him...  and the fact that he's just plain funny.  Sure, our patience is tested every day, however, there are just points in the evening where we just have to laugh at him.  Tonight Ryan was watering the lawn...  Kayson loves, LOVES to play with the sprinkler...  moving it and spraying us, which is funny in itself.  Well, all the sudden, he felt it would be cool to SIT ON THE SPRINKLER!  (I don't have a picture, but it was the funniest thing ever).  I mean, how can you yell at him for that?!?!  He was soaked! 

Another thing that comes to mind is we've always asked him "Why?" when he thinks he needs something or wants to do something...  he has always responded with "Yeah"...  but now... we get a big fat "BECAUSE!"  OMG, it's hilarious! 

I can't believe he's 2 and a half already...  December will be here before we know it, unfortunately!  He's a growing, smart boy and I love him!

"Super Duper" Long Weekend

It's Tuesday... YUK... and it's back to work... Double Yuk!  BUT - we had a great, long holiday weekend!

We headed up to Clarion Friday evening to spend some time with my family...  I had my class reunion to attend (15 years!), so that was another reason to be at home. 

Saturday we started the day by hitting up a little "Kiddie Carnival" in Belmond... Eden helped Kayson around all of the little 'events'... it was nice to do something a little different!  Lunch was had, then we all hit the Aquatic Center in Clarion.  Wow - what a B.E.A.UTiful day!!  We had such a great time - Kayson was a blast... he LOVED watching Daddy, Lil Ryan and anyone else come down the fast slides!!  He would squeal and laugh!! I relaxed a little - sitting with Trish and Hope. 

Saturday evening was the 'big' class reunion gathering - we just did dinner and drinks at a local restaurant...  unfortunately, not many people showed up, however, the classmates that were there - were the ones I wanted to see and catch up with!!  Overall, it was a nice visit and some great laughs were had!

While we were eating and drinking - Kayson was spending time with Trish, Greg and the girls...  I was told they played hard (which is not abnormal!) and he ate great and he even got to see fireworks with them!  I was told he did great - ooohhed and awwed over them... and even fell asleep!?!?  Good boy. 

Sunday we slept in (til 8ish) - that's sleeping in for us people!  ;)  Both my sisters and their families came out to the farm for a great lunch and we played some more...  we headed back to DSM late afternoon.  We ended up vegging around and meeting up with some neighbors Sunday night.

And Monday --- our day off... it was wonderful!  I've said this before - I wish I had a 3 day weekend all the time.  Even tho we didn't do ANYTHING productive, it was just nice... nice to be with Ryan and Kayson... nice to relax, play and not feel like we were rushing around. 

It was a great weekend.  Ryan is on vacation this week - doing this and that, and just enjoying some time off.  I hope to join him Friday... keeping my fingers crossed!

Enjoy the pictures!  ;)  (in no particular order!)

With Cousins - Eden, Lindsay & Ryan

Trying out sparklers...  didn't like them, then liked them!

Happy 4th of July!

Kayson sunbathing like Mommy!  (Don't worry,
he didn't stay that way for more than 20 seconds!)