Happy 2nd Birthday Payton Jane!

It's the small things

Her smile is contagious! She let me paint her toes!

I know they're not straight, but.....

With the realization that school is just around the corner, I have been reflecting a lot on my summer at home with our little girl (and how I wish it would never end). In her short two years she has already taught me so much and I look forward to the years to come. Some of her new favorite things are:

*To say "Hear dat?" (Hear that mommy??) when there is an airplane passing over, a loud truck/bus passing our house, etc.

* Giving us kisses through the railing bars on the staircase (my favorite too)

* Negotiating another book at bedtime by saying "One more" and holding up two fingers!

* "Swim at the beach?" - thanks again, Dora!

* The Bumblebee Song (thanks Brooke)

* Counting to 10, but skipping the #5

*Smiling with her eyes closed (I can remember my brother doing this as a little kid)

* BROCCOLI!!!!

* Reading Sesame Street books (they were Russ' when he was little)

* Talking on the phone

* "I want it!"....to everything!

* Going to visit her babysitter (who just lives down the street) - her name is Jennifer, but Payton calls her "Jemfer"

* Bubbles, bubbles and more bubbles

*Balloons (better believe we will have ample supply at her upcoming birthday party)!!!

Those are just a few....happy summer!

Jacket is safe!

Payton and Lindsey playing in the small pool we brought along.
They boys relaxing.

Russ and Payton in the water...she LOVED it!

Zach teaching Russ how to play Wii Golf.

This past weekend we traveled to Table Rock Lake for some rest and relaxation with a few good friends. Although Payton had been able to experience lake water at Smithville Lake earlier this summer, she had the opportunity this weekend to swim in a "real" lake at Table Rock. She showed no fear of getting in a splashing around...and of course had to recite Dora by saying, "Jacket is safe" while pointing to her life jacket (for those of you who are not familiar with these words of Dora, she and Boots - her sidekick monkey - always wear lifejackets in the water and say "So we can be safe!"...there, now you know a bit more about Dora!) Anyway, looks like we should be signing up for swim lessons in the near future!

Thanks Boswells' and Miles' families for a wonderful weekend!

Dancing Queen

As we were preparing to leave for the lake this morning, Payton decided to entertain me with a little dance! She cracks me up...I just love the new parts of her personality that we are introduced to each and every day!

Little Gymnast

Payton has been able to join cousin Olivia this summer for gymnastics...it is so cute to watch! Grandma got to join us last week so I put her in charge of being photographer- thanks mom!

"Ka-boom"

Papa Curt and Payton
The group getting ready :)

Brian, Adam and Russ

P jumping on the trampoline!

Happy (belated) 4th of July everyone! Payton LOVED the fireworks - she would smile so big and say "Ka-boom!" We had a great time with friends and family throughout the week....we are blessed!

Royals Game + 2 Brewer's Fans

Using plastic utensils to grill....never a dull moment with this guy!
Russ and his sister Dana

Sarah and Dr. Rammer (aka Lola/ 1 Brewer fan)

Josh (another Brewer's fan) Laura ("Lola" as Payton called her), Megan and Brian

The whole gang pregame.