Floyd Lamb Park

This past weekend we took our June Family Outing to Floyd Lamb Park.
Can you believe that 8 years in Vegas and we've never been?

We packed a BBQ and a baseball bat/ball and we thoroughly enjoyed a few hours together.

Rich pitches a pretty mean fastball...

Ty discovers the joy of cheetos...

the stick was a close second to the cheetos...

Jake covers third base - the cowboy boots make me smile...

a little Resort Living

Last week I had a dear friend invite me to her house in St. George for a few days. Rich was out of town and I had no reason to say "no", but I was having a really hard time with the idea of having all four of my kids on my own, out of routine, in a different home, much less in a home with a pool (I'm freaked out by home pools d/t drowning risks).

So instead of spending a few days in St. George, the kids and I just did a quick day trip on Friday. Let me just clarify here - Ashley if you ever invite me for a "few days" again, I will accept and will even offer to cook all the meals and wash windows! I will never, ever be so foolish as to turn down an invitation to your home - or should I say "resort"?

Words cannot describe this spacious, beautiful home. The scenery made me feel like I was in some Resort & Day Spa in the deserts of Arizona. The pool was not a threat to my children because the house completely wrapped around the pool and the walls were all made of glass - so I could see them at all times. Not only that, but I never should have doubted my dear friend who is more anal (could it be?) than myself and had locks on all doors leading outside! No pool tragedies at her home!

We all had a ball. We were there for about 8 hours and my kids probably spent 6 of those hours in the pool. I personally spent those 6 hours in a lounge chair - enjoying my kids, a great friend, and sunshine. A little heaven on earth.

Thanks again Ash!

Ty's Birthday Celebration (***Warning: Photo Overload***)

I had to post a couple (ha!) of photos from last night's birthday party - in honor of our Ty Guy's 1st birthday.

His cake was a race track, because most days I feel like I'm on a race track all day in an effort to keep up with our Ty (he's been walking since 9 months!)

We kept the celebration to just our little family - nice and simple. Ty began by opening each of his gifts. Then we introduced him to the cake - which is always good for a laugh and a real big mess.

the cake, prior to meeting Ty...


Ty, ready to start the party...


the guests...


Elmo book and doll, from Boppa & Diyah...


the prized gift of the night, a bouncy ball...


a filler gift from mom - crackers, which double nicely as a maraca...


let him eat cake!


or eat the car, whichever tastes better...


Nobody can claim that he isn't good at sharing...


with mom...


and with dad...


almost done buddy...


unless you are planning to eat the hat as well...


time to hit the tubby...


my memory card was nearly full, but we did get the beginning of Ty's cake exploration...

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Phew!

It was a great night. I may have gone a bit overboard on the photos, but it's my baby's 1st birthday so I'm entitled!

I'm ONE and don't you forget it!

Actually, Ty can't talk yet, but he just seems to be saying "I'm ONE!"

So this is where I...

1 - post all kinds of photos taken over the past year

2 - bemoan the fact that my BABY is already one year old

3 - ask the question "where has the time gone?"

Ready?

Seriously, I know I'm his mom, but isn't he just stinkin' cute?!?!

I could not ask for a better baby. He is SO GOOD - good eater, good sleeper, good walker, good climber, good grip (we call it the death grip), good screamer (just kidding). Don't hate me, but he really is happy ALL the time!

I really can't believe that it's been a year since he was born - it's gone so fast. And yet, I can't seem to remember my life without him. He was a part of our family before we even knew him. I am so grateful for his spirit as part of our family.

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE you Ty. Happy Birthday!

Father's Day 2009

Happy Father's Day to our...

(Dadoo is Jake's term of affection for Rich)

D is because I'm your Daughter ~ love Kaitlyn

A is for all the Affection you shower on me ~ love Ty

D is for all the Dates you take me on ~ love Cason

OO is for all that you teach me, to which I say "Oh" (a favorite word of Jakes) ~ love Jake

Rich - Thanks for being the greatest dad ever! I feel so fortunate that my kids have a dad that they absolutely adore. I'm grateful every day that I'm married to someone who loves being a daddy and who spends as much time with his kids as you do.

Happy Father's Day ~ I love you! We all love you!

No more cast

Good News for Kaitlyn!

Her arm has been healing well and x-rays confirmed that the cast could come off today.

Kaitlyn can finally kick off her summer break and go SWIMMING!

You've been very patient Kay. I'm glad that you are better and thrilled to have my (two armed) helper back!

Taking it on the HEAD!

Poor Jake!

He is such a TWO YEAR OLD!

This forehead has had more bumps and bruises in the past week than even a two-year old deserves!

Our very first day in Utah he missed a step out my parents back door and immediately ended up with a goose-egg to the head.

At the wedding dinner he came in bearing the imprint of the chair (no lie!) that he fell onto.

The morning of the wedding brought another blow to the head, but by then we were hardly keeping track anymore.

And I lost track how many tumbles he took the night of the reception - too many hills and steps to manuever on too little sleep I guess.

Way to hang in there Jake!