Stupendous September

Last Camping trip of the Year

Labor Day is usually the last camping trip we get in with the kiddos and this year was no exception.  It was a rainy, rainy, MUDDY trip.  Sitting around the fire during one of the few spells without rain.

Just look at the water on this road, luckily we didn't get stuck though I was worried a few times.  It ended up being a record breaking rainfall year on the mountain.

Dirty hands, the kids had made a whole city in the mud, her snow boots will never be the same.  Because of all the rain I didn't get very many pictures this trip. 

 We did have an experience this trip we will never forget and that was Kylee locking herself in the truck.  I had set her in their to grab some breakfast makings from the cooler and as soon as I walked away I heard the click of the locks and sure enough she had locked herself in with the keys still sitting in the ignition.  At first we tried to get her to hit the unlock button but to no avail.  Hilary and Colette were there with me and we tried a hangar for a good while.  Kylee kept standing up to the window and crying her little eyes out, talk about heart wrenching and I wanted to cry just as hard.  Luckily it was a cool day so we didn't have to worry about it getting to hot. After an hour of trying we were really wondering what to do.  Not knowing what should be done, one of Hilary's sons went to find our husbands who had gone off looking for bulls earlier.  Colette decided to walk to a camp of hunters right next door and luckily one of them happened to be home, his name was Eric.  He came to our rescue and after another 45 minutes of trying and with the use of an awning pole he finally succeeded in sliding the lock switch.  What a happy reunion that was and just as we got her out, our husbands pulled in.  Kyle was glad we had found Eric because we were to the point of thinking we might have to break the window.  The whole time we had been trying to push the unlock button but apparently the unlock button does not work when the keys are halfway in the ignition. Who would've known?  Anyway I'm glad it all ended well and a big thanks to Eric from Tines Up.  He had been out on his bull hunt with a bow and it so happened he got a monster bull the next night, so I say it was good karma for saving my baby.

Preschool 2013 

4 years old

I can't believe this will be her second year of preschool.  This will be a new experience for both of us.  I'm excited to give preschool a try.  I ended up with 7 students which, with starting late I was happy with.

The advantage of being her teacher is that I was able to snap a picture while busy coloring during class.  

Scott's Hunt

The boys outside an old cabin looking for the big one

After hunting hard for 6 days chasing a monster, Scott filled his tag with this really nice bull they called "The Mute". He passed on this bull and a lot of others during the week.   

Scott, Reed and his Dad

Just look at the rugged, handsome guide.  It rained a lot during his hunt which always makes things more difficult but they had a great time and made some good memories.  Scott's bull still scored over 360" with a unique turned down front.  Another great bull for the Miner clan!

Sand Pile

We moved most of our stuff into our new home only a couple days before the big hunt and because the hot water hadn't been turned on we didn't sleep there.  After Kyle left for the hunt the grils and I decided to go ahead and sleep there (they promised us hot water the next day but it ended up being 3 days).  My mom and dad came up on a Saturday and helped us at least get our beds put together so it is now official, we are residents of Elk Ridge.  My next post is dedicated to the building of our dream home.  One of the first things we did was play in the little bit of sand that was left over out front.

Rubbing sand in the eyes, never a good thing.

We spent a good amount of time out this day.

Random September Pictures

Taytum wants to be a witch for Halloween and we found this costume and she had to try it on.  She is giving me her scary witch cackle.

Kylee fell asleep on our bed one afternoon and she looked so peaceful.

Taytum found some Halloween black lipstick and this was her attempt of getting it off before I saw her but it wouldn't come off very well

Another sleeping baby picture

I signed Taytum up in a local Dance class and she was so excited to try on her new leotard and tutu.

Movie night, Kyle bought us the 3-D version of Epic so here we are watching it as a family with our attractive glasses on.

Taytums first haircut, it was barely a trim to try and even up her sides but it was fun for her.

August Adventures

Grandma Mac Party

The beginning of August we found out that Grandma's cancer had returned and this time terminal.  She was always holding holiday parties at her house so we decided to get together and celebrate her.  She is such a wonderful grandma and hearing this kind of news is never easy but she is doing well thus far and seems to be at peace with it. Kylee needed a very close closeup during lunch 

I had to sneak a picture of Grandma as she sat and was waited upon.  She is always in the kitchen and being such a busy body to ensure that we are all taken care of, so this time around, we made her sit and visit.

 Grandma with her kids

 The whole crew.  Even though Brian was out for our family reunion he flew back to be at this party.

 Our family with Grandma 

 Hanging out and talking.  Mine and Angelas kids decided to doggy pile Grandpa Pike

 Oh the abuse he puts up with for his Grandkiddos.

 Grandma Mac had a huge china cabinet full of random and unique salt and pepper shakers.  She let all of us pick out two different ones.

 I chose the bear and squirrels

 Kyle got the turkey and chipmunks.  Grandma gave me a third one of frogs since I like frogs and she is always giving me something that has to do with frogs.

 I chose these pigs for Kylee

 Taytum chose two Christmas themed salt and pepper shakers.

 Random August pictures

On the way to see the new house we stopped by at the city park and had so much fun.

 I love swings.

Taytum sliding down and having so much fun.

 Static head

 Playing in the drawers.

July Jubilation

 Camping!

We headed to the mountain for a weekend of camping.  Right away we saw this young buck.

One afternoon we decided to go fishing.  Kylee liked looking through all the fishing gear

 Taytum waiting for her pole to be set up.

 Fishing with daddy.

 Kylee was my fishing partner.

 I'm so glad my two girls love to fish and do so well camping.

 Kylee's first experience with a fish.  I love the inquisitive look she is giving this fish.

 And like always daddy tells her to kiss the fish and she was going in for an open mouthed kiss and I had to save her just in time.

 My monster fish.

 Girls playing with their "camping" back pack.  This backpack is what we take camping and is generally the only time they play with what's in it.

 Dad cooking up some grub.

 Later our friends the Miners joined us and Taytum followed Gage around all day.

 It wouldn't be a complete camping trip without jumping in the mud puddles.

 Playing cars with Gage and Peyton.

 Kylee loved going for stroller rides and we went on many of them.

 Peyton and Taytum our hunting for bears and keeping our camp safe.  It is always so fun to go camping with these guys and the kids always get along so well.  Our friend Scott has the Elk tag this year so I'm sure will be seeing them camping again soon.

 Kylee is ONE!!

I honestly cannot believe that this beautiful itty bitty blue eyed girl is one.  It really seemed like only yesterday she was born.  It has been such a fun year with this little one and she is just as beautiful now as she was the day she was  born.

Happy Birthday Kylee-bug!

 I can't believe the difference a year makes.  She has such a cute personality and has made our family more complete.

Waiting to open a few presents from family.

 She still has more fun with the bags and wrapping then the actual present but she now understands that they need to be opened.

 Oh I just love her big blue eyes.

 Grandpa Paxman and Taytum helping out on the more tricky wrapping.

 Finally being able to see what is inside.

 ........and seems pretty happy about it.

 I love this little girl.

 Birthday Cupcake.  I am making another cake that she can smash into that we are saving for the day of their pool party when both sides of the family will be up.

 Pool Party!

Taytum wanted a Belle cake so we went with it.  I found a coloring book page of Belle and used it to pipe on the frosting.  I was even impressed with how good it looked and I did this all in the morning of their party.  I'm glad I took a picture of it then because after sitting on the counter all day it had started to melt a bit and the colors started bleeding into each other but oh well it still was pretty good for a non cake decorator.

Taytum's Princess Belle cake.

 Kylee's 'rose' cake to go along with the Belle theme.

 After the cakes were decorated we headed off to the Legacy Center for a pool party with the cousins.  It was so much fun and everyone enjoyed themselves.

 Walking around the pool with dad.

 A birthday girl having so much fun.

 My two birthday girls.  I can't believe we have a 4 and 1 year old.

 Chatting and having fun with the family.  Grandma Mac even sported the swimsuit and came to play.

 Jacey, Emree, and Kennedy waiting for the big bucket to drop.

 Luke and Taytum always together.

 Kylee having fun on the side of the pool

 After the pool we gathered back at the house and had pizza.

 Todd, Kirk, Kyle and girls eating and talking

 I love that we live close enough to be able to get together like this every once in awhile.

 Time to open presents.

 Since it was Belle themed we thought it fitting to get her a new Belle dress.  She had a hand-me-down one that was just tattered so she was pretty excited to get this one.

 Presents, presents, presents.

 Kylee got this little bear from Grandma Mac and just loved it all night.

 Opening more presents, the girls are always so spoiled by everybody.

 Checking out her new jammies.  She is giving them some serious thought.

 They love presents.  This puzzle is from Grandma Paxman

Time to smash/eat her birthday cake.

Daddy is demonstrating the proper form of blowing out a candle.

The first inspection of frosting on her fingers.

Really, its o.k to do this with my fingers?

Finally getting a real good taste of cake.

No stopping now, this stuff is good.

I think she liked the way it felt between her fingers more than anything.

Do I have something on my face?

Happy Birthday Kylee, we love you so much!

Taytum's turn to blow out her candles, this is the cake we shared among the family.

Such a sweet, wonderful, beautiful 4 year old.

Trying on her Belle princess dress and giving me only silly faces.

Taytum's Birthday

Obviously we had the pool party to help celebrate but we did celebrate her real birthday with the dinner of her choice, Macaroni and cheese with Mummy dogs.

We held off our presents so she could open some on her actual birthday.

A new pink gun to take with us camping and protect our camp.

A new "computer."

Her birthday cupcake.  Sure love you Tayter-bugs.  Happy Birthday

Pike Family Reunion

Brian and family were headed to Utah so we planned a 5 day reunion to just play, play, and play.  Here we are packing and getting ready for the trip.  Kylee's in the bag for she does not want to be left behind.

Ethan in the oldest grandchild on the Pike side and he helped so well with all the little ones.

Alot of the time this is what we did, sat back and relaxed and chatted and got caught up on everybody's lives.

Every day we were in the river at least once.  It was a beautiful, hot week so the cold river water was refreshing.  Taytum even braved the water as long as Grandpa would hold on to her.

Jarom was the official water king.  I don't think he ever left the water unless he was eating or sleeping.

Uncle Jeremy was the one to start all the water fights.

Grandpa and Taytum walking up and down the river.

Kylee mainly watched from the shore and played in the kiddie pool.

We finally had to show the young ones how to body float the river.  Angela did most of the demonstrating.

Brayden going down on his own.

Angela and Emree giving it a try.

I'm trying to convince Jacey its not so bad, she did it and then couldn't be stopped.

My turn.

Grandpa's turn.

Kylee cheered from the shore.

She ate plenty of dirt and rocks this trip.

She loved throwing rocks into the river.

Taytum finally wanted a turn to float down the river, she didn't like it so much.

Lunch break, watermelon sure tastes great on a hot summer day.

I just love this watermelon face.

Tate chilling in his bouncy chair.

The littlest ones loved the jungle gym.

Kylee and Tate spent a lot of time getting to know each other this trip.

We each were supposed to design our own tshirts that told a little about us.  These were my parents shirt.

I went with deer since we love to hunt.  Kyle's shirt had a buck while the girls and I sported the doe and fawns.  I thought they turned out cute.  Kyle had to work a few days and joined us later in the week.  The last day that everyone was their they went to the Morgan County Fair.  Our kids went with Grandma and Grandpa while Kyle and I slipped away and went to Lagoon with his work company.  It was fun, it had been years since I had been to Lagoon.

We played a lot of games and we each were in charge of certain games.  I was in charge of the little people games so they had something to do while the older kids and adults played other games.

Playing a candy bar game that Katie had brought.

Angela came up with a bunch of fun Minute to Win it kind of games and that was a hoot.

Here we are trying to roll a marble down a yard stick.  A lot harder than it looks.

A dice game, had to hold so many on a popsicle stick.

Kylee enjoying an otter pop as she watches the activities going on around her.  I didn't get any pictures of us playing Burn down the House for whatever reason but mom spent a lot of time putting this game together.  It all started when I was young and we would play it with Grandma Mac at her annual grand kids party.  It is a memory of my Grandma and it was fun to see my kids playing it.  We had a blast and Grandma Mac even joined was one evening of playing it.  It was great.

My Uncle and Aunt have this huge water play fortress.  The kids had a blast on this thing.

Taytum getting everyone wet with water sprayer. 

Tunnels, Taytum spent most of her time in this thing.

Emree going down the slide.

Brayden

Taytum going down the slide.  I don't know what happened to the rest of the pictures, whether I just didn't take any more (doesn't seem like me) or if I lost them somewhere but we had a blast.  It was so fun to just get together and play, it doesn't happen very often with Brian living so far away so I love building these kind of memories and letting my kids get to know their cousins a little bit better.

Random July Pictures

We got to tend Emree and Cooper one day every week while their mom worked.  We had tons of fun.  Here we are painting on cardboard that we later put in the microwave and it make their painting puffy.

We played with the hose and the play set a lot.

Kylee loving the little spray from the hose.

Emree

Coop

Taytum

Kylee empties my cabinets on a daily basis.

Look at that face of pure delight because she knows I'm going to clean it up.

Kylee also loves to put straps and such around her.  I find her dragging things all over the house.

One morning I found Taytum feeding her sister and talking sweet to her.  She really is a great big sister.

Just playing.

Kylee also loves to empty out the DVD rack multiple times a day.