Payton Vs. The Pen

Our Trip to Albuquerque

So, last weekend my whole fam went to Albuquerque for the weekend. It was Kayden's First birthday and we had found out three days prior to the trip that we were having a boy. So, we took the kids to the Aquarium and the Zoo and we did a whole lot of shopping. The zoo and aquarium were way fun. However, we have very few pics of the trip because Bryce and I were video taping pretty much the entire time. So, here are some of the few pics we actually have. Very Very few are of Bryce so we have included a small video clip from our cam.

Payton looking through a waterfall at some birds!!!

Mom and Payton checkin out the Flamingos!!!

Funny Faces at the Zoo!!!!

(for anyone planning to attend the Alubquerque Zoo we Don't recomend the Train. It pretty much takes you on a tour of the back of the exibits... not fun!!!)

It' Been Two Months!!!

The "Camping" Trip

This was supposed to be our camping trip for the year. Our plan was to go up to the La Plata Mts. and camp by the river. Unfortunately the day before we were leaving Bryce and I both were having the feeling that maybe we shouldn't go. So, we decided to listen to our feelings and instead we would camp out in our front room and go 4-Wheeling all day Saturday. So, Saturday morning we woke up and got the four wheelers ready and headed for the La Plata Mts. However, as soon as we got out of our car it started to pour on us. And it rained from the time we got out of our car until we left the canyon. So, we came to the conclusion we probably shouldn't be in the La Platas. So, we drove over to Vallecito Lake. We got the 4-wheelers out and went up middle mountain. We made stops to check out the scenery and we hiked up near a small waterfall for a while.... We got back on the 4-wheelers and ended up going about eight miles up middle mountain before we decided to turn around. Payton was loving it!!! She loves the 4-wheelers. She was laughing and waving at Bryce as we went up further and further. Bryce even spotted a deer and we stopped to check it out (she has been talking about the deer ever since). Things were going smoothly. However, as smoothly as it was going up.... it was that rocky on our way back. Payton Decided to get on the 4-wheeler with Bryce. She was riding in front and Bryce was going up a hill with all of these large rocks and he hit one and her face slammed into the handle bars. It was an immediate bruise on her little cheek bone. So, she decided to get back on with me but she was crying so hard that I decided it would be okay if she rode in the front with me. However, as we were going down a hill, we hit a rock and her face slammed back into the handle bar. And of course, it was an immediate bruise right on the same cheek bone. After that all she wanted to do was go home. So, we rode back down the mountain and went home. It was, for the most part, a very fun day. Even with Payton's war wounds!!!!

I am pretty sure she is the CUSTEST little girl EVER!!!!

Payton And Bryce at our First (and only stop) in the La Plata Mountains

Payton and I taking a pit stop while 4-wheeling above Vallecito Lake

THE SAN JUAN COUNTY FAIR

Here we are at the Fair. Payton LOVED all the animals. She was a little freaked out by the snake and alligator but she's pretty brave. We didn't ride any rides (she's still pretty small) but we walked around and ate roasted corn and played a couple of games (Bryce won her a $10.00 Teddy Bear that was about the size of a large orange) After that we decided we would head home!!! It was way fun though and by the way she slept that night, I think she had fun too!!!

Payton and the Snake!!!

Payton getting her face painted!!!

Me, Payton and a Cow!

RYLAN'S BIRTHDAY

Payton sneeking a cupcake at Rylan's Birthday Party!!!

THE PIONEER DAYS IN KIRTLAND

Every year Kirtland has a Pioneer Celebration. They have a parade and afterwards they have a bunch of festivities for the fam. They have games set up for the kids and then they have a Big Race and a Softball Tournament. The race is set up into age groups. So, they start off with 1 year olds and go up from there. Last year Payton just stood at the starting line and cheered on the other kids but this year she actually ran, which was way fun. And afterwards Bryce and Jimmy played in the softball tournament. It was a long day but we had a good time!!!

Payton running the Big Race!!!

Payton in the Ball Tent!!!

Payton And Daddy at the Parade!!!

Good Morning!!!

We are most definitely NOT morning people!!!

The Fourth Of July!

The fourth of July was a crazy weekend. Here we are at the Firework's Display on July 3 (for some reason our city has them on the 3rd instead of the 4th). We had a barbeque and lit some sparklers. It was way fun. Payton LOVES fireworks. We had to keep telling her not to play with them because they were too hot but she is pretty fearless. Sparklers are definately her favorite.

Then on the 4th we set up at the Party in the Park. Then, that night we had the parade and on the 5th we had the downtown Freedom Days. So it was a pretty busy weekend. I don't think we acctually sat down until Sunday!!!

Aztec Fiesta Days - June

So, for those of you who don't know... Bryce and I purchased a small shaved ice stand to take to events during the summer for a little extra cash. And this year Jimmy and Heather have come to some of the events with us and have sold cotton candy.... So, here is our stand at the Aztec Fiesta Days.

First, let me just tell you a few things about this little shindig... every year they make this huge person... thing.... out of paper and sheets and then all the people of the town write down on little sheets of paper one thing they would like to get rid of in their lives and then they burn it. So, on the last night of this "fiesta" they start moving this massive person-thing and people are lighting candles and following it (people are real serious about this-no lie) and Jimmy starts running after it with these fake tiki torches we have that set outside of our Shaved Ice Stand. So, I left (Bryce and Heather to clean up... sorry again!) and went after him with my camera so I could get pics. of Jimmy making a fool out of himself.

Much to my surprise... he was like the most popular guy out there. All the people thought he was so cool cause he was getting all in to the "spirit of the Zorba" and were shouting at him and talking to him as he passed. And Jimmy and I were just cracking up because all he was doing was mocking the tradition. He even went up as they were lighting it and acted like he was lighting it with his "torch"! It was honestly soooooo funny!!! But I swear that's how it's been with him, he makes fun of somebody and they totally think he's great! GO figure!!

Riverfest

Here is we are getting ready to have our first ever Riverfest experience.... little did we know. Other than a few little attractions for the kiddies... and an overload of vendors.... there wasn't much else to do except walk up and down the river. However, we still managed to have a really good time!

Here is Payton getting her face painted by a clown or something? I am not quite sure what she was supposed to be. However, Payton looked adorable!!!

They had a small petting zoo with some goats, a horse and a bunch of lamas. So, here is Bryce and Payton feeding the goats!!!