My mom has this wagon that is so great. It also comes with an umbrella but the best part is that you can strap them in. It is also super lite & easy to steer. They love going on walks. Up the street there is a house that has a lot of roses & flowers that Payton loves to go by. Ryan enjoyed himself too. A few days ago we went on a walk up there & we were pointing out things & calling it by name... rose, yellow flower, etc. So we came up to a birdhouse that had a little fake bird on the perch. I said birdie & Payton clear as day said it back. I looked up at Melissa to see if she heard it & I said it again & she repeated it. I was so excited. I have done everything that I can to get her to say it again. We've been to Petsmart & stood in front of the birds & NOTHING!!! So she can talk but she chooses not to. She said Thank you at church yesterday to a friend of mine & then wouldn't say it again. Yes she has a mind of her own, but at least I know that she can.

So what is it like watching 2 toddlers.... Just like below they are usually going in 2 different directions!
One is happy stopping to admire the flowers & the other is bookin' it in the other direction. But it is so much fun having them together.
Payton's favorite word right now is... well first she points & then says "deece" (aka this).
She is staring at Ryan run around. I'm sure wondering, 'where does he get all that energy!'
Melissa, Casey & Ryan in the backyard.
Ryan Playing with his birthday toys.
Payton riding on Ryan's birthday bike.
I wish I had a bigger play area for Payton, she loves being outside! For now we just borrow other people's backyards so she can be outside more.

On the lake...

We were able to make it down to the lake once while we were there & we had a blast!I was surprised that Payton left her life jacket on. Actually after coming back from the Jet Ski she got in the water with Donald & just put her head back & floated!
These pictures were in the beginning so she didn't look all that comfortable with her new surroundings yet.
Even though she still didn't look like she was to keen on what was going on once we got going she had fun.


I love the expression on her face below! "What the heck are we doing going further away from dry land?!?!?!"
She loved it up until we went over our first bump & then she decided she wanted to turn around & have me hold her. Obviously that didn't happen but after that we just cruised & she got comfortable again.
I don't remember how fast we went but we never went so fast that Payton felt uncomfortable.

Columbia Temple

The last full day of our trip we went to the Columbia Temple. It was very very hot but so beautiful.Lisa & Dan decided to get married while we were all together & I'm so glad so that we could all be there!
This is my favorite picture from the day!

Poor little miss Payton spiked a fever while everyone was in for the sealing. She was not a happy camper. I was not prepared & didn't have anything for her. Luckily her Aunt Janette came to the rescue & gave us some medicine.
And then our smiley Payton was back!
Sharing snakes with Ryan.

I love this one.


After we went to a restaurant for some good food.

She also gave all of her aunts & her grandma a kiss. It may have been because she had medicine but that didn't matter. What matters is that she gave everyone a kiss.



Payton always laughs after getting these kisses!

Church Family Reunion....

There are a lot of pics here but I didn't know which ones to cut out so here they all are.This was Payton's buddy while we were there. Bell was so good with Payton & Payton LOVED her. I don't think that I can stress that any more. Payton 'warmed up' to her new surroundings faster than I have ever seen her. With Payton it takes her a long time to feel comfortable to leave my side. I was so relieved! It was very encouraging & was the perfect start to the trip!

Her Uncle Allan took a lot of pictures of Payton & did a great job. There are so many great pictures of Payton. Thank you Allan!!!




For the first day Payton carried around a swim diaper everywhere. It was like her little security blanket. Donald thinks that it was because she wanted to go to the lake.





Payton & her cousin Ryan (Yes she has 2 cousin Ryans). For once Payton was the biggest kid. She is usually the smallest because her other cousin Ryan is older & bigger. Payton & Ryan (in the picture) were fast friends. I don't know if it was because she was bigger than him or not but it didn't matter. They were so cute together!


Another favorite pictures.
These are three cousins. Ryan 1 yr, Landon 1 month, Payton 19 months.



Payton was so fascinated by the baby in the car seat. I think with a little more time she would have said Baby!!

These bottom two are some of my favorite pics taken that weekend.
But this one is by far my favorite!!! This one is going to be blown up to an 8x10 & be in our living room.
We had such a good time. There are more pics to come.