Catching up...

I can't believe I'm already behind! I meant to blog our zoo adventure during this past week, but for some reason was extremely tired and had an early bedtime most nights. I've got a lot to cover!

My parents came down last Saturday to help celebrate Rick's 50th birthday, which was on the 19th. We had a BBQ at Pam's house with a ton of family. Kyle and I even had one of his students hang at the house after Payton went to bed so we could hang out and celebrate late! It was so fun to be out together, usually one of us has to stay behind. Happy birthday Rico!

Once again Payton, her parents and all four grandparents made the trek together to the Oregon Zoo. We had a great time! I was really hoping Payton would be much more into the animals this year, since she loves reading about them and imitating all the different noises. Last year she was mostly interested in people watching, and trying to stay upright (she was just starting to walk well on her own). This year she started out very apprehensive and wanted "up" for quite a while. In fact she kept saying "we go home" and "gotta go back" several times! I think once she realized that no animals were going to jump out and bite her, she started to relax a little bit. I was telling Kyle that I wish we'd had time to go through the zoo again, because by the time we were nearing the end she was really loosening up and enjoying herself. Maybe next time!

I'm starting to have fun!

I had to go through this tunnel SEVERAL times

Riding a tractor with Grandma Sue!

Lots of walking...

I love her arms in this one! Working it!

Snack time!

Checking out the elephants :)

Lions!

Riding on Papa Scott's shoulders!

Adoring grandmothers :)

Payton has been really liking "choo choos" lately, so you should have seen her face when we boarded the train that goes around the zoo. 35 minutes of pure Heaven! She was SO excited!

Giving mommy kisses!

At the end of the day we let Payton pick out a stuffed animal at the gift shop... meet baby Cheetah. This little guy has not left Payton's sight since! She sleeps with her, eats with her, plays with her... they're super cute together!

And now... onto this weekend! Saturday morning we took Payton to soccer. She gets more and more comfortable every time we go, so it's getting more and more enjoyable for us too. 

Stretching!

Red light green light

Chasing bubbles

I love her hair in this one :)

I was hoping to take Payton swimming on Sunday, but every pool I looked at was only open from like 1-4pm (basically Payton's nap time). Kyle had a really good idea though, and suggested going to Lewis Creek in Sweet Home. They have a rocky beach, swimming, and we could take a picnic lunch. So Sunday morning we packed up, and in less than an hour we were there!

Our little set up

"Look mom! Water!"

"Up!"

This is really fun!

Whoops! I fell down!

Cutie patootie

I didn't want to go!

Even though it was overcast, we had a really fun morning and afternoon. Of course the minute we left the sun came out (figures), but we will definitely be back again often in the future! 

Unfortunately I'm on call this next weekend, so not much going on for us. Just taking it easy and hanging out! Payton starts her new preschool this week. Kyle has taken her a few times just to get her acclimated, and she hasn't wanted to leave, so that's a good sign. Kyle already has meetings next week for summer school, and the regular school year will be here before we know it. This year is just flying by!

Ahhh... love is in the air

What a great weekend I just had! It was super busy, but full of family and friends. Kyle took off for his guys backpacking trip on Friday morning, so all of the ladies they left behind decided we would get together for a girls night! So Payton and I stayed the night at Grandma Sue's so I could stay up and hang out with everybody, not to mention the advantage of a good nights sleep in an air conditioned home. We had pizza, snacks, a couple bottles of wine, a lot of laughs... it was a great night! On Saturday morning Payton and I went to soccer again. This week wasn't quite as good as last week unfortunately. I don't know if it was just because her dad wasn't there, but Payton wanted up pretty much the whole time, she wasn't really in the mood to run around. Oh well, there's always next weekend!

After running to Target, a big lunch and a nap, Payton and I were ready to tackle yet another park on Saturday afternoon. I took her to Timberlinn park because my friend said I could get great pictures there (and I was scoping it out for Chelsea and Richard's engagement photos - more of that to follow in a moment). I knew they had a play structure, so I could kill two birds with one stone. A little girl walked up to me and asked me if she could play with Payton, which was so cute; Payton went down the slide with her, chased her, they climbed the stairs together... It made me realize how much fun it is as a parent to stand back and watch your child interact with other kids. Plus after that little girl left, Payton was being friendly to all the other kids too! She's usually pretty shy, but she said down next to a little boy on the double slide and said "Ready? One, two, three!" and they went down the slide together. Too cute!

Chelsea and Richard arrived in Albany Saturday night to visit us. I offered a long time ago to try to take some engagement pictures for them, and every time they've tried to have a friend do them in Washington they've been rained out, so it actually turned out perfect! We got to visit and they got to see Payton, and we took (almost 500!) pictures. I'm not a professional by any means, but I'm passionate about it and I love doing it, and I was honored that they entrusted me with the job. Hopefully I did not disappoint! The weather was pretty overcast at first, and I was actually feeling discouraged but it turned out great; sometimes bright bright sunlight in photos isn't good either, so it was a nice "picture taking" day. We decided to go to a park in downtown Albany, it was actually the same park where Kyle and I had our engagemnt pictures taken (over 4 years ago!). Brought back a lot of memories!

This was just a random pic, we weren't even taking official pictures yet. I love it though!

The ring

Awwww

Like I said, it was an honor and a privelage to take these pictures, and I thank them for being patient and flexible with me. I really enjoy photography, and I had a blast! Also a big thank you to Sue, who entertained Payton for me while I was busy. I couldn't have gotten any pictures without you!

And of course, I couldn't resist a few photos of my absolute favorite subject...

I am obsessed with the swings lately!

Walking the tracks with Grandma Sue!

Too cute!

Love her!

This next weekend is shaping up to be a big one too! Kyle's dad Rick is turning 50 on Thursday, so the boys are going golfing together Saturday morning, and then we're having a party for him that afternoon. Plus my parents are coming down, so it will be extra fun! On Sunday, we're all going to head up to the Portland Zoo. It's been over a year since we last went, and I'm really excited to take Payton this time because she's so much more aware of all the different animals, and likes to imitate them. Last time we went she could barely walk on her own, so a lot has changed since then!