Had to post: Rowan 8 Months

Well, I'm trying out a new prop! I know I hate props, but this I picked up at the Brimfield Fair and it was just too cute to pass up! She's eight months already, I can't believe it, but I will post more later. For now I have to go to bed. Long day at the races.

MONSTER TRUCK RACES!

Bring on the monster truck races! The stands were packed

The flags were waving!

Grave Digger was hot!

What jumps!

El Toro Loco was crazy!

"I'm mad" they're crushing the cars

!

"See how mad I am"

Pretty hard not to laugh at that face right?

still mad: prolly cause his chick is mackin on the guy next to him.

Motocross!

keepin cool with his water. He drank a whole bottle!

El Toro Loco was making sand storms. He's in there, but you can't see him the sand and dirt is so thick. Glad we were outside!

Got to love the Stanley ear protection! Thanks Poppy!

He talked the whole time but we could hardly hear him.

so we have no idea what he said. Bummer.

Grave Digger makes his appearance

!

Finding a seat, the stands were packed!

yes, I have red hair. Get over it. It's better than platinum.

The first pop a wheely!

He finally chose to put on the ear protection!

Whoo whee! Grave Digger!

Too loud, but he wasn't ready for the ear protection yet!

We purchased Monster Jam Tickets in January for Claytons birthday, it was in Stafford Springs at the outdoor racetrack so we figured that it was safer than indoors as far as his ears were concerned. Well it was still loud, and it was hot and sunny (until the clouds rolled in) God was answering some of our prayers that day. Clayton drank his water to stay cool, clapped, waved but mostly covered his ear protection because it was still "too loud". There were small trucks and motocross (which he's really into right now) but there were also the big monster trucks! El Toro Loco, Bulldozer, Maximum destruction and Grave Digger were there! It was awesome. There were so many kids and really great people. The crowd was alive and it was fun listening to the announcer. It was different than the movies only in that there is a lot of down time between monster truck races. They did a pop-a-wheely contest. A race and then freestyle. So three events for the monster trucks: a little disappointing, but for $17 what do you expect? right? It was just enough time for us. We missed the traffic coming in and going out. Missed the thunder storm too. Perfect timing all around. It was fun: next time we won't wear black, but Papa Mike and Gramma Donna's monster truck shirt was great! He looked so cool. Enjoy the pics!

Swimming at the Bentleys

We had sunshine. four days in June we had sunshine. So one of the days we went up to the Bentleys to have some fun. The kids played all day. Rowan was really tired and ended up taking a nap, which she woke up from on the hard floor. Next time mommy will bring a crib along. But it was great fun!

Peyton is the only happy camper here, cause the baby is around. :)



Clayton would finally wear a life preserver. He got comfy jumping in, and we thought he would do well in our pool finally. But it's too cold out there and wants nothing to do with jumping in.
Maybe we'll have to invest in a heater for next year.

The water guns came out and they had a blast!

Although the cups got you more wet!

What blue eyes Miss Peyton has. Can you believe it?

Jumping in to get away from Morgan's water cup. He got more wet in the pool but that's besides the point!

The Fourth Of July!

Well, mommy had to work a wedding on the fourth so she and Clayton lit their own fireworks. While Clayton and Rowan and Daddy went to the Vergoni's for the day, Mommy worked a wedding. It was fun and had fireworks but not as fun as doing it with Clayton. We had a sacraficial burn, but what are you gonna do? They're fireworks. Next time we'll wear shoes! Dumb mommy. We did them right before Zach came in from Denver. Of course Clayton was in pain the whole ride. How do you explain to a kid why ice and a bandaid don't make it go away right away! Sorry Clay.




He loved the fire , a Nanny trait I'm afraid.

But what fun! Who doesn't love a good sparkler!

The Maine Family Vacation

We actually made it on a family vacation this summer. The last weekend in June, our sixth anniversary, we made it to Maine. We went up on Wednesday and then the Shattucks joined us for the weekend. It was a great time. The kids all played well together. We had a few days of sunshine, followed by a Sunday full of rain, sorry Shattucks, but we had a good time in the rain too!

Michelle watched Rowan while I took the big kids to the beach! She even got to feed her. What a sport!
Jakey is getting so big! Who would have known he would have grown so fast!
Clayton was miserable as usual: always has something to whine about!

We looked for rocks and crabs! Lots of rocks, didn't find any crabs (but the kid in the red sweater!)

Ivy read the boys books!

The sunny weather was great! It only came out for a few moments, but we waited until there was NO MORE BEACH before we went in. We had too much fun!

Rowan was ready for a nap! She loved cozying up to her daddy!
A Rare MOMENT!

Mr Strong man.

Building sand castles until there was no more room!

Rowan just hung out, she's working on that sitting up thing.

Playing together, building a sand castle!

She loved the cold water: mommy didn't!

What fun!

not so sure!

Bringing in the sand and water!

just chillin'

Howdy Partner!

Finally a nap after a long day of playing!

Looking for ladies!

Found one!

Having fun together in the morning!

my son!







ooowheeeee!

Another year, another pipe-dream fulfilled.
We joked that when Clay goes on his honeymoon one day he is going to send us a video or a photo of him standing on the beach naked at sunset to add to the collection. How funny would that be right?



The York Magic Kingdom. The only sunny day we had, but there was no beach. High Tide. Doesn't it figure. So we had a blast at the zoo instead.

Rowie just chilled the whole day!





Clayton was a pirate and we had a great time on the paddle boat. HE either paddled or steered.


Rowan went along for the ride as well!

Clayton went on his first rides alone as a big boy and didn't cry. He rode this one 5 times in a row!


Finally! Thanks to Disney world I think! Now if we can just work on those little mechanical cars, and golf carts maybe we can stop with the temper tantrums.