"Icing"

For a while now Peyton has been saying that he wants to go "play icing" or go "ice chasing", so this evening we took him skating at Stonebriar Mall. While we were putting his shoes on at home, he wanted to know where his "special shoes" were. I told him we would get them at the mall. We enjoyed dinner on the second level overlooking the rink. Peyton didn't take his eyes off the rink the entire time. The zamboni was out cleaning, and Peyton declared that he did not want to ride it. When we finally got checked in and got he and Dustin got on their "special shoes", Peyton decided that ice skating didn't look very fun after all and was very hesitant to get on the ice. But Dustin pulled him out there anyway, and Peyton was soon having a blast. He never ventured too far from the wall or from Dustin and was very wabbly for the most part, but he loved it. He did of course take a few tumbles. When it was time to go, he wanted to bring his rented skates home.

(More pics and video in Summer 08)

New Games...

Reagan's new game is opening a cabinet door and climbing all the way inside. She gets pretty proud of herself as she "rearranges" the cabinets' contents so she can fit inside!

Peyton's new game is playing store. He moves the office chair into the kitchen where he sets up shop. He uses his "loud lights" gun as the scanner. He even used the pockets on Reagan's disposable bibs as bags.

A Week in Atlanta

It's been one week since we've returned from our trip to Atlanta, and I think we're finally starting to get back to life as normal! It was a wonderful, special, and memorable week! Congratulations Kelsey and Bethany! Here are some of the details from the week:

Monday, July 14 - We left home at about 7:00pm (CST) and drove straight through the night, the first time we've ever done something like that with the kids. The trip ended up taking us about 12.5 hours.

Tuesday, July 15 - We arrived at our hotel (Homewood Suites) around 9:00am (EST), just in time to eat breakfast. We met up with Granmommy and Grandaddy, Jenna, Mia, and Lennon. We spent the rest of the day unpacking and resting up. We stayed in a one bedroom suite and had plenty of room to spread out! That evening Dustin got a call from his boss, letting him know that he was appoved for a promotion! His new title is Applications Technical Specialist Senior.

Wednesday, July 16 - Peyton and Reagan's first trip to Six Flags! Around 11:00am, we all (Granmommy, Grandaddy, Kelsey, Jenna, Shelby, Dustin, me, Mia, Peyton, Reagan, and Lennon) piled into two cars and headed out. Peyton immediatley told us that he didn't want to go too fast on the roller coasters. After getting checked in, most of the grown-ups headed to a big roller coaster, and Granmommy and I took the kids to Thomas the Train town. Even the babies could ride the train there. Peyton liked it because it didn't go too fast! Throughout the day, Peyton got to ride many new rides for the first time. He rode the sky rides, a water ride, a small roller coaster, antique cars, all the rides in Toonsville, and more. He approached most of the rides with a serious look on his face - like he was really thinking about what exactly he was about to do. He also got to meet several Looney Toone characters and would insist on giving each one a high five. Reagan was such a little trooper in her stroller in the hot sun all day! Peyton talks about our trip to Six Flags every day. He mostly talks about Thomas the Train, the sky rides, and the roller coaster.

Thursday, July 17 - Reagan's First Birthday!!! Reagan awoke in her usual playful manner. We got dressed and headed to the lobby for breakfast. Reagan got to wear her special "1st birthday" bib. After breakfast, Peyton went back to Granmommy and Grandaddy's room to play with Mia (a favorite activity of the week) and Reagan and Daddy went to our room for her nap. I picked up Grandpa and his hotel (he and Grandma flew in on Wednesday evening). We went to Kroger to get birthday cupcakes and balloons for the party. At 11:30, we all met at The Cheesecake Factory at Cumberland Mall to celebrate Reagan's and Lennon's (who will be 1 on the 28th) special day! After a delicious lunch, we opened presents. Then it was time for cake! A group of waiters from The Cheesecake Factory sang their birthday song to the babies and gave them some ice cream. Then we sang our own birthday song to the babbies and let them "blow" out their candle on their cupcakes. Reagan loved having everyone sing to her! She clapped her hands when everyone else clapped. She also LOVED her cupcake! She dug in right away and very soon had hot pink icing from head to toe. She absolutely could not get enough of her cupcake! Since it was such a big cupcake, big brother Peyton got to help Reagan eat it. The only time Reagan fussed during the whole party was when we had to pull the cupcake remenents away to get her cleaned up. Grandma took her to the bathrooom and pretty much had to give her a bath in the sink to get all the icing off. We spent the afternoon relaxing at the hotel and then took a trip to the mall with Grandma and Grandpa (where we found an oriental team giving wonderful chair massages!). That evening, Grandma and Grandpa stayed with the kids so we could go see Kelsey's (and now Bethany's) apartment.

Friday, July 18 - Grandma and Grandpa went to Stone Mountain. The guys went to get their tuxes. Granmommy, Jenna, and Mia got pedicures and I spent some quiet time at the hotel reading while Reagan and Lennon slept. That afternoon, Gran Gran, PePa, Randy, and Kendra arrived at the hotel. Grandma and Grandpa returned to the hotel that evening to stay with Reagan during the rehearsal and dinner. Peyton had been promised a great dinner and lots of dessert if he was good during the rehearsal (if he listened and obeyed). After Grandaddy prayed at the beginning, Peyton concluded the prayer, very loudly, with "Okay, time to go eat dinner!" The rehearsal went smoothly, and Dustin and I prayed even harder that Peyton would behave himself during the wedding! The pillow Peyton was given to carry was a Gaston family keepsake. The kids had fun running up and down the steps in front of the church. Once the wedding ceremony was rehearsed, we headed to South City Kitchen. We sat on the patio and had and awesome 4 course meal. Peyton discovered that he loved pork chops (on the bone). The little ring bearer finally fell asleep around 11 pm.

Saturday, July 19 - Wedding Day! We spent a quiet morning at the hotel, letting the kids rest before the big afternoon. Grandma and Grandpa came over and we ate lunch then headed to the church. Peyton fell sound asleep in the car as soon as we left the hotel and was hard to wake up once we arrived at the church. Since we were running late, we had to dress him quickly in the sanctuary - thankfully, Dustin was already dressed! After taking lots and lots and lots and lots of pictures, Peyton and I headed to the brides room and reception hall and Dustin took off with the other groomsmen. While Peyton and I were waiting for the wedding to begin, we looked over all the delicious reception food and wedding cakes. Peyton pointed out the musical notes on the groomscake. He said, "If you push it, it will play the Aggie song!" Grandma and Grandpa kept Reagan (who fell sound asleep in her stroller) and Lennon enterained in the reception hall and bride's room. When it was time for the ceremony, Peyton walked down the aisle next to Mia, keeping an eye on the flowers she was tossing out of her basket the whole way down. At the front of the church, he needed a little direction from minister Grandaddy, but he finally got into place in front of Dustin (who later informed me that he held a death-grip on Peyton's jacket so he couldn't move!). At the appopriate time, Dustin sent Peyton down into the audience to sit with me. At the conclusion of the very beautiful ceremony, Peyton returned to the front of the church to walk out with Mia. After more and more and more pictures, we were all able to join the reception. As promised, the little ring "bear" got to eat all the cake he wanted! After sending the bride and groom away in a sea of bubbles, we gathered our things and headed back to the hotel - party #2 was about to begin. Grandma and Grandpa again kept the kids at the hotel, while Dustin and I went to the After Wedding Dinner at a home in Woodstock.

Sunday, July 20 - Everyone started heading out after breakfast. We eventually left the hotel around lunch time and arrived home approximately 14.5 hours later.

Thank you Granmommy, Grandaddy, Grandma, and Grandpa for a great week!

God's Button

"Mommy, what's that button way up there in the sky?" Peyton asked me as I was driving to WalMart with a million things on my mind. Not knowing what he was talking about (and too occupied to figure it out) I just said, "Maybe it's God's button." Peyton's reply: "Don't push God's button."

Reagan's One Year Pictures

More photos under Reagan's 1st Birthday

Peyton's First Camp

This week Peyton attended his first camp, Alphabet Adventure (through McKinney ISD). He had an interesting week, but, overall, really enjoyed the camp. The first couple of days were pretty ordinary - on Monday morning the only thing he was interested in was knowing whether or not they were going to get to play on the playground (they did). On Wednesday morning, he got bit by ants while waiting in the grass for me to get Reagan out of the car. Huge whelps immediately appeared all over his ankles and hands. After leaving him scratching in the classroom (all the school could give him was Caladryl lotion), I drove to the closest grocery store to get some Benedryl and bandaids (Peyton requested bandaids. Bandaids fix almost any hurt these days.) I returned to the school to find Peyton and the other kids playing in shaving cream on the table (one of Peyton's most favorite activities!). Of course, by then he had completely forgotten about the ant bites and didn't want to leave his activity to be "doctored." On Thursday afternoon I arrived back at camp to pick him up and found him sound asleep on the rug in the middle on the classroom. Lights were on, kids were running all around him screaming, and he was completely out. The teacher said one boy even tripped over him and he barely stirred. Obviously, he really needed a nap! Peyton hasn't done anything like that for years! Today, Peyton brought home the things he made this week - a flag with his name on it, a purple "P", and letters written in chalk on black construction paper. Dinosaur camp is in a few weeks.

Mommy and Daddy went to a grown-ups only grub club at Aparicio's in downtown McKinney tonight, so Peyton and Reagan got to go to "venshure kids" (Adventure Kids Playcare) for a couple of hours. They both love it there. Reagan was crawling and walking all over. When we arrived to pick the kids up, we found Peyton playing with several girls at a doll house!

I wish I could follow Peyton around with a video camera all the time. He says some of the cutest things in the cutest voices! He frequently asks, "What is dat thang wight the-er?" (emphasis on "is"). Of course, I don't remember a lot of the cute things he says - thus my desire to have him constantly videoed.

I wish I could follow Reagan around with a camera as well. Her curious actions and sweet utterings are so worth having recorded! Today she started fussing because I took something away from her. She had on her best pouty face - the lower lip was way out! I grabbed the camera to take a picture, and, as soon as she saw it, her frown litterly turned upside down! She was suddenly all smiles! I put the camera away; the pouty face returned. Camera out; smiles on. Camera away; pouty face again. This went on for a bit, and then she became bored and found another activity.

Our Little Walker

Reagan is starting to walk! She'll walk for 5-10 steps at a time and can make u-turns. She will actually try to walk from place to place now instead of just plopping down and crawling. She waves everytime we say the word "bye-bye". She is still all smiles! We can't believe she'll be one in just one short week!

She and Peyton chased each other around the kitchen, dining room, breakfast room, and hallway tonight. Peyton rode his tricycle and she "chased" him with her little push car. They both giggled and laughed the whole time!

July 4th Weekend

We spent Reagan's first 4th of July at Grandma and Grandpa's house. We drove to Pawnee on Wednesday night after Dustin got off work. On Thursday, we went with Grandma to Kenedy to eat at Dairy Queen - Peyton always requests Dairy Queen when we go to South Texas. We also went to Wal Mart. That afternoon, Grandpa got out a 6 foot round water trough and filled it with water for Peyton and Reagan to play in - a country swimming pool. They loved it! By the time Peyton finally got out, his skin was so wrinkly I thought it would never smooth out again! Reagan also got to swing in the tree swing - and loved it of course! Brett and Stephanie came in on Thursday evening. After dinner, Grandpa took out a water balloon launcher, and everyone had fun trying to shoot water balloons as far as we could. Peyton loved to watch the water balloons "smash". We also took turns riding around on Grandpa's new Ranger. Peyton was a bit apprehensive of the vehicle. He told Grandpa, "Don't go very fast." Grandpa also got in trouble with Peyton for spraying him with the water hose. Grandpa was told that he needed to "obey."

On Friday, Reagan's first 4th of July, Peyton and Mommy made a flag cake with blueberries and strawberries. Reagan and Mommy went to Three Rivers to have lunch with Mommy's friends from High School, Kim and Deborah and Kim's daughter Brooklyn. That evening, the guys broke in Grandpa's new grill with steak, chicken, shrimp, and corn on the cob. After dark, Grandma, Brett, Stephanie, Aunt Barbara, Daddy, Mommy, and Peyton went to Beeville to watch the fireworks.

Saturday was Brett's 29th birthday. We went to Chili's for lunch and the came back home for the birthday cake Stephanie made. Peyton helped Brett blow out his candles. After Brett and Stephanie headed back to San Antonio, we went to Pawnee to see the "new" fire trucks. Peyton was facinated with the crank on the door to roll down the window. Next, we went out to the tank to feed the cows some hay. It was Reagan's first trip out to the tank, so we had to take a special picture with Grandma and Grandpa.

On Sunday, we went to church with Grandma and Grandpa in Beeville. Both kids enjoyed the nursery. Peyton even got a chocolate covered donut for a snack in his room! He also made a little flag with a popsicle stick. After church, we ate lunch at Dairy Queen (where else?!) and then said goodbye to Grandma and Grandpa. We left Beeville at 1:15 and finally arrived home at 11:30!