Spring background

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Picnic in Sabino Canyon











It was a beautiful hike into Sabino Canyon, a bit warm but that made the cool water feel refreshing. Brandon was such a trooper, he hiked all the way to our picnic spot! The boys weren't too sure about the water to start but looking for bugs made it worth getting in! I sure got a workout, this was the first time I had hiked with a kiddo on my back. Both boys love to be in their packs and enjoying the view. It was fun and we can't wait for our next outing!

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Splashin' around

Brandon finally having fun in the pool. He told us he is scared of the drain...poor guy, I think this is also the reason he won't poop on the potty! Mason is fearless, he just crawls over to the edge and gets in. The water was a bit cold but he insisted on being in the pool. He would crawl along the step and practice getting in and out. He didn't even seem bothered when he plunged off the step and into the pool, pulled him up and he was smiling! I think swim lessons will be in our future.

Saturday, September 17, 2011

Mason's 1st hair-cut





Today my little baby is now a little boy....Kevin gave him his first hair cut. I hope his hair (which was a light brown with touches of red in the sunlight) stays baby fine and keeps it's beautiful color. Doesn't he look like a different little boy???

A love affair continues...

Brandon's obession with vacuums continues. It doesn't even really matter what kind, if you have one, my son can identify it! He loves our shop-vac, especially all the attachments. If you want to win him over, just bring out your vacuum when we come to visit!

Caught in the act of cleaning....I wonder how I can foster this habit for later in life??? Look out ladies, I am trying to train him!!!

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Lincoln Forest Picnic









What would any trip be without an outing to the nearest forest, I am married to a Payne after all!!! This is Brian's new stomping grounds and he couldn't wait to show off it's beauty. All the kids had a blast but I think Mason had the most fun, he explored all the forest had to offer...even ate a few flowers! Brandon couldn't get enough of Aunt Peggy, it's all he talked about the days leading up to and during our trip. Alamogordo is a beautiful town with what seems like a park (with play ground equipment) on every corner...is that a smaller town thing? We can't wait to go back, too bad it's a 6-7 hour trip (did I mention how many times we stopped along the highway for Brandon to "potty"...he did great, no accidents!!!

Friday, September 9, 2011

Splashing around in Alamogordo




After playing in the sand this morning, we thought the kiddos would like to swim at our hotel. Brandon is still a little hesitant of the water, but Mason loves to swim. Thanks to Peggy for "jumping" in to help me "save" Brandon, she didn't plan on swimming but was a good sport about it!

White Sands National Monument










We loaded the kids in the car at 3:15am Friday morning and hit the road to see Brian, Peggy, and the kids in New Mexico. We decided to meet up at White Sands to let the kids play in the gypsum sand. It was slightly overcast, which made for a perfect couple hours just moving sand around.

Monday, September 5, 2011

Labor Day weekend





Happy Labor Day weekend. We had fun spending time with Johnny, Rachel, and their kids, we had a great dinner at Grandma Payne's, and we even purchased a new fridge (our current fridge is on loan from Uncle Dave).

Saturday, September 3, 2011

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Memories of Mason

Mason is likely to be our last baby and I wish I could capture his expressions, actions, and looks on video but the camera is never near by. I have probably said it before but I can't believe how fast this phase of my life has gone by. It seems like just yesterday that Kevin and I were thinking about having babies and now just a few years later, we are done with having babies and on to raising them!!!!
Mason is so much fun, he is all smiles, and laughs from the belly. You know what I mean, that laugh that says all is good in my world, I have not yet been jaded by the world or other people's actions (except maybe my brother who is working on not grabbing toys from my hands).
He is working on saying "ma-ma-ma-ma". He loves to imitate your facial expressions, and has become quite fond of making a wide variety of noises and expressions in response to you. Sometimes he'll cuddle me and look up at me with his big brown eyes, almost as if he is saying, "I love you Mommy". He absolutely melts my heart....in many of the same ways that Brandon did at this age.

Walkin' Mater

Just taking Tow Mater for a walk, his favorite thing to do. It's funny, he is on the verge of taking his first steps but just figured out how to get into a sitting position!!!
Caught the boys playing with each other!!!