Made my day!

So i wasn't planning on posting tonight but packing is finished and my day was great. I completed my last patient as a student, picked up my diploma and have never felt better. YEAH!! Off to Mexico!!

Catch-up

So i am sad to say I haven't written in over a week because I have been addicted, addicted to two things. Watching the Office and reading the Twilight series has completely taken over my life- I have neglected the other things I love (such as blogging) completely. No worries, I have had a reality check and everything is OK now :) So to play catch-up over the last weeks activities...

Last Saturday we went up to Broomfield and went swimming with the entire Hammond clan. Payton loved the water and we all enjoyed some fun in the sun!

Yesterday my good friend Amanda came and picked us up in her new convertible bug. Payton loved the wind blowing in her hair and it was an exciting first. We went to lunch at Pei Wei and enjoyed chatting. Yeah for good friends :)

We also enjoyed some outside time...gotta love the summer and being outdoors.

We are busy getting ready for our trip to MEXICO!! We leave this Friday and wont be back until Independence Day. We are so excited!!! Be ready for some great highlights of our trip when we return, adios!

Picnic, Pizza, Perfection

Yesterday evening, after I got home from work ( I've been getting paid to be a dental assistant at the school, for a research study on Diabetes in children in relation to oral health) Chad, Payton and I went and picked up pizza, punch and dessert and headed to the park for a picnic.

It was a blast! We all sat at the picnic table eating our crazy bread and pepperoni pizza and sipping on our kiwi punch. When we were done we walked over to the little pond and fed some left overs to the ducks and geese.

There were some unexpected friends that wanted in on the fun...the huge pond dwelling fish! I am not kidding these fish were huge- big enough they even were taking the peices of bread from the ducks mouth. I pictured them as some mean disney character, like the one that ate Nemo's mom and brothers and sisters to be. Payton loved watching the geese fight over the food and for a few minutes actually was still.

I love this shot. Not only is she peacful, it is a picture I can look at and think of all the wonderful things we are going to do and see this summer. We have already had so much fun and summer is just getting started!!

The Joys of Summer

With the temperature rising into the 80's and above this week we had the wonderful opportunity to go to the pool for the 1st time this summer. Payton loved the water soo much and she looked too cute in her little swim suit. She obviously didn't have enough at the pool once we got home so we set up the crazy flower in the back yard for her to run around and play in--loved it as you can see.

We also enjoyed an outside picnic dinner; burgers, hot dogs, brats and a fresh fruit salad. Notice Paytons full pony tail (yeah, mommy was so happy) and how short we all are at the table (lawn chairs were an after thought, the camping chairs were already out, haha)

The final joy of summer (as noted so far) are warmer nights, which means camping season. Chad and my dad went on the father son/ priesthood weekend camp out this weekend so us girls went out to dinner and stayed up late (like 2 AM) watching movies, scrap booking and working on crafty projects. It was a blast and a new tradition I look forward to doing again. Chad and my dad seemed to have fun too; Chad was working on a spud gun for the outing all week :)


At Olive Garden

Also, I am sad to say unless it is an event that needs a lot of detail to fully understand or get the full effect, my motto this summer is going to be "a picture is worth a thousand words". So enjoy scrolling through our family photo updates and be real with yourselves...you only look at the pictures anyways :)

I also added a link on the right side of the page called 'Chads Mobile' which has pictures he uploads from his phone...candid shots seen no where else- ENJOY!

LIFE: the use of energy to maintain order and function

Chad and I had the wonderful opportunity to attend the Panic! at the Disco Concert. It was great. This was the second Panic concert that I've been to...the last time they were in town and we had tickets I was 8 months 'large and in charge' and we ended up selling them. The concert was great, LOUD, packed, energetic and memorable. We couldn't have asked for a better date night and escape from parenting (thanks grammie and papa for watching the muffin). Here is an awesome picture we got and a short clip from the opening song.

This evening at 6 pm we were at the airport picking up and welcoming home Chad's brother Craig who is just returning after his 2 year mission in England. It was a great homecoming (in my opinion) with family, banners, hugs, pictures and food--who could ask for more? It was great seeing Craig, as two years is a long time, long enough for Craig to never have seen Payton who is 18 months old. They seemed to of hit it off and it will be nice to balance out all the aunts with another uncle. I am also excited for Craig to be home we were not able to get to know each other very well before he left on his mission. Glad you are home Craig!

Waiting with the banner

Walking out of the terminal

Picture with the siblings

He worked hard!

Nugget Dipin' Finger Lickin' Good Day

Today we went to McDonald's for lunch- Payton loves nuggets and the dipping sauces just add to the fun of the meal. The highlight of lunch was when Payton picked up an apple slice and started to dip it in the ketchup, Chad said 'oh yucky', Payton continued with the dipping motion and then into her mouth the apple went, she then exclaimed 'mmmmmmm'. We couldn't help but crack up laughing...apparently ketchup and apples and Carmel and fries (as pictured above) is better than most would expect. The other kicker is reminding her once she has dipped it and the food is in her mouth to actually eat it...Houston we have a double dipper on our hands:)