June

Things have not slowed down around our house. The 1st weekend in June brought a trip to Hallettsville and Sally's bachelorette party. And boy was it a party. I was lucky enough to be the DD and despite one major bump I think everyone survived the party. I know most of you have seen the pictures by now so I'll save that picture sharing to Sally.

Sun morning after the bachelorette party was St. Mary's church picnic and since we missed Sacred Heart's picnic we stopped by for a little fun. The second the fishing began Klayton was all in.

He also got to ride a horse (this is the 1st time he would get on a moving anything. Before we have tried and started screaming like he was in a torture chamber so definitely a big step) and enjoy a snow cone which basically meant one bite and Mommy eating blue ice. After that I was ready to head home. As my supportive husband said, I definitely had a pregnancy hangover with exhaustion and swollen ankles so was ready to head to the house.

The following week I had a conference and so Laura and Tyler came to visit for the week. There was a ton of pictures taken and from what I understand the boys played together great. I am very proud of Klayton because he has started to play with all of his little cousins and is very gentle and patient so we are hoping for good things but know that won't be entirely true when his little sister gets here. I can't possibly share all of the pictures but here are some of the highlights.

I think Klayton only dumped him out of his toy one time and I promise he wasn't hitting Tyler with the spatula. They really were playing.

Little Tyler spent the weekend at the hospital due to bronchiolitis but I hear he is feeling better now. That had to have been a tough weekend.

Looking forward to a weekend in Hallettsville and playing with nephews and a wedding. Should be fun!!

Lake OH Ivie

Again we have to go back in time a few weeks but just bare with me.

The last weekend in May we took a road trip and luckily my sister Carrie and her family were willing to take a road trip as well. For them that meant over 4 hours of driving with 2 children under the age of 3 and stops in every town along the way. For us that meant about 3 hours of driving with a pregnant woman and little Klayton asking if we could put the boat in every river/waterway we crossed. We both landed at a campground on Lake OH Ivie. The 1st signs of no shade, no water entrance, and no other campers almost sent us running but we decided to stick it out. And yes, despite all of those fiascos we are glad we stuck it out and had a great time.

This is little Nathan who was probably the biggest trooper of us all. This picture was obviously taken in the morning when it was a little cooler (thank goodness) but the days were really warm and we you can't sit up by yourself and everyone is holding you, it is a hot day. Luckily a water hose, a few dips in the lake, and a lot of chewing on a cold teething ring allowed him to survive.

Here is Klayton enjoying the boat as usual. He of course enjoyed playing with Austin, swimming, digging in the rocks and everything else but the boat is definitely his favorite part and he is all smiles when he is in the boat.

This is Richard and Austin enjoying a morning fishing trip. Austin was a little unsure about the boat at 1st but he got used to it and did a little fishing himself.

Overall the weekend was filled with great food and great conversation and lots of hot weather. I would be remiss to write this blog and not comment on the size of Carrie and Richard's tent. They bought a new tent for this occasion and it was massive including 3 bedrooms (plus an elevator and hot tub as Kevin says) but it more than served the purposes and also was good for a few laughs. Aunt Marla was also able to join us and she was a great help with taking care of the boys. I can't say that we will go back to OH Ivie for camping but hopefully we can meet Carrie and Richard somewhere between Levelland and Austin again soon and enjoy some more camping. One more picture to close. All of us know how cute a sleeping baby is. Well mine is no longer a baby but he is still cute when he sleeps. Naps at the campsite are always tough because it is so hot and there is so much going on but they are crucial to all of our sanity so we do what we can and here is a picture of Klayton sleeping. It is taken from outside the tent (hence the grid all over the picture)

The River and a Haircut

OK now I am really behind but oh well.

We have to back up all the way to before Memorial Day and the annual river trip for the Henke cousins. We have yet to make the whole weekend as it always seems to be on a weekend that Kevin has to be at the golf course but we did get to enjoy the day at the river. The weather was a little cool which was perfect for sitting around but made playing in the water a little more "goose bumpy." Nonetheless Klayton was not afraid. And I repeat not afraid of anything. He used to cling to me like he was going to fall over if any one else touched him. Not anymore. This weekend Jeff (cousin) happened to be the unsuspecting soul who volunteered to go with Klayton in the water and all of the sudden Jeff had a new best friend. Then it was Sally who threw rocks with Klayton. Then Ella chased his toys. Then Jed got out a fishing pole. Let's just say he had plenty to do and lots of people to play with him. Thanks to everyone for a great day. Here are a few highlights in pictures.

As you can tell he really enjoyed playing with Anneliese. Those two are going to be trouble!!!

Last week we also braved the haircut. I think I have said before that Klayton is not a fan of this process. So we invested in a set of clippers and we use every form of bribery that we can think of to survive the process. That includes being outside, watching a DVD and a promised reward.

As you can tell it is very traumatic for him. And then the reward: it is playing in the water (serves 2 purposes including cleaning off all the hair) and of course Klayton loves it.

And what adventure would be complete without a little fishing.

Finally just a picture of Klayton being silly. Grandma was reading a label on a granola bar and Klayton wanted to help so he walked away got his glasses and sat back down to help Grandma.