Man, I wish we were still here...

Here are the pictures from Steve-o's camera. Our McCall posts just wouldn't have been complete without them. He got the closest thing to a family picture, our trip to the fairy island to get treats, our clay masterpieces, and mclayne's rainbow trout that Grandma's later cooked for her.

more video

i really should be taking and uploading video with our actual video camera, but it's so easy with my little 5 megapixel point.and.shoot i think i'll overlook the bad quality.

Dinosaur Ridge

Yesterday we decided to forget about unpacking and take the kids to Dinosaur Ridge. We liked it and decided next time we'll take the guided tour so we can learn even more about everything up there.

I took a little video with my camera accidentally, then I thought why not take some on purpose. So here is my first video upload. Now that I know how easy it is, I will be doing it more often. {Except next time I'll try not to use my loud, gay pre-school teacher voice.

random pictures taken before mccall...the one of mclayne was a hurried attempt at a first day of school pic. she is doing her best not to squint in the "bright" {not really} morning light. I'm sure next year she'll wear sunglasses!

I almost stepped on this snake while picking up the yard. It slithered into our neighbors yard at a safe distance from the fence...or so it thought. Mclayne poked it with a stick trying to catch it and it disappeared. phew.

McCall 2009

and last, but not least, my favorite pictures of the trip...
you may be asking yourself why one of my favorite pictures is of mclayne crying...well, it's not. believe it or not folks, mclanye is SMILING! Clearly, Laynie's chandler syndrome is at an all time high! Love it.











This one is a little better.:)

a nice surprise...

i walked in the living room and found this...



















hmmm...i don't remember folding those today. when did i do that? wait...
"laynie did you fold these?"
"yeah"
i couldn't believe it. not only at how perfectly they were folded and stacked, but that she actually cleaned up something without being asked! it won't be long now until I can dust of my folding board and let her have at it. nice!

then later at the park, she asked a group of three boys {who looked 9 to 12 years old},

"So, who wants to play hide and seek?!"

The only response was the oldest one rolling his eyes at me like it was a joke. Mclayne couldn't figure out why they didn't want to play, but kept following them around trying to strike up conversation. It was so funny, and at the same time a little sad. It gave me the first glimpse of what it's like to see your child face rejection. Luckily, she was oblivious to the fact that they were boys. more that 3 times her age. that wouldn't be caught dead playing with her {even though they thought she was pretty dang cute}. She was disappointed when we had to leave, because she wanted to continue to "play" with the little punks. I think she should just forget about boys altogether and just stick to the laundry.;)

18 months

Cole had is {late} 18 month check up yesterday. He is following the same curve on all his measurements, so nothing too exciting.
Wt...24.5 lbs...30%
Ht...33.25 in...75%
Hc...19.25 in...76%
yesterday after the doctors appointment it got very quiet so I went to check on mclayne and couldn't find her. anywhere. then i STEPPED on something soft. she rolled over and continued sleeping. it might have seemed weird, except ryan covers his face every morning once it gets light. they are WAY too much alike!

Fishing Gravel Ponds

We headed to Chatfield State Park today to do some fishing in the gravel ponds. We had a pretty sweet set up with the umbrella and chairs, and picked a place right by some wild hollyhocks...very pretty. It was very relaxing {at least for me}, and I was able to almost finish my seventh book of the spring/summer. We ONCE AGAIN left with no fish, but another amphibian replacement instead. The pond was full of huge tadpoles...we're talking 4 to 6 inches. Some even had back legs. Mclayne will no doubt be in the back yard all day checking on it. I think the fact there was more packed for the trip than poles, bait, and a dr pepper proves I was there, but just in case i put in the picture accidentally taken of the ground (and my foot). When my kids are older they're going to wonder where mom was on all our family outings!

a couple more pictures

i had to add these pictures that cara took to my bear lake post. i missed this while i was out on the wave runner, so i'm glad she caught it.

and this outake of mclayne i got today while taking some marketing pictures for our bows. i was really only taking pictures of her hair and accessories, but this one was in the mix. i only wish i was this photogenic!

Summer Stuff

what we've been up to.....

first this...
the only picture i have of Lori and Steve's visit. How I got a picture of this and not one of the aquarium or Steve riding away on the harley with his leather vest is pretty pathetic!
then this...
Girls Camp 2009 - two days of Survivor camp at Golden Gate state park with 15 girls and a handful of leaders. It was a lot of fun, especially the rock climbing, and even more especially because my kids were blowing up at both ends at home with Grandma and Grandpa! Left camp early and
caught a flight here...
the annual Stewart reunion at Bear Lake. It was the third year without ryan, but I handled it better, had a lot of help, and the kids had a great time. i think it's pretty obvious that i don't take enough pictures, but i had to snap a few of laynie holding cole's hand, pulling him around the pool. too cute

and I got to see them...
before I headed up to bear lake we had a barbecue at amy's. As fun as it was to see everyone and our 15 kids, my vote for the next get together is still girls trip to St. George, right?!