Fun in the Sun

Cori and Ashten playing with the water blaster AJ wasn't loving the sand or the water
Ayden

Ashley and a new friend

AJ and me

Kristy and I decided to get together today at Dash Point State Park. Before we went, I took the kids over to The Dollar Tree and picked up some sand toys. They chose water blasters. They are really cool and I think we will be picking up a ton more for the summer. They are pretty much disposable since they only cost a dollar, as is everything at the dollar store. The kids had fun playing in the water and sand with Ashley, Toni, and Cori. The tide was in BIG TIME, so there was very little beach space (people were packed in like sardines). The kids made the best of it and played for several hours before it was time to go home.

Up, Up, and Away

Ayden watching the not-so-mad scientist Ayden helping Aj sit by him and Ashten
Ayden and Ashten

Today, we went to watch a science show at the 320th library. We asked Grammy to come with, AJ has been quite the beast lately, and I knew I would need to take him out. It was fun to have her come with and get to hang out for a little bit. Anyway, the science guy, was funny; the kids laughed their heads off. And, they learned so much. I definitely need to get them out to these type of things more often. While the other kids are raising their hands to volunteer, Ayden and Ashten just sit there. I noticed it in Disneyland a few times also, and I'm not sure if they are shy or just aren't interested.

The Taylor Wedding

Troy, Nathan and Polly, Scott and Carly, Carol and Brian, Gabriel, and Jason
Mom, Aunt Vicki, Uncle Brian, Aunt Elaine, and Aunt Julie
Hillary, Anderson, and Me
Ayden had a headache, but he started having fun after a little neck rub from Mommy. Plus, once he saw his cousin Gabriel, he was fine.

After the reception Carly and Scott left to sparklers, the kids thought this was super fun! AJ and Grammy
This evening, after spending the day organizing the office at Daddy's shop, we headed out to Mill Creek for my cousin Carly's wedding reception. They started out with a small ring ceremony, and then had delicious food and cake. The kids were playing with their cousin, Gabriel and some other kids. They had a good time. I love when the kids can get together, it is so fun to watch them pick up their friendship right where they left off.

Double the Kids Double the Fun

Ayden feeding his goat Ashten trying to feed his goat while Doggy tries to steal the bottle
Ashty

Before we went to Disneyland, we had decided that we were going to buy some goats, so that they would eat our blackberry bushes. Today is the day that we went to pick them up. Armand decided that we had to get three goat kids, one for each of our kids. Easy for him to say;) They are 7.5 weeks old, and still need to be bottle fed. We are in the process of weaning them. Anyway, we thought we could block them into a small area of the yard, but they are way smarter than we thought. Now they just roam around our yard and are not fenced in at all. They love to eat the dandelions, everyday they clear out the whole yard of them, and in the morning new ones have grown in and the goats clean them out again. Armand and I have named the big boys goats: Pibb and Pepper. Anderson's goat was given a name by himself, and that is: Doggie (of course).

Birthday Boy

After the party Anderson got a shower, and I decided that I better take his two year old picture while he was in a good mood. Here a a few of my favorite pictures of him from the 'photo shoot'.

His face is too funny here

In case you can't tell he is saying ... CHEEEEEESE!

Anderson Jayce, Happy Birthday!

I love you SO much because:

*You are such a sweet boy.

*You always make me smile.

*You are so cuddly.

*All animals are a doggy to you, unless it's a cow...then it's a 'moo'.

*You still love to sleep (usually about 18 hours a day)

*You love your Daddy you just light up when you see him, and your brothers.

*Even though you can't say 'I love you', you try your best to sign it.

*You have a passion for your thumb, which makes me happy now, but I know I'll be sorry later.

*You surprise me everyday with your big (for a two year old) sentences.

*There's not much that you won't eat.

* You love to be helpful, as much as a two year old can. You put your dirty diapers in the garbage, bring me your jammies at bedtime, and sometimes you even put the silverware in the drawer (even though you are so little you can't even see way up there).

*I LOVE that when you hear Taylor Swift singing 'Love Story' you dance, and that your version of dancing is nodding your head up and down.

*I love the proud look you get when you jump up with both feet off the ground.

You are such a blessing to your whole family.

We love you!

The Terrible Two's Have Begun

The fish cake

Ayden, Grammy, Toni, AJ, and Ashten Kristin, Wes, Ashten, and Papa

AJ walked around with his hot dog like this even after it fell on the ground

Opening his presents

AJ blowing out the two candles. He was trying to put them out with his fingers at one point.

Since we were on the road for AJ's birthday yesterday, we have no pictures. Besides he was too cranky after being in his car seat for more than 24 hours (with a little break here and there of course). Today, is AJ's birthday party. I already had the fish theme in mind because I thought it would be so cute to make a fish out of a round soccer ball pan. I usually decide on my theme depending on what cake I feel like making. I spent the morning making the cake, I think it turned out pretty cute and kind of funny looking. After the cake was done I worked on the salads and other food prep. I was semi-stressed because the party was set to be at Alderwood Park, but the weather looked bad and weather.com said it should rain from 4-6pm right during the party. I cleaned up the house and set up some chairs, but then after talking to Mom, I decided people could deal with the weather. Luckily, it stayed decent. My kids loved that they could play on the big toy while the grown ups ate and visited. Our plan was to move our grill to the park but it wouldn't fit in the Tahoe so we ended up having Armand cook the meats at home and then running them across the street to the party. After dinner, AJ opened his presents. I think Ashten was more excited about the gifts than AJ was. He kept making these funny faces like he was amazed at how cool AJ's gifts were. I wish I could have snapped a picture. Anyway, then we sang 'Happy Birthday' and cut into the fish cake. We had a good time and it was nice to return to a clean house.

Bubba Gump

AJ on the drive home Ayden and Ashten at Bubba Gump Shrimp Company

The boys were excited to see Sponge Bob

Today, we were on our way home and decided to stop in San Francisco. We didn't even get there until dinner time, but Armand really wanted to stop. We went to Bubba Gump Shrimp Company for dinner. It was good but too expensive. Afterwards, we walked around, looked at the shops and watched the street performers. The kids loved the guy who spray paints pictures of San Francisco. It is really cool how they do that. Have you ever seen them? Anyway it was just a quick stop here and then we got back on the road to head home. Armand decided that he wanted to drive straight through. It was a horrible trip home and took me days to recover.