Viva Las Vegas!

Here are the cousins - Brayden, Karter, and Alayna standing by the famous MGM lion - at the MGM Grand.

We swam for two days and had such a great time. Alayna wouldn't get out...even to eat.

Angie and Benson - It was Benson's first time swimming and he absolutely loved it. Of course - it was so hot in Vegas that it was definitely nicer in the cool water.

Alayna loved the view from our window - whenever we were in our room - she sat here and looked out the window and talked about what she saw. She especially loved sitting here at night.

Grandpa Brad - chillin' in the lazy river.

Alayna probably jumped off the edge a thousand times. She also got braver and braver and wouldn't let anyone catch her. She loved practicing her "scoops and kicks" too.

All worn out...

We ventured over to the New York, New York - to get a giant cookie sundae at the ESPN Zone and we were so disappointed to find that it had closed! I have seriously been craving one of these cookie sundaes for almost five years...Coby and I had one on our honeymoon. So we had to settle for Haagen Daazs - which really isn't settling because I had the best sundae ever...but it wasn't a giant cookie sundae. Here are Kasey, Angie, and I posing by Lady Liberty made completely out of jelly beans.

Thanks Grandpa Brad and Grandma Kelli for such a fun family vacation!! We loved it and had such a great time!

Yeehaw!

I have neglected the blog the last couple of weeks - so here is our day at the Stawberry Days Rodeo. We couldn't wait to see this bull in the bull-riding...he was so mean and fierce and was really ugly too. Alayna was scared because he kept snorting by her.

Alayna saw this little truck and ran over to it and wanted to drive - it was a good thing Grandpa was right behind her - because the keys were in the ignition and she was getting ready to start it.

We were watching this man walk his horse around the corral with his granddaughter and he offered to let Alayna come and ride - she was beyond thrilled!

Benson was a pretty good sport at the rodeo too.

Alayna wanted to pet all the animals, but most of them you didn't want to or they wouldn't let you. So Alayna was really excited when this calf let her pet him.

Have I mentioned that I chopped off my hair... that is my ponytail to send to "Locks of Love". I have never had my hair this short so it is a big change, but I like it.

Yippee!

Well - I have a confession...I enjoy bargain shopping (but I don't do it very often). Today I went to Target and bought all of this stuff. Regular price for everything was - $54.02. I had coupons for everything but the Pledge - which I needed and couldn't find a coupon for, and the Sandwhich Thins - which was for dinner. After coupons I paid - $23.40...and I submitted a rebate so I will be getting $10 back. Making my overall expenditure $13.40 - which is a 75.2% savings! Yipee!!! It made me happy!

Today Alayna wanted to sit in her bean bag on top of the couch - she wanted her pillow and all of her blankets piled on top her too...she is to0 funny! Sadly enough it didn't last long and she face-planted onto the floor and hit her head on the coffee table.

My poor little son - does not like to eat....here he tries to cough and gag and choke down some sweet potatoes with a little rice cereal mixed in. What a character...he will tell you about his sad, sad life.

Happy Birthday Alayna!

Alayna turned 3 years old this last week - I can't even believe it!! She helped me make her birthday cake - I saw this on a friends blog who got the idea here. I thought the cake was so neat - we had to make it for Alayna's b-day and since she loves skittles and marshmallows - it was perfect!

Showing off her "purple paint nails" that we did on her b-day!

Alayna got a mitt and a bunch of t-ball stuff and outdoor toys. She was ecstatic. She is going to be a softball player - she is truly a natural!

Is it dangerous to be the photographer?! YES! I totally did not see this coming towards me!

We sang "Happy Birthday" all day long...and we had to light the candles and blow them out twice - the second time she sang to herself.

Yay! The rainbow cake worked!! I was really scared I would have a cooking disaster!

Livin' it up at Lagoon!

Alayna and Grandma getting ready for blast-off on the Ladybugs.

This is how Benson enjoyed his day at Lagoon - all by his lonesome in the double stroller.

Alayna loved all the rides - and was absolutely fearless!! She even rode the "Tidal Wave" and the "Musical Express" - she was barely tall enough for them. She went strong all day long, her favorite was the Puff the little dragon roller coaster - she rode it 3 times.

Our attempt at capturing ourselves at Lagoon...so here is to the photographers!

Finally - Summer is tempting us!

We finally got a few days last week that it was warm enough to put up the pool! Here is little Benson enjoying the sun - without being in the sun!

Not really liking his first dip in the pool!

Alayna was fearless - she was doing somersaults down the side - and going down backwards on her back and running and diving...it was fun to watch! She absolutely loves being outside and playing all day long. Yay for summer!

Memorial Day Weekend

I know I am impossibly behind...but I am going to attempt catching up!
We went to visit Coby's family for Memorial Day - Grandpa Brad was away for a business trip for two days, but we still made a big deal about his return at the airport when he flew in!

Coby made another pinata - the kids were so excited to take turns whacking at it!

All of the Brown family (minus the photographer - me)

Benson and Great-Grandma Brown

We had a hot dog roast at Angie and Kadin's new house burning scrap wood...here is Alayna playing a little "Chubby Bunny".

Sunggled up by the fire!

Angie enjoying a smore!