Camping at Deadwood

In July the Kasels did their annual family camping trip at Deadwood Reservoir.  This is always a favorite for Chris and I as it is a week of mountain bliss.  Every year it seems someone is unlucky enough to have "camper" drama.  This year we were those folks.  We got to camp and we were missing a tire (and had been for some time).

Alas, a missing tire was not going to spoil our fun.

This kiddo can't get enough of the dirt!

The party barge



Catching frogs

Apparently this is the way you lick a bowl.



Layton got his first ride on the tube and was not thrilled, to say the least.



We had a massive storm one night while eating dinner.  Thunder, Lighting, pouring rain, huge hail...left a huge mess to clean up afterwards!

 

This year we found a shortcut to the hot springs making it about a mile hike.

It's August? What?!

My, I've been awfully lazy about blogging.  It seems July came and went in a flash.  I finished summer school and celebrated by doing a lot of NOTHING, which is pretty great if you ask me.  Chris and I took a quick trip to Las Vegas for the Polaris Dealer show which was a blast.  This was the first time we had been away from Layton for more than one night.  It was tough (I probably won't be saying that when he is a teenager, will I?).

As soon as we flew into Vegas we rented a car and drove to the Hoover Dam.  I had never been before and Chris hadn't visited since he was a child.  It was a quick trip (extremely hot) but that was enough to see this awesome site.



I must mention that we asked the rental company for the cheapest car available and they fulfilled our request with a Hyundai Accent.  No joke, Chris had the accelerator to the floor on the freeway going about 60mph.

We got to stay at the Palazzo while in Vegas which was a nice treat for us!



Relaxing by the pool was my favorite part but remind me to bring my own drink next time. 

 (Yikes! $$)



 Polaris put on a good show at their reveal.



 We got to demo ride the RZR, new 850 Scrambler 4-wheeler, and the new Ranger 900.



A Little June Post

Layton bug is now 20 months old although I often find myself referring to him as "two".  He has grown leaps and bounds and tries his hardest to mimic everyone around him.  Whatever we say, he tries to say.  Whatever we do, he has to do as well.  He sits on his potty when we go potty, but that's as far as it goes.  If daddy wears a hat, he needs one too.  If mommy is putting on makeup, he's sitting in my lap trying to open the blush for me.  He's also really into pointing out what's daddy's and mommy's.  Everything around the house-"Mommy's, Daddy's".  Then, theres the oh so infamous word..."mine".  Cute at first, but not so much now.  Especially at Costco when the guy at the registar is helping unload your cart and you have a toddler screaming "mine, mine mine". :)~

The first weekend in June we went up to Snow Bank for a little Carl's Cycle BBQ and snowmobile ride.  It was a little colder than years past but Layton still had a blast.  He is in love with anything with an engine.  It has to be a boy thing because it's already in his blood.

Afterwards we drove over to a campground in Cascade where Chris' parents have their camper parked and stayed the night and went  fishing the next day.  (No fish and no pictures.)  On the way home we stopped at the gas station and Layton picked out a bag of Cheetos.  He sure is one lucky boy...an extra large bag of messy Cheetos all to himself.

Back at home we've been enjoying the weather (when it decides to be nice).  We have a new "George" in our backyard.  George is our backyard squirrel, although this year George is a little smaller...hmmm.

 Layton spots George

George hangin' in his acorn tree. 

Master "bean mess maker" in his bean pit.

Layton got his first shiner...more to come I'm sure.

Wearing mama's backpack.

Finally Summer!

His first shot at sliding into the pool.  He was hesitant at first and of course, worried about his shoe.



A Day at the Zoo

A couple of weekends ago we took Layton to the zoo for the first time.  I was amazed that he did so well and we were able to venture around the whole place.  Of course, a stroller was not acceptable and walking was his only choice, but I think we all had a great time.

Little Man at 19 Months

At 19 months, Layton's vocabulary continues to grow.  I was writing down all the words he knew until they just kept coming and coming and I couldn't keep up.  Just tonight he said "bite", "cup", and "boot" for the first time.  I think he's coming out of his little "language rut" and it is so cute to hear his sweet little voice.
 Layton has become quite the adventurous boy that can't sit still.  He climbs on everything and jumps off which can be a little frighting for his mama but such a thrill for him.
 When we get home for the day he runs to the back door and says "ide, ide" meaning he wants to go outside which is his new favorite thing to do.  And what exactly he does out there, I'm not even sure.  He wonders around and around picking up rocks and dirt or following Wesley around and is just plain content.  (Proof is in the video below.)
We have a sweet little boy on our hands that waves at passing cars, says hi to strangers, gives hugs to anyone, and loves his baby (yes, a doll-boy doll I should mention).

Hanging out with his buddy Wes.  (Probably watching Wes in amazment as the strange dog eats rocks.)

So excited about bath time he forgot to take his clothes off first. 

His first fishing trip.  He loves to honk the horn. 

Helping daddy fix the sink. 

 Did I mention he climbs on everything?  Luckily he didn't dare jump this time.

 He does so well on the boat.  Maybe its the tractor or the sweet sunglasses.

 (He really wanted the camera.)

He must be somewhat like his mom because he is OBSSESSED with shoes. You may not really understand this...but he has to wear shoes at all times and if he sees a pair he likes better he wants them on instead. Even with footie jammies, shoes must be worn.

Fresh out of the bath...yes, must have shoes.

He also has a small obssession with hats and sunglasses but on his own terms.

 Busted eating a strawberry right off the plant.

Pretending to water the veggies.

What kid with a Mickey hat isn't happy?

Sharing dinner and a conversation with dada.

Playing outside