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

Easter 2012

I got to host Easter at our house this year! It was such a warm sunny day and nice to be together outside!

Notice the little boy "attached" to my hip in our family picture.




Stacey, Alyssa, Chilan, Sarah

Our funny family photo. Who dares take away the Cozy Coupe from a content child?

Grammy and Papa with 8 of their 9 grandchildren (Jack was sleeping). Wait-correction, Wesley makes that count 10. :)

Once Layton realized there was candy in the eggs he had no interest in finding anymore.

Easter morning

Layton at 18 Months

Layton just amazes me more an more every day. I can't get enough of his sweet little giggles and goofy personality. He's grown so much, yet is still my baby. I'll be a sad sad panda when he no longer wants to give his mommy loves and kisses.

Layton has started saying a few more new words including juice, shoe, hi, owie, mine and more. When things are hot he says "hot" and blows. He says "uck" when he is stuck, wants something off (like clothes), or when his hands are yucky. His "no" has turned into "no-no" which is hilarious to hear.

We got crazy boy a small play set thinking it would release some of that energy he has. He makes an "uh uh uh" sound signaling to us that he is about to go down the slide. We must count to three and cheer when he lands. He loves the attention.

When any music comes on he wiggles and dances and will also clap and wave if that's what the people on t.v. are doing.

I tend to move the furniture around a lot and Layton will get extremely upset if I don't put him on the chair or couch that I am moving so he can get a ride.

Bath times are no longer fun, but more of torture unless they are taken with mommy. Running around naked after bath time is still a blast though.

His "loves" have become even more "lovey". He will give kisses when asked and sometimes randomly smacks his lips when he would like a kiss. He gives hugs, lays his head on you, and "pats". I can't get enough of this...~Layton-don't.ever.stop loving please.~

Doing farm chores with Grandpa Don is one of his favorite things to do. He has a perma grin when riding on the mule, wind blowing through his hair. He now says "quack, quack" when he sees the ducks, "moo" when they drive my the cows and of course, still pants when he sees a dog!

He catches on to things quickly and is always by our sides "helping" whether it be staining the fence, trimming the bushes, emptying the dishwasher, or doing laundry.

Oh Layton, you are such a wonderful boy!

Here's some shots of Layton from tonight. We had to put the lamp on the ground because he kept pulling the cord up and walking under it to get behind the table.

In the first video he is waving to the people on "The Voice" and in the second video, all I can get is a "hi" out of him. :)

Spring Break-The Kasel Way

Don and Barb treated us to a trip to Florida over spring break. Such a fun experience! I was extremely worried about Layton on the flight, which was about 5 hours. On the first flight to Denver, Layton threw up ALL over Chris. Poor Chris and poor kiddo. On the plus side, Chris got an awesome "Colorado" shirt as a souvenir. The next flight to Orlando, we knew what to expect and caught Layton's puke in the barf bag.

We got into Orlando late and stayed at a hotel. We spent two days at Disney, visiting Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom. Layton did A-MAZ-ING. It was crazy how well he did for not getting an adequate amount of sleep. Actually, he did better than I did. ;) Layton was able to ride on a considerate amount of rides and his favorite was "It's a Small World". He would ohh and ahh and point. It just made the whole trip worth it.

After exploring Disney we traveled to Ocala to visit Chris' grandpa and Fran. It was nice to see them and I even had the chance to read a whole book! (Never happens.) We visited a drag racing museum, Silver Springs Park, and ventured to Daytona beach.

Before heading back to Idaho, we made one last stop to Universal Studios which was probably my favorite out of all the amusement parks.

On the flight back, we were prepared and gave Layton some Dramamine so he slept a majority of the time (and no more puke!)

Grandpa Don and Layton at Magic Kingdom

Admiring the fish at Animal Kingdom.

We stopped at a blueberry patch in Ocala on our way home from the musuem. We were about a week early so some of the berries weren't quite ripe but still delish. Layton ate way more than he contributed to the bucket.

Daytona Beach-Layton was a little curious of it all at first but warmed up quickly when we started making sand castles. This was by far my favorite day. We were just able to relax without worrying about crowds or long lines. :) A fierce storm came through, forcing us to leave early. We didn't even make it back to the car without getting soaked. It was crazy weather!

Don, Chris

Galen, Layton, Grandpa Dick, Ben

Finishing off a night at Universal with a butterbeer mustache. (Mind you it's probably close to 10pm at this point and this kid had one nap. Crazy how happy he still was!)

17 Months

Heres a few photos of our little man with a big personality...

Yes, that is chicken in his mouth.

Cleaning the stove

Layton has been such a joy! He has grown so much in the time I haven't posted. Boo me, I know. I swear this kid learns something new every day. He is amazing!!!

At 17 months Layton...

Says-mommy, dada, no, wow, uh-oh, ow, and yeah.

Signs "all gone".

Waves hi and bye bye.
Pants when you ask him what a dog says.

Gives loves and kisses

Goes and gets a book when we ask him to.

Throws away his diapers and puts away his wipes.

Always wants his shoes on.

Likes to wipe his face and"blows" his nose.

Finds his belly button when you read The Belly Button book.

Likes to grab our nose when we ask where his nose is.

Grabs his blanket, binky and goes to his room when we ask if he wants to go night night.

Blows raspberries on our bellies.

Loves peas and juice.

Loves to go on any kind of ride...bicycle, snowmobile, RZR, tractor...anything that moves.






Layton loves to play around with his daddy.

Such a big helper all of the time!