Cloud Dough

I've seen a lot of posts lately of moms finding creative ways to let their children play.  I always feel like I'm a fuddy duddy mom and wanted to step outside of the box a little and let Layton do new and exciting things.  It may not sound so exciting but I made Layton some cloud dough to play with last night.  It was something new and interesting for this crazy kid who never has enough to do.

He stayed fairly clean until Chris decided to get a little crazy and put it on his head. 

And then it was everywhere (but so fun!) 

 At this point I mentioned a bath and he started to roll around on his belly.

To top it all off I found this robe under the bathroom sink that should have been pulled out a year ago.  Still, he insisted on wearing it after his bath and it even went to bed with him.

Hike to Shirt Lake

On Sunday we decided to venture out for our first hike with Layton.  We drove up to Snow Bank and planned on hiking to Blue Lake but the parking lot was full!  Wow!  We couldn't believe all of the people up there.  So, we decided to try out Shirt Lake.  It was beautiful and Layton did great!

 We usually give Layton Dramamine when we drive into the mountains because he gets car sick.  He doesn't usually fall asleep but looks pretty drugged out!



Layton fell asleep as we descended to the lake.  Such hard work for him. :) 

Chris scoped out what seemed to be the only fish in the lake.  It was huge and he tried for about 45 minutes to catch it.  No such luck.  We got home and found out it's a Tiger Muskie.  Now Chris is bound and determined to go back and catch it after studying the correct bait to use. 

Layton-22 months

Of course, Layton just keeps growing and growing. He has become super smart and trys to repeat things we say. He has put a couple of words together to make a "sentence" including "where go?" and "don't know". His blanket, pacifier, baby doll are all "baby" and says "baby" when he wants to be held. "Go Go" (Cat in the Hat) is his favorite show and always asks to watch it.

He says "mama poooop" after he's gone in his diaper. I was able to catch him one day and he made it to the potty but I have no desire to potty train and I'm not sure hes really ready either



 

He calls the hammock a ride and thinks it's a real treat when he can be on it.

He loves his cousin baby Jack and gives him tons of loves.  Notice the Tic Tacs in his hand.  They are a "Grandpa treat" that Grandpa Don usually carries in his pocket for Layton.  He gave Layton his own box when he left to farm in Washington.

Layton still has an obsession with wearing certain things.  This day it was his goggles. :)

He found my stash of purses and came out of the bedroom saying "backpack".

.

We just love this boy to pieces...who wouldn't?

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.