Summer so far

We are long over due for a post and this is not nearly what it should be, but here is a little taste of what we have been up to.

Branson loves having Dakota over to play. Unfortunately the weather has not been very cooperative for outdoor water activities, and we are hoping August brings us more sunshine.

July 3rd Josh took B to the Demolition Derby here in town. He loved it, but at intermission he decided playing in the rocks was more fun so they came and got me so we could watch the fireworks together.

Last year during the fireworks we took a picture of B sleeping while Grandpa was holding him, this year B was a little more into it.

B is obsessed with big trucks and anything with lights and sirens. Papa has been promising him a trip to the fire station.

Waterville Days was last weekend. Josh's band (hopefully I will post about them soon) played on Friday night. Then Saturday Josh participated in the 3 on 3 tournament.

Branson is getting really good at saying "CHEESE!" for the camera.

Here is his "Cheese!"face again, just because it is so funny.

Father's Day

This year Josh and Branson started a new Father's Day tradition. Saturday night we had Dad and Mom Barnes along with Aunt Jan over for dinner. When they went home the boys set up the tent in our backyard and had a campout.

Branson loved it and had a hard time settling down to go to sleep. They made it outside until about 3 a.m. and only ended up coming in because B is not a fan of covers when he sleeps and it was a bit cool for no covers. The first thing that Branson wanted to do when he woke up on Sunday morning was go play in the tent.

Branson has been battling a cold and he kindly shared it with me, so Sunday we had a very low key day. It was wonderful. We picked up some food at a local taco wagon and went to the park for a picnic.

Silverwood

Last week B and I spent the week with Holly in Coeur D'Alene. We had a great time and the only thing that would have made it better was if the weather had cooperated a bit more.

Day one we went to Silverwood. Branson had a great time. The first thing that we did was go on the carousel. B said Wee Wee the whole time, he loved it. When the ride stopped and I took him off he started to cry.

He was soon distracted by the train, but not so sure about the Western Show that happened half way through.

It was great to have Auntie Holly to take him on rides since the only one that expectant mothers could get on was the carousel.

One more ride on the carousel before heading out.

Those are the only pictures that we took during our stay. The rest of the week was cold and rainy, but we still spent a lot of time outside. CDA has some great parks and we can't wait until summer decides to show up so we can go back to really enjoy them.

Our week away was amazing, but even more amazing was coming home to a surprise from Josh. All of our kitchen cabinets were installed! Check out our house blog for pictures.

Oh Boy!

Both Branson and my favorite part of the day is when Josh gets home from work. Usually by then B is bored with his mama and loves the adventures that daddy brings.

The other day the boys headed out to mow the lawn, sometime during their chores Branson must have decided he wanted to be done because when I looked out the window my little guy was riding on his daddy's shoulders! I grabbed the camera and ran out to get a picture, but they were just finishing up and this was the only picture I snapped.

Updates are coming

A couple weeks ago Grandma Kathy and I took Branson to Smallwood's Harvest. He loved it! There is a petting zoo. He laughed and laughed at Grandma feeding the animals. Then we took him to play in the yard. He loves to get dirty so digging in the sand at the bike track was his favorite part.

Sping is here

Spring has finally decided to arrive and we are so happy about that. Here is a peak at some of the things that we have been up to.

A couple weekends ago we watched the Apple Blossom parade. Josh and I took Branson to the youth parade and he loved it so much we decided that we should take him to the Grand Parade the next weekend. It was fun to watch the parade with The Grillos, The Sandersons, Jason, Sue and Kathy.

Thanks to Uncle Jason for helping me keep Branson out of the street

The weather has been so nice the first thing that Branson wants to do each morning is go outside. Here he is still in his pajamas coloring with his chalk from the Easter Bunny

Just like in the previous post B loves riding on the tractor with his daddy. Our lawn mower is much louder than Grandpa's so Daddy makes sure that Branson wears ear protection when riding with him.

Josh and I wanted some time to do a pilates video so we gave Branson a snack to keep him entertained. He will eat anything that he can dip things in, he mostly eats the dip and while he is dipping he says dip, dip, dip.

Last Saturday we woke up to some serious rain, after spending so much time outside last week Branson wanted to go outside. After trying to tell him that we couldn't go outside because of the rain I decided that we would just go out and have some fun. Branson loved splashing in all the puddles.

Dr. Ben

Last week Ben graduated from Medical School. We were wishing that we could be there to celebrate with everyone when we learned the next best thing. The U of M was streaming it live.

Branson loved watching and cheering for Uncle Ben.

My sis and her adorable family after the ceremony.

Babies, Birthdays and Bunnies

Easter weekend was the perfect weekend for us to head over the mountains to visit my parents.

Saturday Baby Girl Layton was due so we went to visit Sarah and Brian, but baby girl must not have wanted to meet us yet because she decided to stay put in mama for another week.

Saturday afternoon was my high school friend Keri's baby shower. It was great to catch up with some of the ladies that I don't see nearly often enough.

Sunday was my mom's birthday. Cast and all She made her own birthday dinner and dessert and we all enjoyed eating it.

The Easter Bunny found B at Grandma and Grandpa's house. He loved digging into his basket then did a quick egg hunt with Auntie Kati and Uncle Forrest.

We couldn't have asked for better weather when we were there. Branson loved running in and out of the house, weeding with Daddy and grandpa and of course riding on the "tractor" with Grandpa.

Best Friends

Branson loves playing with his friend Dakota. Sometimes She gets to come visit us when her mom has to work. When Holly was here a couple weeks ago Dakota came to play. She and Branson dumped out the toy box and closed themselves in the bedroom.

When Holly went in to check on them this is what she found.

Weekend Fun

Our weekend started off with some fun at the school carnival here in town.

We participated in the cake walk

Branson went fishing

I apologize for the blurriness of the next photos, but I want to post them anyway. My adorable son got his grimy hands on the camera.

Holly ran the 10k at the Wenatchee Marathon so B, Sue and I went to cheer her on. I love Branson with his coffee cup and keys in hand.

Holly telling us one more mile left.

Holly did awesome and watching all the runners made me very excited to start running again after this baby is born.

Month in Review

The end of March Mom ended up having surgery on her hand/wrist and Branson and I went over to help. I am not sure how much of a help we were, but at least we kept Grandma entertained.

The first weekend in April was my Grandma's birthday, so we tagged along with Mom and Dad (once again saying that we were helping mom) and went to help Grandma celebrate.

I had to steal the next few pictures from Uncle Bruce since I have been terrible at taking any lately.

Branson loved the dessert at the Mexican restaurant.

Then we we got home he had more sugar! I am surprised he ever settled down that night.

I figure that if grandparents get to spoil their grandchildren then great grandparents really have that right. Grandma let Branson dig into the cake while sitting on her lap.

Happy Birthday Grandma

The next day Uncle Bob took B to see the cows. He was so excited to go that when I told him he had to put his coat on first he put in on backward.

We left it that way and it didn't seem to bother him

Last weekend Forrest and Kate came for a visit (once again no pictures) :( But we had a great time. Josh spent the day with the guys snowboarding while the girls got in some quality catch up time.

This weekend is the Wentachee Marathon and Holly is coming to town for it. We can't wait to see her and cheer her on.

Check out our house blog for more updates on what we have really been up to and some great pictures of the little man.

Sleep

I don't know if it is the time change or what, but my 18 month old has decided that he no longer needs naps. One night it finally caught up to him and he fell asleep during dinner. I have seen pictures of other peoples children falling asleep while eating and always thought How does that happen?!

Thankfully, this week has been better as far as sleeping goes. I just had to post these pictures because they are just so adorable.