Birthday Fun

I feel like the worstest mom ever!!!

 I took lots of pictures of Payton's birthday and his party, but for some reason my camera has gone missing since the party. I really have no pictures. I have these couple that I took on my phone, but they are nothing exciting. 

On Payton's birthday I decorated the house a little and made him pancakes for breakfast. Josh had left a short little video on the computer for Payton to watch. It was very cute and sweet to watch. Josh just basically said, "happy birthday, sorry dad has to work, he wished he could be home to play all day, he will be home at dinner time, they will play lots once he gets home, and he loves him." Both Payton and Scarlett loved watching it. We watched it over and over! We got to skype with aunt Stef, uncle Dawson, and cousin Sofia  first thing in the morning. Payton got to open his present from them. He was super excited.

He got this lego bumble bee transformer. You build it into either a car or the guy. I built it into the car and he hasn't asked me to change it yet. 

Most the day we relaxed. I had him a red velvet birthday cake because he loves the color red. After Josh got home we had a family picnic in the family room ate tuna sandwiches (Payton's request), chips, and had soda. We then skyped with grandma and grandpa Cambra, uncle Danny and aunt Jacie. He got to open his presents from grandma and grandpa and then we let him open his presents from us. He got a few ninjago ninjas, some clothes, a R2D2 lego play set, and his favorite a lego Slave 1. We then sang to him and had cake. We got to skype with uncle Jared and open his gift which was a Star Wars puzzle. He talked on the phone with Unlce Josh, Ryan and Austin, and Grandma Robertson. Josh spent about 3 hours super glueing all the pieces together and assembling the slave 1. Payton just loves Star Wars legos. He has been wanting this slave 1 for quite a while now.  It was a nice day.

A couple of days later we did a park day and celebrated Payton's birthday with all this friends. He had such a great time. The kids ate cupcakes and played. It was the easiest party ever, definitely the way to go! It was after this party that I lost my camera. I swear I brought it home, but haven't seen it since. This is the 2nd camera I have lost since July. I guess camera's and I are not good friends. It's actually very annoying not having a camera. I am grateful I at least have a phone that takes ok pictures on.

Payton received a birthday present in the mail a few days after his birthday from Danny and Jacie. He loves getting packages in the mail. 

He was very excited to get it open and see what they sent him.

It was all very cool Star Wars things, a gun, cards and a few other little things I can't remember right now.

I think he loved that his birthday got drawn out for a full week. We got to spend the following weekend  with Josh's family and we were able to celebrate Payton and Jaydns birthdays. 

Over the last year Payton has grown and changed a ton.

 A few things he has done this past year...

1. Been a very helpful/good big brother

2. Dresses himself completely

3. Puts his socks on by himself

4. Can sing the alphabet song

5. Became a Sunbeam at church

6. Rides his bike a lot more with out needing Josh or I around

7. Can count to 15 almost 20 not quite there just yet

8. Can spell Payton, mom, and dad out loud

9. Knows all the sounds of each letter in the alphabet and can recognize all the letters

10. Can write his name without help

11. Goes to the dentist and is super good

12. Played pee wee football with dad

13. Sleeps so good in his own bed

14. Plays pretty good with Scarlett

15. Eats a little more variety 

16. Learned how to swim

17. Wipes his own bum

Josh and I are very blessed to have Payton in our family.  It is kind of weird to think that was over 4 years ago that I gave birth to him. He of course isn't perfect and can definitely test both Josh and I, but we still love him. He is very smart, kind, loving, giving at times, super good at talking clearly, loves to be active, very serious at times, and knows way too much about GI Joes and Star Wars. 

Happy Birthday Monkey! We love you!

Pee Wee Football

A few months ago we signed Payton up for a 6 week course of flag football. It was just a pee-wee group, ages 3-5.  The parents were required to be there. The parents actually did all the work. We signed him up because we knew he would love the special time with just one on one time with dad. 

Scarlett and I went a few times to watch, and of course Scarlett wanted to be a part of it all.

The class was once a week for 45 minutes. The class started out a decent size, but over the last few weeks there were not as many. 

Week one! Meeting everyone and learning about the various skills that they would be taught. Each of the kids received 2 flags to wear around their waiste, a kicking tee, a football, and 4 cones.

A couple times while Josh and Payton were off playing Scarlett and I would go over to the playground to play. 

The end of week 1

Payton loved every minute of it. This picture shows it all!

Scarlett enjoying the swings!

I believe this was week 3. They had team pictures scheduled and the weather was a little wet and chilly, but nothing that stopped us from going. The team pictures are pretty funny. What a small pathetic little group. But these are the main 5 kids that were there all 6 weeks.

Lathrop Pee-Wee Football Team 2011

Each week they practiced various skills. Josh was such a great teacher!

Scarlett and Mom getting chilly while waiting for Josh and Payton to be done. 

Payton is such a little stud! He is growing a ton!

Payton's favorite skill was learning to throw the football through the hula hoops and also throwing the football at the soda bottles. He was pretty good!

 Week 6

 By the end of the class all the kids had improved a lot. Payton got a lot better at catching, throwing, running side-ways, backwards, and at dodging Josh from getting his flags.

 Going in a square, practicing their side-ways running, sprinting, and backwards running.

 Scarlett of course had to get out their on the last day. 

 Each of the kids received a certificate for completing the class. The mayor came out and met each of the kids and their parents. Josh and I were both impressed that he took the time to do this. He had two other guys with him, but I can't remember who they were. The mayor made a big deal of each kid as he was the one handing them their certificate. 

 Payton waiting to hear is name be called.

 The Mayor reading the certificate to Payton and telling him a few good advice things. I thought it was very neat to watch. He said a few words to each kid to encourage them to stay in school and be hard workers. The kids i am sure had no clue what he was saying nor did they care, but as parents we heard and understood.

Congratulations Payton! You are growing so fast, and learning so much. We are excited for the many years ahead of us that we have to support you in all the various things you decide to participate in.

Proud of all that he accomplished! 

Birthday Boy

Today is Payton's 4th Birthday!!! I just had to post about how amazing Payton is! We love him so much and are so blessed to have him in our family. We can not believe he is 4 years old. He is growing to fast. He is the best little boy ever. He is very smart, compassionate, loving, caring, rough, and a typical boy. Happy Birthday Payton!!!

The Wedding

I just recently got these cute pictures from the wedding. I wanted to blog and show off who cute and fun wedding pictures are. 

 Hating all the picture taking in the heat!

 Loved the freedom of running around during the reception

Can I be anymore blessed?! These two kids are amazing!

 The picture says it all!  I love my sister!

 Dancing at the reception, with Mal's parents in the background. 

Fun Run

Last weekend we went and participated in the the Fun Run! I only signed Josh and I up for the 1 mile. We did this with the Toutais. We signed up know we would walk since we had our kids with us.

The race began early in the morning of course. The kids were a little grumpy, but I think they enjoyed the stroller ride.

Scarlett waiting for the race to start. She just loves babies and always has to try and get in V's face! 

Josh with the kids! Adorable!

I had to get a picture of us all because this may be the one and only time that I was able to get Josh to do any kind of run with me. I really enjoy things like this. Josh on the other hand does not! But, he was a trooper and did this for me. I had fun, not sure Josh would say he had fun. He would probably just say it was fine. 

Payton walked for the first little bit, but then he was done and got into the stroller with Scarlett.

Josh will also tell you I tricked him because we didn't just walk! We ran a LITTLE. Really it was only a mile. 1 mile is not to far!!!

Of course we couldn't completely be out of touch with football. He was still able to check things and read things on his phone while we were doing our 1 mile.

Melanie, Mapuana and Mitch (Mel's dad). Mitch was able to get Mapuana to run a lot of it. It was a very cute grandfather granddaughter moment.

A shot of Josh once it was all over. He did break a little sweat!

The kids did not! They were too tired to care!

Scarlett just chilling and eating her snacks.

The best part about it all was that they hand out awards to the first three people of the different age groups. Lo got an award for his age group. Josh did not. Mapuana got an award for her age group. Melanie and I got first and second for our age group. 

(little secret she and I were the only 2 females in our age group) 

Thats not important though. We got an award. We are the best!!!

We let Mo, Mapuana and Payton sport the awards!

Scarlett in her favorite place! She loves being on Josh's shoulders. I am excited to go and do this event again next year. Maybe we can try the 5k this time.