Father's Day Weekend in Branson...

This weekend we had a great time in Branson! It was crazy busy, but overall pretty fun and relaxing! Kevin had his Summer Regional Meetings with his Firm at Chateau on the Lake hotel/resort... that place is great! So much for the kids to do there... with the indoor and outdoor pool, indoor movie theater, indoor kids playcenter, restaurants, sweet shop (ice cream/specialty coffees/desserts galore) and so much more. It was nice! Of course, I forgot my swimsuit, so I didn't get to swim, but Peyton was a fish the whole weekend... and there were several boys close to his age for him to play with. He's not in many pictures, because he was off doing his own thing. LOL I would recommend Chateau on the Lake to anyone who wants to spend a weekend in Branson! Next year Kevin's Summer Regional Meetings will (once again) be in Branson, but next year we are back at The Holiday Inn & Suites at Branson Landing (that hotel is great, too!!). We hung out with our Edward Jones friends and enjoyed getting to see everyone... usually we all only get together for the Summer Regionals... and those that actually come to the Christmas Party (which we definitely need to spice up from here out... people are not excited about it anymore).

Here are some pictures of other Financial Advisors and their families in the Region (from this weekend)...































Sunday, after leaving the resort, we went on the Silver Dollar City (since we rarely get to use our season passes) for Father's Day. Kevin and Peyton rode several rides together... they have a great time there! The only bad thing is that it was scorching hot there, so we couldn't stay very long because of Khloe being so little and not being used to the high temperatures... plus, I HATE sweating and it seems that's all I did the whole time. Yuck! We went in the morning, too, to dodge the heat of the day, but didn't work. It was the hottest day of the year. We ran into Kevin and Sheena Oldenburgh and their kids, Katelyn and Austin as we were entering SDC. LOL What are the odds of that! Peyton and Austin are the same age, so they hit it off and became instant friends (and ride buddies). They rode several rides together before we left. Sheena and I caught up... we haven't hung out since her 30th Birthday Party last year. They are so much fun! And... Sheena and I figured out that our Kevins (both our husbands' names are Kevin) are big kids and will never grow up... they were conspiring in the corner to shoot pedestrians with water guns as they went by. LOL!! I didn't get any pictures at Silver Dollar City, because I opted to leave my camera in the car... so I don't have any to post.

We got home pretty early on Father's Day, so we took Khloe to Nana and Papa's house in Pineville (15 miles from our house). Kevin opened his gifts when he got home and then Kevin, Peyton and I went to Abuelo's and enjoyed some yummy food! When we got home, Kevin's mother brought our little Khloe home and we all finished the evening relaxing in our Hot Tub!! It was our first time to let Khloe in the Hot Tub(it wasn't very hot). We took several pictures. Overall, it was a relaxing weekend and I think Kevin had a good Father's Day! :) He is such a good Dad... the kids really enjoy Kevin's humor and adventurous personality! We love you, Kevin!

Here are some pictures of Khloe's 1st Hot Tub experience with us on Father's Day!

















I love pictures... so you'll always see many pictures posted at once on my blog. I just don't like to leave out any details! Until next time...

Peyton's Baseball Season Finale...

My son had a great time playing for the Bentonville Mariners this season. His coach was a really wonderful coach... we enjoyed him and his patience with the boys. Thanks, David Elrod!! Peyton moved up from Cal Ripken this year into Babe Ruth. It was definitely a more challenging league than he had previously been used to. But, he did pretty good this year... keeping up with the big dogs, that is! LOL He pitched for the first time ever this year and did good... room for improvement, but I am still quite proud of my little guy! He, also, played Third Base (which is his normal position).

Peyton has been playing since he was 3 years old. We actually fibbed about his age when he was 3 and said he was a year older... just because we knew he would excel... and he did very well in tee ball that first year! :) So, this was his 9th season to play... he LOVES baseball!! Loves it... and I come from a long line of family members that played baseball in college and minor league and are all now coaches for high schools and tech schools. :) I guess you can say it's in his blood! LOL

His team did 50/50 this season... won half their games and lost the other half. It was a short tournament, though... they lost the first game of the 4-day tournament and season over! The coach was proud of all the boys, so he rewarded them with individual trophies... so sweet! Peyton will stay in Babe Ruth next year (because it is for 5th & 6th graders... and he will be a 6th grader). We'll be checking into Baseball camps and practicing all summer until football begins.

Here are some pictures of Peyton and his team this season...





Until next year...

Walking Wings...

My daughter is absolutely so afraid to let go of our hands (or whatever she is holding onto at the time) and take that courageous first step on her own. We researched until we found a cure for babys' walking fear. :) Have you heard of "Walking Wings" for babies? It is the cutest, neatest invention. It is a baby harness that has two seperate straps for support. It tricks babies into thinking they are supported at all times while walking... then, when they least expect it, you let go of the straps and they have NO IDEA they are walking on their own!! Woo hoo... can't wait to see how quick it works. Khloe has been walking extremely well in her walker and around furniture (holding onto things) since she was about 5 1/2 months old. We really thought she would be walking by 9 months... then, 10 months... then, 11 months... and still nothing. LOL She never crawled... hates it, in fact!! She scoots around the house on her bottom (HATES BEING ON HER BELLY!!!). It is the funniest thing. But, it is time little girl... our goal for her to be walking on her own is her FIRST birthday which is TWO WEEKS FROM TODAY! (It can happen... she's oh so close!!)

Here are some pictures of her walking with her harness (WALKING WINGS):

Khloe Walking with Daddy...





Khloe Walking with Bubby...





Go KHLOE!!!

Ashford Family Visit (June 2010)...

My sister, Tasha, showed up in Arkansas with her two kiddos, Alexis and Baby Reed! I was excited that they came, because like I said before she told the family that she wouldn't be able to make it to Arkansas until Summer 2011!! Geez... that's a long time to make us wait. But, she just wanted to surprise us! They have a very busy Summer planned, so this was the only time she could squeeze in the trip... and I'll be honest... I was a little sad that it wasn't a couple of weeks later (so she could make it to Khloe's 1st Birthday Celebration Party). :( But, atleast she came to see us before hand.

Her daughter, Alexis, was my first niece and the first granddaughter for my mother. She is 10 1/2 years old. Her son, Reed, is my mom's newest grandbaby/grandson. He is 3 1/2 months old. I just love those kiddos... and miss them so much!!! My Brother-in-law/Tasha's husband, PJ, wasn't able to make it because of his busy career. We missed seeing you, PJ!

Here are some pictures of Tasha and her kiddos and all of us... it was a good visit!

Baby Reed (3 1/2 Mos Old)-


Tasha and Baby Reed-


Alexis (My brother's son, Ian, in picture, too)-


Tasha and I thought it would be cute getting some pictures of our babies in the new Huggies Blue Jean Diapers. Too cute! We were picture happy! The diaper was only available in a size 3 (and LUCKY to find that size!). Well, Khloe wears a size 3 normally, but Reed's bottom is still in size 1's... so it was too big... but darling! Look at how different the diaper looks on both their bottoms... hilarious!

Baby Khloe and Baby Reed Modeling their Blue Jeans Diaper! LOL!!

















Here are Pictures of the Kiddos and Us having Fun at my Parents' House...

















It was a good time... can't wait to see you guys again this Christmas! LOVE YOU!

Khloe's 11 Mos + Pool Fun + Sister's Surprise Visit!

On Memorial Day, we decided to test out Khloe's excitement for the swimming pool by blowing up a fairly good size pool for our back deck and prepping her for the big, underground pool at Nana and Papa's house this summer. To our surprise Khloe hated the pool... and it wasn't even cold... we made sure it was luke warm for the little sweetie. :)She loves taking baths and always has... so this was very strange to me. I think she felt overwhelmed with the pool and it was really cloudy that day... just not the best circumstances. LOL

We took some pictures of Khloe in the pool... at first you'll see the joy and then the fear/anxiety (after she enters the pool).









The same day (Memorial Day), Khloe turned 11 MONTHS old. Unbelievable to mommy and daddy (and brother)! I took her to her monthly birthday photography session (the pictures were cute, but not my favorite). Then, we went home and got busy ordering more birthday items for her big birthday bash coming up! She is going to be all dolled up... I hope she's not a sweaty, irritated mess, though! A lot of her party will be outdoors. (Wish us luck... it will be roasting outside by JULY 3RD!)

My sister and her family came into town from Nashville late Tuesday and really surprised all of us... we were told over and over again that they would not be able to make it down to visit until Summer 2011. Yikes! That was too long... and we were all a bit irritated. LOL But, she pulled a big hoax on us this week! My brother-in-law, PJ, wasn't able to come down with them because of his new job, but Tasha, Alexis and Baby Reed blessed us with their presence! Yeah!!

This week has been a crazy one... Peyton is counting down the days till school is officially out. I can't believe his teachers are telling the kids that if they don't want to come on Monday and Tuesday next week, then they don't have to. Craziness! What kid wants to miss the last day of school?!

We are ready for our summer festivities to begin.....