The Month of June!

So after my last post the kids broke the power to our computer. It was on its last leg before and they sent it over the edge, as a result I have been very out of touch from the cyber world. It was nice for a couple of days, but then it was just annoying. Anyway, Ryan ordered a new one off of ebay and it finally arrived so I am back in business. Here is a little of what we have been up to....

Fabulous Weekend
This past weekend we went to Cedar City for a reunion with our friends from dental school. Our friends the Ludlow's were so kind to house us all in their new beautiful home. We got their Friday morning and it took about 5 minutes for the girls to pick right up where they left off. They played their little hearts out, I barely saw them the whole weekend. The guys went out to lunch and then us ladies headed out when they got back. I was excited to get a diet coke from the drive up at the gas station. Awesome!! I must find one of these in my town. We also hit Roberts, the very best craft store around, wish I had one by me. Later that night we headed to St. George to the Tuacahn theatre to see The Sound of Music. It was so good, they always do such a great job. The girls loved it and Logan didn't make a peep the whole time so it worked out well. It was pretty hot but it just brought back memories of those great Vegas summers.

Some cool snow cones were perfect on the hot summer night

Ludlow's live on the golf course so the guys went to check it out on Saturday. They came and picked up the kids on the 16th hole for a ride in the golf cart, the girls loved being on the course I am really going to start pushing this. Ryan needs to get them going!!! The girls hung out at the house in the theatre room watching episodes of the Office. It was great to just chill in comfy chairs and laugh at that hilarious show. When the guys got back we headed out for a little more shopping. Natalie was concerned that Cedar didn't have any where we would want to shop, but it did, and it was just fun to go shopping with some of your best friends. That night we had a bbq and b-day party for Sarah. She hit the big 30 this year, we had 3 dessert options which is totally necessary on your 30th b-day. I am glad we were able to celebrate with her.

Sweet Theatre Room!!!
My kids are dying for one of these now, they thought it was the coolest thing ever.

Golf Buddies

The guys and the gals

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SARAH!
(Thanks Jon and Nat for the yummy b-day treats)!

Logan was one month old while we were there. He did so good on his first major outing. There have been 3 new babies added to the group this year.

Here is a photo of Audrey, Max and Logan

Sunday we enjoyed some awesome buttermilk syrup for breakfast and then hit church. After we just hung out and relaxed. It was great. My kids had so much fun they did not want to leave they started crying when it was time to go. They ask me everyday when we can go back. It was such a great a time. Thanks so much to the Ludlow's for great food, fun and entertainment. A perfect summer vacation. Thanks again guys!!!

The kids playing in the sand box, and doing a fashion show

Thanks girls we had a blast!

Other stuff :

We took Logan to church for the first time of Father's Day. He did great and we actually made it sort of on time. The 8 a.m. thing is going to be a bit a of challenge but for week #1 it wasn't too bad. The girls had fun celebrating Father's Day with Ryan. He is a great dad and they are very lucky to have him and his mellowness, it is needed, I can be a little "non mellow."

A fairly decent family photo!

Summer Activities

The girls also took swimming lessons for 2 weeks at our local water park. They both did a great job and have become pretty good swimmers. Its nice because at the end of their lessons they get a free pass to the water park. We are looking forward to using those.

Mule Days

The first weekend in June, the town of Star had their annual celebration and parade. Since Ryan works for a practice in Star he had to take part. The girls thought it was pretty cool to be in the parade. They were able to be princesses, throw candy and blow bubbles. It was a little chilly for a June parade, but not too bad. It was fun to watch them go by and throw candy and toothbrushes. It is a great little community and we had fun being a part of their festivities.

Fun at the Park
One of our parks down town as this pretty cool water fountain, the girls thought it was fun to run around it feel the mist. They also loved picking flowers and putting them in their hair and mine. it was a fun way to spend a summer day.

Schools Out Scream and Shout

I had to get my HSM plug in, actually Bailey has been singing that all day long. She was happy that school was finally out. Too bad the weather has been horrible, so it doesn't quite seem like summer. Hopefully it will warm up soon! Bailey got out today (Wed). and Ellie got out last Thursday. Ellie had a little program, her class sang a couple of songs. One song was about being the Lord's Army and the other was called He's a Peach of a Saviour. Gotta love Christian Pre-School. She loved it though! On her last day her class had a pizza party. Yesterday at Bay's last day, they had a family picnic (inside) that we were all able to go to and they had a Apache Helicopter land a take off at their school, the kids loved this, I think Ryan liked even more than they did. Well let the summer begin.........swimming lessons start on Monday so lets hope it gets
WARM!!

This is Ellie at her program and on the last day, she is holding her name tag. She went by Ellie Jo at school this year because there were 2 Ellie P's.

Bay with her name tag and with Mr. Barrera (her teacher) she had a great year with him. She said she is happy school is over, but that she is going to miss Mr. Barrera. He was a really good teacher. We have lucked out so far. Hopefully at the new school next year, we will be as lucky!

This is the helicopter, it is pretty amazing how they just take off.

2 Weeks Old Today

Logan is 2 weeks old today. He is still such a good baby!

In this photo I do realize that he is not wearing any pants, WHY? You may ask, well the art of changing a boy's diaper is still foreign to us. WHY? Well he pees and poos everywhere, each time you open the diaper. It is honestly a 20 min. ordeal, the fact that he was circumcised this week does not help the situation. So as a result he goes through a lot of clothes (which is also a problem because it is suppose to be WARM so he is slightly lacking in the winter outfits). Anyway at 8:00 at night, I give up on putting on pants, but he looked cute just laying there. So...that is why he is not wearing pants, I know you were all very concerned :)

Grandma Pops and The Dance Recital

Even with a newborn life didn't slow down. I am so glad my mom was here last week to help with everything and everyone. It was so nice having her here and the girls absolutely loved it. Ellie kept calling me grandma after she left. Thanks for everything Mom!! My dad flew in for the weekend to see Logan and attend the dance recital for the girls. He and Ryan also put up the chair rail in Logan's room, it is finally coming together. Photos to come soon.

Saturday was the dance recital that the girls have been waiting for. They both did awesome. Ellie's dance was to a Circus song and Bailey's was to a version of Be Our Guest. They looked really cute and were so excited and nervous, it was a fun day. They loved getting flowers and being a part of it all. Logan was good he just slept the whole time, but I of course told the girls he thought they did great.

Meet Baby Logan

Here are a few more pictures of Logan. I have to give a big thanks to my sisters for being here and taking such great care of the girls and for of course updating the blog!! We really appreciate all that they did. Thanks again Jenn and Mel!! Logan is pretty much the perfect baby, we are waiting for the bad days to come, but so far so good. He sleeps well, eats well and really only screams when you change his clothes. He has already brought so much joy to our family. We aren't really sure who he looks like, we see both of the girls in him, and Ryan so I guess he is just a great combination. I always feel like you can't really capture what your kids look like in pictures, but here are a few of my best attempts.

These were both taken in the hospital,

the 2nd one is right before we went home.

He loves to have his hands right up by his face, so it is hard to get a good picture of him without his hands covering him up.

He is also not a fan of any bright lights, he will try to turn away from them at all costs.

This is his Carolina outfit!!!

Ryan wanted to make sure to get him started off for the right team.

Logan Ryan Payne

Logan arrived last night at 7:05 after a long day. He weighed 7 lbs 8 ounces and is 20 1/2 inches long. He has brown hair, and is VERY cute. He and Andrea are doing great. They should be home sometime this afternoon.

One Last Activity With Our Current Family.....

With things being so crazy lately, I thought for family night tonight it would be nice to just go enjoy each other. I am being induced on Wednesday so the time has finally arrived. The girls had a good time just eating pizza and hanging out. I always get sad right before a big change because I realize that I am really happy with where I am in my life, but I know this change will be a good one and that we have some great and crazy times ahead.

It was the perfect night for a pizza picnic. The weather was great.

Ellie drinking the butter sauce, and Bay loving the pizza.

This is the final photo before the big day. I am ready to stop feeling like I have a basketball shoved up my shirt. Hope everything goes well.

Lately...........

These are a few of the things we have been up to lately. It has been pretty crazy trying to get everything ready for the baby and keeping up with all of the girls stuff. I am actually ready for things to slow down a little, but I am not really sure that happens with a newborn. At least I will be able to bend over and pick things up without grunting.... I guess I will look forward to that.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!

I hope all of you mom's enjoyed your day. It was nice to reflect on the reason that I am here. I am very grateful for my family. They were so well behaved that day too! To bad it only lasted for the one day : )

My friends Kari and Kami had a baby shower for me, it was really nice of them everything turned out great, and a lot of my friends came. It was so nice to have support from so many great people. Thanks again everyone.

I had been saving my gift certificate for a pedicure that Ryan got me for Christmas, I was able to go with my friends who gave me the shower, it was great. Such a nice place and so nice to have a little pampering. It is essential to have cute toes for the hospital!

Bailey's school held their annual carnival. It was a fun night. The cotton candy and face painting were the most exciting things of the night.

Last year they ran out of cotton candy, so this year we decided to get it first!

Last Wednesday Ellie's preschool class took a field trip to the zoo. It was fun to be able to go with her. They had a great time, they don't really look like it in this picture, but they did. It was fun to watch them interact with each other outside of the classroom. Ellie's friend Shelby rode with us and the two of the chatted and laughed the whole way there, it was hilarious to listen to.