Ride 'em, Cowboy!

This is how Cayson likes to wake Dusty up.

Rock and Roll

Cayson has a new obsession with rocks. He loves them. When he stayed with Papa and Nana all he wanted to do was go play in the gravel driveway. When we go outside, he has a certain rock we always leave on the front porch that he insists on carrying everywhere. It really cracks me up.

We were playing outside Monday and he was carrying my turtle from my flowerbed and two rocks around. He would climb up steps, down steps, run around the yard, all while clinging to the two rocks and turtle.

Cayson standing at the door with his finds

Showing me his turtle

A cheesy grin

The results are in....

...and it didn't go as we had hoped. I am grateful that I have a Lord who knows what He is doing and I can fully trust in Him.

Part of me is very disappointed that Dad didn't win yet the other part of me is relieved that the campaign is over. It's so much stress. Now we can relax and enjoy the rest of the summer. Now Mom can actually sun and swim - she hasn't been able to do that all summer and it's one of her favorite activities.

Thank you to all our supportive family and friends! We love you!

VOTE!!!

Don't forget to get out and vote - wherever you may live!

Today is a big day around here! It's election day! Please be prayerful as it is an emotional day for our family. We have a lot to do to get ready for tonight's watch party... so that is my agenda for the day.

P.S. Do you know that Cayson turned 15 months yesterday? So crazy!

Weddings, birthdays, & cookies

The title pretty much sums up my weekend! I baked over 12 dozen peanut butter cookies on Friday. I'm in charge of Dad's watch party Tuesday night - as in decorating and food. So, I am trying to get everything lined out for the food end of things.

I helped my sister do a wedding photo shoot on Saturday. It was a lot of fun and I think she got some really good shots. I had a minor yet very embarrassing fall and slightly sprained my ankle. I have a slight limp and swollen ankle to show for my klutziness.

Cayson got to spend Saturday at Papa & Nana's in Carnegie. He had soooo much fun! He loved running around the big house and playing with "new" toys... not to mention being spoiled by his loving grandparents. I can't decide if he wore Papa out or if Papa wore Cayson out but they were both pooped, I think!

Sunday Cayson & I went to Yukon for Miss Maggie's birthday party. Cayson was thrilled to see his cousins. He really adores them and thinks they are a lot of fun. I do have a few pictures from the party...

Cayson sitting like a big boy with the cutest kitten ever and trying to look at Maggie's pictures

Cayson ran all over while Maggie opened gifts

Present Time!

Cayson with Aunt Kim

Giving Jayce hugs

The amazing birthday cake made by Mom J.

The Birthday Girl - Maggie

Recipe- Pepperoni & Cheese Stuffed Chicken

I haven't been posting any recipes lately - 1) because I'm lazy and haven't felt like typing them up and 2) we've been doing a lot of old stand-bys and grilling lately. The grilling keeps me from heating up the house with the stove/oven.

I tried this recipe Friday night and it turned out great. I found it here.

Pepperoni & Cheese Stuffed Chicken

Ingredients:
Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
Sliced Pepperoni
Cheese
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Italian Seasoning (I didn't have Italian seasoning so I used rosemary, oregano, & thyme)
Salt & Pepper
Toothpicks

Directions:
Between wax paper pound out the chicken breasts until thin. Layer the sliced pepperoni- however much you would like. Layer the cheese (I used provolone because that's what we had) - however much you would like. Roll the chicken up and secure it with toothpicks, seam-side down.
Place in oven safe dish- drizzle with EVOO and sprinkle with S&P and Italian Season to your liking.
Bake on 325 for about 30 minutes or until done

I think a pesto-marinara dipping sauce would go great with this. Rachael Ray made one that I've been meaning to try. You can find it here.

Swim Party! Oh, yeah!

Cayson & Grandma My sweet (& not tan) husband
Swimming
Drinking from his bucket

The Smith FamilyRylan showing off her swimming skills
Cayson loves Lindey
Silly boy

We spent nearly all day yesterday pool-side. Dusty has the burn to show for it too. My mom came over to swim with Cayson for a little bit and the Smith family came over to enjoy some cool, refreshing water. We had a great time splashing around. Cayson was so wired from the pool, he didn't even nap. They say the water and swimming wears a child out - not my child! It does the opposite. He was extremely sleepy come bedtime though.

Birthday Shout-out

I want to wish our niece, Maggie, a happy birthday as she turns the big 7!!!!

Hope you have a great day!!! We will see you Sunday! We love you!!!!

Swim time videos

Cayson got to splish and splash yesterday and show off his "skills" for Daddy.

Crazy weekend

I am trying to relax a little at the moment... I've made two trips to OKC in the past few days... for a good reason though. I left very early on Thursday so I could get to the mall early to get an iphone. The store didn't have one but were able to order one for me. Yea! I got to do some fun shopping - by myself- which was awesome. No bored child or impatient husband hurrying me along. I met my dear friend, Julee, at Babies-R-Us (she's expecting a little one!!!!) and then we ate at Cheesecake Factory (delicious!!!!). I did some more shopping before heading home. It was so nice to have a day to do whatever I wanted.



Saturday, the Smiths came over to swim. Cayson showed off his swimming abilities. He is starting to get the hang of things. Then we went to his first friend birthday party at the park. His little friend, Blaine, turned 2. Cayson had fun at the party though he was exhausted from swimming and not napping. He crashed hard Saturday night - as in a 6:30 pm bedtime. :)



I was told my phone would be in in 5-21 days, but it came in on Saturday! So, today I ran to the city after Sunday School to pick up the phone. It was just a quick trip there and back. Today, I have been trying to figure everything out and get it set up for me.



Hope everyone has a wonderful week. I have no pictures for this post. I know you are probably relieved.

Don't forget your rain coat....

... when bathing Cayson!

Baby time!!! Yipee!

We got to meet a spankin' new baby on Thursday - Noah John, son of Chris & Charity. He was born on Monday and is soooo adorable and tiny. He is on a bili light right now for jaundice so we could only admire him from afar. Thought I'd share the pics though.

Cayson thought he was pretty interesting... he kept pointing at him.

The fruits of my labor

I was so excited to pick my first ripe bell peppers the other day! I had a yellow one that rotted on the vine and another green one that fell off before it was ripe. :( Poor things didn't get to be enjoyed. This is my first year to have a garden - and I'll admit, I only planted peppers this year and pumpkins to hopefully have for the fall ... tons and tons of peppers. I have a bumper crop of jalapeno and chili peppers. I need some good salsa recipes if anyone's sharing.

Swimming with Aunt Becca

Cayson got to swim with Aunt Rebecca today. He had a blast and he even left his sunglasses on the whole time. This boy is fearless in the water. He likes to crawl on my lounge float and will just dive off into the water. I have to be right by him at all times. Crazy guy!

Loving on Auntie....Giving kisses...

Patty Cake

2Cool 4Skool

Can you tell I was homeskooled? :) Just playing... figured my mom wouldn't appreciate my title. :)

A peek at Cayson

Here are a few videos from today.... I'm so grateful I'm able to stay home to witness all the little moments with Cayson. I decided to tape a few of them today to share.

Quack! Quack!

We took Cayson to feed the ducks this afternoon at the pond. He loves ducks in his books, so we thought we'd take him to see them. He really liked them even though they kept running from us.

I also caught Dusty feeding some bread to our little "duck." Ha!

Dusty's adoring fan

I came out of the kitchen today to find this...

Guess who was outside? That's right, Dusty was mowing and Cayson was watching intently. I let Cayson go out to "mow" beside Dusty. (Dusty's mower was not running at the time of the pics so it was safe, fyi)

Our Fabulous 4th of July

~Update: I changed the link to look at our pictures so this way might be easier.~

We had a great 4th of July! Cayson was feeling so much better - thank goodness! It seems we are always sick around holidays.

I thought I would share a few pictures from the day and then post the link to view all of my pictures. I figure that is the easiest way. You can check out the rest here.

Here is Cayson in his 4th of July t-shirt before we went to Carnegie.

Cayson got to swim in this cool pool.
Cayson had a great time!
Papa turned on the waterfall on the kiddie pool and had a little fun with the kids. I got some fun action shots!

Maggie takes off to get out of Papa's aim of fire...

The other kids are unsuspecting...

And here he goes!

Notice Lakin huddling in the corner of the picture with her hands covering her mouth.

And Lakin takes off

I love Kaci's expression in this one.

Lakin & Korbyn

Maggie posing (if you look at my other pics, you'll notice Maggie is always striking a pose. )

Cayson with Nana

Look at Kaci's expression - this is when she was telling Jayce that she is 8 and old enough to light a snake when in fact, she is only 3! Can you tell she's a tad bit ornery? Sparkler time

Dusty being a bad example to the children

Us after a long fun day

I guess this a little more than "just a few" pictures. You know me though! I love pictures!