Boys Trip To Packwood

Uncle Pat rented a lot in Packwood and invited everyone to come.  Since Mom and Kayda were backpacking, the boys headed up.  Uncle Pat's Family, Grandma and Papa Hanis, Uncle Greg and Aunt Liz, and Uncle Scott's Family were all there part of the weekend.  They squeezed 3 trailers, all the vehicles, and 3 tents into the lot.  

Daddy had fun reminiscing about the old days he spent in Packwood.  His grandparents (Baba and Grandpa Hanis) owned a lot and cabin in Packwood (High Valley) for over 30 years.  Daddy spent a lot of time there growing up with his parents, brothers, grandparents, uncles/aunts, and cousins.  

He went around showing the boys where the cabin was, the creek they would play in behind it, they walked along the dike that divided the lot from the Cowlitz River, swimming in the community pool, eating pizza at the Packwood Pizza Parlor, and golfing at the nine hole course in the High Valley community (they were able to play two 9 hole rounds).  The boys also had a blast playing with their cousins, as always.  It was a quick trip but fun.

Getting ice cream in town.

The cabin in the back (which was an old water pump shed that was hauled up, and the mobile home to the right (you can see the window and deck.

When Daddy was a kid, where everyone is sitting used to be the main channel of the Cowlitz River.  You could not swim in it as the rapids were to fast.  Now, it was perfect for sitting and playing in.

Butter Peak

Last week of summer

We decided to cram a bunch of excitement into the last week before school! 

Thursday, Carson and Dillon got to go meet their teachers.   Dillon has the same one Kayda had last year (Yay!).  Kayda's teacher is a new hire and couldn't be there so she got to go see her room. 

 Carson didn't want a picture but these kiddos mostly cooperate!

Then Friday Daddy took the day off so we could go to Wild Waves. It was forecasted for a chance of thunderstorms.  It ended up raining the beginning of the day which meant we didn't have to wait for the water slides at all!   We went over to the rides,  back to the water and then rides again.  We were absolutely exhausted by the end but the kids had a blast.   Carson decided he LOVES when his "tummy tickles".  Which is kind of unfortunate when he needs an adult for most rides and Mommy and Daddy don't handle it well.  We sucked it up.   Just grin and bear it!

 He didn't want the "before" picture.

 Such good photo subjects!

 This is a terrifying picture of me HATING this ride but Carson has the BIGGEST grin!

 Sunday Daddy took the kids to go boating with Uncle Greg.   Mom's Grandma and Uncle Bob both passed away in the last week and a half and didn't much feel like socializing.   I'm glad Daddy and Uncle Greg could take them. Carson rode the tube once with Daddy but mostly just wanted to crawl around the boat. Dillon could've ridden the tube the whole day happily.   Kayda was pulled underwater with the tube and was nervous after that.  They all came home wanting to do it again.

After that they got to go celebrate Grandma H's birthday, which means cousins.   They love seeing them!

Bringing Kayda Home and the first week

With the snow storm the day before I was incredibly anxious to get home.  We were discharged from the hospital around 5pm, not even 24 hours after you were born.  Driving with a new baby is incredibly stressful, driving with a new baby in the slush is even more so.  I probably got on Daddy's nerves pretty badly considering I was crazy paranoid that something would happen.  Fortunately, we made it home without any mishaps.

 I bought a "coming home" outfit.  It was a size newborn, tights, the dress, a little sweater.  It was all HUGE!  Regardless I dressed you up, just to bury you in cozy blankets for the drive home.

 Since people didn't get to see you at the hospital we had visitors after you were brought home.

 Peyton was a little curious.

 Kayda has three "angel kisses", they are the red marks on each eye lid and across her forehead.  They become more pronounced when she cries.  They are actually just sensitive capillaries.  She should out grown them.

 Kayda is not a hard baby, during the day.  The first night home was a challenge.  Daddy and I had no clue what to do.  I could just NOT get you to sleep.  I ended up having Grandma G come help me after that first night, I was so exhausted and overwhelmed.

 I've changed diapers before.  I babysat plenty of times.  They were always on older babies though.  Changing the diaper of a newborn, with a healing umbilical cord is pretty intimidating.

Of course, we had to go show her off at Daddy's work.  She was super cooperative since she isn't a fussy baby. 

 Kayda is quite happy to be in anyone's arms.  She has four grandparents that all love to snuggle her.

 Kayda has some long, skinny fingers!

With the oldest cousin!  Nathan is such a sweetie!