The Big Reveal

Well, I hate to jinx it but Payton is doing great with the transition to his big boy bed. The first afternoon was a bit trying as it took me 2hrs to get him to go to sleep but since then, he gets right in his bed, falls asleep and then calls for me to come get him out of bed. LOL! I told him he had to yell, "Mommy come get me out" and he says it word for word:)

Viva Mexico!

Gaia, Payton & Grandpa Al at breakfast Emma eating breakfast

This is what happens when you face plant into the sand view from the main strip Payton resting in the hammock at the hotel
Grandpa Al and Emma
View from the room

Common area right outside our rooms Our room
The owner's Dad's house right in front of the hotel (just before tropical storm Dolly hit)
Grandpa Al & Payton
Emma on the beach
Pouring water on Daddy's head:)

Me getting a kiss from the dolphin
The dolphins are pushing my feet and making me ski on the water (called a foot push)
The dorsal fin tow


A cool house shaped like a conch shell (was on HGTV)

The whole family on the last night
A shot that Graham and Andy did. They lit it on fire and then they had to suck it with a straw while it was still flaming!

We made it back to the U.S. safe n' sound yesterday from Mexico. We went on our first "Brown Family Vacation" to Isla Mujeres (an island just off of Cancun) with Graham's parents and his sister and her family. I took way too many pictures and I apologize for the large amount of them on this posting but I couldn't leave any out:) We had great weather most of the days we were there. It was very HOT and sunny for all of the days but 1 1/2 when tropical storm Dolly decided to roll right over us. Thank God she didn't stay long:)

We spent most of the days playing in the sand at the beach and then heading into town for dinner. Alyssa, Andy, Cyndee and I got a chance to swim with the dolphins which was one of the coolest things I have ever done. You can see from the pictures some of the things we got to do with them. On one of the days, Graham, Andy and Al went fishing and we met up with them around lunchtime to eat what they caught. Thank goodness they caught something:) Graham caught a 4.5' Barracuda that could feed a small army!

Payton had such a great time and did great on the flights both to and from Mexico, only crying on the decent because his ears hurt. Poor guy! We all managed to keep from getting hurt or sick during the week, which is quite a blessing. I have to say that Payton managed to stay out of trouble for the most part, as he is just a toddler:) By the end of the trip he was definitely sick of going out to eat, as were we, because he had had it with waiting for his food:) What a man:!

Our hotel was great and perfect for little kids. There was a common area right outside our doors so we could easily put the kids down and step outside and chat awhile before going to bed. It also had a small bay right in front of it which was super nice because the waves didn't come crashing in on us when Payton was trying to play in the water. It was really shallow there too!

I am so happy that we all had such a great time and that the trip was a success for both kids. Payton continues to ask if we can go back to "Mesico" as he says it!

Payton's Room

The coat hook that Graham made:) I love it!

Well, we finished Payton's room in record time. I am thinking the reveal won't take place until we get back from Mexico but I will be sure to post the video. I think he is going to LOVE it!!! Here are a few pictures of the finished project.

Touch a Truck

Payton, Tricia, Jovani & Peyton

Future Fireman

He loved this old truck

Playing with a garbage can toy from the garbage truck

Yesterday we met our playgroup at the Touch a Truck event in Willowbrook. It was hot but the kids had fun sitting in all of the different trucks. Payton said his favorite was the ambulance:)

The Time Has Come...

Payton's new mattress Our new duvet cover

to begin the "big boy" room! This time has come way too early for me but unfortunately it is a must. Graham had put Payton down for a nap and soon after he heard a loud thump. He went into his room and found him on his head, wedged in between the nightstand and crib so.... we are now working feverishly on transforming the guest room into his new room. I guess that's all we needed to get our butts in gear:) The room is painted, the car bed is put together and all that is left is getting the dresser from the basement up and putting up the finishing touches. My goal is to begin the process after we get back from Mexico. Lucky for us he has not tried to get out of his crib again and talks about how he hurt himself doing it but I think we are on borrowed time here.

We also found some holes in our duvet cover that we got for our wedding so I have been looking for a new one for a while now and found a great steal on crateandbarrel.com. It is definitely bolder than my previous blue/purple duvet cover but I love it!

Jen's Wedding

Jen, Me, Laura & Emily at the rehearsal dinner
Final touchesLaura & Emily

After the ceremony

Jen's wedding was this past weekend and it was incredible! The whole wedding went smoothly and even though it was 90 degrees out, we all managed to stay cool. The rehearsal dinner was at the Park Grill in Millennium Park on Thursday evening. The food there was great and I will definitely go back there again to try the rest of the menu:) The morning of the wedding, Payton woke up with a high fever so Graham was not able to go and my Mom was in the hospital that day for some dizziness and she missed the wedding too! Both my Mom and Payton ended up being alright but I know they both were sad to miss the wedding.

Graham and Payton watching the fireworks Papa, Graham, Payton & Nana
Daddy & Payton
Papa & Payton throwing rocks
Walking along the tracks waiting for the fireworks (they shot the fireworks right across the river on the sandy area you can see)
Mommy & Payton watching fireworks
The family enjoying our third fireworks together
Getting very sleepy
Acting silly, as always
All the boats along the river waiting for the fireworks
Payton & Jolie riding the rides at Grizzly Jacks

This fourth of July we went back out to Utica and spent the long weekend at Grizzly Jacks with my parents. My sister and kids came up on Saturday and Sunday. We went to the Peru, IL fireworks on July 3rd along the Illinois River. They had a small festival going on and Payton had a blast jumping in a jumpy, eating ice cream and getting a free flag and balloon (which he accidentally shared with the birds:). For the third straight year in a row, Payton enjoyed the fireworks with no crying! He looks so serious when he watches them and is in such awe of them. He said the loud noise scared him but he never showed it. When they were over he asked for more and that continued each night for the whole weekend.