Cokeville Trip

  A couple weekends ago we went to visit Kelli, Kevin, and Rylie in Cokeville.

When we got there Kevin and some of their friends were getting ready to go for a ride, so they let the kids ride around on Kelli's horse, Chile, first.

Rylie and Brandt rode around for quite a while. Brandt wanted to wear his hat, too, but it kept hitting Rylie in the face so he had to leave it off.

After a few rounds, they had Braydee (Brandt's cousin on Bryce's side and Rylie's friend in Cokeville) get on with them. It was definitely a cozy ride! Good thing Chile is so patient with them.

Of course, I could never get them all to look at me and smile at the same time.

Just the boys again (and Kelli I guess.)

So dang cute!

Just a little squishy is all!

Brandt was not ready to get off when the time came, but he got over it pretty fast since Rylie has so many fun toys to check out. (Ashley, Braydee, Rylie, Brandt, Kelli, oh and can't forget Chile)

This "toy" was a huge hit. Brandt figured out how to drive it on his own and before any of us could catch him he ran into the garage and went over the steering wheel. Of course, I didn't have my camera handy. He wanted to get right back on it, but since we didn't really feel like heading to the ER on a nice Sunday afternoon, we talked him into sitting in the trailor and letting Rylie drive him around. Not sure if that was really a safer option or not... :)

They made quite a few trips up and down the lane, giggling and having fun the entire time.

For some reason Brandt decided to bail out! Rylie didn't skip a beat, just kept right on going. Brandt got up laughing and wanted right back in.
In this one the wild little driver was laughing like crazy and trying to run me over. What a goof!

We had a lot of fun. Brandt was so covered with dirt we had to throw him in Kelli's tub so grandpa would let him back in his truck for the ride home. He sobbed when we left cause he wanted to stay with Rylie. Not for long though, he was worn out and slept most of the way home. Obviously Bryce was worn out, too. Once again, how could I resist the daddy and son sleeping pictures?

Camping Out- Sorta

My dad gave Brandt this tent, and he loves it!! Loves playing in it, loves sleeping in it, loves hiding in it when he's in trouble...loves it!

I think these were actually in the middle of the day, but Brandt was pretending to go "night-night" and wanted his dad to join him, so Bryce humored him. The butt up in the air position actually is how Brandt usually sleeps. So cute!

So, he's been sleeping in the tent almost every night for the last week now. Kinda like camping out only with all the comforts of home (other than the floor really is hard.) For a few nights, his favorite sleeping partner was a baby doll from my mom's that he calls Amanda Jean's baby.

This particular morning I found the baby in the tent by herself...

and Brandt soundly sleeping on the couch. The kid seriously does not hold still- even in his sleep!

"Green Acres is the place to be..."

Farm liven' is the life for Brandt! He loves every minute of it! He's already caught on to the fact that if he asks grandpa, he gets to ride in the tractor everyday and feed every living animal on the place.

My dad put a seat belt in the little side seat, so he can strap the grandkids in and go. This is especially handy for the busiest one of all, which would be mine.

Brandt could sit and play in the tractor for hours even though he isn't going anywhere. We have to watch him pretty close cause he already knows how to turn on the key and then tries to shift gears and go.

Sure looks like he knows what he's doing, huh?

When my dad tried to take over the driver's seat again he had a battle on his hands. He heard the ever famous "go away, Brandt do it!! " from my adoreable little one.

Proof that my dad and brother really can work together without killing each other...sometimes. This time they had to put the fence back together thanks to a neighbor's bulls breaking through and getting in with ours. Brandt thought it was pretty fun to watch them fighting (the bulls that is, not my dad and Curtis).

He had fun playing with "T" and being thrown in the air.

Trying to get a better view of daddy and T riding the 4-wheeler through the field and splashing in the water. Brandt thought it was hilarious and is still talking about it. He especially thought it was funny when Bandit (the dog) was on the back of the wheeler trying to hold on and getting covered with water and mud.

Feeding the cows...

Visiting the horses...

Love that grin.

"Brandt do it!" My dad was trying to hold his hand, but no... he's holding his own hand. Not sure where he got that from, but he's been doing it for a few weeks. How do they come up with these things?
Getting grass to feed the bunnies. Notice in the far left corner my dad pulling more grass.
Feeding the "bop-bops" AKA hop-hops.
Loving on the kitty and then he fed it soon after. Before all was said and done he fed the horses, cows, bunnies, puppy (only one, my dad had to put poor Roo down :( ), kitties, and fish. My dad says he wears him out just trying to watch him cause he's so busy, and I'm pretty sure he's right, but also pretty sure he loves it. How blessed we are to live where we do and have the opportunities that we do. I love that Brandt can learn valueable lessons in caring for animals, being responsible, and working hard on a farm, not to mention appreciating the great outdoors. So, as far as Brandt and I are concerned, "Keep Manhattan, just give me that countryside."

Brandt's Belated Birthday Party

Since Brandt was sick for his birthday, we decided to combine his party with mother's day a week later. While Bryce and Brandt were hanging out waiting for the party to get started, Brandt decided to get out one of his very favorite b-day presents from G&G Pugmire- tape. He loves the stuff, so they gave him 2 rolls of his very own.
He did a pretty good job of getting it wrapped all around himself.

This isn't a great pic, but it's clear down around his leg and ankle, and he's now trying to get it off and yelling "help mom, help mom."

This time he went to dad for help to get untangled.

Then he stood there willingly and let Bryce tape him all up again. Such a good helper dad is!

Finally it was time for pizza. Everyone was able to come exept Kelli, Kevin, and Rylie.

Of course, Amanda Jean was one of the most anticipated party guests for Brandt and he gave her plenty of loves when she got there. He even let her wear his cowboy hat and ride his bull.

We were even able to bring my grandparents home from Bear Lake Manor for the evening, and although I think it completely wore them out, it was nice to have them there.

Brandt decided to boycott his highchair for the night and proceeded to give assigned seats to bampa and mamaw- one on each side of him. Guess he deserves to be the boss for the day for his birthday, right?

I just missed it with the camera, but I think that my dad and Brandt had just been sticking their tongues out at each other, with a mouth full of food no less. So mature....

Brandt buddy started sneaking frosting before we could even get a picture of him with his Curious George cake (take 2- since he had one last w/e too).

He looked up at me like "who me? Did I do something wrong?"

Decided to let him blow out candles on his own piece of cake so we for sure wouldn't share any germs with great grandma and grandpa. He had it down a lot better than last week this time and didn't even have to have any help.

I think this one is actually out of order, but who has time to fix it :) He was trying to wait patiently to blow while we sang to him, but was still blowing, so Bryce held it away from him til we finished.

Who needs a fork to eat cake? Brandt's been on this kick lately where he acts like a puppy, including when it comes to eating. It may be messier, but I think it's so cute and hilarious.

Don't they look so grown up already sitting up to the table by each other eating birthday cake and ice cream? Just kills me that Amanda just turned one and Brandt two.

Ahh, there we go, finally the fork...

or not...

oh, and who needs napkins? Brandt just licks himself clean. Also hilarious! He actually cleaned up most of his drips with his own tongue; now that's talent!

Look at that adorable little messy face posing for me!!

All in all, we had a fun night! Brandt loved all the food, presents, and the family that came over to spend his day with him, and we appreciate all the support our family gives us. Sure wish that the Payne's could have been here, but I'm sure we'll catch up with them again soon. Still trying to adjust to the fact that my baby's 2! Oh how I love him!