OK, So maybe I'm exaggerating a little on the worst of times. Although having the stomach flu does suck, especially on your birthday, and even worse if you're TWO. Poor baby.
Let's start at the beginning though. Here's my novel of pictures starting with the last week of June.
We had visitors! And not just any visitors, but our FAVORITES! Our good friends, the Shelton's came to stay with us for a few days (in town from Georgia). It was so fun to have them back for a while. Here's Josh in all his glory:
Brielle was thrilled to have Leah and Noah to play with for a while.
Noah and Taylee Jane:
I can't believe I didn't get a picture with Kristen, but we did have a blast staying up late, chatting, eating, and laughing. We even made a special trip to Hoovers, just for old times sake. We were sad to see them go. Can't wait until next time!
OUR BIRTHDAY GIRL!!!
I can't believe this girl is TWO! Holy cow that went fast. We had Grandma and Grandpa Rhodes over the day before Tay's birthday to celebrate. Just being able to see and play with those guys would have been perfect for this little girl but she was also lucky enough to wake up to a new trampoline that Travis surprised us with! Her reaction was all smiles, although she was pretty shy and nervous at first. Breeze on the other hand was a COMPLETE scaredy cat. Eventually, we got them both to jump and have a good time.
A trampoline AND Grandpa? Does it get much better?!
Definitely time for some cake:
Grandpa and Grandma gave her a new towel, an adorable huge puzzle, and some super cute clothes. What more could a girl want?
July 1st, 2012:
Taylee was so happy to go to church because she loves nursery SO SO much. Seriously, she always asks to go. So the day definitely started off perfect for this little munchkin. After naps, Grandpa and Grandma Kyhl along with Great Grandpa Jack and Grandma Della came (which was a special treat for us because she's been very busy fighting a nasty case of cancer - we are very lucky to be able to have such close relationships with them!)
Tay bug lucked out with some money, and a snow cone maker! This girl LOVES ice. Total ice queen. Perfect!
More cake:
And I really think everyone enjoyed themselves. . . . .
Right up until right after this picture was taken when Taylee started puking. Rainbow cake vomit. Awesome! Hopefully it just tasted like cake coming back up.
The next couple days, Taylee was pretty darn sick. After the stomach flu ended it's course, poor Taylee was so dehydrated she turned into a little robot. I couldn't get her to smile, drink, or even tease Brielle. She was so lethargic, I almost ended up taking her to the ER. It was pretty scary for a while but she's such a little trooper. It took quite a while to get her back to normal. She lost so much weight that her own Grandma didn't even recognize her. She looks like a completely different baby. No more chub. Dang. That's always my favorite part!
July 3rd = Children's Parade!
Brielle was super excited to participate this year. And of course I was super excited to get her all dressed up in red, white and blue. It is my favorite holiday after all!
Breeze couldn't stop talking about riding her bike in the parade. . . . until it was time for it to start. What a nervous kid I have. Here's Uncle Tyson trying to make her feel better while Travis stayed home with a recovering Taylee.
As always, Brielle was OK after a few minutes of realizing that no one's out to get her!
Brielle, Jackson, Tripp, and Tyson:
Now she's just trying to be funny:
Showing off her sweet tricks:
After she crossed that finish line, Brielle was elated. She kept talking about how exciting that was. She is such a funny girl!
Tay bug was able to make an appearance at the parade the next day to watch Breezy on the mini cheer float, but it was about all she could do to sit on my lap and hold her little head up. She was drained. She went home early and slept most of the day.
Brielle's very first time in a parade! She was scared, but she ended up loving it!
Shelby & Brielle:
After some long naps, we ended up at Grandpa's house for a BBQ and games. Brielle REALLY loves her cousin Jackson. They have so much fun playing together. She even said in her prayers, "Thank thee that Jackson could go on vacation with me" So sweet:
Snacks & Swimmin':
Her happy dance:
The traditional slip-n-slide / bowling!:
Taylee played for a few minutes in the water but snuggling Grandma is a lot more fun!
Travis soaked Breezy with a water balloon. This was her first reaction. Confusion turned to being ticked off. After the initial shock, she acted like it was the best thing that ever happened to her.
She just wanted revenge. She got it too. That's my girl!
My girls don't sit out during a war. They get justice!
I think Trav was pretty into the games too:
ALL of them:
The kids were all pretty happy after they chased a water snake. They were all doing little dance moves. Notice Brielle's high V. What a little cheerleader!:
FIREWORKS!!!
While Travis stayed home so Taylee could go to bed, Brielle and I went to the park for some firework fun. Travis was awesome to not only send me out for the fireworks, but he also went to work putting together some furniture for me as a surprise! What an awesome husband! And as a bonus, there's nothing better than being able to watch my child dance around with no worries, just plain JOY!
Kyhl Family Fun Vacation!!!
We started off the vacation by playing our little hearts out at the anti-gravity center in St. George. What a fun place! I didn't get to play because of this large belly of mine but man o man it looked fun! I admit I was jealous!
Thankfully, Taylee was feeling much better by then:
I'm pretty sure however, that this man child of mine had more fun than anyone!
Let me show you what I mean. There's fun. . . . . .
And then there's pure entertainment:
Check out Trav's smile. Maybe I should bring him here for his next birthday too!
Ring Around the Rosie's:
Abbey and Taylee having a little relaxing break:
Trav's break was literally NEEDED. He played so hard he was completely drained. It was so funny to watch!
The battle of the brothers:
Most of our vacation was spent at the Las Palmas Resort in St George, compliments of Grandpa Gary and Grandma Marg. What a fabulous Christmas present! Best part? We could swim all day long!
Brielle tells everyone that she was brave and jumped off the diving board. This is how it happened:
Ha ha ha! Good job Breezy! She's so fun!
Again, Trav may have had the most fun. Here he is showing off his straddle jump:
We got to play with Jackson and Tripp a lot because unfortunately Tyson ended up in the hospital for a couple days. Poor guy. He's doing much better now but he did miss out on some great swimming!
This is my husband's attempt at floating. Seriously, the man cannot float. His body sinks to the bottom, and stays there. So weird!
A HUGE thank you to Gary and Marg. We had an absolute blast swimming, eating, playing games, competing in racquetball, mini golf, shuffle board, and just relaxing. We think you guys are seriously awesome!!
The End.
