New York Trip

We had the opportunity to go to NY for a week. 

Eric's boss lives there and invited us out. 

This brought up the perfect opportunity to visit the Gardners in Connecticut too.

I had been so excited to go but had been stressing for months whether or not to take Ksyon.

I knew it would be hard traveling that far and that long with him but at the same time, we take him everywhere we go and since he's still not sleeping through the night, I think I would have worried about him and whoever he stayed with. 

So...after a lot of contemplation, we decided to take him. 

And I'm SO glad we did!!!

He was so good and so much fun to have with us.

Besides being in the city which is NOT kid/stroller friendly.

I think it was just bad being our first time there with a little one.

We'll make better choices next time.

We flew out Saturday morning at 8:30.

Stayed in Manhattan Saturday night.

We visited Ground Zero, ate good food, walked around the Rockefeller Plaza, enjoyed FAO Schwarz toy store, and walked through Central Park.

I'd have to say, Central Park was my favorite and Ground Zero was Incredible!!

Sunday afternoon we picked the Freemans up at the airport, rented a car and headed to Montauk.

Montauk is at the very tip of Long Island. They call it "The End"

Gary (Eric's boss) rented a house for all of us.

The next three days were spent relaxing, shopping, site seeing, playing at the beach and eating lots of good food.

The guys spent the three days fishing on the ocean. They caught some good sized fish along with some sharks!! 

We had such a good time and the weather was absolutely perfect. 

The Freemans flew home Thursday.

We took a ferry over to Connecticut. Another fun experience.

It was nice for Kyson to be able to run around instead of having to sit in a car seat the whole time.

We had dinner in New Haven with the Gardners Thursday night and walked around the Yale campus.

Friday we got up and walked a trail in Branford then took the kids to Pumpkintown.

What a neat place!!

Connecticut is Beautiful in the Fall!!!

Saturday we went on a hike, drove to East Rock, had lunch at Shake Shack then headed to the airport.

We are so grateful for this opportunity and had such an Amazing time with Great people!!!

Blessing Evelyn

Sept 1, Evelyn Jean Hamm was blessed and given a name.

I love baby blessings.
They're probably one of my favorite things to go to.
I love the uniqueness of each and every one.

Although Riley was a little (ok a lot) nervous...he did a Great job!!

Love this little Hamm family!

My Dear Grandpa

July 27 was the day my Grandpa decided it was time to go home.

As much as we are all going to miss him, he is in a much better place.

Anyone who knew my Grandpa knows how active and independent he was until about a year ago.

It was so difficult to see him decline so quickly going from elk hunting at age 90 to being stuck in a hospital bed in his living room at age 93.

What an INCREDIBLE man!!!!

He taught me so much about life.

He never judged.

He was always there when we needed him.

He never left us guessing how much he loved us.

He was my hero. My example. My role model.

He was by far the most Amazing Grandpa a girl could ask for.

I feel so blessed the have had the opportunity to grow up with such Wonderful Grandparents.

One of my favorite things about Grandpa is how much he loved kids.

Even in his last days when he could barely move or speak, he lit up the second he saw Kyson. 

He wanted to hold him. Kiss him. Talk to him.

I have never seen anything more tender and special.

I will never forget those precious moments!!!!

His services were absolutely PERFECT!!

I miss you so much Grandpa and I can't wait to see you again!!!!

Mini Vaca

We left Friday afternoon for
Star Valley
We stayed at the Bott's cabin with Jess and Ryan. (Thanks again Jess!!)
Jess and I ran a half marathon Saturday morning.
I finished in 2:20. Not fast but my best time yet!
And I finished about 5 minutes before it started down pouring!
Lucky!!

Saturday afternoon we went into 
Jackson
and then hiked to Hidden Falls at Jenny Lake.
One of our favorite traditions.
Although we usually like to hike to Inspiration Point, my knees couldn't take it after running 13.1 miles.
We ate dinner at Bubbas and headed back to the cabin.

Sunday morning we had breakfast with Jess and Ryan.
Then we were off to
Island Park
where we stayed with one of Eric's friends and his wife and little girl.
We talked, relaxed, went for a walk, ate dinner and talked some more.

Monday we all got up and went to
Yellowstone National Park
I hadn't been there for years so it was fun to go back.
We didn't have near enough time to explore and see all that I wanted but we did some hiking and had lunch with the Nelsons before heading for home.

It was a great little get-a-way with my family and I can't WAIT to go back next year!!

Firsts

I Love "firsts"

It's so fun to see Kyson do things and experience things for the first time.

First swim lessons

First Slurpee

First kiss ;)

 First swim pool

First time to Hidden Falls

First :( mosquito bites 

This picture is showing his fat lip and swollen arm from bites. His little body is learning what to do with these darn bites. Poor baby!!