My baby girl, Hadley

Friday was my last day watching Hadley. Deakon and I have really enjoyed having her at our house these past few months. Because of her, I am constantly telling Kyle... we need a girl... although I told him originally NO girls. But come on, they are so cute and lovey and just bring a different dimension to the day (some days that dimension includes high pitched screaming... :), but you just deal) Anyway, you can tell I am not quite ready for a girl yet... I tried to fix her hair... it looks awful doesn't it??? I will have to learn the art of little girl's hair. Anyway, we will miss you baby girl!

Karma

I guess I am being punished for my post before about my naughty little boy... This must be his way of proving MY point... LOL- ok, it is funny today, but Kyle and I were not happy about this little artwork last night. The other picture I took about an hour before at dinner. Man this kid loves to eat while making a mess! It is funny to watch him eat all by himself, he tries so hard to use just the spoon. As you can see, he hasn't quite mastered that!

Almost 18 months

I can't believe how fast the past almost 18 months has gone with my little baby! He is getting so big, grown up, and naughty. I used to say that every new month was my favorite month... I think I have stopped saying that. MAN, 18 months is a crazy stage!!! (I am sure you other moms are thinking: "just wait Angi... it gets worse- you are a big baby") What happened to my easy going, smiley baby boy??? Ok, I am being a bit dramatic... he is still easy going and smiley... we just have to add in a couple daily tantrums with crying and flailing of the arms and arching of the back and me being hit in the face with a thrashing head... the worst part about it is that Kyle will watch him all day and have NO tantrums at all- I swear he saves them for his dear mommy. Ok, I am totally done talking bad about my baby... I love him and he really isn't as naughty as I make it sound! The whole point of this post is to write down and remember some cute things he is saying... so on to an optimistic note: Deakon has starting talking so much! Here are some favs:

-Ni ni (night night)- What he calls his blanket

-Hady- Hadley

-tink oo- Thank you (I can't get him to say please so he uses thank you for: please, thank you, and when he hands you something)

-Bye bye- his favorite time to say this is when he is on his ride-a-long with keys. He waves, says bye bye, and scoots as fast as possible to the other side of the room

-mil- milk (he is normally hitting the fridge when he says it)

-go, go, go (always 3 times) mostly uses it in the car. The first time Deakon said it Kyle was telling the dummy driving in front of us to go, go, go! because it was a green light and we were in a hurry. They say your kids pick up everything...

-Lately Deakon has been such a good helper throwing garbage away and putting dirty dishes in the kitchen sink. Last Friday, I was giving him every opportunity all morning to do both of these chores. When I went into the kitchen to fix lunch, I found, to my amusement, every piece of garbage AND dirty dish in the sink! Apparently, he didn't think peices of lint, paper, fruit snack wrappers, and water bottles deserved to be thrown away. It made me laugh!

I had some more, but I can't think of them right this second and it is time to play Disney action figures with Hadley before her nap so... until next time.

It's Fall... Kind Of

I AM READY TO KILL SOMEONE right now.... I have seriously written this dumb post twice now. The first time my internet stopped working and NOW, just like 5 seconds ago I pushed the wrong key and it selected all of it and when I continued to type it was gone.... If for some reason this gets ruined again, screw the stupid FALL post. I am already going to make this short and boring... I added some stories, but they will have to wait because I am so frustrated.

I can't believe how fast this summer has gone and that it is almost fall. The number one thing that SCREAMS "hey everyone, it's fall" is good ol' SKYLINE HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL. They had their first preseason game on Friday and we made it... until half time anyway. Next time we are leaving Deakon- it is just too much temptation and past bedtime. They played against Bingham and killed it. For those of you that don't know, my awesome Dad is the head football coach and he does a great job. Almost all of the fam from here in Utah (missed you out-of-staters XOXOXO- hugs and kisses for you) was there and it was fun to see everyone. I love these football games. I have gone to game after game after game every fall for as long as I can remember.

Such good memories.... sneaking into the locker room during the game and having to hide in the stall because a player came in to pee.... going to football practices in the summer and playing with the football pads, locking ourselves- or just Becca in a locker, and playing under the bleachers..... scoping out the cute guys from Skyline.... and whining about why Danny gets to be a water boy and I couldn't.... fun times... good times...

Ok, so here are some pics from the game, I forgot to take more when more people game so sorry they are quite limited. I also snuck in pictures of Deakon from yesterday. What's a mother to do when she thinks her kid is pretty cute???

Betty, Mom, Judson, and Becky's head

Deakon on the bleachers

He decided that this football basket would make a good hat...

Until it got stuck on his head... SUCKER... jk, I helped him out

Blogging Buddies

I don't really have anything cool to write. I haven't been doing much but trying to get over a cold and clean my house! I guess I am still in vacation mode and don't want to do laundry or dishes or anything but chill.... sorry about the mess Kyle.... Anywho, I just wanted to give a little shout out to anyone who reads my blog who isn't listed on my blog list- I love finding new blogging buddies, so check the list out and if you are not present please leave me a note and I will gladly add you.

*I am trying to find some good new songs to add to my playlist so if anyone has a favorite let me know!

COOPER OWEN DUPAIX

I know I have posted like 5 things today, but I can't forget my new little nephew who was born yesterday morning! Little Cooper Owen DuPaix! He joined Joe and Monica's family who before now had 1 girl and 4 boys. Now they have 5 cute little boys in a row!!! They are such good parents and I love them all so much. Congratulations Joe and Monica. We can't wait to meet little Cooper. This is the only picture I have so far, but it will have to do.

***I stole some pictures so I have more of my brother's cute family:

Monica, Cooper, Joe (Monica you look soooo good!!!)

The whole family meeting Cooper

All the boys!

Cute little Cooper

Chicago- Meri and Shane

Our layover on the way home was in Chicago and we couldn't pass up asking Meri and Shane to come a see us. They were so awesome and showed up even though it is like an hour drive from their house. Thanks for coming guys- next time we are there it will be to stay and have a long tour from some experienced Chicagoians- that is you guys, in case you were confused. I love you guys so much and miss you lots.

Kyle and Shane- love the cheesy grin Kyle
Shane, Deakon, and Meri
Meri, Shane, Deakon, Kyle, and Me

Last Day

Saturday was a busy day. First, we woke up early and met up with Ron and Doreen in Kitchener to go to St. Jacobs Farmer's Market. It was really fun to see so much stuff there. The pictures I have don't do it justice. There were venders with everything from local fruits and veggies to all kinds merchandise you would see at a swap meet. They had food venders also. Kyle and Ron couldn't resist the Oktoberfest sausages on a bun and we bought a pint of raspberries- THE BEST EVER!!! Oh my gosh, they were so good. On the plane ride home we were like- "we wish we had some more raspberries right now."

Next, we drove to Orangeville to try and see Kyle's sister, Kirsten, play lacrosse. Unfortunately because of getting lost and the awful amount of rain and lightning the game was postponed and we had to be on our way to a family party. We were really bummed that we didn't get to see her play- sorry Kirsten. Glad you won!!!

We then made our way to Belwood for Doreen's Aunt Jean's 90th birthday party. They had a good turnout and it was fun to meet some of Kyle's cousins.

After the party we made our way back to Kitchener to meet up with a few of Kyle's friends from high school for dinner. I forgot to take any pictures at dinner, and most of the ones I took at the house didn't turn out so I have some crappy ones. It was really good to meet them. It is too bad that all of the cool people I met (Kyle's friends and family) don't live closer because we would have so many people to hang out with all of the time. Kyle really misses Ontario- I was afraid he wasn't going to come back with me. We will have to go again soon.

Sunday consisted of going to Kyle's old ward with Ron and Doreen. There were a few people still attending that they knew so that was fun for them. We then went back to the hotel, packed our stuff, and headed down to Buffalo to fly back to Utah.

I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who let us stay over and helped entertain us! We had so much fun. It was so worth the 7 hour flight (including layover) with a grumpy Deakon.

Oktoberfest Sausages
Farmer's Market
Deakon, Bret, Eva at The Martin's house
Jeff, Kyle, and Deakon

Friday Night

Friday was more of a relaxed day because we didn't have any real plans until late afternoon. We went to Mary and Ryan's house for dinner and a movie with some of Kyle's old friends from church. It was a lot of fun meeting them. I can see why Kyle has so many stories with them... I am always like... these stories are about your church friends??? Jk- there aren't that bad! Mary and Ryan were so nice to let us crash at their house that night.

Mary and Kyle
Deakon- like the post before- he is acting like he is 6 months again!
Ryan, Rosey, Luke, Jon
Deakon and Jon
Kyle, Rosey, Jon, and Mary in the background

More fun stuff

Thursday night after Niagara falls, we headed back to Kyle's grandma's (Nana) house to meet up with family. We had a BBQ and tons of other good food. We are so much fruit and veggies while we were there- it was sooooo good. I didn't actually get any pictures of the event, but these were taken at Nana's house so I thought I could throw them in. Kyle's cousins enjoyed laughing at the way I say things... but really I know that I say them right... :) I enjoyed meeting everyone- they were so nice and I was really surprised to hear that they read my blog!!! Sweet. It made my day.

Kyle, Nana, and Bret
Steve, Kylynn, and Deakon
Steve and Marilyn(Papa and Grandma)
Deakon... I swear he thinks he is 6 months old again.

OPINION NEEDED

So, Kyle and I have been watching the Olympics every night this week

and we are stumped on the answer to the following question:

MAN OR WOMAN???

NBC reporter... former tennis player... did the weirdo panda story...

MARY CARILLO or maybe MARIO CARILLO.... what do you think?

To be continued....

I have even more to post from our trip, but I must tend to my responsibilities and stop posting until later. If you would like to see what I posted so far- scroll down. I have 4 posts, starting with "THE BEST BEACH IN ONTARIO" up to "NIAGARA FALLS".

Niagara Falls

Thursday was Niagara Falls day. We drove down and although it was 20 bucks to park it was definitely worth it!!! They were awesome. A bit down from the falls they have shops and places which reminded me a bit of the strip in Vegas. We walked down and went to a few places. It was lots of fun!

The infamous falls
We forgot Deakon's stroller, but luckily they rent them out!
ME!!!
Deakon and Bret... this makes me just crack up everytime I see it. It is just too perfect!
Coca-cola store

African Lion Safari

Wednesday we woke up and headed to the African Lion Safari. We met up with Kyle's aunts and some cousins. It is similiar to the zoo, but in addition to the train ride, boat ride, and attractions to walk around and see (birds, pet's corner, elephant round up show) you can also drive your car, or take a guided bus tour through the game reserve. It was so awesome to drive through. The animals are literally walking in front of the cars. It is crazy. We chose the bus tour so we wouldn't get in trouble from the car rental company....

Kyle, Angi, Deakon on the boat ride. We rode around and saw several species of monkeys and birds on their own islands

Grandma and Grandpa

Walking around...

LIONS

Baboons... there are like over 100 (or something- I might be making that up) baboons and they climb all over the cars and rip windshield wipers and anything else they can get their hands on. On the far side of the car is the head honcho sitting on the side window- he weighs over 100 pounds(not making that up... I remember...)

Scoping out his next car...

This Ostrich was pecking at our window

Elephant Roundup Show- Deakon absolutely loved it!

Last Day At The Beach

On Tuesday we packed everything up and Ron and Doreen came and picked us up. We stopped at the beach on the way out so they could enjoy things also. Unfortunately it was raining so we didn't stay too long. They kindly drove us over to Fergus where we stayed with Kyle's grandma (Nana) for the next few days.

Kyle and Papa Steve getting things packed up

Grandma and Grandpa Melanson and Deakon at the beach

Eva, Bret, and Doreen

The best beach in ONTARIO...

We spent the first half of our trip at SAUBLE BEACH... claimed to be the best beach in Ontario. Kyle's family has a lot at Sauble River Falls Camp with a trailer and enclosed yard. It was so much fun to just chill and relax. We basically went to the beach every day (like 5 minutes down the road) and sat around the campfire making smores and hot dogs every night. I could have stayed up here for weeks. Here are the pics- they are all out of order, but I will explain them underneath. I have so many good ones, but I thought 15 was enough for the blog...

Kyle and Uncle Bret playing with Deakon
Uncle Bret and soon to be Aunt Eva

(they got engaged the first night we were there- congrats you guys!!!)

Kyle carved a message for me in the tree The consequences of not listening to your wife... got sunscreen?
Eating fries and gravy around the campfire

Deakon loved the water. Scary actually.... but he looks so cute wading
Aunt Kirsten and Deakon at Sauble River Falls
Papa Steve and Grandma with Deakon and cousin Brodie
Who dressed this kid???
Sauble River Falls- before the river joins Lake Huron

Plane ride...
Kyle... love how you can see me in the window
Aunt Erin, Aunt Kirsten, Deakon, and Brodie
Uncle Bret and Kyle building sand castles
Nap Time? Check out Kyle's mouth... yummy