Branson Day 2

Sorry for the delay I was just having troubles uploading my photos!

On our second day in Branson we took a trip to the Fish Hatchery and then to a look out point. Mattie enjoyed both! We also drove by the College of the Ozarks which I didn't get any pictures of but I think they have an awesome deal for college kids. The students are able to work through places set up through the college and by working they are paying off their tuition.







Feeding the fish with Papa!





Well there were more pictures I wanted to post but since Blogger isn't working for me I give up! I have tried for a week to add more pictures.

Just imagine some pictures of Mattie and I at the lookout, one of the view, one of my parents and my uncle and then some from the park at the campground!

Where to Wednesday (6/22/11)

Matt, Mattilyn and I will be headed to the Lake of the Ozarks for the 4th of July. It will be a quick trip but we are hoping for some relaxation. Groupon had a deal for Camden on the Lake a few weeks back and we snatched it up. I really wanted to go to the lake but when looking for a place to stay I was having a hard time finding somewhere that was affordable, nice, had a swimming pool and was on the lake. This met all of the criteria. I knew I had to have a place with a pool because there is no way I am getting in the lake! We are hoping to be able to be able to see a good firework display over the water too! Here are some pictures of where we will be staying. I hope it is as nice as it looks!





I am thinking mimosa's on the patio with breakfast!



Two years ago our time would have probably been spent here but now we will be back with the kids you see in the background and we wouldn't change it!





What are your thoughts/opinions on traveling with your child/children? Do you enjoy doing it or would you rather they stay at home so you can have adult time? I am sure eventually Matt and I will go on a vacation without Mattie but right now we would rather have her with us rather than having the worry of her staying home. In my mind an adults only vacation sounds fabulous but I am doing good to give her up for one night and am not ready for more than that yet! It's a good thing she is a good little traveler!

Branson Day 1

Mattie and I took a litte trip down to Branson with my parents. We missed Matt a lot while we were gone but still had a good time. It was pretty hot and the pool temp was cold so we didn't get to do as much of the activities as we would have liked at the place we stayed. We stayed at Treasure Lake and it was nice for being an RV park. They had a lot to do but unfortunately we didn't get to take advantage of it like we would have liked.

Our first night there we didn't do too much. We went down to the Branson Landing for dinner and walked around and then made a trip to Walmart! I guess there was some flooding in Branson back in April so the fountains were shut off at the Branson Landing which was kind of disappointing since they are usually fun to watch.

My uncle Jerry and Mattie



My mom and dad!



My mom and her brother!




My cousin Teresa and Mattie



The boys (Nathan, Trayse, Uncle Jerry and Dad)



Chasing Bubbles

Fun at Uncle Andy's and Aunt Ricci's

Mattie has been spending some time at her Uncle Andy and Aunt Ricci's house this summer. One thing is certain, she is definately spoiled there!

Mattie and Daisy watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse



She takes time to smell the flowers



She does arts and crafts with her cousin Hannah



Plays at the pool











And naps with Uncle Andy (She would never admit it to him but she kind of likes him!)

Where to Wednesday (6/15/11)

Tomorrow Mattie and I are headed to Branson with my parents, uncle and my cousin and her family! My parents have a camper so we will be staying in that. We really don't have any plans for our time there but I am sure it will be fun no matter what we do! My family that we are meeting down there is from Joplin and we don't get to see them nearly enough so it will be an extra special weekend. Unfortunately, Matt has to stay home and work so he will really be missed. (If I am lucky I will come home to a basement that has carpet!)

I can't find very many pictures but hopefully I will have more to post after!








Some of the activities include

Mini golf

Tennis Court (Maybe I can cross this off the bucket list)

Shuffleboard

Bocce Ball

Croquet

Basketball

Volleyball

Horseshoes

Paved Walking Trail

Fishing

Frisbee Golf

Playgrounds

2011 Summer Bucket List

Okay I have started a summer bucket list of things I want to do this summer! I have 16 things but really wanted 20. Help me add to my list! Does anyone have any ideas for other things I could add?

1. Go to a Royals game-DONE!
2. Go camping
3. Visit a spray park
4. Go to the zoo
5. Go to the lake
6. Go on a picnic
7. Go to a county fair
8. Go swimming (A LOT!!!)
9. Visit a new park
10. Take a road trip
11. Go to a T-bones game
12. Watch a movie outside
13. Go to a concert
14. Play tennis
15. Visit the Farmer’s Market for fresh fruits and veggies
16. Make our own ice cream

Summer Fun at the Park

Matt played a scrimmage game with my brother's work softball team and we spent most of our time at the park while he was playing. Partly because Mattie wanted to play and partly because if I had to watch Matt throw the ball one more time I might have died! He didn't do too bad hitting the ball though and he had fun!



Practicing for when she is bigger!



She melts my heart!







And a picture of Matt hitting!

Mattie's first Royals game!

On Memorial Day we took Mattie to her first Royals game. She had fun and didn't want to leave. She did great and people around us were telling us how good she was and wanted to make sure we knew how lucky we are! She is a great girl and we are truly blessed!







Getting ready to leave and she is telling us she wants to go back!







Our attempt at taking a self family portrait!

Mattie look at the camera! (I promise her hair isn't always a mess, she took the ponytail out!)



Mattie look up!



Matt open your eyes!



Ok I give up and this will have to do!

Mattilyn's Two Year Check-up

We had Mattie's two year check-up on Monday. She weighed in at a whopping 22 pounds and measured 33.5 inches tall! The doctor was happy with her growth although she wishes she would put on some more weight. She said she will be on whole milk until she is 30 and to feed her all the ice cream she wants! We were sure to inform her that Mattie has no problem putting away the food and I am thankful she has her dad's metabolism! We informed the doctor of Mattie's latest stunt of climbing INTO her crib. She said if she can climb in then she can climb out so it is time to switch over to a toddler bed. I am not looking forward to that but I think we might give it a go this weekend if I don't chicken out! The issue about Mattie's tonsils came up again and how they need to come out. Mattie has very enlarged tonsils which cause her to snore. We have a choking issue at least once a day which we are pretty sure is caused by this and the doctor thinks that taking them out will solve a lot of her congestion issues. The issue we are running into is her weight. Anestesiologists like a child to be at least 25 pounds for surgeries like this since there is a higher risk when they are smaller. My friend Jennie asked if I was torn between fattening her up and getting the tonsils out or keeping her skinny to avoid the surgery. I have to say I am leaning towards keeping her skinny! I know they need to come out and they say the younger the better but I don't want my baby to have surgery even if it is minor. I meet up with friends for lunch at work right where parents say good bye when their kids are having surgery and I have to admit I get teary eyed at times watching the parents say good bye and I have told my friends I can't imagine doing that. I am lucky to have a few friends that have been through that before and can give their words of wisdom. Good thing is she still has to gain 3 pounds before this can happen so we still have probably a year! The doctor wants us to come back in 3 months for a weight check to see if we are any closer but I really don't see her gaining 3 pounds in 3 months. That is unless she was serious about the ice cream! Overall it was a great appointment and I can't believe my baby is 2!!!

Here is a family picture from her birthday. It's awful because we took it ourselves!

Hannah's Track Meet

Last Tuesday we ventured out to my niece's track meet. Mattie was so excited to see Hannah run and of course see her Aunt Kiki (Aunt Ricci) too! Mattie also got in some play time with her cousin Andrew. It was so windy out but we still had a good time! Hannah running! Mattie playing My mom and dad Hannah excited to see us! Hannah and Mattie Andy and Ricci (Hannah's parents, my brother and sister in law)