Guymon Gang

This past Friday was the ward campout and I decided that camping with a six month old didn't sound fun (actually, nursing in the middle of the night in a tent didn't sound like a great time) so I sent Russ and Cole, while Garrett and I stayed home. Garrett had a horrible day of sleeping (I seriously think he has insomnia) so I was a little frazzled by the time I got all of the camping gear together for Russ and Cole. I was thrilled at the idea of having a quiet night to myself after such a crazy day. But, as we started loading the car, I realized this was Cole's first camping experience and I was going to miss it. As they drove off I got a little teary-eyed. The only time I have slept apart from Cole was when Garrett was born.

Russ and Cole had tons of fun. They went fishing (Cole had a stick and pretended to fish in the lake), roasted marshmallows, slept in the tent, and had pancakes for breakfast. It was a "guys" domain. But, when it was time for bed Cole said to Russ, "I want mommy to come in the tent with me. I am done with my pajammies." Yes - Cole missed me! Even though he loves being with his dad, he still needs his mom!!

Cole helping put up the tent

Cole and Russ at sunset by the lake

Cole in his jammies ready to camp



After they left, Garrett and I played a bit and while he was rolling on the floor I noticed that he was sucking on his toes. So, I got the camera because I tought it was so cute. It was cute for a while, but now I think it is quite gross! Once Garrett was in bed (I put him in a pair of Cole's jammies from when he was that age -- sorry, Gar - I'm sure you will need therapy some day, but I was missing your big brother!) I walked into Cole's room and had to tidy it up and think about him. Funny how I couldn't wait for them to go, but once I was alone, all I could think about was Cole and Russ. I had plans to scrapbook, clean or do something productive, but I just ended up falling asleep on the couch at 9:00 PM and getting nothing done. How ironic!

How can he bend like that?

Yummy toes -- or yucky if you ask me!

I can't believe that a half a year has already gone by since Garrett joined our family. He is so much fun! He is babbling, rolling from side to side and occasionally rolling over, eating solid foods (rice cereal and pears are all we've tried), laughing and giggling (especially when Cole plays with him) and loves playing with his toys (he really just sticks them in his mouth, but he sure enjoys it!). We are so happy he is part of our family!

Here are a few pictures I took of Garrett in the back yard. Someday I hope to learn more about photography and how to take really great pictures, but these will have to do for now. Enjoy!!

We have had fun in the water this month and here are a few pictures of the events. Russ' orthodontic department had a BBQ at the lake where his director has a cottage. There was a clown (that Cole was mesmerized with) that did tricks, face painting, and balloon animals. After the clown left Cole and Russ changed into their swimming suits and headed for the lake. Cole jumped off the dock a bunch of times and once he was in the water he kept exclaiming, "I am swimming!" We couldn't get him out of the water - he was in the lake for an hour and a half. When we finally dragged him out his lips were blue and his whole body was a prune. He had so much fun. Garrett and I had fun watching and I was grateful I didn't have to get in the cold water!!

Cole jumping into the lake for the millionth time

Cole and Russ - cute boys!


This was the fist time we turned on the sprinkler in our own yard and it was one of the hottest days of the year. Cole got a kick out of it! Even Garrett and I ran through a few times to keep cool.


Here we are at the local pool. It was Garrett's first "official" time in the pool in his swimming gear and floatie. He loved the water - his legs were kicking like crazy! Cole is a fish and couldn't get enough of the water and loved having his dad there to swim with him. It was a fun day at the pool!

Today we took Cole to an asthma and allergy specialist and found out great news -- Cole doesn't have allergies! They did a test of different allergens and they all were negative. They had to inject the allergens under his skin, so he was pricked eleven times, similar to a little shot. He was crying while they did it, but I was crying too! It was only a few minutes of pain for great news. Yay! The doctor also gave us an asthma inhaler that we can use anywhere, so we don't have to be tied to the nebulizer. The clinic was fantastic -- they were blowing bubbles and entertaining Cole in the exam room and even brought in a tub of Thomas Trains and tracks for him to play with while we waited for the doctor. The doctor sat with me and explained the ins and outs of asthma and sent me home with information to read. It is the first time that I feel I have been informed and educated about Cole's asthma. It was a fantastic experience!!

Cole showing off his "battle wounds" from the injections

I love this picture of Garrett we took last night and thought it was too cute not to post, even thought it has nothing to to with allergies!

We went to the state fair this past weekend with our friends, the Gurgels, and had a fantastic time! It was unlike anything I have ever seen - there were over 100,000 people there the day we went. We saw the usual pigs, sheep, cows, chickens, and horses, which Cole was ecstatic to see, but we also saw some crazy things -- a 1229 pound boar (male pig), a 3000 pound bull, a full size cow sculpted out of butter along with a butter sculpture of Shawn Johnson (a US gymnast that is at the Olympics right now), fried snickers and twinkies (doesn't that just sound like a heart attack!?!), foot long corndogs on a stick and whole turkey legs, a dog being spayed (yes, the actual operation was being performed), and a whole range of interesting people (I love to "people watch"). We also watched baby chicks hatching, were able to pet piglets, saw a calf that was only a few hours old and baby ostriches. It was a fun filled day!

Cole wasn't afraid of petting any of the animals -- I think this sheep was about to eat his hand, but he didn't seem to mind. We had to really watch where he was sticking his hands. We found him digging through pig feed in one pen and trying to pet any animal within reach.

Garrett -- what a cutie! He was such a trooper -- he was hot and sweaty and really couldn't care less about the fair, but he was so happy and smiley the whole time. He is such a great baby!!

Here is Cole putting the moves on our neighbor, Anna. Cole has a little crush on her, even though she is almost twice his age. He sometimes sings "Anna's World" to the Elmo's World tune, which I think is darling. She doesn't have the same feelings since Cole is so young, but they at least enjoy playing together.

Learning to milk a cow - or plastic cow - but a fun experience!

Here are all of the kids all tuckered out -- Kennedy, Anna, Garrett, Cole after a long, hot day at the fair.