Bunch of Paynes

First day of Reception, September 2012:

At 16 months old, Bridgette is just as cute as ever.  And starting to assert her opinion!  She's still not interested in trying to use words, but grunts with the best of them to communicate what she does or does not want.  She loves her siblings and will get in their face to wave when first seeing them in the morning until they acknowledge her.  I call her my monkey - she likes to move and is into everything.  She easily captivates those around her with a smile and her sparkling eyes.  Last week at the airport, she had a row of people making eyes with her instead of looking for their arrival!  I love to hear her laugh in the car because of something funny Rooke or Gretchen has done.  She likes moving to music.  She likes green beans out of a can.  She likes trying to jump.  She does not like sleeping in the car or stroller.  She does not like being told "no".  And she does not like letting go of the baby stroller to come inside from playing.  She's our fun little monkey and we love her!

Gretchen got the royal treatment earlier this month with a Kaye K sleepover!  Big Daddy was out of town, so it was a girl's night deluxe.  I couldn't believe all they packed in together in just 24 hours!  Shopping, an indoor playspace, eating out, a playdate with a proper tea party (pinkies up!), seeing a movie, paint nails, baking cookies, reading, sharing a room, treats . . . Thank you, Kaye K, for treating our pretty Gretchen to her first special sleepover.

Rooke's school had their sports day last week.  I love any opportunity to see my boy during school hours doing his thing!  We cheered him on from the sidelines (but I got a few eye-rolls when I shouted his name too loud, so I kept it to clapping!).  When did he get so big?!  He took things pretty seriously, focusing on the rules of each game and said his favorite was the bean-bag toss because he threw every bean bag right into the net.  I pulled a Mom fail and didn't bring my camera.  Thanks, again, Steve and Jean, for capturing these moments with your camera.

Ryan and I met Jean and Steve while living in China.  We worked together in our ministry efforts and laughed together in cross-cultural living.  Flash-forward six years, add four kids, reunite in a different country, and it's a party!  We thoroughly enjoyed the Swisher's week-long visit.  Jacob and Bridgette are just two months apart and were especially great buddies!  Steve and Jean are way better at bringing out the camera to take photos, so almost all of the pictures in this post are from their camera.  Thanks for sharing your week of vacation with us, Swishers, and for capturing these fun memories!

The trampoline is great with added friends!

The weather was amazing all week so we enjoyed many of our meals outside.

Happy Fourth!  We spent the early afternoon at a park with a picnic where we sang the Star-Spangled Banner while sitting on a blanket with a map of Great Britain on it!  Oh, the irony.  Later, we headed home for hot dogs and s'mores in the backyard.  

Hugs!

Thank you for the visit, Swishers.  We were blessed by our time spent with you!