Rapid 2011

Our yearly Rapid trip is becoming quite the little tradition. This year was extra special though because Tiffany officially became a Trotter!!!! We had a great time visiting with everyone, playing, do the wedding thing, and trying to keep our sanity while having 13 people living in less than 900 sq ft. Oh, how did the pioneers to it????

It was a great kick off to our wild and crazy month of June, so here's the recap.

The four of us flew out the week before the wedding. Jamis had a little accident on the first leg of the trip and of course the only thing I didn't pack was a change of clothes for him. Luckily though Devan had a pair of running shorts in his carry on. It looks like he joined a weird religious group or something. Poor kid.

Mom and Dad are currently building "The House" It was schedualed to be done for the wedding, but of course is FAR from it. It is absolutely beautiful though. I can't wait for our trip next year when we can actually stay in it.

View from the back deck

Kaylyn is modeling the view from the living room looking out the front door.

Living roomStanding in the kitchen looking at the living room

The kids were in heaven with all the indoor "playground" This is the kitchen and breakfast nook.

It was so cute to see the kids play together. I use that term pretty loosly though. Kaylyn spent her time showing she was boss. Well Jamis then turned his frustration about that onto Morgan. No matter what Morgan touched or looked at we would hear, "NO Morgan!!!" Poor girl couldn't do anything. Well then she would turn around and attack Jaxon. Poor Jaxon probably wished he could kick the dog.

Jaxon was very thankful that we were able to borrow a swing. The kid is addicted.

Since there is only a shower in the apartment, the kids took baths in the sink. At first it was a struggle to get Jamis to get in. He kept saying that it was a baby bathtub and he was a big boy. It didn't take long though before it became the favorite swimming pool for all.

Grandpa framed the slide in so the kids could play. It was one of the highlights for Jamis. I think he started already wearing a whole in the steps running around so much.

Isn't this a cool tree!

The Turkey were out in full force

Cute little baby turkey

Uncle Nathan was the favorite

Proof they actually got along

What a cute swing. Devan and Nathan took the spare wood from the house and designed and built it for the kids.

So proud of their accomplishment

Jamis LOVED the fourwheelers. This kid is an addrenaline junkie already.Victoria Lake

It looks like we have the same smile here.

Seriously does the view get any better?

Jamis and Datson were fast friends.

Mom and I were able to get away and go on a 4 wheeler ride together. We found this really fun loop by Victoria Lake. It was my highlight.

And the BEST part of Grandma's house is....

Peeing outside anytime you want!

Oh, and you won't believe how the trip ended.  The last night I was there I jumped on the back of the Harley with Jake, Tiff was with Brett, and Rachael drove and we headed to Hill City for dinner.  When we got there, there were cops and ambulances everywhere.  Turns out that at the nightly Cowboy shoot out, some idiot "accidentally" put real bullets in his gun instead of blanks.  Three tourists had gotten shot.  Thankfully they were all extremity wounds and not life threatening, but seriously.  Pretty crazy.  Little Hill City made national news and I was right there.

June

Jaxon has gotten SO big lately. He was 18lbs at his 4 months check up and has to be 20+ lbs now. Its amazing how big he is considering how much he spits up. He is what they call a "happy barfer" so the docs don't think we need to do anything.

A happy barfer indeed

Every time I take a picture of Jax, Jamis jumps in front of the camera and says, "take a picture of me mom."

What an angel boy

Memorial weekend Campout

A long weekend off is a rare occurrence so we snagged the opportunity and headed down to Myrtle Beach for a family camping trip with the Arne's.

We may be camping on a gorgeous beach, but Jamis preferred to play in the dirt around our tent.

We stayed at Lake Resort Campground, which was more like a "bring your own bed" luxury resort. We had clean bathrooms (with hot showers), 2 pools, 2 watersides (one was 4 stories high), canoes and paddle boats, pizza delivery, putt putt golf, playgrounds, wifi, phone hook ups, and bike rentals. It was a far cry from our camping days prekids. We kept it real though and were the only ones in an actual tent. While we spent the evening by the campfire, our neighbors were in their air conditioned mobile watching cable TV. Can't stray from our roots too far (or maybe its because I know once I have a taste of RV camping, I'll never look back).

No pictures please
OK, fine. Cheese.

A little snuggle time with mom. This kid is SOOO skinny that he can only last so long in the pool before he runs to you saying "I freezing" Keep in mind it is in the 90's here.

So serious

Warm me up momma

Early AM breakfast for the wee one. See what I mean. The ONLY tent

Getting this kid to settle down enough to go to sleep at night , let alone a nap, was a job worthy of a medal. He didn't want to miss out on anything. He finally would crash and burn though.

We had a great Memorial Day weekend and we were so glad the Arne's were able to join us. Gearing up for move makes weekends like this all the sweeter.

"look at me mom. I got my self all ready to go"

Oh, my boys, my boys

After sunday naps today we went for a walk and as we were going I looked down and Jamis and thought "what the heck is wrong with your pants." Well in the craziness it is to get the boys outside, Devan put Jax's pants (size 6 months) on Jamis without realizing it. The sad thing is that besides the length the pants fit him better than his own pants did.

love the shoes on the wrong feet. He has started the phase of "I do it Mommy"

Oh, my boys. My boys.

Ward Goodbye Party

Our move is getting closer and closer. To send us off in style our Ward family had a beach get-to-gether at the beach to say goodbye to us and Chad & Natile Burton (Internal Medicine residents who are also graduating).

Jax says goodbye to Megan Morrill who is 9 days older than him.

We are going to miss the beach and our Wilmington Family. Thanks for the great send off.

Fixin' the Car

Jamis is all about his Daddy. Anything Devan does, Jamis is right there wanting to be apart of it.

A job isn't done until you have the dirt to prove it.