All Aboard!!! The 1880 Train

Sent Jamis to cloud 9 today. He is so crazy about trains that we couldn't resist taking him on the 1880 Steam engine from Hill City to Keystone and back. All ABOARD!!!!

He was in awe the entire 3 hoursIt was so stinking cute how much fun he had. His little mouth wasn't shut the whole time.

WoW did you hear that whistle?

Dev and Jax all bundled up. It was June but still pretty cold. So glad mom, Jake, and Nate could join us.

Jax loved meeting his uncles.

Pretty scenery all along the way

As usual, Jamis was the center of it all.

We couldn't pry the kid away from the train when it was over. So worth it.

Sylvan Lake 2011

One of our new fav spots now is Sylvan Lake. It is a great little place to let the kids hike around, play in the water, and have a picnic.

Canoeing around

I love taking pics in the same place every year. Its fun to see how we change.

Team Griner 2010

Team Griner 2011

On the way home we drove the Needles Highway. It was really cool tunnels and views of Mount Rushmore. What really made it a memorable drive though was that I forgot Jax's bottle so he was SCREAMING the entire way. Then Jamis got up set and was crying. No big deal, but he has this habit of putting his fingers in his mouth when he cries and unfortunately he has a very sensitive gag reflex and of course he puked all over. Not once, not twice, but five times. I swear a gallon of pureed goldfish was all over the car. We had to pull over and dump his car seat out. Poor Nathan is never going to go anywhere with us again.

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