Patoka 2011

As of tomorrow September is over and fall is almost here. But, that doesn't mean we stopped having fun! Rain or shine our family, including our extended family, continues to have a great time! Last weekend was the Payne Family Annual Patoka Camp-out! We really roughed it in the cabins, but our spirits were high even when the rain fell down. It rained most of the time we were there, but we packed the fun in when it wasn't raining, and we found ways to keep having fun when it was coming down. September was tons of fun....we can't wait for October!

Wyatt discovered "laundry rides"!

Patoka is not complete without the barrel train! Gwen and the other girls even learned how to hitch a ride :-)

Gwen and Alayna were having a blast on the train (even though Alayna's face isn't showing it here)

Gwen was loving the train so much that Poppy bought her and Wyatt their very own car during the family auction! We can't wait to use it!

What family reunion is complete without a Fancy Nancy party? Gwen and the other little cousins loved their girl time together...the boys even had their time talking football inside :-)

"More tea, please"

Wyatt may have been the only boy at the tea party, but he loved it!

What is the best thing to do when you have 11 kiddos together?

A PINATA!!!!!!

(Gwen has already decided she is having one at her birthday party)

After naps it was time to dress up again! This time to trick-or-treat in our Halloween costumes! Gwen decided that this year she wanted to be Little-Bo-Peep and Wyatt could be her little lost sheep.

We found Bo-Peep and her sheep!

Such a cute little sheep!

My happy little guy!

Gwen really wanted the pinata to break....it just had other plans. It took an intermission due to rain and some adult interventions to get this pinata to spill its candy!

Gwen loves to swing!

We had a great time getting to see all the family and playing together! We loved getting the chance to see our Auntie A "who lives too far away" according to a particular 3 year old. Gwen had slumber parties with Whitney and Ashley while at the camp-out and loved it! She even read Auntie A. a princess story before bed without being asked (it was using the Bible, but still super cute!). We can't wait to get together again!

Notable Quotes:

G: "Denver and I are getting married at the zoo and we are going to ride an elephant. Daddy is going to walk me across the island so I don't trip."

G:"Where does Gram live?"

M:"In Tennyson"

G:"But what about Huntingburg?"

M:"That's North of here. Gram doesn't live North of us"

G:"Oh, so that is where Santa lives! He lives North"

G:"Mommy, why do they put poop on the ground?"

M:"To help the corn grow."

G:"Is it pig poop. Bill has a lot of pig poop. Is it turkey poop?"

M:"It can be from pigs or turkeys"

G:"Pooka has a lot of poop. They should use dog poop. I have a lot of poop. They can use my poop too."

M:"Okay, Gwen. That's enough."

G:"No more poop talk?"

M:"Yep, no more."

G:"Mommy, guess what? I am 10 today!!!!"

M:"You are?"

G:"Yes, I am. Let's go get my ears pierced!"

M:"Sorry, Gwen. You are 3, not 10. You will have to wait."

G:"Okay. Mommy, guess what? I'm 25! I can have a boyfriend!!!!! Denver and I are getting married at the zoo....."

G:"We should watch Shaun the Sheep, Dad. We can laugh together because my laugh is cute!"

Gwen's First Day of School and Wyatt is 6 months old!

Yes, you read that right! Gwen started preschool Wednesday Sept. 7th and Wyatt turned 6 months old on the 9th. Gwen was so excited to get to go to school, especially with her best friend Gracie at her side. She loved every minute of it and can't wait to go this week!

Is there any more fun to share? Of course!!!!!!!!!!!

So sweet, just hanging out watching some toons!

Wyatt is 6 months old!!!!!!!!

My 3 year and 6 month old and 6 month old!!!!!!

"Pizza for your wallet!!!!!"

(A running joke in the Casey household is that of "I like pizza!" and "I have pizza in my wallet", 2 great quotes from Multiplicity (a movie from the 90's). Long story short, Gwen figured out how I could have pizza in my wallet without making a mess....a picture of her with pizza in my wallet!!!!!!! Gwen, I love how you think!)

Gwen is very proud that Joey has taught her how to properly throw a football

Check out these bike skills!

Bubba and Gammy visit for Labor Day!

Bubba and Gammy paid us a wonderful visit for Labor Day. We had tons of fun...

Wyatt is getting so big, Gammy couldn't believe it!

Chewing on everything including ducks!

Gwen finally got her wish to have Bubba and Gammy come to Holiday World with her again!

Go Bubba and Gwen!

Wyatt loves the water just like you Gammy!

Splish Splash!

Again...Wyatt is happy to chew on anything!

Chefs Gwen and Gammy were at it again...this time making Zebra Cookies :-) Yum!

Bubba's little Dude!

What a happy bunch!

"Giddy up, Bubs!"

Gwen is all about the Holidog Howler roller coaster...Bubba rode with her this time!

More August I just need to share...a little late

Gwen and Wyatt both had sleepless nights a couple weeks back due to ear infections. After the first doses of meds my babies slept again :-)!!!!!!!!!
For our 5 year wedding anniversary, Brad and I treated ourselves to a weekend in Grand Rivers, KY and went to Patty's (a restaurant I remember being awesome from going 15 years ago!) And....it was still awesome!

Patty's is known for their amazing pork chops--they are 2 inches thick! Brad didn't believe me until he actually saw it!

We didn't have room for it after dinner, but the next morning a lemon meringue pie (with 6 inches of meringue) is great for breakfast!

We came home to have some fun with the Tempel's for Danny's birthday party...

Gwen and Gracie loved playing at the beach on the lake

Wyatt was watching very hard and tried to figure out how he could play too

Best buddies!

"Hi Gwen. What are you doing?"

With another ear infection in Gwen's ear canal, we had to try another treatment--violet drops. They will stain anything and are still dark purple 2 weeks later. She was a trooper when we put them in!

A new fashion statement

A "tattoo" for being so brave

My other goof ball!