The rest of our trip to Cali...

Finally, I'm going to give you the rest of our trip to California. We had such a good time. One of Brek's favorite things to do while we were there was to go swimming in Grandma and Grandpa's pool. She was such a fish! It was so nice to just lounge around by the pool all day long. So relaxing! I'm about ready for another trip to Cali!


Brek loved the slide!
Uncle Brandon, Brek, and Brock


Brandon and Brock


Brandon entertaining Brek

While we were there Brock was able to play in a few church softball games. He loved it! Now I get to brag on my husband. He hit it over the fence TWICE in one game! That's my man! :)


Here is Brek at one of the games. Brock doesn't care too much for these "80 shorts," but I love them!

One of our trips while we were there was to Yosemite National Park. It was so beautiful! We had so much fun looking at the "big trees" and beautiful waterfalls and everything else. As I'm typing this I just remembered the trip home from Yosemite which wasn't so great! We've discovered that Brek gets car sick. Poor Brek got sick on the way home and threw up all over me! Other than that, the trip was a success! :)


The view after you drive through a tunnel to enter Yosemite! Gorgeous!


Brandon and Brek at one of the "big trees" that had fallen over.


Grandpa Todd, Brek, Grandma Kim, and Tyce


All of us at the big trees

Here are a few pictures that we were able to get in Todd and Kim's front yard..







We had a blast in California and can't wait to go back!

The Zoo

While we were in California we were able to go to the zoo. Brek loved it! Such a good idea, Kim! We had a really good time, and here are a few pictures from it...


Brek and Grandma Kim


The elephants


"Hey, Brandon. Let me take a picture of you right there. Just a second. Almost ready. Gotta zoom in. Hold still." - Brock
Fortunately for Brandon his evil plan did not work.


Petting the sting rays with Dad and Uncle Brandon


The Group (plus me)


Tyce and Grandpa Todd


The "snake" was getting Grandma


Brek got a little tired by the end of our trip.


My cutie

3 weeks in Cali

We were able to take a long vacation this summer to California to visit Brock's family. Brek is still under 2 so we had to take advantage of our last time to be able to fly for only 2 tickets. Brock's family had not met Tyce yet so it was really neat for the kids to really get to know their Grandma and Grandpa. We did so many fun things and took so many cute pictures that this is going to be a long post. I apologize...

Our first trip was to the lake.


Grandma Kim fell in love with this little guy. And who wouldn't?


Tubing was so much fun! Brek even got on for a little ride.




Ouch! Brock swears he wasn't trying...


Grandma Kim with Tyce


Grandpa Todd, Bonnie, and Brek


Bonnie, Brek, and Kristin


Brock and Brandon

More posts on our trip to come soon...

Tyce's Blessing

On May 23rd, the weekend of Tamra and Aaron's wedding, Tyce was blessed along with his cousin Kyler. It was a special experience especially because so many family members were able to make it.


The Four of Us


Brock and Tyce


Kenney, Kyler, Brock, and Tyce


Shayla, Tyce, Elizabeth, and Kyler


Grandpa and Grandma Hoer were able to be there for the blessing.


My cute baby Tyce


Beautiful Brek never looking at the camera...

Tamra and Aaron's Wedding

My sister Tamra was married in the Lubbock temple on May 21st to Aaron Tossey. She was absolutely beautiful, and I couldn't be happier for her. Here are some pictures from the big day...


She made her own dress. Amazing!


Brek and Papa


Brek was pretty fascinated with Avery.


Nana and Brek


The Payne's


Like Father Like Son
Brock, Tyce, Kenney, and Kyler


The Mommas with Their Boys (Auntie Lizzie)



Tyce's favorite fingers


More proof that my son is Popeye
Savanna and Kaden


Look at all that hair blowing in the wind!


Brek with cousin Tesema

Where have my lizards gone???

So last year around this time I was complaining about a certain lizard problem. Well, I am apologizing now and asking them to return. We are being attacked by ants!!! They are everywhere!!! And we can't seem to get rid of them. As much as those lizards freaked me out, they sure were useful to have around.


This picture is from last year. I saw a lizard and had to get proof. Notice it's teeny tiny size next to the animal cracker. I'll try to clean my house next time I get a lizard picture. :) Oh, and I was also informed that it was actually a gecko. What do you think?

Brock News

Tuesday was Brock's 26th birthday! He is now as old as me for a few months...
We had family/friends over for some cake and ice cream. Brek had lots of fun dipping the candles in the icing, licking the icing off, then dipping the candles back in the icing. Yummy. We apologize for the spread of Brek's germs amongst the partiers.


Pretty big 8 year old, huh?


The start of bad family pictures for the Payne's. We took a few, and of course none of them turned out good of everyone. So here are a couple not so good ones of everyone. :)




This is a funny one of Tyce...


Love this one. I took Brek outside for a few minutes, and when I came back in they were both asleep.

So the big news is that Brock is officially Coach Payne now! Well, I guess he has already been Coach Payne. He's just officially getting paid now...starting next year. He will be coaching the offensive line in football, the boys' freshman basketball team, and will be the assistant coach for powerlifting.