Crazy fun

Last week we decided to take advantage of Ben's time off and go check out the "rugged" side of New York (scenic is probably the better term, especially for you westerners), so we went camping. The night before we left, I started thinking "who goes camping with 2 babies?" and I subsequently asked Ben "are we CRAZY?". Conclusion: Yes, a little.

We started by spending 2 days at the finger lakes. We camped at Taughannock Falls on Cayuga Lake. Dayton now calls himself a "hiker" and had fun trying to catch frogs. It was beautful.

We spent an afternoon at Trenemen State park, which is a fun place to swim by the waterfall, climb rocks, AND they have a diving board (which Ben liked)

Another favorite: Watkins Glen. This place was beautiful with waterfalls carving out deep caverns.

We also spent a lot of time swimming. Dayton is so proud that he can now go "under water" and Levi doesn't even squirm when we put him in, just kicks and giggles (he's got some extra-insulation).

We left the finger lakes and headed to the Adirondacks for 3 days. Our camera battery died, so we only got a few pics, but it was beautiful. Our campsite was up in the trees away from everything (which was especially nice during the occasional sleep-deprived tantrum). We camped at Lake George and went to four or five different lakes. Here is Lake Luzerene.

The Happy Campers

We are so lucky to had have two new cousins join our family this month and although we haven't yet met them in person, we're pretty proud. So, here are some pics to show them off:

Mayla Beth King

July 9th

Bradley Jamon Jensen

July 24th

Cousins, cousins, cousins! Shari, you're next!

As usual, I'm a bit behind in the blogging, but I've come to terms with the fact that I am not an avid blogger. So, I hope you enjoy these LONG and infrequent posts, in which I do my best to show off my two adorable boys:)

Levi is now 4 months old and is an angel. Three things strangers say about Levi:

"He's a BIG boy for 4 months"

"Where'd you a blondie with blue eyes?"

"Does he EVER cry?"

Here we are at our pretty-much-annual rodeo to celebrate the day-before-the-4th! They (Ben included) make pretty cute cowboys!

4th of July!

Our friends let Dayton borrow this red sweatshirt. It happened to be a UTAH sweatshirt, so don't worry, Ben turned it inside out.

Dayton's new scooter. He's not real interested in bikes, but the scooter, well, who doesn't love a scooter.

Brothers- Dayton likes to play with Levi more and more everyday. And Levi just watches Dayton, waiting for a sideways glance so he can smile at his big brother.

My parents came out for a week. We loved having them here. We went to the Hill Cumorah Pageant, a Bison's baseball game, and of course, the Anchor bar for some wings. We were sad to see them go and hope to see them soon!

I think we wore grandpa out!

Farmington, NM

We spent this past weekend interviewing for a job in Farmington, NM. We were able to go out as a family. It seems like a great community and we really liked all Farmington and the surrounding areas had to offer. As always, we'll see what happens.

Durango, CO

While visiting Farmington, we took a 40 minute drive north to Durango, CO. We loved it. We hiked around, ate lunch at a little french bakery, and fed the fish at the fish hatchery. Check out these mountains! Being there reminded us how much we missed the mountains.

Time is going by fast, especially our time left in Buffalo. We hope to enjoy as much as it as we can before we move.

Surprise!

We just got home from a crazy and amazing weekend in Utah. With help from some dear friends, we were able to book a last minute flight to Utah to see Ben's parents before they leave for their LDS mission in Santiago, Chile.
Although well worth it, our trip started out quite rocky. Our flight was delayed due to weather and we ended up stuck in the Minneapolis airport. Thanks to a kind security guard, we scrounged up some delta blankets and "lost baggage" kits. Needless to say, we were up all night (this shot is at 1 am and notice the bright lights? I'm pretending to be asleep for effect)

We finally arrived Thursday morning. We wrapped Levi's carseat in wrapping paper, ran the doorbell and got out the video camera. We told Dayton that if Gammie cried, that was ok. She did. They were so excited and so were we. We made it for the setting apart with Elder L. Tom Perry and Walter Ganzolez at the Church Administration Building. It was an amazing and special experience.
Added bonus: we got to see this guy! Elder Scottie King! The King's received permission to pick him up from the MTC for the setting apart and since we didn't get to wish him luck, we were so excited! He brought his extra tag for Dayton and Levi to wear.

We packed in as much as we could in 4 1/2 days. On Friday we went camping.

Dayton was treated like a prince by his cousins Amelia and Julia Oberg. They brought him food, entertained him, even carried him. The little guy's never had it so good!

Does it get anymore beautiful than this (besides in real life)?

Then there was the zip line. When we asked Dayton if he wanted to go on it he said "Yay! Zip line!" So, my barely-2 year old was hoisted up on a platform and sent a-flying (harnessed by Ben). He loved it and did it again.

Then there was the pool. I guess Dayton found his daring side this weekend. He jumped off the side, the diving board and went down the slide OVER and OVER. He laughed when he got his face wet. First thing he said Sunday was, "lets go swimming mom".

Here's little Miss Ellie, soon to be a Chillean local. We will miss Aunt Ellie.

We also decided to bless our sweet Levi on Sunday. Levi wore Ben's blessing outfit and was blessed prior to the King's speaking.It was a beautiful blessing and we love our little Levi Wallace King!

We spent most of the trip with Ben's side of the family since we may not see them for a while, but Dayton did go fishing with "Grandpa Clingo" (which he was still telling me about this morning) and we got the chance to spend time with "Gramma Clingo", Ashley, Brooke, Rachelle, Trevor, and Luke. It was fun seeing them and we're excited for Gramma and Grandpa Clingo to come to Buffalo!

Finally, we got to see 2 of our 3 pregnant sisters! Good luck Jessica, then Alisha (the missing one), then Shari! Cousins, cousins, cousins!

What a wonderful weekend. We're so lucky to have such a great family and to be so blessed. We love you and will miss you Papa, Gammie, and Ellie!

Getting a job in Myrtle Beach . . .

So as to not shock anyone, we are not moving to Myrtle Beach. However, when Dayton went to the Doctor this week, his pediatrician asked us if we knew where we were moving. Before I had the chance, Dayton quickly responded, "We're gonna get a job in Myrrrrr-tle Beach". You never know . . .

So, as it goes without saying, Dayton LOVED our little excursion (as did the rest of us!). We just can't stay away from the beach for too long. The drive down was long (about 14 hours), but we split it into 2 days and the boys were awesome (with the help of DVDs and Twizzlers)! Dayton loved "jumping the BIG PAPA waves", building sandcastles, and swimming in the "pirate boat". Levi was a champ and loved lying on a towel under the umbrella, or, as most 2-months do, sleeping!

_


Below: Family picture by the fake red rock- a reminder of home

Levi's Myrtle Beach Mother's Day Shirt

This trip gave Ben, who has been soooo busy, the chance to hang out with Levi. I think they bonded.

As Dayton put it, "climbing the tallest tower"

The hotel we stayed at had free bowling, which we didn't think we'd use until it got cold and windy one day. Dayton enjoyed kicking and pushing his ball down the lane, and as for me, I haven't bowled FOREVER, but on the second round I met my goals: break 100 and beat Ben!

Levi was all smiles in the bowling ally- I think he liked the lights

Thank goodness for the double-jogger! When the boys got tired, we put them in this and went on walks. It was great in the sand!

Here's the new boardwalk, which just opened

In the mornings, we saw lots of washed up jelly fish. They are a lot prettier in an aquariam!

And finally, we went to the Pelicans triple A baseball game. Dayton fell in love. It was kids' night and he got a hot dog, chocolate milk, and chips- all of which he still talks about. He also got right into the heckling with some of the nearby fans and would yell whatever they yelled.


AND NOW . . . Look who's 2!!!

I can't below our little baby is a big 2-year-old. We love Dayton! He's always teasing, talking, and smiling. He loves to play any sport and has recently become quite the singer. His favorite song right now is "Sing, sing, sing. Dayton loves to sing . . ." and then he changes it to versions such as "golf, golf, golf", "fish, fish, fish". He is adorable, is a great big brother, and we are lucky to have him in our home!

As you know, Dayton is a sports FANATIC- if you can call a 2-year-old that. For his birthday he got his very own glove which he has brought with him everywhere since. We forgot the camera, but we also took him to the Bison's baseball game. He made friends with all our neighbors, had the mascot sign his glove, and cheered on Buffalo.

Dayton and Annie share the same birthday, so for the second year in a row, they blew out their candles together.

Happy birthday Dayton!