Hail Storms 2011

 In July (2011) Cheyenne got some of the worst hail storms I have ever seen.  We were outside playing and then it started raining, we all ran inside and seconds later it was hailing.  Then it got louder and louder so we looked out the window and saw golf balls bouncing all over the place.  It was crazy!  The kids got a little scared and thought we were going to have to hide in the laundry room (that's our safe room for when we have tornado warnings). The first storm was about 15 minutes and damaged the cars a little bit.  The second storm last about 30 minutes and totaled Troy's car, caused over 7,000 dollars worth of damage on the Yukon, destroyed our garden and knocked branches off our trees.  I think the only positive thing about these storms was it totally boosted car sales all around Cheyenne and parts of Colorado!

The kids watching very closely to the craziness happening outside.

This was the hail after the first storm. The kids thought it was pretty cool.

The backyard after the second storm.  It looks as if it had snowed but it was just tons of hail.  Sebastien was prepared though....bike helmet, rain boots and shovel to help clean up. 

Manti wanted to join in on the clean up.


Pictures of Troy's car after the second and most damaging storm. 

 Our garden and flowers...what is left anyway! 

 The second storm was so bad, the hail clogged up the drains and the street behind us started flooding.  The base had to hurry and send out the tractors to remove piles and piles of hail to get the water to drain.  

The car on the left had water covering it up to the door handle. 

The sky after the storm had passed over us.  It was really intense.  The picture doesn't do justice to how it really looked.

The size of the hail from the second storm.  

Even after everything, these two were still all smiles.
(Not really daddy, he was just pretending for the picture.)

Manti's 3rd Birthday

I figured I better get this posted before he turns 4!! Here is the birthday boy...last year....

Pretty spoiled right?

Sebastien and doodle bug wanted to get in on the birthday fun.

Momma and the birthday boy! 

                          Don't pay attention to the singing but just watch his face!  He LOVED being sung to. 

For his birthday party we decided to have a carnival party.  We had a photo booth, lucky duck game (try and find the duck with the number 3 on it), bean bag toss, ring toss and one that you had to knock cans off the table.  We had the bubble machine going and a cotton candy machine.  It was such a blast! 

Friends and Family at the photo booth....LOVE IT!!

 

Everyone enjoying some bubble time and cotton candy.  Can't complain, right? 

This cute little guy got a little hot and climbed in the bucket with the ducks! It was so hiliarious.

The crazy Cahoon's at the carnival party.

The birthday boy and his cake.  I made it so it's nothing fantastic but he loved it.

These two are the best of friends.  I love that they are so close it reminds me so much of Paul and I when we were growing up.

Here is the birthday boy, cotton candy face and all.  At the end of the day he was pretty exhausted and this is how I found him sleeping.  I think he had a pretty awesome birthday!!

10 Months

Doodle bug is 10 months!! Time flies with one baby but with the third it seems so hard to keep up with all of the new things she is discovering. Here is what she is up to:

* Got tooth #6 (5 June 2011)

* First time on an airplane and was PERFECT!! 

* First trip to California: Beach & Sea World

* Loves to swing

* First time swimming

* 1st ear infection :(

* Loves the light switch

* Walks along the couch

* Got tooth #7 (20 June 2011)

*  Tries to escape outside as soon as the door opens

*  15 pounds 2 ounces

*  Likes table food

*  Climbs the stairs

 She loves to be outside.  She thinks picking the grass is the best thing ever.

Here is her big, cheesy smile. We just love it!

 Swimming with friends in the backyard.  She loves baths now but was a little confused as to what she was suppose to do in the pool.

 Someone got her to smile...notice all the grass??  That was from her picking it then throwing it into the pool BEFORE getting in!

I love the crazy teeth smile.  She always looks so cute on Sunday's for church. (This is when she would tolerate the headband just long enough for a picture.  I miss those days.)

July 4th

We love the 4th of July. Not only for the significance of it but it's always an excuse to barbecue and hang out with friends.  We love the summers in Cheyenne and being able to be outside so much.  Because I am so far behind in posting, I cannot remember everything we did on the 4th but I am sure it involved baking, barbecue, time with friends and of course fireworks!  I really love the fireworks show here.  Probably because we basically have front row seats on base and we don't have to fight the crazy traffic.  The boys love it too.  Doodle bug was still too young to really care but all in all, everyone enjoyed the day.

The three kiddos were good to pose for a picture.

Doodle bug was feeling pretty special, she got a lot of attention from her brothers.

She is just too cute for words.

The kids were better taking a picture with our good friends then they were taking a picture with us.

Family picture!! I like to take the opportunity any chance I get.

The boys love taking pictures of the fireworks, these actually turned out pretty good.

Aunt Wendi Visits

Aunt Wendi came to visit Easter weekend and we all had so much fun.  We did a lot of fun things but I think one of the funniest things was the boys playing Sword Fighting on the Wii with Aunt Wendi.  She tried hard but was defeated by both boys!  

This is little man's favorite game and he really gets into it.  He was not about to lose.

I love this little smile.  He won the fight and was so proud of himself for beating Aunt Wendi.

She got one win in, but he took the rest and I took a picture to prove it! :)

This is his little Mii character standing proud and Aunt Wendi's is in the background with her head down.  Little man saw that and said, "Aunt Wendi, why are you sad?"

Sebastien was not going to be left out of the competition.  He was very quick to take on Aunt Wendi.  Look at her concentration.....maybe next time sis! :)

The proof that we whooped her!  Keep on practicing Wendi.

She was a good sport through it all.  Even after losing to both boys she had a smile on her face.  We love Aunt Wendi so much and were so glad we got to spend a week with her.  Hopefully she will come back and visit soon.  I know the boys would love to have a Sword Fighting rematch. (hint, hint Wendi)