The Kugler Family Adventures: Happy Birthday, America!

Fun, Friends, and the 4th of July...Brian and I had bits and pieces of last week off, (I had pretty much all of last week off), to spend with the kids and friends. I'll have to say heading back into the office is welcome, as I have lots to catch up on, and my skin could stand a break from the sizzling sunshine and boiling lake water, but waking up early is going to be hard on us all.

The Saturday before the 4th, we went to a couple parties...our friends, Becki and Dianne, were turning (gulp) 30!! so we stopped by to wish them a happy birthday, but we had the kids with us, and we didn't want to put a damper on anyone's "adult" fun. We then we went to our dear friend's house for their 4th of July celebration...Stonie and Chris have us over every year, and the men shoot off fireworks. This isn't just a couple bottle rockets. This was a show of over $2000 worth of fun stuff. The guys are so proud of it (and everyone managed to walk away unscathed!) Payton wasn't sure what to think of the fireworks, at first. She sat inside watching TV until Daddy talked her into watching the sparkly pops. She asked him to cover her ears, but after that, she was cheering for more (and now she loves them...again).

Birthday girl, Becki, in the middle

Christopher and Brian doing what they do best!

Chris and Stonie Kennington (and of course, my hubby!)

Stonie, Carter, and Chris...last 4th of July as a family of 3. Congrats on little Juliet, making her grand debut in November! We couldn't be happier for them :)

One of our only shots of us with just Griffin

Sunday the kids went to a 2 year old "splash birthday party"Kennedy. Like all other days, it was HOT! The kids had fun playing in the water. Griffin didn't move out of the baby pool.

Monday evening we had a wonderful time hanging outside with our friends in the neighborhood, and watched a gorgeous sunset. Tuesday morning, after I squeezed a short, hot run in, Payton and I had a Mommy/Daughter day, and met some friends at Boomerang Bay, Carowind's waterpark. Boy, has that place changed since I was in high school! The kids had a blast, and Payton's favorite thing was going down the water slide with mommy. Griffin and Daddy "roughed it" indoors, but we all made it to the pool later that day, then went on an evening boat cruise over to our friend, Adrianne's lake house...we watched fireworks and the girls went night swimming in the lake...they thought that was the coolest thing ever! The kid's schedules are TOTALLY screwed up now. Going to bed after 10 some nights, and getting to sleep in. Next Monday morning is going to be rough!!

Cali Morgan (3) and Payton (2)

The slide in the back she went down once, by herself, but didn't love it. The waterslide we went down together was like a miniature one you'd go on at the beach, on a double tube. I even liked it!

Britt and Madi

Part of the gang

Some of our best friends, the Collins family...look at that sky!

Our kids were in bed, so we borrowed some other cute ones ;) Thanks Cali and Madi!

I can only imagine what they'll be like as teenagers!

Madi has been watching her parent's kiss, lol!

That little boy's smile is SO contagious!! Notice the curls on the right side...his hair is getting longer, and we think it will be curly, like his Daddy's!

Watching a little firework show...and yes, her thumb-sucking habit has become MUCH worse. HELP!!

Our hostess, Adrianne, with her sweet boyfriend, Johnnie

Wednesday, Independence Day, we went on the lake with some friends...one of my dear friends who I haven't seen in years, Diana, and her husband Tobias. Diana is due in August with a little boy, so they were full of questions for us, and we, of course, were happy to share our experiences. We met up with many friends for some pool fun and a big cookout at the Collin's house, then down to the lake for the fireworks show. Everyone enjoyed the long show!

Camryn (almost 9 months) and Griffin (almost 11 months)

Raegan and Payton, same age, way different sizes!

Do you think these ruffles make my bottom look big? (Thanks, Marnie!)

Notice Payton swimming towards me...her first, and only, time in those swimmie thingies. They did give me a break, for a minute, but then she wanted them back off and she was swimming away on her own...

Dress up with Camryn's paci in her mouth. Very silly.

Here is a link to a video of Griffin riding Madi's horse, "Dudley:" https://www.dropbox.com/s/arwlrge8lldzi6t/VIDEO0070.mp4

Mmmmmm.

Old friends reunited. Me and Diana...she's due in August with little "Roman"

Will, Payton, Madi, Raegan, Cali, and Camryn (Griffin was already asleep for the night...party pooper!)

Walking to the docks to watch the fireworks!

Who's ready for the fireworks?

We also paid the local Japanese restaurant a visit...I was totally craving sushi, but aren't I always? So we grabbed the kids and headed over. They didn't much like the fire-show, but they both loved their chopsticks. Payton was able to use hers to pick things up a little, and Griffin used his a drumsticks and teethers. I got my sushi-fix...for the moment.

This past weekend, my sweet life-long friend, Amy Tisdale and her kids were in town and stopped by to go wakeboarding. Caroline wouldn't try it again, but we managed to get Amy up, and she did quite well! Whitt got up immediately, then tried to start jumping. Amy is going to have her hands full with that little man! Payton was jumping in off the back of the boat with the big kids, and loving it. Griffin wanted too SO BADLY. I would let him pretend to jump, over, and over again, and he loved it. Later that day, one of Brian's besties and his girlfriend came over for pool-time, dinner, and an evening boat cruise.

We were anchoring the boat and Payton got further and further from us. She was swimming hard, but she was fighting the current. Caroline went and "rescued" her.

Amy's first time on a wakeboard...and she rocked it!

Benji (Whitt's friend from Augusta), Caroline, Whitt, and Amy

My little supa-star!

Audrey & Jace

Another gorgeous evening on Lake Wylie!

Sunday morning, Payton and I had some more Mommy/Daughter time. My best friend Gary, who might as well be my brother, had baby #2 on Friday night (well, his wife, Marie did). Claire James Guthrie, 8 pounds, 2 ounces at a week and a half early! So Payton and I went to meet her. She's a cutie!

Payton showing Uncle Gary a picture of Claire

Payton loved showing off her swimming to everyone. She won't stay on the stairs anymore, and will just jump in when you don't expect it (don't worry, I ALWAYS expect it). She's getting so much faster and stronger swimming. Griffin is even moving his arms and legs when I let him go under the water. He loves it.

Speaking of Griffin, he's ELEVEN months today! I remember, like it was yesterday, Payton turning 11 months. I had her out on the boat taking pictures of her for her first birthday invitations. And here we are...once again planning a first birthday party. Almost one? Well, here's some things he's doing, at this point:

-blowing bubbles in the water
-holding, and eating from, a fork (eats everything we eat, with the exception of really hard foods such as apples or chips). LOVES chicken and steak and shrimp and turkey. He's a meat eater for sure!
-still drinking from a bottle half the time (I don't like this one!)
-will sleep until 10:30am on weekends (or all of last week...we were all spoiled!)
-cruising from furniture to furniture, but not standing on his own. If he lets go, he sits immediately. If you hold his fingers, he's practically running.
-loves to climb the stairs, and loves it when we chase him up them. He also likes to get into the dog's water bowl. I don't like this one either...but he certainly thinks it's funny! When he's almost there, he sits down, turns around, and smiles at me, waiting for the "no-no!"
-loves to dance and play with Payton.
-climbs over the dogs, over and over...back and forth.