Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Thanksgiving Weekend!

Happy Thanksgiving...only 2 weeks later!
Thanksgiving was a great time to be with family. We were a very small group this year and it was exceptionally hard to not be with Brandon this year. We knew that this was a possibility when he took over basketball that Holidays were going to be a little bit tougher and that he might not be able to be at all, but it is easier to talk about them until they really get here and you have to go through it without him.
Michael and Elsa were also gone this year and Jon and Lily stayed at Grandma and Grandpa's house the whole week. It was great to watch Peyton get to spend so much time with her cousins. I think that they all had a blast and had lots of fun together. Lily was so sweet and loved to comb Peyton's hair. I was shocked to watch Peyton just stand there and let Lily do this, and lots of times Peyton would come and stand in front of her so she would start combing her hair. It was fun to watch.

It was early...Peyton and Lily are watching Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade together.
Stacy and Elsa found these cute outfits for the girls to wear on Thanksgiving. It is hard to find matching outfits that all of them can wear. They looked very cute!
I love this picture because Peyton is totally giving us the biggest smile.
We had to get one with "The Boy"poor or lucky Jon the only boy in the family
Peyton and Audrey showing us their dance moves
The girls played pretty well together. Learning to share was a big lesson that Peyton was not wanting to learn with Audrey.
Friday we took the kids to Crown Center to see Santa Claus. It was a little nuts down there on Black Friday but was still a good time.
Peyton, Jon and Lily checking out the large Ginger Bread House display
They loved it and we stood there for awhile just letting them look at everything.
Peyton really liked the trains that would go around. Every time the train got close she would say "Choo..Choo!"
Letting her get a closer view. It was a little scary to take her out of the stroller, but I wanted to let her check it out like the big kids. I was also hoping for a picture together, but Peyton would not take her eyes off the display for anything.
Jon and Lily were so cute checking out this Santa on display and getting so excited to really get to see him soon.
To waste some time we took the kids to the Westin Hotel to check out the fountain and Christmas trees. Peyton loved the water and I think if she could have she would have jumped in.
Checking out the tree and trying to decide if she can tough it or not
Before you go to see Santa you get to play in the Crayola Land. Peyton loved this and wanted to keep going through it over and over again even though the rules are that you can only go through it once. She didn't care...must take after her Father!
Peyton getting some help from Grandma Reiff to get up the steps to the slide.
Getting ready to slide down
Peyton in the Crayon Tunnel. She loved this and went back several times.
Back for a second time to hang out with Audrey
The girls getting ready to head down another slide together
Peyton was not so sure about this slide...notice the hand gripping the side as tight as she can.
She loved the Crayon House and would just hang out in there checking everything out
The 4 bigger kids at the end of the Crayola Land excited to see Santa
Santa! Peyton had a 50% chance of how she was going to handle seeing Santa and this was the face that she did the whole time. No crying so that was great. Santa gave her some stickers and she gave him a high-5 and told him Bye...Bye.
The weather was so nice that we went out to see the Christmas Tree lights that was just turned on earlier that night and we were lucky enough to be there while they put on a musical fountain display. It was really a lot fun to watch and the kids seemed to like it.
That night we went to Fritz's to have dinner. I had never been there before and let me tell you it was a great time. You order your food over the phone at your table and then a Train brings it out to your table. Peyton was so excited to see all the trains that would come out and every time there was one she would point and say "Choo...Choo!" The food was good and I am sure that we will have to go back next time we are in town. It was a great way to end a good day.
On Saturday K-State was playing a basketball game at the Sprint Center so we packed up the kids to go watch and also to see Brandon. I had no idea where our seats were going to be and they were excellent. We were right behind the bench on the front row.
Can you find Brandon?
Peyton with Grandpa Reiff cheering on the Cats.
Grandma Reiff with Jon and Lily watching the game.

It was a great Thanksgiving Break packed with lots of fun activities. Thanks to my parents for helping me make more great memories.

Monday, December 7, 2009

Puerto Rico

I was lucky enough to join Brandon and the rest of the K-State Men's Basketball team in Puerto Rico for a tournament the week before Thanksgiving. I had never been there before and it was a great trip to watch some basketball and relax all day by the poolside. We along with many of the other families decided to leave the kids at home so Peyton was spoiled for a week by both of her Grandparents. It was a great week for all of us for sure.

This is the view that I woke up to and was well worth the long plane ride and getting in at 3 in the morning.
The beach was small but still nice to enjoy the warm water.



The hotel that we stayed at along with all the other teams.



The pool that I spent many hours hanging out during the day relaxing and soaking up as much sun as I could.
Brandon getting ready to go to work hanging out with all the other coaches before the game
Brandon working hard getting water to the players
Saturday was an off day so Brandon and I with another couple went out for a date night. It was nice to spend a little time together because he was very busy the whole week.
Another view of the pool
The awesome view from our room!
A view of the city from the hotel
Another view of the city
The view of the pool that many of the wives and I spent lots of time at while we were there.
Another view of the other pool and the beach
The last game of the tournament and we boarded the plane as soon as this game was over.

It was a wonderful trip and I enjoyed getting to know many of the people with Basketball better. Looking back I wish that I would have spent a little more time exploring Puerto Rico, but at the same time it was so nice to wake up every morning eat some breakfast and then head to the pool for a couple of hours. The games were a lot of fun and I have heard from many people that they say me lots of times on TV along with Brandon. Even with my husband working tons of hours and being gone all the time, having trips like this is a major perk and nice of K-State to take the families along with the team. Another great memory made.

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Pictures from the past month...

We have been very busy this month with Basketball starting up and Football ending that I have been getting behind on my post. So here are lots of pictures from the past month of things that we have been doing in the Yoder Family.

Peyton and I were in swimming lessons each Monday for 4 weeks. She had a great time and loved the water. Here she is waiting to go to the pool.
Peyton was in swimming lessons with her friends Aubrey Tadtman and Brady Smoller. Aubrey and Peyton checking out the pool.
This girls had a great time and loved every minute of it.

My parents came out to Manhattan for the K-State vs. Kansas football game a few weeks ago. It was a wonderful day with great weather and it turned out even better with a Wildcat win.
Peyton needed a closer view of the football players so Grandpa Reiff is helping her out.

Peyton fell asleep right at the end of the first quarter and slept all the way until the 4th. I have no idea how she sleeps with all the noise but she can.

Peyton woke up just in time to celebrate with the rest of the K-State fans.

Basketball officially started 2 weeks ago and here is Brandon working is very first Men's Basketball game. Brandon and I were gone all last week in Puerto Rico with the team so there will be lots of pictures of that trip coming soon.

Can you find him? He is the second to last person on the end of the bench.

Peyton's hair is getting so long and we have a good time playing with it while taking baths. She was just to cute here to not get a picture of her.


Peyton and Mommy are headed to Kansas City for Thanksgiving and will be missing Daddy very much because he will be working. We are excited to see him on Saturday when K-State plays IUPUI at the Sprint Center in KC. Watch the game on FSN Kansas City at 3pm.
If you are traveling please be safe and eat lots of turkey and take a nap.
Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours!

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Me and My Bumble Bee

My friend Susan took this picture of Peyton and I while we went over to her house to trick or treat. I was very happy because I didn't even think to take a family picture later when we got home. Thanks Susan!

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Happy Halloween!

Halloween started on Friday for us this year. One of the shopping centers here in Manhattan puts on a great big Trick or Treat so it was good practice for Peyton to get the hang of this whole getting candy thing. We meet up with our friends Colten, Aubrey and Katie Tadtam. It was a lot of fun and I was very tired after because it was a lot of walking and I ended up having to carry Peyton for most of it.
Peyton getting some candy but not understanding that you have to hold up your pumpkin to get the candy put inside.
Walking to the next store to get more candy

Peyton, Colten and Aubrey walking to get more candy. They all had a great time.

Happy Halloween! We had a great day here in Manhattan. The weather was so nice and we didn't have to bother wearing coats while we went around from house to house. When does that ever happen?

The Cutest Bumble Bee Ever!

Peyton loves her pumpkins and always has to go check them out all the time.

Our first stop on Halloween was at her Daycare. Renate is letting Peyton pick which candy she would like to have. Peyton did get a little confused and was wondering why I was not leaving her there for the day like normal.

The pumpkins that are outside Renate's house. We have to stop and check these out everyday also to make her happy.


We headed home before it got to dark so we could do some of the trick or treating in our neighborhood. I had to laugh when I got home because we left Brandon at the house so if people stopped by someone was there, but when I got home the house was dark and no porch light on. I asked him if there were any kids stop by and he was a little sad and said no. I had to let him know that you need to turn the light on so people know that they can ring our door bell. Brandon quickly reminded me that he was from the country and they don't just have people stop by to trick or treat. I had to laugh!




Friday, October 30, 2009

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to Great Grandma Horton today!
Happy Birthday to Grandma Reiff on Saturday!
We love you!!

Hope you all have a Happy Halloween!