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.

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!

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!

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!

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!

K-State Football Game and Pumpkin Patch

Last weekend my parents came into town and we went to the K-State game on Saturday and later made a trip to the Pumpkin Patch. It was a long day but lots of fun.

Peyton with Grandma and Grandpa Reiff at the K-State football game

Peyton loved wearing Grandma's hat

Grandma Reiff taking Peyton through the little kids maze at the pumpkin patch

Peyton riding on the wagon to go get her pumpkin

Headed towards the pumpkins!

Dad checking out the horses...Belle and Thunder

Peyton wanted a ride before we filled the wagon with pumpkins

Looking for the perfect pumpkin

Peyton with all the pumpkins

My perfect pumpkin!

Family picture at the Pumpkin Patch

Peyton loved the pumpkins and didn't want to leave. Now everytime we see a pumpkin she has to go over and try to pick it up.

Two Great Weekends!

Peyton and I have had 2 very busy weekends full of great memories and fun. The first weekend we drove down to southern Missouri to go camping at Roaring River. My family has gone camping here for as long as I can remember, so it was fun to bring Peyton here to see things that I did has a kid. It was a little cold and crazy weather to be camping in, but Saturday afternoon turned out to be very nice and the trip was great.

Peyton hanging out by the campfire Saturday Morning with Grandpa Reiff and cousin Sydney to try to get some heat to warm up

Grandpa Reiff taking Peyton and Jon on a morning stroller ride to check out the trout stream
This is one of the many reasons why I love coming to this beautiful place

Peyton was so cute in her stocking cap that Great Grandma Horton got for her last Christmas

Peyton and Mommy in the rocks that are called Devil's Kitchen during our family hike Saturday afternoon

Jon just hanging out

Peyton not so sure about this hanging out thing

Jon keeping the tree up while Sydney hangs out

Jon walking the trail with Grandma and Grandpa Reiff. He was such a trooper even though half way through the hike he was tell us that his little legs were just so tired and needed a break.

Beautiful water stream while on the hike

Peyton taking a break while on the long hike

Jon in front of Roaring River. It had rained Thursday night and it was amazing to see how much the spring was roaring out into the stream.

Normally you can walk back in there but with all the rain the spring was running over the sidewalk. I was sad because I wanted Peyton to see the really big fish, but the water was too cloudy to see them.

There was a smaller hatchery that had some of the bigger trout in so Peyton was able to feed them some food and she was excited about that.Peyton getting some fish food to throw into the water

She really wanted to see the fish up close

Jon feeding the fish some food

Michael, Stacy and I have a picture when we were younger sitting in front of this guy so we needed one with Jon and Peyton. Next time we will have to get all the kids down there to take another picture.

Peyton was excited to see that there was a park to play at and she loved the swing.

Grandma Reiff and I were so impressed to watch Jon cross the monkey bars all by himself.

Peyton loved this slide

Mommy and Peyton trying to stay warm Sunday morning by the fire. Peyton was using that stick to help keep the campfire burning.

Grandma Reiff showed Peyton how to hold her hands out in front of the fire to warm them up.

I started eating this apple but Peyton really wanted it and she hate it till there was nothing left

Grandpa Reiff and Jon fishing

Roaring River

I have never seen the water rushing this fast before

Last weekend Peyton and I went up to Mount Ayr, IA to see Grandma and Grandpa Yoder and also to see my good friend Tara that was in town at Graceland to watch her sister play soccer. It was another great weekend filled with lots of activities and it was so great to get to see people in Lamoni that we have not seen in awhile.

Saturday Grandma Yoder, Peyton and I went down to see the Amish to pick out some good pumpkins to carve and take home

Peyton found her perfect pumpkin

It was a little heavy but she wanted to carry it herselfGrandma Yoder and Peyton leaving with all the great pumpkins that we found

Peyton was so cute and excited about the pumpkin

I loved that Peyton was not afraid at all and just put her hand right in the pumpkin to pull out the seeds

Grandpa Yoder helping Peyton out

Check out all that good stuff

Grandma and Grandpa Yoder helping Peyton make sure that all the seeds were out of the pumpkin

Grandpa Yoder carving out the pumpkin

Peyton checking out some of the work that Grandpa Yoder has done to the pumpkin

Peyton's Pumpkin finished!Peyton checking out what happened to the pumpkin

Pumpkin looking good outside...Thanks Grandpa Yoder!