Day 3: Islands of Adventure

Carsen was afraid of this Dinosaur...until he decided to put his gun to use...

We were given "must" orders by our friends Collin and Natalie that we had to visit Islands of Adventure (Universal Studios)! They were right....Chad and I loved it! The rides there were amazing (and somewhat nauseating)! Luckily we had my parents along with us to watch the kids while we hit every ride. There were no lines and the only thing holding us back were our spinning heads and the hot humidity. (Anyone thinking of going to Orlando---you have to go to Islands of Adventure!)

Carsen loved the Dr. Seuss land (he was a bit afraid of the Grinch) but loved riding the little kiddie rides. It's a good thing he had his gun with him. We decided that gun was the best baby-sitter (and investment) of the entire trip. He was entertained the entire time and was always on the look-out for things to shoot at. He's a boy--what more can I say?

I must say--this day had the most delicious lunch! While Chad and I were out roaming around riding crazy rides (Dueling Dragons) we came across this place to eat tucked away in a Tavern-type atmosphere. The attention to detail at this entire amusement park was absolutely amazing! Anyhow...back to the delicious food...We went and found my parents and told them they had to come eat here. (The sign is what enticed me it said: Smoked Turkey Legs)! After being thrown around in the air all afternoon for some reason these smoked turkey legs sounded delicious....And they were! We all sat there gnawing on these super large turkey legs! (Chad said to me, "You really ate all that?" as he looked at my turkey leg bone....)

By the end of the day we were exhausted and ready to go home. The kids were such troopers (especially Myka...that is one good girl!) As a side note...I can't believe the places I had to nurse that girl.....(It really is good to be back in the privacy of my own home!)

Day 4: Daytona Beach

By the fourth day of our trip we were exhausted (and tired of walking!) We loaded up and headed down to Daytona Beach. We picked the worst weather for the beach, but the best weather for traveling (it was raining). Due to high tides we were unable to drive along the beach (which Daytona is very famous for). Instead we changed Carsen and Pa into their swimming suits and they headed out into the salty sea water. (Carsen said to us when he came out of the water, "This water is yucky.")

The two wild boys had a great time playing in the surf and the sand. Carsen even let us bury him in the sand.

We made a quick stop at the Daytona Speedway to take some pictures, because we are the world's biggest Nascar fans! (kidding of course!)

Here Kitty Kitty Kitty......

Chad has a strong dislike for cats....Maybe it's due to the fact he grew up on a farm and cats ran wild there. I grew up always having a kitty...Now that we have a house (and a yard) we have decided there will still be NO animals (maybe a fish or two in the future). We are not big fans of the hassle (and the hair) that go along with having animals.

My two nieces recently received an adorable little kitten. Carsen loves to go to their house and hold their cute kitten. He will sit on their couch and cuddle the kitten forever! When we were over there recently I turned around to look for him and he had climbed into the baby saucer with the kitten. I thought it was so cute, that I had to take a picture (plus, I wanted to show Chad how much his little boy loves this kitten!) Carsen said to me on the way home, "We don't like cats, huh mom?" I had to tell him we like cats, but daddy doesn't. Carsen said, "They're disgusting." Then he said, "Can I go buy a cat?" I told him to ask his Dad......(p.s. the answer was absolutely no)! Just wait...there will be a day not too far off when Myka can talk and she will go snuggle up to her daddy and say, "Can I have a kitten....puhlease Daddy!" You know the Pecks will have themselves a pet! (It worked for me growing up!!!)

Little Buddies

Carsen is starting to play more of the 'big brother' role. He is always very concerned about Myka and calls her, "Princess." Out of the blue he will comment, "She's so cute." He also tends to tattle on Myka! He will say, "Myka scratched me." As you can see from this photo, both of the kids' faces have been scratched. (Carsen blames Myka) I believe the true story is Carsen was picking his nose and had a hang nail (I totally thought of Katelin and the fire ants!!! In order to understand that you have to read Kye and Kelly's blog). As for the scratch on Myka's face--that would be my fault--I'm so lazy and always forget to clip her fast-growing fingernails:)

Oh, How We Love Our Kids!

We just can't get enough of our adorable kids.....Our life would be so boring without them.....We would have nothing to talk about, complain about, or clean up after!

Carsen Too

I took Carsen with me to get the pictures taken, and I wasn't really planning on taking any of him......(Just some with Myka). I should've known that wasn't going to be the case. He was too adorable to leave out of the pictures. Carsen thought the photographer was a "funny man."

Carsen's latest interests are action heroes. Grandma Gay (GG) made him a cape with a "C" on the back (picture yet to come) and Pa bought Carsen a Spiderman Outfit. He's never seen Spiderman, but he is infatuated! Carsen is also into "drulering" (a combination of coloring and drawing.....drulering). He drulers us pictures all the time and even drulers the letter 'C' and 'E'.

Myka Update

I took Myka to get her pictures taken for her 5-month.....What a joy! She gets more beautiful everyday and is such a happy little girl!


Myka and her mommy dancing at cousin Kate's wedding in August.


Myka and Kallee Olson (our neighbor down the street who is two weeks older). Myka is in the turqoise.


Myka's new thing is to growl at us and anything in her hands--it's so cute that we find ourselves growling back at her. She is a little jabberer and waves her arms and flexes her feet whenever we come near her and makes this "whoo whoo" noise. She is still on a 'roll' and is getting more happy about being on her belly. (In fact, this has turned into her favorite sleep position). Myka has also become quite skilled with her "pinkie" (nickname for the binkie compliments of Carsen). She is able to locate the pinkie and make it to her mouth all by herself! With a little growling of course!

We love our Myka Mooka and can't believe she is 5 months!

Reuniting with the Arizonians

On our way home from Idaho (the trip didn't take as long on the way home!) we stopped in West Jordan and visited Kye and Kelly and the kids before they headed for the airport to fly back to Arizona. Carsen, Katelin and KC hugged each other excitedly and began playing just like kids do. Myka was hugged and kissed by her cute cousins (but mostly by Kye!)

Peck Reunion

Carsen playing in the sand at Bass Lake in Twin Falls.


Chad and Carsen taking a little canoe ride at Bass Lake.


Our little family on my 25th Birthday.


All the kids (that were there) with Papa and Grandma Peck. (That was not an easy task to capture all the kids....as you can see we are about to lose one!)


Carsen on the go at the BBQ in Twin Falls.

This is the new camera in action! (Unfortunately, I was too lazy to get the camera up and working until the last day......)

We had the 5th Annual Peck Reunion in Carey, Idaho this year......(hometown to Chad). We loaded up the vehicle and set out on a 4 1/2 hour drive (for most people). We were so lucky to be able to drag it out for 6 hours (potty-trained 2-year-old and a nursing baby add up the stops!) We finally made it and pitched our tent along with the rest of the family in the back yard.

Carsen was able to try his hand at fishing again......but became too occupied with the worms. He even decided to taste test one to see what all the hype was about. (He kept spitting and saying, "Ewwww Gross." Ya think!) Hopefully that will cure that curiosity.

Myka was adored by all the girl cousins. They would sing to her and play with her toes to get her to sleep. She loved it!

The boys managed to squeeze in some golf and paint ball--they were even so thoughtful as to let us girls "take the afternoon off" to hit a movie while they "babysat." (We saw "Hairspray")

It was a great weekend filled with fun company, lots of laughs and good food.

The Little Things.....

My camera is out of commission....Luckily (and a bit ironically ;) my birthday is coming up and that is exactly what I want....(perfect timing if you ask me). I haven't been able to take any pictures of the kids lately, and I have been dying to do so because they have been doing the cutest things. So, instead of showing you--I'm just going to have to tell you. (Except for this photo which I took on my new IMAC! It's the raddest thing!)

Here's the latest: Myka is rolling over! She is such a little wiggle worm and is always rolling onto her side. I knew it was only a matter of time before she went all the way....Sure enough, yesterday was the BIG day! She gets on her tummy and then is very grumpy because she can't do anything about it. She kicks her legs and drools all over and waits (not patiently) for us to come and flip her back over so she can repeat the process again. Oh, how we love our little Myka! As Carsen says, "She's a happy girl."

Kids say the funniest things. Here's two cute things Carsen has done recently. Last week there was a lot of lightning and rain showers. We took Carsen outside so he could hear the thunder and see the lightning. The next day he says, "Hey Dad, look....lightning." (and he would blink his eyes really quickly). It was the funniest thing. Next. Monday morning Carsen was lying in our bed. I was at the gym and missed this event, but luckily Chad filled me in later. Chad was dressed for work and was sitting on the edge of the bed talking to Carsen. Carsen said, "Lay down Dad." Chad said, "I can't. I'll get all wrinkley." Carsen laughed and said, "You're not Hinkley....that's the Prophet!" Okay--is that not the absolute cutest thing!

As for myself--I had a bit of a mid-twenties crisis. I chopped off my hair. I think I was feeling a bit sad about turning 25, so I needed something new and "fresh." I'm waiting to see what my mom has to say about it! (Love you mom...but I know you're not a big fan of my hair short!!!)