I was recently looking online to identify some harmless tiny bugs we found downstairs and came across this website: http://www.whatsthatbug.com/. It is very useful and actually kind of funny sometimes...the bug guy likes to be clever. There's even a section on 'unnecessary carnage' where he posts the dead bug pics he gets and sometimes explains why that certain bug should be left alive (he is anti-extermination). I wasn't able to find our bug on the site- they're probably too boring to find anywhere...but I did ask him about them and hopefully I'll get a response soon...I didn't tell him we spray for bugs 4 times a year...So anyway I thought I'd pass along this site in case any of you ever needed to identify a bug!

Here are pics from our vacation- sorry there's so many but I don't like making/watching slideshows. So happy scrolling!

Kaden and Elena at the pool the day we arrived.

Ty (looking sexy) playing peek a boo with Kyson.

Kaden having a laugh with dad.

Chicken fight!

Kyson taking a break from playing jungle gym on me @ Huntington Beach.

Tyler and Brad playing like kids in the waves.

Ky riding his horse at Adventure City.

On the mini-ferris wheel.

Ky wasn't too sure.

Kaden buckling in for the ride...

(It was a mini-ish version of the one at lagoon, but still pretty high up there!)

Driving his police car like papa.

Kaden and Elena posing on their train ride.

It was an awesome trip! The boys were so good on the long drive and during our stay. We were glad the Parkers would come too-- it was fun hanging out and Kaden was in heaven to have Elena to himself for a week!

Here's a vacation preview...we're having too much fun to post any more right now :) See ya soon!

This is a really short clip of Ky after dinner. He was making silly faces the whole night- he does this surprised/frustrated thing where he tenses up and makes a face. You have to watch kind of close because he only holds it for a second or so.
It's so funny to watch his little personality come out- he's definitely a class clown. He loves to get a reaction.

I took these at the swim party yesterday- some are kind of blurry in the face because he was moving, it really makes me wish I had a nicer camera. He looks so grown up with is haircut. All of these faces were within like 2 min. of each other. (He was having fun climbing in and out of a mini camping chair.)

Pretty sweet...

I know, I know, no surprise here- something small has brought me to tears again. This time it's not a State Farm commercial but a post from Nie, here. I love this blog- I've been reading it ever since I heard of her crash. I would comb through the archives and each time I got to "know" her a little more, and I couldn't wait until she started blogging again. It's so sad sometimes and yet so hopeful. You can read her mood changes from post to post- some days are unbearable for her, and others she is filled with hope and gratitude for her second chance at life with her beautiful family. I can't begin to imagine going through this ordeal...I think she is so brave to continue sharing with us all. It really makes me think more about my blessings and puts things into perspective.

So our trip to Yellowstone had an interesting start- unbeknownst to us we began the trip harboring a mean and nasty 24-hr stomach bug. So about 3 hrs into the car ride to Island Park, ID Kaden was the first to enlighten us- every ten minutes on the dot. Next was me, sick also every 10 minutes (thankfully it didn't start until we FINALLY reached the cabin). Tyler was so sweet and took good care of us- so naturally he came down with it too. Ky was fine because he's the one who started the whole thing earlier on in the weekend at home (we had no idea it had spread to us until it was too late since it took a while to catch on.)

The first thing we did after recovery was float the river- I think it was my favorite part. Here is Ky on the bus, ready to go...

A much happier Ky once we gave in and took off his vest (it was extremely calm water).

The boys floating the river...Kaden apparently in distress over something.

Next day we went to Old Faithful- sorry so squinty!

The great and amazing buffalo- Kaden's FAVORITE animal. He wouldn't leave the gift shop with anything less than a buffalo t-shirt.

Posing at a waterfall at Firehole (Kaden is sleeping in the car).

Kaden got to go fishing with Grandpa's sister's family...

and then he fell in the river...so here he is naked in a camping chair while dad and grandpa fish.

The drive home was mercifully uneventful- Kaden didn't even get car sick (I think driving for hours in Yellowstone helped that).

Thanks Erica for letting me steal your pics of Yellowstone!