Water Kids

I told you that my kids loved the water. Just a few pictures of the lake.

Here is a picture of Payten playing in the water.

Oh don't forget Cody and his 1080 on the knee board this summer!

Riding Bikes and Swimming

Look at these two goof balls!

We spent a lot of time in the pool or the lake. I have two water babies on my hands that's for sure.

That one was great big brother, do it again!!

Splish Splash :)

Lots and Lots of Rain

A little bit wet! Yes that was a puddle in our backyard.




Looking for worms.

Playing outside after all the rain last week!

Good bye Summer!!

Where did our summer go!

I know its been awhile and I promise that I will update tomorrow in full--

Kids are getting too big too fast.

4th of July Weekend

What a great weekend at the cabin with family and friends!!!!!

We had Cody's camera on the water so when I figure out how to download the pictures I will post them. But as fpr today I need to laundry done, a little bit of cleaning and run to the library with the kids.

After 2 years of trying to get Cody to try the knee board he did it. It was so cool to see him pull himself up and try a few little tricks. He did an awesome job knee boarding a few years ago until the wave took him under and he didn't get out right away. It scared him but now he is back on board ready to go for it.

Now little Payten got mad at Brent when he was going to pull Desirae` behind the boat and Cody was goin with him. She threw her arms out at him and let out a scream. I told her then go get your lifejacket and you can go. She turned and walked down the dock found her life jacket came back and was ready to go. I couldn't believe that she did it!

I really enjoied the fireworks from the lake its so different then if you watch them from your car. The shows that other cabins put on was so neat. Thanks to Laura and Shayne for staying with Payten and having a little snuggle time and putting her to bed.

Pictures soon (I hope)

Happy Father's Day

We had a wonderful Father's Day -- Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there. As a family we spent the day on the lake. Payten and I had to run into town on Saturday the two of us stopped at Scheels and checked out the the tubes for behind the boat. I found the one that I was looking looking for the one with 2 seats. Payten loves the new tube, I think Cody likes it t00. She would just sit there and ride around the lake in the tube. Sometimes talking and she would do her Princess wave to whoever was in the boat. Picture to come......

Fishing!!!

Cody's new theme song for summer:

(thanks to the original song "Toes" he did a little remix)

I've got my pole in the water,

toes in the sand.

Not a worry in the world

a cold fish in my hand.

Life is good today,

Life is good today.

Its a sunny

its a bass

its got a big big ***!

And I know its a keeper,

as it swims deeper.

Ya!!!

My Buddy Taz

So yesterday we got plants for our pond, they look great! When I was watering the rest of the plants Payten was out playing with her dog Taz. The two of them love each other. Payten finally got what she has been trying to do this week -- get on him. If only he would give her a ride.

Is it really going to hit 90 degrees today

It's Monday morning the sun is shining, my coffee is warm, and it so quite here! I'm sure not for long Payten will be up shortly. I tell you she is a true Otto, loves to sleep and man she is a night owl.

Our plan this week -- well clean :(. I'm sure every mother out there knows what I'm talking about when you work all day and have outside projects things seem to just pile up in the house. Its true it doesn't help when you have a 10 year old and a 1 year old that don't pick up there toys and anything else they pull out.

On to the hot weather - sounds like it is going to be a hot, hot week. My flowers are almost all planted. I have the ones around the front trees yet to plant but we pulled out all the old bark yesterday and hopefully in the next day or two we will put some fresh dirt and new bark in place then I will finish up with the planting. Still debating if I should plant in the purple planters out front. If I do anyone got some ideas for me -- looking for something that will up hold a few days with out water here and there.

Payten and I will update pictures this weekend. We have a wedding on Saturday and the lake the rest of the weekend. Got a great offer from Desirae` yesterday to come over and use some of her blooming flowers as a back drop for pictures. So we will have to head down there and get a few shots. And we will post lake pictures I promise.

Have a great week :)

Little Mommy!!

Payten loves playing mommy! She loves carrying around one of my purses, taking care of her baby dolls, trying to put her baby doll in the stroller, making bottles for baby, and feeding the baby.

Lets go shopping!

Ok so for awhile I was worried that she was taking after the boys to much but I must say my worries are gone. She shined the other day when daddy was telling me how terrible it was that she was busy for the longest time playing mommy. Bring on the trucks and fish this summer boys --little mommy is ready.

PS Last weekend when Dad was golfing with the boys, Mom took the kids to the cabin. Cody (well after many times of saying "I'm bored") went fishing. I believe in the catch and release program now my dad (Papa) on the other hand told Cody that he would clean anything he catches. And he did -- Cody caught 15+ fish! Papa thought it would be funny to give my Princess a worm and she thought it was a gummy worm. Yes she put it in her mouth worm hanging out of both sides. So gross -- I guess she can be a little boy once and awhile!! Wishing I would have gotten a picture but I was so grossed out I made her take it out right away.

Did I tell you that dad has a mowing buddy? They go all over town on the mower. She gets so excited when she hears it start .

Easter

I know I'm late on this but that's ok!

Here are my kiddo's in a few of our Easter pictures

Eating a treat!

Otto Kids Egg Hunt!

She is off, yes looking for her eggs with candy in hand!

Courtney, Cody, Payten, and Dylan

Prom 2026!!!!

Payten has had her fair share of Prom pictures this year. Hannah went to prom on April 26 and Jenna went to Nicollet's Prom on May 8.

Don't our girls look so cute!

Watch Out Cole she is getting ready for Prom 2026!!!!!

Payten loves the jems!

Shoes are a girls best friend.

And well make up is the best.

Pre Prom Pictures 2026 :)

Cole can't wait -- just look at that smile.

Daddy this is my little buddy!

It's May!!!!!

Well I know it's far and few between on the posts these days but some imes I'd rather just go to bed early. And really I'm sure Trav would agree that our home needs lots attention (that's the plan for the weekend by the way).

The cleaning crew will have to get a early start on Saturday morning! Yes the cleaning crew is Mom and Payten. The cleaning crew is also the flower shoppers for the house. On Monday Grandma Peggy, Payten, and I went and did a quick shopping trip. We found the most beautiful hanging baskets. I picked up a few more things the sad part is that the weather sure has decided to take a turn for the worse. What do you know when I buy flowers it gets cold out!!!

Here are few I took with my phone:

I'll try to update more this weekend but I guess it depends how the cleaning crew does!!

Back the Train Up...

Take a look at what Payten got from Laura and Shayne for her birthday!

Her name is Carmen and yes she is a monkey. But the best part is that Laura made her and her clothes! As some of you know my sister is an outstanding knitter. I think she out did herself on this project. Shayne had to help too he had to sew the buttons on her sweater. For right now she is put up and just for looking at, Payten is a bit too young to play and take good care of her.

Wait until you see the slippers Laura made me for my birthday and the ones she made for Payten. One of my next posts I promise!!

March

Trying to be one of the boys!

You can now see the reason for the lack of posting. Truly there hasn't been to much excitement in the Otto home. I've been working at school all day and 3 plus nights a week at the rink - so that has left dad home with the kids more often. The kids have tons and tons of fun as you can see in the pictures but if you are asking if the boys play girl things I'm sad to have to say no.

Payten has her own pink monster truck (thanks Grandma Peggy), she is a part of the on going wrestling match, she doesn't scare easily on hide-n-go-seek, and is the (I think) running back of living room football. They are making her into a tom boy and of course it drives me crazy. New plan for summer to teach as much skating during the day so I can be at home at night to play dolls and house with Payten.

The kids just love daddy's bedtime snacks! For a good week it was root beer floats - look at those smiles!

Feburary

The month of February seemed to fly by! We finished up Cody's hockey season with two more tournaments (5 total for the season), mom working full time, Payten at daycare everyday, dad busy with work too!

We did get a snow day the 2nd week of February Cody just won't give up he said that his sister had to come out and play with him. I finally gave in!

Ok little sister are you ready for a ride?

I love it brother -- lets do it again!

Escape to Mexico

Yes mom and Desirae` decided last minute to go to Playa del Carmen, Mexico! When I said last minute we mean last minute we booked our trip Jan 26 at 6:30 pm and left on Jan 28th at 6 am we came home on Jan 31. It was a day before I started my long term sub job at Monroe for 2 months.

The beautiful site from the beach!

We had so much fun -early to the beach everyday, ate, had a slushy drink (or two), then to entertainment at night, and then to bed to start all over the next day. Wonderful to only have to worry about me for 4 days. I missed the kids a ton but I'm looking forward to doing it again! Oh don't worry we didn't leave the big boys home alone they headed out on a snowmobile trip. Yes the girls were in 80 degrees and the boys in -10 degrees, I think we got the better end of the deal!

Desirae` thought my kids needed musical instruments.

I promise someday I will take you with little girl.