Summertime fun!

Among the other things going on this summer Brook has decided she is not afraid of the pool anymore and now jumps from the top of the ladder, with a life jacket still but we're so very proud of her! Not to be left out Bryn decided she wants to "jump" from the top step also (to mommy of course). It's very cute, I put her on the top step and she opens up her arms, leans forward and falls, each time with a huge grin on her face, we're going to have to watch this one very carefully. Also Bryn discovered her sister's Barbie jeep and goes straight for it everytime we go outside. Brook drives her all around the yard and they both have a blast, I'm cringing as I picture big sister giving little sister driving lessons at 16, oh my. The only bad part about all the fun is it leads to lots of Bryn crying and screaming when it's time to go in.

Yay!!!

Not sure what happened but my "comments" section is now working!!! So if you had something to share, like how cute our kids are :P, and weren't able to before please feel free to share now :) Love you all!!!!

Pismo 08

We're back from our spectacular vacation! The weather was so perfect! How can you not love 60 degree temps when you have been in 100+ for months :P The girls did great, I think Brook napped once in 10 days...she had nonstop playtime with Aubrie and Brian! Kiki and Alyssa were there for a few days too so that was some extra fun. Bryn did very well with the exception of some separation anxiety issues but by the end of the trip was doing well letting everyone hold her and even went on a buggy ride with Grandpa Craig all by herself (slow speeds of course). She took a couple days to realize sand is NOT yummy but she had tons of fun filling up the holes as fast the big kids could dig them.
For my birthday celebration this year I opted out of cake and presents and decided we ladies would do a girls day out and had pedicures and lunch on the pier! It was some well deserved mommy time!
We all had a great time collecting seashells and rocks, playing in the water, skim boarding, dirt bike and rhino riding and just sitting back doing nothing. The jumper was set up for the kids and they all got to ride Brook's quad and did very well. Even Gavin got to get a little ride in, for at least 10 feet :) All in all everything went smoothly and we were not ready to come back on saturday :( Can't wait till next year already!!!!

Walking and talking

Well we have an official walker and talker on our hands. On the 13th Bryn took her first unassisted/unpromted steps, about 3 of them and then on the 19th she "chased" Gavin all over Stephanie's house. On Sunday she started saying "dada", so now her vocabulary consists of Hi and dada, which of course just makes Jon so happy. She's kind of got a "mmmm" going on I'm pretty sure that means food because she only does it when it's time to eat. All this week she's been walking more than crawling. Basically she walks around the house saying Hi dada, it's really too cute. The girls had their well visits on thursday Bryn is 19 lbs 4oz and 28 1/2 in and the doctor says she has a big head??? I think her head is perfect! He wasn't concerned just stating a fact I guess. Anyways Brook is 33 lbs (same as her 3 year visit) and 42 inches tall, again the doctor wasn't concerned just said she'll be a thin girl (too bad we can't all have that problem :P). Poor thing!

My heart is overflowing...

with love for my family. Is there any greater blessing than family? I'm in awe watching my girls grow. Bryn is now 10 months and determined to do everything big sister does. Yesterday was Brook's last day at gymnastics and the mommies got to watch all they had learned, it's eye opening to see all that a child can retain. The teacher gave instruction and this group of 3-5 year olds did just what they were told. Of course Bryn was not to be left out and escaped onto the mats several times but I suppose she's just trying to get an early start. In addition to gymnastics Brook had swimming lessons yesterday and again my heart swelled with pride as this little girl, who just two weeks earlier refused to get her face wet, went fully underwater for a few seconds and came back up with a grin the size of the Grand Canyon! This moment was made all the better because Daddy surprised us by getting off work early to come and watch. Such a good Daddy! And you guessed it, Bryn would not stay out of the water as usual. We have a little fish on our hands. Luckily there is a baby pool and so Bryn and I have been hanging out there while Brook has her lessons.Today is Brook's last day of swimming and she's decided she's taking us out to McDonalds to celebrate, I love how her little brain works :)

Well I just wanted to share my joy with everyone, I hope you all have a blessed weekend!

Happy Birthday America!

We told Brook Fourth of July is to celebrate America's birthday so what did we have to do...sing Happy Birthday to America of course! She's so silly :) This year we celebrated the fourth at Dane and Stephanie's. Luckily there was a nice breeze so it wasn't too hot for the fireworks fun. Bert did turn on the sprinklers in his yard so the kids could run around which they enjoyed of course. The fireworks show was great and Brook loved the sparklers. Bryn loved the pretty colors but not so much a fan of the loud boom that followed so we spent the evening going back and forth between watching and crying...poor thing. Hopefully next year will be more fun for her. The next day we rented a boat and went to the lake with Kermit, Leah and some friends of theirs that were visiting. we had a nice time and of course Bryn loved just playing in the sand and water. Brook wasn't all that sure about getting too deep into the water but she did manage to have a good time. Jon and I did some wakeboarding, it's been a couple years for us both but we did get up and going right away so there's still hope even though were getting old! It was a great weekend to be with family and friends. Can't wait till we're able to get our own boat again, I'm sure Brook and Bryn will be wakeboarding in no time!

Yay Daddy!

Jon passed his final test today! He is officially a certified tower crane operator!!!! We are so proud of him. Jon has worked so hard and only missed a perfect score by one point...I think that's God's way of keeping him humble :). No matter, we are all so very proud of him and are making a special dinner and dessert to celebrate. We love you Daddy!!!!

The Greatest Show On Earth!

We went to the circus yesterday and had so much fun. I haven't been to the circus since I was a little girl, I think I was more excited than Brook. We went with Chuck, Emily and Gavin.It was a great show, even Gavin and Bryn sat still to watch most of it. Brook didn't want to meet the tigers but thought they were great once we were safe in our seats and their part of the shows started. Jon's favorite part of course was the Circle of Death, at one point 6 motorcycle riders were in this tiny globe-like thing, I do have to say that part was pretty exciting! The only complaint we had was from Jon wondering where the part was when the man high dives into a bucket of water...silly man,and I mean Jon :) Everyone should go to the circus, it really does make one feel like a kid again!

Bryn is 9 months!

I can't believe our little baby is nine months already! Where does the time go? We are so blessed to have her. She's the best toy we could have ever given Brook! Two weeks ago she weighed 17lbs 12oz and was 28 in so I assume today she is 18lbs and a little taller. At nine months she sits, crawls, feeds herself, holds her own bottle, drinks from a sippy cup, growls, says hi, "walks" while holding onto something/someone, dances, waves, claps, gives kisses and has eight teeth. She LOVES her big sister and LOVES to eat. Once Daddy gets home from work she is his little shadow and very vocal about getting his attention, she'll yell if he's not looking at her!

We love you Brynnie!

I just got peed on!

Yes folks that is correct, Brynnie just peed on me. Apparently she is such a wild sleeper that her diaper came undone and while I was holding her for her morning bottle I suddenly became very warm...anyways. Who said being a mommy isn't glamorous? Well at least I got lots of smiles and loves while I was changing her. Have a great day everyone and God bless!

Good morning!

Well good morning everyone! I'm exhausted! I feel like I haven't slept in four years! I think I need an IV drip of Folgers best...I don't know how mommies who actually have to leave their house do it. I literally roll out of bed and into my office, thank God! Brynnie was up twice last night which is unusual for her her, she's got a runny nose so I think she may be coming down with something which I think I may be catching as well because I feel like I've been hit by a truck! Oh well time to put on my Super Mommy costume and get over it! Brookie's got gymnastics today, she always makes me smile in her little biketard! Exhausted as I am I love being a mommy! I hope everyone has a wonderful day....God bless!

Supercross!

Okay so this blog is mostly about the girls but I just wanted to share about our weekend. Every year Grandma Letty flies up to watch Brook, and now Bryn, so that Jon and I can enjoy our weekend. This year we were able to sit by the pool all afternoon until it was time to get ready to go to the races. I don't think I've ever really paid attention to the actual races until of course the last few laps but it's a great to chance to just hang out and visit without a tiny person demanding your attention or needing something that very momment. So funny how some adult time can make you feel like a real person again. Anyways we had great time and I'm already counting the days till next year!

Brook's Birthday!

Brook is 4 years old! She decided she wanted to go Disney princess this year, surprise right? She had a great party as usual. I think Jon and I look forward to her parties as much as she does. We get to see family and friends and just hang out and visit all weekend, it's like a mini reunion. This year she got to invite friends from school and on her actual birthday I took in cupcakes for her to share and Mrs. Shaw was great to have the kids sing to her and make a big fuss. Also this year Brook had a slumber party the night before her party. Brook called it the "girl party". Alyssa, Alexis, Anissa and Bryn were here and even though were not technically "girls" myself, my mom, my sister and Robin were also part of the fun. We had pizza and made/decorated cupcakes, Robin did the facepainting and tattoos for the girls and then we watched Enchanted in our princess pijamas, well the ladies were in pink pijamas since I haven't seen any princess pj's in adult size. The day of her party we had her jumper out for the little ones and then rented one for the big kids, which apparently includes Jon and friends, Robin and mom did more face painting and tattoos and of course the regular birthday food and cake. All in all I think everything went well but I do have to admit I'm looking forward to the time when Brook decides she just wants a few of her friends for her birthday celebration because in September we get to start the big family and friends celebration for Bryn. I'm trying to get a pony rides for her, wish me luck! :)

Pretty princesses!

It's so much fun to play dress up. Alyssa sent Brook a ton of dress up clothes so of course we had to try them all! Bryn even got in on the fun. The joys of being a little girl.

Look over there...

Brian and Brynnie! We were at Stephanie's so the kids could do their Easter eggs and Brian was so sweet wanting to sit with Bryn and get their picture taken. He's a great big "brother".

Too cool!

Have your people call my people!

Our little superstar. Brook has suddenly become very aware of her appearance and the presence of a camera. I would not be surprised to find career of choice putting her in the spotlight of some sort.

Six months old!!

It's never too early to pick up a good book!

Bryn's stats:

15lbs 8oz 26 1/4 in

Two bottom teeth

Sits all by herself

Feeds herself puffs

Rocks on all fours

Stands with help

Holds sippy cup

Blows rasberries

Rolls every direction

Big girls!

Cousin Alexis and Brookie!

Super Daddy!

Daddy's can do everything!

Play nice!

Gavin and Bryn

I hope these two grow up to be the best of friends, just like Brook and Brian. Though we may have a change of heart in the dating years!