Happy Birthday Daddy! We love you!

Happy Birthday to Daddy, who is the best husband and daddy in the whole wide world. Since Scott's birthday fell on a weeknight I was less than prepared and wiped out after work. That's right, my effort was pretty weak this year. I guess I better show up for our anniversary. I ran to get frosting and the pizza he requested while Scott baked his own cake. What a great daddy! All we had in the pantry was a cake mix that expired in 2002. It was totally stale and gross but he baked it anyway just so we could let the kids sing happy birthday to dad. We talked later that we could have put candles on the pizza but we agreed we both prefer our pizza WITHOUT spit. Beckham can't get enough of singing happy birthday and blowing out candles. He is such a funny kid.

Cha, Cha, Cha. Ooh-la-la! Who can be first to blow spit on the cake?

Good Times!!

This always makes me laugh. I know you guys don't have these picture so I thought you might want to see them.

Crackin' yourselves up, aren't ya?!

Brynlee's Big Week

Brynlee is growing up and she has had quite the BIG GIRL week. She got her ears pierced after working very hard for two weeks to prove she is big enough to earn it. She also lost her very first tooth and had a visit from the tooth fairy. She scored two dollars. WOW!

This is a pic of Brynlee at Claire's right before the big moment. I have posted a seperate post with video of the actual piercing.

And isn't it such a lovely tooth? She was so proud of it. She would have showed total strangers if we let her. She actually did show strangers her loose tooth when it was still in her mouth.

And while one kid is loosing teeth the other one is gaining some. Beckham calls his two new teeth his "Vampire teesh." He loves to look at pictures of himself and when he saw this one he said, "Awww cute, Beckham's vampire teesh."

Brynlee's new jack-o lantern smile. And of course her biggest fan is never far away to copy her every move and drive her crazy!

Just because I love this picture I thought I would post it. This is what you get when you ask Beckham for a monkey kiss.

The BIG Moment

This is the video of the actual moment when Brynlee had her ears pierced. She was pretty tough. We were really proud of her. We had just watched an older lady get her ears pierced and she flinched and said OW! These young guys were watching and one of them was thinking about piercing his ears and when he saw the older lady's reaction he backed out and actually left the store. You could tell he was scared. I thought all of that was going to scare Brynlee but she was way too determined. We're pretty proud of how mature she has been behaving since starting first grade. She is really growing up.

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!

This is what we woke up to today. It has been overcast and raining most of the weekend but we didn't expect this much snow. It's a good thing we went to Frightmares on Friday night or we probably would have missed it this year. It was a lot of fun. I would post some pics but I forgot the camera. It was plenty cold so the best part was probably sharing the hot cocoa we bought on the way out. Since it was such overpriced cocoa we're all probably going to share Scott's cold. Tis the season! We could barely get the kids to go to church they wanted to play so bad. So of course when we got home they bundled up and headed out to the snow. It lasted about 15 minutes and then they we're both wet and cold. Especially Beckham, he just doesn't understand you have to keep the gloves ON to stay dry.

We'll be in sunny California next week and snow covered lawns will be far from our minds for at least six days. I can hardly wait. Maybe we can build a sandman at the beach to remember the snowmen at home.

Beckham broke his arm.........again

Yes, that's right, AGAIN. On Sunday September 21st Beckham decided he didn't want to go to bed. He had never attempted to get out of his crib before then. He decided to get himself out of there and broke his arm. We assume it broke when he landed on the floor. We just heard the loud thud and lots of screaming. He has a cute little blue cast that we just found out can come off on Oct. 17th which is awesome because we leave for California on the 18th. Yeah!! We're so excited that Beckham can swim at the pool and play at the beach with his cousins.

Prior to arm breaking mishaps and other busy-ness we visited the state fair earlier in September with the Jensen's and the Harp's, and Aunt Keri. It was a good time. We parked in a trailer park close to the fair grounds. As we were leaving I had to tell Brynlee to hush (she's super loud) because people are sleeping in these houses and she says "These are houses?" You have to imagine her little nose wrinkle that went along with it. It was HILARIOUS!! Our kiddo is a total snob. She has no idea her mom comes from a trailer park. Too funny!

Goodbye Summer Fun!

I thought I would post some fun picks from this summer. We have noticed the weather getting cooler, and so begins the countdown to Halloween. Everyone that knows us knows Halloween is a big deal at our house. I love the whole Fall and Holiday season and I guess I'm ready to tell summer goodbye.

Goodbye swing set-slip n slide. Thanks for entertaining us every Friday.

Goodbye picnics.

Goodbye Lagoon. We'll see you in October for Frightmares of course!

Goodbye Florida and Disney World. We won't be seeing you again for a while, but don't worry we will be visitng Disney Land in about a month.

Goodbye Camping. We'll miss you most of all, but don't worry we'll be back next Memorial Day.

Goodbye fishing. See you next Memorial Day.

This was just cute and kinda made me laugh. Who doesn't love their cereal and cartoons!?

So did this!

GG is one tough gal isn's she? She was so cute waving to EVERY car and four wheeler that passed. I could not master taking a picture and driving or I would have. It was a short ride but I'm still very proud of her for going. Oh, and AnT is pretty awesome too.

Progress

This is a shot of the hall in the basement. You can kinda see the framing is complete. Scott, G-Pa Roger and Uncle David are the best labor ever. We are so thankful for G-Pa and Uncle David's knowledge and skill. They Rock!

Scott is not too shabby either. He borrowed a tool from a co-worker and chipped out the cement to find the drain for the tub. It doesn't look like much but it took him hours and the giant bucket is full of the debris. I was impressed.

This is the basement bathroom which shows we're moving on to the next step after framing. Plumbing, and electrical. Hooray for progress! Hopefully we can have Christmas in our new basement this year.

This my new kitchen pantry that G-Pa and Uncle David skillfully whipped out for me. They are seriously amazing! It looks like it was always suppose to be there. Scott is an awesome painter too. He hates it but he's so patient and persistent. It still needs a few finishing touches but ultimately I think it's ready for me to start stuffing full.

Isn't it pretty!!??

Uncle David skillfully working on the ceiling under the pantry at the bottom of the stairs. I don't know why the picture flips back when I add it to the blog. In my pictures I rotate it and it stays put. If you have a lap top pick it up and rotate for the full effect. Just kidding! I just want to give uncle David some love on the blog. He is so sweet. Brynlee loves to chat him up when he's here.

And the same love goes out to G-Pa! We love him and his awesome hair net, which is a pretty smart idea. There are no dummies on this construction project.

Beckham stands in the pantry and says "Is this awesome Mommy?" He's heard us marvel over it a few times perhaps.

A "Before" pic

If you give a kid a camera

You know the children's book "If you give a pig a pancake?" Well in our house if you give a kid a camera......you get this.

Nostrils!

Look Ma, my toes.

I'm a ham for sissie! Cheeeese!

Look at me, Look at me.....

look at me!

Happy Birthday Princess Brynlee

Brynlee had a great time at her birthday swim party at baby grandma and grandpa's house. She had a great turn out of cousins and friends and it was a lot of fun. Thankfully for mom and dad it's over. In 11 short months we can stress about it all over again.

Her favorite toy from mom and dad, a dog that swims. I personally dig his goggles.

Opening presents is always the time to be mauled by the other kids. Thanks for requesting Scooby- Doo at 17 uncle Josh. Grandma is still using it to this day to make cute yummy cakes. Or if guests prefer they can enjoy a Scooby Snack. Becasue who doesn't love Scooby Snacks!

Cute Birthday Girl.

Back To School

Well it came and went. The first day of first grade. Brynlee did great. We are so proud of her. She marched right in and made herself at home. Mom had to take the rest of the day off. I don't really know why but I was extra emotional about it. There were some tears and none from Brynlee. Brynlee's favorite part of first grade so far is LUNCH! Big surprise as much as she likes food. She was so excited to tell me on the first day that she had nachos and loved it.

Already?!?!

Holy cow! Brynlee got a letter in the mail last night from her first grade teacher. School is starting August 21st. I can't believe the summer is over in two and a half weeks. It seems like we just wrapped up Kindergarten. We have not been reading or practicing writing nearly enough this summer. I also very brilliantly agreed to be the class captain for her teacher. That means I am in charge of scheduling and organizing the parent volunteers. I still can't believe I said yes. I guess if I'm lost for few months you'll all know why. As soon as I figure out how to get some pictures on here I'll post a few of Brynlee in her school uniform. I think they are so cute. Do you all remember how long the summer break felt when we were kids? I want that back. It sucks to be an adult. Speaking of "that sucks." Apparently we say that too much because Beckham has taken up saying "that sucks." It's pretty funny. It's not very apporpiate but I laugh because he could be saying a lot worse.

Memories

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember! 2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.

My brand of Heroin - Breaking Dawn

For those of you who don't know the fourth and final book in the Twilight series, Breaking Dawn is being released in three days. August 1st. I'm practically throwing a tantrum right now just thinking that I have to wait three more days. It's killing me! Loved ones including my own children better be prepared to leave me alone until I'm done with that book. Cover to Cover! Edward tells Bella in Twilight that the smell of her blood is "his brand of heroin." Well......The Twilight series is my brand of heroin!! Recently Read: The Book Thief, The Thirteenth Tale, The Time Travelers Wife, Snow Flower and the Secret Fan - all excellent books if you're looking for one. Brynlee is currently reading: The Sword in the Grotto, #2 from the Araminta Spookie series. She loves it! Happy Reading!

Getting Started

Hi - Just thought I would join the rest of the universe and start blogging. I can't guarantee pictures anytime soon since we're typically not smart enough to take a camera with us when we do something fun. Josh, Bethany and Madie I love your blog and I miss you terribly so this blog is inspired by you guys.