Deck the Halls

Grandma Sharon, Brynn and I set out to find the perfect Christmas tree.  And BOY did Brynn have her heart set on one.  Of course my daughter ends up picking out the tallest, fattest Christmas tree in the entire place.  To her disappointment we had to go with a smaller much more manageable tree that did not take up our entire house – end more! 

We spent an evening decorating the tree and putting up decorations around the house to get into the Christmas spirit.  And like last year, Brynn was fascinated by the lights and all of the decorations but her enthusiasm for helping out ebbed and flowed.  Below are some photos of her great decorating skills.  When she wasn’t looking we would have to disperse some of her ornaments or else only a very small portion of the tree would have gotten decorated.

May your holidays be merry and bright! 

A little help from Grandma!

Yes - she is wearing the same shirt as last year. Oops!

Brynn's beautiful tree!

Giggle Giggle!!

Day with the Girls

Brynn spent the other day with Ashley and Grandma Sharon.  And of course what did they do…..  they went SHOPPING.  Brynn had her first experience at the Disney Store and was a little overwhelmed from what I have been told.  She did not know what to do.  Should she go running for Mickey and Minnie or for the Princesses?  She ended up making her way to the castle and staring in the mirror and pushing the tea party cart around the store.  Despite her love for Mickey and Minnie, she is a princess at heart. 

After fun at the Disney Store, no shopping trip is ever complete without a carousel ride in Brynn's eyes. Since it is the holidays, it was decorated for Christmas and complete with reindeer instead of horses.  There was also a Santa train ride which I am still shocked Brynn could not convince Grandma and Ashley to take her on.  But have no fear, Brynn has not forgotten and will soon convince one of us to take her very soon – I am sure.       



Pretty Princess



Reindeer Games

Can we go again, PLEASE?

Thankful for Family

We had a lovely Thanksgiving weekend with lots of family members to celebrate with.  It all started with Grandma Nancy’s arrival with presents, treats, and hours at the park.  Brynn was in heaven and still to this day cannot get enough M&M’s.  Aunt Heidi, Uncle Eric, Kinley and Pam and Marv all arrived on Wednesday with excitement.  My mom and Ashley were also here to help celebrate, which topped off the festivities.  The weather on Thanksgiving Day was so beautiful that we ended up eating outside all together at one long table.  The girls were even able to sit up at the table and loved looking and giggling at each other.  By the end of the day they were “two peas in a pod”.  One was always trying to mimic the other.  Whether it was Brynn trying to scoot on the floor like Kinley or Kinley trying to keep up with Brynn.  Either way it is going to be so fun to watch these two girls grow up together. 

Gobble Gobble

Two Peas in a Pod!

The rest of the weekend was spent shopping, walking the beach, having nice dinners, and a duffy boat ride.  The boat ride was the perfect way to spend an afternoon.  The sun was shining, the water was calm and blue, and Christmas decorations were up to see on some of the homes.  Captain Cameron took turns letting the girls drive the boat and Brynn even tried to feed the birds that were following us.  Overall, it was a wonderful weekend filled with great memories and it makes we take a pause to think that these experiences are too few and far between, and that we were very thankful that both of our families were willing to travel to spend such a wonderful holiday together.  

Honk Honk!!

Co-Captain Kinley!

Feeding the birds.

The Day AFTER Halloween

It’s November 1^st and Brynn and I are rushing to get out of the house to meet up with friends for dinner.  I can’t find her - where could she be?  All of a sudden I hear some bizarre grunting from the other room.  It’s Brynn and she is trying with all of her strength to get her costume on.  I help her and away we go.  Of course after weeks of negotiations to try and get her to even try the costume on, she is putting it on willingly.  And in true Brynn style – it is no longer Halloween!!! Here is a picture of her at dinner flapping her wings.  She thought she was so cute in her costume that she walked around to almost every table in the restaurant showing off.    

Hoot Hoot!!

Trick or Napping (not Treating)

Halloween just must not be our holiday.  For all the effort I put into it, it sure seems to disappoint.  For days leading up to Halloween, Brynn would not try her costume on.  I was actually very worried we were never going to get it on her.  But come to find out after hours of negotiations that “Mommy, I am waiting for my friends to put their costumes on.  Charlie’s going to be a monkey.” And of course like clockwork, once Brynn got to school she wore her costume until naptime.  She went as an owl and even insisted that the wings stay on the entire time.  That little girl cracks me up!  It is her way, on her time frame. 

Getting Ready for the Pumpkin Patch.

While at school, they did a variety of Halloween activities and even had their very own toddler size pumpkin patch.  They got pushed around in wagons, decorated pumpkins, and built a scarecrow.  Later in the day, the school hosted a Harvest Party with bounce houses, games, candy, and food.  Brynn had a blast, but the event was really geared towards slightly older kids so we headed home to go trick or treating.  By the time we got home and grabbed a quick bite to eat, Brynn was exhausted.  She did not want her costume back on and only wanted to be pushed in her stroller.  We headed downtown to see the festivities and Brynn was half asleep.  So once again no trick or treating. 

Harvest Party

·        Halloween 2010 – Brynn was a newborn and slept through the entire thing.  Daddy had her in a Baby Bjorn and strangers thought Brynn was part of a costume from the movie The Hangover.

·        Halloween 2011 – Brynn was running a high fever so we did not leave the house.

·        Halloween 2012 – Brynn helped carve pumpkins for 3 minutes while Mom sat there for hours.  We went Trick or Napping instead of Trick or Treating around the neighborhood. 

·        Halloween 2013 – TBD – but I am keeping my expectations pretty low. 

Mom's hard work.

Family Fun

After a crazy September we were lucky enough to have fun come to us this past week.  Cameron’s brother and his entire family came to visit.  It worked out great.  They took a couple of days to hit up Disneyland and the beach while we worked and Brynn went to school.  And then we had a few days of countless hours in the swimming pool, walking the beach path, and we even went to a petting zoo.  Brynn was exhausted at the end of every day from all of the running, jumping, laughing, and trying to keep up with her older cousins.   Brynn had a ball and asks about Unkie Cody, Audie and her cousins every day.  Those precious moments are too few and far between but it does make me excited for our visitors around Thanksgiving and for our trip home at Christmas time.

Train ride.

Feeding the animals.

Pony rides.

Picture Perfect

I got Brynn’s photos taken to commemorate her 2^nd birthday back in August.  I was amazed at how grown up she is now. 



1 Year Old


VS.



2 Years Old



She has changed so much.  She is now walking, running, talking, singing, counting, and learning her alphabet.  Versus one year ago when she was only crawling, laughing, and trying to talk.  However, something’s don’t change (like her cute little dimples).  She still loves her vegetables, being outside, swimming, and puppy dogs.  Enjoy a few of my favorite photos.

 

Crazy September

All of September is one big blur – we had something going on every weekend and most week nights.  After someone politely commented that the blog had become stale, I realized that I had not put up any updates since Brynn’s birthday.  My first thought was – Bad Mom, what have we even been up to?  So I quickly ran to my camera and realized the craziness that had just taken place over the past month.  It was a great four weeks, but “MAN” are we tired.  Here are a few of the things we have been up to. 

Brynn moved up to Miss Lindsey class

Miss Lindsey, Bella and Brynn

Tickle, Tickle

  

Kinley came to visit

Beach babes!

We spent a day at the aquarium

Can I touch it?

I see it!

Wow!

Tasted chocolate and wanted to sing Happy Birthday Brynn with candles again…

What are you letting me do?

Yummy!

I'm TWO!!

Happy birthday to me.. happy birthday to me…  Brynn still does not quite know what is going on and that it is her birthday.  All she knows is that we keep doing cool things and that she gets to blow out a candle once in awhile.  Today is her actually birthday so we spent the morning with Mickey Mouse and his friends.  Her excitement level went up and down.  The characters from a distance were amazing in Brynn’s eyes but a little scary once they got up close.  And wanted them when they walked away. 

Happy birthday to my sweet little girl.  I cannot believe she is TWO (going on 10).  Where has the time gone?  I love you Baby Brynn.  I could not imagine my life without you and I love watching you learn and grow every day.      

Mickey Mouse and Friends Fun!

Hangin' Ten with Mickey!

Stitch is Eating my Breakfast.

Surfs Up Grandma!

Pluto's Whiskers Tickle.

Princess Brynn!

Under the Sea Pool Party

Brynn had her very own under the sea world for her 2^nd birthday party.  The sun was shining, the sugar was flowing, and all of the kids were swimming and playing games.  What started off as what was supposed to be a small birthday party with a few people ended up being a full party with lots of people, decorations, games, and food.  Brynn was a little on edge and confused about what all the commotion was about.  But as the day went on she warmed up and had a great time.  Nothing a little sugar could not take care of.   

Could not keep the candles lit....oops!

Cake anyone?

Yellow submarine....thanks Ashley.

Shark!!

I did it!!

Fun with Fishies

Santa Barbara was our destination this past weekend.  First stop was the pier to take in the scenic views.  Once again Santa Barbara did not disappoint.  It was as beautiful as always but hotter than ever.  Once again the heat followed us.  We took a break from the heat and went to the Sea Center where Brynn was able to explore all of the sea creatures found in the surrounding water. 

She liked to splash in the touch tanks but was too frightened to actually touch any of the fish, sharks, or starfish.  Instead she loved running through the aquarium tunnel and tickling the bellies of the fish with Sara, finding Nemo with Grandma, and using the magnify glass to see the fish up close.  We ended our adventure with a jelly fish exhibit and impromptu puppet show.  Santa Barbara was a great weekend trip with fun for everyone.  Fishy fun for Brynn, shopping for the girls, and brewery tasting for the boys.      

I see you!

Finding Nemo.

Starfish Tank

Puppet Show

Nakie Baby

Summer is in full swing here in Southern California and so is the heat.  So why not go to the desert where it is even hotter? – I thought to myself.

We were lucky enough to be invited to our friends’ cabin along the Colorado River in Arizona recently.  We jumped at the chance for a change of scenery and to be on a boat again.  The only downfall of Arizona in August was the 112 degree days and 100 degree nights. 

Brynn, as always, was a trooper.  She got car sick on the way there.  Right in the middle of rush hour traffic, while in the far left lane Brynn was trying to communicate to me that she was not feeling well.  Let’s just say I did not get the hint until it was too late.  And to top it off we were riding in my friend’s new car.  She took it all in stride and we were back on the road within 15 minutes.  Unfortunately for Brynn, I did not have a change of clothes for her (our suitcase was in a different car) so the weekend of “nakie baby” began.  From then on because it was so hot in the desert, Brynn ran around in only a diaper singing “nakie baby, nakie baby” for both comic and heat relief.  Two weeks later and we are still wrestling every day to put clothes on her.     

The river was so relaxing and fun that I was able to quickly forget about the fiasco on the way there.  We were on the boat both days just floating down the river.  We jumped into the cold water (which took your breath away) every chance we got and made some pit stops at different beaches to play horseshoes.  Brynn was right at home on the boat.  She loved the speed and wind in her hair.  Her favorite part was driving the boat and we can’t forget honking the horn.  We had an absolutely wonderful weekend.  Thanks Katie, Shane and all the others - we had a great time.    

 

Captain Brynn

Splish Splash!

Long day on the boat.