While Dad is Away the Girls Will Play

Brynn and I took full advantage of our girl time this weekend.  Dad was away with his buddies watching a Cubs game so Brynn and I did everything she wanted to do.  We went shopping, painted her nails, got ice cream (twice), and went to the beach.  The grand finale was a trip to the zoo followed up with a train ride.  The zoo was small but perfect for a toddler.  It had a petting zoo which she was not too interested in and other animals she could feed.  She was a much more comfortable with the animals behind a fence.  The owls were her favorite, we had to go back and visit them three times.  What a funny girl.  We saw many birds, snakes, bears, and mountain lions to name a few.  The train ride was a treat.  She was so excited to ride and loved waving to all of the people as we went by.  We had a great weekend  and I can't wait to do it again. 

Bunnies at the Petting Zoo

What's in there?

Excited to Ride the Train

Here We Go!

Beach Babe

With Brynn being a water baby and with the pool being so conveniently located outside our house Cam and I have been a little lazy about getting Brynn to the beach.  So this past weekend we ALL packed up and headed to the beach, with Grandma and Ashley in tow.  Overall, Brynn had a great time.  The waves scared her a little and she especially did not like it when the waves washed away her sand castles.  I think she was a little overwhelmed by the size of the ocean and all of people around.  She kept looking back to make sure everyone she came with was still around.  Who knows, maybe she will warm up to the waves over the next few years and become a surfer girl.  If not she would be content sitting on the beach for hours digging a hole to China.

Beach Babe!

Sand Castles!

Beach Fun!

Cheese!

Otter Pop Fun!

Red White and Blue Kinda Day

We took full advantage of all of the 4^th of July activities that Huntington Beach had to offer this year.  The day started with a quick little 5K run down Main Street and ended with fireworks on the beach.  I think the highlight of the day was watching how excited Brynn was for the parade.  Luckily Grandma Sharon chalked us off some spots so Brynn could sit front and center along the parade route.  The excitement started when she put on her 4^th of July t-shirt and sunglasses and loaded up into her bike to show off all of its decorations.  At first she was not sure about the parade but once she figured out that a parade meant airplanes flying overhead and horses walking down the street – she was in!  We filled the rest of the day up with great family and friends, the pool, and lots of 4^th of July food.  The day ended with a BANG as we all relaxed on the beach and took in the fireworks.  Happy 4^th of July to everyone!!

Just a little run to kick off the festivities.

Check out my bike!

Happy 4th of July!

New School

Brynn started her new school when we got back from vacation.  She was pretty excited to meet all of her new friends.  Actually, I think she was most excited to wear her new backpack. 

Day 1- Mom and Dad dropped her off at school.  It was no big deal.  It seemed to me that she was saying "can you leave yet – you are a little embarrassing".

Ready to go!

Piece of cake!

Day 2 – Complete melt down when Dad dropped her off.  However, she was excited to see Mom later in the day and show her all of the books and toys she had been playing with.   

Day 3 – Hurry up Dad.  I don’t want to be late for school.    

See ya later alligator!!

Su Fu Fun

Brynn and I took our first summer vacation together for the year to Sioux Falls while Daddy spent a few days in Vegas with his buddies.  Brynn gets spoiled while she is in Sioux Falls.  She gets to spend time with all of her favorite people, run wild in the yard, get new toys, and go to lots of new and fun places.  Our trip started with family time with Grandpa Casey where they chased the cats around and gave the dog a bath.  We then spent a day with Grandma Darcy at the Butterfly House and the park.  She was fascinated by the butterflies but quickly wanted to spend time in the library and splash around in the touch pool (good thing I brought an extra set of clothes).  Brynn could not get enough of the Sertoma Park playgrounds.  She just kept running from one playground to another while her cheeks just got more red and more red.  While we were there, she met a new friend named Bryn.  She was an affectionate little girl who was born just a couple of days after Brynn.  

Checking out the fish!

Look a butterfly landed on my head!



Brynn and Grandma Darcy



As the week went on Brynn got to play with her cousins and even visited the zoo with who Brynn calls her Great “Gama Nonna”.  We took in a baseball game with Aiden and Cooper and spent a day at Grandma Nancy’s lake cabin with Sydney and Alexis.  All of this was on top of visits to the park, shopping, lunch dates, and playdates.  Whew….  At the time it did not seem to chaotic but now looking back, how did we get it all in?  Below are some of our favorite photos from our trip home.

Waiting patiently with Cooper

Stroller fun with Aiden

 

Wait for me!

Splish Splash

Fun playdate with friends.

Happy kids!

Great Distraction

Despite the circumstances we were in Sioux Falls for, we still had a great time.  There were plenty of moments of sadness and grieving but Brynn is always a great distraction.  Here are just a few of the joyous moments Ashley captured throughout the week.

Driving Pa-Pa’s Truck

Beep Beep!

Turn, Turn!

At the Playground

Let's Go Grandma!

Hurry Up!

Weeee!

Touring Grandma Darcy’s Work

Amazed by the Waterfall!

In the Garden!

Feeding the Fish with Aunt Joann

Fishies!

Trying to Wear Grandma’s Clothes

Too Big!

We Love You Pa-Pa

We unexpectedly had to rush home to see my father one last time before he passed away on May 20^th with “his Girls” by his side.  A few days before, he had been released from the hospital and was looking forward to our visit home to celebrate Father’s Day with him.  Unfortunately, his body could not last that long. 

Brynn was a trooper on our ten hour, three plane journey home where we were continuously sprinting to catch our next flight to find out we were delayed.  Once we arrived we did not leave my father’s side.  At first Brynn just thought Grandpa was sleeping but once morning came she knew something was wrong and kept asking for Pa-Pa.  The poor girl was so confused and just wanted to be with me.  I would have done anything to have been able to give her all the attention she needed at that moment but my father needed me more.  He needed to know that we were all there by his side. 

Still to this day Brynn asks for her Pa-Pa and smiles and yells gleefully when she sees his picture.  He will always hold a special place in Brynn’s heart.  He is in a better place now where he can be with “his Girls” watching over them for every celebration, sporting event, and holiday.   He was loved by many and will be missed by all.