Summer Fun at Grandma's

Two peas in a pod…. I always say this after returning from my mother’s house.  But Brynn and Grandma are two peas in a pod.  They have tons of fun together watering flowers, catching bugs, mowing the lawn, and going for walks.  There are so many toys at Grandmas’s house that Brynn just runs from room to room trying to figure out what toy to play with next.  I think she ends up playing more in the garage and basement than anywhere else….such a funny girl.   

Surprising Grandma with the Hose

While in Sioux Falls the three of us spent as much time as we could with my grandmother / Brynn’s great-grandmother.  Brynn enjoyed going over there snuggling on great-grandmothers lap, coloring pictures, and eating animal crackers.  All things I used to do while at grandma’s house. 

Relaxing with Great-Grandma

Summer Fun

The weeks are getting away from me and I have not had a chance to update the blog in over a month.  I have sat down to write numerous entries after our many adventures, but haven’t been able to get the words and pictures together in one place.  Therefore, I ended up breaking up the past month into many segments.  I took nearly 2 weeks off to spend time with Brynn and family.  Every day was filled with a morning and afternoon kid friendly activity that Brynn would love.  We spent the first part of my vacation back in Sioux Falls where we went to the zoo, pool, farm, park, rode grandpa’s golf cart, lake cabin, ran through sprinklers, and much more.  I always forget about how much fun Brynn has when she is back there.  She loves all of the space where she can run and explore.  She gets spoiled by her grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.  In addition, the amount of children there are for her to play with always blows her mind.  It was an exhausting trip but we got to see a lot of people and we will do it again over Labor Day.

Daddy's Day

Brynn was so happy to be celebrating “Daddy’s Day”.  There was a lot of pent up excitement as we prepared for our Angels baseball Daddy’s Day outing.  First, I had to try and explain to Brynn that it was a surprise and secondly that we were going to the stadium and not going to watch it on TV.  And of course we had to go shopping for Angels baseball shirts and found one that looked like Daddy’s but had glitter on it. 

Brynn surprisingly loved the baseball game.  She sat nicely in her chair and cheered the entire time.  A baseball hat, hot dog, bag of popcorn, a cookie, and 8 innings later Brynn was ready for bed.  By the time we got to the car it was 10pm and she was a zombie.  Happy Father’s Day Cameron!!  Brynn is lucky to have you as her Daddy! 

Excuse me!! I am in the middle of watching the game.

Go Angels!

Nothing better than Daddy, Mickey Mouse,and the Angels

Shaving Daddy's whiskers at Dad and Donuts.

Ride 'em Cowboy

Now that the school year is over and summer has begun, so has Brynn’s school schedule.  Instead of their everyday routine, each day has a theme and fun activity.  The week started off with Bubbles, moved to Everything Orange on Tuesday, and yesterday was “Ride ‘em Cowboy”.  She gets so excited for all of the different themes and activities. 

I will have to say yesterday was pretty cute and of course they had a photographer there to capture it.  It all started the night before when we were discussing the next day’s school activity – Pony Rides - with Brynn.  The conversation immediately went to which cowboy hat she was going to bring to school.  She decided on the “new” one.  Next we had to pick out a cowgirl outfit.  Jeans and a flower shirt would do.  When Jessie, the cowgirl from the Toy Story movie, was brought up I quickly changed the subject.  There was no way I was going to be able to pull together a cowgirl outfit like that one.

The second I picked her up from school she told me all about the pony, the “real” cowboy hat she got to wear, and how she wanted to ride on the pony longer.  I immediately went to check out the photos.  I took one quick glance and told the guy give me the entire package.  They were too cute not to have at least one of each.   Take a look.

Inaugural Boat Ride

After years of wanting and talking about buying a boat, I finally caved.  Unfortunately for Cameron I don’t think it was the kind of boat he had been dreaming of.  We were recently approached with an opportunity to go in with a few other families and buy an electric Duffy boat.  For those of you who have never heard of a Duffy think of it as a cruising boat that runs on electricity and does not go over 7 mph.  It is used for cruising around the harbor areas with very few waves and definitely would not make it in the ocean.

On Friday night, we took “Always Faithful” out for its inaugural voyage.  For the most part it went off without a hitch.  But with any new toy you don’t always quite know where everything is and how it works the first go round.  However, what we did figure out is that it was a great time and a perfect way to spend a Friday evening.  Brynn enjoyed being out of the water, looking at the boats, and of course wearing the captain’s hat.  She is going to be a great Skipper one day. 

Thanks to all who came out for the fun!!     

Always Faithful

Cruising into the sunset

Captain Brynn!

Can We Have Mother’s Day Again Next Week?

Mother’s Day is the best holiday of the year.  The weekend started off with a bang at Mom’s and Muffins.  Brynn got to show me around her classroom, she made me a very special card, and presented me with a flower.  The kids then sang songs and we all got to plant some flower seeds together.  Brynn was so excited she could barely contain herself.  Then Sunday came around, Brynn got to share in my new Mother’s Day gift - a bike.  We all loaded up and hit the beach path.  The weather was perfect.  Not to hot and a little overcast.  We ended up riding for a few hours and stopping at a beach café for some lunch.  Brynn was so exhausted from all the activity she ended up falling asleep in her trailer.  The day ended with some pool time, and snuggling on the couch.  What a perfect day!

Stopping to smell the roses.

Family fun.

Taking it easy!

The Breakfast of Champions

Noodles….the new breakfast of champions!  The things that must take place at my house in the morning would likely shock me.  Let’s take these photos from the other morning for instance (taken by my spy).  For starters, she is in a perfectly cute outfit for the day, which I laid out the night before.  Then we move to my second observation - how did spaghetti noodles even become a breakfast option.  There must have been some tantrum or negotiation that took place, right??  Next, all I can see is that hair.  I know the curls can get a little unruly at times, but I think a little water and a brush would do a lot in this situation.  We must have just gotten lucky with Brynn’s teacher, because this is not what she looks like when I pick her up.  She always has a clean face, brushed hair, and cute little pony tails in her hair (that I know where not done by Cam).  But all-in-all I just need to concentrate on that smile.  And that funny face and spunky attitude says it all and reminds me daily that Brynn is the perfect combination of Cam and I. 

Funny noodle face!



Why wouldn't I use my hands?