What we've been up to...

Here are a few updates...

Last week we made cupcakes. Yummy!

So I decided for her muffin tin lunch we would read the story If You Give a Cat a Cupcake. I love these books they are darling.

Brooklynn loved her lunch and of course the cupcakes.

Friday night Ryan had to work so we got in jammies and watched the movie Land before Time. Brooklynn loved it and it was so cute to see all her expressions during the movie. My favorite was when Cera (three horn) was mad at the other dinosaurs so she went to sleep alone. At night it got cold, so She went and cuddled them. Brooklynn smiled and said "Oh, they love each other." It was so cute. I love that movie.

A few days ago I was at my mom's and thought I would put Cameron in a swing. He loved it and kept laughing. Just look at that cute face.

Do you think she is a little big for the baby swing now???

Today for Muffin Tin monday I had no ideas, I couldn't even think of a book. So we just did Orange lunch. Cheese Sandwich, celery with cheese, popcorn, Fish crackers and granola and I died her yogurt orange. YUM!

I have no idea why she always has her mouth open. Silly girl.

Cameron had orange lunch too! He had some fishy crackers and squash! YUM YUM!

After lunch we went outside and went on a little walk down the street to talk to our friends. They weren't home but it was fun anyways.

Cameron walked every other house. Then I would carry him and then he would walk again. We walked down the street and came back so it was probably like 12-14 house lengths. Brooklynn rode her scooter the whole way too. Usually she makes us carry it. Good job kids!

What a big boy! He loves his little bike/walker.

Happy Father's Day!

I want to express my love to all father's out there. I know first hand that being a parent can be a hard job. But the love of a father can mean everything. I have A LOT of great fathers and I wanted to tell them I love them.

My older brother Josh has always been a great example to me. He is very kind, giving and humble. He has been a very good friend and when I didn't have my dad around he was there to comfort and give me blessings when needed. I love you Joshie Pooh! Even though we all like to tease you and remind you about burning that girl's hair. It's all out of love!


Saturday night we had my dad over and I made Cafe Rio Salad and we had a good time with him. I am so thankful that we are getting closer and spending more time with my dad lately.


Brooklynn loves Grandpa Dennis and it is so cute that whenever she had a puppy that he gave her when she was a baby, she says. "Mom, I love Grandpa Dennis." It is so cute. Thanks Dad for coming to the dinner. I am so glad you are in our life. I am very proud of you and all that you are doing with your life.


My Grandpa Budd is a 2nd dad to me. He has always been there for me and also has given me many blessings. I am so thankful that Brooklynn and Cameron get to know him. He is so good to them. He always lets Brooklynn come up and jump on his bed and he just watches her and laughs. And EVERY time he sees Cameron he says, "I love my little football player Smiley." I have such a sweet Grandpa. Sidenote: I am told by my mom and aunt and uncle. That this picture of him holding Brooklynn, is the only time they have ever seen him hold a newborn baby. I feel very blessed that he wanted to hold her. I don't even think he would hold Cameron.


Another great man, father and grandpa is Ryan's dad Ron. We love him so much and he has always been very kind and loving. He let us live with them while we had fertility, medical expenses and saving for a house. I really appreciate it to both Ron and Susan. Ron also has been there and given me blessings and been a great example as a dad to me. He has taught Ryan many good things and I am greatful for that. We chose the name Cameron because it had Ron in it. I am so glad that Cameron can grow up and know his grandpa and learn from him as much as us. I know I don't say it enough but I love you and am very thankful for you.


Last and not least is my Ryan. I love him so much. Ryan always says that one of the reasons he was attracted to me was my love for kids. I feel the same, I was so impressed to see him with his neices and nephews and knew he would make a great dad. Sometimes he is even one of the kids and he gets time out too. Just teasing. IT was very hard when we went so long and could not get pregnant, it killed me to see it hurt Ryan. I am so glad that we were blessed with two kids. Both Brooklynn and Cameron love him so much. Brooklynn loves waiting for Ryan to get home from work and love to hide from him. They have such a cute relationship. Cameron LOVES his daddy and follows him all over. I can't wait to see him as a little toddler trying to do everything his daddy does. Ryan I love you and I am so thankful that you are part of the kids lives and you really do such a good job.

For Father's Day Brooklynn got him a Daddy Daughter date. She got him movie tickets and gift card to eat lunch. Brooklynn was so excited and they went yesterday. They saw the movie Up and went and ate lunch at Rumbi. Brooklynn has been wanting Ryan to take her to eat fish. I just can't since I won't eat it and so I told Ryan if you guys want you can go get it, but I just can't eat it with them. So they did and Brooklynn LOVES it. They had a great time.

Cameron gave Ryan some money to go golfing and them a golf set so that Ryan can teach him how to play and something they can do together. (Only a few more weeks probably until he is walking. He stands so good now.) Cameron loves him a lot and it will be so cute to see them out there playing together.

I love you all and am lucky to have great examples for me and my kids. LOVE YOU!

Muffin Tin Monday and Cameron's Crazy Sleeping

Brooklynn earned a new book with her tokens, it was Fancy Nancy's Fancy words. So for lunch we read that book and had some fancy salads. We made a fruit lettuce salad with various toppings and Shellroni salad and Potatoe Salad. Shellroni has joined my family for many family reunions, parties and other events since I can remember. Brooklynn took a bite and said, "Mmmmm, that is delicious. More Please!"


Although sometimes we get busy or forget Muffin Tin Mondays. We still love it and Brooklynn really looks forward to it. Thanks Heidi and Ellie for introducing us to this fabulous (that's a fancy word for great) idea.


This morning Cameron was kinda whining so I thought he was awake. I went in his room to find him like this. It was so funny, I ran and grabbed my camera.


I took a few pictures and was trying to be quiet. I don't think this is very comfortable. I wonder how long he slept like this.


All the picture taking woke him up and he was in a great mood. Which he usually is, but I wouldn't be if I slept like that.

The Dentist

Brooklynn went to the dentist for the first time last Thursday. I can't believe I forgot my camera. So I had to take a picture after. But she did great! She took the pictures and listened to everything they asked her to do. It was an awesome office and I am so glad we decided to go to a pediatric dentist. Brooklynn chose to watch the movie Bolt and she really liked the Hygenist Rochelle. When Dr. Tew came she got a little nervous and shy but it only was for a minute and he helped her warm up. So as he looked at her teeth he told her, "Brooklynn, no cavaties. You have perfect pretty princess teeth." Brooklynn thought that was so cool that her teeth were like a princess'. The only bad thing which makes me nervous is she has a Class III posterior cross bite and a horrible underbite. (I never really noticed but now Ryan and I see, it is so noticable.) So I thought okay I guess she will eventually need braces. NO! He said when she is 4 or 5 depending on how he feels and how bad she needs it. She has to get what is called a Tandem Appliance in her mouth. So basically like a crank thing to fix her jaw/bite. I just think it is so sad, she will be so young. But I will do whatever is recommended. Brooklynn was so good, I know she will do fine with it, but it is still sad. I am so proud of her and her no cavaties! Way to go Brooklynn.

Provo Marathon

Saturday was the Provo Marathon and of course Ry ran it.

The kids and I came to watch him finish... Unfortunately after a few things that morning we got there exactly when he finished so I couldn't cheer him in. But my brother was there and I was on the phone with my brother when he was yelling "Go Ryan!" So I was kinda there!

My little brother Jake ran the 5K and did awesome. He did it in 21 minutes. I think he was 5th or 6th in his age. Go Jacob!

Here are two of Ryan's biggest fans!!!! Wahoo, go Ryan! (I know I am a nerd.)

Brooklynn loves to do her silly poses, there were about 5 more shots of this.

Ryan was very tired after this one, for some reason he conked the last mile.

Brooklynn was attached at Jake's hip when he was there with us. He did leave a little bit early.

Cameron loves his daddy.

So I don't know how many people total but Ryan did awesome. He did the 26.2 miles in 2 hours 56 minutes and got 11th place overall. Also in his age he got first place and got another plaque. Wahoo! We love you Ryan and will always support you!

Happiness

This morning I started reading the book Rebecca. Some friends suggested it and I have heard so much about it. So I was reading it and in Chapter 2 there is a great quote. I remember thinking wow, that is cool, I should write it down, but I didn't. So as the day went on I wasn't feeling very well, I thought I needed fresh air. I went on a walk and that is not what I needed, I felt more sick afterwards. Then we FINALLY get home and Brooklynn informed me that she lost her 2 monkeys (littlest pet shop)and they are her favorites. We did 1/4 of the walk again and couldn't find them. Then Cameron wouldn't let me put him down, I was trying to get dinner done and Brooklynn decided to be naughty. She was screaming, throwing fits etc. Needless to say it was a bad night. Finally things got calm and I picked up my book and remembered the quote "Happiness is not a possession to be prized, it is a quality of thought, a state of mind." I can choose to be happy regardless of how bad my day is. So I am going to try to be more patient and choose to be happy. We'll see....

Thanks for letting me vent!

My dreams

Don't worry for all of you that know me.... this is real normal dreams not my dreams that come true. Just a plain old regular dreams. (just had to add that, Ryan is sick of hearing about my dreams cause usually something bad happens.)
So my sister-in-law Allyson suggested the YF book The Hunger Games as a great read. So for my turn in a book club I decided to try that book. I was nervous cause it is all about a battle to the death and only one person survives. I just finished it last night and it is great. The only problem is that is all I am dreaming about lately. I am sitting up in a tree and shooting my bow and arrow. (Well my dreams are more detailed but I won't get into it.) Any ways it was a great book, that I couldn't put down.
I can't wait until the next book comes out called Catching Fire. September 1st it will be here. Wahoo!

Muffin Tin Breakfast and Sunday Talk

For Muffin Tin we did a breakfast...
We had pancakes, French Toast sticks, Ryan made home made syrup, eggs, strawberries and fruit dip, and OJ for drink.
Brooklynn really enjoyed it. She loves breakfast food.
She ate it all up. It was delicious. YUM!
Sunday Brooklynn gave her first talk in Primary. It was so cute. It was on Baptism and Confirmation and the blessings it brings my family. My little girl is so big now.

Chase's Birthday

First we went to the zoo in the morning. Cameron had a lot of fun this time.

We got to go to see the Madagascar animals, there weren't as many as we thought there would be, but it was still cool.

We saw the bird show this time for the first time all year.

It was fun spending time at the zoo with Chase.

At the party we played at the park. I didn't even get picture of him opening gifts or of Chase, I was trying to get a picture of each kid playing but Chase wasn't ever over with the kids at the swings. Oops! But they all had a really fun time.

Carsonis so cute,and a very sweet boy.

Jordan is so funny this is the Jordan that Brooklynn says she wants to marry. So funny.

My neice Gracie, she is such a doll.

Cute little Ryken. He is so funny.

My cute Cameron. You would think that I told him to pose this way, looking off into the distance.

My nephew Tyler, just a stinker but so cute.

Brooklynn was mad cause she just slipped and fell in the rain, because she was running and I wasn't going to carry her.