The Backyard

We finally laid down new topsoil and sod to start the beginnings of making our backyard a yard. It has already been so much work...we'll finish next spring!
This is one of many projects we have been working on over the summer. I'm kind of glad winter is coming so we can get a break and figure out what we really want to do with the yard.

Another one of those "look what I came up with Mommy" moments.

Jason's new toy- won at work for reaching a particular quota. I've already seen "Bumblebee" transform into a giant metal figurine at least a dozen times now.

Great Reminders!

I just received an email from my mother in law and thought it was such a good reminder of things that seem to be majorly lacking in our society today. Maybe she was trying to tell me something :), but it also happens to be exactly what I have been thinking a lot about lately and summarizes all the thoughts that have been going through my mind. So I just decided to share it.


*Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.'

* A sharp tongue can cut your own throat.

* If you want your dreams to come true, you must not oversleep.

* Of all the things you wear, your expression is the most important.

* The best vitamin for making friends..... B1.

* The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts.

* The heaviest thing you can carry is a grudge.

* One thing you can give and still keep....is your word.

* You lie the loudest when you lie to yourself.

* If you lack the courage to start, you have already finished.

* One thing you can't recycle is wasted time.

*Ideas won't work unless ' You' do.

* Your mind is like a parachute...it functions only when open.

* The 10 commandments are not a multiple choice.

* The pursuit of happiness is the chase of a lifetime!
* It is never too late to become what you might have been.

*Life is too short to wake up with regrets.. So love
* The people who treat you right.. Forget about the Ones who don't. Believe everything happens for a Reason.
*If you get a second chance, grab it with both Hands.

* If it changes your life, let it. Nobody said life
Would be easy, they just promised it would be Worth it.

* Friends are like balloons; Once you let them go, you might not get them
Back. Sometimes we get so busy with our own Lives and problems that we may not even notice that we've let them fly away.

*Sometimes we are so caught up in who's right and who's wrong that we forget what's right and wrong.. Sometimes we just don't realize what real friendship means until it is too late.

Mission Buds

We finally had the opportunity to get together with two of Jason's old mission companions.
We have kept in touch with some of them, but Jason hasn't seen Philly (right) since the mission. It's been a long time for all of them.
Thanks for the fun night guys (and wives!)

Nora and Beckam

Brooklyn using Beckam as the human log to jump over.
He quite enjoyed it actually.

Brooklyn's 4th Birthday Party

This picture was taken 2 days before the birthday party as I was making the cake and getting it ready to freeze. The kids could not stay out of it...and neither could I to be honest. This cake batter was exceptionally yummy that day.

The day of the party, Monga made the frosting. How many kids does it take to get frosting and powdered sugar all over the kitchen? Only 1!! but in this case there are 2. Monga just thinks it's so funny.

Frosting the first layer was scary getting around the edges of the pointy crown. I almost tore it off a few times.

See the size of picture I had to work with? Luckily Sleeping Beauty's crown is easy to free-hand, but I had to stand there scratching my head for a little while figuring out how to make this itty bitty picture transfer to the size of a large cake.

Papa had been working in Argentina, but flew to our house instead of going home just for Brooklyn's birthday party. He flew in for less than 24 hours to be with Brooklyn for her birthday. Wow, what a sacrifice!!! That's a whole-lotta-love right there. Thanks Papa- you are amazing!

Papa putting frosting on their noses. Beckam kept trying to reach his tongue up to his nose to lick off the frosting.

Aunt Sue always decorates her gift bags to tie into the theme of the party. Brooklyn sat there staring at all the pretty pictures of Sleeping Beauty and her Prince. Brooklyn tells me she can't wait until she can have a prince too.
But, first she'll have to go through the 'boys are gross' phase, then we'll talk :)

Her cousins, Draden and Aliah came down

The finished product!

She got four sets of fairy wings, and a never ending bag of dress ups and jewelry from Aunt Sue and Uncle Ken. So, we invite all little girls over to play anytime!

About to blow out the candles... she blew out each individual one with their own full breath.

Beckam had a blast with the balloons all night. They occupied him for hours.

Princesses were a sure part of Brooklyn's birthday this year.
We can't believe we have a four-year-old princess ourselves. How do they get so old so fast?
We love you B-Kate, Happy Birthday!!!

On Brooklyn's actual birthday, we met dad for lunch, but let Brooklyn choose where. Without a doubt, she wanted JCW's. So, that's where we went.

Monga was visiting for her Birthday, so we got to have her with us that week too.

Beckam was being such a snuggle-bear with his daddy!

The happy Birthday Girl!!!

Brooklyn brings us so much joy in our lives! She is truly an angel. She is also feisty and full of it sometimes- a little miss independent. She makes me laugh and is a very good big sister. Even though she is four and has seemed to outgrow her naps, I can still get her to snuggle with me for a nap every once in a while. I love those days!

Play Dough Wall

Brooklyn was playing with her play dough and after awhile I came walking around the corner and asked her where all her play dough went, she said it was on the wall. Confused, I walked around looking at the walls, but didn't see any play dough. Then, she said, "down here" and there it was underneath the bar counter on display. She had just slapped it up there like it was a sticker or something.

1st Day of Preschool

This was Brooklyn's first day of preschool in the 4 year old program.
Weeks before school even started, I tried prepping her for it, by saying all the fun things she'll get to do and all thew friends she'll get to make, but she always shot back at me with, "I don't want to go to school, I just want to stay home with you and Beckam." I kept thinking it would get better over time, but as the school year approached, she was still determined not to like it. She actually started fearing it and would cry when we talked about it. So, the day before school started, I asked her if she would want daddy to give her a special blessing to help her enjoy learning and have fun at school. She immediately got so excited! She perked right up and yelled, "YES- that would be so great!"
After the blessing, she was ready for school and I haven't heard another complaint out of her about it since!!!
Thank goodness for this special gift that daddy's can give.