Christmas

We had a great Christmas this year. And enjoying the joy of our kids. They are our greatest joy. Thanks to all our family and friends for everything.

The Nutcracker

All of the girls (Dana, Kristen, Mandy, Makena, and me) went to see the Nutcracker. Mostly for Makena. She loves ballet. She dresses up all the time. This was so exciting for her. The first half she was glued. Then the second half she was a little restless. She said "Mommy I want to go down there and dance with the ballerinas". It was so sweet. After we met one of our friends who had just danced. Thank you Katelynn for a picture with Makena. We will always cherish it. I have never seen Makena so excited and overjoyed with one experience. She was dancing in the lobby and performing for anyone who would watch. I could go on....

Happy Holidays

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Old McDonald Had A Farm

Brinlee really loves music and songs. She is always singing to herself. A family habit. I love this "Old McDonald" that she is doing.

Looking alike

I never really thought that Brinlee and me looked alot alike. But after my dear sister took this photo I think we do.

Been a While

I haven't written in a while. And there are a number of reasons.
KIDS, KIDS, KIDS...need I say more. Both of my little ones have eczema. From this stems off alot of other issues with there health. Allergies. There allergies hit and they get alot of mucus which then after a while bacteria comes into play and that's how you get sick. So Makena had bronchitis, a respiratory infections and an ear infection. Brinlee had a respiratory infection, and then pneumonia. Gosh lets hope the daily dose of allergy medicine helps. :)
My mom came into town for a visit. It was great. We made a Christmas wreath that I'm totally in love with. By the way mom Dana wants one...hehe. Did so many crafts, shopped, had a girls night, and talked late into the night some times. I love having my mom around. And mom....you are welcome any time you like.
Then we headed up for Nebraska for Thanksgiving with my sister Leslie. It was so nice to get talk and spend time together. I just wish it could have been longer.
We are still applying to Pharmacy Schools. Only 2 more left. Montana and Kansas.
Cross your fingers.

Halloween

Gymnastics

Makena had her first gymnastics class. She listened really well. And was eager to help and listen to the teacher. SHE LOVED IT!!

The Cider Mill

All of the family went to the Cider Mill. Except Daddy. But we had a great time eating, doing the corn maze, picking out pumpkins, and having a great time.

SICK SICK SICK!

That is right. Mitch came home with a bad cold. So over the last week Makena and then Brinlee were getting weird coughs. I tried some medicines for Makena, but nothing worked. So off to the doctors. I made an appointment for both of them. Well we went in and the doctor listened to Brinlee first. After listening to her chest she said that we need a chest Xray right away. I was shocked. She checked Makena and said she had Broncitis. So off we went to get the Xray. After a while waiting I had to hold Brinlee down for the Xray. And Makena had to wait in the dressing room with the door closed. After we got back in the room with the doctor. She said that she had pneumonia. I was like...what I just came in for a cough. They had to give her a shot of antibiotics to get her going. Then I had to wait 20 minute to see if she had a allergic reaction to the shot. She didn't so we were able to leave. Now both are basically have house arrest. Can't take them anywhere for the next 4 days. Wow. And in all of this some how I haven't gotten sick!! Knock on wood.

Pumpkin Patch

We had a great time at the pumpkin patch. This has been a tradition every year for us. And we have a great time.

Starting to Walk

I was remembering the other day that Makena walked at 11 months. Let see if Brinlee can start up some interest. So I gave her the cart and wahoo she started pushing it. I was such in shock (that is why I'm mumbling). They grow up TO FAST!!

Ballerina Time

First of all...Makena wears this tutu everyday (Thank you Kristen!). No really I don't mind. How often do you get to play dress up. I have even let her go to the store in it. Hey your only a kid once, right? Anyways..I got a video from the library about ballerina steps. So we got it. Makena only does it when your not looking. Enjoy.

Get it Straight....

There has been alot of "talk" from a few people that we are moving back to Utah this next coming year. Well no and maybe is the anwser to that. We have some connections to get into a Pharmacy School in Utah. That doesn't mean that we are going to except. That "school" is ALOT OF MONEY a year. It is at the bottom of our list for this reason. There is an 1 in 8 chance we will stay here. A 1 in 8 chance we will move back. Eight chances. That is right we are applying all over the country. So lets just wait and see. :)

Makena's 3rd Birthday

Makena celebrated her third birthday on Saturday. I have been planning this party for a month. The theme, cake, who I'm inviting, what to get Makena. I'm a little bit of a control freak when planning. We had a great time. Makena had a ballerina party. We decorated some tiaras, played outside, at dinner, opened presents, and had cake. A fun filled time.

I will never have to buy Makena dress up clothes. It was GREAT! She got everything you can imagine. She loves it and plays dress up a few times a day now. Thank you to everyone who came, and thank you to Great Grandma Adair for the gift (you never forget a birthday), Great Grandma Ranzenberger for the card, and Grandma Karen for the card. It is nice to know that even though you all live far away you remembered. Thanks again.

Hilarious

I was looking back at all of the pictures and videos we had a Makena a year ago. And wow she has changed and grown sooo much. This video (sorry I was laughing) was to die for the most hilarious thing I had seen in a while. Good thing Makena didn't mind. Hope you all enjoy.

Tiger in the Tent!

I love these pictures and video. Makena is pretending to be a tiger. Brinlee and her love playing together. Crazy how big both of them are getting.

Fishie Faces

This was a while ago. But I couldn't resist posting them. We were teaching Brinlee how to do fishie faces. It really only took five minutes. So cute.

Totally Bummed

I have some sad news. To all of our family and friends that we were going to visit this Thanksgiving......we aren't able to come. With the cost of everything now, it is really tight. I'm soooo sorry. I really miss everyone and would love to come. Just know that we miss you all and would love to be there. We are thinking of you.

Why this is worth it!!

Ever had one of those days where you just want to run away? That you can't hear one more cry? That you are dying to do something to satisfy you in some way? Well I had that yesterday. So I decided Makena, Brinlee, and me needed to take a walk. So as I was pushing Brinlee in the stroller and holding Makenas hand, she looked up at me and said "Mommy your my only mommy, and I only want you for my mommy. I always need you. I love you. Your my best friend ever." Needless to say I stopped walking and picked her up and gave her a bear hug (and shed a tear or two). She is the sweetest thing in the world. Just melts my heart! That charged my "battery". It makes everything worth it.

Update

I know that I haven't posted in a few weeks...but alot has happened. Mitch is now attending KU part time. He goes twice a week ALL DAY. We miss him soooo much. We really have been so happy with having him home since January. Now with him back in school, its like being a single mom again. :( But have to sacrifice now for a better future.
What else....Brinlee turned nine months. And wow is she vocal (that is an understatement) and everywhere.
And my adorable Makena is just that adorable. Smart as a anything and a great helper to mommy.
I love my life.

Brinlee

Yesterday we were all sitting around. Then mitch got up and left the room. When he returned Brinlee said "hi dada". We were all so shocked. Later in the day when he returned from work she said it again. Wow and to think that she is only 8 months. I love my kids.

Coolest Thing

I have the baby book that I used with Makena. I wrote some things in it. One of the things that I noticed the other day was that I had written in that Makena was saying "hi" at 8 months. I thought maybe I wrote that wrong. No way...at 8 months? So I decided to start saying "hi" to Brinlee more with a wave.So this morning I was feeding Brinlee her morning cereal. And I said hi and waved. Well she waved back and said "ha...ha". I don't think she was laughing at me...at least I hope not. Holy Crap she was trying to say hi. How amazing. Amazing how quickly children learn things.

St. Louis & St. Louis Zoo

Here are all of the pictures of the zoo. We had a great time. Makena and Brinlee really enjoyed everything. All of the animals were really up close. We could reach out and touch the penguins (though we didn't). And Makenas favorite animal would have to be the elephants. Right when we were walking out of the zoo we passed the elephant one more time and they were in the pool swimming and splashing around. A great end to the zoo day. Now Mitch and I are ready for a vacation with just the two of us.

THE OLD HOUSE

When we decided to take this trip and I realized that my hotel was like 5 minutes from one of my childhood houses...I decided to drop by. I was nervous and had butterflies. Then when we pulled up to the house. Everything changed. I started to cry in remembering things that I didn't want to remember. Or forgot. Though I do remember good memories aswell. Playing on our swing set, riding up and down the street with my brothers and sister on our bikes playing "taxi" with the banana seat. lol. A true bitter sweet memory.

SICKNESS

So I'm beginning to think that moving has become more of a curse than a blessing. Since I have been her I have had 2 UTI's, a sinus infection, head cold, allergies, breast infection, and my lymph nods in my neck got infected (don't know how that is possible). People, all of this humidity and fungus here SUCKS!! I hate being sick all the time. When I'm tired Makena always asks me if I'm sick. Poor thing, I don't want her to have to worry about that. All I hope for is moving some where when mitch gets into school that is DRY! I hope all of these "sicknesses" stop. I'm so sick of it.

Everyday joys

Lazy days at home. We have been staying inside away from the heat. All that darn humidity. We play dress up, Cinderella (consists of makena or me being cinderella and the other the fairy god mother), blocks, books....etc. A day in the life of a mom.

Our Family Picture

Drawing pictures of our family is something Makena loves to do. She wants to account for everyone and make everyone feel special. Like how she tells Mitch, me and now Brinlee that we are her best friends ever. Telling mitch he is handsome, and me that I'm beautiful. She is the sweetest girl. We drew this together.I love the one that I drew of Mitch. Becuase he is exercising everyday now. Which I will be posting a before and after of him when the 16 week program is up. Keep posted.
Notice her drawing of the potty and sink. Two big things with potty training. And speaking of which..no accidents for almost a month!!! WAHOO!

Swimming

For Fathers Day we got a membership to the pool. Thanks Grandma!! We all love to go swimming. And we all know living in the midwest with the humidity it is hot. So we packed up and went swimming. We had a great time. Makena loves it. And Brinlee was a little nervous, but mommy was there for encouragement. And Grandma made everything fun. The funny part about the picture with Kena playing in the sand. She wouldn't sit in the sand, she insisted on having a towel to sit on. My little pris. lol

Welcome Home

Today is really exciting for me. My dearest friend Shane Tabrizi is coming home from his mission. I can't believe that it has been 2 years already. Crazy to think in that time frame everything that has happened. I remember when I first met Shane when I was working at Jordan Commons. Wow flash back. Anyways...he is a great guy. Welcome home Shane.

What's new??

Well I haven't posted in a while. I just got burned out I think. New things with me.....we went to a wedding of our friend, and Brinlee turned 7 months. Not much really.

I Goggle You!

Makena trying on daddys goggles. The funniest thing I have seen in a long time. lol