Our August

 I figured I'd post a few pics from August. The kids and I went to Rainier to visit Jennifer and her family. Every year they have a party for all the youth in the area so we were there for that and it was a Luau theme. We also went to a parade which was fun. The kids love parades.

 Elaine Dalton gave a talk called Return to Virtue. Jennifer's stake young women decided to have a Virtue Run based off that talk and I was able to be there to photograph it.

Othello Cinderella Ball

 Othello put on a father daughter Cinderella Ball for the Distinguished Young Women...kinda like Miss Othello. Brandon and Phoenix went last night and I snapped a few pictures before they left.

 

 

 

Family Pictures 2012

I feel very blessed that we were able to get a gamily picture with Brandon's parents and sibblings this year! I am sad that Devon and Tino weren't there tough. It is so hard to get everyone together for a pic though. Even though we are all together a few times a year it seems that when we say "Picture Time" everyone scatters! Somehow it has fallen on me to be the mean one that forces everyone to get together!!!

 I was also able to get some great pics of my kids too!! My beautiful babies are growing up so fast that I feel like I'm having a hard time keeping up. My little Brinna baby has really changed in the last few months. She is now 18 months and in nursery! They love her in there because she is so sweet and quiet...so they say. When she is at home she is busy and very curious. A lot like Curious George. :) She is always climbing or getting into something but it is hard to get upset because she is so sweet and kind and happy. Her hair has really lightened up and we still aren't sure what is going to happen withher eye color. They look dark green or light brown but in the sun they are a lighter sage green...

 Atticus is going to be turning 4 next month. He loves anything super hero or manly...with Barbie princess every now and again. Lately it seems that he has been more active jumping and learning to do flips off the couch and chairs. He will practice over and over. He really wants to be in school just like Phoenix and hates that he has to wait 2 more years. He is a sweet boy who loves his snuggles but kisses are really "frose". (grose)

 Phoenix has grown up. She is 5 and in kindergarten. She loves it and is very confident in school. At parent/teacher conferences we learned that she is in the top 2 of the class and has been recieving special one on one and homework so that she isn't bored. She is our beautiful girl and it kills me to let her out of my sight for so long during the day. She wakes up and gets ready for school all by her self. I was meeting her at the bus after school but she wants to come home herself now so I just stare at the window and wait...then when she walks through the door I try to act busy. :)

I really should stop kidding myself...

I have been begging Brandon for a piano for a long time. I have these grand dreams that I will learn to play and teach the kids. I thought I could play for family home evenings on Mondays and Brandon would play for Christmas while we all gathered around. Well...It has been a while since we got it and I still can only plunk on it and Brandon have learned Hot Cross Buns... I'm not sure we'll be ready by Christmas. The demo key gets a lot of love in this house while the kids ballet dance all over the house.

March Anniversary Trip

Ok so it's time to come out with it. Brandon has been looking for new jobs seriously since November. Ok well he's been looking forever but it has been serious since November. One of the places he interviewed was in Oak Harbor, WA. We decided to make an Anniversary trip out of it. Here are the pics...

The Island was SO beautiful. We just happened to go on a windy weekend but we still absolutely loved the ares. It was a really small town feel and everyone seemed warm and welcoming. The housing was expensive but everywhere seems expensive because we got a great deal on our house that we're in.

We spent a lot of time driving around and getting to know the area and hiking Deception Pass.

In the end we decided not to take the job offer. There were a few reasons but none as big as the fact that it just didn't feel like the right move for us.

This was March...

 I did a lot of crafting in March. The first pic is a little mustache onesie I made for Brinna.

 I have started drinking green drinks for snack or instead of breakfast and the kids love them!! They usually have fruit, spinach, vanilla whey, and almond milk.

 Here are some pics of the kids climbing around on daddy again! They love it...and he never seems to get tired of it!

 I made a Frankenstein hat for Nix! So cute huh? I am excited because I made up all these patterns!

 I also got a new haircut...LOVE IT?!

 Do you know Minion from Despicable Me? This is a minion hat! I love it!!

 Then I made some cute little ballet flats for Brinna. So cute!

Back in the game?

In April Brandon and I got cell phones! This is monumental for is...or for Brandon because he's just a stingy accountant and didn't want to go in unless we were going to go big. After waiting for him for 45 min and no way of getting ahold of him I was about to "talk" him into cell phones. (This was not the first time he's stood me up!)

I am so excited about them! We have everything at our fingertips now including a not-so-shabby camera.

I know that it has been a while since I've blogged so here's an update. I will not make excuses for my future absences...a busy mom of 3 doesn't need to provide excuses  :)

Here is our February...

We got a piano! I used to love hearing my sisters play the piano growing up. I played a little and have always wanted to have one in my house so Brandon got one for me!

 Brinna Is getting more mobile which means she's getting into more! She is a busy busy bee!

 We have 1990's wall board in our laundry room. It was one of my hold-ups when buying the house. I decided to see if it could be painted. IT CAN! Isn't this blue a pretty color?

 One of the things that makes me hate winter is that my hands get so dry that they crack. It is very painful and I spend a lot of time tending my sore fingers and knuckles.

 My friend Lena had a little one and I was excited to snap a few photos of her. Edyn is so sweet. She's a lot bigger now though!

 I painted and made curtains for the kitchen and dining area in our house! I LOVE IT!! I was nervous about picking the right red color but it was perfect!!

 I have also gotten into "Pinterest" and found a recipe for homemade "gak"! It was so easy and just calls for glue, water and baking soda!

 Tickles from daddy!