sleepover buddies.

Even though Brie inherited a princess toddler bed she prefers sleeping on the twin size bed in their room.  So last month when we decided it was time for Alex to be in a "big boy" bed, what did that leave Alex?  The princess bed, of course ;0)  Before heading to bed ourselves we always check on the kids.  We have yet to find Alex on the toddler bed, and usually find him and Brie sharing the bigger bed.  (Maybe it's too girly and pink for his liking ;0))  We often have to stifle our laughter when we see where they end up falling asleep.  Usually something like this...

 It's obviously not ideal, but not a battle I'm going to fight.  Works for now, eh?

Can you help?

Our dear friends, Ben & Ashley adopted a sweet baby girl a little over a year ago.  They are starting the process to adopt again, and would LOVE to get the word out.  Take a look at their blog, and spread the word! THANKS!!!

good friends.

This weekend (early Thursday morning to Saturday afternoon) Bry was out of town volunteering an hour and a half away at scout camp.  Laura asked which night we wanted to come over for dinner.  When I told her Thursday and she realized that our standing play date would be the following morning she asked if we wanted to stay the night as well.  It's no small task having an extra adult and 3 little kids over for dinner let alone to spend the night!   That's a true friend, eh?  We had Brie & Hannah sharing a room and Alex & Adam in another.  The evening was a little rocky...Brie and Hannah would NOT go to sleep (I can't really blame them), so Brie came and slept with me on the pullout bed in the family room.  Then Hannah was up in the early early morning having a hard time sleep....so poor Laura didn't get much sleep.  Our tired girls were kind of being drama queens, but the boys were so cute!  Other than Alex taking toys from Adama and Adam pulling Alex's hair...they loved being together: jumping on the couch, reading a book with "Lola", and having a sleepover.  Alex slept in his peapod and Adam was in his crib...they giggled and talked in their two year oldese til almost 9pm.  Then a little after 6 the next morning they were bright-eyed, bushy-tailed and giggling again.  I stuck Alex in Adam's bed so I could get a picture of those two cuties :0)   All in all we had a fun time and I was so grateful for Laura's willingness to sacrifice her family time, personal space and sleep to help us get through the weekend.  Thank you!!!  Thank heavens for good friends.

oh, that was simple.

My sister Emily started a blog for all of her CUTE and creative teaching ideas.  (Check it out here!)  While talking her through blogging 101, we were chatting about backgrounds, where to find cute ones, how to upload them...I decided to google how to make your own.  It was WAY simpler than I thought it would be.  So if any of you have always wondered the same thing, check out this easy tutorial!

our little frog.

Yesterday I dressed Elijah in this little froggy outfit that Aunt Emmie gave him for Easter.  I couldn't resist doing a mini photo shoot!  Can we say cute?! :0)

In any case, I wanted to give an update on our Lij.  I can't believe that in a few weeks he'll already be 4 months old!  He really has been a dream baby.

Here are a few other things about Little Lij:
-nurses really well, and spits up even better ;0)  When I sit him up after nursing he usually spits up on me!  You'd think that I'd always have a burp cloth nearby, but I usually forget.  Brie usually saves the day with a diaper wipe!
-sleeps like a CHAMP!
-doesn't cry much, and is generally so sweet and happy!
-often has this grumpy little face, but it doesn't take much to get him to smile...and oh do those smiles melt his Mama :0)
-major thumb sucker.  He sometimes does what Alex did and will unlatch and stick his thumb in.  Cracks me up!
-can roll from tummy to back
-often is found with his whole hand in his mouth (teething?!)
-his chubby cheeks are SO kissable
-for whatever reason, when I'm holding him I usually say, "you're sweeter than honey...you're sweeter than pie!"
-current nicknames: Baby Lijas (Alex), Little Lij, Lij, Lijah

We LOVE you, Lij!!  The Lord has blessed us so much by having you in our family.

comfort & counsel.

For whatever reason the last several weeks had been so challenging for me.  I felt like I was swimming in negative thoughts and it felt so overwhelming to keep things running.  Just getting all of us dressed and ready is a big task and was leaving me little {emotional} energy to take on the rest of the "normal" daily tasks like laundry, cleaning, and making dinner.  I don't know if I've been dealing with postpartum depression, hormones, the rigor of life now with three kids...or all of the above.  In any case, I found myself in such a negative place, hating life, wondering what in the world I was doing! {Have any of you been there?!?!} I didn't want to mention it to Bry because I know he already has so much on his plate, but during companionship study a few nights ago the lesson we were reading lent itself to a conversation about it.  He responded with the perfect article and scriptures, and I was so grateful that his spiritual preparation was able to help me so specifically and in such a timely manner.    Afterwards he gave me a priesthood blessing.  It was wonderful to receive comfort and counsel from the Lord and was just the reset I was needing.  How grateful I am for Bry's closeness to the spirit and the way he uses the priesthood to bless our home and family.  Not to mention him making us breakfast, buying me flowers, and taking the kids swimming to give me a break.  Sure love you, Bry!!  The last few days have been SO much better!  Albeit unintentional I think my thoughts had led me away from the spirit...seeking a fresh start and forgiving myself was so important to get back on track.  It's amazing how powerful our thoughts can be.  And it's amazing what a difference my attitude makes for my little family.  It's so true that if Mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy!

Let us CeleBrat!

Oh Target, you sucked me in again.  I walked by their "dollar bins" a few weeks ago and saw the CUTE BBQ stuff that they had.  They had an apron that said, "Let us Cele brat"...perfect for Bry who loves bratwursts!  Needless to say that I themed his Father's Day dinner and presents around that silly apron.  

During our mother-daughter time on Wednesday "writing notes" day, we made cards for Bry.  Brie liked the design I came up with so I helped her make one like mine.  

She was so excited that she gave it to him a few days early.  It was the cutest thing to see how proud she was and excited to give it to her Dada.

 We decided to do our Father's Day BBQ on Saturday.  That way Bry could work (instead of wait around), and I could get ready for it during Alex's nap.  Brie and I spent the afternoon getting things ready, setting the table, making the food, getting his presents ready (apron, BBQ lighter, Groupon for G&W Sausage Company).  I even ironed the tablecloth (and a few shirts for Bry--THAT was a Father's Day miracle--The first time I have ever ironed Bry's shirts.).  It was delightful working with my little bugaboo to make the evening special for Bry.

Bry loves to grill and agreed to do the grilling.  Since charcoal grilling takes quite a bit of extra time, I had an appetizer and drink for the wait.  It was a fun start to a laid back evening and yummy dinner.  What a great celebration with our little fam!  While cleaning up the kitchen, I asked Bry what his favorite things were about being a Dad...

snuggles * tickling kids * laughs & giggles * cleaning the bathrooms with Brie (such a great helper) * kids SO excited to see him when he gets home from school * listening to them say sweet prayers * taking them swimming * having their little voices and bodies running around the house * watching Brie draw * kids having fun on family outings

 BBQ Menu:

Pretzels with Jalapeno Popper Dip

Fresh Strawberry Lemonade "Italian Sodas"

Green Salad

Baked Beans

Potato Salad

Grilled Corn-on-the-Cob

Bratwursts

Triple Chocolate Ice Cream Cones

Sunday morning Brie & Alex helped to set the table while I got breakfast ready for Bry.  Biscuits & Gravy with Omelettes and a Strawberry orange banana mango smoothie.  Yum.

 

The hair on one side of Bry's head always poofs during the night.  It was too funny when I noticed Elijah's little poofy morning hair as well.

Bry, I hope that our kids inherit a lot more than just your poofy morning hair ;0)...you are SUCH an excellent dad AND husband.  We sure love you to pieces.  Thanks for all you do to keep our household and family running.

If we could hand pick...

...a father, the kids would pick you!  Brie, Alex and Elijah couldn't have asked for a better Dad.  We're sure blessed to have you Bry :0)  And so thankful for our brothers, Fathers, Grand fathers and Great grand fathers.  I'm so grateful that my boys have such wonderful men to look up to!!

(a version of the Father's Day post card we sent out)

Happy Father's Day!

according to my iPhone, 1.

I HAVE to note first off that when Ruth Anne (my sweet, thoughtful friend & former neighbor) heard that my phone was having issues...she mailed me her old iPhone 3G.  How nice is that?!  It has been SO fun to have.  I usually have my data turned off (since our little prepaid plan only gives us 35MB/month), but can use the WiFi here at home.  I can easily do a scripture study cross-referencing, marking, taking notes) in bed while nursing Elijah in the morning.  It's so nice to know when I get email updates.  One of my favorite things is skyping with it!  I don't have to use my minutes, we're not stuck in front of our computer monitor, and I can "carry" people with us as we go about our normal routine.  Em recently joined us for snack time where Alex & Brie were pretending to feed her food through the phone ;0))  The only thing that I'm trying to figure out is how to enjoy the technology of easily being connected, without ALWAYS being connected.  Ya know what I mean?  Still a balance I'm trying to strike.  In any case, here is an inside look into our little world as of late...

 oh those chubber cheeks.

 a beautiful home we walked by during our 5k...

 5k, year 2.  Pretty sure we came in LAST!

 Elijah was a champ the whole walk.

Brie getting in on the snuggle time.

snapping a picture before Alex pokes Elijah
 in the eye or smothers him with his
 sweet-intentioned yet intense hugs!

 Alex in his new coupe
(thanks to Bompa & Mémé) 

 playing with the camera...
Brie & I making funny faces.

 our front walk.  MANY an hour of enjoyment has been spent out here!  Love that Alex is sporting Brie's orange sparkly sun glasses.

 a sign I saw in a grocery store in SPRINGFIELD.  Gotta love it!

 in the mother's lounge on Mother's Day after cleaning up two blowouts and being spit up on a time or two.  Just keeping me in a job ;0)

 common occurrence when we're
 driving around nap time.

 into the washer go all of the friends (thanks to Alex taking off his wet diaper in his peapod.  Maybe it should be called peepod ;0)).

 thank you, Alex.

 Oinky's birthday, hence the paper crown made by Brie.

 Not Elijah's birthday, but so dang cute slouching there sucking his thumb ;0)

 Mother&Daughter sleepover when Bry & Alex went on the Father&Son camp out.  Just about to devour some chocolate-covered strawberries & watch "Cinderella".

 Brie had our beds all ready.  so cute :0)

 Elijah was our honorary boy ;0)

 dipping toes for the first time of the season.
pool is open, but was too cold to swim.

just HAVE to get in a little snuggle time after nursing Lij.

 See a pattern here?  Brie loves to snuggle with her little Lij :0)

 Brie was sharing her Miss Mousey.

 Finally hitting the path for a little walking with 3 kids in tow.  Only took 1 1/2 hours to get out the door.  Heaven help us.

 Love this, all 3 kids doing their own thing.  Alex picking his nose ;0)

 Lij in his corner.

 Alex sporting Brie's gladiator shoes ;0)

 the front walk, just love those big shade trees.
Home of one or two tantrums...or three or four...

 notes from Bry&Brie for Mother's Day.

 One of Brie's MANY cute coloring pages.

 Brie&Alex chilling in the church parking lot,
eating dry cereal while I walked laps with Elijah.

 love when these two play together!

 outside our front door.  looks like we have a parking lot going on.

 just platypusing around.

 an impromptu family picnic at the Rocket Ship Park.  Bry counting how many times Brie asked to go play at the park.  Not interested in eating dinner.  Should have known.

 breakfast of champions = cheerios/bran flakes + nuts + bananas + berries + honey + milk

 Brie accessorizing for her littlest bro.

 at Lily's 5th bday party.

 Brie got to pick out the ice cream flavor.
Strawberry, of course.  Look at that excitement ;0)

 Victor & Brie sharing a tricyle.

 after Brie prayed with Alex, there was a BIG thunderstorm.

having a popcorn party,
 yet another thunderstorm.

red, white & blue trifle
 for our Memorial Day dessert.

sibs.

yes, Brie was at work again ;0)

my lovely postpartum spare tire...I mean my sweet snuggly little man after getting him up from a nap.  He is such a thumb sucker and I love it!  Sure simplifies my life...for now ;0)

thumb-sucking buddies.

I feel like he's a little bear cub or something 

Maynard the Moose from Minnesota,
 one of our Story Time Friends.

Brie at work, yet again ;0)

in love with this little cutie pie,
 he's sweeter than honey!

his face after getting several shots,
 break my heart :0(

Brie making Alex's car her own, flowers and all.

Uncle Alex holding his newly born niece, Oinky :0)

that strong little man, standing up
 and chatting with his Dada.