The Brown Family Blog

Sweet Sweet Girl

2012-01-05T15:05:00.000-08:00

I will never forget the day I flew back home to Missouri after visiting Marshall in Tucson. We were still trying the long distance thing and I think he was starting to have some doubts so we discussed seeing other people. I was an emotional mess and to top it off I was coming back home to the house that Katie and I shared but was about to become just my house, because she was getting married and leaving me.

I will never forget pulling in the drive and seeing my mom's car there. Sorry about this mom---but I was not happy about it because I just wanted to crawl in bed and make the day go away, not sit and talk about my trip.

I remember so clearly walking in the house and blurting out, "I am not in the mood to talk, I just want to go to bed". Katie looked up from the couch and pulled back the blanket and said, "I bet this would make your day better". There, under the blanket, was the smallest sweetest little puppy I had ever laid eyes on. My heart melted immediately. She of course informed me that she had already given it a name but I was welcome to change it---too late... Winifred it was and Winifred it would stay.

From that day until today I was blessed with the best dog that has ever lived. She was patient, loving, and just the sweetest little dog. She spent countless hours on my lap as I graded papers. She spent countless hours on my lap as my babies grew in my tummy. She spent countless hours putting up with two children running and screaming around the house when all she wanted to do was nap on the couch. She nursed ALL of us through good, bad, happy, and sad times. There was just nothing that could bring a smile to your face like a Miss Winnie kiss.

Her health had been fading these past few months but the good days far out numbered the bad so we just kept hoping for the best. Sadly things went bad very quickly yesterday. She suffered a very strong seizure in the morning. I had just happened to walk back in to the house as it was happening so I was able to get her to the vet very quickly. He told us that seizures at her age were usually the result of something wrong and not a chronic condition. We did blood work and went on our way. Last night she had another seizure which lasted about 3 minutes. We decided to sit the kids down and talk to them about the fact that we might have to put Winnie to sleep and what exactly that meant. The thing about that talk that stands out the most to me is that when I mentioned that Winnie would go to "Doggie" heaven Emma started to cry. I asked her why and she replied that she didn't want her there, she wanted her in people heaven so we could see her again some day.

Marshall called the vet this morning and got her lab results. Sadly, it came back that she was in liver failure. The medicine that they could give her for the seizures is very hard on the liver so we were stuck with a pretty hard decision. After talking, discussing, and crying we came to the conclusion that we needed to put her down. Winnie confirmed that we made the right choice by having the strongest of the three seizures right before we were to leave.

I am not going to go in to detail, but seeing your dog convulse for that amount of time is just something that I NEVER want to witness again.

Putting her down was the toughest thing I have ever done. Marshall and I went to the Vet's office together and we held her and each other through this awful experience. I held her tight as they administered a drug to put her to sleep. She crawled up and nuzzled in my neck just like she had always done as a puppy. I did not let go until long after her little heart stopped beating.

It was a hard decision to make but I know it was the right one. She was suffering and I could not allow that to happen for a second longer.

I will miss her more than I can even begin to explain to to you in words. Emma put it perfectly when she said, "Mommy, I feel like my heart has a crack right in the middle of it."

Goodbye sweet girl. Thank you for being so loyal to me and my babies. I will love you forever. I am broken tonight from the loss of my friend!

Emma's surgery

2012-01-05T14:55:00.001-08:00

Emma did fabulous with her tonsil surgery. She wasn't a big eater of ice-cream and such but at least she wasn't on a 10 day hunger strike like Tyler was. She had her surgery at the hospital just down the street. This hospital doesn't see a lot of children so she was a hit. Here are a few pictures of her in all her glory.

Christmas Morning

2011-12-30T10:08:00.000-08:00

We sure missed having people here this year! Here are some pictures of what you missed.

Christmas Eve the kids get to open one gift and they usually pick the gift that other gave them. Emma got Tyler a football tee and Tyler got Emma a Barbie--both were thrilled!

Santa brought Emma a doll and some accessories and Tyler got an Electric Spark scooter.

Here is the BEFORE picture of Christmas morning.

Here is the "AFTER" picture!

We had a nice quite Christmas this year but we are ready for the loud rowdy one again soon!

A quick review of December

2011-12-23T14:22:00.001-08:00

We have been busy. Here are some highlights of what we have been doing to get ready for Christmas.

We went and visited with Santa and Mrs. Clause. There was no one else in line so Tyler and Emma got to visit with them for about 10 minutes.

Tyler had his Christmas party at school. He decorated his cookies with so much icing and candy that even he had a hard time eating them!=)

We took the kids to the fire station to donate toys for local children. I am always so proud to watch my children give willing and with love in their hearts!

We even rode the Polar Express all the way to the North Pole and visited with the "real" Santa!

On our way home from our North Pole we stopped to play in the snow. These pictures show the happy part of the 15 minute visit. I chose not to photograph the crying part that followed because of the frozen fingers and toes!=)

Today was Emma's Christmas Party at school. She had a great time making crafts and spending time with her friends.

Except for baking cookies for Santa, we are pretty much ready for Christmas. I promise to get the Christmas morning pictures and videos posted as soon as possible. We sure are missing having people here this year. I want each of you to know how much we love and miss you. We hope and pray that 2012 is a healthier year and that next Christmas we will be together!!!!

Some Tyler videos

2011-12-13T11:38:00.000-08:00

Tyler has become quite the performer.

This video is a song that he learned during Thanksgiving time.

The following two are from his Christmas Program at school.

He sure was a cute elf!!!

Cookie decorating with Aunt Marie

2011-11-28T13:12:00.001-08:00

Aunt Marie and Uncle Bill stopped by this past weekend for a quick visit. Even though the visit was WAY too short we were just so glad to have them here. Bill helped Marshall with a little outdoor decorating and Aunt Marie baked and decorated cookies with the kids.

They will be back in March to watch the kids for us while we go to an out of town wedding and the kids can hardly wait to see them again!

It's the most wonderful time of the year!!!

2011-11-28T12:47:00.000-08:00

I LOVE Christmas time!!! You won't find me shopping on Black Friday--that is tree decorating day around here! Then the next day Elvis, our Elf on the Shelf comes. This year Tyler was able to read Emma the book that Elvis brings with him on his first day here.

UA Game

2011-11-28T12:31:00.000-08:00

A big THANK YOU to the University of Arizona for winning their last football game of 2011. They played in the afternoon so we took Tyler and Emma. The game wasn't that crowded and there were some empty seats, so our friends, The Martinez Family came and sat by us. Having the Wildcats win and sitting next to his buddy, Sammy, made Tyler a VERY happy boy!

Stone Soup

2011-11-28T12:14:00.000-08:00

Emma's preschool put on a production of Stone Soup. If you are unfamiliar with the story here is a quick summary...

Some travelers come to a village, carrying nothing more than an empty cooking pot. Upon their arrival, the villagers are unwilling to share any of their food stores with the hungry travellers. Then the travelers go to the neck of the stream and fill the pot with water, drop a large stone in it, and place it over a fire. One of the villagers becomes curious and asks what they are doing. The travellers answer that they are making "stone soup", which tastes wonderful, although it still needs a little bit of garnish to improve the flavour, which they are missing. The villager does not mind parting with carrots to help them out, so it gets added to the soup. Another villager walks by, inquiring about the pot, and the travellers again mention their stone soup which has not reached its full potential yet. The villager hands them a little bit of seasoning to help them out. More and more villagers walk by, each adding another ingredient. Finally, a delicious and nourishing pot of soup is enjoyed by all.

Emma and her friend, Ashlyn, were the hungry travelers. Our girl was such a little star! She said her lines loud and clear and wasn't shy in the least. The video below isn't the best and it is about 13 minutes long, but if you want to see her in action you can!

Here are a few pictures from her acting debut.

Mom and Tyler's day out

2011-11-28T11:54:00.000-08:00

I know I have been slacking terribly when it comes to blogging. It seems like every day I am either at Tyler's school or Emma's. And if I am not there, I am busy running errands or cleaning. I told myself that today was the day that I would sit down and get you all caught up on what we have been doing.

On Veteran's Day Emma had school but Tyler did no, so he and I had a Mommy and Tyler Day. He got to choose the activity and he chose the zoo. After the zoo we went to Marshall's office for lunch and then capped the day off with a play date with one of his best buddies. Here are a few pictures from our zoo trip.

The last time Tyler fed something in the water he fell in---this time he stayed dry!=)

The Mama Lion recently had three cubs. She came right up to the glass and looked everyone in the eye letting us know that we were NOT to mess with her babies!

I love this boy SO much!!!!!!

Halloween 2011

2011-11-02T20:31:00.001-07:00

This year Emma was Alice in Wonderland, which she was the spitting image of, and Tyler was a Police Officer.

We trick-or-treated with out fabulous neighbors and got so much candy that I am going to have to add a mile on to my running for the next few weeks!=)

A wonderful visit

2011-11-02T20:06:00.000-07:00

Uncle Matt, Aunt Nancy, Kelsey and Logan all came to see us last week. We enjoyed having them here more than I can even begin to explain. It was just so wonderful having another girl in the house for Emma to play with. Kelsey was awesome with her and when she finally did get sick of Emma dragging her around Logan stepped up to the plate and let her climb all of him like a jungle gym! Logan was also great with Tyler playing lots of ball and video games.

We went to Tombstone on Friday and thankfully it wasn't too hot to enjoy it. Here are a few pictures from out day.

Waiting for the gun fight to begin.

If those boots didn't cost $50 she would own them!

Bellied up to the the bar at Big Nose Kate's for a shot.

Uncle Matt loading Tyler's new cap gun.

We had nice enough weather out here that the kids all got to swim. Sadly, I didn't take any pictures of that.

Saturday evening Matt and Nancy went with Marshall and I to a friend's Halloween party. Here we all are in costume.

Uncle Matt even pulled out Tyler's 2nd tooth. This isn't the best picture of Matt but Tyler feels that this is a blog worry event!

We decided to make Potato Head pumpkins instead of carving. Here are the kid's

masterpieces.

It was a wonderful visit. Both kids have been so sad all week that Matt, Nancy, and the kids can't move in to our neighborhood. I love Arizona but I sure do miss being around family!

Pumpkin Patch Field Trip

2011-11-02T19:58:00.001-07:00

Tyler's class went to the Pumpkin Patch for their field trip. Emma and I went along as well so we also counted this as our family trip. Going to the Pumpkin Patch in 90 degree heat isn't all that fun but we did it with smiles!

Click here to see how much the kids grew since last year!

Newport Beach Part 2 (lots of pictures)

2011-10-23T20:49:00.000-07:00

We really did have a fabulous week in Newport. We could not have had better weather so we were able to get in lots of beach and pool time.

Our biggest downer of the week came Monday morning when Tyler woke up with his asthma cough. He hadn't had so much as a sniffle before this so we were unprepared. Thanks to Oro Valley Pediatrics prescriptions were called in and $150 later he was breathing easy.

Our second BIG downer was that I forgot my camera. I was really wanting to use my good camera to take some family pics for possible Christmas cards but it was not meant to be. Thankfully Marie brought us Bill's old camera so we were able to capture our memories.

Here are a few pictures showing some of the highlights from our trip.

These are all from Crystal Cove. This beach was just across the street from where we stayed. There was an AMAZING tide pool there so the kids got a great science lesson that day!

Feeding the fish at the resort was a favorite activity (that is until Tyler fell in!!!!!).

Marshall made the kids chocolate chip pancakes a few mornings which made Emma a VERY happy girl!

If you are ever in Newport, a FREE and fun activity is the Newport Sports Museum. You won't be surprised to read that this was a favorite spot for Tyler. It was filled with ALL kinds of sports memorabilia so it was a hit for both he and Marshall.

We went took the ferry over to Balboa Island and spent the day checking out cool shops and playing games. I even rode the Ferris Wheel (my eyes were shut the ENTIRE time so no pictures) to make Emma happy.

On Saturday The Morash Family and Uncle Jake and Miss Danielle came up and spent the day with us. We had a wonderful time hanging out, swimming, laughing, and cooking out. Every time we get together with them we always try to figure out how we can possible get together more often. We enjoy them so much and can't wait till we go back in July and they spend a few days with us!

It was a wonderful vacation and we are counting down the days till we get to go back and do it all again! We love California....just look at this sunset and you will understand why!

A BIG THANK YOU to Marie and Bill for not only saving us with the camera, but for watching Winnie all week. She was in good hands with Bill and I am pretty sure he spoiled her rotten with attention because she was a bit naughty when we got home Monday and I had to be gone all day.=)

Newport Beach 2011 (Part 1)

2011-10-16T19:32:00.000-07:00

We just got home from a wonderful week long trip to Newport Beach. The weather was PERFECT and we had a great time. I promise to do another entry this week with LOTS more pictures but I wanted to post these tonight to show you how our boy has grown since we last visited this beach!!!!

Arts and Crafts day at The Browns

2011-10-05T19:26:00.001-07:00

Emma has decided that she is an artist. She LOVES to color, draw, and paint. This is what she created for her Daddy's office.

The kids and I also made this cool skeleton for the house. He has Emma's hands and Tyler's feet. Our door is white so the picture isn't the greatest.

Sports

2011-10-05T15:47:00.001-07:00

Here are a few shots from this past weekend's sporting events.

Decorating

2011-10-05T15:22:00.001-07:00

Tyler recently asked, "Mom, what are you trying to do, decorate the whole house?" I replied, "Why yes, I am!" He then told me that I was doing a good job!

See for yourselves.

My new gallery wall in the living room.

These are above the window in the front room.

I found this picture for above our bed.

I have become a frequent visitor to our local Home Goods and since I have a bunch of subbing dates lined up-- there will be even more redecorating in my future!=)

I have to give credit where credit is due though--my neighbor has been a HUGE help so THANK YOU sweet Miss Anna!!!!

Soccer

2011-09-22T10:32:00.000-07:00

How cute is she? And check out those LONG legs--she sure didn't get them from me=)

Our first practice was last night so keep watching for more pictures and videos!

September

2011-09-19T12:41:00.000-07:00

We have been busy. Tyler is back in the swing of baseball. Marshall is coaching again and Tyler is still LOVING to play. His favorite position is still catcher and he has been hitting like a pro.=)

Emma will be starting soccer soon so keep checking back for pictures of her in her adorable shin guards!

The kids are still swimming and love both the pool and each other...

except when they don't!=) I have decided that every time they are mean to each other they have to "hug it out". They are always mad at first but then after a few minutes they end up in a fit of giggles and remember that they do actually like each other.

Our sweet Winnie is having a few health problems so we are giving her LOTS of extra love.

She is almost 12 and her age is catching up with her. Every once in awhile she still gets a burst of energy so we always take advantage of those moments and play whenever she is ready.

She is the sweetest dog in the world and we ALL love her so much. It is going to be a VERY sad day around here when her time with us is through.

I LOVE my new iPhone!

2011-08-29T15:39:00.000-07:00

Marshall and the kids gave me an iPhone for my birthday and I am LOVING it! I am having a blast with different photography apps. Here are just a few of the most recent pictures I have taken.

2011-08-25T19:20:00.001-07:00

This should probably be posted on a Wordless Wednesday post but there needs to be a few words! Number 1-- sorry for the background noise, we were having the carpets cleaned; Number 2--they are dancing to Country Girl Shake It For Me, inappropriate but funny; and Number 3--they are Marshall's and My children so excuse the lack of rhythm and just focus on their enjoyment!!!

Calling Dr. Brown

2011-08-15T14:35:00.000-07:00

Tyler Brown, I know you want to play in the NFL, but if that doesn't work out for you how about med school? You are so stinkin' cute in scrubs!!!!

Sally the Camel

2011-08-11T15:10:00.000-07:00

Emma sang this song ALL day today--and since it has been in my head ALL day I thought I would do the same for YOU!

First Day of First Grade!!!!!

2011-08-10T16:27:00.000-07:00

We both survived today and they were only a few tears shed, and to be honest they were mine! Can you believe Tyler started first grade today?

We actually met his teacher, Ms. Carlson, on Monday and even then I got filled up with tears. I guess I was just in shock that he was going to be attending such a HUGE school. I am so used to his small little preschool where there were only 15 kids in his Kindergarten class and everyone knew everyone.

Tyler and Ms. Carlson.

He is now attending Wilson K-8 so he is a little bitty fish in a great big pond.

Tyler and his friend, Ethan, in front of the school.

Tyler and his buddy, Drew.

But I have to tell you....he did AWESOME. I am so proud of him for being so excited and for not even hesitating for a second. He had a great first day and I know the rest of the year is going to be just as fabulous!

High fiving his teacher in line and ready to start the day!

A Visit from Nana

2011-08-10T16:15:00.000-07:00

Nana came last week and stayed for a few days. I had gotten to see her when I went to Matt's wedding in May and to Grammy's Memorial in June but she hadn't seen the kids since February so she needed a little kid fix. She got one too. We took advantage of her and snuck away for two nights to Marshall's favorite place to golf in Arizona, Tubac. He played a round and I had a spa day--we were both happy campers.

Nana took the kids to the movies, swam with them, and just spent time being entertained by two of the goofiest kids out there! Our visit was short but good, so good that Emma cried when she left and was willing to get on the plane andgo home with her!

Now we just need to figure out how to convince Papa Carl to move to Arizona so these visits aren't so few and far between. Any suggestions are welcome!

Summer Play Date

2011-08-10T16:03:00.000-07:00

There was a week in between RLCDC starting and public school starting so we were able to help out some friends by keeping their girls for one of the days. Tyler will probably kill me one day for sharing these pictures but they are just so stinkin' cute!

I LOVE how nerdy he looks in his goggles next to these two beauties!

Emma was in HEAVEN having so many girls over to play. They swam and played dress up for hours. It was a great time and one of the calmest most entertaining play dates we have ever had!

Bowling

2011-08-10T15:56:00.000-07:00

Marshall was able to join us on one of our final summer outings---BOWLING! The kids really enjoyed going and I am pretty sure that I caught his good side in this picture!

In need of guests

2011-08-02T20:29:00.001-07:00

My newly decorated Guest Room would love to have some occupants.

A big THANK YOU to my lovely and talented neighbor, Anna, for pretty much decorating the whole thing. Now all I need is an unlimited budget so I can get her going on the rest of the house!=)

She is in Pre-K

2011-08-01T13:27:00.000-07:00

Let it be known that Emma is NOT in Preschool. She is in Pre-K now. I have made the mistake of saying preschool and have been corrected quite quickly by Miss Thing!=)

She was soooooo very excited to start school today.

Here she is on her first day last year...

And just look at her now. She is growing up way too fast for my taste.

As sad as I am to accept the fact that she is growing up, she is just as thrilled as she can be to back with her favorite teachers and friends!

Golf Camp

2011-07-28T12:49:00.000-07:00

Tyler completed his first Golf Camp. He told us he "had a blast" each day. Today was the last day and he got to play in a three hole tournament. If you ask me I think he makes an awfully cute golfer!

Emma's REALLY Big Girl Bed

2011-07-28T12:41:00.000-07:00

We finally converted Emma's toddler bed in to a full size bed. It took me FOREVER to find bedding but I think what we found is PERFECT---and she loves it!

Summer Fun

2011-07-26T11:27:00.000-07:00

We FINALLY have the pea gravel under the play set so the yard is as done as it is going to get for this summer. The kids have been playing on it, swimming LOTS, and just enjoying the fabulous Tucson evenings.

School starts for Emma next Monday and then Tyler starts on August 10th. I will try to get a few more summer posts done before we head Back to School!!!

Bestest Play Date EVER

2011-07-26T11:09:00.000-07:00

Our wonderful neighbor and her daughter put together a play date for their little cousins and kindly included Emma. It was just fabulous! Anna is one of the most creative people I know and her daughter is the kindest sweetest girl in the world.

Lily is an animal lover and she is passing that on to Emma. Here she is holding Lily's Bearded Dragon.

Anna and Lily LOVE Cake Boss so they decided to have the girls create their own master pieces. I am totally stealing this idea for Emma's next birthday party! Check out Emma's creation.

Here is another craft they made....a little pocket book made out of a juice container.

Lily even did face painting on the girls!

Lily is the like the Big Sister Emma doesn't have. She is such a good role model for her. I am just so grateful that Emma and I have her and her mom as friends!

Museums

2011-07-26T10:39:00.000-07:00

When it is 110 out each day you have to try to find some good indoor activities for the hottest part of the afternoon. Now that swim lessons and most of the camps we signed up for are done we are trying to find some fun things to do. We have seen Kung Fu Panda 2, Mr. Popper's Penguins, and Cars 2. We have gone to the library, spent too many hours running errands, and we have visited some fun places. Two of our favorites have been Tucson's Children's Museum and the International Wildlife Museum.

We did The Children's Museum with our friends, The Vinyards. Here are a few cute pictures from that outing.

We had never been to the International Wildlife Museum so we decided to get the neighborhood kids together and try it out. We have LOTS of boys in our neighborhood so it was an adventure taking them all together. They got to see ALL kinds of wild animals and even humored me from time to time allowing me to get a few pictures.

We can all can tell that we have been spending A LOT of quality time together because the kids are driving both me and each other crazy. The other day they had argued so much that after a lengthy time-out I made them sit down together and use team work with NO FIGHTING to put this puzzle together. Amazingly they did it AND they were actually nice to each other. They look like angels here but we all know looks can be deceiving;)

Let's recap July

2011-07-26T10:10:00.000-07:00

I guess I have some catching up to do since my last post was a MONTH ago. My ears are burning from everyone being mad that I have become such a lazy blogger!=) Honestly, we have just been trying to stay super BUSY so the kids don't have too much free time on their hands. Because of this my computer time has become pretty limited.

Let's go back to the beginning of July. I don't have any 4th of July pics this year because Tucson was so dry and AZ had such a horrible fire season the fireworks got cancelled. We had a nice cookout with friends but I didn't take any pictures.

After the 4th we headed to Carlsbad. We got to attend The Annual Morash Family Backyard Bash. It was a great trip for a number of reasons: The kids got to see not only Aunt Marie, Uncle Bill, Aunt Corinne and Uncle Dave, but they also got to see Aunt Katie since she was in CA too; We got to go to a favorite summer activity, Jazz in the Park; Tyler and Mason got in plenty of wrestling time together, We got to see how big sweet Ethan is getting; We got in a day or two at the beach (Katie needs to send me pics of this AND Jazz in the park); AND Marshall and I got a night away by ourselves. It was a fabulous trip and a wonderful time was had by all!

Tyler lost his first tooth

2011-06-27T17:23:00.000-07:00

Last night (June 26th) Tyler lost his first tooth. It had been loose for WEEKS but he finally caved and let Marshall pull it out. The Tooth Fairy was very generous and left $5. She did however leave him a note telling him that she left extra for this particular tooth because it was his first. He totally understands that the going rate for used teeth will not be so high the next time!=)

They FINALLY love to swim

2011-06-22T20:19:00.001-07:00

Both kids are loving the pool----and thank God because it was 110 out today!!!!

16 years

2011-06-22T18:39:00.000-07:00

I went back to Pennsylvania this month for my Grandmother's Memorial.

Grammy was a VERY special person. We grew up five houses down the road from her and almost all of my childhood memories include both her and my PopPop. I would give anything in the world to have a set of Grandparents living close to me so that my kids could have that kind of relationship. Grammy was able to meet Tyler twice and Emma just once. I did talk to her on the phone and sent pictures so she was able to at least "see" and hear about them. I love this picture from the last time I was in Pennsylvania. The smile on her face here is the one that I always see when I think of her.

It was brought to our attention that this trip was not only special because it gave us all a chance to honor the wonderful person that Grammy was but it was also the first time in 16 years that the four of us Strohl kids were with my dad at the same time.

16 years!!!!! I sure hope it isn't another 16 years till we do it again!

Baseball is over

2011-06-22T16:46:00.000-07:00

Our first season of coach pitch baseball has come to a close. To say that Tyler loved it is an understatement. He is a true sports fanatic. In fact he has given up all cartoons and now only watches sports on TV. Thank God we have TiVo so there is always a game recorded to keep him happy!

He loves to bat but, his true calling seems to be catcher. He really enjoys playing that position and he stays is the squatting position the entire time he is playing it.

Emma was a trooper all season. Having lots of little sisters there was a HUGE help in keeping her entertained.

Aunt Katie came out just in time to see Tyler's final game. He put on quite a show for her too. He hit a double, got someone out on third, and played catcher.

Fall ball is just around the corner so I am sure you will be reading more ball posts soon.

Yummy

2011-06-22T16:39:00.000-07:00

I am so not a baker but I found myself in charge of making a dessert for a gathering. I had some blueberries that I had bought and froze because they were a little tart so I wanted to find something to make with them. After looking online I found this great site.....My Baking Addiction. There are just so many amazing sounding treats on here.

Although my kitchen was in utter chaos, the end result was BEYOND yummy!!!

Click here if you are looking for a yummy Blueberry Crumb Cake recipe!!!

Tyler graduates Kindergarten

2011-06-01T16:32:00.000-07:00

You won't believe what I did today. I registered Tyler for 1st grade!!! He is all done with Kindergarten. It was a CRAZY year but we made it through. He did a lot of growing up this year. He not only learned to read, write and do math but he also was faced with life lessons as well. It was a year of highs and lows but we made it though and what doesn't kill you makes you stronger...right?

Here are a few highlights from the graduation festivities.

All dressed up for his "fancy restaurant" lunch to practice table manners.

I hope he always smiles this BIG!

Ever, Drew, and Tyler at lunch.

Receiving his diploma.

So proud of himself.

I love this one!

If you are able to click on this link you have to watch the video from graduation. My vantage point wasn't as great as the one from my friend. The two sweet girls at the end were just sobbing through the song. Their hearts were breaking that they were done with school.

Here are the two videos that I took.

Matthew and Nancy got married.

2011-05-20T14:57:00.000-07:00

Over Mother's Day weekend I got to go BY MYSELF (bestest gift ever!!!) to Missouri for my brother's wedding. It was a WONDERFUL. I can't even begin to tell you how much fun I had. The Strohl's know how to throw a party and we sure didn't disappoint this time.

Nancy is a wonderful person and she and Matthew seem very happy together. Not only did we gain a new sister but also two great kids. Kelsie and Logan are joining our crazy family as well!

I am sure the stories from the weekend will be shared over and over as the years pass. I guess that means you will have to get together with one of us to hear them. =) Here are a few pics from the weekend.

If you would like to view the entire album you can click here.

Really Mom...there is!!!

2011-05-20T14:39:00.000-07:00

Tyler: "Mom, there's a snake in the pool".

Me: "No there isn't. Hurry up and let the dog in Tyler, we are going to be late for swim lessons."

Tyler: "Really Mom, there is a snake out there."

Me: "Hurry Up!"

Emma: "Mommy, there REALLY is a snake out there by the pool."

Me: "Guys, it is just the pool vacuum. Now let's GO!"

Tyler: "Mom, Come here!"

Me: Oh My God--that IS a snake! GET IN THE HOUSE NOW!!!!!!!

Me: "Stay right here I am running next door to get Papa Steve!"

Papa Steve: "Oh...that's just a Bull snake, they are good. They keep the Rattle Snakes away."

Me: "Yeah. OK. But, it is A SNAKE and I need it GONE!!!!!!"

Critter check is in full swing at The Browns before kids get to go outside

Happy Easter

2011-04-24T00:00:00.000-07:00

Easter fun......

We made yummy treats for school.

We colored and decorated eggs.

We found and enjoyed our Easter Baskets.

We dressed in our new clothes for Church.

We spent the day at the park playing games and hanging with friends.

It sure was a great day! Happy Easter to you from The Browns.

Tyler Brown is SIX!!!!

2011-04-18T12:06:00.000-07:00

Six Years Old!!! It is hard to believe that Tyler is just about to finish Kindergarten. Wow--- he sure has grown up this year. He just amazes me with his reading and writing. He is not only riding his bike without training wheels, but he is to the point of doing tricks on it. He is such a boy, he is loud and full of energy--PURE BOY!

Tyler and I have always had a veryspecial bond--he is and always will be his Mama's boy but this year he has really started to turn in to Daddy's buddy. The second Marshall walks in the door at night Tyler is on him to play catch, wrestle, play tackle, just any kind of contact sport that he can think of to play. Marshall is so good with him and I love that he does this so Emma and I don't have to!=)

We live in a neighborhood full of boys so this year I have watched him really become a typical boy. I am so glad that he has so many friends to play with and just get all that crazy energy out of his system.

We are once again doing swim lessons and I think this is going to be the year that Tyler learns to swim!

I love Tyler's sense of humor. He definitely has his mom and dad's sarcastic streak which will more than likely get him in to some trouble, but he comes by this honestly!

I wish I could hit the pause button and have him just stop getting so big. He is still my cuddle bug and I pray he will always hug and kiss me like he does now (watch the video for his promise).

Happy Happy Birthday Pumpkin Head---you are a very special boy and I love you more than you can even imagine!

April 2005

April 2006

April 2007

April 2008

April 2009

April 2010

April 2011

If you click HERE you can watch his video from last year.

Barbie Kim Update

2011-04-13T12:33:00.000-07:00

Do you remember me telling you about Barbie Kim? She is the life sized Barbie that Nana gave Emma for Christmas. Emma LOVES Barbie Kim.

Well, about a month or so ago Marshall was helping Emma change Barbie Kim's clothes when he realized that her arm was about to fall off. Emma was devastated. I knew how much mom paid for the doll so I was ticked!

I called Mattel and they informed me that they don't actually make the life sized Barbie but gave me the name of the company that did. I was put in touch with THE NICEST customer service rep ever. I told him the problem and he said he would do everything he could to help me. He asked me to mail the arm to him (thank God I didn't have to mail the entire doll and pay an arm and a leg for shipping-pun intended!).

Guess What?!?! That nice gentleman must have deemed the broken arm a design flaw so they sent us a brand new life size Barbie. Emma named the new one Sarah Gail Brown.=)

So here are the girls (LtoR)

One armed Barbie Kim, Emma, and Sarah Gail Brown.

Baseball Season

2011-04-13T12:06:00.000-07:00

Tyler is back in the swing of baseball. His team is the Raptors and he is LOVING playing ball. Marshall is once again helping out by being an Assistant Coach---he is just so good with the kids!

I am sure that there will be many more pictures to follow but here are a few from the start of the season.

Getting the dirt off.

Giving his team a thumbs up.

Cutest catcher ever!

A new look

2011-04-13T11:56:00.000-07:00

Emma said she wanted her hair cut short like mine....

Doesn't she look cute?

Dancing with Tyler and Emma!

2011-04-12T15:20:00.000-07:00

A new season of Dancing with the Stars has started so Emma and Tyler are back at it. Check them out.

They are going to hate me some day for posting this aren't they?=)

Miss Emma Marie Brown is 4 years old today!

2011-03-31T15:01:00.000-07:00

30 didn't bother me, 35 didn't bother me....but oh my, how Emma turning 4 is bothering me! Seriously, I cried yesterday in Wal Mart while I was buying a booster seat for her for Marshall's car.

How can my baby be 4? How can time have passed so quickly?

I have to tell you, I'm just not ready for her to be 4. Sadly, she IS ready to be 4. She made me a promise that she will stay 4 and not grow up any more than that, but I am pretty sure that is not the last time she will break a promise!

What can I say about Emma? She is BEAUTIFUL--both inside and out. She is kind and loving and so sweet. Yet she is stubborn, and emotional, and bossy!=)

She is just such a special little girl. I love her. I love everything about her. I love her sweet little smile, the great big hugs that she gives, her crazy dancing, her LOUD voice, her fun personality...just EVERYTHING about her!

I so wish each and every one of you lived closer so you could see the amazing person she is becoming.

I know that she is going to need LOTS of strong role models as she grows. I ask that each of you take on that responsibility. Be there for her. Help her become a strong young woman who makes smart decisions. Be there as a sounding board. Listen when she just needs a friend. Love her like I love her.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Emma Doodle!!!!!!!

March 2007

March 2008

March 2009

March 2010

Click here to watch her birthday interview from last year.

March 31, 2011

March, where did you go?

2011-03-28T13:49:00.000-07:00

March has flown by at warp speed. The weather has been perfect so we have been outside A LOT. Sadly, my camera hasn't traveled with me as much as it should have. We have been busy taking trips to the zoo, riding bikes, going to the park, and just playing outside with friends.

Here are a few pictures from this month.

Emma has decided that she liked gymnastics better than dance so we are back to tumbling. These are a shots of her doing her thing.

Sadly, we no longer have Spring Training here in Tucson but we were able to take the kids to a game in Phoenix. Our seats were right on the dug-out, which was totally awesome (Tyler's words!). One of the Angel's players threw him a ball so he was a total Happy Camper!=)

We talked to the kids and decided that instead of having the BIG birthday parties this year that we would buy something that they could use for A LONG time. Here it is.....

This is what it will look like when it is put together.

Hopefully I will be able to post pictures of the finished product soon.=)

It snowed in Tucson!

2011-03-02T12:54:00.000-08:00

This past week was a week of firsts for the kids! Their first trip to Disneyland, the first time they have ever seen it snow (this happened on the drive through the Mountains on the way home from CA)., and the first time they ever saw snow in our yard!

Check this out--snow in the desert.

Disneyland!!!

2011-02-27T12:52:00.000-08:00

One of the first things I told Marshall when I found out I was pregnant with Tyler was, "Yeah!-- this means I finally get to go to Disneyland!" I have been waiting a VERY long time for this trip and I have to tell you...it was totally worth it!

I think we planned it perfectly--the kids were really at the right age to go and completely enjoy themselves. They are both old and tall enough to ride just about ALL the rides and understood the concept of waiting in line. The trip was just the trip of a lifetime. I don't think I will ever be able to look at these pictures without having a HUGE smile on my face remembering what a wonderful time we had at THE HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH!

Here are just a few of the highlights from our two day adventure.

We did California Adventure Park on the first day. Here we got the awesome chance to eat lunch at Ariel's Grotto. What a memory for Emma. She not only got to see her favorite Princesses but she also got to hug and talk to them. We didn't see Tiana or Jasmine but we decided that we would catch them on our next visit. Tyler refused to get his picture with ANY princesses because according to him--he does NOT LIKE princesses!

Both kids really surprised me by not being afraid of ANY ride---they certainly don't take after me! I was a good mom though and rode everything too. I was so impressed at how much they LOVED the roller coasters. They both even rode Space Mountain!

Here we are at the end of day 2--TIRED but still smiling!

After our trip we drove down to Carlsbad to see Aunt Marie and Uncle Bill and we also got the chance to play with Mason and finally meet the totally adorable Ethan Jacob Jetter Morash!!

Emma's hair

2011-02-15T13:13:00.000-08:00

When you do this to Emma's hair before she goes to bed...

you get this!

What we've been doing....

2011-02-15T12:56:00.000-08:00

The weather has been beautiful so we have been playing outside A LOT!

We went to see the Harlem Globetrotters, which was a blast!

We also had Nana here to watch the kids so Marshall and I could get away for our annual weekend trip to Vegas! The kids had a great time with her and I am sure that she not only enjoyed them, but also the break from the record breaking snow in Missouri!

Posting that picture made me want to post all the kid and Nana pictures from the past Vegas weekends. (Not sure what happened to 2010!)

Emma and Barbie Kim

2011-01-11T19:32:00.000-08:00

Remember me telling you that Emma's favorite Christmas gift was the life size Barbie that Nana got her? Well...if you had any doubt check this out!=)

A Winter Wonderland

2011-01-10T13:05:00.000-08:00

We took the kids up to Mt. Lemmon this past weekend so they could get a taste of winter. It takes about an hour and twenty minutes to drive up there. The kids played for an hour, then we headed home! They had a blast but when they were done, they were DONE! It was all laughs and giggles until Emma stood up and yelled,"Ok, I am cold. I want to go." What she meant was, "Get me the HECK OUT OF THIS FREEZING, COLD, WET PLACE THIS VERY SECOND!!!!!" You see, it went from what you see in these videos and pictures to a full on melt down. It was actually a really fun morning and we can now say we experienced winter this season---for an hour--Arizona style!=)

Emma was hysterical--she kept laying down!

If I had been just a tiny bit closer to the path this could have ended up on America's Funniest Videos!

You have to listen carefully to the end of this one---Marshall was pretty sure that the sled was not going to fly over the rock with his butt on it the way it did with the kids!

Here is Emma hitting the wall. She was cold and her toes hurt--not a very happy Doodlebug!

Check out Tyler's grin!=)

New Year's Eve 2010

2010-12-31T16:04:00.001-08:00

How can another year have come and gone so quickly? As kids we never really believed all the adults that told us to slow down and enjoy life because it passes at an unbelievable speed. But Oh how right they were!

There are days that I wish I could just stop the clock and freeze time. As I tuck Tyler and Emma in to bed each night I am always just a little sad that another day has come and gone and they are just that much closer to growing up.

As we get ready to go out and celebrate the New Year I wanted to take a moment and tell each and every one one of you how much I love you and how much I appreciate the role that you play in my life. Take a moment tonight and slow down. Enjoy the time you have with family and friends and always remember to try your best to slow down and enjoy life--it sure seems to be going by awfully fast!

May 2011 be a year blessed with good health, much happiness, and endless amounts of love.

HAPPY NEW YEAR from our family to yours!

Christmas 2010

2010-12-29T15:36:00.000-08:00

Christmas was once again a fun filled blur. The time with family and friends went by way too fast but I have to tell you we sure did enjoy every second of the chaos!

Both kids got everything their little hearts desired. We were blessed to have mom and Carl and Katie and Randy come out here and share Christmas with us. There is nothing I love more than sharing the magic of a Christmas with little ones with others. Hopefully Marie and Bill and Matt, Nancy and the kids will come next year (hint hint!).

The kids of course LOVED everything that they were given but there is always a favorite toy. This year's favorites go to the Wii for Tyler and the life size Barbie, named Barbie Kim that Emma got from Nana.

Check out a few highlights of the magic of Christmas morning!

The Wii that Santa brought

The scene before the kids saw it.

Checking it all out.

Paper Jam guitar from Aunt Marie and Uncle Bill.

Life like baby doll from Grandpa and Grandma.

Wii games from Uncle Matt.

New best friends, Emma and Barbie Kim.

Emma and Aunt Katie.

Merry Christmas!

Santa brought us a family gift this year, a Wii. We have been having a blast with it. So much in fact that Tyler's arm muscles have been sore!=) Check out the kids and Aunt Katie having some Wii fun.

Here is a funny video of Tyler playing with the Duck Hunter game that Nana and Papa Carl got him.

Here he is again but this time he is riding the cool Radio Flyer Spin Trike that Grandma and Grandpa Brown got him.

Getting ready for the BIG day!

2010-12-29T14:13:00.000-08:00

Here are a few highlights from the events leading up to Christmas.

We had Christmas parties at school. This year both Nana and Aunt Katie got to come and help out on party day.

Katie and I tried to make Reindeer cake-pops. Let's just say that ours were made with love and laughter but not a lot of talent=) Here's how they are supposed to look...

Here's ours...(remember they were made with LOVE)

We wrote letters to Santa---Tyler did his by himself this year!

Got our picture with Santa.

Decorated HUGE gingerbread men.

Arizona sunrise

2010-12-29T14:02:00.000-08:00

One morning last week I was getting the kids ready when I noticed that the kitchen was an odd shade of orange. When I looked outside I saw this AMAZING sunrise--isn't it gorgeous!

Tyler 's tonsil surgery

2010-12-29T13:48:00.000-08:00

Tyler had his tonsils out on the 13th and let me tell you it was not the easy breezy surgery that everyone told us it would be! He didn't eat for a week!!!! He didn't want popsicles, ice-cream, shakes, jello, pudding, or any of the other soft stuff that I bought him. He basically survived on ice water. It really took about ten days for him to feel like himself again. Thankfully by day 11 he had his appetite back and I am sure that after the holidays he we will have put back on the few pounds that he lost during the whole ordeal!

Dance

2010-12-16T19:58:00.000-08:00

The place where Emma is taking dance class does not have the 3-4 year olds in a recital, that will come next year when she is in the 4-5 year old class. So to make sure the parents get so see what is going on they always have at least one observation class. This past week I got to watch Emma do her thing! This video is long but pretty cute! Marshall said that Emma always has just a touch of smart ass in everything she does---you might agree after watching!=)

Family Pictures

2010-12-16T17:20:00.000-08:00

Once again Marshall did one of his least favorite things in the world just to make me happy....FAMILY PICTURES!

The very talented Susan Dukat took them and I am just so thrilled with them. Here are just a few of my favorites!

And a few silly ones!

Thanksgiving in Mexico

2010-12-16T15:42:00.000-08:00

Yeah yeah yeah....I know...I have become a total slacker blogger. I could go on and on and tell you all about how crazy busy I have been, but if I had to relive the horrors of teaching Tyler's Kindergarten class again I think I just might not make it!;) Seriously though, it was a VERY crazy November and has continued in to December. I am hoping and praying that our boring old existence will return with the new year.

For those of you who didn't know-- we spent our Thanksgiving in Mexico this year. At the last minute we decided to get out of Dodge. We hadn't used our time share for the year and Marshall had enough airline miles for us all to fly free so we hoped on a plane and headed to Cancun. It was a bit unconventional but it sure was a blast!

The kids were awesome travelers which made the trip oh so much better.

Here are a few pictures from our much needed vacation.

Yes..the water is THAT blue!

Nap time in the shade.

She is just something else=)

The kid pool with the side in the background.

Petting a shark.

Fun at dinner.

Happy vacationers!

2010-11-06T20:17:00.001-07:00

Emma's hair is her pride and joy. She loves having long hair and is pretty particular about how it looks. But even she was on board with the fact that we needed to do something to it. So today we went to visit my hairdresser, Toni, and she got about 4 to 5 inches taken off.

At first I didn't think it looked like we had cut off that much, but when we came home and looked at her before pictures we could really tell it was a much needed change.

Her only requirement was that it was going to stay long enough to put in a ponytail--which it is. She loves it and her daddy is happy that he doesn't have quite as much hair to comb every night after bath!

Halloween

2010-11-01T20:14:00.000-07:00

I need a weekend of rest from our crazy weekend!

Friday day we had parties at school, Friday evening I had book club, Saturday we had a soccer game, birthday party, and football watching with neighbors; then Sunday we had a full day of Halloween festivities! I need a nap just remembering how busy it was.

Here are a few highlights from the past few days.....

We painted our pumpkins.

These are the treats that I made for the class party.

Tyler's kindergarten class.

She was so beautiful. The highlight for her was wearing lipstick.

Tyler LOVED his face paint.

The neighborhood kiddos--notice the only other girl is a small baby and she doesn't even live in our same neighborhood. I have a feeling Emma will never lack in the date department!

Tyler and his BFF Drew.

Even the moms dressed up-- I was supposed to be Esmeralda from "The Hunchback of Notre Dame"

Pumpkin Patch Day

2010-10-24T19:50:00.000-07:00

Today we went to Buckelew Farms for our annual Pumpkin Patch visit. This year was even better than past years because we went with two other families from our neighborhood. The kids all had a blast hanging out together and picking out the pumpkins that they plan to carve and decorate.

Halloween night celebrates the one year anniversary of us living in this house. And I have to tell you, Marshall and I are really enjoying the fact that we have some awesome neighbors that we have become great friends with over this past year.

Tyler with two of his neighborhood buddies, Drew and Sam.

Emma and her Boys!!!

Fall Field Trip

2010-10-24T19:15:00.001-07:00

Last Friday I got to go with Tyler and Emma on their first field trip of the year. A little boy in Tyler's class lives on a farm and they invited the entire school over to have a fall celebration. It was a wonderful day. The kids got to go on a hay ride, see some real cowboys (a highlight for me), ride on a little train, jump in a jumping castle, slide down a giant blow up slide, have a picnic lunch, and just hang out with their favorite friends.

Fall is just great here--the weather is incredible and everyone justseems happy--maybe it is because we all survived another Arizona summer!

Here are a few highlights from the day.

A full Saturday

2010-10-18T21:04:00.001-07:00

This past Saturday was a very busy day. Tyler had a soccer game that morning. You can check out his super goalie skills below.

After the game we went to an Open House at the new fire station just down the road. I am not sure who was more excited to see the firemen--the kids or me!=)

We then went home to have quick nap before heading off to see Disney On Ice. Emma was in heaven. She just kept squealing with delight. If this was any indication as to what her reaction is going to be when we go to Disneyland in February, I think we may need to be prepared for her to have a stroke!

CA Wedding Party Weekend

2010-10-18T20:18:00.000-07:00

We had a fabulous weekend last weekend. We traveled over to Carlsbad, Ca to help Marie and Bill celebrate their recent nuptuals. They were married in September at the court house in San Diego then took an amazing honeymoon to Italy. The wedding celebration party was a wonderful time filled with good food, lots of laughter, maybe a little too much drinking, a few unintentional swims, and incredible people.

Mom recently celebrated her 60th birthday so having all four of her children in one place at the same time was quite a gift!

We were also able to squeeze in a beach day and have some extra time with Vasinda and Morash families.

It most definitely was a memorable weekend that was truly enjoyed by ALL!!!

2010-10-04T22:11:00.000-07:00

It is football season and that means the three of them are going to look like this a lot!!!

Fall?

2010-10-04T21:39:00.000-07:00

The calendar says that it is fall. The teachers at school have been teaching the kids that with fall comes cooler temps and leaves that change color, but no one has bothered to tell Mother Nature!!! We have still been having highs in the hundreds. It is October and the kids are still using the pool!!!

The only way for us to feel like it is truly fall is to break out the fall decorations. Look, Emma’s friend is back (she really missed him)!

Sleep over

2010-10-04T21:16:00.003-07:00

Tyler had his first sleepover. The parents of a little friend from his class had to go out of town and needed us to watch him over night, so we had a slumber party! It was a school night and I was a little concerned about getting them to bed at a decent hour but thanks to my wonderful neighbor and her fabulous (ok-- I admit I thought she was CRAZY at first) idea we found a way to wear them out.

I simply borrowed her small jumping castle and set it up in the garage. They jumped for about an hour before dinner and an hour after---this actually resulted in them both being dead asleep by 8pm!! I encourage all parents to invest in one of these--or simply move in to my neighborhood and borrow Karen’s!!!=)

MIA

2010-10-04T20:40:00.000-07:00

What happened to ALL the free time I was supposed to have when the kids started school? I have been working at the school every Tuesday and my Thursdays just seem to ALWAYS be full. I am sorry that I haven't posted in awhile but I guess better late than never.....

Way back in the middle of September I took Tyler to his first concert--The Jonas Brothers (The Camp Rock 3 Final Jam!). It was seriously like 105 degrees at 7 pm so we were a hot sweaty mess, but that boy was on cloud nine!!! He had so much fun. I loved being able to be the one to take him to his first concert. I wish you all could have witnessed his reaction to the whole thing--he honestly never let go of me through the entire thing--we either held hands or he had his arm around me. I don't think the grin came off of his face for a week!!!

This was an evening that neither of us will soon forget.

(Remember--it was HOT HOT HOT out so we look a little rough!=)

2010-09-12T19:49:00.000-07:00

These two give the best hugs---sure wish we lived closer to everyone so they could give more of them away!

They love to rock!

2010-09-08T13:53:00.000-07:00

Music has always soothed the savage beasts in our house!!! If you ever happen to be left in charge of these two and you can't figure out what to do with them--- simply turn on the ipod and start rockin'!!!!

Out of the mouths...

2010-09-08T13:44:00.000-07:00

Emma: " Mommy, who made that mountain?"

Me: "God did"

Emma: "That sure was nice of him!"

Me: "Emma, who made you?"

Emma: "God made me!"

Me: "I knew that!!!! You know, he sure did a good job with you."

Emma: "Yeah he did.....he put all of his cutes in ME!

Tyler: "Mom, we did shape flash cards at school the other day."

Me: "Oh really, what one did you do?"

Tyler: I got an isosceles triangle and guess what....I knew it, I told it, and she was impressed!"

My favorite red dress

2010-08-29T07:12:00.000-07:00

We went to a wedding last and I wore the same dress that I wore to my cousin, Corinne's wedding 6 years ago! I didn't think I would ever get back in to it.....but thanks to a little spanx help I did it=)

August 2004

August 2010

Kindergarten homework

2010-08-18T14:25:00.001-07:00

Tyler is doing really well in Kindergarten. He gets a "weather" report each day telling us how he did and knock on wood, he has come home with ALL sunny days so far!

He also has a research project that we have to work on each week. He is responsible for learning three facts about whatever topic they are covering. The first week they worked on flag etiquette. He and I sat down together and found the facts then he copied them on paper and illustrated each fact. He was so very proud of himself (and I was a awfully proud too) as he headed to school on Monday ready to present his facts!

Best hubby ever!!!

2010-08-18T13:56:00.001-07:00

Have I ever told you how great Marshall is? He is such a wonderful husband and father and I am thankful each and every day for him.

I am going to brag on him a little more and tell you about the great trip that he (yes, I said, HE) planned for me. He arranged the time and place without ANY input from me. He even completely took charge of arranging child care!

Two weekends ago we drove over to CA and dropped the kids off at Marie's house. We then drove up to Dana Point and spent two FABULOUS nights at the St. Regis!

It was beyond wonderful. I got a massage and spent a few hours in the spa while he played a round of golf and then we just spent the rest of the time hanging out together enjoying being alone and soaking up the amazing Southern Ca weather.

I didn't really take any pictures because it was such a chill out trip---however there were a few weddings taking place while we were there and for some reason I was just so in awe watching this one being set up that these are the only pictures I took!

I always say that I want to get remarried in a church for our 10th anniversary---but I gotta tell you, if we by chance win the lotto before then the ceremony will be taking place here!!=)

As you can see the kids had a great weekend as well!

Bowling

2010-08-18T13:52:00.001-07:00

One of the indoor activities that we tried again this summer was bowling. Tyler loves it, but Emma is done after about four or five frames. Here are two quick videos from one of our bowling adventures.

Still loving the pool

2010-08-18T13:18:00.000-07:00

This summer the kids have gone from terrified of the water to not ever wanting to get out!!! I am not exactly sure why they are suddenly obsessed with doing mean faces at the camera--but it sure does make for some funny pics!

Now the tears are really flowing!

2010-08-04T13:00:00.000-07:00

If Monday seemed like an emotional day-- you should have been in the car with me as I sobbed driving home from dropping Emma off at her first day of Pre-K on Tuesday. Now granted, this little girl has been ready to go since Tyler started, it was still really tough on this mom. In fact, it had gotten increasing harder to leave him at school and try to pry her away from the classroom, so it was time to start sending her. You see...she was ready (even if I wasn't!).

Here she was two short years ago helping Tyler to get ready for his first day of Pre-K.

She was so excited about school that she kept practicing taking a nap on her new school nap mat.

She was so excited about being a big girl and being able to actually go and stay at school.

I am not saying that I want more babies....but I sure do miss having a baby around here----just look at these two!

I think the thing that made me cry the most about leaving her there was that she was so much more ready to be there than I was to have her there. There wasn't a moment of hesitation. She ran up to Ms. Sheri (Tyler's former Pre-K teacher) hugged her and said, "I am ready for school!". Emma has been a part of Resurrection Lutheran Child Development Center for the past two years that Tyler has attended. It feels like a second home to her and for that I am so grateful!

I plan on volunteering at the school on Tuesday each week and Thursdays are reserved for some much deserved "me" time. I hope my house will start to become a bit more organized, I still need to learn to use photo shop, my other blog has really been on the back burner, and I may even try to sneak in a few shopping or lunch dates with friends! I haven't had a day off in over 5 years so even though I cried I know this is going to be good for ALL of us.

This whole week has been so very better sweet. You want your kids to grow up and love school--- but it just happened too darn fast.

Say it ain't so!!!!

2010-08-03T14:10:00.000-07:00

I just can't wrap my mind around the fact that the tiny little red headed baby that I brought home from the hospital, what seems like yesterday, started KINDERGARTEN this week!

I am not ashamed to tell you that I cried. I cried because my baby was growing up. I cried because I am not going to see him near as much as I want to. I cried because he is going to become so much more independent and not need his mommy as much as I would like. I cried because that was the fastest five years of my life! And...I cried because I am sad.....sad that my baby isn't a baby anymore!

Here are a few pictures of his big first day.

Ready to go with his new Star Wars lunch box and backpack.

Is he not the cutest?

Posing with his little sister.

Arriving at school.

Being VERY silly on Mrs. Head's lap!

He had such a fabulous first day. When he got in the car I asked him what the "peak" of his day was and he said, "Getting my Awesome First Day sticker!". When I asked what the "pit" of the day was he thought for a minute then said, "Mom, I didn't have a pit...it was an awesome first day of Kindergarten!".

Where have we been?

2010-07-28T13:59:00.001-07:00

It has been an amazing summer. Unfortunately we have had so much fun that my computer time has been pretty much nonexistent. The kids did a month of swim lessons, we had a ton of play dates, we went on an almost two week trip to OK and MO, and we spent MANY hours enjoying our pool. I apologize for not blogging more, but time with the kids took priority over time at the computer. Check out the link below to see a few pictures from the the weekend of the 4th, when we went to a ball game, and our fun vacation pics!=)

I'd like to share my Snapfish photos with you. Once you have checked out my photos you can order prints and upload your own photos to share.
Click here to view photos

The Circus

2010-07-02T15:47:00.000-07:00

A neighbor called me the other day and offered us free tickets to the circus. I had never been and was wanting to take the kids but at $33 for the cheap seats I wasn't sure I wanted to go all that bad.

So, with the offer of free tickets we decide to go to The Greatest Show on Earth!!!

It was truly a feast for our eyes. The show was just spectacular. We all sat glued to our seats not daring to move for fear of missing the next amazing thing. According to Tyler his favorite parts were (in order), getting to see the elephants poop, watching the awesome pirates fight, and seeing 7 (yes, I did say 7) motorcycles drive around the inside of a globe.

If you have never been to the circus let me tell you---you are missing out! It really was a wonderful experience and I am so glad that we went.

This is the globe that the 7 motorcycles drove around in---it was so cool!

You can CLICK HERE to see even more pictures!

Reward time

2010-07-02T15:30:00.001-07:00

I am a firm believer in the power of a good bribe. It worked wonders when I was teaching and continues to do so with my own children. Take for example swim lessons.....

1. Tyler flat out told me he was NOT going to do them.

2. I told him that YES he was.

3. Tyler saw a commercial for some hideously ugly light up shoes.

4. I swore my children would never wear light up shoes--I can't stand them.

5. Tyler, with his sweetest smile and a giant hug, asked me if I would buy him Police Skechers

6. I realized that this was my bribe opportunity!!!

7. I presented the bribe----"You do three weeks of swim lessons without crying, screaming, or yelling. In fact, you do WHATEVER the teacher tells you to do. Even is she says bark like a dog you HAVE to do it. If you do that for me I will buy you the shoes--even though I can't stand them."

8. Tyler was VERY successful at swim lessons. He is even jumping off the side willingly OVER and OVER and OVER!!!

9. I searched ENDLESSLY for these shoes in his size. A very kind lady at Famous Footwear did a special order for me.

10. The shoes arrived and he is a VERY HAPPY boy!

**Emma did the lessons too (mind you, she did it without a bribe) and was also very successful-- she is now swimming with floaties. One look at the sparkly shoes in the store and she was in love---- so I caved!**

It all worked out in the end---I am happy because they both now LOVE the pool and they are both totally happy with their new shoes!

2010-07-02T15:25:00.000-07:00

Emma was in her room napping the other day and I was taking a little rest on the couch. I thought that I heard her door open but she never came in to the living room. After about 15 minutes I got up and found her like this on my bed.

Baby it's hot outside...

2010-07-02T14:51:00.000-07:00

When it gets too hot to play outside we have to get creative with the indoor activities. Sometimes we even combine some of our favorite things like---art and eating. The kids had a great time doing some M&M math. We reviewed colors, counting, sorting, and talked about graphing. The best part of course came at the end when we got to eat the M&M's.

Happy Father's Day!!!

2010-06-20T09:53:00.000-07:00

(image from Arti.com)

Happy Father's Day to the BEST Daddy in the whole world!!!!!

We love you!!!!!

Love, Tyler and Emma

Wordless Wednesday (wordless but not cuteless!!!)

2010-06-09T07:33:00.000-07:00

What a difference a week makes

2010-06-08T16:20:00.000-07:00

We have always said that the kids do stuff on their time table NOT ours. So I was pretty disappointed when Tyler informed me a few weeks ago that he was "not a fan" of the pool. It is so hot here and we are finally in a house with a pool again so I was going to make it my summer mission to make him "a fan" of the pool. It was looking like it was going to be impossible--- so much in fact that even after a week of lessons at the YMCA he still hadn't put his head under water.

But guess what!!!!

I am not sure what clicked this past week but I am proud to say that a miracle has occurred. We did another week of lessons at a private swim school near our home and just look at what happened during that week!!!!!

(yes...he is UNDER)

We are planning on doing two more weeks of lessons after we finish VBS this week. I can hardly wait to see what both Tyler and Emma are able to do by the end of the month!!

Thank you sweet bug.

2010-06-08T14:49:00.000-07:00

Who knew that a simple ladybug could provide over 45 minutes of entertainment for my children?!?!

Mommy Rocks!

2010-06-08T14:46:00.001-07:00

I was a hero to my little man when I made these cupcakes for his end- of-the-season t-ball party!

2010-05-31T07:14:00.000-07:00

Here are two great pictures of the kids that were taken this past week.

The one of Tyler was in the end of the year slide show at his preschool. A talented mom from his school captured it---I just love his eyes in it! Click Here if you want to view the whole slide show.

This beautiful one of Emma was one of the pictures that a photographer took of her modeling some adorable bows that a friend of ours makes.

Church Program

2010-05-24T14:37:00.000-07:00

Every Wednesday night for the past few months we have been involved in the music and art program at Tyler's preschool. The ladies that run it are just so patient and do such a nice job teaching the kids about Jesus' love through song and dance.

Last Friday we had our final performance. It was so adorable and let's just say that Emma showed everyone ALL she had!

Here are a few videos from the evening.

In this first one you get to see that Emma did a great job following my instructions to sing NOT scream out the songs.

This is a short one of them singing--you get to see the cute routine that they had practiced to go with the song.

The best is saved for last. I would tell you what happens in this video but I think you need to watch it for yourself!!!!

SPIT

2010-05-24T14:15:00.000-07:00

You know how mom spit is a universal cleaning agent? Well, I guess I have used it a bit too often on poor Emma. The other day she was looking at me and said, "Oh, Mommy what happened to your leg"? (She was looking at the cluster of spider veins that I got thanks to being extra fat and pregnant.) I told her I didn't have a boo boo that they were just some veins and that they didn't hurt. She promptly got up, licked her fingers, and tried to rub them off! **Sure wish Emma's spit worked for vein removal--but no such luck!**

LOVE IS.....

2010-05-24T14:06:00.000-07:00

catching one of those sweet moments when they stop fighting and just admit how much they actually like each other!