We have a sitter...

And all I can say is how dang cute he looks! I am so amazed how quickly kids learn how to stabilize the necessary muscles in just a day or so. There were a few times today that I put him on his bum away from everything he might bang his head or other body parts on if he tipped over and just let him practice and he was on his bum for about 5 minutes. He has become stable over the last day and now he can sit. I remember when Brylie started to do more which I loved but I also seem to think about all the possible falls and tumbles that can occur and I worry. Just another chance to stress up my life. I do it to myself, you know. Don't worry, (ha ha, I'll do it for you) I'll get over it soon. Here are some pictures. Isn't he getting so big?

The new haircut!

So Brad keeps bugging me about Brylie's mullet (which I don't think she has) so I finally gave in and cut her hair. It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be...I just hope it doesn't make her look too grown up.

Our attempt at pictures...

I don't have any professional pictures of the kids since Brylie was 6 months old because she suddenly was mobile and wouldn't hold still and because it was too hard to handle both...call me lazy or unable to handle what I've gotten myself into (2 kids within 13 months of each other) but none the less, it hasn't been done. Also, I've had some bad experiences and so I'm afraid to pay outlandish prices when there is a good chance that the whole experience will go south and we will only get a few pictures, if any, taken. I decided to go cheap this time figuring I could just scan them and whatever so I got the kids all dolled up...they were so cute and we get there and they both start crying...so much so that we had to leave without even one snap of the camera. I was so livid!!! So I tried some of my own and this is what we got. Brylie wouldn't cooperate to save either of our lives so the majority are of Brody. I don't know when we will get a good photo shoot...maybe I'll have to spend the 100.00 sitting fee some charge, who knows. That just might not happen for the next 10 or so years. Until then, I'm becoming a better photographer!?!

Such a big girl!!!

I was just reminiscing the short life of Brylie as I watch Brody grow and develop. I watched the video we took of her when she was 1 hour old and saw how much she has changed and grown. It's funny how babies get big so fast! Suddenly you have a little girl or boy too big to be called baby anymore and it all seemed to happen right before your eyes except you feel like you missed it and a little jipped because it happened so fast...that time will never be coming back. Thank goodness for home videos and pictures that seem to take us back to the times we can't bring back again.

Such a big boy!!!

I couldn't reminisce about Brylie without thinking of our little guy Brody since they are so close in age and look a lot alike. He has grown up so very fast as well and I find myself a little sad when I don't see the "small" baby anymore. He is still considered a "baby" but with his hair coming in thick and his skills improving every day, there's not doubt that that name will soon be striped from him and replaced by little boy faster than I can realize. Again, thank goodness for home video and pictures that can bring back a glimpse of what we so often feel we missed.

...but it's so nice to be home.

We had the fortunate opportunity to take advantage of Brad's time off school and join the cooler side of the country while we visited our parents in Portland, OR. We have looked forward to this trip since May when we booked the plane tickets. We had a wonderful trip despite horrible plane rides to and from Oregon. Both Brody and Brylie were naughty at some point during the flight. When we made it to Portland, Brad said "he was exhausted from wrestling the gorilla" (AKA Brylie) and this is coming from a wrestler. Lucky for me, Brody was easier to manage (I also have the calm down juice readily available)

The first half of our vacation was spent at the Gunnells with Grammie, Pops, Melissa and Lisa. We spent the first day or so reacquainting the kids with everyone which took all of 29 seconds. Brad and I straight away went on a much needed "date" without the kids. We got to see The Dark Knight which we thoroughly enjoyed! What a nice getaway! Then we took the kids to a petting farm, the fountains, downtown Portland and shopping at the outlet mall. There is so much to fill in the gaps...I couldn't possibly name all we did, hopefully the pictures shows you just how much fun we had!


The second half of our trip was spent at the Allens with Grandma, Grandpa and Abby. Again the reacquainting took the same short 29 seconds and then the kids were set. We took the kids to the zoo, swimming at 'the compound', the beach, and the Tillamook cheese factory. Of course, we can't cover our entire trip but will rely on the pictures to help you understand why we love visiting family.

Thanks for such a WONDERFUL trip everyone! We love you all!!!

A whole lot of updates...

This week has been rather eventful which we intended because Brad is home on his break from school until the end of August when he will start up again and go basically straight through until next August. We are trying to take advantage of this precious time with Dad without driving him crazy!

We took a trip to Dallas to see the sights that are fun for an 18 month old and a 5 month old. I was very impressed with how good the kids were on the drive. Thank goodness for books!!!


We saw where Brad grew up and visited a family from his childhood and I heard what kind of a teenager he really was!!



Then we got to go to the aquarium! I don't know why it's called an aquarium...there were lots of fish but just as many birds too. Brylie liked to see all the different birds, watch baby penguins eat, pet a colorful bird, get nervous walking through the shark and sting ray tunnel and get hot and sweaty amongst all the other tourists. The double stroller was a bad idea.


We also went to the Galleria mall in Dallas that is the biggest mall I have been to aside from one in Seattle. I can't believe how many store are in that 3 story building. Most of them were places like "Armani" or "Coache" or"Louis Vuitton" you know, stores that we shop at all the time. I looked all over but couldn't find Payless. I guess I'll just have to go back to Walmart. Anyway, we tired the kids out by walking through every floor and letting Brylie walk herself a good 80% of the way. Although she didn't really watch where she walked, she made more people smile than a clown at a birthday party.

Our last and probably most exciting stop was the Rangers game! A big thanks to Dad for getting us awesome seats...maybe too awesome for the kids cuz we were so close when it came to fast fly balls and we spend most of the time walking with tired children but made it until about the 8th inning and then finished the game in the car on the way home! GO RANGERS! It was a very fun day!! I hope we have more as memorable in this short break even if it's just for my sake!

Brylie is such a good big sister! She asked to hold Brody so we decided to take a few pictures! Here she is kissing Brody's head. She just loves her brother and he loves her. I love to see him watch her play...it's as if he's longing to be playing there beside her.


Brylie went swimming for a short 15 minutes...I was afraid she would get sunburned in this blazing hotness of Texas. She got pretty tired of the heat too but she had fun splashing Dozer.






Brody liked to watch her too...but he preferred to watch from inside where it was cool and where he could chew on his favorite toys.