Banks Family

Brett's doing the Rock'n'Roll Marathon

2010-06-09T21:56:00.000-07:00

There was over 30,000 participates in the races. I was so happy we were able to find him, so we could see him finish. He did so good. It almost brought tears to my eyes seeing the finish line, and knowing that Brett set his goal and worked hard and then achieved it. Good Job, honey!!

Hillary's Beautiful Wedding

It was so fun hanging out with all my old roommates from Utah State!

My sweet friend Hillary and her daughter looked so beautiful at her wedding. Her first husband passed away 4 1/2 years ago in a car wreck. It was so nice to see her so happy and in love again.

Brynn's school end of the year party

The kids had a blast. Brynn won the hula hoop contest, and Brayden loved the big blow-up slide. Brynn has been doing some fun stuff during her last few weeks of school. She went to Legoland, she had a pizza party, and raccoon olympics. They only have one week left until they are out for the summer.

Memorial Day at the Beach

We had a great day at the beach with our friends. I didn't get any pictures of Brynn because she was boogie boarding the whole day. Brett and I actually got to go out together and boogie board. It was a blast. Then after we went over to my friend, Jenny, for a great BBQ.

My brother Daniel and Kylie's visit

More SPRING FUN

2010-06-06T17:38:00.000-07:00

My spring women's soccer team

U pick Strawberry Farm

Kali loved it. She just kept shoving more and more strawberries in her mouth. All the kids ate their fair share of strawberries as you can see from their faces.

Zoo with cousins

Sleepover with Halle and Josh

Disneyland with Rusty and Tara's family

Brayden turning into a Jedi

He was so brave and never got scared. He really thinks he is a Jedi now. I posted the video of him fighting Darth Vader. It was for sure the highlight of our day because Brayden was so HAPPY.

Brayden playing t-ball

Mother's Day

Aubrey's Mother's day breakfast at her preschool

Muffins with mom

Look how big her muffin is!!

Amber's baby shower

Hillary's wedding shower and Girls weekend

I went with my mom and Kelsi to women conference in Provo. It was so fun.

Kali with her Great Grandma Johnson. Thanks to her great grandma and grandpa Johnson, grandpa and grandma Banks, and grandma and grandpa Johnson who all helped take care of her. Thanks also to Brett who took two days off work and watched the other three kids. The kids had a great dad's weekend, and I had a nice relaxing girl's weekend.

Park time

Brett enjoying the girl's scooters.

Kali's First swim

Our fun life with more to come....

2010-06-06T17:10:00.000-07:00

Easter Dresses

The kids dancing to Black Eyed Peas.

Kali's first Easter. She loved playing with all the eggs

The easter bunny left lots of eggs.

Easter egg hunt in the backyard

Aubrey's Preschool Easter Egg hunt

Easter egg hunt in the girls room

Soccer Sisters and Friends

Grandma's Phyllis Funeral

It was so nice to see all of Brett's family. Every grandchild was there. What a wonderful lady Grandma Phyllis was. She will be missed.

Birthdays, soccer, and More

2010-03-16T09:34:00.000-07:00

BRYNN'S NEW BIKE

BRYNN'S FIRST BIKE WHEN SHE WAS 3

SAN DIEGO ZOO

BRYNN'S TURN 7

BRYNN AND AUBREY'S BIRTHDAY PARTY

I think the girls had a fun party. The party was designed by Brynn. Hula hoop contest, bead making, making pizza and ice cream cone cupcake, painting nails, and designing goody bags. It was a true girl birthday party.

BRYNN PASSING OUT TREAT IN HER 1st GRADE CLASSROOM
BRYNN'S LEPRECHAUN TRAP
BRAYDEN HORSEBACK RIDING WITH HIS FRIEND ANNA BELLE

MY CUTE KIDS

AUBREY TURNS 5

DADDY DAUGHTER DATE AT BRYNN'S SCHOOL

PRESIDENT'S DAY AT THE WILD ANIMAL PARK

BRAYDEN'S STAR WARS PARTY

BRYNN'S CHEER COMPETITION

BRYNN AND AUBREY'S SOCCER

We are keeping busy with the girls soccer this season. The girls are playing, and I am helping coach Aubrey's team. Brett holds down the fort on the sidelines. Also, starting next week I am going to be playing soccer on a women's league. Yay!

Life is good and busy. We had a fun couple of months of birthday!

Hawaii

2010-01-24T21:01:00.000-08:00

BRETT FLEW TO HAWAII FOR A PRE-DEPLOYMENT CALLED LAVA VIPER

Brett is on a "pre-deployment" in Hawaii. He is there until the middle of February. He says he is working, but I think it is a little work and a lot of play.(ha, ha) Hopefully, he is finding good places to see so when I go out there one of these years he can take me to the cool places. We miss him here, but life is pretty good here in Cali. I can't complain. My mom and sister came out for a few days, and other than that we have just been busy with Brynn's cheerleading and school.

SWEET KALI

Sweet Kali. She will be 5 months old this Thursday. I can't believe how quickly time goes. I love my sweet baby. Everyday she gets cuter and cuter ( I know I am bias).

KANGAROO ZOO

We can't go to Utah without stopping in at Kangaroo Zoo. We went there on New Years Eve, before we celebrated the New Year. After we celebrated the New Year we drove through the night back home. We had a great trip, but our family of 6 definitely need to get back home.

Alan with all the grand kids in the hot tub.

SUN VALLEY TRIP

KALI'S BLESSING

Brett gave Kali a beautiful blessing. We just did it after church while we were still in Sun Valley. It was nice having so much family there. We are so blessed by having Kali in our family.

PINATA

BRYNN WENT SKIING

Brett taught Brynn to ski. He said she did a really good job. After Brynn got home she said she wanted to ski everyday.

GRANDMA CARLENE

My grandma Carlene spend so much time and money making this Christmas so special and memorable. We stayed in a huge cottage called Symphony Cottage. It was on the Sun Valley Lodge property. It was so beautiful and comfy. It was just such a wonderful Christmas being with all my family, and really feeling the true meaning of Christmas. I even got to go for a beautiful crisp air run on Christmas day in my new running shoes Brett had gotten me for Christmas. That night we just laid in our beautiful room and Brett and I just watched a movie together. I think having Brett in the military and not knowing if I will get to spend the next Christmas with him, really makes the Christmas I do get with him so special. Thank you so much Grandma Carlene. :)

CHRISTMAS MORNING

CHRISTMAS EVE - SANTA'S VISIT

CHRISTMAS EVE'S NUTCRACKER ON ICE

We went to a nutcracker on ice Christmas Eve. It was a nice idea in theory, but it was for sure single digit outside and super super cold especially for us Californians. As you can tell the two youngest kids weren't loving, but Brynn and Aubrey loved all the girls ice skating.

CHRISTMAS ( A FEW DAYS EARLY) AT THE BANKS

We did family picture in the early evening then we had dinner and exchanged gifts with the cousin. It is always so fun and nice at the Banks, and the kids love being with there cousins and grandma and grandpa. They also LOVED the snow.

"Tis the season to be JOLLY"

2009-12-14T22:04:00.000-08:00

BRETT'S HELICOPTER SQUADRON'S WORK PARTY

We had an awesome Christmas party at Brett's work. Santa flew in on a helicopter. Brett got some great footage. (see below). We had breakfast, a jump house, balloon making, crafts, and the kids loved sitting on Santa. lap and getting presents.

FAMILY PICTURES

My sweet friend Jenny came over before church on Sunday to get some family pictures. It is very challenging getting six people to look and smile for a picture. Regardless if we look perfect in the pictures, I really just like having family pictures because I like to look at them later and see how truly blessed I am to have such wonderful children and a great husband.

BRYNN'S CHEER LEADING

Brynn had her first cheer leading game last Tuesday. It is so fun seeing her in her cheer uniform. Sometimes I have flash backs to the good old days when I use to do that fun stuff. (ha, ha)

OUR FRIENDS VISIT

Our friends came to visit on Thanksgiving weekend. We had a great time. We were definitely a full house, but it was great. We got to go the beach, an awesome rainy bike ride, Legoland, watch a movie, and laugh about when we were younger. Toby, one of the guys that came and stayed out here, is the one that set Brett and I up. We will always be indebted to him.

THANKSGIVING DAY

The kids homemade puppet show of the pilgrims and the turkey.

My brother Daniel and Kylie, newlyweds, came down from LA to be with us. They are breaking the wish bone. It was so nice having them over.

We made our tradition fruit turkey and then added a baby turkey this year. I am not sure who has more fun making these things the kids or me. ( ha, ha)

My cute family, whom I am so grateful for at this season.

BRYNN END OF THE SEASON SOCCER PARTY

I was in charge of Brynn soccer party. I think over all things turned out good. I told Brett I think next time I will just coach soccer. I think that is more my cup of tea. I wanted to be soccer mom, so I could help make soccer fun for Brynn, and after the party she said she wanted to play again, so it was worth it . She never really got into it, but if she at least wants to keep playing maybe eventually she will like. :)

SANTA ARRIVES OFF THE HELICOPTER

Halloween Week

2009-11-07T22:37:00.001-08:00

Spirit Day at Brynn soccer

We tried to have everyone dress in purple. Our whole family had purple except for Brett and Brayden so I made them wear lays. Brayden had purple in his hair like the rest of us, but Brett refused. I tried to get him to just spray his mustache, but still no good. :)

PUMPKIN CARVING

This is one of Amber boys. Brayden is right in the middle of her two boys. He loves playing with them. It is so nice for him to have boys around. :)

We went over to my friend Amber's house for FHE to carve pumpkins.( She was a former roomate, and now she like one street away from me, yeah). We had a soup pot luck with some friends and then carved pumpkins. The dads and moms worked hard carving the kids pumpkins. :)

APPLE BOBBING

After we were done carving pumpkins and most people had gone home, my girls decided they really wanted to bob for apples. Jacob and Caden (Amber's boys) had never done it before, so my girls showed them the ropes. Everyone got very wet, and everyone ended up with apples.

HALLOWEEN KIDS

Brayden loves holding Kali, but most of the time it doesn't last long. She gets rather scared.

Aubrey got to have a pj party at her school on Friday. She was so happy because she got to wear here glow-in-the-dark Halloween pj.

Brynn got to wear black and orange on Friday. Also, the night before she lost her front tooth. She was so excited to lose it. I thought it was a perfect time because she was being a witch for Halloween, and they are always missing teeth.

These are the girls at the ward trunk or treat. The two girl with Brynn and Aubrey are their little friends from school. Brynn says Emily is her "best friend".

Brynn was a witch. Later on in the evening when Brynn was trick or treating she told Brett she felt sick. I think from looking at this picture I should have known she wasn't feeling well. :)

Aubrey said she was a "princess" ghost.

Brayden was Luke Skywalker. He was so excited to look the same a Dillon. Dillon and Charlie (Jenny's boys) are Brayden's idols. Brayden got his costume made a week before Halloween, and he wore it everyday. He also laid it next to him when he slept. It was so cute.

Here is our decorated truck for the trunk or treat party.

Little Kali was a bunny. She didn't really like the hat, but I made her wear it because it was so cute on her.

Brett enter a ugly mustache competition at work, so yes this is his really mustache , but not really hair. :)

Brettt and I had a 70's party a week before Halloween, so we just decide to keep the costume for our other costume parties.

This is why I love being a mom!

2009-10-25T22:00:00.000-07:00

At the end of the day, regardless of what happens, I have four cute kids that smile at me.

Julian for the day

2009-10-22T21:58:00.000-07:00

We decided to head to Julian for the day. It is about an hour and a half away from us. We wanted to go pick apples and be in the crisp fall air. It is up in the "mountains" so to speak.
Anyways, it definitely wasn't like the Utah and Idaho fall's that we are use to, but it was a fun "first" family out since having Kali. It was just nice to get away. It didn't even seem like we were still in Cali. Julian is an old mining town. They had this little place right outside of the town that was set up as if it were still a mining town. After digging for "gold", playing in the hay, feeding the goats, seeing a picked over pumpkin patch, trying to wash clothes we headed to a little pie shop for apple pie. Brett and the kids loved it so much that we order a whole pie to bring home. It was a nice relaxing day.

Outside the "MOM" apple pie shop.

This is where the kids mined.

The kids loved playing in the hay barrels.

This is the old barn were the goats and other animals live.

Kali trying to feed the goats.

Aubrey trying to wash clothes.

The poor pumpkin patch was so pick over. We should have come a week earlier. Oh, well. We loved it regardless.

Fun with Family

2009-10-11T16:18:00.000-07:00

BRETT AND BRYNN RIDE BIKES TO SCHOOL

Brynn been wanting to ride her bike to school for a while. It was super fun that on Brett time off they got to ride their bikes together. We only live a mile and a half from the school.

KALI'S FIRST PEDICURE

One Sunday I decided to paint all the girl toenail, which included mine and Kali's. It was so fun painting Kali's little toes.

BEACH DAY WITH BRETT'S BROTHER CORY AND HIS FAMILY

Brett''s brother Cory and his family came and stayed with us for a few days. It was so fun to see them and the cousin had so much fun being together all day and all night. :)

BRETT 35th BIRTHDAY PARTY

Brett turned 35. It was fun having his family her to celebrate. We had a party for him in the park, and then the kids also had a Star Wars party for him. We are sure glad he was born. He is the best husband and dad.

CORY PARA GLIDING OVER LA JOLLA

Brett got these sweet pictures of Cory gliding over the beach in La Jolla. Cory loves to para glide, and I am glad he got a chance to do it when he was out here.

BRETT'S FAMILY AT LEGOLAND

Kali's didn't get to go on to many ride. Just here stroller.:)

It was fun spending the day at Legoland with cousin's and grandparents.

MY BABY SHOWER

My too kind friend jenny threw me a shower. I told her I didn't need a shower because it was my fourth baby, but she insisted. I said I wanted to have it to celebrate the fact that "I am done" having kids. ;) Anyways, it was an awesome shower. So many people from the church came and helped. Also, my good friend, Jana, from San Diego made it up to the shower. It was a wonderful time. Kali and i got spoiled.

DINNER AT RUBY ON THE PIER

Brett's parents came out to see cute Kali. It was so nice to see them and have them her for a few day. We did some fun things while they were here.

BRYNN'S FIRST GRADE PICTURE

Fun in the California Sun

2009-09-15T15:37:00.000-07:00

OUR "BABY DOLL" KALI

The kids love to dress Kali up. The kids love it when it is their day to pick Kali's clothes. Kali is a pretty good sport most of the time being the "baby doll".

BRYNN'S FIRST SOCCER GAME

Brynn's first soccer game was right after Aubrey's party. So Brett took Brynn to the game early and Aubrey and I met them at the game. Brynn is the girl in the picture just standing there. She hasn't quite goten into soccer quite yet, but I am hoping with time and practice she will get into it more. She had a hard time with the fact that Aubrey went to a princess party while she was at a soccer game, but Aubrey was nice and shared her new hat with her.

AUBREY'S "GIRL" PARTY

Aubrey went to the cutest princess party on Saturday. They girls wore pink gloves, and made hats, necklaces, colored paper dolls, and had a little tea party at the end. Aubrey was in pure heaven.

LABOR DAY

On Labor Day we went to the Del Mar beach with the Mathews and Williams for a little surfing, boogie boarding, and a picnic. It was nice and relaxing. There is just something about being at the beach that is soothing to the soul. It is especially nice when you are surounded by good friends. We always love living next to with the Mathews and now the Williams again, both were our good friends from Phoenix and now we all live here.

FAMILY FUN BEACH DAY

The kids had so much fun with their aunts and uncles at the beach. It was so fun having my family come down and spend time with us after Kali was born.

KALI'S ONE WEEK BIRTHDAY BASH AT THE BEACH!

We thought it was fitting that she got use to the beach since part of her name sake comes from being born in "Kalifornia".

MY MOM'S VISIT

My Mother came out to help out after Kali was born for 10 days. It was the best gift. She helped with the kids, made yummy food, cleaned my house, and most of all she was a friend to talk to. The day before she left we celebrated her 55th birthday. My Dad, Kelsi, Shane,Daniel, Kylie, and Justin came for the celebration. It was a fun time. I am so grateful and thankful for my wonderful beautiful mom. She has always been one of my greatest blessings.

BRAYDEN STARTS KINDERMUSIK

He LOVES it. He get so into it. It is so fun to watch him dance and get so excited.

AUBREY'S FIRST DAY OF PRESCHOOL

She actually likes it this year. YEAH!

BRYNN STARTS FIRST GRADE

KALI AND DANIEL'S BIRTHDAY PARTY!

We celebrated Daniel and Kali's birthday the day Kali and I came home from the hospital. My brother Daniel and his wife Kylie and friend Justin came out and stayed with us for a few days on their move to LA to start dental school at UCLA.

LITTLE FEET, BIG FEET

THREE GENERATIONS!

HAPPY BIG SISTER!

A VERY HAPPY BIG BROTHER!!

THE PROUD PARENTS!

OUR HAPPY FAMILY!

This was a our first family picture taken right before I left the hospital.

Baby Kali

2009-09-09T10:26:00.001-07:00

Kali Karlene was born Friday the 28th. All went well. Brynn, Aubrey, Brayden were all super excited to see here. She make the long nine months worth it.

Art Camp

2009-08-09T17:20:00.001-07:00

The kids did a mini art camp this week. Some friends and I each took a day and we made crafts with the children. I think it was one of Brynn's highlights of the summer. She loves doing crafts, so to do multiple crafts in one day was pure heaven. The last day was mine to host. One of our activities was a hand print t-shirt. (Inspired by my cute apron that my friends from San Diego made for me last year when I moved to FL). Anyways, they turned out so cute, and it was a fun way for the children to remember their week at art camp.

FINGER PUPPETS was the next activity. They got to design there own finger puppets out of felt and a rubber glove. They were all super creative. Brynn ended up using her finger puppets in church today as props for her talk on families and temples.

FOOD ART was what we did for snack time. I just put out fruit and different finger foods and the kids designed their own creations, and then of course ate them. Brett actually had the day off so he was there the whole time helping. I don't think I could have done it with out him. He helped out so much, and the children loved having him here.

PUDDING ART was another activity that we did. I just bought different flavors of pudding and dyed them different colors. The kids had more fun eating the pudding than using it, but they came up with some cute designs. (The last time I did pudding art was when I was at my 8 year old birthday party:)).

Anyways, I am so glad the kids got to do this. I hope we do this every summer.

WICKED

For my birthday my sweet friend Jenny gave me a ticket to see WICKED in San Diego. I had been wanting to see this for a long time. Anyways, we had such a good time at the show. It was nice to see it, and it was super nice to just have a girls night on the town with Jenny. (She has been so awesome to help me get through this last little while of pregnancy. She is always planning something, so I have things to look forward to. She really has been a lifesaver. Thanks Jenny!)

What we have been up to this SUMMER

2009-07-23T21:00:00.000-07:00

Fun Times with "aunt" Kelsi

My sister Kelsi came back with us after all the wedding stuff. It was so fun having her here. She got to stay almost 3 weeks.

My 33rd Birthday

The kids, Brett, and Kelsi helped make my day fun. We went swimming in the day, and then at night we went to dinner, and then we had a little family party in the backyard. (The crown on my head is compliments of Brynn.)

Swim Lesson

Every day for two weeks we had swim lesson. Cute Kelsi took Brayden in the mom and tot, so I could watch everyone. Then after we would have a picnic and stay for free swim. The kids all did so good at lesson, and now we have just been swimming on our own everyday, and it has been a blast.

The Beach on a Sunday afternoon

The Fourth of July

We have done the same thing for the last 3 4th of July's. We go to this little hometown city right next to San Diego. They have a cute carnival and a band, and then great fireworks. We always have such a great time.

My Brothers open house at my parents house in IDAHO

The Cabin with all my family

We had a great time at the cabin. We went jet skiing, to a rodeo, and to West. It was so fun hanging out with all my brothers, sister, and parents.

Hanging out with the Banks cousins

Jayson's Wedding

I can't believe how big our family is now. This is my whole family minus my brother Jordin who is on a mission. ( We do have a cut out of him in the picture, so he know he wasn't left out)

Vicky's Shower and going away party

My friend Vicky lived in San Diego when I was there last year. She was such a great friend, and as soon as I got back here they moved. We had a fun shower for her because she is finally having a girl after 3 boys. It was so fun to see all my old friends from San Diego. I miss seeing them more, even though we are only about 40 minutes away.

Brynn Graduates from Kindergarten, and celebrates at Chuck E. Cheese

Brynn graduates from Kindergarten, and then after we went to Chuck E. Cheese to celebrate. All the kids had a great time, just look at Brayden face.

We have had a fun and busy summer. Now we are just trying to get ready for the baby to come. The kids are getting so excited for their "newborn baby" to come. I am so excited as well. I only have 5 week left.

Beach, Wedding, and lots more fun

2009-06-11T09:02:00.001-07:00

Fathers and Sons campout

Brett and Brayden went on there first fathers and sons campout. It has been over a month and Brayden still talks about it. They had a great time together.

Mothers Day

The kids were so excited to make me breakfast in bed and give me there cards. Brynn woke up at 6:00 am. She was so excited that she woke me up before Brett had everything ready, so I just ended up eating it downstairs with all of the family. I have such a cute family, and they each made me feel so special to be there mom.

What we do during the week

The kids love it when Brett is home, and they love doing whatever he is doing. Brett has been such a help especially with my lack of energy. He has really picked up the slack.

The other pick is Brynn doing school with the kids. She loves to play school with the kids when she gets home from school. They play so well together for the most part, which is an awesome blessing.

Uncle Daniel's Wedding

Daniel had a dinner the night before his wedding. It was really nice. After the kids had fun taking picture around the Salt Lake Temple.

Brayden loved blowing the wedding bubbles.This is my mom with all of her grand children minus Sofie, my brother Spencer little girl.

My cute sister Kelsi and mom. My sister is coming to stay with me for a few weeks in July. We are all so excited to have her come here.

This is Kylie, Daniels new bride, and all the nieces.

It was so cute to see Brynn and Aubrey just standing staring at Daniel and Kylie dance. I know they thought it was like the princess and the prince.

Hanging out at Brett's parents

We had fun hanging out with family and friends during Memorial day weekend at Brett's parents.

Donuts with DAD at Brynn's schoolBrett and Brynn got to go to Donut with Dad as an early celebration for Father's Day. Again Brynn got up so early because she was so excited to go with Brett on a date. :)

Girls Weekend in Las Vegas

I was so happy that I got to make it to my girls weekend this year. I wasn't planned on going, but Brett was so awesome to work out his schedule. He was able to watch the kids the whole weekend. He not only watched them, but he spoiled them with donuts, McDonald's, the movie, treats, and much more. My weekend was equally nice. I just relaxed by the pool, got caught up with all my 9 friend from college, sleep in, ate yummy healthy food, and basically just got a renewed energy to be a good mom and wife. Thanks to all my friends who are so supportive and fun. It is amazing to think that all 10 of us from college were all together. :)

Del Mar Beach

Aubrey found a sand crab, and she was so brave to hold it. We could believe she would actually hold it.

Brayden loved being berried in the sand.

Teddy Bear picnic at Brynn school

This is Mrs. Nance with Brynn. The other lady is the afternoon teacher who helps in Brynn class in the morning.

This is Brynn last week of Kindergarten. She graduates tomorrow. It has been quite the Kindergarten year for here. She started out with one teacher in FL, then the class was too big, so she got put with another teacher in FL, then we left and she got a new teacher here in CA. She has been a good sport about the whole thing.

LOVING BEING BACK IN CALI

2009-05-05T14:21:00.000-07:00

We are finally getting settled in at our place in Oceanside. We have an awesome house. Thanks to my good friend Jenny who found this home before we even got here. We really got a great house for our family. Brett was joking the other night about how we have this awesome house and the kids favorite thing is there "little home" made out of boxes. They are just happy with the simple things of life. :)

Brayden used his fingers more than the actually paint brush. He loved it although at the end he kept saying "messing hands mama".

OUR FRIEND'S "CAMO" PARTY

Some of our old friends from San Diego had a cute camouflage party for there little boy Eli. It was so fun to see them and all of our other sweet and dear friends that we had missed seeing while in FL. The kids had a great time seeing there friends as well. We went by our old place, and it was weird to think it was just 8 months ago that we used to live there. I remember leaving hoping that we would get to come back to the San Diego area, but not really know if it would be possible. It has been a great as a imaged it would be coming back. :)

BACKYARD

Beside the boxes, I think the kids like playing outside the most here. We have a beautiful big backyard. It has this cute little paved circular path that the kids love to ride around on whatever kind of transportation they can. This is Brett skateboard that he has busted out a few time here. We also live right across the street from an awesome park.

SEA WORLD

We have actually already made it to Sea World. We went with our good friend the Mathews, who are now our neighbors and some of our friends the Shelton from medical school, who were out here on a family vacation. Now that they have a new Sesame Street play land we spend most of our time there.:)

EASTER AT THE BANKS

The kids had a fun Easter holiday. We were actually at the Banks. We did a fun Easter egg hunt at Thanksgiving Point on Saturday, and then we had two Easter egg hunts on Sunday.

We flew there from Florida with Sharon, my mother in law, while Brett and Alan, my father in law, drove across country. They went through quite the elements during there drive. They went through a wind storm in Texas. The winds were so strong it blew our the our car top carry off the van. They also drove there fires and a snow storm in Utah. I am so indebted to both my Sharon and Alan. They helped make our move so much easier.

While I was in UT we got to see a few of my friends and some family. It was a quick trip so I didn't even get to make it to ID to see my family, but it was nice seeing those people that I could.

COLLEGE FRIENDS

These are some of my sweet college friends. Every year we do a girl trip. I am not going to be able to go this year, so it was so nice of my friend Sunny to plan a little afternoon together with those who could get together. We hung out at Sunny's and then when to the park by her house. That is Brynn and Sunny's girl Ellie at the top of the toy. It was so cute to see our girls play so good together. (Maybe they can be roommates together someday.:))

OUR LAST DAYS IN FLORIDA

Since Brett's parent were out for his graduation, we took them to some of our favorite places. Then salad in this picture is from a restaurant called Lambert's. It is in a very southern restaurant. It has huge portion if you can image from looking at the salad. We went to some fun restaurants, the museum, parks, and showed them all of Brett Navy places from his flight training.

Also the last day there we found out that we were having a GIRL. We are excited although Brett is a little nervous because now he is really going to be out numbered.

We spent the last weekend there at the beautiful beaches.

BRETT'S GRADUATION FROM FLIGHT SCHOOL

Brett had an awesome graduation. It took place in the National Aviation Museum. His parents were able to be there, and Brett was honored to have them "give him his wing". ( He now has a pair of wings on his uniform.)

BRYNN LAST DAY AT SCHOOL

Brynn was so sad to say good-bye to her school, and especially her teacher Miss Keegan. In fact yesterday after she got home from her new school here. She sat out our table. She had found a picture of her old stuffed duck that we got rid of after one of our moves. She got tears in her eyes as she talked about how much she miss the duck, and in the same conversation she said she wondered how the tadpoles were doing in Miss Keegan's class. ( I felt a little sad for her. She has been through so much change, and even though she is a pretty happy go lucky girl, and kind of just goes with the flow, I think having to keep moving gets a little hard on her. )

Anyways, I think for the most part we are adjust to our move. We love being back her by so many of our friends, and being a days drive away from family. I am also thankful that we had a chance to experience Florida together as a family. It has been kind of crazy having to move so much, but I feel it has made us closers as a family and a couple.

Catching up!

2009-03-27T12:46:00.001-07:00

AUBREY'S 4 year old BIRTHDAY We met Brett for lunch at McDonald's on Aubrey's birthday. Aubrey loved it, and that explains why she has a happy meal box on her head.

Aubrey is all about Snow White these days. (Ever since she got her hair cut short, she thinks she looks like Snow White). Anyway's for her birthday she got everything to do with Snow White that we could find. I think she felt like a princess for the day. We had only a family party for both of the girls this year. I think they still had a good day. Brayden sure loved having a party. He has the "happy birthday" song down really good now, so it is cute to hear him sing.

I just want to say what a joy and a blessing Aubrey is in my life. Having her home with me everyday this year really has been good for both of us. She is a big help and a great friend. She loves it when Brynn comes home from school, but I think she also likes being the "biggest one" at home for the first part of the day. She loves being a nurturer and she likes to act like Brayden's second mother. It is so cute. She really likes to make sure Brayden is happy and well taken care of. If she is not taking care of Brayden she will be taking care of all her baby dolls. :) She really is a sweet and thoughtful girl, and I am so happy she is in our family.

A FUN BEACH DAY

The kids can never get enough of the beach. Brynn gets in the water ever time, but lately Aubrey has been joining her. I still think the water is too cold, but they are brave. Brayden will get his feet in, but he mostly likes to play in the sand.

FORT BARRANCAS

There are a lot of old military forts out here, and we haven't really taken advantage of seeing them. This one is on base, so we checked it out. It is really cool to see the history of out here. After the fort tour, we went to this fun park on Bayou Grande.

BRYNN'S 6 year old BIRTHDAY

Brynn was so funny about her birthday. She keep asking if I was going to have a surprise party for her or something. I had to keep explaining that this year was a family only party year. She has been having a friend party every year since she was 2, so this was a little harder for her to handle. Anyways, I think she had a good day, and she still got spoiled with lots of presents. For her family party we went Chuck E Cheese. (I only had my phone camera, so no pictures great pictures. We had a good time, and Brynn got as many tokens as she could ever want or use).

I just wanted to say on Brynn's birthday how happy I am that she is my oldest child. She is a very responsible, laid back kind of girl. She also loves to have fun and have/host parties. She keeps our life very action packed. She loves riding her bike and scooting around the circle by our house. She is a wonderful sister to Brayden and Aubrey, and I know they both look up to her. She has lived in a lot of places in her short life and has made a lot of friends. She never really seem to complain about all the change. I am so blessed to have her in our family.

THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY TO BE A MOM

When the kids go out and jump and play nicely together!

When Brayden insists on wearing a lion headband to the store. I was seriously laughing the whole time. We got some cute looks. :)

When Brayden tries so hard to put Brett's Navy boots on and then tries to walk in them. I got him to pose for this picture. I love that he is only 2 and he is doing the "tough guy" look. It is so cute to see him follow Brett around. He wants to be just like him. I love it!

When the girls write me the cutest letters. Brynn has been working on spelling in school. She had to translate a little for me, but for the most part I could read it. I keep both Aubrey and Brynn's letters on my bathroom sink, so I can see them everyday.

DAY WITH DADDY AT THE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM

Brett took the kids all day last Saturday. He went with some of his other buddies and there kids to the children's museum in Alabama for the day. I had a wonderful day off and the kids loved the museum. They got to be in the news, learn about the body, health, science, music and so much more. The video below is them in a virtual video game. I thought it was so cute.

Anyway, this is what we have been up to the last month or so. Next week we are starting the moving process, and by the middle of April we should be in our home in Oceanside. We have some busy and exciting weeks ahead. :)

MARDI GRAS, DISNEY WORLD, AND MORE

2009-02-22T14:18:00.000-08:00

We had a fun time at the Pensacola Mardi Gras parade. The threw so many beads, stuffed animals, toys and candy (even moonpies). If you notice the girls sacks are full with all their goods from the parade. It was a nice family friendly parade. I know they have some other wilder parades at night time. The girls have been playing and sorting through their beads all day.

DISNEY WORLD

This is a picture of Brayden with our friend's son waiting to see the "playhouse disney" show. I love this picture because they look so similar.

This is at Hollywood Studio on one of the sets.

This was at the Wild Animal Kingdom. I think of all the parks we liked this one this one the best. It had awesome displays of the animals, rides, and great shows.

The girls got to see some of the Disney princesses. Unfortunely, when we saw Ariel my camera battery went dead. I think seeing the princesses is what the girls loved the most. Even Brayden liked seeing and talking to Ariel, but Brayden's favorite character to see was Mickey Mouse.

We decided to go to Disney World during President's Day weekend. It was kind of a quick trip, and a lot of driving (about 8 hours each way), but it was so FUN. We got three days in at the parks. We went with two other families from Brett's flight surgery class. I am so happy we got to go, and that the kids got a chance to experience Disney World while we are in Florida.

BRYNN'S SCHOOL VALENTINES PARTY

Here is Brynn at her Valentine's party. It is always so fun to see all the Kindergarters having a good time. Brayden and Aubrey loved it because they got to join in on the fun.

BRETT FLYING

I was so happy Brett got some pictures of him flying. This was one his last day of flight training. He was doing formating flying. Flying has been on of Brett's highlights in life. He really loves it.

BRAYDEN'S TWO YEAR OLD BIRTHDAY

We had a Mickey Mouse birthday party for Brayden. It was cute, because he sang happy birthday to himself and everything. Even days after the party if someone would even say "birthday", he would think they were talking about his birthday. It is hard for me to believe that my baby(for a little while longer) is really two. I am so happy he has been in our lives for these two years. He is such a pleasant happy boy. It really just goes with the flow, and he is always giving us lots of hugs and kisses.

DAY AT THE BEACH

A couple of weeks ago we went down to our favorite local beach, which is funny that we don't do it more because it is less than 5 miles from our house. Anyways, it was such a nice day. It had been a couple of hard weeks of pregnancy and it was just so nice to get out and see the beautiful white sand and the ocean. It really helped me to be happy. We had a picnic and played in the water, and later on went on a great bike ride by the beach.

We also found out resently that we are going back to the beaches of California (Oceanside). Brett got a job working with the Marines at Camp Pendleton. We are so excited to go back. I have liked living here, but I have missed California so much. We will be moving back in April.

Our News

2009-01-31T06:29:00.000-08:00

We are going to be adding one more to this mix. We are excited, but I think even more excited that it will be the last one. I have been very tired to put it mildly. Brett has really been having to pick up the slack. He has been so great! He has been taking the kids for outing, cleaning, and even grocery shopping. Good thing I have a good husband. We should be having the baby the last week in August.

Here's the kids loving the airplane museum. They have always like planes, but now that Brett flies they like them even more. It funny we'll be out on the trampoline, and they will see a plane go by and they will start waving because they think it could be dad. Brett has been flying fixed wing plane. He only has a few flight left. Then he has two more months of school and then he graduates and we will be moving.

It has been kind of weird for us because it has been cold enough here that some day we have to play inside. It is weird for us to not go outside everyday because in AZ and CA it never really gets to cold to go out. Anyways, as you can see Brayden is roller skating in the house, and the kids are actually playing in the toy room ( usually they just bring the toys out and play with them all over the house).

Christmas in Idaho ( Our 3rd and final Christmas)

2009-01-13T06:50:00.000-08:00

Santa's Visit To The Cabin

Santa has been coming up to our cabin in Island Park since I was a kid. It is always fun to sit on Santa's lap no matter what age. I loved it when my dad jumped on Santa's, ( my brother Jayson), lap. It really made Christmas Eve fun.

Christmas Eve Program

It was fun watching the kids and cousin perform.

Matching PJ's

Santa brought us all matching pajamas. It was funny walking around the cabin all in matching clothes. It was also fun spending time with my sister Kelsi, and of course my brothers.

SNOW DAYS AT THE CABIN

SNOW SHOEING

Brett and I got to go snow shoeing a couple of days. It was so nice being out in the peaceful mountains with the beautiful white snow. It was also nice just being with each other. Everyone back at the cabin was so nice to watch our kids. Thanks family.

SNOW MACHINING

The kids got to ride a snow machine for the first time. They really liked it, and they also did some sledding behind them. They loved having Kelsi and my cousins take them on rides.

One day all of my brothers and sister went on a ride. My uncle Jeff was the tour guide. It was so fun being with all my siblings. It helped distract me from how freezing cold it was on the machines. :)

SLEDDING

There are some big sledding hill close the the cabin. Brynn loved the big hill and Brayden was alright with it, but cute Aubrey had a bad experience with it. She went in the front of the sled with Kelsi and my cousin Dayne, and she got blasted with snow. She was so mad, and refused to go sledding anymore. Then she got really mad when I made her go down with me. She cried the whole way down. (Hopefully, I didn't make it worse.) :) It was fun spending time together as a family in the beautiful outdoors. I love the cabin. I have been going there since I was a child. I am happy my children got to have a Christmas up here. It helps make fun Christmas memories.

UNCLE SHANE

I tried to get a picture of Shane and Brayden together. Brayden didn't want to ever look while I was taking the picture. I wanted to show how much their eyes look alike. Brayden and Shane both have beautiful blue eye with long eyelashes. I remember when Shane was a child people would stop my mom and comment on how beautiful his eyes were. It funny because now they do that with me about Braydens eyes. Thanks Shane for passing on your beautiful eyes to Brayden.

JOHNSON FAMILY PHOTO

We had everyone in the family here minus my brother Brandon in Iraq and my brother Jordon in the Ukraine. We also added two new member to our family both my brothers Jayson and Daniel got engaged, and Shane had a girlfriend he had brought home for Christmas. ( I think they are just friends now though). It was fun and crazy with all of us together. I love being from such a big family and I give my mom and dad so much credit. There is no way I could have eight children. I struggle with just having three. I appreciate everything they have sacrificed for all of us.

ALL NINE JOHNSON COUSINS

The cousin love playing with the uncles and aunts. They get spoiled. I am so lucky to have such great brothers and a awesome sister.

BLAST OFF

We of course can't go to Idaho Falls now without going to Blast Off. My kids just love it. This year all the cousin were with us so it was even that much funnier. Also most of the adult got to play a game of laser tag. Brett said it was actually pretty fun.

THE YURT IN INKOM, IDAHO

We had a little too much smoke at first inside the Yurt. Thanks to my brother Shane who found a long burning out side the fireplace. We finally got all the smoked cleared out.

We all backpacked in the afternoon. We hiked a few miles up the mountain, and got there right as the sun was going down. Thanks to my brother Spencer we made it there without getting lost. I have been to Yurts many times, but I have never been there without getting lose. This was the first. Anyways, we got set up and had dinner, and then played games. Then the next morning we had breakfast and then backpacked out. It was first so nice because it was just me and my siblings. My mom and dad sacrificed not coming so they could watch the grandkids. It is so nice to just have a little time to talk and hang out with everyone without all the distraction. It was also so nice to get to know my brother finances and girlfriend better.

So this finally totals up all of our Christmases. We had a wonderful busy time with all of our family and friends. We are so thankful and grateful to both my parent and Brett parent who worked so hard so we could have a great time.

We are now just trying to get settled in and back on schedule. Almost three weeks of vacation is alot for our family. We are also just waiting in a few weeks to find out our options of places we could be going in April.

Christmas in Utah (our second Christmas)

2009-01-11T15:00:00.000-08:00

We had a great time in UT. Here is some of the highlight.

KANGAROO ZOO

COUSIN'S PICTURES

NEW YEAR'S EVE

ICE CREAM PARLOR AT THANKSGIVING POINT

ENJOY UT GREAT SNOWSTORMS

CHRISTMAS AT THE BANKS

"THE GRINCH WHO STOLE CHRISTMAS" BREAKFAST WITH SANTA

PLANE RIDE

Christmas in Pensacola (the first of our three Christmases)

2009-01-10T11:56:00.000-08:00

We just got back from our trip to Utah and Idaho this week. I am trying to get caught up on all of our activities. I will try and get all the pictures up within the next few days. I hope you all had a good holiday season.

Brynn's School Christmas program. It was so cute, and they had fun outfits. They made their own shirts, and had cute reindeer ears. They then had a secret Santa gift exchange.

Santa came early to Pensacola to drop off some of the big gifts before our trip.

The night before he came the kids decorated gingerbread houses.

They also tried sleeping in the same bed. (That idea didn't last long).

The kids had a fun Christmas here. We celebrated it on Dec. 15, so it was a little strange for us, but the kids thought it was great to have an early Christmas.

The Pensacola Christmas parade. We ended up with 100's of beads. (They threw out candy, bead necklaces, and stuffed animals)

Santa came by firetruck to Brett's squadron's Christmas party

This is the helicopter that Brett has been flying.

Brayden loved Santa so much this year

The girls were shepherds in the ward nativity program

Santa visiting our neighborhood on a firetruck

Christmas tree cutting at a tree farm

We weren't actually in Pensacola for Christmas, but we had fun celebrating the holiday season early.

Our Family

2008-12-11T18:50:00.000-08:00

This was one of my early Christmas presents. I hope this will be a family tradition to get family pictures around Christmas. I am always so happy to get them done, but I am not going to lie it is quite stressful. I am so happy with the children's pictures. Some of them are priceless. I was a little sad about the wind being so strong, but I guess that is the joy of having the "ocean breeze". I really like to get family pictures because it makes me happy to see what is most important to me, especially at this time of year. I feel so blessed to have each of my children and husband in my life. I am also so thankful we get to spend Christmas together this year. I hope each of you are having a good Holiday season. You each deserve to have a wonderful holiday.

Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler, Thanksgiving in New Orleans

2008-11-29T18:07:00.000-08:00

So when we first arrived in New Orleans and found Bourbon Street, we had to get some Mardi Gras beads. (However we paid for them! I found out how you get them for free and I figured we would have to pay for them since the kids were around :)).

We had Thanksgiving dinner at the Palace Cafe on Canal Street. It was quite the experience. We thought it would be a nice place for us to eat, but we were for sure out of our league. The kids tried to behave, but they didn't really appreciate our "fine dining" Thanksgiving dinner. I think Brett is the only one who enjoyed his Thankgiving dinner (including turkey with oyster sauce, turtle soup and bananas foster).

The kids posing with the street cars across from our Hotel on Canal street.

MY THANKSGIVING TURKEY

This is what I created and ate for my Thanksgiving dinner. I made it last year, and thought it was so cute that I had to make it an annual Thanksgiving tradition. I thought we might not be able to do it this year because we were staying in a hotel, so we did the best we could. The kids loved helping me make it and eating it. The rule is after you eat a fruit feather you get to put in a feather with what you are thankful for. It starts out as a "fruit turkey" and ends up as a "thankful turkey".

Later that night we were diving around trying to find some of Brett's areas from his mission. Our trusty GPS directed us through these streets on our way to Harahan. We thought it was so cool that Banks and Johnson intersected. (Johnson being my maiden name).

The girls really got into the whole "New Orleans" lifestyle. It was funny because Aubrey was walking int the street with her pink boa at night in the French Quarter, and it attracted alot of attention, including some unwanted attention when some drunk guys were trying to reach out to her and mumbling something to her. I was laughing pretty hard, but sweet Aubrey was pretty nervous about the whole incident.

I think I will decorate my bike like this one for Mardi Gras.

CAFE DU MONDE

We went to the Fench Market in the morning and then to Cafe Du Monde for beignets. (Notice Aubrey's face before beignets and hot chocolate).

Do you think I ate this? I didn't actually eat this one. Brett insisted that I try a bite. I did, and I didn't like them, but the rest of my family sure did.

Here is the smile we have been waiting for!

Brayden loved it.

MARCHING JAZZ BAND AT JACKSON SQUARE

It was a wet, raining afternoon at Jackson Square, but it was still fun to see all the neat stuff. I had actually run the riverwalk and most of the streets of the French Quarter on my morning run earlier, but it was just fun and relaxing seeing all these unique things with my familly.

We couldn't leave New Orleans without Brett getting a Muffuletta from Central Grocery. I can't believe how big these sandwiches are. I swear it is bigger than his head, and he has a good size head. :)

AUBREY'S OWN PRE-SCHOOL

Here is the kids painting one morning at our neighbors house. We have been doing some fun arts and crafts lately since Aubrey has been home.

BRYNN'S THANKSGIVING PARTY

Brynn's had a Charlie Brown Thanksgiving in her class. They made turkey hats, and then watched the Charlie Brown Thanksgiving movie. After the show they had a little "Charlie Brown feast" including toast, pretzels, jellybeans and popcorn.

When we were checking Brynn out of school in the front office, Brayden got his first look at Santa. It was so cute because it was a singing Santa display, and Brayden was holding Santa's hand while it would sing to him.

Enjoying Life

2008-11-20T18:13:00.000-08:00

BRETT GRADUATES FROM API (Aviation Preflight Indoctrination)

I can't believe how "hot" my husband looks. :) I am such a lucky girl to be married to this soon to be Flight Surgeon.

Brett graduated from API yesterday, and then he had the day off. We did his favorite thing on his day off. (ha, ha)We got family pictures. Anyways he starts flying helicopters tomorrow. He is really loving the whole flight thing. It is nice to see him so happy. I think he sure look good in his new dress code. :)

GIRLS' NIGHT OUT

Last Friday night, my friend Shannon had tickets to "So You Think You Can Dance". A few of us from my ward went to the show. It was so fun to just go and hang out with the girls, and it was great see all the dancers from the show again.

BLUE ANGELS HOMECOMING SHOW

We have really grown to love the Blue Angels, especially since this is there home here in Pensacola. We went with some of our friends from the ward (two of the girls that later went with me to the "So You Think You Can Dance" show). The girls had fun watching the show and playing with their friends. They also were able to jump with the bungees on trampolines. We have a tramopline now, so I thought it would not be that big of a hit, but they loved how high they could get. The last pictures is of Brayden with his ear protection on. It is very loud at the airshow, so this year we bought ear protection for all of us. Brayden was pretty good about keeping them on because he had them off at first, and I think he realized how loud it really was. I had to put this picture on the post because his cheeks are just so dang cute.

VETERAN'S DAY AT THE MOVIES

So last Tuesday, Brynn and Brett had the day off for Veteran's Day. We headed out to go to the parade, but we somehow never found it. So, we turned to plan B. We let the kids shop at Toy'R'us, and then we went to lunch and then to a movie. It was Brayden's first time sitting through a whole movie. I think everyone liked it and had a great Veteran's Day.

WHAT THE KIDS ARE UP TOO

Brayden is in such a fun stage right now. I have always been pregnant at this stage with the girls, so I don't think I got to thoroughly enjoy this stage. Anyways, he loves playing outside on his garage sale Diego 4-wheeler or on any of his scoot around toys. He love to dance and play with his sisters, and he really like to wear Brett's or my shoes. I think it is cute how the kids want to try and wear our shoes. Above Brayden is wearing my biking shoes and down below Aubrey is wearling Brett's flight boots. Brayden has started talking so much. It is cute to see how everyday he just says new words. He has such a calm, charming, and pleasant personality. He gives me the cutest hugs, and trys to say"I love You". Seriously, he melt my heart.

This is Aubrey dancing in her room to music. She has been so happy lately. Two weeks ago, after a lot of consideration I took Aubrey out of her preschool. It was just causing her too much stress and anxiety for a little three year old. Everyday now she is so happy to be here with Brayden and I. She has become such a good helper. She likes to help me clean, and she loves to jump on the trampoline. As a mom, sometimes it is hard to know what is best to do for your child, but after see how happy she is now, I know I made the right decision. I am happy to have her home with me.:) I have had the chance in the last couple of weeks to take both of the girls on their own little dates. It is so nice spending quality time with them, and being able to give them all of our attention. Aubrey went on a date with me today. She wanted to go shopping to get new clothes. She is our " little diva". Brynn wanted to go to McDonald's on her date. It is fun having two girls that are such good friends, but so different.

Brynn is learning so much at kindergarten. She was the first one to read enough books to get in the prize box at school. Her teacher says she loves to learn and is a good student. She has also started Speech Therapy which I am so happy about. I think it will make her fill so good to be able to have people understand her a little better. She is growing us so fast. She is gone most of the day. She starts at 7:30 and doesn't get to the bus stop until 2:20. The kids miss her so much. When Brayden and Aubrey see the bus coming they try to run to it as fast as they can go. It is so cute. One day after school we were playing outside, and I noticed Brynn was instructing the kids in something, which is really common for Brynn to do. Anyways, as I observed, Brynn was teaching the kids how to do sit-ups and push-ups. She says she does these in PE, which is one of her favorite classes at school:) (I have to be honest, that makes me really happy).

Anyways, life is good here. We are just enjoying every minute and I am really enjoying how blessed I am to have my cute soon to be flight surgeon/pilot husband and my wonderful children. They bring so much joy to my life everyday.

Parties and more Parties (WARNING super long)!!

2008-11-05T13:07:00.000-08:00

AUBREY'S SCHOOL FIELDTRIP

WE went on a little hayride with Aubrey's preschool class. Brayden and Aubrey had fun on the hayride, but I think their favorite part was getting off and playing around with all of the decorations. They hayride at night was a "haunted" hayride. After the hayride we had a picnic and played at the park.

TRUNK-R-TREAT AT THE CHURCH

Brayden was so happy about all of his "own" candy.

The girls couldn't even wait to get home to dump out all of there candy. They dumped it out in the back of the van, while we were finishing passing out our treats.

The kids were all "superhero's" this year. Brayden was spider man, Brynn was super girl, and Aubrey was wonder women. They all looked "super cute". They all got super excited to be superhero. In this picture Aubrey is "using" here silver bracelet for super powers.

MORNING OUT WITH DAD FOR DONUTS

Brett took the kids out for donuts on Saturday morning. Brayden loved it especially the hat. He loves doing #1 one in pictures now. I love how the hat shows off his cute chubby cheeks. He is still so dang cute. He is starting to talk alot now, which I love, but that means he is not going to be my baby for much longer. :(

When we were looking for house Brynn said she wanted a house with an orange tree and a swimming pool. We didn't get a house with a swimming pool, but we did get a house with an orange tree. As of this week they are ripe and so orange and juicy. For the last month or so, Brynn would watch them from her window to see when they would be ripe. It is so great just walking outside and picking an orange. :)

CARVING PUMPKINS

So carving pumpkins has become a tradition in our family on the last family night before Halloween. The girls really love it. It was nice this year because we had a medical student that was out here doing a rotation over for dinner that night, so when it came time to carve pumpkins we had an extra set of hands to put to work.

YW AND YM PARTY

We had a fun Halloween party in Young Women's. The kids had fun doing three legged races and apple bobbing, but I think the leaders had the best time in the donut eating contest. We had four young men leaders eating donuts on a string at the same time. It was so funny. We haves such fun leaders. I am so happy to be in the Young Women's because although we are few in numbers, they are all so sweet and great.

AUBREY'S SCHOOL HALLOWEEN PARTY

Brayden and I went in to help with Aubrey's Halloween party at her school. They went trick or treating to all of the different classrooms (over 18). I thought it was fun, but Aubrey and Brayden got quite tired. At the end the parents had a little game of musical chairs. My competitive spirit came out an it was down to me and another mom. It ended with me in the chair, and the other mom on the ground. (The chair slid down when we both went to sit down, and I stayed on the chair and she fell down). It was super comical. I went home with a lovely door prize.

BRYNN'S FALL PAJAMA PARTY

This is Brynn with her new teacher Miss Keegan. Brynn got put in a new class in October because there were too many kids in her original class. Miss Keegan has been so great to work with.

We had a fun Pajama party at Brynn's class on Halloween. The school didn't allow the kids to dress up, so all the kindergarten classes (all 8) decided to have a pj day. We got Brynn' some really cute light up ones. Anyways, the kids and I went in and did Halloween crafts with them, and had treats. I think the kids all had a great time. Then we stayed and had lunch with Brynn. Aubrey thought it was so cool to be eating lunch with all the big "kindergarten" kids. Then after lunch all the kindergarten children did a parade around to each class room. The spider hats they are wearing is one of the little crafts we did.

HALLOWEEN NIGHT

The girls and our neighbor Bella and Emmalyn went Trick or Treating. We just went around our neighborhood, but I was so surprised how much candy they got. Poor Brayden had to stay home with Brett to pass out candy. At the end of Brynn's party Brayden got sick, and actually ended up throwing up all over in Brynn's classroom.(Poor little guys).

In the top picture Brynn was trying to look "scary". Crazy girl.

FALL CARNIVAL

The girls made bracelets, got their hear sprayed pink, got their face painted, played games, and got snow cones. It really was a fun carnival. Everyone on the PTA worked really hard, and it showed.

Here is Aubrey bogging for apples. She was loving getting her head in the water. I think all the kids liked getting their head in the water because it was a hot day. I wish you could have seen the water. I would change it ever hour, but it was pretty sick. Good thing kids that young don't care about gems. :)

So, the day after Halloween Brynn school had a Fall Carnival. Some how I had signed up to help with the PTA, and ended up being the room mom for Brynn's class which in turn put you in charge of a booth at the carnival. Anyways, we ended up doing Apple Bobbing, which turned out to be a big hit. ( YEAH! I have to admit, being a room mom is way more time consuming than I thought, but I love it because it mean I get to help Brynn's school experience be fun).

We had a fun couple of weeks with all the parties, but by the end of Saturday afternoon, I was so happy we were done with all of our parties for awhile.

Loving the Fall in Florida

2008-10-21T12:07:00.000-07:00

We are really loving the fall weather out here. It is not like the fall I grew up with, but it is the fall I am growing fond of due to living in AZ, CA, and FL. We decided to get the kids a trampoline for an early Christmas present. We set it up on Sunday afternoon. The pictures below are some "cracking the egg" action shots. The first one is of the kids at 7:30 am on Monday morning jumping in their swimsuits because the sprinklers had gotten it wet from the night before. Brynn had the day off from school, so they literally stayed on the tramp until 11:05. It was a great gift.

HOT TO TROT DUATHLON AT FLORA-BAMA

I know on my last post I said I was done racing, but it is an addiction and I just couldn't be done for the season. I had to find one more race, which will probably really not be the last one either. Anyway this was a bike, run, bike. The bike course is the same bike course I train on, so it was great. Right along the beach, and then the run was around Lake Shelby. It was just so great being out in the fresh air and doing something I love so much.It was beautiful cool blue sky day. It was a rather local race, so I was hoping to do well. Luckily, I raced well. I ended up winning the race, which I feel is a good way to end my season. One of the best part of the races was having the kids and Brett there at the finish line. Props to Brett for getting everyone ready and to my race before I finished. We stayed for the after party. Brett again was a trooper because he stayed to see me get my award, even though he was suppose to be home studying for his API test.

I love this picture. I just got done racing and the rest of my family is enjoying donuts on the beach. :)

This is a room inside the bar. There were rows and rows of bras on the rafters. It was awesome. Only in FLORA-BAMA could you get this.

So the race ended in an outdoor bar lounge on the beach. I love that our whole family is just hanging out in a bar. (Hopefully, that is a first and a last).

This is our cute beach family.

My two "hunks" on the bike. I just love the two men in my life.

GIRLS FRIDAY SLUMBER PARTY

The girls uses to share a room until we moved here, and now they have their own room. They really miss sharing a room, but we love it. So, to help compensate we have starting letting them have "sleepover" in each other room on Friday night. This night we brought the TV in and they even got to watch a movie with popcorn. They loved it, and it really is cute to see them be such good friends.

I had to put a picture in of Aubrey and her puzzles. She does multiple puzzle during the day, and she likes to do them all over the house. Brett told me yesterday she was trying to do one on the tramp. He had to explain to here that is probably not the best place. Anyways, she is super good, and it is good to see her liking her own thing.

AUBREY'S PRESCHOOL AT THE FIRE STATION

This was the robot. Both Brayden and Aubrey loved it. He would follow the kids all over. It was cute.

They got to shoot the water, climb in a miniature house, and sit in the firetruck.

Aubrey really had a good time, and it helped her like preschool that day. :) I thought Brayden would love the firetruck and all, but I think his favorite part was sitting on the big chairs waiting for the rest of Aubrey's class to come.

This was at one of the Mexican restaurant by our house by the beach. We have been trying out different restaurants. The Friday before Brett and I actually got a babysitter and went on a date to this restaurant called the Fish House. It was good restaurant. It is awesome to eat fish out here because it is so FRESH, but the best part of the dinner was my company.:) It was really great spending a night away with Brett. We want to try and do that more.

THE KIDS FIRST BOWLING EXPERIENCE

The kids went bowling for the first time two Saturdays ago. I friend of Brett's from school invited the kids to come to his kids birthday party. The kids had a blast especially Brayden. He wanted to bowl everyone turn, and he really wanted to lift his own bowling ball. Maybe we have a future professional bowler on our hands. :)

SNORKELING AT PENSACOLA BEACH

Aubrey suntanning

Brayden catching his first wave on a boogie board. He loves loves being in the water with Brett. I try to take him in, and the whole time he just says "dada".

Brynn went snorkeling for the first time, and it just re-established what a "fish" she is. We couldn't get her out of the water, but I can't blame her it is so clear and fun to snorkel here.

Sun, Sand, Sports

2008-10-08T18:26:00.000-07:00

This cool hat is one of the gifts my mom gave Brett so he could use it with his new TV. It was a big hit for all the football games. I think the kids liked it the most, especially cute Brady.

We are finally at of boxes. YEAH!! No more brown paper, which they stuff in every box, and no more brown boxes. The kids loved playing with all the boxes and paper. They would make "houses" out of them.

I did my last triathlon of the season last Saturday. It was the Santa Rosa Island Triathlon. It was a beautiful day. The ocean was calm and the winds were minimal for the bike. I was a little nervous going into the race because I enter in as an elite athlete. I was happy with the way things turned out. I walked away with a whole $150.00 dollars (enough to almost cover a shopping trip to Ever'man Natural Food). I ended up taking third overall, and the top three pro/elite athlete recieved money. I was happy to end on a good note, but a little sad to think that I have no races lined up. I can't really sign up for any races for next season until we know where we will be stationed. I know that triathlons are an addiction, but they are such a good release from my full time job as a mother and a wife.

We just can't get enough of the beach out here. Since we live so close, and the water is still so warm we have been going at least ones or twice a week.

This is my cute hubby all dressed in uniform. He is on the back row in the middle. He looks so handsome. It make me be so proud of him for all he does to serve our country. (I tried to crop it so you could see it better, but something wasn't working). Anyways, Brett has been busy with his flight class. He starts his intense training tomorrow, which last for 5 weeks, and then he will be flying.