Photo Shoot

There's a new model in the family.

Ella's Birthday

This weekend Bryson was invited to his first birthday party. It was for his friend Ella, who will be turning one. This is her, a cute little redhead, with her mom Joy.

Here she is with her dad Chris, and Brett with Bryson. doesn't Bryson look cool with his sunglasses? Yes, Chris looks cool too :)

Since it was a carnival theme, they had a watermelon eating contest...

a cake walk where bryson won a cupcake (and enjoyed it very much!),and a dunk tank where all the kids cooled off. It was a great party!

Ella was a sweet birthday girl. She let her two older sisters and many nieces, nephews and friends help her with her presents. She also enjoyed this wonderful red velvet cake.

Thanks Cottrell's, for inviting us, we had a great time! Now we can't wait until Bryson's birthday.

Office Fun Time

Mastering the Stairs

Wrong Way

Right Way

Disclaimer: No babies were harmed in the making of this post.

California Fires

As we all know, California is on fire. It looks like it's the last days around here. Just going to the store is hard. If my lungs are starting to hurt, imagine how a baby must feel. It's hard finding new things to do in the house. I want so badly to take him swimming, or take him to a playground and go on the swings. Instead we're holed up in the house. I wonder when this smoke will finally subside. I hope it's soon!

Mischief

Lamaze Friends

When Brett and I were expecting Bryson, we took a six week course at the hospital called "Great Expectations". We call it "Lamaze" because everyone knows what that is, but it really entailed much more than that. Anyway, I made some great friends from that course and once a month, from the time we were all still pregnant to now, we have been getting together. This last Saturday we all went to Susan's house for a barbque. It's always so much fun to get all the babies together and compare notes. We've shared ideas, thoughts and lots of laughs. We used to limit it to just the moms and babies, but lately we've been enjoying the company of the daddies too! They have a lot to offer.



So here we are, from left to right: Me and Bryson, Kristin and Owen, Ariel and Alex (the only girl baby in the group!), Karen and Chase. Susans little boy Gabriel had already gone down for a nap so she stayed out of the photo. Also we're missing Jamie and her boy Dominic.

I'm so glad Ariel approached all of us on the last day of our lamaze class and suggested we all get together. It has turned into a great group of friends.

Uno!

Sunday evening we went to our weekly gathering at Brett's mom's house. Bryson joined in on a very heated Uno game while we were there. Aunt Lexi helped Bryson Grandma Fleming helped cousin Cole Aunt "T" (Tiffany) helped cousin Dallas. Then the cousins started saying "underpants" instead of "uno" and fun was had by all :)

Dancing Baby

Drive Ins

Last night we went out to the drive in's with the Brown's , Brett's mom and his sister. We had heard they were closing down soon and we wanted to bring Bryson to them before they were gone. We saw "Kung Fu Panda" and "Iron Man". Both wonderful movies. The back of our truck is perfect for this kind of thing. Throw an inflatable mattress in there and 12 pillows, we could stay there for days!

The Browns are a wonderful family, so much fun to hang out with. We do a lot with them. They have the coolest, most well behaved kids...and she's pregnant again!


Bryson's favorite part was getting "kisses" from an older woman. Hannah is 7 months older and well versed in the art of making out.


Bryson's a ladies man! They all want a piece of him.

Cousins

Bryson enjoyed playing with his cousins Cameron (age 1.5)

and Jayden (age 6).

He also enjoyed his first time in a pool. He didn't like the life vest so we ended up taking that off. We'll use that for when we take the boat out.

Fathers Day

On the Saturday before Fathers day we went to my parents house and had a barbque. My brother came with his two boys, Jayden and Cameron. His wife Katrina couldn't make it. Dad enjoyed his gifts. They included a framed photo of him and Bryson...


a "camo" shirt for when we're out on the dunes...

and some "flame" socks and head wrap, also for dune-ing.

Brett got a Red Lobster gift card from my parents (on Sunday I gave him his "skat track" tires for his quad, happy first fathers day honey!).

My brother Karson also got some moola from mom.

Everyone had a great time. I love my family!

Happy Birthday Lorin

Today is Brett's dad's birthday. He would have been 60 years old.

I never got to meet him, he passed away in 2004, (a year before I met Brett) but he made quite an impact on my life regardless.

Lorin was a loving father, grandfather and husband. He was a driven business man, and a provider for his generations to come.

Happy Birthday Lorin! We all love you and have you in our hearts always.

Dry Pack Food Storage

My parents ward attained use of the dry pack can sealer for the day so Brett and I made use of it.

We sealed 46 cans of food for ourselves including hashbrowns, mac and cheese, brownie mix, refried beans, soup, pancake mix, powdered milk, salt, brown sugar, wheat, flour, rice, trail mix, granola, etc...it's a start.

We wore masks because we've been getting over a cold and were trying to be sanitary. Bryson loved the masks and wanted to give mommie "kisses".

Us with our food storage. A proud moment!

Afterwards we went cherry picking at the Dolds ranch.

Thanks mom and dad for helping us get more prepared. We appreciate all your efforts!

Bunco Tea Party

This months Bunco party was at my house last night. My theme was "tea party".

Thank you mom for supplying all the beautiful tea sets and accessories.

Everyone seemed to have had a good time.

Bunco is always a fun get together. I enjoy the "girls night out" and renewing friendships. Thanks to Amy for putting it all together.We're starting on our third year of Bunco and still going strong.

Mommies Little Angel

This is what happens when mommie is blogging and not paying enough attention to her little boy.

Yes that's a Carmen Electra work out video and Jessica Simpson live on tour...so what!

I was shocked the dvd rack didn't come tumbling down. So to prevent a future accident, I bought and assembled this.

Much nicer.

Touchdown!

We taught Bryson a new trick.

Feel Better Toy

Bryson's been sick. He woke up yesterday with a runny nose and fever. Last night was rough. He's was up every couple of hours because he was so uncomfortable. His whole body was burning up. So today, while we were out and about, I bought him a "feel better toy". My parents used to do that for me when I was a little girl. Usually I got a doll or something I could cuddle with. So for Bryson I was going to get a little car, but I had been meaning to get him a walker of some sort- so I splurged. Bryson and I put it together, he held (played with) all the pieces until I needed them :) It took his mind off his stuffy-ness for a while.
He then proceded to hit his teeth on the glass table and bled all over his onesie. I felt so bad for him. Oh well, he's napping now. I'm sure he'll have a fat lip when he wakes up. Poor little guy.

Sunday

Brett spoke in sacrament meeting at church today. He did a wonderful job! He spoke on prayer and personal revelation. I am always in awe of my man. So well versed in the gospel and such a good teacher. I am so blessed to have a husband who is so close to his Heavenly Father and sets such a great example to our son. Brett, thank you for all you've done for our family. You're a wonderful man! I love you.