Sunny Sunday Afternoon

Aren't Sundays the best? This last week really threw us for a loop, but today was a beautiful day that really calmed my soul. Sundays are always that way. A rest from our busy schedules and worldly cares. (And a great time to try on hats.)

P.S. I'm still thinking about our wonderful Relief Society lesson based on Elder Uchtdorf's talk on Patience. What a perfect message. I can't wait to hear from our church leaders again this weekend!

Two Favorite Books

We bought both of these books a month ago, and they're AWESOME! We read each of them multiple times a day, at Brynlee's request.

First of all we have this picture book of stories from the Book of Mormon. We have the B.O.M. children's reader from Distribution Center, but Bryn doesn't like it yet. So I got this book that is even simpler and it's perfect! It simplifies the stories and has great illustrations. Bryn's learning all the little scripture stories and it's awesome. I totally recommend it for this age group. The second book that we love, love, love is Richard Scarry's Best Word Book Ever. I had this as a child and it's a classic. (Ten dollars at Walmart.com). This book has illustrations for tons of little words and it keeps Bryn's attention for so long -- sometimes we read this book for an hour straight! It's seriously awesome! It is such a great way to start conversation with Bryn. These are just a few of Bryn's favorite pages. This is the best children's book we own. LOVE it!

A Little Behind

Bryn is a smart little girl, and I think she's doing pretty well in many areas of development. But one area where she certainly falls behind is feeding herself. I've been taking food-in-the-hair pictures for months, but it was a little funnier when she was twelve months old.

Come on now, Bryn. Let's recite our mantra: "Food goes in the mouth. Food goes in the mouth..."

Book Worm

Is there anything better than a nice reading spot on the couch?

Bolsa Chica Wetlands

We spent this morning exploring the Bolsa Chica Conservatory, just up the coast about 5 miles. It wasn't exactly a Utah hike that I'm used to, but it was really fun! There are lots of nice trails that wind around the rivers/lakes (I don't know the proper terms), and there are tons of cool birds to watch. There's also a cool little visitor's center with tanks of star fish, sea cucumbers and octopus. And another room with cages of snakes and spiders, as well as a lovely collection of possum skins. Bryn's favorite snake because it was moving all over and pressing it's face against the glass.

This was a fun little outing! I'm sure we'll be back soon.

Birthday Countdown

I LOVE countdowns. I used to make paper-chains to countdown the days to anything: holidays, end of the semester, birthdays, study abroad programs, etc. My best countdown chain was a huge chain that counted the days til I turned sixteen. I started the chain when I was still fourteen, and I kept that thing going for fifteen months until the big day. Definitely a little extreme.

Anyway, my paper chain days are over because I just finished this new little countdown...

It's a simple countdown for the birthdays in our family. It's just an 18 x 24 inch piece of home dec fabric with little3 x 3 inch pockets sewn on front. I will write little notes with 25 things that I love about that person, and put one in each pocket. So for the 25 days leading up to their birthday they can read something nice about them. I also picked up some little wooden stars and mini clothes pins, and painted a different color star for me, Josh, and Bryn and glued them on the clothes pins. I can move the clothes pin along each day to show how many days are left til the birthday. Josh's birthday's coming up in 28 days, so tonight I wrote all the little notes and we'll start the countdown on Wednesday. Hopefully this will be a fun tradition for our fam.

Feeding the Ducks

We feed the ducks at least once a week when we go to the Central Library. Bryn used to have no problem throwing the bread to the ducks, but each time we go she is less and less willing to share. She crams the bread into her mouth, or throws it on the ground and then grabs it and eats it before the ducks can. Yesterday she ate every last bite, sharing nothing with the ducks. We've got to work on sharing...and not eating things off the ground. Both important things.

Stuffing her cheeks.

Throw it to the ducks or eat it myself?

Tricks

Bryn's been working on this little step-ladder routine for a month now -- ever since Jae asked her if she knew any tricks. I think it's time we show her performance to a broader audience. All you have to say is "Brynlee, will you show me some tricks?", and this is what you will get....

This is one of my favorite tricks. She keeps her feet on the step, and does "push-ups" with her arms. It's awesome.

I've seen this routine about a hundred times, but it still makes me laugh every time!

Coloring Queen

One of Brynlee's very favorite things is coloring. And one of my very favorite things is watching Bryn color. Occasionally, she gets silly -- doing wild strokes, and laughing at herself. But most the time, it's very serious work. No talking. No laughing. Just head down, focused.

And this is an all-too-familiar scene on the floor.

It's About Time

(Bryn, attempting a "cute face" for Jae)

Our new little web cam came in the mail this week, and we've been stalking my siblings on Skype and Gmail chat ever since! It's only been a few days of skyping, and I think they're sick of us already. But we love it! So fun!

Yellowstone, Part 2

Here are a few more pictures from our Yellowstone trip. And then I'll stop talking about it. The whole crew: Mom, Josh, Jordan, Dad, Jae, Catherine, Brynlee, Me, Logan, and Marie Taking a stroll with Grandpa

At Mammoth

More Grandpa time. And Little Jord trying to get in on the action.

After a little dip in the river

The girls

Marie taught Bryn how to keep her hands in her pockets.

Dad and Mom

Grandma time

The boys spent the afternoon jumping into the current and riding it down stream. Marie and I spent the time trying to avoid the hairy-backed men in speedos. (This is not referring to my brothers or Josh.)

Hayden Valley

Me and Jord

Bryn loves her uncle Logan, who she refers to as "Pete". She's been asking for Pete, Pete, Pete every since we've been home.

Josh and I at Hebgen Lake. Catherine's family was so nice to invite us to their cabin right outside Yellowstone at Hebgen Lake. Such a fun night! I have about 400 more pictures I could include, but I think we'll stop here. Three cheers for Yellowstone and for my awesome fam.