September Memories

We are trying to hold on to the last bits of summer before fall hits. The kids slept out on the tramp one night. I think they made it to about 3 or 4 am before they got too cold and came inside. 

Somebody loves making fancy drinks with umbrellas. 

Caden had a little bit of a cold, so he got to stay home from school. I had plans that day to go over to my mom and dad's house to make jam, so he got to come along with me. 

27 containers later and we were all done with our raspberry peach jam. Aren't my parents cute? 

The kids and Tyler headed up to The Land for Labor day weekend. They did some projects around the place and had a lot of fun. 

Makayla finally got to wear her s'mores earrings. They look so cute on her. 

They went on a long hike. It looks like they almost fell off the cliff. 

Where was I, you might ask? I stayed at home and organized the entire house. Someone had to stay home with the puppy until she is fully potty trained. 

Hangin out at Caden's baseball games. Makayla is making a highlight video of all the players on his team. She might have a new career! And Brynnli is playing with dolls. I love these nights cheering on our buddy. 

Playing Fly's up with Daddy. 

Sunday Selfie. 

These two baseball players are so cute. They may play for rival teams, but they will always be best buddies. 

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the September 11th attack on America. I can't believe it has been 20 years. I remember that day so vividly and the uncertainty we all felt. But we united and came together as a country. We try to teach our kids about the importance of that day. The park by Tyler's work puts up a display of flags for every life lost in the 9/11 attacks. We walked through it and the kids got to learn a little more about the innocent people, firefighters, and workers who died that day. 

Then Tyler got tickets from his work to go to a tribute concert for 9/11. It was a memorable date night. 

You could purchase a flag from the event so we decided to get one. 

We chose one in memory of Lt. John Williamson. He was a fire fighter who had a strong love for his family. 

When we have Hobo dinners we have to make a special one for Bella. Because she's not spoiled at all. 

How do you know you have a fun grandma? When she agrees to jump on the tramp with you. 

And how do you know you have a great grandpa? When you get to have a special dessert at dinner to celebrate your birthdays and you both get whip cream on your noses. 

Bella had her first appointment at the groomer. They washed her and put cute bows in her hair. She looks so stinkin cute! How did we get so lucky to have such a great puppy? 

We moved Caden back downstairs so now the girls share a room. Sometimes they hate it and other times they get long. I caught them having fun together while Makayla was doing Brynnli's hair. 

Taking Bella for walks is our new favorite thing to do. We all fight over who gets to hold her leash. 

Because where else would Bella sit while watching t.v. with us? 

Tyler was taking Bella for a walk one day, but he was worried about her getting too cold, so he wrapped her up in his coat. See? We are all completely smitten over Bella.

Bella is the best dog. From day one she has slept in her kennel all through the night. She is getting better at being potty trained, although she does still have a few accidents. She loves to play fetch and has her own special game she plays with Tyler. She loves me the most because I'm the one who makes her special food. We love our Bella and love how much she has changed our family in the best way. 

Brynnli's 7th Birthday

Our Little Brynn Bugs is 7 years old! This year Brynnli wanted a Tiana (Princess and the Frog) party. 

We started out her birthday fun with a family party. Brynnli got to open one of her presents early and it was a Tiana dress. Oh, I just love this little princess of mine. 

Our family came over and we had Brynnli's requested pizza for dinner. Then she got to open presents. She got a lot of barbies, clothes, and games. 

Brynnli chose all the games, so we played freeze dance to Tiana songs. 

We had donuts for dessert and Brynnli got to blow out the candles with her birthday buddy, Grandpa Craig, who turns 67 on the same day. 

Then we had a outdoor movie and watched Princess and the Frog. The kids all got their own package of gummy frogs and a popcorn bucket. 

The kids had glow sticks for our movie party. 

And then we ended the night with sparklers. 

On Brynnli's actual birthday, she woke up to her presents by the fireplace. We let her open her new outfit and had cinnamon rolls for breakfast. 

Then it was off to school. Brynnli took treats to her class and her class sang happy birthday to her. 

When she got home from school, she opened presents. She got a guitar and Barbies, just like she asked for. 

We went to dinner at Red Robin and then came home for cake and ice cream. 

If you thought the birthday fun was over, you would be wrong. We celebrated our Brynnie one more time with her friend party. Brynnli invited Devri from our neighborhood, Paisley, Lindsay, and Addison from school, and her cousins Kenzee and Camden. We had pizza for dinner, opened presents, and then headed off to Obstacle Warrior Kids. 

The kids played for two hours straight and were completely exhausted after. 

We had cupcakes as a very much needed pick me up mid party. 

We had the best time celebrating our Brynnie Bear and we can't believe she is already 7. In honor of her 7th birthday, here are 7 things we love about Brynnli: 

1) Brynnli is so funny. She is so animated with her facial expressions and can always find a way to make us laugh. Even when she is supposed to be in trouble, here comes Brynnli saying something funny that makes it almost impossible to be mad at her. 

2) Brynnli is so flexible and can do so many tricks. She is a beautiful dancer and tumbler and we are so proud of how hard she works to get a trick. 

3) She is very competitive. She likes to win and is not a very good loser. Even at school she is always telling us about what level in Lexia her classmates are on and how she is working really hard to get a higher level than her friends. 

4) Brynnli is a social butterfly. She can make friends where ever we go. If she is gone for a while at Caden's baseball games, she will come back and tell us she needs some candy for her friend. She doesn't always remember her new friends' names, but she always has friends around. 

5) Brynnli is doing so well in school. First grade can be a hard transition, but Brynnli's teacher tells us that she is learning so much and is doing so well in all of her subjects. Brynnli said that recess is her favorite subject and that school lunch is the best thing ever. 

6) Brynnli is such sweet daughter and sister. She is my best little friend and best snuggle bug. We love to share a Dr. Pepper and we love to run errands together. Brynnli loves her siblings and loves to play with them. 

7) We are so lucky to have her as the caboose to our family. We always say Brynnli is the life of the party and we are just living in it. Happy Birthday to our favorite 7 year old. We love you!