Puppet Show

It's funny now, because I never thought a few hours alone with Braelyn would be a luxury, but with a new baby that is what happens, so we were both very excited when the library put on a puppet show and Munga offered to b-sit Berkley. We had talked about it for a few days so she kept saying, "Puppet show- It be fun" in this really high overly dramatic voice. We got to the auditorium and I loved just sitting with Brae, and listening to everything she was saying. I was very touched that she seemed to just enjoy sitting by me. She seems so smart and mature now. The show was terrible, it was four dungeons-and-dragons geeks, making up stupid stories, at one point they made the kids all say mayonaisse, and Brae looked at me like they were crazy, but we had a really fun outing together.
Because Kevin was working, we spent the night of my birthday at the park. My family was out of town, but that morning we met Taryn and went shopping, and then to lunch. It meant so much to me that she was willing to push the stroller and hold the babies while I got to do shopping. It was a really good day for me, because I got to spend it with those I love, and I felt how much they loved me.

We made it to the cabin for a weekend by ourselves this summer. We debated going because it can be a lot of effort to get there with all the stuff, but once we are there we know it is worth the effort. The fresh air is invigorating and I finally feel at home. We had a blast playing outside, and we took the girls on a four-wheeler ride over the ridge where you can see for miles both ways. To be away from everything in such a gorgeous place, with just our little family is truly heavenly. I appreciate so much, all the effort that has gone into creating a place where our family can always go. This place has such meaning and memories of my life. It is where we got to know our cousins, aunts and uncles on a deeper level. It was where we had weekends away with friends. I spent girls camps and ward campouts there, and even got engaged here! No cell phones, computers or TV, we spent countless hours in imagination, and learned to love the outdoors. Now it is a place to go and feel close to those who have passed on, who we owe so much too, and who are still dearly missed. I hope it can mean half as much to my children as it does to me, because I can then be assured they will always have a place in this world that represents love and a safe place to be.

My favorite time of year

We stole Kevin away from grad school applications for a few hours and headed up American Fork Canyon for a picnic. The weather was perfect, and I love being around the leaves and mountains. I wish this season could last longer, I crave being outdoors when it is like this. We had a lot of fun just goofing off. Kevin climbed a boulder with Brae and she got scared at the top and started crying and clawing his neck. I thought the were both going to roll to the bottom! Braelyn has really gotten into nature and collected just about every leaf she saw. She continously brings home sticks and rocks now, and think she would sleep with them if I let her bring them inside. We made her a little treasure box to try and contain them. We set-up the self-timer for a few impromptu family shots, so I would push the button then run as fast as I could and scoop Brae up while we tried to get both girls looking at the camera. She thought it was hilarious and would laugh while I rushed towards them. Berkley is just along for the ride and so mellow, and we even got some giggles when Kevin propped her in a tree. Such a great way to spend and afternoon!

I love Utah holidays!

One of my favorite times of the year is the end of July. We always get to see the Cedar Hills parade, do fireworks and hang out as a family. I love pioneer day, and this year we had a whole week of fun stuff. First we had a birthday party (I am trying to load the video of all the adorable photos). His name is Tyler, and he is our friend's Amy and Brad's son. We met them when I was Amy's visiting teacher in our old ward. We became fast friends, and she always had advice on questions about kids, or consoling words when I would complain about having to work and have a kid and have a husband in school, because she was doing the same thing a few years ago. We had a lot of fun play dates at McDonalds and Tyler and Braelyn get along really well. It was wonderful for me to have someone who understood and was always willing to listen. She used to teach kindergarten so she always has fun things planned for the kids, and they had a blast playing in the pool at the party. The last picture shows Brae and Tyler at the end of the party, when they layed their towels out next to each other and just layed there laughing. The next night we went back to their house for dinner and fireworks, and they put on a great show, but the best part was seeing the kids light up while they watched them.

That Saturday was the Cedar Hills celebration, and Kevin had to work that morning, and my family was at the cabin, so I loaded up the girls and headed down myself. We found a great spot on a grassy divide in the middle of the road, and even had some shade to start. Kevin made it just as the parade started, and Braelyn had so much fun grabbing candy and waving to everyone. When the Flash dancers came by she ran out next to them and did a twirl and shake, and cracked everybody up. It was touching to see the missionaries and she grabbed their hand, and I of course thought about Greg, and how much we miss him. The fireworks got canceled because of rain, but we saw them on Monday and it was a great show.

That afternoon it really started raining so Braelyn made Munga go out and play with her. While they were on the sidewalk, we heard a huge crack and flash of lightning and thunder. It turns out that the bolt actually struck our neighbor's house just down the street. But Mom scooped Brae up and ran faster than I had ever seen her move to the porch. In the picture you can see her scared look, but it is funny because Brae thought the whole thing was so much fun, and she just shows exuberant joy and they are running for their lives towards the house! What a difference perspective makes.

Tay-lay

My brother recently complained that he wouldn't read my blog because there would not be anything about him in it. It is now my mission to make him regret saying that, which will be easier to do now that we live under one roof. The other day I was reading Shape magazine (a women's fitness mag) while rocking Berkely on the couch. When Tay came in I closed the magazine to talk with him and flipped the mag upside down because the cover model was in a bikini. We talked for awhile as he slowly edged towards the couch and the magazine. I knew he was going to pick it up but I wanted to see what he would do. He casually picked it up and turned it over. As soon as he saw the girl he dropped it like a branding iron and his face was mortified. I asked him what he was planning to do with it and he grumbled something and ran downstairs. I still laugh when I see that magazine. Both of my brothers are also terrified of hair. If they saw one in the tub we would have to drain it or they wouldn't stay in. We used to torment them by brushing our barbie heads on them. They would absolutely freak out. So I was cooking dinner the other night and I am terrible at timing when the boys will be home, so I burned the fries, and when Tay took a bite of his sandwich he found a hair in it! He about died, and started gagging at the table. I thought he would just get something else to eat but he was a trooper and finished the sandwich so I wouldn't feel bad. He left the table pretty quick though, and on his way out he grabbed a slice of cheese off the counter and there was a hair on it too! (Kevin cut those, so it's not all my fault) He threw it in the sink and exclaimed, "Everything in this house is covered in hair!" Poor kid, that is probably one of his worst nightmares.

A few weekends ago I decided to clean up the playhouse in the yard for Brae. It took more work than I thought, and after a few hours Tay came out to help me. I really appreciated that he would do that on a Saturday afternoon. Braelyn really loves to follow him around, and she kept wanting the stick he would pick up or the rake he was using. I don't think Tay is used to that, being the youngest, and after awhile he was feeling pretty frusterated, and told Brae she couldn't just boss him around and take whatever he had. I just laughed because I remember the days when he did that to us, and thought it was good he got a little back.

He really is such a good little brother, and I am grateful. He is always willing to hold the baby or play with Brae when I need some help. It would be hard to have a family move in and kick you out of your room and take over your house, but he has taken it all in stride. I can't believe he has only one year left, I think he will forever be four years old in my mind. He will be a wonderful missionary soon, just as Greg is, and is wonderful example of a young man reaching their potential, and doing so making the right choices and standing for what they believe.

We love you T!

Braelynisms

Braelyn says and does things that crack us up everyday. Here are a few of our favorites this summer. . .

-When she was potty training, every time she would toot, we would take her to the potty, so when she was visiting family, she heard a grown-up and toot, and took their hand and took them to the potty, and made them have a seat.

-She is really stuck to her routine and one morning when she was going to someone elses house to be baby-sat, I said in the prayer, "Bless Brae to be nice at Nanas" and she said, "No Munga's."(which is what she calls my mom) I stopped praying and said, not today, today you are going to Nana's. She scooted across the floor, keeping her arms folded, and got right in my face and growled, "No. Munga's."

-Took her to the McDonald's drive-thru, and while we were waiting for our food she told me her tummy hurt. I asked her waht would make it feel better, and she said, "Fries make my tummey feel better."

-Told me she hurt her finger. Me: "Are you ok?" Brae: "No Mom I not okay?" Me: "Are you going to make it?" Brae: "Yeah, I'm a tough girl."

-Made Berkley laugh and said, "Bookley, I luv you. You my best friend."

- I told her one morning that her face was dirty. She went and found a washcloth and cleaned her face all by herself, then she came and told me, "I clean my face and cheeks and chin. Brae do it by hers-self. Make Mom so happy!"

-One afternoon I was trying to get us ready to go out. I buckled Berkley into her car seat while Brae watched TV, then ran up stairs to grab a blanket and burp rag. As I was walking back downstairs the phone rang, so I went to grab it and noticed the trail of clothes and panties from the living room. I checked caller ID and saw it was the neighbors across the street. Any guesses on the outcome of this? I opened the front door to find my two year old smelling flowers wearing just her birthday suit and smile. The phone stopped ringing.

-She loves to call people, so she called her Aunt Ashley one night, but didn't get an answer. So then she called Taryn, and when Taryn answered she asked if Ashley was home. After she hung up with Taryn Ashley called her back, and she started crying when she answered and it wasn't Taryn.

-I was vacuuming downstairs and when I turned the vacuum off. I could hear this monotone voice saying something over and over from upstairs, and when I stopped to listen I could hear, "needtopoopneedtopoopneedtopoop"

-We were crossing a parking lot, and our rule is she has to hold our hand when we are on asphalt. She didn't want to hold my hand, and I reminded her of the rule, so she grabbed a hold of her own hand with the other hand, and said, "I am holding a hand." How could I argue that?

-Munga turned on a TV show for her on her bed, and when she came back up to check on her she was standing there stark naked (notice a trend), and Braelyn happily announced, "I'm supernaked!"

-We took her to the playground and I asked her if she wanted me to play with her. Brae: "Yes momma." Kevin: "Hey what about me?" Me: "Can Dad come play too?" Brae: "No, dad's too fat."

-I took her shopping while Kevin stayed home with Berkley. When we were walking in she grabbed my hand and held it to her face, then looked at me and said, "Mom, you my favorite."

Oh, could have melted me right there! Out of the mouths of babes, we never know what she will come up with next.

First Day of Preschool

Braelyn was dressed, (all by herself) and singing in the hallway this morning when I got up. I thought that was a good sign, but it turned sour quickly after that. Luckily we had muffins for breakfast, but when I made her go potty, the tantrums started, then after I did her hair, she kept telling me, "It not cute, it not powfect." After switching barrettes for the third time, I was done and made her go sit in her room to chill out. I couldn't believe the diva behavior was starting before she turned three! As I was scrambling to get Berkley fed and dressed Braelyn decided her Belle needed a beast, she finally settled on her baby doll being the beast. Then she decided Belle needed a bath and got her undressed, and insisted that I get her dressed. Anyone who has tried to shove hard plastic doll arms into a teeny dress when you are rushing will understand why I felt Belle could just go in her birthday suit, but my little princess insisted, so I did it. I was determined to get a cute First Day of School picture, without tears and snot, so I was being as nice as possible. I actually had both the girls ready and did get my pictures, just in time for the second round of World War 2-year old to start. You can see in her picture that the toes of one of her shoes is hanging over the front of her white sandal. I thought that was just a temporary thing I could fix when we were ready to go, but as soon as the camera was away, she wanted her other foot to hang over the front of her shoe. Why this now, and why it happened this morning, I don't know, but we argued and fought about it, and needless to say she wore her brown shoes to school that morning.
I was surprised when we got to school and Brae seemed a little nervous. She is usually pretty brave and excited to go for anything that involves playing and other kids, but she insisted on taking Belle with her into school. We had put some papers for her teacher in her bag, and when the secretary said she liked her bag, she said very importantly, "I have papers." She took the secretary's hand and walked back to her class. I just stood there, wondering who was going to take my hand and tell me it was okay. Actually I was very excited for her, and knew she would have a great time, and really enjoy the new experience. It was also wonderful to do my shopping with just one child, who is immobile for the time being. It was a very quiet trip, and I liked not having to divide attention for a few hours.
Brae was busy playing when we got there to pick her up, but was happy to see and us and left happily. She said she liked it and sang me a few songs she learned. Her teacher said she did well for a first day, and that she complied easily when reminded. I sure love this little girl and am proud of all the new things she is learning and friends she is making. Braelyn loves to do excercises with me, and likes to lift the three lb weights then walk on the treadmill. She was sitting next to me doing crunches and she would grunt every time I would do one. Sorry about the leg shot, I don't know how to crop yet.
Berkley is such a sweet baby, there just isn't a better word for her. My only gripe is that she only takes a decent nap about every three days. She has super-sensitive hearing, and we witnessed her first major melt-down when we were having dinner with all of Kevin's family and it got a little loud, and she couldn't see Mom or Dad. Otherwise as long as she is sitting up she is pretty good to go, but her favorite is when Daddy wraps her up tight in his arms and rocks her to sleep. We couldn't have picked a better addition to our family.

Braelyn was a little too quiet the other afternoon but I was enjoying the peace too much to check on her. When I finally did I found she had pumped most of our hand soap into the sink and had it overflowing with bubbles. When I asked her what she was doing, she told me she was making a crown. I guess she gets points for creativity, but I have to wonder if the punishment sticks, if you get mad, then tell her to wait while you get the camera and takes pictures? This was the first of two times this day that she soaked her shirt in the sink, she also dumped cupfuls of water out of the tub, peeled apart a wooden doll chair of my mom's, and bit my hand when I buckled her into the car seat. What would I do if there was a return policy on children?

Country girl at heart?

The girls ready for church. Such cuties on the outside, devils on the inside as soon as we get there! Thank goodness for nursery.

We've been blessed with lots of little girls in my family, and we love when we get to go to Duchesne and see little Kylie. My cousin Nikki was having her first little girl, so all of us Utah county girls drove out there for her baby shower. Kylie got to show Braelyn how it is living with animals all around, and tried to show her how to hold a kitty. Braelyn had no idea what she was doing, and was too timid to grab the cats, so Kylie would catch them and drag them over to Brae and plop them in her arms. Since Brae didn't know how to hold them, they would wriggle free in a few seconds, and they would start the whole deal all over again. After they were bored with the kitties they ended up in a cardboard box, looking like nudists. I really can't remember why they weren't dressed since everyday Braelyn ends up naked at some point, but after seeing Kylie, I think it is just their age. Kylie loves babies and kept asking to hold Baby Berkley, even though they are about the same size! I couldn't believe how patient she was, she would just sit with her until Berkley would wiggle and we would have to take her. Braelyn really loves Aunt Kellee, and kept saying, I need to see my Kellee. Kylie liked to follow me around, and she makes me laugh because she doesn't say anything, she just stands in front of you and smiles, until you figure out what she wants, then she says, "Yeah" in her deep little voice. After the shower we headed up to spend the night at the cabin. It was kind of fun to just be girls up there, and have a little sleepover, literally little sleep when the girls are involved.

We had the Roberts family reunion on July 19th at Lindon Park. It was a sweltering day, so Braelyn and Cal found a bucket of water set-up for the games and got themselves soaked to cool off. We played some games and ate dinner. The picture above shows my cousin Kel, who was born blind. Kevin and I babysat them a few times, and he recently told his Mom he wanted to come live with me, because I have never yelled at him in his whole life! My favorite part of the day was when all of the Roberts' kids (my aunts and uncles) talked about aspects of Grandpa's life. I feel very lucky that I was able to get so much time with both of my Grandpa's. They were such wonderful men. A grandpa's love for their grandaugthers is one of the best and most unique relationships in the world. You truly know you can do no wrong in their eyes. I have so many wonderful memories of times spent with them, and the feelings that I had when I was with them. I wish they were still here but I also know that they are watching us now, and I look forward to a wonderful reunion with them. It was fun to hear the stories but importantly to feel the emotion behind them. I have a great family, and am blessed by all the love and support that surrounds us.