lastnight....

I usually sing 2 primary songs to Brenna when she goes down for bed. But lately she's been fighting me on them, so I ask her what she wants to sing.
Lastnight I asked her, and she said "Cars" (she's been watching the CARS movie a lot!). At first I couldn't understand what she was saying, then it became clear that she wanted to sing the song to Cars.
So I start "Life is a highway.....I wanna ride it all nite long."
She started singing with me on the last part......" ah nigh long."


I did make it through, even though I wanted to laugh the entire time.

Oh Brenna, you make us laugh.

the Boo.....

Brenna is now 19 months old. She thinks and acts like she's 3. She has to do everything herself, or her own way and if not, she screams at you.
I always thought "I will never be one of those moms...." you know, the kind that just gives in to everything, or is handing their kid a Diet Coke just so she'll stop throwing a tantrum in public. I am totally one of those moms! Sometimes I have to be :)
Brenna loves to be naked or just in her diaper. Here's proof....

Everytime I take her clothes/jammies/swimsuit off she says "woo woo" when she's nudie. Because that's what we say to her when she is.

She's starting to go to nursery, but one of us has to be there with her. Although last week she did great, so maybe she can try it by herself....

She loves watching movies now. Changed my life. She loves Cars, Bolt (doggie) and Charlotte's Web (piggy).

She RUNS everywhere.

She hates shoes and takes them off every chance she gets.

She loves looking at her cousins blogs. She'll say 'Noah' 'Hallie' 'Coley' over and over til I let her.

Loves to be outside

Talks A LOT!

We love our spunky little girl!

the 24th...

We love the 24th! The family, the food, the fireworks. Nothing better.

Here's Ben and Lorena..they came over to eat and watch the Liberty Park fireworks from our front yard.
B and Grandma (or Gago as B says)

Her first sparkler....

I just have to add some funny, random things that Brenna has been up to lately...

She still loves water and is getting really good at her swimming lessons. What a relief :)

The other day we had her stroller in the living room (not sure why) and she wanted to stand in it. So while she was standing in it, she took off her diaper and peed in her stroller. I was so mad and found myself saying "No, no! Wait til your dad gets home!" Shortly after, daddy walks in, Brenna's in the tub, I'm trying to take off the soaking stroller covers....she looks at daddy and says "No, no!" as she points to the stroller.

Brenna eating her first happy meal. She LOVES french fries! Her daddy is so proud :)

Reading and rocking her baby to sleep.

She is getting harder and harder these days. She has a mind of her own, that's for sure. But she's had it ever since she was born. She is her own person who likes to do things at her own pace and time. Sigh....she makes it hard sometimes.

But then she makes it so easy to love her. Like when she folds her arms when we're saying prayers...then giggles. When she puts her head on my shoulder and pats my back. When she repeats EVERYTHING you say to her. When she pulls out our hymn book and starts singing....I could keep going.

I guess I needed to remind myself that this stage in her little life will pass quickly and I should cherish it. :)

Geez, I sound like my mom......

birthday extravaganza.....

I just have to say.......
I LOVE my birthday! Thank you to everyone who made it special.

I kicked off the festivities by going out to dinner with some great friends from my ward (and Jeanette:) to Z-Tejas. I just have to tell you that these are some of the greatest women around! I'm so lucky to have such great examples around me.
(a couple of these ladies couldn't make it to dinner, but we sure missed them!)

Then today we went to Good Things Utah. So fun! We did this 2 years ago and this year we included Lorena and Kadie....

then we headed off to lunch at the Olive Garden...


Then later, dinner with the Zumwalt's at P.F. Chang's. What? I LOVE food, don't judge.

So what did I get for my birthday, you ask?

Well I'm excited to announce the new addition to our family.....

I know, it's been a LONG time coming. So that means....

..goodbye to my favorite car, the Subie.

sniff...sniff.....

You'll be missed. (kindof)

18 months....

Brenna is now 18 months. Where does the time go?


Here she is looking real big, talking on momma's phone.
She's a little chatter box. She's talking ALL the time, it's so funny to listen to her and try to figure out what she's saying.
This is such a Brenna face. She's very slow to warm up to people....


The Papa tree....(thanks Beck!)

Brenna loves to water it and take care of it....

and she loves the hose..

We love this kid so much!!

resiliant...

I had the oppurtunity of spending some time with Sampson over the weekend. It was hard, tiring, emotional, heart wrenching and SO worth it!

Hailey, there are no words I can use to tell you how I feel about you :) You know I love you and your family. Thanks for letting me get a small glimpse into your hectic lives. We will continue to pray for you. Sampson is lucky to have you and Nick for parents.

The words to a hymn haven't left my mind since I've returned home....

" When dark clouds of trouble hang over,

and threaten our peace to destroy

There is hope smiling brightly before us"......

Keep fighting Samps! We love you.

vacay...

Went to St. George for the 4th.

Loved it.

daddy helping Brenna work on her floating..

playing guitar hero...

and helping clean up...

Happy 4th of July!