Brookes Birthday Party

Brooke's Hello Kitty Cake

Brooke opening her "Bratz" doll from Pappa Lake

Brooke in her CUTE tutu Aunt Chelsea made her :)

Abby bein silly with her sucker

Brooke was so funny she didnt want to put down her capri sun to open presents


Yesterday we had Brooke's birthday party. She and the kids had a lot of fun running around playing on the playground. We enjoyed some grilled hamburgers and hotdogs that Nate made in the hot sun outside. (I guess we are finally saying goodbye to the nice spring weather) Brooke got all kinds of cute outfits and fun toys! Thank you to everyone for the nice gifts. She really enjoyed them all :)

Happy 2nd Birthday Brooke!

23 months

23 month

20 months

18 months

16 months

14 months

Brooke 12 months

Brooke 9 months

Brooke 7 months

Brayden and Brooke 5 months

Brooke 3 months

Today is Brooke's 2nd Birthday and I can't hardly believe it!! Looking back at these pictures brings back so many fun memories. It sure has gone by so fast! She has quite the little personality on her. She is one of the most independent babies I have ever seen. She is perfectly happy playing off on her own without anyone by her side. Now that she is getting older, she and Brayden have become quite the best pals. They do everything together. (not always to Braydens liking) She is also starting to use her words to express herself so much more. Its funny the things she comes up with. She is also potty training and doing quite well! We are having a little family party for her tomorrow at our park. Its a "Hello Kitty" theme, Brooke's favorite :) Should be fun!

family photos

These are a few of the whole group shots we took with my brothers family on Saturday. It was pretty windy that day as you can tell, but I think they turned out pretty cute. Which picture do you guys like best? Let me know! :)

Our little adventures

I just thought I would update you all on what we have been up to. I have been continuing my brothers boot camp and it has been awesome. I feel great! A new part of my body seems to be sore each day, So I think it is working! :) Nathan isn't too thrilled about being back on a "healthy diet," but its been good for the both of us.

I have also been reading the Twilight series and am totally consumed by them! I read the first 2 of the series this week alone. I am probably going to pick the 3rd up today. (I think Nathan has felt a little neglected because any free time I have had, I have been reading...) Only 2 more I keep telling him ;)

Last Friday we went to go and donate blood at United Blood Services. We had seen a very touching "Extreme Makeover Home Edition" a few weeks before and both realized how important it is to donate. Well, in the past I have not been able to donate because of my low iron, but surprisingly enough, I was good to go this time :) I was pretty nervous because I am very squeamish when it comes to needles. Talking about it now makes me a little on edge... but I did fine. Right up until my whole pint of blood was full. All the sudden this heat rushed over me into a sweat and I became all lightheaded and nauseous. It was scary! The technician looked at me in fright and hurried to do what he could to make me feel better. A few minutes passed and my blood pressure finally stabilized. Leave it to me to be the one to get sick... haha. Nathan wasn't able to donate because you have to wait a year after getting a tattoo and he had gotten his Twins one last June. So in June we will be going again. YAY lol

Friday night Nathan and I went to the Kid Rock concert at the Tempe Musical Festival. Its been windy and cold here!! But, it still was fun. Nate was happy that he sang some different songs that he had not gotten to hear live before. A few other bands were there. Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers and The Outlaws.

Saturday morning we went to Freestone Park to get our family pictures taken. The kids were... less than cooperative, to put it nicely. I am not sure what the deal was, but they were not liking the whole picture taking fiasco. We tried everything... playing by the water looking at the ducks, climbing on rocks and trees, but when it came time to take the picture they would not smile they would run away as fast as they could. Hopefully we got a few decent ones out of our 2 hour session. Jared, our photographer was so patient! I am grateful we were at least with him in a park, then in a studio. Things could have been much worse!

Boot Camp Week 1

As many of you know, my older brother Greg is a personal trainer and he is holding this 4 week bootcamp 3 days a week. He has been so kind to let me go. I feel great!! I went Tuesday, Thursday, and this morning and it has been the best workouts I have had in a looong time! Yes, I am a bit sore, and I am hating this dang healthy eating, but it will be so worth it come 4 weeks from now! I have yet to step on the scale and see if any progress has been made, but I know it has. I can already feel the difference! He has been having us do everything you can imagine from arms to legs to abs to cardio. A total body workout! I am so excited for Tuesday to come to get back at it!!! :)

Freestone Park

On Wednesday I took the kids to Freestone Park. We had a great time. It was a beautiful 85 degrees out and a little breeze blowing. We packed a picnic lunch and headed out there. We fed the ducks, played on the playground, rode the train that circles the park, and rode on the carosel. Brooke would throw all her bread right in front of her to try and get the ducks to come close, then when they would get close, she would chase after them trying to pet them. Silly girl. They both loved swinging at the park. It was cool because the swings were right next to eachother so I could push them both at the same time. Waiting for the train was not so much fun, but they loved it once we were on. They waved to everyone as they passed them in the park. Brayden kept shouting CHOO CHOO :) Then we rode the carosel, which was Brooke's favorite. She really loved riding on the horse. She kept kissing it and petting it. After all that we sat beneath a shaded tree and enjoyed some sandwiches, juice, and chips. It was a fun little outing for the 3 of us, and needless to say the kids had a great nap that day!


Brooke pointing to an airplane saying "plane! plane!"


Brooke chasing after the ducks


Brayden did not like getting his picture taken...

Brooke running along side the train tracks

Brooke and Brayden on the train. They didnt want to look at the camera.

Brayden on the carosel

Brooke on the carosel

Renaissance Festival

Nate and Brooke riding the camel

Brayden riding the Llama

Me restlin with the rope ladder!

Brooke and Brayden riding the whimsical butterflies :)

Yesterday we went to the Renaissance Festival. We had such a great time! Brayden was set on riding the Llama and he had so much fun! Nate took Brooke for a ride on the camel and they were all smiles. She kept trying to pet the camel as she was riding it. I tried to climb the rope ladder and fell 3 times. It hurt a little, but I am bound and determined to go back and do it! :) We enjoyed these HUGE tukey legs and chocolate covered cheesecake on a stick and bannana on a stick. Yumm! Nate also threw some knives and hit 4 out of the 5! All in all it was a great day. We didnt get to stay as long as we wanted or see everything because Brooke was a little fussy, but we definitely plan to go back and see some more :)