Can't resist...

She is going to kill me for this in about 10 years, but it's cute for now!!

Trying out her new shoes after bathtime...

Wanting to play outside...
This isn't embarassing, just a great shot of the "after bathtime curl"...

Weekend of Love and Fun!

Kennan's class had a fun party on Thursday...

and he loved his Valentines and gifts from friends!
Brayden giving Kennan some love on Saturday morning...
Brayden Lynn

Kennan Joshua

My 3 Loves...

On Saturday evening we had a party with 4 other families...10 adults and 14 kids!!! We ate heart shaped hamburgers...

and there was cookie decorating...

Valentine bingo...

and board games!

Brayden getting in on the bingo action!

We enjoyed a beautiful Sunday afternoon at the park!

Hope everyone also had a weekend full of LOVE!!!

Money Tree?

I do not have a green thumb.

But, if I had one of these growing in my backyard...

I would do a darn good job keeping it watered and in the sunshine!!!

It seems that our family is in a season of needing money. We have medical bills coming out of the woodwork!!! A money tree would be ideal right now...if anyone has one growing in their backyard, let me know!!

New Obsession

(Disclaimer: Before all you parents of 18 month olds get jealous...know that this is just a game for our sweet daughter. She is in no way potty trained or even anywhere close to it!!!)

For the last month or so, Brayden has become obsessed with the potty. When we are on it, she flips out and thinks she needs to be also. She won't sit on the big potty without her clothes on and has never actually "gone" to the bathroom in the potty. So, we got the bright idea to pull out Kennan's old potty chair. By Brayden's reaction, you would have thought we just bought her a pony or something. She loves it!! For the first 30 minutes it was out, she went and sat on it every two minutes. She would be playing, announce "tee tee" to the entire house and take off for the potty (all while fully clothed)!!! We'll see how long this obsession lasts and cross our fingers she is potty trained by age 2?!?!

This was during the every 2 minute stage...

She looks like she is working on something here!! :)
Before bath time...

I took Brayden to the doctor for her 18 month check up today. Lots of good news! First, she didn't have to have any shots which was fantastic. Also, she is putting on some pounds! She is now up to 21 pounds (which is in the 8th percentile)...for the last 6 months or so she was always in the 2-3 percentile group. She is 31 inches tall and her head is 18 inches (not sure on those percentages). We had a great report and she was an angel. After the appointment we went back home and I tried to take some pictures of her...

This is Brayden's idea of a photo shoot...run away from mom and then turn around, not once putting down the goldfish!!!

Lots of Pictures!!

First of all, thanks to everyone who gave ideas for "Going Green"!! We also use the reusable grocery bags and recycle as much as we can. We do not live in a recycle friendly or encouraging part of the state. It feels like they actually make it harder to recycle!! Feel free to add more if you are just now reading the post!!

We had some beautiful weather this weekend! We took full advantage of being able to go outside and play!

Kennan and Brayden digging in the dirt pit...

Playing a little soccer with daddy...

This girl loves to ham it up!! (She is having her 18 month appointment tomorrow...more about Brayden tomorrow!!)

We watched 2 girls from church on Saturday so their mom and dad could go on a date...here are Brayden and Reese eating lunch...

Drama queen...

The Blue Power Ranger protecting the neighborhood!

Feeding some horses!!

Thankful to have all his fingers!

Big brothers are so funny!

Lifesavers and Going Green

Kenny and I are so lucky to have parents who would do anything for us. Last weekend was a perfect example. My mom and dad knew we were having a rough week...RSV, breathing treatments, and I was having a few health issues of my own. They called on Thursday morning and asked if we had any big weekend plans because they were coming for a visit! And boy, were we grateful!! They helped out with everything-cooking, cleaning, playing with the kiddos, letting Kenny and I rest...it was just what we needed! Thanks mom and dad!!

Kennan and Grammy got a head start on making Valentines!

Brayden has her Pops wrapped around her little finger!
Thanks for coming Grammy and Pops! You were lifesavers!

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And now for the Going Green part...

What do you do around your house to "Go Green"??? I am looking for some simple, easy to do things to help the environment. Leave a comment and let me know or post a link to a blog post you have done about this. Thanks!!

Brayden is 18 Months!!

Well, I am behind a few days, but my sweet baby girl turned 18 months on Monday. She cannot be any sweeter or cuter...but I am pretty biased!! Brayden still adores Kennan. I think she would follow him around the world if he let her!! It is definitely "Monkey see, monkey do" in this house! She is becoming very vocal and verbal lately. She has added the words "move", "help", and "fall" to her vocabulary. It makes figuring out what she wants a lot easier!

She loves her daddy (and mommy) and loves to giggle...and
sometimes cuddle. She is so funny! Here she is listening to Kenny's iPod. Too cute!!

We love our little girl and are so blessed to have her in our lives. She brings joy and happiness to our family, as well as a little mischief! The other day, Kenny's back was turned for 2 seconds and she had found a permanent marker and did a little artwork on the couch. (If you need tips on how to remove marker from your couch...let me know!) It is fun to pray with her in the evening and watch her clasp her little hands together to let you know she is ready.

(here is a somewhat close-up of the tooth)

If you remember a few weeks ago, I mentioned her sweet front tooth and our upcoming trip to the dentist. After being postponed because of the RSV, we finally went in today. Not good news. First of all, she was an angel. No tears, no whimpers, all smiles! The hygienists loved her and she was a total ham. The bad news is that her tooth started off with an enamel deficiency which made it weak and very easy to chip. It did, and has continued to get worse over the last few months. Because of this deficiency, it now has a cavity and there might be possible nerve damage. Here is the treatment: Outpatient/day surgery at the hospital under anesthesia. They will file down the tooth, do a pulpectomy (baby root canal) if necessary, and then put a resin cap on her tooth (not the silver kind!!!!!). Because of her age it is necessary to do it at the hospital...but their next day to be at the hospital is March 27. So we have to wait until then to get her tooth back to normal. The other interesting news is that the 2 teeth to the right of this tooth are "extra" and not her real baby teeth. They are smaller and shaped differently. This issue shouldn't be too big of a deal and will hopefully rectify itself in a few years. So...long story short, Brayden has been dealt with a bad set of cards when it comes to teeth!

Happy 18 months Brayden! We love you!

Valentine's Day Gift Exchange!

Thanks to all those who participated in the Valentine's Day Gift Exchange! I got my package this weekend from the wonderful Mindy. Look at what I got!!

Cookie making supplies...the kids are going to LOVE this!!

And bubble bath for me!!!
Thanks Mindy!!!