I'm a big girl...

With Bridger we were constantly encouraging every stage that he would come to, but with Addi I have been trying to keep her little as long as possible (Jason feels pretty blessed with the two kids that we have, I would really love one more baby). She has decided for me that it is time to let her make some really big messes, fall down and get bruised, and not be my baby anymore. We were eating dinner the other day, she must have been just starving and I wasn't keeping up as fast as she thought I should, so I just finally handed her the bowl and spoon and the rest was memories in the making. At first she started with the spoon in hand and tried to balance the food from the spoon to her mouth...she did have a few successful bites. The she dropped the spoon and decided that that was just to tedious and her fists would serve her needs a whole lot better. This lasted for a short while...then she decided that she could just skip the whole taking it to the mouth part and dove right in!!! It was just the cutest thing for me to watch her try and figure this feeding herself thing out...don't get me wrong she has been doing this for sometime with cereal, bread and stuff of that nature, but this was a Gerber Chicken and Rice dinner... messy even when I feed her! Even though I would love to keep her little, I really enjoy watching them grow and learn and discover new things. She is such a fun little girl and I can hardly believe that she will turn 1 on Saturday!

For Holly...

I just thought I would do something really quick, so if you want me to just email you the pictures just let me know! I miss the girls all ready...

Time Out...

Unfortunately this weeks hasn't all been smiles...it has included a few tears. Little Brilyn had to go to time-out and she didn't like it at all. If she would get her hands on a marker she would write on whatever she wanted. She was asked a few times not to color unless it was on a coloring book, or paper...well the wall became the next doddle pad, so this is where she ended. I just love these pictures of her...I think they are so cute, even it I am mean aunt Brandi!!! Little Stink, you can't keep her there for long, she is 2 but she is so little that it is easy to forget. The clothes that she has on are Addi's 12 month clothes!!!

{under the stars...trampoline style}

I have so many great memories of "sleeping" out under the stars on the trampoline. We would do it all the time! It was usually a neighborhood event. We would pull Boices tramp next to ours and have a huge Slumber Party under the stars. There were many nights when I don't think that we got that much sleep, but we had SO much fun.

All the kids have had such a great time jumping on the trampoline. I told them that when I was younger we use to sleep outside on the tramp and they all thought that was a great idea. So after roasting hot dogs outside and baths we got all snuggles up under the stars on the tramp. Makayla, Taylor, McKenna, Bridger, Brilyn and me!!! If was so much fun! Brilyn and Bridger are only 2, and they stuck it out. My little nose got cold...but I never heard any complaining at all! What a fun night. I stared at the star reminiscing of all the fun memories with Barbara, Whitney and my sisters!!! I love it when I am given opportunities to explore being a kid again!!!

THANKS FOR THE FUN GIRLS!

"Bri Pie"

Holly had surgery on the 17th, so I have been able to watch her girls this past week. It really has been a lot of fun for me, although I would never want 6 kids under 5...that is just tooo much for me-I HAVE had a great time. It has been especially fun for me to have Brilyn. I haven't been able to spend a lot of time with her like I have Taylor and McKenna, so I have really loved to see what she is all about. What a BIG personality this little (and I mean little) girl has. She is so feisty, and full of determination. She is a little monkey, and completely fearless. There is little that will stop her in her tracks. She listens VERY well, but if she doesn't agree with what is being said...then we have a little problem. She is a great little talker...she will say anything that you ask her to, and some that you wish she didn't hear you say! She loves to play with the kids, and keeps up with the older ones very well. She loves her dolls and Addi. If something happens to her and another kid is in seeing distance, "SO and So did it." It is so darn cute....she is just so darn cute and I have had so much fun with her!

I know that you can't hardly read this...but it won't let me change the fonts and colors...stick with me untill I can get my background changed again!!!

What a crazy day...

today has been. Mom I just wanted to wish you a HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! I am yet to talk to you today, but I have thought of you all day(in between the craziness)!!! I sure hope that you have had a great day and Chiz's ended up being on the menu tonight! I love you so much, and appreciate everything you do. You truly are amazing!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

A glimpse of Heaven

This is my new little nephew! He is such a cute kid. Has all 10 fingers and 10 toes. He is wonderful and so is mom. There is little that compares to a newborn baby. I love the way the world changes when a Child of God is born...little can top the feeling!

Down and Out!

(This is Jessica)! Brandi's computer is taking a little vacation - to the repair shop! Just to let everyone know that she is GREAT - still alive - and will be back to the blogging world as soon as her computer is happy and healthy again!!

Happy Fathers Day!

I just wanted to say Happy Fathers day to the great dads in my life. I sure hope that your day is wonderful! We love and appreciate EVERYTHING that you do for us and for our kids. We love you!!!

Kilgore, ID June 2008

This is a really long post...well, the next three post go together!

"JUST MAKING MEMORIES"

-Gary Park-

Every year the Park family gets together for a weekend of camping, food, family and fun! This year, like last we went to Kilgore, ID...one of Jason's favorite places on earth. It is so beautiful and peaceful. We packed up and took off on Thursday morning, knowing that most of the family wasn't going to be able to make it until Friday. We had a few stops to make before we left Rexburg. The whole time I was just praying that the weather would cooperate with us!!! On the way out there the clouds were getting really dark the further south(I think) we went...

We arrived about 1:00pm-just enough time to set up camp before the rains came down!!! Rain wont stop the vivacious 2 year old we have though...he was off on a WORM HUNT! Fun huh...he sure thought so. A few weeks ago he thought worms were absolutely disgusting...well not anymore! He was very very proud of every worm he was able to pull, pick, or dig out of the ground. He made sure that all of us got a good look at his new found "friend" then run and throw it in the fire! Nice huh...any takers on being Bridgers next best friend? The enthusiasm of being outside and FREE didn't stop at a 2 year old, it carried right on into the heart of an 11month old. Addi was very happy discovery the new and having no boundaries. It was really hard to try and slow her down...after a while I just stopped trying! She loved to chew, suck or handle every branch, twig or leaf in sight! Finally Jason widdeled (sp) a branch down for her, so it was clean...well she wanted NOTHING to do with that one!!!
Rain and all we had promised Bridger that we would get to go fishing... so off we were in the rain and cold to try and catch a fish. We didn't exactly have any luck, but Bridger had a great time in the footsteps of his dad. Jason is always so good at trying to teach him and letting him try things for himself. We never got a bite, but Bridger had a great time throwing rocks into the creek!
It is always fun when you can get away from a mothers everyday chores and be able to enjoy what sometime is taken for granted. I feel very lucky and blessed to have such wonderful kids. Bridger is so full of energy he makes me tired, and Addi always keeps me on my toes because she is so unpredictable! There is NOTHING in this world that compares to being a mother of my 2 kids!

I remember growing up whenever there was an opportunity to roast a marshmallow we would. My dad is so good at getting it just the perfect golden brown color. We would have contest to see who could make the PERFECT marshmallow! Well, Bridger is definitely a lover of the ooey-gooey things! We can't have contest just yet, but one of these days I am sure Grandpa Kenny will win...just like he always did! Maybe he will pass his secret on to Bridger! I definitely have 2 BOYS... Jason and Bridger were riding the 4-wheeler, and the temptation to do something foolish was just a little too strong...they couldn't resist riding through the creek. It was really funny...we were at the camp site, and Gary comes rushing over saying Jason is stuck real bad...well when the other "boys" saw that he was able to cross without any problem, it was a playground for the "grown-up" boys. 1 cell phone(Gary Bagleys), a lot of laughs and some wet clothes later they decided they were done!
So it just wouldn't be a vacation without crying kids. Anytime that Bridger had to stop riding his bike, or come inside the camper for whatever reason the tears would just stream down his face. Addi was very very attached to me all weekend long, if I went out of reach, she would scream. Nobody else could hold her...it was ridiculous. If she had to stop doing whatever she was doing she would get so mad at whoever it was that was taking her away from her FUN!!! The top left pictures of Bridger are from when we were trying to make him put his make-shift rain coat (a plastic bag) back on so he didn't get so wet...he was so upset with me...it took a few threats and time-out to calm him back down.
I don't know what it was that caused the "Love" in the air, but there was a whole lot of kissing going on...Just Kidding...
It started out raining....turned in to hail a few times...then it dropped snow like it was January! We really all tried to make the best of the weather. We went for a 4-wheeler ride, a very cold 4-wheeler ride. Bridger looked like a balloon he was wearing: A hat, goggles, undershirt, long sleeve shirt, a hooded sweeter, a coat, underwear, pant, 2 pairs of socks, and to top it off footy pajamas over all of it! The poor boy could hardly move...but he was warm!

"Addi, Addi, Addi" was a frequent phrase out of Brilyn's mouth this weekend. It was adorable!!! She wanted to be were ever Addisyn was. Brian and Holly both just keep saying "We love you Addi, but we are sick of hearing your name."

Just random shots of the weekend...
My camera seized up on friday afternoon, so I wasn't able to get pictures of everyone. I know that I have a ton of layouts, but we had so much fun and I feel like I have missed out on so much without having pictures to remember by! It started working again on monday, so I think it was just sick of being cold and went on strike!
Our camp site this year was awesome. We had plenty of room for all the campers, and off to the side was like a little motocross track for the kids to ride and play in. There was a big hole that acted as quite the babysitter for all us parents. The kids just loved it.

Bridger and the other kids all did awesome at paying attention to each other while they were riding, and I am happy to report that there were not to many accidents. It was pretty exhausting when Bridger wanted to ride (which was the whole time we were there) because the ground was so wet and slimy that he just didn't have enough ump in the bike to make it up the hills, so we would have to run behind him and push him up the hills. He had a blast...I don't think the kid has ever sleep so sound.

Just like last year we were camping on Brilyn's birthday. Holly & Brian always go the extra mile to make it special for her. Presents, cupcakes, cake and a pinata! The kids just love swinging and hitting the pinata...all of them except the birthday girl herself...she hated it!

The food was excellent this year...on Friday we had ham and prime rib, potatoes, and corn on the cob-it was FANTASTIC!!! We also had breakfast burritos, Mexicali, corn bread...chocolate cherry cobbler, and a better then "sex" type dutch oven dessert as well! Needless to say I had a gain at WW this week, it was well worth it though!!! A special thanks to Gary and Niki for being so generous with you time and food! You guys are great and I love you so much!!!

Even with the constant rain, hail and snow...it was a great time!

Just a touch...

One of my friends had me do some scrapbook pages for her, and to personalize them just a bit I used some vinyl on them...I just thought I would share a few of the layouts. I was happy with the way the vinyl lettering added a little something special!

Thanks so much Alison for letting me be a part of something so special to you. You are one in a million!

I know I can...I know I can...

Addi has decided that it is VERY fun to climb the stairs. When she gets to the top she is so proud of herself! It is really cute. We have had a few bumps and bruises in the effort to climb to the top...but it hasn't stopped her yet!

...all fall down!

The boys had so much fun jumping on the trampoline on Sunday. If Kayden was down, it was a guarantee that Bridger or Logan would jump on top of him! Thanks for being such a good sport bud! When Bridger was "helping" me do this post, he just kept saying

"...all fall down!"

Family & Friends...

"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched, they must be felt within the heart" -Helen Keller

We had such a great time on Sunday...how wonderful is it when Family and Friends can be together. Chant and her family came up on Sunday to take our family pictures, along with Jessica and Seth's family pictures. Luckily the weather held out for a little while. I think we were successful in some pictures. Little Addisyn would not smile for anything, and Deegan didn't want his picture taken very badly- not many smiles were seen from those two! Little Stinkers!!! We had dinner, dessert, conversation and fun after we were done. Jes and Seth had to take off, but the rest of us went on a little 4-wheeler ride-that was our bribe to get Bridger to smile...and he didn't forget! It was great fun!!!

We are so lucky to have such great family and friends. I just wanted to say THANKS so much to Chant and Stacey for coming all the way up here to take our family pictures. I really appreciate it. If anyone wants a fantastic photographer, who will always go the extra mile...check her out!

NOTE: the pictures above are not from her...they are from me!

8 years...

Happy Anniversary Jason!
I can't hardly believe that it has been 8 years. I just want to say Thanks so much for always being there for me. We have made so many memories that I cherish. I appreciate what you do for us on a daily basis. I love you so much, and think the world of you! In our 8 years together we have been through so much- laughter, tears, joy, sorrow, anger, love...and so many more, but we always seem to come out stronger and more in love! Thanks for loving me unconditionally- I know that I can be a pain in the butt! You have so much to offer, and I am so lucky to be a part of your life. Thanks for being such a great dad to our kids, and a wonderful husband and best friend to me!
Here is to many many more anniversaries. I love you Jas.
Love, Branders