1st day of school

 The kids seemed excited about the first day of school. It's funny though the different reactions I got from them this week. On Monday, I mentioned that we only had 3 more days of summer before school started and Austin's response was a scowl with an "awww". Mikayla's reaction to the same phrase was eyebrows up and eyes wide open saying "I'm so excited, I can't wait". 

 Mikayla and her friend Jackson

 Austin will be a 3rd grader this year

 And Mikayla starts 1st grade

I think it is going to be a great year!!

End of Summer Fun

I was thrilled when I found out I was pregnant with baby #4 but completely surprised to find out that 3 of my sister-in-laws were also pregnant....and we are all due within 6 weeks of each other. Even more crazy was finding out that me and Andrea were due on the exact same day. And no! None of this was planned out.



 



More fun at Frontier Pool

The kids took their first ride in a convertible (Papa Dave's car not Craig's). 

Me and Craig decided it would be nice to take the kids out 1 on 1 over the summer on "dates". On one of our dates, Me and Kayla went to a ceramic place in town to paint.

She loves doing crafty stuff like this and insisted I paint one too.

On one of their daddy daughter dates, Craig took Mikayla go-karting.

It's always fun to make the kids feel special.

Me and Austin enjoyed a game of mini-golf together. On this green, Austin went first and got a hole in one on and then I hit my ball and got a hole in one also. 

In the end he beat me by 2 strokes.

(I may have given him a few extra re-do's but overall he did very good)

Grandma Vicki and Grandpa Dennis returned home from their year long mission in Canada.

The kids were excited to surprise them when they walked in the door.

Hugs all around

It's nice to have them home.

We had another pool party out at Dave's house with all the Oklahoma families.

Oh come on.....smile!!



 

It's always lots of fun getting together.

Heading down to the park in the red wagon

We went to the Children's Museum in Tulsa with neighbor friend Jackson.

Brooklyn loved going in the tape tunnel and slide.

The other kids had fun building with Legos.

 And they did a good job building this house.

There were some pretty crazy displays of things made out of Legos.

 After we were done at the museum, we went outside an enjoyed a picnic lunch.

 

Enjoying a swim with Kambria at my mom and dad's house.

Our neighborhood started a Kid's Market this summer that was for the kids to make and sell stuff. They were super excited about it. We decided to make Rainbow Cupcakes & Strawberry Lemonade.

Coloring the sign.

Ready to sell!!

 They raised a decent amount of money and had fun doing it.

 

It was a great summer!!!

2 years old

This little girl is getting so big so fast. For a long time I wondered if we would have any more children after Austin and Mikayla. So she has a special place in our family. It has been fun to watch Austin and Mikayla play the role of the big siblings to her. They enjoy playing with her and helping her discover new things as she grows up.

Her 2 year old stats:

Height: 35 inches

Weight: 28 lbs. 15 oz.

At her doctor check-up, Brooklyn had to get shots and Mikayla was so upset about this. In fact, she left the room when it was shot time because she didn't want to watch and hear Brooklyn cry.



Brooklyn got her new big girl bed in June but after one week of using it she started getting out after being put down to bed. So we went back into the crib and in July we tried again. We put her in the toddler bed and took away the binkie all in the same week and she did great!! Haven't had any problems for a whole month so hopefully Mission Accomplished!!  



Brooklyn used to be more adventurous in her food selection but has gotten very picky. Her food selection mainly consists of cereal, oatmeal, applesauce, yogurt, crackers, and pizza. She doesn't venture much farther than that right now. Luckily since I have older kids, I know this is just a phase that won't last forever and that I just need to keep trying. Her vocabulary has picked up a lot more in the last 6 months. She is saying more words and attempts to say more everyday. Unfortunately, since she doesn't know how to communicate a lot of what she wants to say it often comes out in screams. A few months ago Brooklyn would get very upset when she was told "No". She would easily tear up and put on a big frown lip. And sometimes when she was told "no" she would fake cry and run off to the bedroom just like she has seen her big sister do. Made me laugh.

Brooklyn's favorites include: playing outside, riding in the car/wagon/bike, jumping on the trampoline, popping bubbles, kicking a ball, playing hide and seek with her siblings, playing with baby dolls, watching Sofia the First, and putting on shoes (either her own or Mikayla's shoes). And if she finds my shoes she will bring them to me and insist that I put them on my feet.

 On the morning of Brooklyn's birthday she woke up to balloons on her floor and the kids singing Happy Birthday to her. I smiled and listened to this through the baby monitor while laying in bed. The kids were excited it was Brooklyn's birthday.

 They each bought her a little gift with their own money and helped her open it.

Playing with her new birthday toys.



 Since Brooklyn's grandma Vicki and grandpa Dennis didn't return home from their mission until a few days after her birthday we waited a week to do the rest of her birthday celebration. She got to enjoy by celebrating with all of her Oklahoma cousins.

 Now a pro at opening gifts, she didn't need any help.

(She got Sofia family figures, Sofia bedding, baby doll pull-out chair, baby doll carrier, and a shopping basket of food).

 Birthday cake and cupcakes

Happy Birthday!!

You are such a special member of our family and we love you!!