Princess Brynn turns FOUR!

Brynn turned 4 today. She had much excitement and anticipation leading up to today ... and she wasn't let down. She truly enjoyed her party at the park and we didn't have meltdowns or any pee-pants. Whoohoo! Although not everyone we wanted to be there could attend we had a really great turnout of family and friends. A party at the park is a great idea ... no dirty house to clean up afterwards and lots of space for the kids to play. Getting everything there wasn't the most exciting thing, but well worth it.

It was just slightly interesting. Our party was from 10-noon and we didn't rent the pavilion (not paying $200!). We were taking our chances it wasn't booked. There ended up being someone who rented it from 12-6 and they showed up at 11:50 and wanted to boot us out of there so fast. We were done eating and had just finished our cake and ice cream so we graciously moved to the grass area under some trees to do the pinata and open presents. It actually turned out to be more fun like that!

Enjoy some photos.

In the morning, the birthday countdown ends. Brynn is 4!

Silly smirk from Derek who now by the way has 3 teeth!

The best nanny ever! ... her first child will be here soon, July 11.
We are very excited to meet Mia!!

Makes me nauseous just thinking about this photo and the spinning :)

Princess Cake (one of her only two requests for her party)

Great photo and yummy cake.

Cool Princess Castle pinata (the second of her only b-day party requests). No bats involved. Each kids takes a turn pulling a ribbon and the lucky one pulls the one that makes the bottom open and the goodies fall out.

Opening presents under the tree.

I am 4!

Blessed with so many gifts!!!

I cannot imagine life without Brynn. She somehow makes me laugh everyday and her laugh is so contagious. It's crazy to think how much she has grown in so many ways throughout this last year. Even though some of her behavior lately has been incredibly challenging I pray that I never forget that God gave her to us, how special she is, and that each day with her is an awesome gift. Mommy and Daddy love you soooo much Brynn!

Memorable Memorial Day

Whoohoo! A new post! It's been a couple of weeks and boy has it been a packed few weeks. A plethora of photos to share. Derek will be 8 months in a week and Brynn will be 4 in less than 2 weeks!! Stayed tuned to the end for video clips! Let's see here.....

Brynn finally learned how to ride her bike (with training wheels). We got the bike for her 3rd b-day last June but until 2 weeks ago she had no interest. Now we can't get keep her off of it.

Derek now has two bottom teeth and working on a top tooth!!!

Derek's hair has gone wavy! It can be tamed too minimally wavy if brushed straight right after his bath, but when wet it curls up. I think his hair has also lightened in color a little too.

Brynn finished her first year of preschool. The last day they had a picnic with their classmates and families. She was so excited to have Matt and I there and to tell us about her friends.
Maggie is her favorite preschool friend.

Brynn can now also blow her nose....I didn't think she'd ever learn!
No photos of this but a few other cute pictures of the kiddos.

This past Saturday we went to the zoo with some friends.
It was a great day and all the kids were awesome.

Today we walked to the park and had a picnic. Derek fell asleep and we laid him in the wagon and Brynn ended up peeing her pants right before we left.

Derek was sleeping so peacefully in the wagon. Slept all the way home too.

Munching on an apple slice. With his new teeth he wants food he can chew. He now eats Cheerios, small pieces of banana, apple, or ham and gnaws on a carrot. He's growing way too fast!

Return walk home from the park

Train ride at the Detroit Zoo

You can't go to church

Brynn: You know why we can't go to church, Mommy/Daddy?
Us: Why?
Brynn: Because WE are the church! ... you can only go to a building

So fun! This has been a little ritual of hers the last few weeks when we are rushing around trying to get to church on time and saying a million times, Hurry up Brynn we gotta go to church.

Late Easter

I am finally getting around to posting about Easter. It was a great weekend. We even got to visit with my grandparents and Uncle Terry. As usual, the girls had a blast together and couldn't play hard enough or long enough. I don't think we had been together since Christmas so they had a lot to catch up with! We had an Easter egg hunt the night before Easter and then the kids got their goodie baskets on Sunday. We still have candy coming out of everywhere at our house. We even have had to throw a little away here and there as discipline for naughty behavior. Hopefully we can all get together again soon!

Derek's blue eyes just melt my heart

I just love this shirt. I got it for him just for Easter. Had I known how stinkin'
cute he would look in a little button up shirt I would have gotten him one
long time ago! He seriously wore it 4 times the first week.
I kept washing it every other night.

Sweet cousins and friends

Big blue eyes and Big brown eyes

Sugar overload!

Aubree helping Brynn find the eggs

Rhyme Time

Too bad I missed this Brynn crack-me-up. Matt told me this story about her. She has been so funny lately....

She has been learning to think of words that rhyme together and this is how a recent revelation went down:

Brynn: Daddy, Daddy!!
Matt: What sweetie?
Brynn: Orange and Orange rhyme together!
Matt: They do? Aren't they the same word?
Brynn: One is a tasty fruit and one is a color!

6 months

Well 6 1/2 months now. Derek is awesome as usual. At his checkup he weighed 19 lbs 15 ozs and 29 inches long. He's 80th percentile on weight and 100+ percentile on height. He's one tall boy. He really almost looks like a 10 to 12 month old! In the last two weeks he has started blowing raspberries, saying da-da sounds, smacking his lips, liking his belly more and slowly working on getting up on his knees. Since this weekend we tried the little cereal puffs and he absolutely loves them. He's still going through the mommy is best stage. Can't let him see me or it's a cry for momma!

Fridge-a-later

Brynn just cracked me up with this. She has always pronounced 'big' words very well but she has a few that she just doesn't get quite right. The refrigerator has always been called the fridgelator. I just found out why she calls it that. She wanted to put something in the fridge for later. You know mom, the fridge-e-lator....where you put your food for later. Hilarious.