Changes

Brenner is now officially sleeping in his "big boy" bed! Last night was his first night in his new room sleeping on his bunk bed, and he did well with it. Being the crazy Mother that I am, I worried all night about him waking up screaming because he didn't know where he was, but he didn't wake up until 8:30 this morning. Wahoo!

We bought a bunk bed that I'm not crazy about, so I wanted to find some really sweet bedding to go on it, and I decided IKEA was the place. Megan and I ventured there on Saturday, and since she had never been, we enjoyed the wonders of swede-land for quite a while. I found some stuff I really liked, and since I'm crazy about orange, I knew Brenner would be as well. I know he cares about the bedding about as much as I care about engine parts, but here's what I came up with:

I love it, he loves it, and I'm sure you are wondering if Travis loves it- he does. After IKEA we went to the Utah State Fair, which is always a fun people watching place. There was some stellar white trash, we paid 25 bucks for some delicious corn dogs, and saw the animals. Just what the fair should be. We also stayed for the rodeo and Brenner cheered on the ropers and bronc riders in true form. "GO GO GO! GET IT! 1-2-3 GOOOOOO" I love the fair.
We also took Brenner to the doctor yesterday for a nasty cough and junk, because I am SO sick of the sickness! It seems like he has always got a cold, and this one came only a week after his last bout, so I said ENOUGH! I am not usually a Mom who takes her kid to the Doctor for things like this but I'm glad I did because the doc said he has a sinus infection that just isn't going away. So we got a sulfer antibiotic and are crossing our fingers that he doesn't break out in hives like he did for the penicillin-based ones. The best part about the Doctor's was that he didn't start crying as soon the Doc walked in the door. There were a few tears shed at the end and that's it- a big contrast from the last cry-fest appointment.
So we are preparing for the baby and although we STILL don't have a name, I feel better now that the rooms are switched around and things are falling into place. My latest appointment was a week ago and everything looks great, so 2 week appointments from here- YIKES! It really snuck up on me. It's been a pretty easy pregnancy, just like with Brenner, so we'll see if this one comes early too. My OB told me to start counting kicks and I wanted to say "I think this baby might be half vampire..." my ribs are really feeling it lately but feeling him move is one of the few things about pregnancy that I enjoy, so I'm grateful for the pain I guess.

No pictures from the fair, sorry. Maybe I'll take some of brenner's new room once I get things more organized. Stay tuned!

Everyone Loves a Reunion

A couple weeks ago we had attended a family reunion for Travis's Grandfather's family and his 2 sister's families. So bascially it was a lot of people that I had never met and some that I knew well. Nonetheless it was a good time. We stayed in a big lodge/hotel, which had just enough rooms to accomodate the whole family, and we had the whole place to ourselves. We stayed up late and the kids (32 under the age of 12) went crazy until they were out of steam. I love the family, and I feel very lucky to enjoy the family I married into. Brenner had a great time as well, and by the end of the day, he was totally pooped. The other great thing about staying in the lodge was that our rooms were cleaned every day and there were fresh sheets on the bed. I am a big fan of clean sheets- another gift from my Mother- and I really can't think of a better feeling when you climb into bed than fresh, crisply folded sheets. Activities were beach fun at Pineview, the pool at the lodge, fun in the park with "kids" and lots of good food and even better company. Here are a few pictures.

Brenner and Olivia
SAND!

Family Photo

P.S. I might also note that my sweet husband bought me a new camera for my birthday/graduation. I have been eyeing the Canon Rebel XSI and he took the plunge and got it for me. What a stud. I don't mean to brag but it is SO awesome, especailly when my point-and-shoot sucked so bad. So I hope from now on the pictures will be getting better and better!

Fountains, Ice Cream, and Boats= Brenner's Favorite Days

I downloaded photos from the camera lastnight and forgot about some fun things we did, so I thought I would do a short recap and post the pictures.

Last week Travis had to do some business in Salt Lake and so Brenner and I went to the Gateway to shop and play while we waited for him. Of course I didn't think about it until we got there but quickly realized that Brenner would probably want to run around in the fountain. So our first stop was Old Navy where I got new shorts and t-shirt to change into, and Brenner accidentally stole a teddy bear. I was on the phone while checking out and didn't realize he was still holding the bear, so by the time I got off the phone I was far enough away from the store that I was bugged but went back anyway. When I told the cashier what had happened, she looked the bear over (it had been dropeed a couple times and had no tag) and said "Let's call it $1.99" I quickly agreed and we were off to the fountain. Brenner was apprehensive at first but once he found a buddy, they had a great time running around. I got a couple good pictures and we had a fun afternoon together.

Sunday we made navajo tacos for dinner and Travis taught Brenner how to have "monster hands". I think Brenner's meal was mostly olives.

For family night Monday we made homemade peach ice cream. I tried a new recipe using buttermilk, which I thought was pretty good but of course Travis prefers his Mom's recipe. Brenner doesn't really have a preference one way or another.


Yesterday we went to Twin Lakes for a little afternoon boating. Brenner LOVES riding in the boat and swimming, but thinks the tube is some sort of death object. We really tried to get him to just sit on it and he freaked out every time. Nonetheless, we have a good time just riding, and Travis got in some wicked cuts waterskiing before he slightly injured his foot. He still thinks he doesn't need to see a Doctor, so I guess we'll see what tomorrow brings.

Brenner and Grandma
Enjoying a cookie between skiiers
Travis tearing it up!
My boys swimming

Small Updates.

I titled this blag small updates when truthfully I have a lot to say. So I'm going to try and cram and smash it all so I don't bore the reader to tears.
First and foremost:
I GRADUATED FROM COLLEGE!!!
Ok I haven't gotten my diploma in the mail but since I'm not walking or any of that business, I'm done with my last class and considered a college grad. My degree is Exercise Science, and sometimes I really hate telling people that. Certain people say things like "Oh you're the healthy type eh?" as they give me a once-over with their eyes. Hilarious. I just want to add a disclaimer on the end that says "Just because I know how, doesn't mean I do it myself!" Nonetheless, I am very proud of myself, and it's been a long time coming. It still seems like I'll be registering for classes in the Fall, worrying about the prices of my text books.
Thanks Utah State for all the good times.
Next:
Travis and I spent the week at home with no school work or jobs to distract from fun. It was amazing. Although we didn't do anything thrilling, we spent a lot of time just hanging out. I made a ton of apricot jam, conserves, and blueberry jam. I know it's weird but I absolutely love canning things and making jam. It kinda makes me feel like the ant from that story about the ant and the grasshopper. I am working to save up for winter and such. Although most of the things I make contain a fair amount of sugar, it's comforting to know exactly what is in the jar I am eating out of, and I find a certain satisfaction seeing all the jars lined up in my cupboards.
Next:
We still don't have a name for this man-child inside of me! So far I like Oliver the best, but Travis isn't sold on it. He likes a few different ones that I'm not crazy about, but then he says he's not crazy about them either. Naming Brenner seemed so easy, so this is stressing me out! I am open to suggestions and storied of how to win your husband over to the name of your choice.

I guess that's all for now. I think there are other things, but they will have to wait because Brenner has locked himself in the closet with the lights off and is calling for me. Such is life. Sorry there are no pictures, but I'll be sure to take one with me smiling and doing a thumbs up with my diploma when it arrives. The cheesier the better, right?

Jellystone and Camping

We have had a very busy past couple of weeks so I'm going to try and cram it all into one post. Last weekend, the 18th and 19th we went to Nancy's family Ranch near City of Rocks in Idaho for a family reunion. We had a really good time with family and enjoyed some really great food and fun. We ventured out to City of Rocks on Saturday to find a place to rock climb and ended up helping my brother Eric tow their jeep back to the Ranch. All went well though, Travis and Eric were able to fix it, and Eric and Nicky got home just fine. They have been at dental school in Virginia the last four years so it was especially nice to be able to do fun things with them during the Summer months. Here are a few pictures:

Helping set up the tent
Enjoying a sucker by the stream
Uncle Eric in his "house"

This last weekend, Travis had some business in Island Park and we left Tuesday to spend the rest of the week up at the river. My cousin Holly was there with her 2 girls and Brenner had a great time with them. McKenzie is almost 3, and although her and Brenner loved to be together, they tormented each other constantly. Holly and I were on gaurd at all times trying to keep the peace. Uncle Steve built them a little playhouse and they had fun climbing up and down the ladder to the loft.

It's funny because I have been going there since I was pretty much zero, but we never really went anywhere outside of Ashton and "The River" area. It wasn't until a couple of years ago that I actually got to go to Yellowstone and see Old Faithful and the whole deal. So this time we decided to go again, since we heard rumor of a grizzly bear hanging around, and I wanted to be able to tell Brenner that we did visit Old Faithful when he was a little boy. Shocking, he was ornery and slept through most of the drive there so he didn't see the animals we had been telling him about. When we pulled into the parking lot at the Yellowstone Lodge he looked around and wailed "Animals!" Like he knew he had missed them and was really upset. He was quickly soothed with the promise of ice cream, and thoroughly enjoyed a custom built cone of his own.

Brenner and Travis also got the fishing bug and now are both addicts. Travis is now a fly-fisherman, and Brenner has his very own Sponge Bob pole with a bug-looking thing on the end for him to cast and reel in. We had to go buy him his own because Kenz had one and it was a BATTLE. He knows how to share just great, but has a very small amount of patience when it comes to waiting his turn.

Here are some pictures from the trip:

Boise and Stuff

This last weekend we visited my brother and sister in law in Boise ID. We had so much fun and they really spoiled us with good food and great entertainment, not to mention some dental work on the side. Unfortunately I forgot my camera but Nicky sent me some pics that I thought I'd share:
Anyone who knows my brother Eric knows he loves his quaint accessories. He got this hat out to wear that day and Brenner immediately glommed onto it. Of course we all thought it was cute so we had to get a picture.
This is Trav holding their sweet baby girl Eva ("EBA!" as Brenner puts it) and me in the background looking, as usual, like I've had a stroke or some kind of accident.

Nicky got a killer stroller that I lust after. Obviously Brenner likes it too.

We went on a walk one morning and I'm pushing along my umbrella stroller because my jogger has a bent wheel, all the while thinking to myself "Single or double jogger?" because Travis promised me an amazing stroller of my choice. I figure I might as well go with a double, since Brenner can't really ride a bike or anything and I'll probably be toting them both along wherever. But the double seems so HUGE! Right now I'm thinking about the BOB double I saw at REI, it's pretty neat and has a carseat adapter. Any thoughts?

I was thinking today, it's kinda funny how some of us live through our kids. We went to REI because I have been looking at some Keen sandals for Brenner. He has sweaty stinky feet like his sweet Mother, and so his current sandals were getting gross. (At least that was my excuse for the new purchase) Anyway, looking back on it, I think it's funny how excited I was about the shoes when Brenner could care less about what's on his feet, as long as he can still run-a-muck around the store. Every morning I make sure Brenner has a hot breakfast with whole grain, or eggs, fruit, etc. I try to have a very healthy meal for him to start out the day. Then I sit next to him with my bowl of strawberry frosted miniwheats or wheatchex and bananas. Yes I could cook myself some eggs or waffles along with him, but I do enjoy my cereal immensely. I am absurdly buying 3 boxes of the miniwheats at a time, like I'm storing up for the apocalypse or something, but I can't get enough of them! Maybe I enjoy the cereal so much because my Mother believed the same thing as I do: healthy, hot breakfast to start the day. I do so love her so much for that. Hmmm... something to think about.

Holiday

This Fourth of July we went to my family's place on the Snake River. (Actually the Warm River) I went there as a little girl almost every year and now as a little family we really love it. This year, even though there were zillions of man-eating mosquitos, we had a lot of fun. It's a lot different when you have a little savage to chase the whole time, but thank goodness for his Nana, who took naps with him and watched him so I could relax. Travis had been working in Island Park the whole week prior, so Brenner and I were very glad to see him and we spent some time together. Travis cooked some killer dutch oven food, we ate at Trail's Inn, and watched the spectacular Ashton Parade. The good news is I found the charging cord to the camera, but the bad news is that it wasn't charged for the parade. I got some good video though. Brenner was on the verge of getting run over in his efforts to collect saltwater taffy, even though his mean horrible mother only let him have one piece. Good fun. Here are some pictures for your viewing pleasure:

So we had a great trip with no problems. Might I also add how much I love portable DVD players. Brenner watched "wetters" (Letter Factory) about 5 times and knows all the sounds and letters. Thanks Leapfrog! I hope everyone else had a great Fourth!