Special Weekend Fun

Patrick and Kristyn usually go away for a long weekend around the time of their anniversary, which is in December. However, since Little Miss Ellie was joining the family along about that time last year, they postponed it for a little while.

So, this past weekend was the time for the "get-away!" Omi was all set up to spend the entire weekend with the girls, and we had lots of things planned to do and enjoy, so we were glad the parents were out of the way for a little while. :-)

First thing on the agenda - Ellie needed to try cereal for the first time. Lately, she's been waking during the night still hungry, so Omi decided it was time to add cereal to the mixture to see if that would help her to sleep. Boy did it ever!! She slept 12 hours the first night and 11 the second and third. We started out with a spoon, but she just wasn't patient enough for that, so we just added it to her bottle, and she was one happy little camper. This will be wonderful not only for Ellie, but also for Mommy, since she hasn't had a full nights sleep now for quite awhile.

Now if we can just convince Mommy it was a good idea!!

Saturday morning was such a beautiful day, we decided to spend most of it out of doors. Brie is definitely Omi's sidekick when we get outside. She loves it and wants to get into the dirt.

While Omi was gathering up some things for them to play with on the driveway while I did a little watering and weeding, Brienna discovered a caterpillar on the tractor and was quite taken with it. She ran back and talked to it throughout the morning.

Brienna enjoyed her wagon while Ellie played on her gym. Ellie is fascinated that she can make her toy play and light up. They enjoyed the sunshine and being home on a peaceful Saturday morning, and so did I!

The sun was shining the wind was blowing just enough to scatter the drive and yard with dogwood blossoms, which Brienna thought was kind of neat.

In anticipation of all of the fun we were going to have, we had invited Mason to come and spend the day with us, too. So, a little before lunch time, our precious Mason, or "Mase" as Brienna calls him, came to join in the fun. There were plenty of hugs to go around. I think he's missed us almost as much as we've missed him. At any rate, he came to spend the afternoon with us, and we had a tremendously wonderful time. After our "favorite lunch" of chicken tenders and mac & cheese outside on the deck, it was off to the yard to play.

It always takes Brienna and "Mace" about 30 minutes of pushing and shoving and negotiating to figure out everyone's boundaries, and then they play together so well.


Mason always loves riding in the Wagon at Omi's house. He set about getting all of the seats just right so that he and Brienna could ride and Omi could pull. It will be fun trying to fit all 3 of them into the wagon when Ellie gets a little bigger.

They played so well with the wagon, but it was a little different when it came to the car. At first they were so excited about it, but then realized there was going to be a small problem with the car. Believe it or not, they are both crying because they realized they couldn't both get in the car together. But boy! Did they try. When they finally accepted the fact that only one could drive at a time,

Brienna played with her wagon while Mason drive the car, and then they switched places. It worked out quite well, until it started to rain. So we ran inside where Mason discovered the new Disney Princess Castle. I have no idea why I don't have a picture of them in the tent - I took them, I just can't find them. Suffice it to say, when Lisa came to pick up Mason, his first words were, "I just stay with Omi. I'm gonna stay here." That would have been fine with Omi!!

After a very busy day, we tucked away for the evening and read books and sang our usual evening songs. I suddenly realized - the television had not been on the entire weekend. It was wonderful!!

Sunday morning, it was the mad dash to get both girls bathed and dressed, along with myself, and out the door in time for Sacrament Service at my Ward. We made it on time - barely - and when we arrived home, I had promised myself to take pictures of the girls in their Sunday dresses; however, Ellie was sound asleep (having been passed around continuously at church - she's such a cutie, those women just couldn't resist!) and Brienna was anxious for lunch. Just after I snapped these shots, it was beginning to drizzle again! So, I'm glad I got these shots of her in her cutie pie dress.

Monday morning, it was the mad dash to the Play School and off to work. Thank goodness I don't have a clock I have to punch!

Mom and Dad were waiting for the girls when they returned home from play school on Monday, and it was quite evident that the entire family had had a wonderful weekend. Omi??? She's ready for a vacation now! But it was soooooooo much fun!!

Brie's New Hang-Out!

Birthdays call for special gifts, especially when you're Two Years Old, and Brienna's special gift from Omi was the Disney Princess Castle, which now resides in her room - and takes up all available space. We hope this is only temporary, but she may never let us take it down!











She has had the entire family in to visit at one time or another and she and Omi even camped out overnight once. We're sure there will be more of that in the future.


Ellie may be too small to do much more than lay around for now, but before too long, we're sure the two sisters will be enjoying the Castle together. My hope for them is to have many wonderful and exciting times there - laughing and giggling - playing and sharing secrets - all the special things sisters do together.

Hugs and Kisses to my Girls. Love,
Omi

Two-Year Check Up

Brienna and Omi recently (April 30th) paid a visit to Dr. Milsap for her Two-Year Check-Up. I have to admit, it wasn't as pleasant a visit as the one with Ellie, but only because Brienna has a VERY good memory of previous visits (shots and all of that). Her fascination with the fish aquarium was the best part, as she is totally captivated by this large and beautiful display of exotic fish in the lobby. However, once we were back in the children's room, Brienna became very teary and very quiet. I tell Dr. Milsap each time that we go that she must surely give him a complex and damage his self-esteem. He is truly the very best pediatrician I have every known, and yet Brienna cries if he even walks into the room.

Part of her tears may have stemmed from the fact that she continues to have a bad cold and congestion (later diagnosed as an ear infection), but, she is growing up so fast and so beautifully! Even with tears in her little eyes, she looks like a doll. (Yes, I know. Spoken like a true Grandmother!!) She is now 34-1/2 inches tall and weighs 22.7 lbs and is one ball of energy all of the time! Our friend, Veronica, rewarded her for her good visit with stickers!! Elmo (Brie's favorite) and the Disney Princesses. Brienna was thrilled and immediately stuck them to the back of the front seat of my car. It really dresses up the place. :)

At any rate, any time we can spend special time together, whether it's at the doctor's office or digging in the garden, I just feel blessed to have this beautiful little spirit as a part of my life - a very special and loving part.

2nd Party Highlights

On Saturday, April 26th, family gathered at Chuck-E-Cheese for the 2nd Celebration of Brienna's Birthday. Grandpa Carter helped Brie open her gifts and Ellie "hung around" with Daddy. Other family members who came to help celebrate were Great Grandmother "NaNa Sparkles", Great-Great Aunt Carol, Great Aunts Sallie and Cindy, and of course, Mommy, Daddy, Ellie, and Omi.

Mom picked out the perfect gift - Brie is all girl and just loves Bags!! Pocket books, Beach Bags, Book Bags, Back Packs - you name it, she loves them!

Just look at her posing with her new little Beach Bag!

Brienna and Omi are trying to choose which animal fork we want to use for our Birthday Cake. She's much like her Omi - I think she chose a FROG!!

Daddy and the girls pose with Omi! One of the few times Omi didn't have the camera.

Daddy and Boo in the Play Area!

All kids love Barney, and Brie is no exception!

Chuck-E-Cheese, however, is another matter! Brie wasn't too excited about meeting him!

Great Aunt Sallie has this "thing" she alway s does. We have a whole catalog of pictures of her "sharing" her food with us. We decided to share this one on the family blog. We're sure she'll be excited about it! Love you girl!

Ellie was perfectly content to hang out with Daddy all afternoon. What a happy little baby she is!

We truly had a wonderul day with family celebrating this milestone with Brienna. Our family grows closer with each passing year, and all of us find delight in that. Thanks to those of you who came to share our special day and who share your love with our girls.