Content

She was completely content with just one egg and one jelly bean in our pre-Easter egg hunt.

Tyson

My littlest brother Tyson is 6 years old, just two years older than Bracken.  He was able to come stay with us for part of the week and we absolutely loved having him.  We played at the park, had a water day with friends, went to the firehouse, had an Easter egg hunt, and just played outside every chance we got.  When Tyson drove away Saturday morning Bracken burst into tears saying he missed Tyson and didn't want him to go.  Thanks for coming to play with us Tyson!  We love you and look forward to seeing you soon!

I found her hiding behind the bed...

She knows binkies are only for nap and bedtime. But she's delighted whenever she can get her hands on one, and today she found two!  Silly girl.

Little Firefighter Heroes

Bracken was so excited to visit the fire station this week.  We checked out and read almost every book our library had on firefighters. He asked hundreds of questions and imagined what he'd do if the firemen let him help put out a fire.  One morning he was busy at work with couch cushions and blankets making a fire truck.  He started to get frustrated when it kept falling apart, so he asked for help.  He had something very specific in mind.  As soon as I started helping him, all the firetruck necessities were announced.  "It has to be red.  We need a hose. And a pick axe!  We need one of those pokey tools they have in the book.  We have to have a siren too."  He was so cute and excited as he ran around the house, grabbing Brian's lab goggles, digging through the legos to find his tiny ambulance siren, piling couch cushions and asking me to call a friend to borrow their firefighter costume. We made a fire house. His homemade fire truck and fire house have provided days of fun!

Chandra and Bracken ate snacks, exercised, and "slept" in the firehouse (because that's what real firefighters do) waiting for the alarm to go off.  As soon as they heard it they'd jump out and put on their gear as fast as possible (including a water bottle Bracken had me tie to his back for an air tank).  They'd race to their truck, turn the keys and turn on the siren.  In the mean time I had to turn the fire house around to turn it into the burning building, and put a doll and a couple of stuffed animals inside for them to rescue.  They used every tool, hose, and special lego-made water gun to put out the fire.  They were so serious about each emergency, and so darn cute! I love my children's imaginations.

Just Needed a Hand

Chandra hates being in her car seat.  As we walk to the car she often arches her back and starts screaming.  We had a two hour car ride this weekend, and it got to the point that we just had to steel ourselves for a miserably sad ride, because nothing helped her.  A few moments later she stopped crying.  I turned around and found Bracken holding her hand.  I guess that's all she needed to feel loved and content.  She fell asleep a few minutes later. I love seeing my kiddos love and care for each other!

Just a girl and her "Baby"

She loves, feeds, carries, rocks, shush's, and puts her babies to sleep throughout the day.  And beware to the person who disturbs her sleeping dolls!

Peanut Butter and Jelly

They taste even better now that Bracken makes them himself.  At least he'd eat them for breakfast, lunch and dinner if I'd let him. :)  He takes sandwich making very seriously...and then is so proud when his job is complete. 

Happy 4th Birthday Bracken!

Bracken loves his Uncles, Aunts and Grandparents in Richfield.  He was super excited when Brian was able to swing his work schedule so we could spend Bracken's birthday weekend with my family. Chandra and Bracken played hard inside and outside with my siblings, and Chandra loved the attention, treats, and stories from Grandma Lisa. For Bracken's birthday Grandma made him waffles with sprinkles, I made his requested "angry birds" cake, we went to the church gym to play baseball and "real life angry birds" with Brian being the pig and the kids launching balls and beanbags at him with a huge slingshot.  Then cake, candles, presents, and several intense games of hide-and-seek before bed.  

We love you SO much Bracken.  Like Daddy always tells you, You are EVERYTHING we ever wanted in a little boy.  You are fun, happy, creative, smart, kind, manly, and just cute.  Thanks for all the sunshine you bring to our family.