It's a Girl!

Kylie Brynn

7 pounds 7 ounces

20 inches long

Born October 26, 2009

We're so excited to welcome the first niece on my side of the family! Caleb and Linsy's little girl was born Monday night. She's so beautiful. Bracken isn't sure what to think of her yet, but I'm sure they'll be great pals as she gets a little older. Congratulations Caleb and Linsy!

Family Pictures

These pictures are from our last week in Minnesota, just a few days before Bracken turned 6 months old. Our photographer friend Megan took them for us. It's fun looking at these and realizing how many new things Bracken has learned to do in the last month. I had a hard time deciding which pictures to post because they all turned out so cute. Thanks Megan!



Bracken was just barely starting to sit up when we took these. He'd wobble over to either side or backwards at any moment. So Brian and I were sitting on each side of him just out of the cameras view ready to catch him when he started leaning. He loves being able to be upright and see what's going on.

Bracken loves swinging, bouncing, and being thrown in the air. This is one of his favorite games to play with his Daddy.


He's not too sure about this kissing business.

First Camping Trip

We went camping this weekend at Fremont Indian Park with some of my younger brothers and sister. I didn't know how Bracken would do away from his own bed and in the cold, but I bundled him up really well at night and he slept in his own sleeping bag right next to us. He loved the leaves, the fire, being outside, and playing with his aunt and uncles.


Showing off their mountain man muscles. (Ryan, Seth, Dallin, Brian, Bracken and Sarah) We cooked and ate tin foil dinners, played with the fire, went exploring and star gazing, played card games, told jokes and stories, and ate an insane amount of smores.


Playing the "Beehive" with Daddy.


Brian and Bracken after a semi-good nights sleep in the tent.


An abandoned mining shaft we discovered near our campsite.


We took turns exploring the mining shaft. It was pitch black, cold as a fridge, and a little freaky. You know that little piece of fear in the back of your mind that wonders if there is a bear inside or if it might collapse? But the scariest things we found were bats. You can see them on the ceiling.


Our Family: Kira, Brian and Bracken

So Bracken not only survived his first camping trip, he had a great time, and so did the rest of us. We're already planning next years trip!

I Love Food

So do you think he liked his first taste of solids?

Daddy's Boy

Bracken is so fun first thing in the morning. When he starts waking up and cooing, Brian goes in to get Bracken and "growls" goodmorning. Bracken always wiggles and breaks into a huge grin when he sees his Dad.

Bracken and I stayed overnight at my parents last week after we flew back and while Brian drove back from Minnesota. Bracken woke up to eat around 5am, and then he kind of sat up, smiled, and looked around like he was trying to find something, wide awake. I was puzzled because he never gets up that early. Then I heard my brother's snores. Bracken thought the snoring was Brian "growling" coming to get him. I went and poked my brother until he woke up and rolled over, and a few minutes later Bracken calmed down and went right back to sleep.

Later that day when Brian really did show up, Bracken got excited all over again. He loves his Dad!

Minnesota Arboretum

Now that we only have a few days left I've been trying to see more of Minnesota. I've really loved living here! We've met so many new friends, the weather has been pretty perfect for being outside almost constantly with Bracken, and it is so green and beautiful. Yesterday Bracken and I went to the Arboretum with Ligia and her little kids. It has over 1000 acres of trees, lakes, trails, and specialty gardens. We spent all afternoon there and just saw a small corner of it. We saw the Japanese gardens, herb gardens, a sensory garden, and a good old regular garden with vegetables growing. I wish I'd discovered this place earlier in the summer. I would have gone several times.

Chrysalis is only 3 weeks older than Bracken. Aren't they adorable?

Bracken loved touching the flowers (and eating them and ripping them to shreds if I wasn't careful, he's such a boy).

I love our little guy!

Giving Mama kisses...

I love his slobbery, open mouthed "attack" kisses.

The rose garden.
I thought of my Mom a lot while I was here. She's always loved flowers and gardens and tried to help her kids appreciate Heavenly Father's creations. I remember one trip in particular where she talked Dad into taking the scenic route on a family trip. I don't think any of us noticed the scenery but her. My Dad started getting nervous because we were pulling my Grandpa's 5th wheel and we were on narrow, curvy roads. Us kids were too busy complaining about the extra two hours in the car. But Mom thought the trees and mountains were beautiful. Just so you know Mom, I love the landscape and nature too now. These garden's were amazing.

Ligia and Chrysalis -- I've loved becoming better friends with the Huntington's this summer.

Orion couldn't have cared less about the flowers. But I bet he spotted every ant in the park!

Bracken getting his feet wet.

Some of the flowers.

A waterfall in the Japanese Gardens. Being in nature, hearing water running, the breeze rustling the leaves, and the bugs humming (as long as they aren't mosquitos) always makes me feel very reflective and grateful. A good opportunity to ask myself "okay, how am I doing with life and how can I improve?" The Japanese gardens had lots of these good reflecting spots.

Don't you know how tiring it gets riding in a stroller?

So the arboretum was beautiful. Thank you Ligia for taking pictures of Bracken and I, it's fun to have pictures of us together.