Beach Barbecue

We were so excited to have our friends Marc, Laura Lee and Addie up from Columbus on Saturday! They helped us celebrate Brynlee's birthday and then we went to the beach with a big group of friends to barbecue and play! First thing the kids did was run down near the water and start playing in the sand. Gracen quite enjoyed himself, so much that he decided to go IN the water! Nate wasn't watching too closely and Gracen just walked right in...shoes, socks, pants, all wet (just halfway up the calf)! He didn't mind, we just had to watch a little more closely!

I think Gracen could live at the beach with all that sand to play in. He had it coming out his pockets, caked onto his head, smeared on his face...you name it, there was probably sand there!

After dinner and hanging out, chatting, and letting the kids play we packed up and went back home. We gave Brynlee, Gracen and Addie a bath together, and after Gracen the tub was so full of sand we had to drain, rinse and refill the tub so the girls could clean up! I think the girls combined only had half the amount of sand as Gracen did! He sure knows how to have fun at the beach!

It was so good to have the chance to see our friends, it made me miss the good old days when we lived a couple doors down! Thanks for coming up to visit, it was good to see you guys!

Butterflies and flowers

Brynlee had a birthday party on Saturday. She chose Butterflies and flowers to be her theme. It turned out pretty cute and I think the kids had a lot of fun! Here are some pictures (in no particular order) from the party.

Thanks to everyone who came and helped us celebrate!

Easter fun...

Late, yes, but here is what we did. We had a great Easter weekend! Nate had been on a rotation about 2.5 hours east of here so the kids were ready to have him home for a few days! We got together with some friends to have an Easter egg hunt on Saturday...

Then we colored eggs...

On Sunday morning the kids woke up and found that the Easter Bunny left them both a basket...

And we had a yummy dinner with friends that night! We really enjoyed being with our friends and having this day to remember our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Happy 4th Birthday, Brynlee!

Yesterday was Brynlee's 4th birthday! We had a busy, fun day! First thing in the morning I got up early so I could be ready for the day before Brynlee woke up. Gracen woke up next and I took him in to Brynlee's bedroom. The night before I had placed some of her birthday gifts in her room, so I had Gracen take one to her and wake her up with it. As soon as she saw it she jumped out of bed smiling. Then she said, "I'm still too tired mommy!" She wasn't too tired to open her gifts, though! She was really excited!

Posing in her new rainboots with her umbrella, it was a good day for rain, and we got plenty of it!

Next she had to go to preschool. I made flower cupcakes for her to take for her class. Gracen and I went shopping and made some last minute plans with some friends to go play and have lunch to celebrate. After we picked up Brynlee from school we went to a playground at a nearby waterpark and then we came home to have pizza and cupcakes with our friends.

After naps we went to get a movie at the redbox and she spent some of her birthday money to buy a bathtub for her babies. She chose a barbie movie and was excited to get home to watch it and play with her new toys! Nate didn't get home from his rotation (2.5 hours east of here) until about 7:30. Brynlee had lots of phone calls with birthday wishes! We had such a fun day and all day long she kept saying "I love you mommy! This is the best birthday I never had!"

We are so grateful to have our little Brynlee in our family! She is such a sweet girl and she has such a kind heart! She loves to dance and go to preschool. She loves playing with her friends and her brother Gracen. She loves reading, and at night she always asks to read a story from the friend magazine. She loves her baby and plays with her all the time, I always find her walking around talking on her play phone, going to the store, and setting up play dates. It is hard to believe she has been in our family for 4 years, but at the same time it is hard to think of a time when she wasn't there!

We love you so very much, Brynlee! Happy Birthday!