AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!

Went bra shopping with Alexis yesterday. When did my baby girl grow up? I'll be in the closet crying. 'Nuff said.

Worst Day Ever...

Well a year ago today my husband left me for THREE MONTHS to start our new life in Ohio. I chose to stay behind so the big kiddos could finish out the school year. Brylee was 10 days old and all I really remember was standing on the stairs crying as he walked out the door....wondering how I was going to manage to run a household of 3 kids (including a newborn) for 3 months without having a complete meltdown!

I'm happy to report that we made it through!! There were lots of visits, lots of tears, many web-cam conversations, and one or two mini-meltdowns, but WE MADE IT!! We were able to join up with Thane at the end of June. Little did we know we would turn around and be back in Boise the following January!! What a whirlwind. I can honestly say March 26, 2009 was the WORST DAY EVER...but it lead to many great things in our life and I still miss Ohio every day!! So...I don't regret his leaving. It's funny the little twists and turns life brings you. We are all better people for our adventure and now I know that since I survived that 3 months....I can survive ANYTHING!!

Brylee's 1st Birthday Party

Well we had such a great day yesterday celebrating Brylee's 1st birthday! I will admit that I was sad, sad, sad that my baby has turned ONE. If I could keep her little forever, I think I definitely would! I'm secretly pretty happy that she isn't walking yet so I can pretend that she isn't quite a "toddler." Alexis and Ethan were SO excited for Brylee's birthday - we had to promise not to open any gifts until they got home from school!

Here is Brylee checking out her gifts while waiting for them to arrive...

She loved opening up her gifts (with a little help from big sis and bro!)

My baby and I (as taken by Alexis!) I can't believe that it was already a year ago she joined our fam!



And then the PARTY began!! Friends came over to join us for pizza and cake!








And what is a 1st birthday without the baby smearing a chocolate cake in her face?!? She loved the cake!!




Brylee's first year has been a wild one! Her birth marked the beginning of a year full of change, moves and - of course - fun!! I am so thankful daily that she joined our fam. I don't know what we ever did before her sweet spirit arrived!! So glad she is ours!!

Brylee is ONE!!

Brylee Rayne Beckstead
3-16-09
7:57am
7lbs 11oz
20.5 inches

Brylee Rayne Beckstead
3-16-10
18.5 lbs
30.5 inches

HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY SWEET BRYLEE.....WE LOVE YOU!

Carnival and Karate

We have had a busy weekend already and it is only Saturday afternoon! Grandpa and Grandma arrived Friday and brought a fun new toy for Brylee that she just can't get enough of! She can't quite figure out how to bounce it yet so she shrugs her shoulders up and down to get the motion...it's hilarious!

Friday night we went to the high society, ultra fancy Hubbard carnival. Kids had fun playing games, eating junk food, and playing with friends.

Then it was off to Ethan's first karate tournament! Here he is warming up and practicing..




Performing his weapon form.....go Ethan!!






2ND PLACE!!

On to sparring..

2ND PLACE again! Successful karate tournament!!

Weekend!

Spring has sprung

The grass has risssss

I wonder where the flowers is?

Ok...not really Spring yet but it sure felt like it this weekend in Boise!! Temperatures around 60 and sunshine galore! The big kiddos had Friday off school for P/T conferences and enjoyed EVERY minute outside that they could!! Biking, frisbee, football, swinging, jump roping, sliding, sand castle contests....you name it we did it this weekend!!

Here is Bry enjoying some quality time with a bouncy ball..

Alexis spent a lot of time this weekend perfecting her jump-roping skills. She also had fun roller blading...

One might ask where the pictures of Ethan are? Well I couldn't snap any because 1) I just don't remember my camera that often and 2) when I did have it he was the blue and yellow streak zooming by. No time to pose for Mom. That kid rode his bike and played with friends all weekend long. So...he did enjoy the weekend I just don't have proof of it :) I will say that I miss Ohio quite a bit and think of my friends there often (as do my children) but oh how I missed Three Oaks!! It's an incredible neighborhood with incredible people and so many kids that all play together - and play together pretty nicely for that matter!

Saturday we got to go out to "Daddy's Work" (aka Nestle) to take a tour of the facility. Kids REALLY enjoyed watching the PowerBar machines, especially the HUGE chocolate bars being loaded into the machine (I'm still trying to convince Thane to bring one of THOSE home for me!!) Apparently making PowerBars is TOP SECRET though because "no cameras allowed!!" But we sure had fun checking the place out.

I'm so ready for Spring!! This weekend was a taste of great things to come. Bring on the UV Rays and fun!!

Girl Scout Cookies

Dear Girl Scout Cookies,

Please, please help me to stop eating you. Particularly you Thin Mints. You should change your name to Fat Mints.

Sincerely,

Janae