Brynlyn's First Day of School

Today was Brynlyn's first day of school! Wahoo! She was so excited to go and play and have fun with her friends.

Yet, she had a really big day ahead of her. She and Mike left at 7:30 am and drove to PHX to PHX Children's Hospital so she could have the final x-ray of her leg. The x-ray showed that her leg was completely healed. Yeah! She's still favoring it a bit and walking with a little limp, but each day it seems to get a little better. The DR said this is completely normal and expects that it might be even a few more weeks before she's fully using her leg again.

Then, it was home and time to get ready for school. She's excited to ride the bus again this year and was so happy to see it pull up to our house.

She had such a fun day at school today!

Brynlyn's Meet the Teacher

We went Brynlyn's preschool meet the teacher night at her school. She is so lucky to be in such a great classroom with a wonderful teacher, Ms. Jeana. They all helped out in Brynlyn's classroom last year so they know her very well and they already love her. I feel so relieved knowing that she's going into a classroom where everyone already knows her. She's so excited to start school and can't wait until Monday!

Brynlyn and Ms. Cindy, the classroom helper

Ms. Jeana, Brynlyn and Ms. Sarah (the speech therapist)

Brynlyn, Lauryn and Katelyn wasted no time jumping right into the toy kitchen and having a blast!

Brynlyn was already feeling right at home in her new classroom. This is a great start to a great new year for her!

Lake Trip

We went to the lake early early in the morning last Saturday morning. It was so beautiful and worth getting up at the crack of dawn to make the trip. There were just a few other boats on the lake and the lake was pure glass. It's a shame that no one was skiing because the water was perfect. We had a fun time feeding the ducks, exploring the back canyons and bridges and tubing. It was a great day on the lake. Can't wait to go again.

Day Ten: Jackson's last day here

Today is our last day of having another man in the house! Janelle and Eric are flying home today from their oh-so-fabulous vacation abroad (you'll have to click the link to her blog in the next few days because I'm sure she's going to post some amazingly beautiful pictures of their trip to Europe). And since they are dying to see Jackson and he can hardly wait to see them, I guess we have to let him go back to his family. =)

He has been an absolute sweetheart to have around and it was our privilege to have him here and to make such wonderful memories with him. He has even learned to laugh at Uncle MJ's jokes! Go figure! And who is going to call me "Bebe's Mama" 50 times a day? And I'm not sure how Brynlyn AKA "Bebe" is going to react tomorrow morning when Jackson isn't there to wake her up because that's the routine we're in now. She may kick us all out of her room and wait for Jackson to come in! Ha!

These are some of our last activities today before church. Jackson we love you so much and you are welcome back to live in "the pink world" anytime you want, buddy! (Although I'm sure you're not going to let your parents out of your sight for a long while! =)

Waking up Miss Brynlyn ritual

And, his LAST present of the week! Look at that happy look on his face! He knew that when he finally got to the last present, that he was going to see his mom and dad that day. This is one happy, happy boy!

These are my two shadows, especially whenever I wanted to be on the computer. No problem, a little pen and paper and they were two happy clams. This day they were writing their names on the paper. Way to go guys!

How could you not love these two little ones? They're so fun and so cute together.

Jackson, meet The Littlest Pet Shop toys......he loves playing with these!

Day Nine: Jackson here

Jackson found a quiet moment at our house to catch a quick cat nap. He was so tired after a week of playing with cousins.

So this ended up being the only picture I could snap of Brynlyn and Jackson in the pool together. We went swimming and after 5 minutes, Jackson was done and ready to go inside. I was grateful to snap this one. He's so funny. I've decided that he and his Uncle MJ have something in common: they're like cats! They do not like to be wet. =) Jackson didn't want to play in the pool and he did not like bathtime at all. Janelle, no worries. They do outgrow it. MJ still doesn't care much for the pool and swimming, however, he does take 3 showers a day, so bathtime is okay for him! ha ha

Bug-eyed and ready to open his present for the day.

Katelyn was so excited to read a story to Jackson before bedtime.

Snug as a bug in a rug and ready for nighttime in his cozy PJ's

Tucking Jackson in bed ritual.

Wow, that baby belly is looking large!!! Yikes!

Papa's 70th bday pool party

On Friday, Mike's Dad, Farrell AKA Papa, turned 70 years old! 70 must be the new 50, because Papa you look fabulous!!! Happy Birthday! It was great partying with you on your 70th! We love you and we're so glad that you are in our family.

Jackson was convinced that this was the exact plane that his parents were riding on. Mike's parents live under a heavy flight traffic area so we saw about 10 planes that night. =)

Mike using his boy scout skills to get the fire going to roast marshmallows and make smores. Yes we know it was 110 outside! ha ha

Candace and Brynlyn

And there was lots of swimming in the pool...

Rinsley and Ashlyn

And lots of throwing each other into the pool...

Then the girls played in the dress up stuff and put on their own plays for us. The plays were....interesting, to say the least! ha ha

Ashlyn is getting groovy with it...

Lauryn, Katelyn and Rinsley

And Brynlyn and Jackson played their own fun games. They found Granda's Little People toys and had a ball!

Sorry Jans and Eric, but Jackson insisted on wearing this pink heart necklace!