Makena's 5th Birthday Party

Makena turned 5 on August 22! She had a super fun birthday party. The theme was butterfly princess...not fairy...not butterfly...not princess...but Butterfly Princess. (So funny!) We hired an amazing artist to create face painting on the children, did some crafts, played two games, and a bouncer. About 40 people total were there and I think everyone had fun! Here are some highlights!

Where did that come from?

Have you ever have a HUGE, GIANT weight dropped on your head? (figuratively not literally) Well that happened to my family last night. It is a little overwhelming and yet makes things fuzzy and clearer at the same time. It kind of puts things in perspective. It allows you to realize what really matters and who is really important. Yes, a huge weight has dropped on our family and I hate that weight for what it is but I know that someday, it will be lifted.

Cruising Along

We are 21 1/2 weeks which means we are more than halfway to meeting our newest little one! Our home has been going through some minor changes the past three Sundays. It all started with...the play room! I cleaned the carpet in the play room and reorganized, which is a mess again but oh well. Then the next Sunday I moved to... baby clothes. People all say,"Oh you'll have everything you need because you already have a girl and a boy." This is only partly true because of the seasons. Makena was born during the hottest part of the year while Brody was born at the end of our spring. This baby will be born when winter is in full swing. Ok, so he/she won't need a snowsuit but... there are still things that will have to be purchased. So, I went through bins and bins and bins of baby/toddler clothes and kept only my favorites that would fall into the correct season. Basically, I have four bins: two baby/toddler girl and two baby/toddler boy. Yea! That took forever! Then we spent another Sunday going through the kids bookshelves. I had to separate books that the baby may like, pull out books that have been destroyed, and also...I can't believe this one...some to donate!! (I can get rid of stuff super fast but books are very HARD for me to part with!!) I still feel like we have a lot of stuff but we can't get rid of anything else because it is all in use or will be used within the next two years. We also have a bed coming soon so we are actually adding to our house. I am still searching for coordinating bedding for the older two and trying to decide what to paint our room and the baby's room. We are cruising along.

Ya there fall?

It has been very hot lately...100's plus. I know that this is So. Cal. but I am ready for cooler weather. (This will not come until late November.) I actually kind of decorate my house with fallish type colors and things. I put out apple cider smelling candles, add orange and red accents around my family room, and I even have three fake pumpkins. (ya, I know...) I can't wait to go pick apples in October and choose our two pumpkins from the mountainside. I have been looking for crafts and activities to do with B and M about fall but in reality, it is too early to dive into fall out here. Remember how I had snow envy last winter? Well, it has evolved into fall envy. :) Ok, not really! But to all of you back in the midwest...Happy Fall!!! ( A little early!)

What's in a name?

Zachary, Aidian, Addison, Ryder, Regan, Brock, Brooke, Bryn, Mackenzie, Grady...the list goes on and on. We have no idea what to name our newest little one! There is not one name that stands out to both of us for a boy or girl. This is what we know: we tend to like the more trendy names and they have to be able to be made into a nickname. Any ideas?

DISCLAIMER

Just so you know....
when I am typing the new vocab. words that M. learns, I just make up the kids initials. They don't really correlate. :)
Just so you know...

Makena learns another new word...

Overheard in the bathtub tonight....
"Brody, you butthead." (laughing by M.)
"What did you say?," I said popping my head in the door.
"I said, "butthead'."
"Where did you hear that?"
"A said that it at school."
THANKS A. for teaching Makena that wonderful new vocabulary word! I'm so proud that she can already use it in a sentence.

Soccer Star

Makena started soccer this year and is on a team with nine other adorable girls! They have played two games already and both were very hot!!! All of the girls are such troopers to play in the heat. In the first game, Makena scored three goals!!!! We were so impressed and bragged to all the grandparents and aunties!!

She was so proud when she scored the goals. This is right after she scored!

The ref is getting the ball from the goal that she scored!

The girls favorite part is after the game when all of the parents and fans make a tunnel for all the players to run through while they are being cheered on. It is so great!

Buzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

HI! It's me, Brody! I like to watch my Daddy get ready for work in the morning and discovered that I too could use the beard trimmers. I used it one time and made a new 'do. Then I used the trimmers again and made an even better 'do! I was rockin'! Only my mommy and daddy did not think too much of my new hair do soooo....
Daddy buzzed my hair with his clippers. It was rough. I cried a lot and got really hot and itchy. It just didn't turn out well.

Can you see the great scalp job near the front? That was my doing! I was very proud of it!! My mommy was embarrassed for me because I now looked even worse! Never fear, Mom! Miss Ginny fixed it!

Miss Ginny had to shave my head super close so that people wouldn't be able to tell that I made myself bald in one spot. Hey, at least it'll grow out by Christmas and we can save $$ on the haircuts I won't need!