Santa Barbara

We took a family day trip to Santa Barbara last week and had a blast!

Bryn wasn't too thrilled about being strapped in a stroller all day.

We stopped by a local skate park to watch for a few minutes. Who lets their TODDLER out there with the big guys?!? That is one brave little girl!

Showing off her teeth...

We tried keeping Brynlee clean for as long as possible...

But eventually we just gave up.

Good thing we had a change of clothes!

Meet BRIAN...

Brynlee has an alter-ego... his name is BRIAN. People FREQUENTLY tell me how cute my "little guy" is... even when she's wearing PINK! It boggles my mind! Sometimes I go along with it, other times I correct them and tell them she's a girl, but then they just feel dumb. When we're out in public and Bryn won't keep her headband on, Riley just calls her Brian anyway so people don't get confused. Maybe this is a glimpse of what our SON will look like...

Brian and his fudgesicle gotee.

Brynlee's FIRST Birthday Party

Brynlee's actual birthday isn't until July 1st, but with family going out of town so much this summer, we had to find a date when everyone would be in town. So, the lucky duck got to celebrate a couple weeks early!

WARNING: Picture Overload Ahead

This picture was impossible to take! I couldn't get all three of these crazies to look at me at the same time. This is the best we got...

Ellie and {Little} Riley (just to clarify) had so much fun in the pool. I think they wore each other out!

Bryn and her two FAVORITE Grandmas!

Lindsay & Sweet Little Annie

The adorable cake made by Aunt Sarah & Uncle Jordan. Thanks again guys!!

Bryn wasn't quite sure what to do with the cake, so we brought in a couple of "old pros" to show her what to do.

It didn't take long before she got the hang of it...

Ooh... got a strawberry in that bite!

Sharing with Uncle Brad

As if that wasn't enough sugar... Brynlee swiped her Grandma's Ice Cream Cone!

Once again, the "old pros" were there to help her open gifts. Brynlee hardly had to do any work at all!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Sweet Baby Girl! We love you! We're so glad you're a part of our family and we look forward to many, many more birthday to come.

And thanks to everyone who came and made her day so special. We love you, too!

San Tan Splash Pad

My mom met a friend at the Splash Pad at San Tan Mall to "show off her grandbabies" (in her words), so I though I'd tag along for Brynlee's first experience and to get some good pics.

Brynlee was a little apprehensive about the whole thing. She stood there and watched the other kids for about 10 minutes... not quite sure what to think. Every once in a while she'd look back at me to make sure it was ok.

Wet face= NOT a happy camper!

Bryn was determined to climb this flower toy...

Finally! SUCCESS!

Thanks for a fun day Grandma!

Arizona Science Center

On Memorial Day, we thought it would be fun to take the girls (Bryn & Ellie... along with Whit & Joel) to the Arizona Science Center. I think we all had more fun than we thought we would...

Lookin' good, babe!

This was a little child psychology "experiment" you were supposed to do with your baby. Most babies, according to the study, will stop at the end of the checkered squares because the glass fools them and they think it's an edge. (there are more checkered squares on the ground below the glass panel). But, Bryn proved the study FALSE! Nothing can compete with a little girls' trust in her daddy!

Needless to say, I was struggling with this one a little bit.

(I had to stretch & strain so hard that I {almost} don't look 5 1/2 mo. pregnant...)

Science Rules! (Thanks, Bill Nye)