Stampin' Good Time

I think that blogging is the new scrapbooking and facebook and twitter are the new stamping parties. Remember when scrappin' and stampin' were where it was at?!? We would spend oodles of money on supplies and spend oodles of time tucked away in our craft dens...working our creative fingers to the bone...intoxicated with cute ideas, fuzzy fibers, sparkly glitter, and cardstock in every color of the rainbow??? Furthermore, stamping parties were the social mecca for stay-at-home Mom's to mingle, dish, and provide encouragement and support...I miss those days quite frankly!!

I mean don't get me wrong, I love blogging and Facebook (haven't done the twitter thing yet though). But I do believe they have replaced a favorite past time of mine...gettin' crafty and having parties with my homegirls. Now we express our creativity online...who has the cutest blog layout? Who comes up with the most clever titles? Who has the best pictures? And instead of getting together for a stampin' up party, we keep each other updated on our going's on a minute to minute basis via facebook. "Baby just puked for the hundredth time...somebody save me!" or "Have you tried the new pork carnita tacos at Taco Bell? Well don't, they suck!" See what I mean...why get together to chat when you can chat continously all.day.long!?!

Well anyway, I'm kickin' it old school again. I'm giving up the facebook for awhile and goin' back to my roots. I recently pulled out my stamping supplies and paraphanalia to make some first birthday invites for little Miss P. And I had so much fun doing it. I stamped, I embossed, I cropped, I glued, and I came up with clever phrases. It felt good, and didn't involve me staring a monitor for hours on end...updating my status for the tenth time today with a news breaking bulletin, "Making those chocolate chip cookies seemed like a good idea earlier today, but now that it's 10 pm and the kids are finally asleep...maybe not so much." So win, win...right?

Anyway, anybody up for a Stampin' up party????







BTW, you're all officially invited to Parker's party...wish you could be there!!

Jitters and Butterflies

There was much nervousness and excited anticipation fluttering about in the Brown household last night. Jitters and butterflies. So much so that Avery ended up with an upset tummy late into the night and Maryn just. couldn't. fall. asleep!! All for the big day!!

But here they look cool as cucumbers, don't they? I think they just wanted to get there and make it happen already!!

I hope they have a great first day...now I have some laundry to do and a baby to chase.

Goings On and So Forth

Nearly an entire month has gone by with nary a post. My excuse? Summer!! It's been a busy one, and I can honestly say that we've seized the moments this summer, taken advantage of time together, and done quite a bit of traveling. So I guess that's a good thing to chronicle Summer 2010, less blogging and more playing!!

But alas, summer is winding down. The girls are going back to school tomorrow and I am heading for "normal" days again, with just me and the Parker peanut...getting back on a decent nap schedule, getting chores done before the crew comes home in the afternoon, running errands, and more 1 on 1 play time. Maybe she'll actually start walking without the help of two big (protective) sisters always swooping in to her rescue. Or maybe she'll drive me insane with her impatient shrieks, conditioned to the fact that there is always someone to fetch, pick up, or play with. Ey yi yi...we shall see.

I'm happy for the girls to return to school. You know what I'm talking about. It's been a good summer and we've done a lot, but it will be nice for all of us to have a little "individual" time...the girls playing with their own friends and not just each other day in and day out. And me...not having to listen to the quarreling, not having to find things for their bored little bodies to do, and so forth. That part will be nice. Although I have to admit, I will miss their company. They are growing up fast and I realize that my time with them is limited. I enjoy them immensely. They make me laugh and they help me out a bunch. They are good girls...growing swiftly into young ladies...sniff sniff.

So I guess I'm feeling a little melancholy, but also hopeful. Hopeful for a great school year, excited for new beginnings/resolutions, anticipating cooler temps, changing leaves, and snuggling down for winter. Ahhhh, yes...that sounds more like it!!

And hopefully with the new schedule will come more regular blogging...not only for me, but hopefully for all of us. I miss reading your updates, hearing about your going's on and so forth. Let's all resolve to get back on the bloggin' train, K?

So a little run-down on each of our going's on...

Mark

• Finished up another summer semester with only two days to turn around final papers and grades before Fall semester commenced last Wednesday...needless to say the poor guy didn't catch much of a break.
• He is teaching another full load this semester due to the fact that a colleague is extremely ill and they are taking his classes off his hands. The highlight however will be teaching his first Film class at the newly renovated Ottawa Center. It should be a real treat!!
• Work on PhD is at a stand still unfortunately. It's been a busy year. He and I both are resolving to wake up earlier this semester to get things done before the day starts. Wish us both luck!!
• He continues to serve as a counselor in the EQ (just helped finish a barn, and will be helping with a roof next week :-), and teaches the teenager Sunday school class...they like him a lot of course.

Suzy

• Finished up my first semester as a writing tutor on campus. I worked 6 hours a week and it was just enough. Got me out of the house, allowed me adult conversation again (sort of), and gave me some extra jingle in my purse. I will continue on this Fall too. It should be fun!
• Worked off and on at Sparkle cleaners perfecting the fine art of pressing the perfect pants crease. After the Illinois humidity settled in, I tried to maintain a low profile though...it was not such a pleasant working environment after that.
• Started a new Brown family tradition...it's called "Run for the hills, the temp is above 100!" wherein we found a hotel on priceline with an indoor pool and AC and took off! We enjoyed a nice overnighter in Bloomington where we ate out, went to the children's museum, swam, watched TV, and shopped for back-to-school paraphanalia. It was great! Definitely a repeat next summer!!
• Found many an awesome deal at town-wide garage sales...3 towns to be exact. It was incredible!! Parker and the girls scored some saweet new threads and toys as a result.
• Finished up my sewing projects! Sewed two skirts for Maryn and Avery, and did many an alteration as well.
• Organized my file cabinet and hot spots. (This took a lot more time that you'd think I'm afraid).
• Contine to teach RS on the 4th Sunday and lead the Acheivement Day girls. We had some fun activities this summer...a pool party, passed off some goals, and had a campfire in our backyard!
• Training, organizing, and planning fun activities for the new Girl Scout troop I'll be co-leading this Fall. Yep, that's right! I'm finally makin' it happen.

Maryn

• Was bitten by the acting bug at her first Acting camp in June. She loved it so much that she now wants to audition for IVCC's musical this Fall. It is based on the life of Cesar Chavez though, and I'm not too sure they're looking for little blonde, blue-eyed girls!! :0)
• LOVED the trip to Idaho/Utah to see family and friends!
• First trip to the Ortho!! Fortunately for her she is still a little young to start on this road...she was actually bummed out about this...no braces!! :-(
• Art classes in Bloomington...she loved this! She chose this instead of soccer this year, and I'm glad she did. She exhibited a lot of talent and discipline. Her teachers were very complimentary and she will definitely be doing this again.
• LOVED the Day family reunion at Crystal Lake!! But didn't love the sunburn that she is still wearing.
• Birthday party swim parties and play dates!
• She can now ride her bike to the school by herself!

Avery

• Successfully participated in her 2nd year of softball. She really enjoyed being on a team with all of her friends.
• LOVED the trip to Idaho/Utah to visit family and friends! She especially loved going back to the Playmill theater to see Beauty and the Beast.
• Was invited on many playdates and had fun seeing her friends over the summer.
• Tried out her culinary skills in a cooking class for a week in August. She loved this, and is now insisting on cooking food for us any chance she gets!
• LOVED the Day family reunion, but NOT the sunburn and heatstroke she got.
• She also loved the two summer blockbuster movies we saw--Toy Story 3 and Despicable Me.
• She is getting excited about her baptism...coming up on September 18!

Parker

• Parker loved swinging and swimming for the first time this summer.
• Parker had her 9 month doctor check and weighed in at about 20 lbs. (I'm sure she is bigger than that now though...she is a solid girl!)
• She learned how to pull herself up on the side of her crib in June. Shortly thereafter we had to lower her crib mattress. Now she is not only pulling herself up on things, but cruising as well!!
• Parker enjoyed her first 4th of July and fireworks show...and wasn't even scared! She was mesmorized by the colors and sounds.
• Parker loved going to Idaho/Utah and meeting many of her family and friends for the first time, as well as Michigan where she was able to meet and play with lots of new cousins as well.
• She started clapping for the first time at the beginning of August, and will now give you a high-five.
• She is saying a few words like: uh oh, Dada, Mama, meow, and enthusiastically shakes her head for "no-no" (wonder where she learned that from).
• She definitely knows who her sisters are and loves to play peek-a-boo and games with them.
• She is a little clingy with Mom and Dad and does NOT like to be left alone in a room. She wants to be in on the action.
• She is a BUSY BEE! Always on the go, and will be walking soon for sure...her first birthday will be coming up in just a couple weeks!
• She loves to eat...when we go out she will eat not only her baby food, but samples from all of our plates as well. Her faves are crackers, mashed potatoes, and puffs...she's already a carb-a-holic like her dear old Mom & Dad!!

So that's a quick run-down on life with the Brown's. Sorry it's been awhile. I will post 1st day of school pics SOON!!

Day Family Reunion--Crystal Lake, MI--July 2010

I am a busy bee. Today is the first day I've had to sit down and upload pics. AAGH!! One thing I'd forgotten since the girls are big girls now and not babies anymore, and I have a baby again, after not having a baby for um, like 7 years...or whatever, is that: I CAN'T GET ANYTHING DONE WHEN THE BABY IS AWAKE!! So, alas, today is the first day that I've been able to sit down (she's napping, shhh!! for heaven's sake, don't wake her up!!!!!) and share some sweet Day family goodness...comin' your way!!

{Postscript: She woke up, and now 8 hours later she is asleep again, hopefully for the night and I am just now finishing this post. Seriously.}


This was the resort we all stayed at for 5 days. Some stayed in little cabins, some stayed in hotel rooms. Either way, we had the whole place booked up practically.


Ian Day and Braeden Griswold


Maddi Pierson, Avery Brown, and Hannah Day


Daren and Shauna Pierson, Melanie and Jeff Norman, Aunt Vicki, Erin, Cole, and Ben Griswold


Gage Norman and Alec Day



Paige Pierson and Riley Day


LaRae Day, Maryn Brown, and Hallie Norman


Me!, Cameron and Ryan Day, Amy and Jeff Day


Amy, Melanie, Erin, Shauna, and Moi


Amy, yours truly, Erin, Cole, Mom, Gretchen, Aunt Vicki, and Melanie (Shauna was taking the pic :-()


The babies: Parker, CaRina, Maia, and Tate (Melanie laughing at the hysterics)


The kids attacking Uncle Jeff on the raft--Skit night


Maryn and Braeden


Erin, Ben, and Cole-ee-poke-ee


Shauna, Paige, and Daren--she's gonna be a senior this year...can't believe it!!


Jeff and his teen queens: Riley and Hannah


The desert roses--Norman family


Maia wants some sweet sister bonding time too!


Grandpa and Parker


Aunt Vicki and Mom--the heart and soul of us all.

Can't believe it's over already...another 3 years until we meet again...love this crazy awesome family-o-mine!!

Peace out.

What a lovely surprise!

Erin called me last weekend from Messico to tell me that she was coming a couple weeks early to attend the Day family reunion. She wondered if it would be okay to come to Tonica for a little visit. ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME?!? I hope I didn't sound that desperate or pathetic on the phone, but seriously...I am!!

I was so excited...we all were so excited!! The girls love Aunt Erin, and Mark is a big fan too. And we all love Cole...I mean really, how can you not?!?...he will always be our little Cole-ee-poke-ee. Yippee...what fun!!

They arrived on Friday afternoon, just in time for dinner. I don't know what I was thinking but I made her Cafe Rio Pork. Um...more Mexican food?!? I should've make a chicken 'n' rice casserole slathered in Cream o Chicken soup and yellow cheddar cheese or some big fat baked potatoes or something. Ah well. She was gracious and it was just good to see her again!!

Cole is the cutest little bug you've ever seen. He has the biggest brown eyes that just absolutely melt your heart. All of the girls had fun playing with him...even Parker! After he left she kept looking into the living room where the "carwash" is for her new little buddy. He stole all of our hearts, but especially Maryn I think. She is going to make a great babysitter some day. We missed Braeden, but knew he was having quality time with Grandma Griswold.



I was able to take Erin on a date for her birthday. What a treat!! We haven't been able to do our dinner dates in 2 years! It was so nice to be able to take our time, enjoy our wonderful meals (which we were able to split!) and luxuriate in our chocolate coconut waffle dessert! I felt like it was my birthday too! :-) Afterwards I asked her if she was up for a movie and both of us decided that rather than sit in a dark theater and have to be quiet for two hours, we'd rather just drive around and talk. We had a lot to catch up on. I think we both talked and laughed ourselves hoarse. It was great.



But still so melancholy. I sometimes get so bitter about the fact that we all have to live so dang far apart. Life is so much sweeter when you have your favorite people to share it with...and that means on a regular basis. These rendezvous's are just to few and far between. I wish I could take all of you out on a date for your birthday. That really would be such a treat! Oh woe is me...:-( Alas, sometimes it is the sweet and unexpected surprises that make life so fun. Either way, I'm glad that we were able to enjoy a visit together. It really was a lovely surprise.

Thanks for coming Erin and Cole!! See you in a week!!

More Vacation Favorites--Part 2

Once again, the order is all out of whack...we saw Great Grandma in Malad first, then saw Diane and family in SLC second, followed by Temple Square the next day, then saw the Mosier's in Highland, the Day's in Orem, a stop for the infamous 25 cent cone in Little America, and finally...last but not least, Parker Faye the bathing beauty taking her first dip in the pool in Rawlins, WY. The END!!




(Yes, Parker does have a bloody nose in this picture, but not because Cameron is a bruiser or anything...quite the opposite. He's a mellow little fellow. She took a tumble down one of their many flights of stairs...oops!!)

Some Vacation Favorites--Part 1

Start from the bottom in chronological order...I hate blogger sometimes.