Memorial Day Weekend 2009 . . .

I have always loved Memorial Day (and weekend). I love taking time to remember those who have gone before us, and also those who are fighting for our freedoms everyday right now. Memorial Day also is the kick-off to summer for me, and I LOVE summertime! This year, we had so much going on, but we also accomplished so much. On Friday, we headed up to Parker, Idaho to visit Ben's Grandpa Rudd's grave. We are in charge of the graves up there now, since we are locals. : ) We cleared off dirt and grass, and put flowers there. I love that cemetery, it is so beautiful and peaceful with a nice view of the Tetons. Brooklyn really had a good time, waving the flag around.

Ben and Brooklyn cleaning the grave . . .

Brooklyn and the two babies graves . . .


Ben, Brooklyn and Grandpa Rudd's grave . . .

Brooklyn Nicole . . .

Brooklyn and Daddy . . .

After Parker, we stopped in Rexburg, to meet up with Zane for lunch, and to go to the new BYU-I Bookstore. It is so crazy how much BYU-I has changed in five years, it is a completely different place. Then we stopped at the nursery to buy our flowers and came home to plant our flowerpots. They look so beautiful! Then, we headed over to my parents to hang out with the family. My sister Erica, and her friend Katrina decided to road trip up to Idaho for the weekend, and it was so much fun to have them here! Erica brought B a bubble mower and some CUTE clothes from Baby Gap!

On Saturday, we went to Swan Valley to start the cleanup of my grandparent's house. When my Grandma passed away in December, they just locked the house, and no one has been in it since. Well, this weekend was the big cleanup. All 11 of the kids were there, yep my Dad is the oldest of 11! Crazy. We kept ourselves busy going through everything that was in the house, I'm pretty sure that they never threw away ANYTHING. It was fun to see a lot of my cousins and aunts and uncles though.

Sunday, we decided to go to Jackson Hole since Erica was dying to see the Tetons and Katrina had never been here. Too bad it was overcast, so we couldn't even see the top of the mountains. But, we did have fun walking around downtown, doing a little shopping, etc.

View from the top of the pass . . .
Erica and Katrina . . .

B and I, apparently it was not flip flop weather that day . . .

Monday, we just tried to catch up on things around here. We did go over to Ben's uncle and aunt's, Dennis and Loretta's, for a yummy dinner. We had Dennis' famous dutch-oven stew, yummy french bread, homemade root beer, and apples and fruit dip.

What a great weekend, and now . . . WELCOME SUMMER, I have been waiting a LONG time for you to come and stay!!!

Our Colorado Adventure . . .

We had a crazy, busy, fun-filled time in Colorado. We really didn't have time to sit down, it was just run, run, run. We were so glad we could go down to visit though, and be there for some big events. Here are the highlights of the trip:

1. Brooklyn's 2nd Birthday (see previous post). The little girl had quite the eventful day.

2. Visiting with Ben's Grandma Rudd.

3. I was able to attend my former principal, Mr. Linton's retirement party! Elaine did a great job putting it on, and I was so glad I could be there for it. Mr. Linton gave me my first job in Colorado in 2005 as a library aide, and then he requested me to student teach there at Westgate, then hired me on as a long-term substitute, and finally on as a kindergarten teacher in 2006. I owe EVERYTHING to him as far as my teaching career goes, what a great man. It was so fun to see my old co-workers and friends, and to catch up with everyone. I miss them so much, and was so lucky to work with such great people!

4. Aaron, Ben's brother, graduated from DU Law School! We were able to go to his graduation and celebrate with him afterwards with dinner, games, jumping on the tramp (B's favorite), and riding the go-cart.

B and I after the graduation . . .

DU Law School . . .

Ben jumping with the girls . . .

Ben riding the go-cart!

5. Brooklyn and Caroline. Brooklyn loved playing with her cousin, Caroline. B loved giving her hugs, even though Caroline did not appreciate that too much. They had so much fun together; riding in the wagon, coloring, reading, singing, and taking a bath.

Brooklyn and Caroline riding in the wagon . . .

6. I was able to run quickly into my favorite stores that I miss SO much! Like, my favorite BabyGap, Baby Gap Outlet, Super Target, ULTA, Panera Bread, and CostCo! I loaded up - we are set for awhile. : )

7. Saturday night, Elaine and Sarah watched the girls while the rest of us went to Angels and Demons. I love these types of movies, movies that really get you thinking, and I loved The Da Vinci Code, so was so excited for this one, it didn't disappoint.

8. The long car ride! : ) B did great, and on the way home, we only stopped once, just long enough to get gas, food, and change B. What a little traveler.

Whew, what a whirlwind. It was so fun to get away, but kind of relaxing to be home, too. : )

Brooklyn's Birthday - Celebration #2 . . .

We arrived in good old Colorado on Wednesday, spent some time with the family, and before we knew it - Brooklyn Nicole's birthday was here! Thursday was a jam-packed, fun-filled day that wore little Miss B out!!! B decided she should begin her birthday celebration by playing some tunes for us on the piano!Then we began the festivities with an afternoon Rockies game! Brooklyn was not sure about the whole situation, and freaked out when the Rockies scored and everyone started cheering. She slimed me with her nacho she was eating too! : ) She did however, LOVE the cotton candy and lemonade. It was a beautiful day and so nice to be outside enjoying the weather. We left after singing "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" during the seventh inning stretch, so the little girls could take a nap.

Coors Field!

Me and B in front of the stadium . . .

Such a beautiful day . . .
Donald enjoying the game . . .

Sarah, Caroline, Brooklyn, and I . . .

The birthday girl enjoying some cotton candy . . .

After a nap for the birthday girl, we met up with all of the family for dinner at The White Fence Farm. We enjoyed some delicious corn fritters, bean salad, coleslaw, their world famous fried chicken, and some also enjoyed shrimp (not me). The birthday girl was treated with balloons, a cake, and a free 1/4 pound of fudge. : ) Afterwards, we walked around the farm and saw the sheep, goats, cow, and pig. Brooklyn was not too sure about the sheep, especially when they baa-ed. : ) Then it was present time, Brooklyn jumped right in and opened some great gifts; a silverware set and new bows from Aaron, Katie and Caroline, an adorable dress and shirt from Aunt Sarah, and a new wagon from Grandpa and Grandma. Thanks again everyone for helping to make B's 2nd Birthday so special!

Checking out the animals . . .

B and the peacocks . . .


Opening presents with Aunt Sarah . . .


More Elmo cards, do you see a pattern here? : )

Brooklyn's 2nd Birthday "Week" - Celebration # 1 . . .

Brooklyn's 2nd birthday is this Thursday, the 14th. Since we are going to be in Colorado, we decided to have a party with my family before we left. Sunday, we had dinner and then celebrated the little miss being 2. My mom got her more easter eggs, so she could hunt for them AGAIN. We hid 36 of them 3 times, she loved it! Then, B opened her presents, and was so excited she could hardly stand it. She seriously was so spoiled. "Pa and Ma Jake" (as she calls them) got her an Elmo potty seat, some big girl underwear (let the fun begin), a horse purse with treats in it, and super cute Hawaii nursery rhyme book. Brett got her two new Elmo books and tons of new bath toys. And, Zane got her a huge basket full of her favorite treats; raviolis, spaghettios, cookies, yogurt raisins, princess fruit snacks, and Elmo and Big Bird juice. She loved it all! We got her a vacuum, coloring books, puzzle, and this fun "Elefun" game that blows butterflies out of it's trunk and you catch them in nets. That little girl hit the jackpot, thanks so much everyone!

B's giraffe cake I made. Ben told me that is was "the thought that counts, and maybe we should stop and pick another one up on our way over." Sad, huh? Those green things are supposed to be leaves. : ) Brooklyn first called it a cow and then a leopard, and then finally, a giraffe. : )

B hunting for eggs. She was loving it!
Getting down to business!

Checking things out . . .

Enjoying her cake . . . finally.

So, Brooklyn FREAKED out when we lit the candles and started singing to her. Crazy girl!

Mother's Day 2009 . . .

Mother's Day this year was great! Ben took me out to dinner on Saturday night. We were going to go to Cafe Rio, but the line was forever long, so we decided on a Chinese place. We had a nice dinner and then took B to the park to run for awhile.

Ben got me a beautiful pot of mums, a very sweet card, and a gift card to Barnes and Noble. So thoughtful.

Sunday, we went to church. I spent some quality time with Brooklyn in the nursery, we are having some separation anxiety. : )But, really it was an improvement from prior weeks. And I really enjoyed the talks on mothers, and the beautiful dahlia they gave us.

Sunday after church, we went to my parents for dinner (yummy steak and potatoes) and to celebrate Brooklyn's birthday (which is this Thursday - post to come) with them before we leave. It was a great day, and it is so wonderful to have Brooklyn in my life. She is so sweet and makes everyday an adventure. I love being with her, even though she is attached to my hip these days. : ) I can't imagine life without her and am so LUCKY to be her mom. Love you Lou!

I am also so thankful for my mom and Ben's mom. They are both wonderful examples to me of being a mother. They are wonderful grandmother's too! We love you and are so blessed to have you in our lives!

Las Vegas: Part THREE - THE FINALE . . .

Monday, sadly was our last day in Vegas. We got up early, ready for action. We hit the Las Vegas Premium Outlets first. I didn't find anything, despite the great selection of stores, including BabyGap, Banana Republic, Guess, Coach, Burberry, you get the idea. After shopping, we headed for New York, New York to try our luck with the slots again. Ben, Donald and I played the penny slots with about $3 each. Ben won $10, Donald won $5, and I made out with $3.79! Woo hoo!!! We walked across the street to the M&M Factory and the Coca Cola factory (which I loved) and then went back to the New York for lunch at ESPN Zone. Our Vegas adventure had come to an end, we were supposed to fly out at 4:50, but surprise, surprise, our flight was delayed AGAIN! We finally made it in to IF at 8:30. I am already missing Vegas badly, especially the beautiful weather. We barely have time to get unpacked before we head to Colorado on Wednesday for Ben's brother's graduation from law school! Stay tuned for that fun . . .

B and I waiting to leave the hotel . . .

Little B crashed during the fun . . .
Sarah and I in front of The New York, New York!!!

Las Vegas: Part TWO . . .

Sunday was spent spent touring the casinos. First up, Caesar's Palace. I played $1.00 in the penny slots, and lost it all to start off my day. : ) We had a wonderful lunch at The Cheesecake Factory, shopped it up at my favorite Baby Gap ever, and let Brooklyn run wild in F.A.O. Schwartz toy store. Then we went to The Venetian to check out the gondolas and shops there. Then off to The Flamingo to see the bird and fish habitat. I also got my long awaited giraffe print purse on the street. : ) Then, we were off to the Las Vegas Temple. It was beautiful, and Brooklyn loved walking around and smelling the flowers. After that, we headed back to the hotel for some rest time, and then hit the Bellagio for the fountain show, which once again I had to take B away from. Now she tells us, "Water dance - I cry." We enjoyed the gardens in the Bellagio too. Whew, what an eventful day . . .

Brooklyn again with her shades in The Cheesecake Factory . . .

Grandpa, Sarah, and Grandma at the temple grounds . . .

Brooklyn loving the freedom . . .

The Bellagio Fountains . . . and cute new purse! : )

Brooklyn in her super cute H&M dress and the flowers in the Bellagio . . .