Piper's Swimming Lessons

This past year's swimming lessons for Piper were a huge improvement from the first year she started.  That first year, she hated every minute of it and didn't want to learn much.  This year, she didn't cry and followed everything Miss Bethany told her to do.  Such a difference a year makes.  We did lessons in the evening, so Brody could join us and have fun swimming.  He loved that, so I'll try for it this year too.

Here's Piper after one of her lessons was done.  Ready to be done for the night.

 Piper with her teacher, Miss Bethany.

 Working on her arms.  1,2,3 pool.

 Practicing reaching for the edge.

 By the end, she was going so far underwater by herself.

Way to go Piper!  We were so proud of her and all she accomplished.  John joined us for her last lesson and my parents were able to see her last few lessons as they were staying with us.  We had a lot of fun practicing that week in the warm weather we got to enjoy.

Memorial Day 2012

Memorial Day means BBQ and pool party at Grandma and Grandpa Brown's house, or at least that's the tradition so far.  It was another fun year, full of silliness, great food, and lots of water fun.

Boys. . . .

"Shake my booty, shake my booty. . ."  No idea where he learned that one.

Carne Asada!  Delish!

Waiting for pool time is always so hard to do.

My favorite sweet 3 year old.

Who is taking after her brother.

Grandma had Klondike bars for all the kids.

They were a perfect outdoor pool treat considering how messy they all got.  Nice boys, a great pushing out your tummy's pic.

The Bell's New House

In the beginning of June, we drove up to visit my sister and her family and see their new house.  We headed up after our church ended and drove to Camarillo.  They are in a new development in town, much like the new areas they build here, with neighborhoods being made up of big homes all the way down to townhouses and condos.  Their home is what we call down here a cluster home, where you pull into a drive way and about 4 different driveways and homes all share the same space.  They are really popular here and we looked at a lot before we found our house.  We loved their house, nicely upgraded and they have lots of room to grow, so I'm sure they will be there for a while.  

My parents were also in town visiting Lindsey before they were to come down and stay with us.   They had a delicious taco bar set up for dinner that was awesome.  Then after we took a walk around their neighbor to enjoy the night and see the sights.  The kids had a great time playing around and being with their cousins.

 The little ones.

 All of us enjoying our walk.

 Brody was a bit wild and Brooklyn followed suit.

 I just love this picture.  They joined hands like this all by themselves.  Glad I had a camera to capture the moment.  They love each other so much and always enjoy every second they are with each other.

Getting the Sunday energy out playing tag.

 What kid can't resist a good grassy hill.

 After our walk, it was jammie time and we tried to calm the kids down for the night before driving home.  Our kids were so excited to show off their meditating skills.  They think its the funniest thing to do the sounds too.

Kindergarten Spring Concert

Brody had his Kindergarten Spring concert last May with all the Kindergarten classes.  It was much like the Christmas one they did.  It was very nice and the kids sounded great.  You could tell how much hard work the teachers and kids put into it.  John was able to come with Piper and me and Brody couldn't have been happier to have him there. 

Before his performance, looking so handsome all dressed up.

Here is most of his class with his teacher, Mrs. Landresse.

Can you tell how excited he was to have his daddy there?

Disneyland With the Bell's

Last May, we met up with Lindsey, Brandon, and the kids at Disneyland.  It was Brooklyn's birthday present from her parents for turning 5.  The kids were so excited to spend the day there together. 

The merry-go-round is still one of Piper's favorites.

Having fun with Mommy.

Since it was Brooklyn's birthday, we made sure we saw a lot of princesses.  Piper in the past has been a bit scared to meet them, but with Brooklyn there, she was a bit more brave.  Here is Piper with one of her favorite princesses, Belle.

Small World!

After Small World, we waited in line at the Princess Academy to meet some of the other princesses.  Piper was very shy, but loved to meet Ariel.

We got to meet Belle again.  Wonder if they noticed she looked a bit different than the last one.

Tiana was very nice too.

Later in the day, we went on Winnie the Pooh.  We got off the ride and stopped over at the gift shop there while the kids looked around when John surprised us.  We were all so happy to have him with us, but Brody couldn't have been happier.  Brandon, John, and Brody then went on Splash Mountain while we took the little kids.  It was Brody's first time and he had no idea what he was getting into.  Love this picture of him going down the hill.

A bit scared I see.  He claims now, as he looks back at this picture, that he wasn't scared and it was so much fun.

Afterwards, John and Brody went over to Jedi Training so he could try and get picked to be a Jedi.  He had always been scared to do it before, but John promised him he could get the lightsaber he wanted right after if he did it.  I guess that was motivation enough for him.

Yay, he got picked!

Our little Jedi :)  He was pretty serious the whole time, probably nervous.

John took video of it, so no pictures here, but he got to fight Darth Vadar.  He did so good!  Here are some of the kids after they they defeated the dark side.

He was all smiles afterwards, holding his certificate he got.  Great job Brody!

All of us waiting for the parade to start.

It was the first time we have ever sat and watched the parade.  Glad we finally did because it was a very fun show.  Piper was so excited to see all the princesses.

We ended the day with a ride on the train around the park.

What a fun birthday for Brooklyn!  Thanks for letting us come hang out with you!

Mother's Day

Mother's Day last year was mild and easy.  John and I went out on a date Saturday night and enjoyed some PF Chang's and The Avengers movie.  It was just nice to be out, to spend some time together, and to be without the kids for a bit.  The next morning and after church, they all surprised me with their little gifts.  I got so many beautiful flowers this year.  I was a very happy and lucky mommy.

Here is what Brody wrote inside his card that he made at school.  He also made the clay duck that he molded, painted, and was fired at school.  I loved it all.

Piper's teacher at church, Dana Clark, helped her do this beautiful card on Sunday.  I love all the answers she came up with.

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After church, we drove up to see and enjoy the rest of the day at Aneta and Lee's.  Tyler and Kristi came over with the kids and the guys cooked a nice BBQ for us.  It was a relaxing afternoon and a wonderful day.  Thank you so much John, Brody, and Piper!