Beach Day with the Bracken's

Chrystal and her Kids have been here since last Thursday, and I was so sad to see them leave today. We mostly had fun just "BE-ing." We had lots of fun girl chats, a couple chick flick nights, and lots of kiddie play. Of all that we did together, Beach Day was I think my favorite. Morgan and Clarissa had so much fun jumping in the water, Brenna warmed up to it the 2nd half of the day, and can you guess?? Yes, Tyler digs digs digs. Morgan was more brave that day than she has been all summer going once a week. I think her swimming lessons got her more confident in water- that now I have to worry about her being too brave. I am waiting for more pictures to come from Chrystal's camera (she has the best one) and will be sending me a copy of all of her cute pictures. I will add them to this slide show when I get them. I didn't get any pictures of little sweetie-pie Brenna on my camera- but will add them soon.

Morgan's Swimming Lessons

Morgan has been really enjoying her swimming lessons with my freind and neighbor 'Miss Becky' She has gotten really brave this past week and has done everything Miss Becky has challenged her to do such as swim across the pool with her head down, float on her back, and a trick she came up with on her own, the dead man's fall.

A fun week with Jamilyn

Although Jamilyn and I spent a lot of time together this past week, I realize she and I were both hiding from the camera and have no pictures of us together. LOL! But we are both proud of our cute kids, so here are a few snapshots of some of the cute pictures we captured while we hung out.

Crowder Kids August 2008

Saturday we gathered as a family to have all the Crowder grandkids have their pictures taken together. It turned out to be quite the fiasco of tears, tantrums, and melt downs on all fronts. We got lucky that Morgan, Tyler, and Brooklyn were happy just long enough for us to catch it on camera. But as you can see there was NO hope for the group picture. Believe it or not this was the best one of the batch. Pretty funny memory. We were cracking up with laughter at each other, all trying to control our kids emotions at nap time, lunch time, and a long wait prior to our appointment. There truly was no hope for happy kids.

Little Einstein Theme Song Singers

Little Einsteins has become the #1 morning show accompanied by breakfast. Tyler and Morgan must sing along every word every time. If you listen closely you can hear Tyler attempt to say all the words.

Meet Little Sawyer Carlson

We have been counting down the days and finally she has arrived. Jamilyn is here to introduce her little PRIZE! Sawyer Shea Carlson. He is our newest cousin, nephew, and cuddle bug. He is all Smiles this week. He must like us here in California. I guess the only solution is he can't leave. No way can we let him go back to Utah! Just kidding Brody, you just better be sure he comes to visit again soon. We have had super fun together going to Morgan's swim lessons, the Hemet Aquatic Playground, and just chill'n. Jamie means 'FUN' at our house. When they here Jamie is coming Morgan, Tyler, Grandma, and me too get very excited. Hooray for Fun!

The Latest Pictures of Morgan, Tyler, and Brooklyn

Here are a some cute pictures of the ever changing and growing Jared/Rachelle offspring.

Reflections of Garrett

This past week my sister reminded me of how the 4th of July was one of Garrett's favorite holidays. Watching the beutiful slide show she put together brough my suppressed emotions to the surface and let the flood gates pour in. I think it was good for me to have a good cry becuase I've buried it for a long time being brave about all the other stresses and hardships going on in my life I don't think I can bare to let my emotions show of the pain and mourning that occasionally creeps in my heart about my best bud Garrett. I think some of my best memories of him were when we would find all the ways we could to scare my mom or dad with snaps and the twisty tie snaps. My favorite memory of him as a child was when Chrystal was a big girl now, and went to Kindergarten, and I had to now find a new friend. He became my new best Bud and has been ever since that day. We played cars and trucks and little guys and pretended we were the last 2 people left on the earth and it was up to us to stay alive. Pretty funny but very dear to my heart. I am so greatful for the atonement and my knowledge and faith of being reunited with my best bud some day. I am so gratful I had the special time with Garrett and Daniel when they came down the August before his death. It makes me reflect on how precious and fragile life is and how much I love my beutiful babies and wonderful husband. They are the light of my life and Jared is my heart and soul and life can throw all its got at me but I know I have all I need to find true hapiness amongst it all. I hope you all can enjoy reflecting back on a wonderful young man's life and what he means to me. Love you Garrett!

A Walk Down Memory Lane

1. Add a comment or a memory you have of the two of us together. It doesn't matter if you know me very well or just a little, it can be anything.It can be a recent memory or from way back. Once you leave a comment I will assume you are playing too. 2. Add these instructions to your own Blog and enjoy the memories rolling in.

Brooklyn discovers her Toes

Brooklyn has discovered her toes and has decided they are her #1 favorite toy. She also has discovered they are a nice teethy toy as well. Such cute milestones I just love this age!

Tyler and his Cars

Tyler has really discovered the joys of Cars and Trucks. His most favorite things to do are digging up rocks and putting them in his Dump Truck, playing with his small lightning Maqueen car or, taking all his match box cars, ambulences, fire trucks, etc. and lining them all up as if they are in traffic all gathered together. Today in church he spent the whole hour lining about 15 of them up one by one and driving them into a cluster, then turning them each around and driving them all to the other end of the bench and then back again. over and over and over. He spent another hour or so doing the same thing this afternoon at home after church. It was so cute I had to take a few pictures.

TAG # 2 for Morgan

So Clarissa tagged Morgan for a questionnaire. It was soooooooo adorable I had to join in.
#1. What is something mom always says to you? " No, um, you can't have stuff."
#2. What makes mom happy? " Um, Um, Um, Please, that was fun, can we come again next time mommy." ( this is what I have asked her to say in the past when we leave fun places- I told her to say this instead of giving me tantrums! funny that she thinks that's what makes me happy- she's RIGHT!)
#3. What makes mom sad? " Um Um Um, if, if , um, I don't know.)
#4. How does mom make you laugh? " Tickle" (giggling)
#5. What was mom as a child? "Uh, (thump thump on her head like winnie the pooh) that is a hard one, I know a few ones, but not this one."
#6. How old is your mom. "Um, I don't really know, maybe old"
#7. How Tall is your mom. (Puting her hand up to measure to her fore head) " medium"
#8. What is her favorite thing to do? " Dancing, play blocks, ponies, and um, exercise in the garage."
#9. What does your mom do when you're not around? "Um, Look for me I think."
#10. If your mom becomes famous what will it be for? " I don't know, why are you drawing the letters?"
#11. What is your mom really good at? "Cartwheels"
#12. What is your mom NOT really good at? " Not cleaning my room, grandma is, I don't even know."
#13. What does your mom do for her job? " Work and Calling"
#14. WHat is your mom's favorite food? "Toast"
#15. What makes you proud of your mom? " Playing Ponies with me."
#16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be? " On the TV?, When you be like that on the TV? YOU!"
#17. What do you and your mom do together? " Play Blocks, um Pick Flowers"
#18. How re you and your mom the same? " When I want pink shirts and pink pants, um you'll get the same and I'll be Happy we match.
#19. How are you and your mom different? " Um when I want my black shirt with polka dots and gymnastic pants and you pick pink we don't match.
#20. How do you know your mom loves you? Says I'm CUTE, and Love you"

Morgan TAGS Haley, Carter, Lizzy, Noah, Johnny, and anyone else who wants to have fun seeing how cute their kids answers would be.

TAGGED! As IS

#1 post a picture of your sink as it looks this very minute. (So embarrassing, I seriously wanted to pre- clean, but I didn't!)
#2 post a picture of your toilet. ( Not so bad- I have a phobia of not clean toilets.)
#3 post a picture of your laundry room. ( My most dreaded of the mom jobs! neverending)
#4 post a picture of the inside of your fridge. ( Just got groceries. SCORE!)
#5 Post a picture of your husband/kids and what they are doing right now. (All supposed to be sleeping-as you can see, not so much obeying. Jared play'n with his ebay store.)
#6 Show us your favorite shoes.( Shoes are my weakness- therefore you get my 5 top fav's as of this month.)
#7 Show us your favorite room in your house. ( formal living room! Super Awesome- so relaxing and definitely the coolest and always the cleanest, 2nd fav- familyroom- we LIVE in that room toys, TV, comfy couch. SAH WEET!)
#8 Show us a picture of your closet. (Super Scary- Due for a De-JUNK DI run for sure!)
#9 What is my dream vacation. (Anywhere Tropical for at least a week, with beaches and and Ocean, and maybe a built in baby sitter so I can get a little R and R w/ Jay- RAD.)
#10 Self shot as you look right now. (BUMMER it had to be As Is, I mean SERIOUSLY! Sigh........ It's 10:02 PM. But Whatever, here you go!)
I TAG Mary H., Chrystal, Becca, Stephanie, Kelsey, Anna/Justin, Kellie.

Try'n to Stay Cool

Here are just a few pictures recently taken. Most of which are our efforts of trying to stay cool. For FHE last week Jared got the hose out and sprayed down Morgan and Tyler in their clothes after our family walk. I thought they'd be sad at first, but they loved it! This was definitely Dad's idea of Fun!

HOT HOT HOT!

It is SUPER HOT these days. So me and the kids basically spend the whole afternoon either begging to go to my neighbors pool, or wading in our Kiddy pool Ghetto Style in the front yard. Hooray for water. Its our life saver in this heat!