Our Friends the Loudon's

Morgan and Drei love to get out of taking naps and be quiet while the babies sleep

Our fun puppet making day. Everyone was very excited to climb behind the couch and put on a puppet show. Malakai and Tyler's stories consisted of standing silently, but showing their puppet above the couch.

Lunch and Crafts. (Notice Tyler once again refusing to look at the camera..no surprise!)

The Gang! Brooklyn was napping.

Little puppet makers becoming the puppets.

Such cute girls! Such cute friends.
Fort making is an all time HIT! when I'm up to the mess we get a massive Fort going in the family room. This was the small scale version.
Isaac, is a soft spoken tender hearted pal, and very good at making other's feel happy.
The three amigos! Tyler and Malakai often find themselves being the 4th and 5th wheel

Drei (age 5), Isaac (age 4), and Malakai (age 2) are some of Morgan and Tyler's favorite friends. They ask to play with them DAILY! And have multiple times shared with me that they are their "best buds." Need I say more! Good freinds, good fun, good times. And that is not even mentioning what an awesome mom they have!

Brooklyn Loves Baby Dolls

There is something so sweet and adorable with babies and their babies! Both Morgan and Brooklyn are baby doll lovers. Maybe it has something to do with their mommy who is such a baby lover, I don't know. But Brooklyn gives her babies kisses all the time, and usually has to pack several of them around the house during the day. I had to try to get some of her babydoll moments on video.

Happy Spring!

This picture was so cute I had to post it. Morgan thought it was so cute because it was "our family, if we were bunnies." LOL. Spring in California is probably my favorite time of the year, because I can be outside all the time, and not get hot. Yet its warm enough to still do all the things that I love, like swim, go to the beach, and LIVE OUTSIDE! Morgan, Tyler, and Brooklyn beg to be outside constantly so having the warm weather creeping in, has been so enjoyable. And I don't know why but sunshine and being outside makes me happy!

Cousin Urban's Baby Blessing

Better late then never right? A couple of weeks ago we got to go see little cousin Urban on his blessing day. We had a nice time gathering around together at Kelsey and Jason's club house for brunch and a laid back enjoyable gathering. All the cousins had a great time chasing each other around in the back room, and playing with the pool table. Thanks to Grandpa Heberger, a lot of the time many of us got to enjoy chatting while he entertained the little monkeys. Urban had a "blow-out" right after church, so Kellie once again... was unable to take "Blessing Pictures" with her baby all cute in his tuxedo. She said he destroyed his suit, and had the poop dripping down her dress! However Urban was able to then rock his awesome gangstah white onepiece suit, and gold shoes! Which is you ask me- is more his style anyway! He is an extra cute butterball, and I fully enjoyed getting a few little loves from him.<

CONGRATULATIONS Tanner!

MUELLER PARK JR. HIGH presented second-term panther pride awards to Tanner my Brother (front row in black). This was also accompanied with a $20.00 gift certificate and major bragging rights! Go Tanner you are AWESOME! Love you buddy!

The Man Cold

Need I say more! LOL A few girls in my ward were telling me about this, and I was cracking up and had to post it for all to enjoy.

The true test is asking how many of us, resent this, complain, or deny their big "babies" when this happens. Guilty as charged. Do you view it as an opportunity to love and dote on your Man? Giving the extra little TLC they need that they can't get from anyone else because they have to be a real man in the outside world. The provider and protector, invinsible of needing or wanting love and extra attention. After almost 10 years of being married I've learned to appreciate that as silly as he may be acting in many cases, what a pleasure it is to know he wants my love and attention, and I am the lucky one to give it. When sick (which could be a combinations of real sickness, headache, "sunday sickness" as I call it, lonliness, or just burned out sick), its their way with out saying it... "I need you, take care of me"... I choose to try my hardest to view it that way so I don't laugh out loud or hurt the ego, or kill him. I find it so funny how most wives that are mothers that I know of, know exactly what this is all about and it feels sometimes rediculous that if or when I have any of those "sicknesses", I brush off, charge through, ignore, and don't even say anything about it because slowing down or laying in bed is just NOT AN OPTION as a mom. And secondly what is definitely NOT an option is anyone remotely taking care of me, doting on me, and relieving me of my duties by getting them done. Why can things not go on without me as needed, by someone filling in, while I actually rest and recover. If I do get to rest all *&$# breaks loose and things/needs go un met. Sigh.........No wonder I don't get sick that often.

A day with the Birds

Yesterday was a day I will remember, and probably a day my kids hope to forget. We got to go to a great park in Brea/Placentia that has a great big pond and dozens of birds. My sister-in-laws and I had been talking about getting together with the "cousins" for a few weeks and decided to meet at a cool park near them to feed ducks and play. Morgan, Tyler and I were all looking forward to a day away from the norm, and fun with feeding ducks, and play-time with Wyatt, Kamryn, and Johnny. Morgan kept talking and talking about feeding the ducks. Well as soon as we got there Morgan and Brooklyn were squealing with delight and excitment and RAN towards this massive gathering of ducks and birds of sorts. Kelsey and Kamryn were all ready near the birds and happy to greet us. Well after a few minutes of enjoying the little ducks eating our rice crispies all of a sudden Kelsey scampers across the lawn with a squeal saying " watch out for the DEMON GOOSE....aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh!!" She had a giggle in her voice because it was funny to be running away from a goose, but there was also real horror in her voice as well. I started cracking up laughing watching this HUGE ugly brown goose with 2 white wingmen following Kelsey and HISSING, yes HISSING at her with their tongues sticking out, which then the laughter quickly became fear for me as well. Demon goose started to chase me and nip at my toes and follow my kids, and so Morgan was petrified and started crying and Tyler just silently hid behind either Morgan or me with a death grip around my leg. I scooped Brooklyn up to protect her and tried to follow Kelsey's lead in corraling the kids on the bench, but even the bench did no good, the geese still were on the attack and would get too close for comfort with them, ready to attack and take the food from whomever they could. After about 10 minutes of battling the Demon Goose and his 2 bully buddies we decided to cut our losses and head to the playground for some perdictable fun.

Demon Goose and his #1 Wingman on the attack after Kelsey and Kamryn.

Brooklyn so excited to see birds, but then intimidated by how many there were around her.

Demon Goose and #1 Wingman on the attack again, I think they were actually after other birds, but Morgan thought they were after her.

Kamryn unsure of whether mommy's laughter is funny, or confusing, because she can tell that mommy is scared, but feeding the birds is supposed to be fun.

Kamryn sitting on the bench watching the birds. Kelsey tried ot get Kamryn to throw the bread, but Kami thought that this nicely broken up bread was her prepared snack for the outing, and she was not about to share it with birds. Such a little punkin! So cute.

Kamryn finally giving in to share her bread snack with a few birds.

All the kids huddled on the bench to be protected from the birds.

Kids throwing rice krispies at the birds more to shew them away than to feed them.

Me on the rescue of Wyatt. If you look closely you can see DEMON GOOSE on the attack at his backside. I yanked him up just in time, and put him on the bench. He was excited when he first got there, but then seeing Morgan in histeria and me yank him from the ground, he clued in real quick that this was scary and not fun. He started to melt down and actually was trembling. And so we ended the torture and finished the afternoon at the play ground for safety and what we now know to be the better happier entertainment at this park. LOL! What a day! The movie clip below is a MUST SEE! You can witness first had what was going on, and see how pshyco these geese were.

I LOVE this little boy!

This little boy is growing up. Seeing him in his little man suit yesturday before church, just melted my heart and made me have a rush of nastalgia realizing that he is getting further and further away from being my baby boy, and now my soon to be 3 year old son. Tyler is a very loving and tender little person. He is easily offended and quite tempermental, but all because of his gentle, sweet, and tender nature. He needs gentle kind coercing and great patience. When he is rushed or put into a situation with too quick of change he can be very stubborn and quite spasmatic, LOL! But if encouraged for change to be his idea, or prepared for the change ahead of time, he is so accomodating and willing to please me. He is very patient and can be easily put off for hours and hours because he happily will entertain himself and play all on his own. He has been this way from a tiny baby. I try so hard to be aware of this quality in him because it so easily can be taken advantage of. He loves to be with his best buddy Morgan, especially when she is patient and willing to not force him to do things her way. He absolutely loves babies and giving and getting affection. I hope he accepts my kisses and love a lot longer before it no longer is "acceptable" to get kisses and cuddles from mommy! I Love you my little Blue Eye'd Baby Doll!

Sweet'n Simple

Because Tyler and Morgan's Birthdays are a week apart next month, and it seemed silly to have so many gatherings and spend the $ 3 times so close together, we decided to keep Brooklyn's little birthday party sweet'n simple, and save all the company fun to be for a combined b-day later for Tyler and Morgan. Even Grandma and Grandpa had other things that kept them from being with us, so it was completely just us this time. We started out the day with a little play time in the doll house, a photo shoot for "little princess ballerinas," then making preparations for the "party" that night. The actual party began with blowing up balloons, having a balloon "sword" hitting party, then we moved into dancing and tricks, and lastly presents and cake. It lasted aproximately 30 minutes, and to my delight wore them out completely right before bed. Funny how sometimes I can get all bent out of shape not going all out for these kinds of events, or feeling inadequate or "un cool" by not puting on a production and inviting everyone I know. But its times like this that I realize when I really focus on the true "needs" of my child or kids in general, very little effort is required. A little invested attention and thought, as well as allocated special time from mommy, is all that is desired from little ones, and so easily accomodating if I give up my selfish desires and do a little better in my time management. I find it so ironic how important it may feel to me to block out an entire day for family, friends, cousins and chatting (which I do love ), but seems to be so difficult sometimes to give a full hour of one-on-one true attentive time once a day with my kids. After seeing the joy and excitement all day of Morgan and Tyler leading up to the evening of a simple and silly Birthday party for just Brooklyn and them was very fulfilling, and a great reminder of once again what is most important and true perspective. We had such a blast, and as you can see on their little faces, probably better than any all out production would have been. Likely at events like that what really happens is they fight hard and get upset in not being able to get my attention, and then left to run a muck while I talk my head off. Sound familiar to anyone else? LOL! So after all of this my point is (to myself)..... There's a time and a place , and to not get stressed or feel guilty if I can't do everything such a "First Birthday's" with fireworks and grandios offerings every time, and that its OK. My kids and Heavenly Father are not keeping tally, and don't require what others may, to accept me or love me.

Tyler trying to STEAL the present opening. He was NOT ok with not having any presents. He kept asking where his presents were. He did not understand that it was not his birthday! Birthday parties and not opening presents is very challenging for any 3 year old. Morgan went through the same thing at Tyler's 1 yr party. LOL!

Morgan too had a very hard time not getting to be the one opening or playing with the presents so she was very anxious to "help Brooklyn." Yeah right!

Brooklyn LOVED her little chickie that tweets, and we call it her "tweet tweet" and she knows exactly what we are talking about.

This little rocking horse was the Hit of the party! He "nays", sings songs, and talks. Watch the little movie and you'll see at the end she had to give this horsey her soft tender loves.

Need I say more? Cherry Chocolate cake looks more like she's eating a carcas of some kind more than cake. Kind of gross! But she loved it once she figured out what it was.

Happy Birthday little Snoogie (Brooklyn)!

My little Brooklyn, aka: "Brookie", "bookie", "snookie","snoog","snoogie","snoogers" Happy 1st Birthday!!! Brooklyn is the joy of our little family. Everyone here loves to get kisses and hugs from Brooklyn and enjoy her cute little personality. We were so curious to see who this little 3rd person to our family would be. Over this past year we have come to know that Brooklyn is a very patient, calm, pleasant and easy going personality. She is easily pasified by those she trusts, and easily self entertained. Brooklyn's favorite things are books, babies, "nummies"(food/treats), being chased by daddy or mommy crawling around, being included with Tyler and Morgan with rides on anything that moves such as bikes, scooters, or blankets. She also LOVES eating grandma crowder's ice, and visits to pa-pa crowder's lap. (And any time and love from Grandma and Grandpa Braden- miss you guys!) Brooklyn does NOT like being pestered by Tyler, being picked up and moved constantly by Morgan, Mommy on the computer, Daddy taking her from mommy, or peas and sliced cheese.

Brooklyn has had a very special bond with Daddy from day one. There was something about his warmth and tender voice, that connected her at a young age. She has had a bond with him I think closer than Morgan or Tyler as babies. Brooklyn brough so much joy to our family at a time of much stress and sadness. We were able to focus on the simple things in life and really enjoy the happiness that new babies can bring.

From day one Brooklyn has the most beautiful long eyelashes and bright eyes that glow. I Just love looking into them every day.

Daddy got the first smile, and the first smiles on camera! He just had a way to her heart, that she would give her BEST to him.

Brooklyn loves any attention and Play-time we give her. She happens to have a very silly personality, and find great pleasure and satisfaction in making her family laugh!

She loves loves loves good food, and trying little bites of anyone's food that offers. She especially likes treats!

This is a common expression of Brooklyn's, getting a "kick" out of daddy or Morgan doing something silly, and she not sure what to think of it.
You will often find Brooklyn under a table, chair, or peeking out from a cupboard to make you laugh, or make silly faces at you.
Brooklyn LOVES clothes or anything that she can put over her head. She will go out of a room to get something, and come walking in with it on her head, and looks at you like "do you see me? Aren't I funny? Giggle Giggle!" We have since learned to laugh at her when she is purposefully trying to get us to laugh.
Brooklyn is fascinated with nature and being out doors. She loves to wander around by herself outside. This is usually the only place that she can get some relief from being bothered or controlled by big brother and sister. Brooklyn is our little Angel and we love her so much! Happy Birthday sweetheart, we LOVE YOU!

(and thanks to Aunt Kelsey and Kamryn for the cute tutu/pearls idea- we had to try it out!)