Simon's Homecoming

Simon returned home August 16 from the Las Vegas West mission. We headed to D.C that weekend to see him. I was wonderful to hear all the great stories he had to share. Matt and I spent several hours with him Sunday where we were able to hear some of his experiences. That is one great guy. While he was gone Keeley prayed for him everyday with the words"please bless Simon on his mission." So in her little world it has been hard to adjust to not needing to pray for him "on his mission." It helped to see him. Both the girls took right to him.

So while we were in D.C we went to an amazing park and Grandpa planned a BBQ picnic. Then complements of Mark and Gail we all rode the train and the kids hit up the carousel. It was the highlight.


The on lookers! Grammie, Grandpa and Uncle Simon

Brinley could have played all day on the slide.

Keeley and Presley took their far share of turns as well.


Grandpa told lots of stories! Here he is with the interest of the children.

And we of course got a family picture.

It was a lot of fun especially for the kids to see the cousins. We can't wait for Christmas to add Haliee, Nate, Luke and Pete to this crazy bunch. (Kenz and Lorie were excited for you to come as well but I don't count you two as Crazies.)

Domestic Diva

Yep that's me. . . One day a year! Actually two days this year.

First day was when Karen and I canned pickles and peaches for 13 hours.
The second day was when I learned how to make peach pie from scratch. It was well worth the trouble. I ate my weight in peach pie that weekend. This is Keeley with her mini pie!

All in a Summer Day

A few chocolate chips cookies and you get a chocolate faceA few minutes in a sand box and you get sand packed hairTry and clean her up and you get a MAD wet chocolate faced, sand packed hair child.
However, Keeley faired much better in this hose bath.

Grandpa Allan and Bev

Grandpa Allan and Bev made a special stop at our house in July. It was out of there way but they willingly drove from Asheville on their vacation to see us for a couple hours. These our some of mine and Matt's favorite people. Matt wanted to name Keeley, Keeley Allan after this guy. I see some similarities, they both make great princess'. Keeley is still talking about Alan playing dress up with her.


Bev and Allan allowed me to stay with them during my internship in Southern California the Summer of 06'. Matt and I got engaged that summer and they put up with both of us that entire summer. I often think back to that time all the dinner they fed me and the help they gave us. I'm very grateful for them but more than that I'm glad they are our friends. We love you guys and thanks for stopping by.

July 4, 2011

This is truly a magnificent day when you live in a city based around a military base. The spirit of the 4th is especially strong here. We started the day with a parade in our little city. We had the entire crew out there.

Brinley and Karen Pope


Brinley and Chandelle Walker

Brinley and Daddy(apparently she was making the rounds)

Keeley and Me
Grammie and Grandpa

That evening we went to the Mackey's for their annual 4th of July party. Swimming, good food, fireworks, and great friends these are my favorite days! Andrea still hosted the party with her husband deployed. Those women with deployed husbands amaze me. Something else that has been new for us this summer. This round of deployments we have been so much closer to people who are deployed. In the past three months we have said goodbye to 2 very close friends. And the end of August we will do it again with Mike and Adam. Each time it almost brings tears to my eyes, which is saying something if you know me. We are so grateful for the sacrifices they are making for us, and the sacrifices their families make. We miss you guys and look forward to the day you will return.

Here is about half of the kids watching the fireworks that evening.

Here is the other half watching Kenny light them up.

Hilton Head Island

The beginning of June we went on a family vacation. It was short only 3 days and two nights but it was wonderful! The best one we have had. We went to Hilton Head Island and stayed right on the beach at a Hotel. The water was perfect even for the skinny ones in the family. It was hot which made playing in the pool and the ocean all day and ideal thing to do.

Many sand castles were built . . .
and lots of waves were chased.
We stayed up late and ate lots of ice cream. We even hiked to the top of a lighthouse.

I hope we get to go back next year!

5 Generations

Grandma Verna came for a visit with Grammie the end of May. we had a good time playing and even going to Monkey Joe's.


They were on a family history trip so it was only suiting that we got this picture.

May 30, 2011

Keeley is 3! And she isn't afraid to tell you. Since before Matt's birthday she has been telling us the order of birthdays. She'd say "First Daddy's birthday, then Brinley Birthday, then Mommy's Birthday, then KEELEY's." She went through about 10 party themes before she settled on Hello Kitty. I think she picked that mostly because she wanted the cake from Sams Club, which suited me just fine.
Brinley dug the cake and ice cream. She always knows that if you want sweets to find Papa Pope. He always has a spot on his lap.


We had a little family party with the Popes and we were lucky enough to have Grammie Roberts and Grandma Verna in town as well.
A little about Keeley:

Her name is Keeley, not Goose. Or at least that is what she tells everyone, poor girl we still call her Goose.

She is all princess, painted toes, and dresses. That is a learned trait she didn't inherit that from me.

She loves to sing and dance. She loves the pool.

Favorite time of the week is Monday night for Family night. She runs and jumps around the house when she realizes it is Family Night.

She weighs 27 pounds and I have no idea how tall she is but I do know she isn't at the 95% anymore she is somewhere around the 50%.

She is a momma's girl. When she wakes up from a nap sometimes Matt will be home but she will walk right past him and search for me to give a hug.

She always says to me "You're my best girl mom." "I love you mom." even when I'm mad at her which I know she is playing me but it melts me everytime.

She is a sasser. I can't believe she talks back like she does and we are working on it but my goodness that girl.

She can spell her name, count to 20 (but she skips 15), and tell you all the colors including chartreuse, which I have no idea what color that really is. She can't wait to start school.


I know this is a little off subject but I want it to be recorded because it was one of the scariest moments I have had as a parent, next to the time Brinley stopped breathing. We were at a friends birthday party. and there was a pool. Keeley had a floaty on but somehow she managed to take it off and jumped in without it. I saw her do it and quickly got to her. She drank a enough water that she was throwing up for some time. Matt was furious. That is how he reacts when he is scare. (Which I think is interesting because that is exactly how my Dad is when he is scared.) We had a long talk with her and explained she could die. A little while later everyone except a few kids were out of the pool because they were opening presents, cutting cake having dinner ect. Keeley was up and down from our table playing with her friends so it didn't occur even make me nervous that she was gone for a few minutes, which is really all the longer it was. But the next thing i know is I see Keeley soaking wet walking next to the pool. I don't know what happened or how she got out but one way or another she got into the pool without us knowing and went totally under. I about threw up myself when I saw her walking back. She was terrified and so was I. I just feel so blessed that she is okay. Since then we have done swim lessons to help her learn to swim. She is now much more afraid of the water but I'll deal with that fear when she can swim better.

Keeley Goose, I love you. I never want you to forget that. Your my bestest girl ever too and I feel so grateful that I've got you. Through thick and thin I'll always be here for you. Happy 3rd birthday. Love Mommy

Viva Las Vegas

The girls and I took advantage of a trip to Vegas to see my grandparents and parents the first week of May. We were spoiled and the girls loved every minute of it. Well so did I. I was pretty sick for most of it but it didn't stop us from doing lost of fun things.

We had a joint birthday party for me, Brinley, Keeley and Grampy. April and May are big months in our family.Keeley got a camera from Nana and Pappy.

Brinley chilln' with PappyOne day we headed to the park. I had forgotten how cool parks are on the west coast.





Nanna and Pappy took us to the RedRocks for a little hike. The girls loved it. Plus we got to check out the nature center before our hike.



Re-hydrating after the hike in the back of Nana's car.We also went to the strip one night. And mom treated me to Cirque de Soleil Viva Elvis. It was awesome! I'm still singing Elvis song three months later. I also ate the most amazing pasta that night. Thanks to Grampy and Dad for keeping the kiddos while we had a girls night out.

I didn't end up with a single picture of Nanny how did that happen? Also one day I will update this post with our travel journey to get to Vegas. Let me just say it was the 3rd worst/painful experience of my life right behind having babies.

April 28, 2011

I can't believe my baby is one. A little about Booski.
She is walking. She barely snuck under the wire on this one. She took her first real steps on April 16.

She loves to hear herself yell. Loud out burst of high pitched squeals, even during church.

She loves her tongue. I can't remember if I have said this before but when she was 2 days old Karen started calling her lizard because she always was messing with her tongue. Well, nothing has changed half of her 1 year old pics we took her tongue is aShe is daddy's girl through and through. I may be a little bit bitter about this. If he is home she is with him, that is the good part. The bad part is if he has to leave and she is awake I hear about it for hours, literally HOURS! See high pitched squeals note above.
She is tall and skinny just like her daddy and sister. She charts below.

18lb 9 ounces 14th percentile
and 29.5 inches 75th percentile.

She is signing. So far she has mastered. More. Please. Thank you. All Done. No

She doesn't like milk and drinks mostly water or juice, but she loves soda. Opps my bad!

She is a picky eater, liking mostly anything with cheese. For breakfast she will only eat carbs- muffins, doughnuts, bread ect. But when you find something she like watch out she will eat you out of it. She also loves tomatoes just like Keeley, I think that is interesting.

For her birthday we did the traditional Roberts Bear Cake. She got a white one and could have cared less as long as she could make a mess with it.





We just had a little family get together with the Popes. She was spoiled rotten and loved every second of it. Keeley had a hard time letting this be Brinley's moment and therefore did a lot of the unwrapping.



Here she is sporting the stroller her sister gave her.