CRUISIN' THE CARRIBEAN

For spring break we decided to go on a cruise! 18 people total. We figured the girls are now old enough to bring...wrong. The first day they said they were ready to go home. They didnt really care for the fact that we could'nt go right back to our room to wash sand off and they hated us putting sunscreen on them every hour-especially Ava. She had a reaction to the sunscreen we brought and she had little bumps all over her little body. By the end of the trip they said they had fun and want to go again with us next year. Hmmm, maybe when they are teenagers we will give it another try.

Great weather thankfully and beautiful beaches! Not my favorite one we have been on but still had a great time! We are planning another one next year during spring break so if ANYONE wants to plan on coming along you are more than welcome to! The more the merrier!

Better Late than Never!

So...I guess I am not keeping up on my blogging as much as I had hoped. Life just gets crazy! I will be updating soon...as in within the week! As long as taxes don't take up all of my time...

Brooklyn is a Girl Scout!

My little Brooklyn is a Daisy in Girl Scouts of America! I can't believe my daughter is the one selling girl scout cookies now. I always remember as a teenager being so excited to see girl scouts out and about doing service projects and thinking how if I had a daughter that she would totally be a girl scout! The time has come! Brooklyn absolutely loves it! Ava loves being her little helper too! I LOVE MY GIRLS!!!

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

What a fun filled month on December! Ava Finally decided to get her ears pierced again. Once we got there and the lady was trying to mark her ears with a pen she started freaking out and saying "no!" but she finally warmed up to it and did it! We had to tell her they were putting sticker earrings on and it worked. The things we do! She forgave us quickly so no worries.

I was slacking on getting Christmas cards made and the day I wanted to get the pics taken the girls and Braydon all pitched a fit so I said "FORGET IT!" The next day my friend Brooke Ulrich gave me a Christmas card that was taken in her front yard with her adorable huge ornaments. I absolutely loved it! I was explaining to her my situation and she offered to take a few snapshots for us and help me do the card! SWEET! I totally took her up on the offer and went home and laid down the law and told everyone we are getting pictures taken and you put on what I tell you and your gonna like it and I dont' want to hear one word out of anyone! They listened this time and everything went smoothly. Brooke being the amazing woman she is had us come down not even an hour after getting home from Vegas, she offered to watch her friends children so they were all there on top of her own kids and as she was taking our pic. another person showes up to look at some fabric! I would have lost it but she does so well with her busy life! THANKS BROOKE FOR MAKING TIME FOR US!! :) So The Christmas card that was sent out and the picture of our family at the top was all done and decorated by her! I owe her!

Brooklyn and Ava both had dance recitals. Brooklyn just takes hip-hop and Ava does it all. They love it. It has really helped Brooklyn break out of her fear of performing in front of people.

Brooklyn turned 6 this month!! It is so hard to believe that six years ago I was in the hospital holding her in my arms! man I love that girl! I swear since she turned six she has decided she wants to act like she is twelve. I am constantly having to tell her she is not the Mom. And the funny thing is that Ava goes with it most the time. They are so dang cute together...as long as they aren't fighting!

Mamma came to town!

My mom came to visit us this past week for 8 days. I was able to have Thanksgiving with her which I haven't done in soooo long! It was fun to have her here to help me shop for Christmas and to make the traditional goodies we always had growing up. I loved that the girls and I were able to wear the aprons she got me for my birthday! They are Paula Deens! (Look her up NOW if you don't know who I am talking about). Mine said "Put some south in your mouth" and my girls' aprons said "southern cook in training". What great gifts! We fixed pinto beans and cornbread one night for dinner and Brooklyn calls that meal "North Carolina food". I also love the fact that BOTH my girls love cornbread in milk, and it ain't that sweet cornbread...its the good ol'southern cornbread! My mouth is watering right now for a big cup of it!

Halloween Spooktacular!

I love love love halloween! We went to our wards trunk-or-treat on thursday, then our friends had a Halloween party on Friday, then "real" Halloween on Saturday! Loved it! oh, and so did the girls! :)

California Love....(Tu-Pac/Dr.Dre fans are totally singing the song now)

So we took a trip to California in October and went to Sea World again since it was free. We spent a day at Coronado Beach(which I think is the best beach there). We went to the BYU game. We also decided to stay an extra day and go to Monday Night Football!! Broncos vs. Chargers. I was glad we were able to see them be 6-0...especially since it has been down hill ever since...but i won't go there. Braydons parents took the girls home with them so we were able to go! I am so thankful for them and all they do for us!!!

Here is THE update...

so here is the plan... starting in January I am going to become an amazing blogger. I am going to keep up on everything and try to keep a great record so I can use it as a journal type thing or whatever I hear that people are doing with it these days... Anyway, I will also be going private. So you have until Jan 1st to email me with your e-mail address if you want to be added. I am mostly doing this for my family back east so they can know whats going on in my crazy life but my friends are more than welcome to take a look as well! :) LaurenRJB23@yahoo.com

It's official. I have started reading the Twilight series. I borrowed the book from Nichole today. I can't wait to see if it is as good as everyone says it is... I will let ya know!

Brooklyns 1st day of school

Brooklyn went to her first day of Kindergarten today...I didn't think I would be emotional about it because it is only two extra days compared to preschool and only 15 min. longer but once I dropped her off at the "big kid school" I must asmit I struggled a little. My girls are growing up so fast and I dont want to miss a moment of it!