Yeah, I know. It's been awhile...

So my Mother informs me every once in a while that I still haven't updated my blog since June of last year. I figure since I now found my camera charger I can start blogging again. See the camera and blogging go hand in hand in my book.

So, since last June we have moved out of the home we were renting, moved in downstairs of Braydons parents house, built a house while there, and now have officially moved into our home as of the end of January. What a whirlwind since we decided to general the house ourselves...or I should say I generaled the house.(Ok so Brayd did help out some but I had to always be the bad guy). I am loving my house more and more everyday. TJMaxx has been pretty much the only store I have been buying things from to decorate my house. We really have no home decor stores here. I was so excited to drive up to IKEA this weekend just to get a change of scenery/ideas. I wish we had an IKEA here but that will NEVER happen :(. We are getting our landscaping started this week! I am super excited! Once the front yard goes in I will post some pics.

Moving on, Brooklyn is really enjoying volleyball right now. That and hip hop dance is all she wants to do. She said maybe gymnastics too. But my Ava wants to try everything! She Wants to do gymnastics, soccer, tee-ball, etc. You name it she wants to try it. Everything except learning how to ride a bike. Ugh. We can't go on family bike rides because she refuses to learn how. I don't get it. Maybe on day I suppose. Brooklyn is doing great in school. We are not so sure how she got so smart but I love that she loves to learn. Ava loves to learn too but on her own time.

For our family cruise this year we went to the southern Caribbean. Last year we took the girls and it was fun but not worth the money. They were so tired all the time and Avas skin is so sensitive that she would break out in a rash from the sunscreen we used and she hated being sandy all day... on and on. SO we had my Mom fly out and be with them for the week. I know it was a "family cruise" but sometimes you just have to leave the kiddies behind. We promised them that we will take them next year. So we flew to San Juan, Puerto Rico and left from there. First stop: St. Thomas(well we actually ferry over to St. Johns)

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We love going to Trunk Bay. It is absolutely beautiful.

Second stop: Barbados!

We did a catamaran excursion with Cool Runnings here a few years ago and loved it so much we did it again! We went snorkeling at a shipwreck, then swam with sea turtles and stingrays, then headed to a beach for the rest of the day. I loved, loved, loved this excursion. The employees are always so friendly. They serve you drinks, lunch, and snacks the whole time and even dance with ya! It;s so laid back every where we went.

Third stop: St. Lucia

Here we did the Treetop Canopy Adventure zipline. You go on 12 different ziplines through the St. Lucian jungle. It was absolutely amazing. Such a rush! We promised Brooklyn we would take her to do it next time. She was pretty upset she did'nt get to go. When we were finished there we decided to go finish the day out on a beach.

Fourth stop: St. Kitts

Not my favorite island but seeing all the monkeys in the wild there was great! I have always had a love for little monkeys. Growing up I said I would always have one as a pet when I got older. Braydon, Brad, Brooks, and Greg decided to scour the island till they found the only boogie board for sale on the island. $15...not a bad deal! Well they were basically warned to not go to that particular beach because the tide is so strong. Needless to say that just made them more excited to go. They had a blast! And we were all greatful we left St. Kitts with our whole party.

Fifth stop: St. Maartin(Anguilla)

We have never been to St. Maartin before but me being a watcher of "The Bachelor" watched Brad jump from a cliff in Anguilla and just thought that beach they were at was SWEET!So Brayd decided to do some homework and found out that there is a ferry that goes from St. Maartin over to Anguilla. Jackpot! We were able to find the exact cove he was at. It wasnt the easiest to get down to but it was SO worth it. Pictures just dont do this place (or any place we went) any justice. It is truely breathtaking. It was worth the trip over there. We cliff jumped and just played on the beach all day.

Back to Puerto Rico where we first docked. We were able to stay the night there which was really fun. We got to walk around and visit shops and historical sights.

This was probably the best cruise yet! Lots of fun stuff everyday. Whoever want to come with us next year you are welcome to come along!!!!

DANCE! DANCE!

My little dancers! They recently had their end-of-year recitals and they were so dang cute! They want to sign up for gymnastics this fall....I am not sure if dancing is going to be their passion but they sure were good at it!

"Where did your front teeth go Brooklyn?"

So Brooklyn lost both of her front teeth back in March! She was scared to death to pull them out or even to wiggle them so she gave me permission to pull them out while she slept! She is so proud to have those teeth gone. Since she is quit petite for her age people are constantly surprised to see her two front teeth gone. Maybe its early, I am not sure but all I know is she is SO DANG CUTE!

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!!!