Legos!!

John's mom recently had a birthday and chose to celebrate with a trip to Lego Land! How awesome is that. It's amazing what you can build with legos. Lego Land is great for toddlers and younger children. Ashlynn was tall enough for most the rides and she loved them. We were lucky enough to go on a slower day and most lines were about 5 minutes long. I thought it was pretty clever that while the parents waited in line, the children could be sectioned off and keep busy playing with legos until it was there turn.



There was a lot to do and Ashlynn was crazy about everything. She did lots of rides, water play, went on a boat, played with the legos, and her favorite was probably the play area with slides and climbing and little houses, but who can tell with a two year old.

The lego representations of major U.S. cities was really amazing

Pops and Grandma

Braydon met a girl and made eyes the entire boat ride

Ashlynn is a major train enthusiast, must have learned it from her Pops

(he has a giant room of trains)

ROAR!

Wild Thing

Wild thing, badumba , you make my heart sing . . . Ashlynn, although to you she may appear sweet and calm, has recently come upon a wild streak, so we decided to spend the day at the perfect place we knew she would fit right in: The Wild Animal Park. I was in middle school the last time I visited The Wild Animal Park so it seemed as new of an experience for me as the rest of the family. It is a beautiful facility; very well landscaped. Ashlynn really enjoyed the water play areas to cool down in and had a fun time running wildly after some ducks.

Ashlynn is really smart at identifying animals and their sounds-you may have noticed her growling above. We spent a good part of the day looking at animals and some of the amazing views. Ashlynn and Braydon both liked watching the gorillas walking around with leaves on their backs.

Ashlynn HATES to sit still; I believe her to be incapable, so the Park was a great release for her to run around and retire her seemingly endless amount of energy. We hope to visit again soon.

Splish splash

Ashlynn recently completed her fist swim class this spring at the YMCA. Last year she was fearless when it came to water, run right in to the ocean, so I was expecting no less this summer. I guess now that she's two she is more aware of her surroundings and the threats they can pose. So day one she was really clingy, but after assuring her I would not let her drown, she relaxed and became a very good student.

The class size was great, only six children and their parent, and the instructor was really enthusiastic and child friendly. Ashlynn really liked him and she learned a lot: kicking, arms, and blowing bubbles, and just to be more comfortable with the water again. My goal is to have her swimming solo by next summer.

Our little graduate

Chunkers

That's what I call Braydon. I love that chunky little guy. Ashlynn refers to him as Baydon, unkers, or eww. . .translation . . .Braydon, chunkers, eww. The eww started with John being disgusted with Braydons habit of spitting up, which has gotten better, but has now become one of Ashlynn's three names for her brother. The spit up's now occur significantly less often and so it is with the name, because I'm sure you all were interested.

Braydon can now roll over, a lot. He enjos sucking on his fingers and big toe, grabbing his feet, his exersaucer, baths, talking and squeeling with anyone or no one, and is just very laid back and happy.

Ashlynn's all time favorite show is the Backyardigans, and as it turns out Braydon really enjoys the show as well. They like to sit on the couch in the morning and watch the show together. Ashlynn is really into Braydon now and tries to play with him; especially during tummy time. She is a great big sister.

Recently we went up to the Laguna Mountains to show Ashlynn the snow for the first time. She loves it. Eating it and sliding down the hill on our boogy board were her favorite and she asks about the snow a lot. We didn't have the proper snow clothes but we made do with plenty of layers and some rain boots.


Ashlynn and Braydon are COMPLETE opposites and I love them both dearly, as does their Dada. Ashlynn loves to have tickling wars and be chased around the house and has her activities she does with only Dada. She is crazy about books and her flash cards. It will be exciting to see how things evolve as we all grow.

We are a Happy Family

Although our family portraits form last year are beautiful, we decided it was time for an update, recognize Braydon as part of the family. I have a wonderful friend, Shillawna, who is very talented with a camera. (http://www.shillawnaruffnerphotography.com/) We asked for an on location shoot at Seaport Village and she was happy and willing. I'm really grateful to have such an amazing friend and I am really delighted with the images she was able to capture. It was really windy but Ashlynn and Braydon both did a really great job of staying in a good mood. So lets get on with the results.

These are just a couple I like:

Ashlynn turns two

Ashlynn had her second birthday on January 14th. We celebrated with a big party that weekend and invited all of her friends, a lot including parents, so it was nice that John's parents live close by with a great backyard. There was a jumper, food, cupcakes, pinata, and the big hit was the giant room full of trains that John helped his dad build when he was younger. Don, John's dad conducted the trains and even wore the proper hat. The party turned out great and Ashlynn got a bunch of wonderful gifts.

What a blessing

On Sunday, January 3rd, Braydon received his baby blessing. John's parents and brother, as well as my parents, Grandpa, and brother were all able to come and show their support for the special event. John, my Dad, and my Grandpa were all able to participate in the blessing, and John did a wonderful job. I am very proud of him and Braydon and I am grateful for my family and my church family. I was very pleased when John blessed Braydon to be close to his family and to develop a good relationship with his sister. I also liked that he blessed him to share his talents with others.

I of course took a bunch of pictures and I was also able to get one with the four generations, from Great-Grandpa to Grandson.

Presents

For Christmas eve my parents and younger, but much bigger, brother (6 foot 7) came over and we exchanged presents. Ashlynn got a cool table to color at and hang her art, a giant coloring pad, and some washable markers. She loves to color in the book, especially with mama and dada. Braydon got the outfit he will receive his baby blessing in.

Christmas morning was great. Ashlynn loved opening her stocking to find a bunch of candy and she was too excited to open her presents. She would grab one from under the tree, bring it to dada and have him start to unwrap it and she would finish. I think she liked unwrapping more than what was under the paper. She did very well and didn't open any presents unless we told her it was okay. We got her a bunch of little things and one big thing: a doll furniture set including a stroller, crib, high chair, and car seat. She loves them. Braydon got some burp clothes.

That evening we spent with John's parents and brother. Ashlynn got a bright new tricycle, and a Winnie the pooh watch. Braydon got a Winnie the pooh swing. My favorite part was spoiling Ashlynn and seeing how happy she was. It was a great Christmas.

Just chillin

Crazy Sunday

The Sunday before Christmas we had quite a day with Ashlynn. After arriving late to church, we had to deal with her misbehaving during sacrament, nothing new, but that was nothing compared to the rest of the day. As soon as sacrament ended I mentioned to Ashlynn that it was time to go to class. I turned to get Braydon and the diaper bag and when I turned back it appeared Ashlynn had taken off. We went to nursery to see if she made it on her own but there was no sign of her. I took off one way and John the other and searched the building for her. About ten minutes in, someone found her in the bishops office and brought her to a friend. If we had to loose her somewhere, I'm glad it was at church.

Just as church was ending John heard Ashlynn screaming in the hall and saw that she had a GIANT goose-egg on her forehead, just at the hair line. She didn't cry long and it was nothing a few pieces of chocolate couldn't solve. It appears she tripped and fell, hitting her head on the door frame. Totally an Ashlynn move.

This was taken a few hours later, it was much worse at the time

Arriving home for lunch, we noticed that Ashlynn found coloring on paper during the primary rather dull and decided to spice up her shoes with a few colors, good thing they're washable crayons.

One might think that that would be enough for one day, but no. We have been running our fireplace for the last few weeks and taught Ashlynn that it was hot and not to touch the glass. She never did until that night. She didn't really cry but kept saying ow ow and flapping her hand. We gave her a bowl of cold water to rest it in . Poor kid; it would feel better and she would get up to play and then it would start to burn again. She used to bowl of water just over an hour. Her three fingers turned pink but did not blister. I don't think she'll make that mistake again.