Green Petal Hike

To earn their green "using resources wisely" Daisy Girl Scout petal, we took the girls on a little hike at South Mountain. Ranger Brian showed them a giant scorpian, a diamondback skin with rattles attached, and, then he took us outside where they girls smelled a creosote bush, saw a teddy bear cholla and saw petroglyphs. I think mom had more fun than anyone - except when the snake skin was out. It was a beautiful and educational morning!

One small step for Brynna, One giant leap of joy for Mommy!

We have major progress in potty training! Brynna is now able to go all day without pull-ups except at sleepy time. Mom and dad are so excited that we don't have to buy diapers anymore! Yeah!!

Jump Rope for Heart

Last week was Keelee's jump rope event at school. She had so much fun - she even added her name to the big card at school. Thank you's are in the mail!

Not like the others...

...is how you explain Brynna! At her last dance class there were four girls - three were dressed in purple and Brynna was in pink. She just has to be different! She also played the role of a siamese cat at her previous class - once again the other girls were trimmed with cheetah print and Brynna had cow trim. What are you going to do?

Happy Balentimes Day!

Hugs and kisses!
Keelee and Brynna

Crazy Days!

The first 10 days of February have been crazy for us! We've gone from one event to another plus we had a major illness - Keelee had her first 103 degree fever since her tonsils were removed almost three years ago. Hopefully the remaining 17 days are less crazy. Enjoy the pictures!!

Brynna's Adventures

Brynna and mommy at the fire station; Brynna at ballet class; and Brynna had breakfast with the stingrays at our zoo - she was terrified of them and would not leav her hand in to touch one. Mommy got a great big kiss on the hand from one! (Dad - they're cow nose rays - there were also Southern rays but I couldn't get a picture of those).

Our First Hockey Game

One of Garrett's Christmas presents was a family trip to the hockey game. This was the first game for both girls and they were in heaven. Our teamed played Minnesota - I know you're all shocked! - and we lost, of course! It was nice to see the new arena and the new shopping complexes - getting ready for Super Bowl 41 (I don't remember the proper Roman Numerals!!)

Teddy Bear Tea

Keelee and I participated in a "Mommy and Me Teddy Bear Tea" event for Girl Scouts. We decorated tea cups, learned some etiquette and had a yummy snack. Keelee was chosen to do a demonstration for about 200 girls and their moms - she was in heaven!

Happy 4th Birthday Emmett!

We hope you have a fun web-throwing day of chasing after Dr. Octopus!
Love,
Uncle Garrett, Aunt Carrie, Keelee and Brynna

We're Back!!

Here's what we've been up to -- Brynna had two more ballet classes - one in which she was the star, the second she would not perform at all. Keelee is a Girl Scout Daisy -- she memorized the Girl Scout pledge and received the first two petals for her tunic. She was so proud of herself.

Honesty

Setting #1
Brynna was playing with a loud toy in the kitchen while Garrett and I were talking. I asked her to stop, but, of course she continued. I asked her again and was ignored. Finally, I asked her "Brynna do you hear me? Please stop playing with that." To which she replied, "No, I don't hear you."

Setting #2
Brynna and I were leaving her dance class today and she saw a truck with an Oakland Raider decal on the window. To which she replied "Mommy, that's a monster." As a Denver Bronco fan I had to agree.

No Computer!

Our family computer went into melt down over the weekend - so there won't be any new pictures or news until February, probably!
Keep posted though because I'll get things up and going as soon as possible!

Our Newest Ballerina!

Brynna started a Fairy Tale Ballet class on Monday. Each week they'll learn a new dance and get to dress up. This week was music from "Sleeping Beauty" and they dressed like butterflies. Brynna was in heaven!

Ice Skating

Keelee took her first tour around the ice last week. She was terrified at first, but slowly got more comfortable. She's asked to go again so I take that as a good sign.

Happy New Year!

We wish you a year of health, wealth and happiness!
May 2007 be one of the best years ever!
Garrett, Carrie, Keelee & Brynna

Santa was good to us!

The girls were blessed, once again, this year! Brynna got her very own bike; Keelee an MP-3 player; they both received play food and play pots/pans; we finally got dad into a picture! We hope you all had a wonderful holiday.

Priorities

Amidst the frenzy of flying wrapping paper, Brynna and Rachel took a time-out for some cinnamon toast. Who ever said presents were better than food never met these two!

Let's not forget about Brynna!

Showing off daddy's new jersey - and embracing her inner love-child.

"...Four Calling Birds..."

Keelee was one of the Four Calling Birds in the kindergarden production of "The Twelve Days of Christmas." Notice the pose - she's a theatre jumkie just like Papa Oz.

Happy Christmas!!

From our house to yours - have a very Merry Christmas!
Love, Garrett, Carrie, Keelee and Brynna

Happy 6th Birthday Keelee!

Here are some highlights from Keelee's party on Saturday. The kids all decorated cut-out sugar cookies, ate pizza, broke open a Pinata and had an overall good time. She even got a vanity set from Grandma, Papa, Aunt Cris, Uncle Donkey, Allie & Rachel. Thank you everyone for the wonderful gifts. More to come tomorrow...

Winter Carnival

Friday night the girls went to a Holiday Carnival at Keelee's school. Keelee penned "letters to Santa" for herself and Brynna; the girls met the Big Red Guy (and this year neither one of them cried!); Brynna was inked with her first tattoo.

Nutcracker

On Saturday Grandma Sandie treated us to a trip to see The Nutcracker at a dinner theatre. Keelee's favorite character was the Sugar Plum Fairy - mom's favorite was the Ice Princess - amazingly both characters were portrayed by the same actress. How do they do that????? Keelee loved her blue velvet dress and spent every waking minute before the show begging to get dressed. She was more beautiful than anyone else there.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Things we are thankful for:

Keelee: "High School Musical"
Brynna: swings
Mom: Organization and creativity
Dad: A day off!

Of course we are all thankful for our family and friends. We are a very blessed foursome!

Brynna at school

Here's Brynna chowing down on snack - her favorite activity at school and here are the two of us after painting our Mommy and Me turkeys!

Run, Keelee, Run: Part Deux!

Here's Keelee running in her second Fun Run. Notice the kids in the backgroud by the fence - they were her closest competitors!

Run, Keelee, Run!

On Thursday afternoon Keelee participated in her first fun run. She started the race in the back of the pack but quickly advanced into third place. Two-thirds of the way through she just stopped running. Turns out her boob hurt so she couldn't run anymore (a.k.a. - she got a cramp just under her rib cage). She was still awarded a little foot token like all the other runners and looks forward to next weeks run.

Deja Vu

Well, we're back to another first day of school. After a horrible experience at her charter school we've moved her into the public school system. Yesterday was her first day there and she seemed to love it. Her new teacher is Ms. Boston, who appears to be very kind and caring. Hopefully this experience will be better than the last!

Diva Central

Thanks to Grandma Sandie the girls were princesses for Halloween this year. Brynna had so much fun begging for candy but she cried every time I emptied her small bucket into a larger bag. Keelee could have gone on for hours!