DENVER WEEKEND

Over Memorial day we packed up one of our four kids and flew to Denver to see the other three. We arrived really early Saturday and left really late on Monday. We did so many activities and had so much fun in just the three days we were there.

Saturday we started by going to Drew's age 4-6  basketball game, possibly one of the cutest things I have ever seen. I forgot how young kids start. It was more magnet ball than actual passing but Drew dribbled really well, we were impressed! Next we brought Sawyer to a Harry Potter birthday party (hence the lightening bolt on his forehead for the entire weekend). We got lunch and Brielle and I got our nails done because we are fancy. After going out for frozen yogurt we headed back to the hotel/apartment place we rented for the weekend and hit the pool, watched TV and ordered tons of Dominos. It was a very healthy start to the weekend.

^^sawyer potter proudly showing his gear

^^ love this family shot with everyone smiling! 

Sunday we started the morning going to church. After we went to this fancy mexican restaurant and waited for about an hour, not so fun with four kids. This is the first time we have traveled with four littles its so fun but also exhausting. I was ready for bed around 8PM each night. Sunday night we did some more swimming, Brielle and I worked out in the gym and then we played a bunch of games at the apartment. We needed to rest up for the stacked line up on Monday.

^^group pictures with four kids

^^trying to model? 

^^displaying brielle's fury with b's mini furby

^^one of my favorites. they all wanted to go into b's crib

Monday was such a blast! We started off the morning with our tradition of donuts. Rob claims this is for the kids but he secretly loves donuts maybe even more than them. We checked out of the apartment and headed north to downtown Denver. Rob served his mission in this area so we got a tour and he pointed out different places where things happened. It was really fun to be able to hear all his stories and go back in time like that with him. Our first stop was Hammond's Candy, the oldest candy making factory in Denver. We got to watch movies about how candy was made in the 1920s, get a tour of the factory, free samples and of course we bought a whole bunch to eat at the end. Next we headed to Casa Bonita an insane Mexican restaurant/arcade/waterfall divers show/live theater/puppet show/Disney world. This was one of Rob's favorite places to go as a missionary and it was hilarious. Brooklyn was a frightened by the gorilla that ran around to all the tables but other than that it was all smiles and laughs. Anyone who has kids in this area you can stay for hours and be entertained. We finished off the day with another kid's favorite bowling.  

^^during the tour, the hats were too cute 

^^waiting to go into case bonita, not even knowing what was in store

^^notice the huge gorilla next to her

^^such a sweet candid 

^^brooklyn giving the #1 sign!

We had such a fun weekend with all the kids. I love spending time with these three little ones and especially watching them interact with Brooklyn. Each of the kids have their own special bond with her, its so sweet. We see them next to go to Disneyland for April school vacation, we can't wait! 

DADA

Brooklyn said her first word: DADA! I have been saying mama to her for the last approximately six months and three weeks (the full duration of her life) but at long last she choose to speak dada first. She said it to me and then I called Rob and she deliberately looked at him and said it a few more times. We are so happy she is finally saying a little something. Rob is even happier she chose to say his name first. I think Brooklyn is officially a daddy's girl. 

TV IS BAD FOR LITTLE BRAINS

First let me start by saying Rob and I get the biggest kick out of Brooklyn watching TV. She sits in front of the screen mesmerized, especially by sports games with fast action. We actually thought she was a sports lover until recently we did a little research and found out TV is very bad for little brains. We read several different articles, like this one that says babies under two should not be watching any TV. Children under two cannot understand what is being said or retain the information. This means those educational shows and movies aren't good either. While babies are watching TV they are not talking with parents or using their own imagination to play with toys. Young TV watching has been linked to sleep problems, obesity, impaired concentration and speech delays. Another article even said because babies cannot differentiate between real life and the TV screen the TV can make them uncertain and insecure about their entire existence! Scary stuff, especially because our nanny was keeping the TV on for several hours a day for Brooklyn to learn, watch or keep occupied while she is doing other tasks. To all the mamas reading, shut those TVs off! 

oh, and have a Happy Valentines day! <3

LIFE'S A BEACH

A few weeks ago in the very middle of the coldest month of the year, we decided to take a drive to Carmel-by-the-Sea. My friend Janae and I bundled up the littles for a day of fun on the beach. San Jose was a little overcast and chilly so we bundled up expecting much colder weather on the ocean. To our delight it was a picturesque 70 degree and sunny day. Carmel-by-the-Sea is as stunning as its nickname "California's Jewel City." This is the cutest little town with fancy restaurants, shops, spas and art galleries, a place the rich and famous call home. I actually lived down here for just two months when I first moved to California, not realizing it was too far to work in San Jose. This place definitely holds a special place in my heart and I hope to bring our family here for many summers (and winters) to come!

^^a slice of heaven here on earth

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, HUSBAND

Nothing can compare to being married, nothing. Every day I get to wake up next to this amazing man I call my husband. We share a home, a daughter and the most important love. It sounds cheesy but words truly cannot describe how I feel about him. This past year has easily been the best of my life. So many new things happened during this crazy, exciting first year of marriage. We lived in our first apartment together, then bought our first home together, we had our first baby together, we made lots of new couple friends together, we traveled to Boston, Las Vegas, New York, Orlando, St Thomas, St Martin, the Bahamas, and Scottsdale together, we blended our families together, we accomplished things together and made future plans together. Through mostly ups and just a few downs we have done and been together. I know we will be together for the rest of this life and into the next. I could not have chosen a more perfect partner and companion. You make me a very happy girl, my dear husband and for that I love you so so very much! 

SHE STANDS!

 

Little baby Brooklyn isn't so little anymore. This girl of many talents has added another to the roster: standing! She can't pull her self up yet but she can hold on to something if she is placed there. I usually take her down after 30 seconds because I'm not sure if it is good to stand for a long time. My mom told me if babies stand too young they can mess up their legs. I don't know if this is true or not but it makes sense she shouldn't be standing until she can get into that position on her own. I clap and say "yay, good job!" she gets the biggest smile on her face and is so proud. She really loves to be cheered on by a crowd of people, perhaps some type of preforming is in her future? 

SUPERBOWL DEFEAT

The Superbowl this year was a pretty big bummer. The last two years have been nothing but heartbreak for me. Last year my dear Patriots lost and now my step child team, the 49ers let me down again. Thankfully I always have the half time show and delicious football food. We celebrated with some of our closest friends at my house. I'm pretty sure our house is officially becoming the "party house." Janae got matching 49ers outfits for Brooke and Brooklyn, too cute! I'm pretty impressed with my husband for setting up a legit stadium with two TVs so everyone could have the {perfect view}. He is a pretty intense 49ers fan if you can't tell. I can't believe I didn't snap any pictures of the amazing food but I got some desserts. My very favorite part of the super bowl was Beyonce's half time show with Destiny's Child, brought back major high school memories. Please reunite.