BrOOke, DuStiN, miNiE, & pOpPY

do you see what i see?

2012-01-04T22:56:00.002-07:00

that's correct.

this is an update. well.. more like a catch up if we are feeling technical. whatevs.

but don't you go jumping that gun and be impressed. because alas...we starting back at thanksgiving.

gross. i know. and truly i am nearly bursting trying to withhold all the info i've been keeping from the general public. i know you've all been dying for some updates. but alas, this blog also serves as my only journal.. so i feel i gots to be keeping it real.

but in the nearish future just be prepared for a gender reveal (official of course), baby name options, family, christmas, AND a move. woot, woot!

but back to thanksgiving. this year was exceptional. we kept it small, and by that i mean my parents only hosted immediate family. this has NEVER been the case. turns out... we aren't so small anymore. there were 24 of us total and that wasn't even everyone. we're all taking that whole multiply and replenish thing seriously. what can you do?

highlights of the day in no particular order were:

dustin's turkey,

sleeping in,

some serious sister time,

my mother's craft table for the kids,

paige's gender reveal,

and just the over all family togetherness.

i'm related to some immensely wonderful people. my own little family not excluded. 2011 has come and gone... and it brought so much to be thankful for.

happy thanksgiving!!

my birthday girl

2011-11-09T22:40:00.002-07:00

happy birthday my poppy louise.
you've changed me. every morning you make everything seem a little brighter. i could have
never possibly imagined you.. ever. there is no other person who even comes close. i adore you.
you make me cry, you make me laugh, you make excited, and make me scared. you love soo deeply and can cry (still) so loud. you say funny things, and are way too smart for such a little girl. on any given day i can have this amazing moment with you. life will be crazy, i will be rushing, you will be so naughty. incessantly you will yell, "mom, mom, MOM!!" finally i answer... "yes, poppy?" and all you say is " i love you". how can i ever end a day unhappy with that? you randomly give anyone you love a kiss, just out of the blue when we might pass your way. sometimes you get a leg, sometimes a hand, sometimes a dog ear. you can't help it. you are just one big, big, BIG ball of everything. it can't be helped. you simply will always be the most contagious part of it all.

my darling baby... you will always be mine. you will always be adored.
we simply cannot imagine a life with out a shred of you.
i love you forever.

happy third birthday.

xo,

mama

northern california, single mom, AUNT paige

2011-11-06T21:29:00.001-07:00

i've been working a bit lately.

i know my blog doesn't attest to such fact, but i have.

i should have saved my money for christmas, or perhaps a little something towards a new house.

but i love my sister. i miss seeing her. my girls needed to see her, and for reasons no one understands HAD to go to china town.

i went ahead and flew us all too windsor, CA so we could do such.

it was maybe a bit crazy. did i mention dustin was away on business so i flew this ship solo?

who me thinks i am flying single parent style with two small children and being 4 months pregnant?? i really had no business doing such. i think people looked at me on the plane and cringed. they probably had full rights to as well. it didn't really go so smoothly. what in the life of toddlers does?

ahh well... it was worth it.

we had a beach day,

morning strolls to the park,

not a lot of napping,

lazy mornings,

and we even got crazy and spent a day in the city.

all in all it felt like a small victory for me and myself. the good news is, just as i almost have this whole two children bit under control i am just going to go ahead and throw one more to the mix.

whoops...

photo taking was spent mostly on our big outings.

so our trip may seem a tad more enchanting than reality.

that's what blogging is all about,

right?

paige,

thank you for the semi stay-cation. it was just what we needed.

halloweenie 2011

2011-10-31T23:34:00.001-06:00

jigga what?

that's right. i am posting about Halloween ON Halloween.

i give you full permission to be impressed.

it's impressive.

this year's festivites were as usual, as smash hit and we are all happy and satisfied to see this holiday out the back door.

woooheee!
this 31st was a busy one. it started early and ended way too late. littered with zero naps.

offensive.

however.. these toostie pies of mine truly do keep getting cuter.
sure... there is a lot more empty threats, and senseless arguing amongst us. but definitely more fun too.

what can i say? i'll keep em'.

preschool and halloween just mix.
they make sense.
this was my first official year as room mom as well.
t'was perhaps the last?
probably not... :(...
:)

she be me number one swashbuckler.
crazy bird.

don't you be fretting one bit.

we all played the pirate role at our trunk-or-treat. have you seen Disney Jr. lately?

do you know jake and his crew?

well the Neverland pirates are a big deal at this house.

don't be hatin'.

numero 2.
shame.
she's not very cute.
what can we say?

it was perfect weather for some trick-or-treat.
one would never guess snow is due tomorrow.

and if you've seen a cuter pirate crew lately.. let me know.
i will beg to differ.

so there it be.
let november come.
we're ready.

a little bit of blog

2011-10-30T13:55:00.002-06:00

where to begin?

i am pretty much 10 minutes late in general. in life.

somewhere between August and now things have time warped as well as moved by at a snails pace.

it's really all one big oxymoron.

*sigh*....

i just feel explaining would be dull.

BUT... good news,

i'm still pregnant :)

things are looking good and if luck finds me right we may just be able to find out what nugbum's gender is a couple of weeks.

woot, woot hoorah!

halloween has been in full action alllll fall long. my girls eat, sleep, pray, love this holiday.

they actually can't really decide if they love it or hate it... but they still feel they should

participate fully until the final verdict is in.

i had a mother moment of the year last night and let them watch

"Thriller" . i just have good memories concerning that really.

however... turns out it is indeed truly down right frightening. i mean for real.. it is.

they my be scarred for life.. and slept about 2 hours total last night.

good times.

GREAT MOM.

dustin and i have been feeling quite festive ourselves and even threw an adult halloween murder mystery.

who do i think i am??

it really was quite fun...

we have some pretty coolio neighbors and friends so duh... how could it go any other way?

i promise it felt much cooler being there. i need to remind myself to have someone else be

in charge of photo documenting when i am hosting as well.

these photos are so lame.

you'll get the gist of it.

"The Psycho Circus"

our very own Big Top.
this was Dustin's brain child.
who knew?

Your hosts
Bob the Barker and Serpentine snake charmer.
mmm hhmmm..

Leo the Lion tamer and Barbara the bearded lady
i told you. our friends are hilarious.

Tommy and Tuppence Twist

Claire Voyante and Samson Strong man.
trevan.... tears.

Mack M. Laffe the clown and Harriette the horsewoman

and on a closing note...
trevan, one more time.
yes.. those are kennan's gladiator sandals.
he is naturally a sensible size 8.
precious.

i plan to keep this whole blogging bit up.
so listen up you 3 readers...
STAY TUNED!

mcNugget

2011-10-02T22:23:00.000-06:00

can you handle it?

this little poop is growing in my already seemingly large belly.

come again?

that's right. come April 2012 we will be jackson party of 5.

i will have three children. slap me.. that feels like a lot.

is it craazy that i already looove, love this baby?

boy, girl, hermaphrodite, it is meant to be mine. some how each pregnancy is sweeter and sweeter.

i know what it's like on the other end...

it's pretty awe some.

literllay.

we are approaching the second trimester very quickly..

so here is our ~~big~~ little secret!

stick baby.

11 weeks in and we already know we need you.

oh.. in case you didn't catch that.

i'm pregnant.

:) :) :)

good times

2011-09-24T22:23:00.000-06:00

now you may think of September and think school,

fall leaves,

crisp apples,

and cooler weather.

all good things.

but here at the Jackson joint our close of summer is never complete until the fair.

oh the state fair...

everything that is wrong and severely frowned upon within society presents itself in one gloriously disgusting stretch of land in the wrong part of town.

how could we not attend?

last week we grabbed our favorite groupies (da Gregs) and made our way to the Fair.

after this greeted us upon entrance we thought not much else could top.

deep fried butter? hmm...

we were proven wrong.

so, so wrong.

about 12 steps up we came across this.

take a better look. yes. right there at the 3 by 2ft plywood box.

there awaited you"little linda".

she was for real. while our celebrities were writing gut wrenching hits about the disaster in Haiti,

our fellow Fair friends were snatching up refugee little people and forcing them to a life human exploitation. it's wrong.
despicable maybe..

we were the first in line to see her.

uh oh...

it was every bit as disturbing as it looks, sounds, and feels.

i'm so ashamed.
but maybe the best dollar spent in while??

luckily a trip on the ponies and a fair themed photo-op brought us to a safer more comfortable state of mind.
phew.

and then the night ended just right,

kennan and dusin took the ride of their lives on the mechanical bull.

oh yes.

fall can now come.

first day

2011-09-11T20:47:00.004-06:00

well finally...
school days have come!

minie's preschool doesn't start till about 1-2 weeks after
school begins for the rest of the functioning world and those couple of weeks are always
the final nail in the coffin.
do you appreciate how i have only experienced one semi-school year to date
yet i talk like a seasoned vet?
me too.

my name is brooke,
and i am more than happy to see my daughter leave for school.
some parents cry..
i silently cheer.
what does this depict of myself? probably if i wanted to do a little soul searching,
the results may not be in my favor.
but let's be honest.
school is a happy place in the jackson family.

and really, i can't be the only one to blame. minie lives for her school days.
i feel like it should be a good thing. i know one day the tables will turn,
so until then let's enjoy it... right?
maybe kindergarten will tug a little more..
it doesn't seem likely.

but always and forever i love this mello- dramatic tootse
after all, she is quite cute.

here is to day 1...
RAH, RAH!!
and the beautiful 170 to come.

babies mine

2011-08-25T21:33:00.003-06:00

sometimes i take pictures of my babies and then forget all about them
i never feel satisfied with my shoots when i'm finished with them. being mom and the one behind the camera can sometimes be tricky.
i'm so glad i gave this shoot one more look through...

never have i loved these girls more.

they are my everything.

your so lame

2011-08-15T22:40:00.005-06:00

this is how we are all feeling about me right now. it's been how long since i last posted? offensive.
i'd like to give you excuses like our fabulous weekend get-away to Chicago, or the weekend i spent in Sun Valley for "work".. but really, they would be just that.. excuses.
*sigh....*
no. never mind.
i'm giving those as reasons. they sound legitimate, right?
har, har, har...
i really don't have much to update. my girls are still pretty damn cute,
we still live in industrial Murray, Ut.
the dogs still drive us a little zaney,
money still always feels tight,
dustin still works,
i still take photos,
be the mom,
and well, apparently travel a bit.

just life.
i want to cry just a little bit that summer is on it's last leg. it has FLOWN by.
but am i horrible to also be counting down the days for school to begin?
minie needs a good schedule in her life.. i need a good schedule in my life.
either way you crack it,
come September 1st we will all be a tad bit happier.

soo... all i have for you photo-wise are a few shots of our fabulash weekend in Chi town.
i love when dustin's business trips find me in company.
:)

enjoy your last weeks of summer.
we'll all miss them.

xo,
brooke

bear lake on an iphone

2011-07-29T19:16:00.008-06:00

like most of these summer weekends,
we spent our pioneer day in Bear Lake.
somehow i never can find the energy to do much other than sit around and eat
so these are all the more of the festivities documented.
i'm finding my phone camera more and more convenient every day.

Caribbean of the rockies,
raspberry shakes,
evening fire pits,
wave running beach days,
lots and lots of good food.

our 24th wasn't half bad.

if you get on our good side,
we might even invite you to come next time.
just saying...

all of my love

2011-07-21T00:21:00.006-06:00

i can't sleep. i've been tossing and turning in bed tonight with a million thoughts racing around. like usual i try find my grounding. i look over to dustin normally and he focuses me. i feel safe and secure, and loved and within moments my racing mind quiets and i drift off to sleep. but tonight he had poppy curled up next to him. and while all my other racing thoughts came still, my heart honestly lept with this over-powering all encompassing love. a love i don't completely understand even myself, but wtiness every day. how am i so lucky to have these individual souls to all love? how did i create two of them ? and how do they all love me so deeply in return? my heart literally is so full of love for every being that is our family.
but how do i show this? how do put into action what i actually feel?

tonight we took the kids to an outdoor mall close-ish to our home. they have a pretty impressive water feature/pop-jet something or other going on. and it felt like a splendid summerish family activity so off we were.
upon arrival to the water both my girls were a little stand-offish and sat with excited eyes on the side lines. both sort of toed the edge, and then would scramble back to me shrieking with both laughter and fear. after a few minutes of this however, my always dare devil poppy, ran straight to the middle of the fountain straddled the largest jet, and let out the most contagious and adorable squeal of delight and fear. i literally laughed out loud, and physically felt so in love with the little-big phenomena she is. she just is so much. and i loooove her so much. she completely has me whooped. it felt so good to see her that happy.
but somehow coexisting with all of this love and pride for poppy is a different love i have for minie. i have an appreciation of her apprehension of the cold water and new sitaution. but also a sadness that she isn't out there giggling and being silly along side her sister. i feel guilty then also that i find so much joy in watching poppy be so happy, that i'd almost forgotten that minie was still standing scared on the sidelines.
so then i leave my happy poppy to hold my minie's unsure hand to tell her she doesn't need to be afraid. i show her she can still have own kind of fun by dodging the exploding water instead of just taking it full on, and now she's finally squealing in delight right along side her sister.

i sat back and felt so much love for my family.i am so blessed. but i also felt guilt. guilt because i know i can't be everything i know they both really need... and need from me.
phew... it's exhausting isn't it?
the whole parenting thing ....how can i show my children just how all encompassing my love for them was, IS, and will always be. they are my hear, and there is no limit that this love of mine can't reach. they are my everything,

to my own mother and father. thank you, thank you, thank you. i have always felt your love and how deep it really ran. and i am sorry for the moments that i forget it. i love you mom. i love you dad. thank you.

this is risky business this parenting thing. i have no idea what is in-store for our future.. but i do know there will always be our love. messed up, confusing, over-whelming amounts of love.
things are going to be okay.
right???

minie and poppy,
please know that i never, ever, EVER will stop loving every crazy, neurotic, silly ounce of you. you are mine and your father's everything. we love you. i LOVE you. with. all. my. heart.

xoxo,
mama

*note to reader
it is 1:20 AM. this is just my muddle brain trying to make sense of my crazy thoughts.
i just want to fall asleep.
if this all sounds like gibberish ... it is :)

goodnight

the jorth of fuly

2011-07-17T14:13:00.005-06:00

hardly is there ever a better summer day than the 4th of july. truly.
i love that all us original williams kids congregate back to our parents. i love that we all sleep over and revert back to being the kids ourselves. and that my Mon doesn't even skip a beat treating us as such. i also love how we make our husbands decorate bikes in the middle of the night for the morning parade (and they do it. happily). i love the food, sidewinder falls, and spending all day doing absolutely nothing with family and friends.
our jorth was a pretty dang perfect day.
how about yours?

this year we tried to be extra creative and finally make my dad's dream come true.
he thinks he is hillarious and claims there are far too many of us to remember. therefore, we are all assigned a number. i was the 5th child born into my family so i am number 5. that makes dustin number 50 and our girls 51 and 52. make sense? not really? i know... he's weird.
but that is what this is. the numbered grandchildren.
poppy was supposed to be in this...

but instead was doing this.
she is not much of a morning person.

4th of julyers waiting for breakfast.

poppy girl,you were very loud this morning.
weird.
:)

there's my happy girl!

and robyn had mad skillz.
jump while i have my camera out. i dare you.
i love me some jumping shots.

i didn't take a single picture of a firework or anything terribly festive actually.
almost offensive....
but your feeling the love, right?

hope your summer holidaying about is stupendous.

xo,
brooke

turning 4

2011-07-17T13:17:00.002-06:00

about a month ago i decided i wasn't going to do a big hoopla for minie's birthday this year. after all is said done, does she really care? simple answer, NO.
give her friends, give her presents, give her a candle to blow out.
seemed easy.
well, hell. i thought so too.
but
THIS blog was introduced to me and then all my plans of simplicity went flying out the window.
i mean honestly... i may have a problem.
i tried to reel it in, so the following is what was produced.
over all.. it was fantastic.
and surprisingly stress-free.

she is worth making a fuss about. really, she is.

me and my girls. i don't make an appearance much on my own blog. but robyn had my camera this day and she got these.
i love these stinks.

pin the dot on the ladybug

and a very sad attempt at a three-legged race.

minie was hysterical.
sometimes it's just hard being the birthday girl.

but a candle lit mud pie made it all better.

oh la la... and her too.
shhh...
so hot right now.

minie's actual birthday fell on a Sunday so it was pretty low key. balloons and streamers to greet her... and then it was off to church.

she finally got her rapunzie gown, and was 100% thrilled to put it on immediately.
disney runs our life.

nannie's famous neapolitan cake was the perfect cap to the perfect birthday weekend.

minie.. you are the cutest 4 year old around.
we love you

dancette

2011-07-12T20:41:00.009-06:00

well one month later and i am finally updating about sister girl's second dance recital.
at least its happening.
however, she is yummy.. isn't she? i hate to toot her horn, but she is pretty dang good at this whole dance business. and that is pretty shocking seeing that i was the world's most uncoordinated child. ever. dustin wasn't so coordo either. it's also shocking, because miss moo was the world's slowest developer. she didn't roll until she was 9 months, crawl until 12 months, and walk until she was nearly 18 months old. there was nothing ever truly wrong with her, her doctor always just told us "she may just not be so coordinated." well, well, well... look at her now.
she was the cutest little lion on the block ( i know.. her costume was not translating lion. but that's what she is supposed to be) and looking at these pictures makes me want to bite her.

poppy's heart was broken she couldn't join her sister in costume, and she let her pain be know.
so out of character for her
:)

minie moo, you do us proud.
xoxo!

swimmers

2011-07-11T09:12:00.002-06:00

so it is high time these little ladies learned how to swim. we've been challenging the pool for years and well frankly, we were ALL tired of having someone near drown every day.
so like good little mama's kennan and i signed the kids up for private swim lessons.
we were playing hard ball this year.
swim or die.
for 2 weeks every day we would be found spending our mornings with miss arianne.
she is awesome. anyone who can spend 5+ hours in the pool with the 8 and under crowd deserves my complete respect. she rocked it.
i would love to tell you my kids are pros at this point... but maybe not so much.
however, we are this____ close to getting it. i've signed them up for one more session starting next week. i feel like the second time could be the charm?

regardless,

who can deny seeing this amazing every time?

and quite possibly the best thing to come from it all???

well duh...
this is what her toosh looks like 98% of the lesson.

worth it.

the first of many

2011-07-10T23:04:00.004-06:00

are you ready?
hide yo wife, hide yo kids
because thangs are going to be getting crazy round these parts.
update summer 2011 is on it's way, and i'm expecting soo many comments.
paalease. my blog is so hot right now.

so just consider this a little teaser.
festive summer photos for a festive time of year.

:)

and no. you can't have them.
they're mine.
(minus ezzie of course. but i'll take him.)

my girl

2011-07-03T01:42:00.004-06:00

this day four years ago i could have never expected you. the amazing, wonderful, silly-crazy you. i sat in labor that hot july day and foolishly thought i knew what this was all about.. what you were all about. i labored for 20 hours, and pushed for over two. i was beyond exhausted and so ready to give up. your heart rate was racing and the doctor told me i had to push harder. i found strength i never knew i had.. and then you were there. you were pink the moment you entered this world. you took a minute to cry, and when you finally did i was undone. my life changed forever in that moment. you gave me meaning, you gave me purpose, and mostly you gave me joy. times aren't always smooth. you also know how to give me grief.. but at the end of every day all i can ever think of is the pink, happy, beautiful you. my minie christine, you are forever and ever my heart. i love you baby girl. happy birthday.

xo
mama

your father's day.

2011-06-19T09:27:00.002-06:00

can it really be that this is the 4th time we get to celebrate this day?
time is flying and a lot of "just things" in my life seem uncertain.
but never you.
you are my constant.
you are my husband,
my best friend,
and our girls FATHER.
forever.

they are so lucky.
they love you...
I L O V E you.
happy father's day

xoxo,
wipe

sleeping beauties

2011-06-10T15:41:00.003-06:00

how lucky we are when our Santa Clara surf girl wants to spend the night with us.
we adore every last second of gwynnie.
and i couldn't help but document these girlies.

beautiful.

the graduate

2011-06-09T23:12:00.002-06:00

no, no..
this is not a post about you favorite Dustin Hoffman 1960's box office hit.
no... a certain little red head had her first ever graduation.
i too do not understand why completing her first of two years of preschool merits a commencement... but any reason to celebrate this miss feels right. so i was on board.

and yes.. she is scrumptious. i grew her that way.

mins and her one and only miss karen.
she loved this lady, and we are sad to say goodbye.

a "tootie ta"...
did your preschooler do this too?
i sort of love it. it's a fan favorite at our house.

this is beckam.
minie's very first crush.
she loved those baby blues.. and i can't say i blame her. he is a looker.
and totally kewl. look at all of his bracelets.

baby girl #1-
i love, love, LOVE miss miniscule you.
you do me proud.
CONGRATS!

happy 60

2011-06-05T10:12:00.000-06:00

you are one crazy man.
thank you for always making life funny, loving, and sometimes a little abrasive.
that combo shouldn't work.. but somehow you pull it off smashing.

i love you daddy.
happy birthday

so the world didn't end after all.

2011-05-21T21:36:00.003-06:00

instead we spent our doomsday roasting marshmallows

under a beautiful Bear Lake landscape.

what a relief.

i'd like to hang around just a little bit longer.

for sale (maybe)

2011-05-09T17:29:00.003-06:00

a little bit i'm serious.
*sigh*
she may be the death of me.
what, with her sneaking out in only a diaper and rain boots in the 40 degree weather. bringing the barking dogs along side her...
and her 35 minute tantrums in the grocery store.
or her gigantic juice spill in my bed.
or the countless messy diapers she removes herself and hides in various nooks and corners of the house.
she likes to pour any and all drink over the dogs.. sometimes children smaller than her as well.
another favorite is coloring on the couch,
OR climbing up on her changing table and ripping her shelf and all of its contents off the wall.
phew...

for mother's day my Mom gifted me a gratitude journal with the encouragement of writing in it daily of one thing i am grateful for. hmm... i know that list is long. but somehow all that sticks out right now are this crazy girl's antics.

as of today... my personal favorite?

meet my new iphone 4.
she's only 8 weeks old.
poor little lass.
thank you poppy.

despite the fight to nap or sleep ever... or the bickering, and the ALL DAY stubbornness.
i love you.
i truly, honestly do.
you are sometimes quite the naughty pet.

but i suppose i wouldn't have you any other way.
xo
mama

all hopped up on crazy

2011-04-24T23:48:00.000-06:00

wow.
are you impressed? i am actually updating the blog within 24 hours of a holiday happening.
this feels like a large step for all of us. i feel strangely proud.
...

Easter 2011 : perfection.
this past week was Minie's first ever spring break and i just didn't feel like we could do nothing. add that to a holiday weekend.. well something had to be done.
we obviously did the only thing to do when you live in northern Utah in the spring;
we headed to Dixie.

we spent 5 days basking in the glorious 80 degree St.George weather. i got to hang out with my sister, and the baby girl's got their annual yard playing time in. did you forget we live in a town home?? well, we do and i mostly hate it. but now we are just beyond the point.
the girls and i ditched dustin at home in the rainy salt lake weather and headed down south Tuesday afternoon... i was supposed to come home Friday night to spend the holiday weekend with my peeps here, but did i mention the 80 degree sunshine weather there? i did. well then, let me also add that my girls were blissfully enjoying some St.George cousin time and did not (would not) want to leave either. i couldn't deny them. it was settled. despite many grumbles from the family up north, dustin was to take the Shuttle from SLC to St.George friday after work, and we spent our Easter weekend with the Lamoreaux's...in 80 degree weather. i just really feel like i cannot reiterate that point enough.
:)

so we dyed our eggs...
which was crazy and messy.. and surprisingly speedy.

and Easter baskets were demolished.
sully didn't really do much damage.. but he was very excited about his sucker.

all this little lady ate today was candy.
no really. that is all she ate.
she also puked in her crib about an hour ago.
surprise!

pretty Easter ladies

my children could only find eggs that were dropped in plain sight...
so our egg hunt wasn't actually much of a hunt, but more of an egg gathering.
robyn told her older children they weren't allowed to touch any eggs close the ground. so about 95% of them.
they probably love having us for holidays.

see.... plain sight.
also
i took probably 60 pictures and not a one of them revealed minie's face in solo.
but her curls look good, right?

these boys are my favorite.
although it may be time for Robyn to invest in some new big boy baskets.
just saying...

this dude isn't so bad either.

the whole group in very true form.
Happy Easter.

we arrived home to rain, gray skies, and snow capped mountains.
hmph.
i guess it's back to reality. but thanks to a very warm, relaxing spring break in Dixie,
i think i can handle it.

xo,
brooke

magical

2011-04-13T23:30:00.002-06:00

in any other circumstance i would cringe at waiting in line for over 8 hours a day.
unruly children and over bearing parents in a gaggle would drive me insane.
no schedule... cotton candy, popcorn, churros, silly and noisy toys.
nope. not gonna do it.

how about the late nights? and the all the walking and rushing. and the crazies every where with silly characters.. whooeee!
honestly, doesn't that all sound like a disaster?
probably...
but somehow Disneyland makes that all okay.

i was the first one in line, and the last one in bed.
i was almost just as excited to meet Rapunzel, and i felt like all the Disney die hard were kindred spirits.
it is probably the magic.. because really,
Disneyland is magic

what, when this is awaiting you as you arrive?

and you get to see the Castle for the first time.

these girls.
they are crazy, and a little naughty.
but very loved by ME

breakfast with Minnie Mouse

and oh.
my.
GOSH..

watching them become real life princesses?? i could have died.

somehow it didn't feel tacky, and silly.
just right.

and there was an abundance of princessing about.
quite nearly my girls made them self sick with their love of these ladies.
this trip has exceeded any unreasonable expectation we had.
it has been spoken of every. single. hour since we have returned.
and only a little bit i mind..
:)

Bramma and Brammpa-
you spoiled us all rotten and i am not exaggerating in the slightest when i tell you my girls will never be the same after such a magical trip.
thank you to the moon.
xo

i'm still here.

2011-04-03T00:56:00.003-06:00

just with not a lot to say.

except that i love her and hopscotch.
i love warm spring days.

and how i love that tomorrow (technically today) marks the beginning of the
much anticipated Disney trip.

seriously.. this day couldn't come soon enough for my ladies.
so Dear Disney, please do not disappoint.

April feels like a good month for me to start blogging again,
yes?
okay, good. it's a deal.

one year older and (un)wiser too

2011-03-11T23:37:00.008-07:00

i've decided the older i get the less and less i know.
infact, i think i can only tell you about 10 things i know for sure.
but perhaps that does in fact make me wiser??

regardless my {twenty fifth birthday} was a perfect one.
everything was all the same, but better because i knew it was my day and i got to spend it all with family.
also it was littered with little snippets such as this:

and they make everything good.
and crazy.

happy birthday to me.
!

first born and an iphone

2011-02-23T22:56:00.004-07:00

sometimes i forget she is my first baby.
the little heartbeat i was so happy and relieved to hear.
the tiny newborn i was made to love.
the little pink cherub that never gave me a lick of trouble.
those leg rolls... the baby coos,
and her messy mouth.
it's easy to forget.
sometimes all i see is the attitude,
and the never ending questions,
and the big sister.
sometimes i only see the little-big girl she has become.

but then i catch a moment like this.
and it all comes flooding back.

and my heart literally hurts for all the good, and the bad,
and the wonderful she was, is, and will be.

my little moo...
i adore you.

spring time photo rush

2011-02-23T22:28:00.004-07:00

well it's started.

i've been a busy
and i can't say i mind too much.
:)

so here are some snippets of the fruits of my labor,

hope you enjoyed.

feeling reflective...

2011-02-16T15:01:00.002-07:00

this post is for me. obviously.
who even reads this ghost town anymore?
i've fallen so far off the blogging train, i don't even know where to pick myself up again. but i miss it. i miss having some sort of "voice" (cheesy right?) for my muddled life. i really miss writing something that matters to me, and miss feeling like i have some connect to something. i don't even really know what that is... but for a good run there, blogging fulfilled something i can't quite pin point. every year for Christmas Dustin prints me up the blog. this past week i have spent many an hour re-reading the past few years of my life and it's crazy how i can immediately morph back into those moments as i read. they can still feel like they happened moments earlier, but then all at the same time feel so far away. i don't know.. it's weird. but what is SO insanely frustrating to me is how i don't do it anymore. that is, blog with a purpose.. blog about anything of meaning. not that i ever did really, but to me it was genuine and real. the first year of poppy's life has been my craziest ever. literally.. it was a doozy. but reflecting back, my life felt alive and meaningful. i felt more down to earth.. less vain, and actually felt i had clear mind. tired, yes. but it was much easier to pinpoint what was truly important. i was content with my home, content with my car... just over-all content if only my babies would sleep, and i could have some adult conversation. there was no time to fuss over anything else, and although i couldn't see it then, it was nice.
now listen... i know i still have babies. 2 and 3 years old hardly qualifies me for being out of baby stage... hell, we still have diapers and bottles roaming around these parts. but some things have changed... i have more "handle" on my life, events run much more smoothly, and even schedules can usually be predicted. so why do i feel a little lost? why do i now hate my house, and my car, and stress about stupid things like ugly hair, and messy clothes, and how i can eat healthier, and exercise more, all the while keeping my girls entertained? we are involved in more activities than ever..make more outings, etc. yet, i just can't really find the want to blog or memorialize any of it. isn't that sad? my girls are the world's most delicious. they are silly, and bright, and beautiful. but i just have not been feeling "it" lately. and i can't bare to write a post and pretend to be SOO excited about it. although i do enjoy all of those little things... i don't know. let's just rewind back to my "7 days of sunshine". even that couldn't last.. because it just felt pushed and insincere. and that is what i really think it is. i want sincerity back in my life. how did it sneak away? and where did it go? my life is full, and wonderful. please don't think i don't recognize that. i am happy. but i just have this constant nagging feeling of "blah". descriptive, right? that's the best i could do...
but there needs to be a shift.. and i am ready for a change.

can someone please tell me what the change is??

*sigh*...
that was a jumbled mess. wasn't it? hmm...
anyway... we do still have fun at the Jackson joint. so in an attempt to revitalize this blog, and my well-being..
here is what we got via camera on Valentine's

what is v-day without a little Valentine breakfast?
even at 6:30 am
(gag)

this was her first ever Valentine school experience.
she was a fan.

this poor animal...
the girls saw this t-shirt in the dollar bin and they thought gus
should have it.
i agreed.

too bad this is all he did while wearing it.
he only kept it on all of an hour.
he is such a wimp.

so, see?
things are happening in my life.
i just need a good kick in the pants.

until next time,

brooke

ezzie

2011-02-02T22:58:00.002-07:00

first of all, welcome to the world baby boy.
you are SOO amazing.

groundhog day is a good day in this family.
kennan and trevan welcomed Mr. Ezra Roger Gregory this morning and he is scrumptious.
however, this poor little peanut has been struggling to breath,
and after much debate it was decided he be sent to a bigger and better equipped hospital.
unfortunate is stating it lightly....
due to kennan's c-section she has to stay in her current hospital at the very least until saturday,
meaning she has to be miles away from sweet ezzie. she only got to hold him for a few minutes.
:(
that is not good,
but luckily as of tonight baby Ezra is doing much, much better. hopefully he can kick this respiratory distress business and beat his mama home.
he is the definition of sweet and i love him so much.
here are a few moments i stole before they whisked him off in the ambulance.

Ezra Roger
7lbs 1oz
19.5 inches

gregory family,
we love you.
congratulations...
he is worth it.
and i know you know it.
xo

happy, happy birthday

2011-02-02T08:03:00.000-07:00

yes. he does fold laundry.
and vacuum, and mop.
and spoil me.

nope... you can't have him.
he is all mine.

dustin wayne, i love you. you make me complete
:)

happy birthday my guy. 30 looks good on you.

XOXO

days of sunshine, DAY 4

2011-01-25T16:45:00.004-07:00

well, what?
this project has proven to take more time than i have to give.
it's more than likely just laziness,
but i'm blaming the pneumonia that came to stay at my house.
my poptart has been one sick girl :(
poor, baby stink.

but on to a brighter note:
my sunshine número 4,
miss mins snd her monster teeth

this should probably give me chills.. the orthodontics in my future is down right frightening.
but i love that crazy smile. she's just my girl, and those snaggle teeth are welcome whenever, where ever.

minie's monster mouth.
i love you

DAY 3

2011-01-21T15:31:00.003-07:00

i didn't forget.
my bit of sunshine #3..

a nice cup of peppermint tea.
i am permanently cold, especially in the winter.

there is nothing like a warm sip of deliciousness on my dreary january days.

and sadly,
my cup and saucer are not usually this cute.
no.. i was just trying to impress you all.
my favorite is actually a mug. a mug that dustin got free at some conference somewhere along the way.
it was dirty.. (obviously) because it is my favorite. it is extra tall, and has a Compass IRB logo on it.

so no... i didn't post it.
but isn't this cup and saucer dreamy? it does normally stay displayed in my kitchen. so it does count for something.

Peppermint Tea:
my sunshine 3!

7 days of sunshine. DAY 2

2011-01-20T09:22:00.001-07:00

my sunshine # 2:

last minute dollar movies.
.first and foremost, it is just getting OUT. that in itself is sunshine.
.it also is cheap, therefore i don't feel bad for money wasted when all my girls do is run around likes hooligans.
.movie popcorn is always way more delicious.
.we all look fabulous in 3-D

and yes,
MegaMind was kind of good.

ahhh..
aren't you feeling better already?

7 days of my own sunshine

2011-01-19T10:27:00.005-07:00

uggghhh.
that is what this month makes me feel like. i don't feel i really need to rehash my January issues. we both know they are there, and january and i have come to mutual agreement to just not like eachother.
however, i am trying soooo very hard to be a glass half full type of girl so just in case you may be suffering a little from the winter-time blues yourself i am going to give you a little fix.

7 days of one beautiful thing that brings me sunshine.
really, no explanations necessary.

DAY 1:
poppy's legs and feet.
mmm.. just everything about them is delectable.
they are substantial, and short, and bowed,
and well,
just perfect.

my sunshine #1

note-worthy

2010-12-29T15:36:00.004-07:00

these were taken back in early December. trying to wrangle the chiles and hounds was a pain in the derrière and i walked away accepting that 2010 wouldn't have a christmas card to close it with...

but then i uploaded some on to the computer and saw this one

aaannndddd this one.

and a few like these..

and i decided i actually did steal some gems after all.

kennan worked her magic
and,
voilà..

if you didn't already recieve this in the mail.
well,
MERRY CHRISTMAS!

from:
us
{meaning minie and poppy of course because really, they are just down right adorable.
sorry.
they just are.}

christmasing about

2010-12-26T23:49:00.003-07:00

phew.
we made it. this Christmas was a splendid one. this time of year never stays long enough. seriously, all this parenting stuff.. well it has some pay offs, and Christmas is one of them. seeing those little stinks i like to call mine so deliriously excited and happy is worth every stress of shopping, fretting, and late holiday nights. our family is still in the young stage.. and not as in young as age, but young as in anything goes. traditions are being made, and cheesy as it sounds... perfect memories. this Christmas my happiest gift is my family.
dustin, minie, poppy... i love you.

Christmas morning.
despite talking about it for weeks. reading Christmas stories, opening jammies, leaving cookies for Santa, and sleeping together on the floor, both my girls woke up like it was any other morning. minie sauntered into our bed and asked to watch cartoons and when was breakfast.
WHAT? i asked ,"excuse me, missy. do you know who came last night?". she looked puzzled, and said "umm.. nannie and grandpa??". that girl.
instead of talking about it, we all led both of them down stairs and just let them see for themselves.
good news... they remembered right quick.

.Ma in her kerchief and Pa in his (non) cap.
minie wasn't completely off in her knowledge of the night's happenings.
we had the complete honor of having nannie and grandpa sleep over Christmas eve.
it was splendid.. for us at least. as mentioned it was even more noteworthy for the girls than Santa.
now that's a big deal.
and sorry mom and dad for minie's bed. our guest bedroom (minie's toddler room) situation isn't quite as ritzy as i would hope..

visions of sugarplums

milk, cookies, carrots for Rudolph, and notes to Santa are a must.
duh.

Merry Christmas.
yes.. that is an obvious strand of lights burnt out on the tree.
gus chewed the bottom wiring, resulting in the top to fizz out.
don't you judge me for just ignoring it.
it looks more subtle in the day.

Christmas day was spent napping, playing with new toys, and then eating a fabulous Christmas spread at nannie and grandpa's. somehow i didn't take one single picture.
trust me.. it was merry.
really. it was.

the 22nd-24th we headed up to Bear Lake to have our Jackson side of the family Christmas.
again we just lounged at the new cabin and it was, as always, G L O R I O U S.

minie loves her some Benny time.
here they are waiting ever so patiently, looking very darling in their Hannah jammies, to open stockings.
and yes. ben's slippers are as big in real life too.

anything princess is always a home run in my girl's book.
thanks grandma ali!

tutus are always a hit too..

but nothing trumps the AMAZING gift to Disneyland.
we were all totally and absolutely surprised with this incredibly large stocking, announcing an all inclusive trip to Disney.
woot, woot!
yes.. my girls are thrilled.
but forget them for a minute. I am thrilled.
really, thank you Alice and Steve.
it is the perfect gift.

i was not without surprises either.
ever since my sister Robyn made a denim quilt for her husband a couple years ago, dustin has been begging me to make him one. he has been stashing away old jeans, and just hoping his wish would come to fruition. i have told him to take a flying leap whenever he inquired because... one: they are ugly.. really. and two: I do NOT quilt.
but i lub him.
so this year i suffered through many a trial, and rotary injuries and whipped him up a very sad, sad, uneven version of a quilt.
oh honey.. i love you for loving it still all the same.
xo

the weather was perfect for snow-play.

and yes.. we can build a mean snowman.

poppy was feeling the love..

and even grandma couldn't resist joining in on the fun.

he is handsome,
isn't he??

like i said...
this year, Christmas did us right.

wameeeest holiday wishes,

brooke

some more mini... shoots

2010-12-16T14:34:00.002-07:00

meet the roberts family.

aren't they beautiful?
rebecca is one of kennan's besties and has known me since i was about 9 years old.
so yes.. my rough times.
believe it or not, kennan and i didn't always get along.
i spent the first 13 years of my life dreading her company, simultaneously hoping i could be as cool as she seemed to be
i know, right??
who would ever think she was cooler than me?
:)
but i am losing my point here..
rebecca.. or reba as i like to call her
well, she was ALWAYS nice to me. she would tell me about her boyfriend woes ( i can name all of those boys from her 7th grade year and up. thank you very much) and she has ALWAYS been hillarious.
she is gorgeous, and petite, and genuine. she married a mountain man, has three oh.my.gosh.ican'tstandit beautiful daughters, is a terrific mother, wonderful friend, and honestly... if i didn't like her so much i would hate her.
just on principle.

so there.. how do you feel about her?

reebster.. i hope you love them.
and i also expect a christmas card.
just sayin....

some people you don't know

2010-12-13T15:52:00.006-07:00

i've been busy with shooting, and editing, shooting and editing...
thus the ignored blog.
but here are some strangers for you to look at.
happy mini session season!

holiday.... celebrate

2010-12-05T21:38:00.004-07:00

oh, let's just start things out with this little gem.
shall we?

dear santa,
minie does have pink eye (maybe), and poppy still maybe hates the actual you.
i'm so sorry.
despite our best efforts to give you nightmares , you were still very nice. you even tickled minie's cheek, and gave her a hug. she liked that. you listened very intently to her christmas wish..even through poppy's blood curdling screams. we both have faith you will come through with that dream dazzler hair styling salon. thanks ole' saint nick.

i am however a little miffed that i had to pay $21.00 for this horrible photo of my children. but i am putting on my best good girl face, because i reaallly want some new black boots this year.

please don't stop "watching" in on minie and poppy.
your helpful eye keeps my sanity more than you know.

xo,
brooke

well.. now that's out of the way.
let's get on to some holiday celebrating.
to start:
miss mins had her first ever dance performance,

and duh..
she was a rockstar.
i have video and as soon as i figure out my new camera i will post her performance.
it will bring tears to a glass eye.
she was that amazing.

mama bear has never been so proud.
love you poodle bum.

part of my blogging absence has been due to this.
dustin's parents extremely nice, and extremely cozy new cabin up in Bear Lake.

we spent the week of thanksgiving there, and truly there couldn't be a more perfect place to do so.

there was cousin time, good food, cold-cold-cold weather, but warm fires and warm beds.

the actual turkey dinner was layed back...

so much so that both my girls may or may not have been falling asleep at the table.
:)

they even still got to ride their beloved "4-leeder", but now with the added bonus of a sled.

a little bit i feel like they are spoiled...
i wasn't even allowed on any motor vehicle of any type until i was 18..

and here we are posing in front of said warm fire, all of us looking ready for a nap.
happy thanksgiving.

sooo.. to recap:
seeing santa was a slight bust,
minie is the worlds cutest tiny dancer,
our holidaying about has been snowy, cold, and wonderful.
AND
why is time flying by?
i haven't even started christmas shopping..
*sigh*... i'll get to it.

hope this christmas season finds yourself very merry and very bright.
(yes.. that was my christmas card last year. ---what's the big deal?)

i'm sure we'll be back with more.
xo,
brooke

oops.

2010-11-24T09:00:00.003-07:00

it looks like i didn't even say how much our mini sessions cost!
so sorry...

it is $75

and now we are off to Bear Lake to start our turkey day festivities! have a happy holiday!

it's the most wonderful time!

2010-11-21T00:29:00.003-07:00

that is, mini session time!!
we are doing things a little different this year. i will open up 4 dates that i will be doing pictures at two different locations. they are 30 minute shoots and you will receive one full resolution disc with 10 proofed and polished photos!
i am putting the cap at 5 people per shoot. if there is more there will be a $15 fee per person.

hurry and book now! i promise you this is a GREAT way to get that quick christmas card/present out. if you want to give this as a gift, i will print out a certificate for you to give the lucky recipient!!!

dates:
saturday december 4th:
downtown location
time slots from 2:30 pm-4:00 pm

tuesday december 7th:
downtown location
time slots from 9:00 am-10:30 am

saturday december 11th:
wheeler farm
time slots from 9:00 am-10:30 am

monday december 13th
wheeler farm
time slots from 2:30 pm-4:00 pm

all shoots must be payed in advance and sorry no refunds! if absolutely necessary dates can be rescheduled. please don't be late, as any time you lose, is time you off your shoot!

I AM EXCITED!

please call, text, e-mail, facebook.. WHATEVER..
with any questions :)

a princess sort of day

2010-11-12T00:53:00.003-07:00

this girl,
she is two..
and OF COURSE we celebrated in our usual fashion..
all day long.

is there any other way?

we started the day very, VERY bright and early.
balloons awaited miss. louise and she was all shades of happy about it.
i love this picture.. she looks like my baby still.
*sigh*
it feels like that doesn't happen much anymore.
after all, she is two .
:)

she also got to open her presents from mommy, daddy, and sissy.. all with that crazy bed head that never ceases to amaze.

aren't my jammie girls cute?
and yes, minie usually does shed her pants somewhere in the night.
me thinks it's a little bit adorable..
so don't be hatin'.

birthday breakfast.. a must.

daddy took the day off to join in the celebrating, so after breakfast we packed up and headed to the aquarium. i forot the camera... and it was short and sweet anyway. we attempted lunch at the NASTY cafe there.
just trust me... don't eat.

and then it was time for the much anticipated princess party.
i swore i never would allow the cheesy cliche princesses take over my life once i had kids.
so yes, you can just add that to the very long list of things i do that i swore "i'd never!"

and duh... she loved it.

cuteness in form of some of our birthday guests.

a little pinata action.

MORE presents..
this resulted in many tears, many shouts of glee, and then some more tears.
birthdays are difficult for the 5 and under crowd.
understandably so..

and finally one last birthday wish to sum up the day.

princess girl-
we loved celebrating every delicious bit of you!

730 days

2010-11-09T15:25:00.004-07:00

of bewilderment.
730 days of joy,
of giggles,
of crys,
of poppy snugs,
of sparkly eyes,
of our new flavor of love.

baby girl,
you make our lives so happy. you fill every moment up with intensity.. good and bad. but mostly just good :)
you make my heart beat faster.. i fell in love with you this day two years ago in a way i didn't even know possible.

you are so so so much.
we adore every last bit of you.

happy birthday miss. poppy louise!
2 will be a good year.
a very, very good year..
because of you.

XOXO,
mama, daddy, and minie

trick or treat

2010-10-31T16:03:00.003-06:00

i've said it before.. i'll say it again.
sunday holidays are tricky business.
things get all muddled about when and how to celebrate,
so then we just celebrate all week long. and well...
it is sort of painful. isn't it?
the rain certainly didn't help anything.

i love me some halloween.
but even I am ready for it to go.
HOWEVER...
the jackson girls were looking especially scrumptious this season.
and looking back.. i want to bite them.

my very own mermaid.
she can handle a fin like a pro.

{birdie}
she refused her hat and nest most of the time...
so really she just sort of looked like a purple blob.
still cute??
yes.

one of our favorite festivities included a trunk-or-treat at grandma billie's new joint.
it was a major hit...
and pretty hilarious and slightly scary all at once.

a little pumpkin carving.
this picture was about as long as the whole carving+girls business lasted.
2 minutes in they both decided princess and the frog was much more enticing,
and then dustin and i were left for 1+ hours creating greatness.
it all worked out.

you didn't think i would forget them?

trick or treating was frigid.
i mean arctic... really.
but aren't jude and minie cute? they are soul mates.

and it ended..
halloween at our house is now down and packed and we are more than happy to say goodbye until next year.

and now comes christmas....

*gulp...

my itsy bitsy

2010-10-26T16:50:00.002-06:00

sometimes i feel like dance for my three year old is maybe silly.
maybe a slight waste of money..

but then i see this.
and i know i am wrong
:)

*ps.
yes, that is her costume from 2 years ago. her 2010 halloween costume wasn't "dance-able".
would she grow already?

pleased to introduce..

2010-10-19T16:11:00.002-06:00

mr. augustus j. bugginsworth.

or just gus.
or gus gus..

or just captain Gus McRae
(no.. not really.
but i think i should maybe start that)

.he snores like a bear
.waddles like a duck
.eats us out of house and home
.is minie's new real life doll
.makes dustin talk like a baby
.is the cutest thing in the world ican'tstandit

are you in love??
we most surely are. he is our dream boat.
i got him for dustin for a little belated anniversary gift, and with the exception of poppy's intense distaste to him,
he is heaven.

i could bathe in his rolls.

minie might smother him... but he's into it.
kind of.

gus gus..
we love, love you.
welcome to the family boy.

so hipsta

2010-10-13T21:52:00.004-06:00

well,
i do realize i am quite possibly the last person on the earth to download and fully appreciate this fine application.
but fully appreciate, i do.
i spend countless hours on photoshop trying to achieve such a look,
why??
i feel so now.
so hip.

whatevs... my girls are cute,
my blogging as of late is lame-O,
and fall is on the rear end.
come again?
i know..

thank you iphone.. once more.
:)

makeshift portfolio.

2010-10-13T20:20:00.002-06:00

somewhere in the past year i lost my mojo.. updating my photography blog just got to be more than i wanted.. and well, it appeared to the stander by that i no longer took a picture any more. but alas.. that just isn't true.
people have been asking, "where can i look to see some of your work?". i would send them here.. to see just my kids. so after the one too many inquires i am posting this. i brief tasting of some photos i have taken but never got around to sharing...

i think i may just make this a newish, smallish habit. updating this blog that is. and sometimes with strangers pictures. but really, they aren't strangers, because in order to be here, i know em.. so now you all do too :)

enjoy.

ps.
if you are now appearing on my blog for the first time and are now a public spectacle..
well, i am sorry.. and WELCOME.

5 years

2010-10-07T11:30:00.004-06:00

from your silly non-stop affection , to your tolerant ways of my midnight munching, i love you.
i love you when you watch my movies and shows.. and like them. i love the way you always come home to me. come home and want to be with me. no matter how big the fight, i always know you are there for me.
you make me laugh, you make me crazy. but mostly you just make me feel loved. everything good in my life starts with you.
i would have it no other way.
we don't always do it like the rest.. but we both know our way is best. :)
sometimes i forget that you aren't actually the same person as me.. but it's not often. you live your life for me,
and i live mine for you.

happy anniversary you crazy man,
i love you forever.

school girl

2010-09-09T16:01:00.004-06:00

it happened.
she went to school. we've been prepping for this day for weeks.. months even. all of her friends and cousins have already started. she asked every day when it was her turn to go to school. if she sees a school bus, it is coming for her to take right to school.

my girl. my school girl.
i expected sadness. my baby girl is going to school. how?
but mostly we are all just really excited.
plus.. she is still really tiny. so she still feels babyish.. just babyish and gone for 6 hours a week now... not so bad. :)
and let's also just be truthful and say getting her school wardrobe ready has been more than fabulous. why, oh why do i find so much joy in dressing my children? stay tuned for more.. i don't mean to toot my own horn.. but if we're being honest.. her new fall line is sort of amazing. she makes everything look cute.

so big.. didn't even bat a lash to be here.
and look at that little back pack on her hook. does it melt you? it sort of does me.

her class has some jungle theme going on.. so of course a safari complete with wardrobe had to happen. why not?
has preschool upped the anti since we've been there?
me thinks so.

isn't she stinkish??
she is absolutely tickled all sorts of pink to be a school girl. her class is perfect for her, and i love the alone time it grants me with my pop-tart.

all in all.. preschool is a success.

love you my poodles.
you do me proud.

MY family

2010-08-24T19:53:00.003-06:00

finally i got around to getting a little bit of this done.
let me just preface this all by saying that i hate having my picture taken.
hate it.
however... becky did an incredible job and i have already mentally redecorated my house to fit all the prints. :)

ready or not...
jackson family
summer 10'

puddle jumpers

2010-08-19T23:22:00.008-06:00

i didn't want to let them do it..

i reeelllly encouraged them not to.
having four children under 3 isn't quite my forte. i thought my trip to McDonalds was brave... heroic even.
i warned them it would get cold.
i truly didn't want that mess..
minie listened and headed for the door.
gabi followed in obedience.
bella just held still. waited to see what her pal would do...
but poppy??
oh, poppy..
she dove in. head first.
literally.

so...
sometimes you just have to relent.

i'm so glad i did.
:)

some things you should know..

2010-08-17T15:56:00.005-06:00

this person is not a very great blogger. seriously... i got my bad blogger of the season certificate yesterday.
sincerest apologies..

no matter what, every newborn baby anything is impossibly scrumptious. why else would i be swooning over a week old baby calf today?. i even came home and told dustin about him. yes.. me. not the children.
he was cute. it's just a fact.

as big of an appeal of having a photo on a gigantic plastic cow may seem...
it's not really all that special. and mostly just frightening for the 5 and under crowd.
if only there was something similar... perhaps built more like a chair???

oh... but of course!
that's better.

minie + jude= love.
until there is another older/same sex cousin there to compete. in this scenario they aren't each other biggest fans. today's competitor for jude was gabi... a couple weeks ago it was gil against minie. what do you do?
force them to sit in a window and pose of course.
duh.

last, but most definitely not least...
if you thought a $2 Tuesday at Thanksgiving Point was an original thought.
you were wrong.
next time i will pay full price and go on Wednesday.
4 is a party....4,000?
that's a crowd.

feral child

2010-08-04T15:30:00.004-06:00

that is what she is.
i'm not sure what this description depicts of my parenting,
but needless to say i have no handle on this one.
she is wild.
she is feral.

but we are ALL so enamored with her, it seems that it doesn't much matter. she says jump,
we say how high?
someday perhaps minie is going to mind? it's so funny how i parent each one of them so differently. how they respond differently. from the moment poppy entered this world i knew she was special. i was so in love with her, but so didn't understand her... the demanding cry... her persnickety eating habits. i can't explain it... poppy just is.
i have absolutely no question in my mind that she most definitely will always get her way. she gives me this sense that she truly isn't mine.. that she loves me, and wants me.. but she doesn't necessarily need me.
it's truly like she is borrowed. here on earth for a mission.
i marvel at how i am so lucky to have her. how i get to be the one she chooses love. and i guess there in lies her wickedness. and as frightening as it sounds.. i don't worry.
because i know that this is the only way her little 21 month old self knows how to handle it.. i know that one day she will figure it out, and live up to the phenomenon she is bound to be.

she is our tank,
our poptart,
our baby...
just because she wants to be.
and only because.

please always want me little one.
i love you.

escaped

2010-08-04T01:28:00.005-06:00

i escaped the blogging realm for a bit it seems. what to say? we've been busy living with the cold that keeps on giving, family in town... and lots of photo shoot editing. *sigh*...

how is it already almost back to school? mins actually qualifys this year for such extravagance. we are both really excited:).

i do actually have some pictures to post, but blogger and flickr don't want to be friends right now, and blogger just kills my pics when i upload them.. so much so that i refuse to post until i have my troubles sorted out. mmkkay??

hopefully things get moving here soon.

xo,

a jackson family vacay

2010-07-19T23:56:00.003-06:00

we just returned home from a lovely family trip with dustin's family.

a major perk of being a jackson???
bear lake.

as usual we had our annual family week up at the BL, but this years extravaganza was extra special. dustin's parents are building their very own delux-a-mundo cabin, and this week we got to watch it come to life. my girls are always more than thrilled to go see the "stinky moo cows", ride the 4-leeders, and adding a day full of dirt and big trucks was just the icing on the cake.
for me personally it was our two day escape to jackson hole. but if i'm being honest, the whole week was just all so splendid.
thank you, thank you steve and alice.
:)

brams and the girls watching the cabin walls come up.

dustin was only all to thrilled to play around and act like he was helping.

yes,
seriously this is what they did all day.

minie + a 4-leeder
= L O V E

nothing beats mitt's barbecue .
nothing.

the home made ice cream wasn't bad either..

and what is bear lake without a beach day?

minie is a big-time ben fan.
she loves him to no end..
she especially loves coaching him on how to go potty.. and still can't stop talking about how he pees like a big boy.

jackson hole makes me happy.
it normally is deemed a williams family trip, as i contiually liked to remind everyone about every 2 hours or so.. apparently they weren't so keen on my own family memories.
mwah.

however, i must say the jacksons definitely know their own way to have fun in jackson hole.
the town rodeo proved that..
something i have never done while there. and that is saying something. :)

even leslie can't deny herself a little 4-wheeling love.

yep,
fun was had.

all. week. long.

<3

lady liberty... all weekend long.

2010-07-10T13:00:00.000-06:00

did the 4th of july linger just a tad bit too long this year for anyone else?
3 straight days of any holiday may just be too much.

that being said...
i love this festive day. we deemed the 3rd the official day we would celebrate, so celebrate we did.

the annual hidden oaks parade?
ah.maz.ing.
being part of the williams family patriots?
sort of a big deal.

jumping shots never grow old for me.

nor does older sister adoration.
in poppy's eyes, minie is the cats meow.
even when she gets that death glare in return.

chances are..
if your name is brig, you are 3 months old,
look exactly like your mom,
and are wearing patriotic janie and jack.

well chances are,
you are really cute.

the real housewives of salt lake county.
watch out.

remind yourself to come to our next sidewinder falls extravaganza.

you won't be disappointed.

oh yeah..
did i also mention minie was celebrated all weekend long? i didn't?
she was.
3 so far has proven to be very profitable for her.

it was her true blue birthday though, and

she's worth celebrating.

dear blogging friends-
happy independence day.
love,
the jacksons
{dustin, brooke, minie, & poppy}

when swimming gets wild..

2010-07-10T00:35:00.002-06:00

i double dog dare you to try jump from the highest point of an olympic platform.
because, as you can i see i now have experience..
and it was down. right. frightening.

kennan dared me.
how could i say no? if you have the chance.. hit up cottonwood heights. you won't be disappointed.

AND...
please note my screaming children in the background. minie was terrified i was "falling down from the roof" flapping her arms in hysterics, while poppy was screaming because she herself wanted to go for a dive in the deep, deep end.
kennan's laugh also helps set the mood.

enjoy
:)

minie's tea.. and catch up

2010-07-08T20:30:00.003-06:00

phew... it has been a crazy past week and a half.
crazy, crazy, crazy-town.
now, i don't pretend to play dumb.. i know i bring about 90% of this mayhem on myself, and truly i would have it no other way. but i'm still just a smidgen tuckered out from it all..
thus this blog and it's lack of anything worth even your slightest glance.
i do apologize. and i do intend to play catch up.

so consider this post the first of a few in these next couple of days. things are going to get bb uuuu ssy here folks. just enjoy the ride..

a couple of times a year i get real wild and decide to throw birthday bashes for the chile renos.
i have a serious love/hate with the whole shinanigan.
i adore planning these parties. REALLY, truly like crafting, and prepping for it. love making the invites (thank you kennan), like planning a menu, and coordinating outfits.
but what i hate.. more than many things..
is actually throwing said party. the day the actual party rolls around, i am usually a 100% nut case.. just running amuck, and being not so helpful. for example..
this last party.. i ran face first, walking quite fast into a medal pole in our parking lot. i turned my head just in time to let freedom ring, and a glorious black and blue goose egg to take residence smack dab in the middle of my forehead. precious.
not 15 minutes later, while carrying minie's tray of cupcakes, i fell flat on my face again... sending her birthday treats flying.. and me with scraped knees, grass stains, and a crying birthday girl because mom just dumped her pupcakes.

whooeee... i bet that's what your thinking.
luckily i am blessed with some incredibly helpful and caring sisters, moms, friends, AND husband. would you believe it ?.. it always ends up perfect.
and then the whole process repeats itself.

*sigh*
so on that note, consider yourself officially invited to:

i spent weeks gathering frilly "vintage" (DI counts as vintage.. right?) china to have for this very special golden birthday. moosie turned 3 on the 3rd.
it had to be fabulous.

right?
at least she thought so.

the birthday guests enjoyed a many of pb&j finger sandwhiches,

and lemonade tea.

family from afar came.

smooshed pupcakes were still enjoyed.

there was dancing...

and crafting...

and face painting too.

glass slippers were worn.

and cake enjoyed....

that is, until it went tumbling to the ground below and then well..
you can just see for yourself.
:)

aren't grandmas nice?
she even thought to give poppy a gift too.

and any party that starts with tea, and ends in dress-ups??
well you just described minie's dream.

literally,
she has not been able to stop talking about it since.

happy birthday baby girl.

and happy day mom.. because it is now behind us.

:)

stay tuned...

xo,
brooke

dear minie,

2010-07-03T00:42:00.005-06:00

today you turn three.
my baby girl... my heart swoons for you. you are sunshine, and silly, and precious, and sensitive, and girly, and tiny, and pink.. so, so pink! you light up my life. i still adore your teeny tiny feet, and your quirky little toddle. i miss your baby rolls, but feel so delighted with your forever strawberry hair. you know you were meant for me. me and you.. we just make sense baby girl. won't you stay that way forever? somehow i want to bottle you up.. all this 3 year old goodness. yes..even all the dramatics. don't grow up so quick my moodles. i will never look at you with out that binky mouth, and freckled crinkled-up nose. your crazy independent streaks.. or your popcorn loving mouth. i even love your "poopy bum bum" jokes, and your crazy singing.... your thoughtfulness to tell me i look pretty, or our early morning cuddles.
i can't imagine life without you. you are forever mine.
baby girl... i love you to the moon, and back, and then until forever.

happy birthday pupcake
xo,
mama

long time no blog...

2010-06-26T23:41:00.004-06:00

well it feels like it's been a coons age since i've been around these parts.
yeesh.
i've been busy doing a whole lotta nothing. it's hard work.
let me just tell you something.. the best purchase i have made in the past year is my pool pass.
heavenly.
one of the biggest perks of momhood would have to be pool days.
my summer is full of em'. we pack lunch, spend the afternoon soaking up the rays..
oh, and my children are endlessly entertained while i sit around and do practically nothing all the while talking with my friends.
jealous some??

this past week it seems i put all on hold and just enjoyed the first real days of summer.
housework, photography... mwah.
who needs them??
:)
no, but really this week we just took a bit of break.
next week the wild begins...
minie turns 3, we celebrate with not 1, but TWO parties, the 4th is celebrated twice, cousins are in town, preparation for said parties happens allll week long, and all of those photos i'm behind on get finished.

whoooweee. i'm tired just thinking about it.
anyway....
enjoy these poolish photos.. they are very summerish, and will probably give you your required daily dose of vitamin D.
they are that festive.

pool days.
i loved them 15 years ago,
i will love them the next 15,
and probably even the next after that.

xo,
brooke

the best thing to EVER happen to June 20th...

2010-06-21T00:38:00.003-06:00

sullivan michael lamoreaux
6.20.2010
7lbs 2oz
19.5 in
2:49 pm

you only wish you could smell this breath of
heaven.

he is incredible.

congratulations robyn and bob.
i love him. so much..
being there meant the world to me. i will forever love him.
thank you for letting me be a part.

mr. sully...
i adore you.
<3

one more thing...

2010-06-15T23:44:00.003-06:00

i still do this too.
that is,
take pictures of adorables.
i've let my preview blog go for the time..
it was turning out to be too big of a pain.

anyway,
this little man is sort of amazing, isn't he?

ashton,
you are one cute 6 month old. i maybe love you.
:)

that's all

the great outdoors, smores, ane more...

2010-06-15T23:19:00.002-06:00

well that was a fancy blog title, wasn't it?
yep.. sometimes i just get creative like that.
lucky, lucky you.

so what?
summer so far has been superb. i know i am about 3 seconds out of "baby stage", but these 3 seconds have timed it just right. this summer there has been no baby to nurse every 3 hours, no strict nap times to command, and just a tad less up-tightness going around.
superb.
i tell you.

today could be the last day of these summer days, and i would feel 100% satisfied.
a morning in jams, an afternoon at the splash pad (some day i will bring my camera and document this beloved place), followed by a snow cone, and than an evening up the canyon.
really.. could you plan a better day? i think not.
the trip up to the mountains was my personal highlight. i look forward all year long for these joyous outings. truly i do.
my kids get disgusting, the company is always great ( we only invite special people with us to these prized occasions.. duh ) ,the food never disappoints.. and well, it just is all so fabulous.. alright?
s'mores? are you kidding me? as i was sitting there, widdling my way through my 4th s'more (yes, you read right, 4th) i came to the joyous conclusion that mankind has really never discovered such a fantastic combo. the gooey marshmallow, melting chocolate, and crunchy graham cracker.
you know this..
nothing better.

i ate so much food tonight i threw up. really. i did.
i ate, and ate, and ate. someone said something funny, i started choking on smoke, and the next thing i know, up come the last 1/4 of my dinner.
it was worth it.

minie sums it all up perfectly here.
dream boat lovin'.

are you reaping the benefits of summer?
i do hope so.

AND..
right now it is thundering.. and i am about to crawl in bed and fall asleep.
it's been a good day.

xo,
brooke

love.

2010-06-11T01:49:00.003-06:00

there are tears,
there are fights,
there are time-outs,
there are tantrums,
and a titch of rival.

but usually..
most normally,
there is just love.

and i love that.

memorial day too

2010-06-06T23:05:00.004-06:00

lest i forget this adored holiday of mine,
here is a quick collage to document the day.
it was a particularly wonderful one.
what with visits from my nearly long-lost brother Bryce, his adorables, and my cute granny Billie. Perfect weather, traditional croquet..
oh.. and the food?
deluxe.
maybe the best yet.
it was a good one.

speaking of good ones...
my daddy turned 59 yesterday. he wasn't too keen on celebrating big, because in his words ,"59 is really a useless year."
but we still finagled a quick "adult" dinner to celebrate.
sadly, i had to kick it solo this time around because dust was away on business.
:(

but fun was still had.
i love you dad..
Happy 59th!

outings

2010-06-06T22:45:00.007-06:00

ahh... life is just better when the weather decides to cooperate. we have been taking full advantage of the budding summer, and have had several festive meanderings.
i've decided the trusty snap and shoot is indeed my good friend, and believe it or not,
the girl's lives are even more photo documented than before.
impossible? no.
incredible? perhaps.

so here you are.. a snippet of some fun we've had:

going to see the Dinos never disappoints.
neither do minie's new red cowboy boots.
NOR her princess posing.

there are truly no words...
smoosh her to pieces. that's all i can do.

whoa... in the midst of all the gallivanting about, i also managed to squeeze in a little oral surgery.
dentists see my mouth, and their eyes start to glow with the dollar signs.
here i am two days post surgery, looking very puffy.
ps.
dissolvable stitches are dis.gus.TING

this is my cute friend michelle.
we love michelle.
:)

now then..
that was fun, wasn't it?

happy summer!

listen...

2010-05-30T23:53:00.004-06:00

this is brig.

he is really,

really, REALLY

i mean really,

cute.

but...
you can't steal him..

because this mama,

loves him too much.

i mean literally,
probably too much.
:)

thanks brig for coming to stay with me for a minute.
i love you.
please come visit again.
xoxo!

when amazing meets perfect...

2010-05-28T22:00:00.003-06:00

you get sweet baby finn.

andrea, i want to hold him.
right. this. second.

i love him, and i adore you.
it's a great combo.

xoxo baby boy!

away

2010-05-23T22:42:00.005-06:00

that is where we've been.
it has been over a month since we have spent 1 weekend at home, and reeAlly i am starting to feel the wear and tear. as is the blog.
i do apologize.

*sigh*...
where to begin?
we might be moving to st. george.
i hate to announce this publicly,because really nothing is for sure... and i know dustin as you are reading this are cringing.. but what can i say? it feels like i am cheating on the blogging world by leaving this monumental, albeit somewhat personal event out of the loop.
so yes, we just returned from yet another visit down to dixie, and although i am excited about the change.. i would be lying to say i wasn't scared.
how are we going to sell this house?
how am i going to leave behind my friends, family, AND the gregory's?
can i handle the heat? literally?
will robyn and bob truly like us being there?
will i miss a "big city", yummy restaurants, and shops?
will i have friends?
will it be home?

ugh... it sort of gives me a knot in my stomach. a good one.. but a knot non the less.
to be realistic (which i'm never really great at) nothing is official. tomorrow everything could change. life may just go on as is, and i will probably will feel silly for even mentioning this.
but i can't help it. this secret must be let out.
i need the encouragement, the well wishing, and written documentation for a few years down when this happy predicament most definitely will repeat itself.
*sigh*..
i just wish i could look into the future for just a second.
i've mentioned my anxiety before right??
tonight it's a doozy.
my oral surgery scheduled for tomorrow morning isn't helping any... but i still feel like the possible move is the main factor on this one.

anyway...
this blog is boring.
i am even so tired of seeing my europe post, i throw up just a little every time a click on by.
in a desperate need to update i am here with not much forethought.
therefore, you get this...
a post that is a tad rambly, and extremely unorganized.
what can you do?
here a few pics from the last couple of weeks.
perhaps we should just stay home 7 days straight, and life will feel more in control??

who knows...

the happy couple.
we were waiting to get into the ReAL soccer game, and started taking posed "blog" pictures.
we were supposed to be looking chic.
dusting apparently missed the memo.
:)
no.. we don't normally do this. i think after europe we were just used to whipping out the camera when all else failed.
i'm posting it because it's one of about 5 pictures we have of the two of us in the past 2 years.
we should be better about that.
plus, our hair matches exactly.
precious, really.

while in st.george i had the complete honor of accompanying gwynnie to her first-ever ear piercing.
it's kind of a big deal.
AND she looks fab-u-lash with her new bling.
i adore her.

dustin is infamous for over-doing the bubbles at bath time.
i know i am officially a mom when it much more annoys me rather than bring joy to find the girls so blissfully entertained.
they l.o.v.e it.
me says every night of it grows old,
real quick.
but they did look especially cute this particular evening.
i think it was nannie's tub.

more ear piercing pics.
they were both equally tickled to have matching studs.

just my mins, being her adorable minie self.
i'm thinking about growing her bangs out.
what do you think?
this day i braided them back to give it a whirl.
i can't decide which i like better.
bang or no bang???
you tell me.

cute girls, in cute naartjie.
poppy is darling.
minie.. well,
she's had better moments.

and that's all for now.
stay tuned, because this last week i also had the opportunity to take some amazings of two scrumptious little babes both near and dear to my heart.
they are delicious.
trust me.

xo,
brooke

ready, set, go...

2010-05-11T20:49:00.003-06:00

are you ready to be bored yet??
the following post is like 3 billion pictures of me prancing about Belgium and Holland.
and well, let's be honest... by about the 4th picture in you are going to have already clicked back to your home page.
plus.. don't count on any witty commentary.
i am far to jet-lagged up for such frivolities tonight.

so with out further ado..
our trip to Europe:

this was our most darling hotel in Brussels.
minus the twin bed issue, i lurved it.

each room had different hand painted pictures above the beds,
AND
room service offered emergency medical in addition to dental care.
you never know.

just go ahead and wish your home town offered belgian chocolate covered strawberries on every corner.

unbeknownst to me, i paid 4 euro for this damn picture.
turns out, van gough is a con artist.

supposedly rubbing this saint was good luck.
yet again i fret... another con.
:)

we hit the Netherlands just right and celebrated not one but TWO national holidays with them.
charming street performers could be found every 5 steps. these were some of my favorite.

i forget what church this was in.. we saw about a dozen.
but whoa.. i was mostly just creeped a bit by it all.
however, these paintings were incredible... and huge.

mmmmm....
yet again,
delicious.

Bruges.

this is Michelangelo's Madonna and the Child.
it was beautiful, and apparently one of the only few of his works located outside of Italy.

hubby posing in Bruges.
we loved Bruges.

alright... let's talk about it.
the biking situation in Holland is insane.
seriously.. every one, and i mean everyone rides a bike.
it is kind of incredible, and definitely a site to behold.
i for one adore it and have officially decided a bike for me will be purchased in the near future...

preferably one like this.
mmkay Dustin??

Amsterdam

The Anne Frank house.
turns out i forgot that she actually was in Holland the whole time she was in hiding.
how pleasantly surprised i was to "remember" and was able to walk through.
it was really moving to walk through and see...
and even crazier to think it happened only 60 years ago.

holla back

uh oh...
scouts honor i have no recollection of taking this picture.
dustin promises he didn't snap it either.
naturally this lead us to the only conclusion of her family kidnapping my camera.
either way..
Thank You.

true blue Holland tulips.

Haarlem train station.

best meal. ever.

this was our last day in Amsterdam, and my favorite.
we rented bikes and rode all about the city, i dung my bell as often as i could, and tried to pretend it hasn't been 10+ years since i have ridden farther than a block on two wheels.

yep.
i've still got it.

and lastly,
a street in the red light district.
i also didn't realize that the "Red Light District" actually truly was because of the red lights.
i'm quick on the uptake like that .
i was expecting a lot more nasty..
let's just say i was in Vegas a month ago.. and it makes Amsterdam look like child's play.
perhaps it would be different at night though??
i don't know.

PHEW...
we are done.
it was an amazing 10 days. but i missed my girls to the moon.
i couldn't wait to get home to them. 10 days felt like 10 years. honestly.
they seem so much older, and cuter, AND much more needy for their mama.

i still cannot thank my family enough. MOSTLY my perfect mama for watching the girls and making this trip possible.
hopefully in a few days they will stop addressing me as nannie, and i will be able to sharpen up on my mothering skills. it's amazing how quickly those can fly out the window.
hmph.

Dear Europe,
Stay beautiful, stylish, and charming until i can come back one day.
xo,
brooke

Bonjour, Hallo, and Guten Tag from Belgium!

2010-05-02T16:53:00.008-06:00

We made it here safe and sound.

And...
So far, so, sooooo good!
We are having the time of our lives. Food has never tasted so gloriously delicious. Dear belgium waffles, you need never leave me.

Yes, and don't even get me started on the chocolate.
mmm mmm mmm! I salivate just thinking about all those tasty morsels.Whose ever idea it was to place a different mom and pop chocolate shop on every corner.. I love you so.

Belgium is so beautiful.
We have been in Bruges the past 2 days, and I never want to leave...
but alas, we must.
Early tomorrow morning we are headed off to Holland.
Phew... it's a whirl wind. But such a fantastic one.
you jealous??
:)

**I also found this gem on the old photo drive.
it was too cute to not post.

i am missing my girls like crazy... like hurts my heart. literally. crazy.

xoxox my baby girls... be home soon!

ps...
If it looks like I am wearing the same thing in all of these pictures, it's because I am.
It's been raining non-stop for 2 days and I only brought 1 jacket and 1 scarf. What was I thinking??

pps
All the photos here are just from the snap and shoot :(
Yours truly also forgot the USB for the Nikon at home. niiice.
these will just have to do for now.

BELGIUM or bust

2010-04-26T23:56:00.008-06:00

so what,
i forgot to mention the most incredible trip dustin and i are taking? you know, the one we've been planning for nearly 2 years?

i know.. you thought we were better friends than that.
we are...
just call it superstition. i didn't want to jinx it.

early wendesday morning Dustin and I are headed off to Belgium and the Netherlands.
no biggy.

he is required to go for his MBA program, and there ain't no way i was ever not accompanying him. we will be gone for 10 days, child free.

i. am. so. excited.

nannie is taking the girls, and minus the slight case of laryngitis i decided to catch,
all is going smoothly.
even.. *gasp*... packing.

keep your fingers crossed, and be insanely jealous.
because this trip is going to rock it.

red

2010-04-23T20:24:00.003-06:00

i match my family.

i've been wanting to do this ever since this chicky baby on Idol started sporting it.
she was always too cute.. and i thought "hmm.. red."

minie keeps telling me
1. "mom.. your hair funny."
2. "you have kennan hair."

poppy just tries to touch it,
and dustin told me i looked like Justin Bieber.

what???

i say i like it.
even love it.

what think?

turns out..

2010-04-21T14:25:00.002-06:00

getting caught in the rain isn't my best look.

where did this monsoon come from?
i promise you as i headed out the doors of target it was only a light drizzle...
20 feet and thirty million sheets of rain later,
this is what we looked like.

they look all smiles here,
but moments earlier were definitely not amused with the pelting hail.

we had to wait 30+ minutes or so in the parking lot for the rain to die down...
ya know because,
i forgot my amphibious car at home today..
sure could have used it.

anyone else singing in the rain?

and also...

2010-04-20T00:25:00.003-06:00

took photos of miss. amazing herself this afternoon.
she is too delish to handle.

love you pretz,
xoxo!

our favorite get-away

2010-04-20T00:11:00.003-06:00

as i mentioned earlier, we headed out last week for an extended weekend to our favorite and best.
st. george.
dustin had some workish to conduct down south, and i won't ever turn me down an invite to see those lamoreaux people. we love them.
our days are busy with their life, the glorious fenced-in yard, delicious food, and always good company. the girls cry when it's time to go.. and as we get on the freeway heading north i can't always help but ask "why don't we live here??"
i could be a desert dweller.. pool, red rock..
me thinks i love it.

besides minie's potty mishaps, she thoroughly enjoyed herself. she loves playing with the "big girls". here i caught her giving flirtaous eyes to Gina. can you tell she is enamored?
i haven't taken a picture of her that i love this much in a long time.
pretty girl.

girls club:
gwyn, minie, gina

this one...
there are no words.

i love you gwyneth rose.
be mine anytime.

nothing quite like a nice DC to quench that toddler thirst.
*sigh*...

we love our st.george stays.
thank you again robyn and bob. a million times over.
when can we move in?

defeated

2010-04-15T00:01:00.001-06:00

scratch that last post.

minie is not doing well with this whole potty training business. the back of the book had a whole chapter on stubborness.. i just skimmed through it not really thinking it to be a hurdle.

well, suprise, suprise...
it is.

minie woke up this morning with nothing but hatred for her once beloved pink throne. she refused to even talk about it, much less sit on it. today she held her bladder for over 8 hours just to avoid going.. and then hid and peeped in my sisters yard. all of the sudden requests for her bink and bottle are being made (which we've been rid of for month or so now), and she has been asking for her diapers. when i told her she wasn't a big girl if she wore them, still just a baby.. she said " yea.. minie moo a baby" with pride. probably adding hurt to it all was our decision to head down to st.george for an early weekend. i feel like the worlds worst parent. no two ways around it. she and i are both getting angry with eachother, and why? why am i fighting with my 2 year old? it makes her cry, like break her heart cry when i pester her to go. is it worth it? when her cousin gwyn asked her to go today, she simply replied "nooo... i tired of the potty gwynnie!"
*sigh....

guess we're still not ready. the key word being WE.
i'm not ready to fight her like this. it is not worth it. i will change that baby bum of hers until she feels brave enough to do it herself.

so maybe just save that last post for another time?? perhaps next month.. or the next?

i don't know.

and please.. for the record, snide, judgemental "annonymous" comments aren't really appreciated. and definetly are not saving any friendship. if you can't say it to my face in a tactful way..there isn't any sort of the relationship on the line. period.

adventures of the toilet
m0m vs. minie
0-1

training day

2010-04-13T22:01:00.005-06:00

no.. i'm not talking about your favorite Denzel thriller.

although i do promise you what i mean is just as tense, and much more traumatic.
potty training day.
i have dreaded the day from the moment i concieved minie.
i watched my sisters struggle through wet beds, and poopy undies.. and i just knew i wasn't cut out for it.
it just stresses me out. what can i say?
but lo and behold, minie actually sporadically started taking herself to the toilet to do her privy business and i just knew i could put it off any longer.
that and the smallish fact that preschool won't be happening this fall if we don't have a good handle on it by then.

it was time.
do you want to know the best part of being the youngest in a family?
everyone else gets to all of the hard stuff before you.
thank everything holy that robyn and kennan have had toddlers pave the way.
my prep took all of a quick phone call to the sisters, and they led me right where i needed to be.

toilet training in less than a day.

sounds daunting, right??
it was.. it is.
but we did it.

i've been buying our potty loot for a couple of weeks now, so when this morning rolled around we were more than ready to get things started.
we spent the better part of the morning chugging all manner of liquids, munching popcorn and cheetos, and playing dolls.
pretty sure minie wants to train all day, every day.
my mom took poptart for the day, so it was just me and my mins. one on one.
at first it felt novel..
but by lunch she was missing her favorite shadow, and grew tired of mom. apparently the feeling was mutal on the other end as well :) .
that bit made my heart swoon a little,
but that's besides the point...

success took time.
she did make it to the potty, but only to just walk away and piddle all over the floor 5 steps away.
it was frustrating. by nap time i was ready to throw in the towel. i called my mom and sisters and told them they were crazy, and that i didn't believe them that it worked.
i was convinced they had just forgotten...

but alas,
minie woke up with dry pants and exictment to try her new-found skill. she went right to the potty, lowered her pants and hasn't looked back since. she had zero accidents this afternoon/evening, and seems to know when she needs to go.

all day she was awarded gifts and munchies.. every time she was praised she asked me to take her picture.. and every time i obliged. this one day she got whatever she asked just as long as she kept her wee in the toilet.

by far her favorite task all day has been training her new dolly.
doll training was only supposed to last the first hour or so of the day, but minie's baby kept going all day long. and i believe that more than anything helped her the most. if dolly went ( and how special she could go every time :)...) minie went.

how they come up with such things i do not know..
i'm just glad they did and i could follow.

although i'm not so niave as to believe we are out of the woods yet,
i feel a world of relief. and a lot proud.
this day is over with.. my girl is succeeding..
and i adore her to the end of time.

this business kicks my butt...
pray tomorrow morning she still remembers.

and now i'm off to watch some gLee...
good night.

xoxo,

brooke

my easter post

2010-04-06T00:25:00.003-06:00

let me preface this post by saying easter this year was good.
it was just slightly.. shall we say manic?
seems to fit.

so first of all.. some high notes:
. conference this weekend?
well if i were kewl, would say,
was off the hizzy.
but i don't feel particularly comfortable with that, so let's just say i enjoyed it. a lot.
combine all of that with a holiday weekend, and really i can't complain one bit.

.the girls absolute excitement over their target dollar bin laden easter baskets.
.truly and most suprising, understanding the depths of poppy's love for candy.
.and how could i forget minie's middle of the night wake-up call to let me know that "da easter bunny doesn't like minie. he no come to our house. i 'fraid".
.the girl's immense adoration for the new mega-powered bubble machine.. and my midnight wal-mart run to fetch said item. i had bought one earlier.. but upon setting things up quickly realized i was jipped $15 in form of darling Hello Kitty and her bubble blowing abilities.
bottom line... stick with the orginal.

. these girls in their adorables.

.cousins.
'nuff said.

.this dula.
i love him. cute little rat that he is.

. and oh yes... these girls.

what were the bad points you ask??
well let's not delve into that here.
i will say that if i never have to have another political discussion with my husband and family again, it will be too soon.
AND i promise to be nicer when i am hungry with whining kids.
AND..
snow go away.

ahh, well.

happy easter!
:)

refresh

2010-03-28T23:07:00.002-06:00

well, let's talk about it.
this boy is amazing.
i just got back from a 3 day stay with him and...
i am in love.

shall we rewind a little bit??
i've been spoiled rotten. three weekends in a row i have been out of town. wait.. let me rephrase. 3 weekends in a row i have been out of town childless. i know... i told you i was spoiled.

re-cap:
first my darling husband whisked me off for a birthday trip to vegas. after a weekend full of shopping, eating, sleeping, and massages i came home for a mere 4 days, only to leave again the following thursday for st.george. my sisters and mom had a sewing weekend and it was fabulous. a bit of a whirlwind.. but so, so fun. we stayed at robyn's awesomest in-laws home (thanks you Mitchells) , that came equipped with pool and hot tub. it was lovely. we stayed up {way too} late sewing, talking, laughing, and eating. doesn't that sound sublime?? it was.. so much so that i only took two pictures..

at least it was documented.
i will {eventually} take pictures of my darlings in their new home-made creations.
stay tuned.

AND then...
he was born.

monday march 22, 2010.
is he perfect, or is he perfect???

my ever so ah-maz-ing hub let me leave yet again to go visit this little man and his mama.
he is divine.
i spent nearly 3 days squishing his little face off.. and fine... he made me just the teeny, tinest baby hungry :) .
i love other people's newborns. paige is this incredible mama, who somehow is handling the whole new-mother thing like a pro. it makes me just a little jealous.. because i know 1 week in with both girls i was everything short of a disaster. but no surprises there really.. we all knew she was going to rock the whole motherhood thing.

and so now i am home.
it feels nice, and i really missed my family. i feel rejuvenated, and loved, and very blessed.
dustin gets husband of the year award. he {mostly} happily sent me off two weekends in a row, and fended for himself. both weekends he cleaned the house from top to bottom, kept up with laundry, took the girls on outings to the aquarium, jungle jims, McDonalds, and park, AND dealt with their stomach flu this past weekend.
he is my hero.. and fine.. is putting me to shame just a bit.
love you my man.

hope you all are enjoying brig as much as i do.
he is delicious.

xoxo,
brooke

st. pattys and the farm

2010-03-17T11:29:00.000-06:00

it didn't feel right to not do something on this springish holiday, so off to the farm we went.
truth be told, minie over-heard me telling some friends we should plan a day to go in the next couple of weeks and then got it in her mind we were headed there immediately.

it's been a while since we've been, so i didn't much mind it.
this season is not complete without several trips to see those moo boys.
so i say anyway...

i adore this one.
here she is, in all her poppy self.
yep.. that is her on-demand smile.
live it, love it, learn it.

my girl.

this little pet is near to impossible to snap a picture of.
she WILL not hold still.
thank the heavens for a zoom.

looking for "budgs".

oh poppy...
dustin in known in his family for a signature childhood move known as "the flop".
it's essentially an immense temper tantrum that results in an immediate dramatized collapse to the ground below.
{un}fortunately poppy has inherited this lovely trait in all it's infamous glory.
she however has added some new tricks and throws in a good round of convulsing, rolling, and kicking.
this particular show was because i told her we needed to put her bow back in.
lovely.

somehow we've become a family..
that hits me every once and a while,
and well..
i like it alot.
:)

happy march 17th..
and my mad skillz of blogging!

two days in a row..
hoot, hoot!

my favorite things about the last 4 days are the following...

2010-03-16T21:23:00.006-06:00

the spring display at the Bellagio.
there is a reason i named my daughter after such a spunky flower.
don't they remind you of her?
she was always destined to be my poppy.

this book.
fabulous.
it has consumed me the past 3 days.
i loved it. it was one of those candy reads.. and a great reminder of why i don't read as often as i would like. i am the world's worst mom/wife.. nothing gets done, and
also..
it has me thinking in southern maid slang...
saying things like,

thing gone be my fav'rit 'otel theres is out there.

lame?? yes... but i can't help it.
and... it's true.
the Bellagio is my favorite.
whose isn't it?

60 degree weather and park days..
*sigh*
finally they are arriving.
even if it is just for a minute.

and of course..
these baby girls.

it's good to have favorites :)

what about it?

2010-03-10T16:33:00.002-07:00

i know. this blog is being neglected. and i hate it. really, truly, honestly i do. every day the guilt gnaws at me just a tad bit more, so here i am updating with not really much to inform.

i don't know. i have just felt a little blaw. here is the big (or not so big.. you be the judge) surprise. i fight clinical depression. it's a mild case.. nothing earth shattering, and nothing debilitating to my life. but i do.
it hasn't always been the case.... i generally like to describe myself as an optimistic, happy-go-lucky type of gal. in fact, i sort of pride myself on being this person, and feel like i do a pretty good job of being that girl about 80% of the time. i guess just as i have gotten older, gotten a little more "life" under my belt, tried my hand at this adult thingy, things get me down.. lower than what i am told to be normal, and then i get a fist full on anxiety to boot.. and well, i'm one scary mama, and an even scarier wife. this has been going on since poppy's birth... and trust me my sweet baby love, this has nothing to do with you, and everything to do with hormones, and genetcis. you are joy. sunshine, happy, and perfect all wrapped in one. YOU could never bring me down.
anyway, 9 months postpartum after the norm of "baby blues" didn't go away, and those darn anti-depressant commercials seemed to be playing my life out in form of commercial before my eyes, i got help. and LUCKILY (or not so lucky i suppose), i have a huge support system. you see depression runs in the family.. rampant really. once i got past the initial frustration of admitting i actually was struggling, it felt so good to talk about it with my mom(s) (both sets :) ), sisters, friends, husband and know they understood. know they didn't judge me or look down at me.
and well.. now, 1 zoloft a day keeps the scary away.
mostly. sometimes i still feel just.. down. uninspired, bored, exhausted, nervous, and generally just yuck. but then i go and thumb through that one special adult dictionary and realize that is just the definition under "mom". there are others there too... you know. the good ones that keep us all going at this thing. and i guess that is just the point.
sometimes life isn't all rosy and perfect. and it also isn't all doom and gloom... it's just life.. a tad boring. expected, and unexpected all at once.
i know this is no earth shattering epiphany. i am like number 27,500,056 when it comes to originality on this whole speal.. but this is my blog after all,
so it feels like i am number 1.

anyway.. there was a really long explanation to where i have been. on the downward swing of things. i have hardly picked up my camera, and i hurt all over a little bit because of this. i'm not really sure what happened there. but i miss it. i miss taking pictures of my kids.. miss hunting down the good light.. just generally miss it. the poopy thing about photography is that just like anything else you have to work for it. long gone are the days that i feel like i can just pick up a camera and snap. my brain doesn't function that way anymore. i feel like i need to work out my angle, get the decent light, capture the emotion, AND somehow have decent eye-contact with my toddler subjects. and if i somehow acheive all that.. then it's on to photoshop. which i have a serious love-hate relationship with. why does is have to make my photos look so much cooler? why does it have to be so simple, and then so complicated, and then FOUR hours later produce what i love? i'm telling you.. it's work. a lot of it. albeit enjoyable. so i do intend to pick that up again. stay tuned.

the silly thing about all of this, is that however dull life my seem, i do have so much to tell.
i am so in love with my girls. they change so much every day, and i promise you, are the most adorable things this side of the Mississippi. poppy is just flat out, DELISH. seriously, the girl melts me. she has this raspy, little voice that just chirps around the house all day long. ALWAYS sports a head full of crazy hair, and has the worlds silliest teeth. i'm in love.
minie is a little devil. but the cutest little michief, so as you may guess, gets a way with murder. remember all of those things you tell yourself you will NEVER do when you are a parent? oh, that's right.. i do them all.. and then some. me says get yourself a 2 year old, and then we'll talk.

i don't know.. i wish i could write all of the little things i adore so much.. but as par for course, time is limited, and my brain feels like mush. but i want to do better. i will do better.
after a quick visit to my 89 year old Grandma today, i of course walked away feeling the need to better myself. Johnnie Belle has always been one to be in-tune with the spirit, but i swear-to-you -dammit .. the older that woman gets, the veil gets thinner and thinner. most quotes from her are pretty much directly from God himself... so when she told me today, "brooke.. you must write it all down. you must remember it somehow. it is all important." i took it more than just a subtle hint.

i hope this is isn't too depressing. i realize i just blog vomited all about.. but that's what happens when you hold it in. one big, long boring post, and NO photos.
i apologize.

hopefully i can take this blog by the reins and keep it interesting.

until then,

xo

brooke

ps.
tomorrow is my birthday. :)
i will 24. that sounds really young, but feels really old.
like perhaps a 4 in lieu of the 2 is more appropriate? i don't know...
however, i do know our childless weekend in Vegas may change that.
we shall see.
happy birthday to me!

you are seeing right..

2010-02-28T21:49:00.003-07:00

yep.
those are acrylic press-on nails my 2 year old is sporting.
i realize how creepy it feels to look at that baby hand with sparkled white-tips.
but what can i say?
sometimes her requests are just too darn silly to not submit too.

we get grocery store treats.
every. time. we go.
if anyone out there has figured a better way than bribing to make it through those delectable outings.. please let me in on the secret.

SO,
as you might have guessed our last trip produced these little beauties.
mins found them all on her own and insisted they be hers.

she's crazy, and 120% girl.
a bag of any type turns into her purse,
make-up (chapstick) must always be in said purse,
princesses and barbies are found in everything and anywhere,
if it's sparkly, tacky, and pink she loves and adores it,
and should a bow should fall out? well that's ground for tears.
*sigh*...

when talking nature vs. nurture i used to ride much
more on the nurture side of the argument...

having kids has maybe changed my tune.
because i definitely know acrylic nails and hannah montana were not on the docket for my child rearing ambitions.

it's a good thing dustin likes girls...
in this house there is more than enough to go around.

my dear baby minie,

xoxo sweet lady girl

i love you forever and ever.

-mama

update

2010-02-20T22:58:00.004-07:00

i've thought about it.
we should be able to hibernate all winter long. why can't we?
really... nothing sounds better to me right now than to wake up and have spring here. we've all been sick for about 2 weeks straight..
enough said.
me being the truly great parent i am, refrained from taking the girls to the doctor. i never know when to make that judgement call.. finally after 14 days of mucus puke, coughing fits, flowing green snot noses, and 3 AM wake-up calls i took MINIE in. turns out she had flaring sinus/ear infections... probably should have guessed that seeing as poppy's ears were gooping green nasty for a couple of days, because you know.. when one has it, so shall we all. also turns out the draining ear garble needs to be checked out and treated. i learned the wrong way. i thought that's what the tubes were for? nope... ear infections STILL can happen. *sigh*.... she was taken to the doctor a couple of days later, and now we have so much amoxicillin flowing through the home you can practically taste the yeasty bubble-gum flavor as you walk in the door. but alas, all is well. things seems to be on the mend. THANK heaven for modern medicine. :)

that all sounds a tad depressing doesn't it? don't worry... it is not all doom and gloom. dustin had a crazy work/school schedule this past week, so after a mild prompt from this lady, the girls and i were in the car headed south. we spent the week in sunny st.george with our favorite sugar babies. and it was heaven. did you know it was pushing 7o degrees there this past week? are you aware that my girls were wearing short sleeves, capris, and played at the park every day?? ahhh... it was sublime. i should move there. wait. i am moving there ( no.. not really). not to mention how i love sneaking in on robyn's life. it is busy.. basket ball, school, singing lessons, dance lessons, scouts, spelling, homework, meals, etc. ect.. but somehow she makes it look easy, and always makes it fun. and how i adore all of her friends! i feel like i want to stop calling them her friends, because really.. i love them so much, they should be mine too :)
we all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.. even in the midst of the illness. thank you rob for the sunny, fun week. i love st. george, and i love you.

*SIGH**

so here are some photos... as you may have guessed,
no
i haven't really taken many pictures as of late. seems my mojo has indeed decided to hibernate, and my will to even pick up the camera is waiting for the trees to bud and bushes to blossom. it makes me feel rather guilty really.. but such is life i suppose.

here is what we have:

a valentine breakfast.
we were in the thick of sickness, and it shows.

poor girlies... pink heart pancakes couldn't even bring them out of there sicky-ness.
at the time i thought these photos quite festive. especially the one of minie eating straight butter from her pancake..
but now they just sort of break my heart.
i hate having sick kids :(

the work of minie:

she seems to be the only one who takes pictures these days.
and as she should...
as i was clearing up my memory cards tonight,i felt mighty impressed with her talent. hats off to you my moodle moo.
and yes, i've been known to throw a pose or two for the camera when shes behind the lens..
what? don't act like you haven't done it yourself.
:)

here is to me updating and the little renos being on the mend!
yay!