B-day fiesta

Yesterday was my Birthday and Kyle surprised me by taking me to a nice restaurant and then to an Alaska Aces Hockey game. They are a professional team part of the ECHL and used to love going to the games in high school. It was super fun! We had such a blast and they are a pretty good team so it was definitely a memorable evening. Something kinda funny as well was that they played against the Idaho Steelheads, so I would have been happy with either team winning, but my hometown/favorite team won which was great. Well, needless to say, we had a fantastic evening. Sorry I've been way behind on the updating of the blog, but getting Christmas stuff done on time has been crazy! I'll be better! Hope all is well with everyone!

A Thanksgiving feast

During our Thanksgiving dinner, we decided to put on Brighton's special turkey bib and help her celebrate the festivities by feeding her some of our food. She liked the mashed potatoes a little but couldn't eat too much (The big bite on her spoon was about the extent of her feasting.). I know it's a little late, but we just wanted to share a holiday pic for you all to see. We hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and will soon have a fantastic Christmas season!

Like Mother Like Daughter

Brighton is getting into everything! She loves to read magazines with mommy although she likes the taste of them more than the words. She is a real connoisseur to fine tasting literature. Let's just say she'll have some "sweet" vocabulary when she talks. Well, we've had a good week and Thanksgiving was great! Hope everyone had an exciting holiday!

Squashed Face

Brighton has started eating solid foods and loves getting them all over her face! Squash is her favorite right now as you can see in the pic. She is not only trying to eat food, but also loves eating post-it notes. I think it's the color that she likes. Now that she's got two teeth and more on the way, it's easy for her to chomp her way into anything around the house!
Today, for the first time in a while, Kyle and I were able to go to the temple which was a great experience like always. The Anchorage Temple is one of my favorites. Other than that, things are going great in AK!

Sitting Pretty

Brighton has been sitting up on her own for a couple of weeks now and it's insane how grown-up she seems, being somewhat mobile now. She is loving being the center of attention now that she can see it all from a new perspective. She can entertain herself more which makes life a little easier for us when we're running all over the place. Kyle has been so great about taking Brighton during church these past few months because my calling isn't exactly baby-friendly. She just sits right next to him in Priesthood and tries to get everyone's attention by gigggling or sqeaking as loud as she can. What a wild child!

Winter Wonderland

This past weekend we splurged and bought a jogger for me to run with baby this winter. We were so excited about the purchase that we had the bright idea to walk to church the next day because our building is pretty close. To our surprise and delight, it started snowing and staying on the ground the night before. The next day, the snowflakes were the size of golfballs and needless to say, they packed quite a punch. Unlike regular golfballs, these conditions made it hard to "drive" in (Kyle added that pun for Pat). You couldn't see 10 feet in front of you! Nevertheless, we moved onward and were soaked for church, but it made for a fun Sunday event! To give you a little visual of the crazy Alaskan winters, the pics above were taken about 24 hours apart and the snow never let up. Things tend to get whiter and colder really quick here. Note, the pic with me in it has no background even though we're standing 5 feet from a tree! Amidst the cold winter nights we've been having (yesterday it was 6 degrees out!), we're still loving our lives in AK so if you ever want to drop in, the igloo is always open!

Halloween Festivities

I'm still trying to catch up on the Halloween events due to technical difficulties with the blog the past week or so. I thought I'd let you all know a few Halloweenie things we did during the holiday week. Kyle, Brighton, and I decided to make a Jack o' lantern (Brighton's not in the pic because she fell asleep during the cutting! Too much excitement for her I guess!). It was much fun! Also, the day before, while I was on the phone, Kyle and baby surprised me with a monster-face belly! Kyle wanted to dress her up like that for Halloween, but I said she'd get a bit cold. We made her belly rolls move to look like the monster was talking, which was hilarious! This fun activity reminded me of the time when Brighton was in my belly and Kyle painted my stomach to look like an egg for easter! Here's a little reminiscent photo. The Comins must have a fetish with belly painting! Oh well! Like mother like daughter I guess!

A late Halloween treat

So for Halloween Brighton was a sweet pea! She is in real life so we thought we'd make a costume to fit the part. She had a great time trying to get the peas off her costume and eat them. Thought I'd show some pics even though it's late. It seems like she is wanting to put EVERYTHING in her mouth lately! Her favorites include watches and paper (Don't get her near a hymn book!). She's been such a testy baby! Maybe it's because her first tooth broke through the other day! It's unbelieveable! She's growing way too fast! But she's so much fun! We love her!

Swimming Sensations

About a week or so ago, Brighton and I went to the Alaska Club where Kyle works and decided to go on our first swim together! She really didn't know what to think of the water in the beginning, but she eventually got the hang of it and started splashing around a little. It was great fun! We are trying to make it a habit of going and getting a little exercise throughout the week, but it's tough to drive all the way out to Kyle's club. Although it does break up the week and I want Brighton to love the water, so it helps. Well, she's getting to be as fun as ever and starting to be able to do crazy little stuff! We love her! She's a hoot! Hope everyone's doing well!

Feeding Frenzie

So I've been putting off feeding Brighton any solid food yet because she has had bowel movement problems and I didn't want to risk any stoppage of the poop flow, but a few days ago I finally tried the rice cereal and it was a hit! Brighton is still getting the hang of using her tongue and ends up getting more on her face than in her face, but it makes for a good time. She definitely loves eating it, whether she likes the taste or not. It's something new and different for her to do and her independence is starting to shine through because she already tries to grab for the spoon herself (mainly just to figure out what it is). By the end of feeding time, she finally finds the bowl that I've been hiding from her and becomes more interested in playing with that than eating what's inside, so it's a lost cause by then. She's a hoot and gains more of her own little attitude everyday.

Working Women

So today was my first day substitute teaching! I signed up to do it for the school year in the Anchorage school district area since we'll be here in Alaska for that time period and Kyle is working evenings. When time overlaps and we both have to work, it's nice to have grandma and grandpa here to be happy to take her!
Well, subbing was a fun experience and it's definitely different than student teaching! It was nice to get back in the schools again. The crazy thing is that I subbed at the brand new school in Eagle River and half of my teachers from high school work there so it was like dejavue. I actually subbed for a teacher I knew in elementary school! It was a humbling and surreal experience. Well life is good and busy here and we love it! Oh and here's a couple pictures of Brighton in her element. Thought you might like them! She's working the camera like I was working the students today! Hope everyone is doing well!

Toesie Posie

I might have already mentioned this before, but Brighton loves her toes! She grabs at them like crazy! Her favorite thing to do is eat them. She is so bendy and flexible. I think she'll be a cheerleader like her mom!

Goin' down South

A week or so ago we went to a place called South Fork in Eagle River. It was a little trailhead that led to this awesome waterfall. Although Brighton looks a little groggy in the pics, she was very lively and loved the loud sounds of the falls. We went with our friends Jeremy, Jodi, and Jaden Oakes. Jaden is 2 months younger than Brighton and they love playing together so it was a fun little trip for them and us.

Alaska State Fair

A few weeks ago, the Comin Family decided to go to the 70th annual Alaska State Fair in Palmer. It was farming central! It reminded me of the good old farming community of Rexburg! There were so many 4H events including animal exhibitions shown in these pictures. The conglomoration of goats in the pic were all huddled together asleep while standing. It was kinda goofy looking and Brighton loved to see them. Also, Kyle is petting a baby pig that's 5 weeks old! It reminded me of Brighton at 5 weeks! All wrinkly and tiny! Oh how she grows! Well it was a ton of fun and it was Brighton's first animal experience which was a great time! We enjoyed ourselves and hope to be back next year.

Belly Baby

Things have been so busy and crazy in AK that it's out of control! That is my excuse for the procrastination when it comes to keeping up with the blog! Well, it is insane how much has gone on in the past little while and how much Brighton is developing. She's almost 5 months and has been religiously rolling over for the past 3 weeks! She rolls from her back onto her belly but can't roll back over so she gets frustrated and starts flailing her arms and legs around like she's swimming in the air! It's kinda funny to watch until she starts crying and you put her back onto her back. She's a ton of fun! She has such a bright and giggly personality and it's great to have her around! I'm at the point where I want her to slow down when it comes to growing because there's something new and exciting she's doing every day and I can't keep up! Well, I'll make sure to catch everyone up with the happenings of the Comin Fam!

Tribute to Psoriasis

Last week my sister Sarah (or as we call her "Psoriasis") went back to school to the University of Montana. She stayed in Alaska for the summer. She was excited to go but we were sad to see her leave. She was so good with Brighton and we had a lot of great times together. She was so fun to be around and we became such better friends. Brighton definitely misses her! We just wanted to give a shout out to one of the best sisters and aunts there could be! So we love and miss you Sariah!

Year #2

It has been a while since the last entry and for that I have to say things have been busy! Too busy to write! But I guess I'll start catching up! About 2 weekends ago (August 18th to be exact, Kyle and I celebrated our 2nd anniversary! We went to a bed and breakfast about 30 miles away in a woodsy town called Wasilla. It poured rain the entire weekend, but we were determined to go see the nearby lake so here are a few pics from it. Also we brought our bikes and rode in the downfall. Needless to say we were soaked and freezing by the time we got back to the place but luckily our room had a gas fireplace so we were nice and toasty within minutes! Anyway, it was a good time to reflect upon the many great times we've had in the past and to imagine what great things lie before us!

Dog Pile!!

Baby loves laying on her belly so we decided to make a pyramid. Although about 2 seconds after taking this picture she started to cry. Baby is getting so smiley and happy but now she's started a phase where we've got to entertain her in order for her to stop crying. In the picture on the left, she's cracking up from a funny face her dad is making at her. Doesn't it look like she's saying, "Oh dad! Are you crazy or what?!" I think she's got the right idea when it comes to Kyle being a crazy character!

Bathing Bunny!

Brighton loves taking her baths! She's always so calm and happy in the water. Thanks to the Grahams, we have this oh so cute bunny towel to wrap her up in afterwards! Today we moved her from the sink to the big tub and she was not a happy camper! When her face returned to her natural color after being beet red from crying, we took her out to dry off. After working herself up so much, she slept the afternoon away. It made for a productive day! We love her so much!

Lawnmowing Madness

Today was a monumental day for Brighton and I!! It was the first time ever that we mowed the lawn! I know it's kind of an embarrassing thing, but I've never mowed the lawn before so we decided to go out as a family and get our hands dirty! It was fun and Brighton loved the loud noises! She is starting to explore like never before and enjoys the outdoors! We are sad that the summer is drawing to an end because we are actually able to start exploring the wilderness with baby, but I guess we can just introduce snow to her soon enough!

True Blue Alaskans

Saturday was an eventful day for the Comin family! We decided to go hiking along the inlet coast in Anchorage with Kirsten and Aaron Henshied (Kirsten is an old roommate and they are staying here for the summer). Along the coast are mountains where dall sheep usually reside. That's where we went hiking. We stopped when we saw a ton of them and they were actually on the trail with us! We have the pictures to prove it! We got so close it was unbelievable!! So we trucked on into the wilderness and it was a gorgeous hike. About half an hour into the woods, Aaron was taking the lead and all of a sudden he yells, "Hey bear! Hey bear!" There was a black bear about 10 feet away from us right off the trail!! Thank goodness baby was with Kyle in the back. We slowly walked backward and made our way to the car. It was a little nerve-wrecking, but we all made it home safely thank goodness. So now we can say baby is a true Alaskan and has had her first outdoor adventure!

Playing Footsie

Today Brighton found her feet! She grabbed them and didn't let them go all day! She flexed those little toes and loved her life. Also, she found her fist and concentrated on that when she wasn't working with her toesies. We love her! She's growing so fast! I wish she'd slow down! Hope everyone is doing well!

Daddy/Daughter Love

Hello all!
Hope everyone is doing well! We are having fun playing with Brighton! She's getting such a personality! She loves it when Kyle holds her by the ankles and she dangles! You can see her confused look in the picture. Brighton really loves her dad as you can see from the pics. Whether it's hanging out on the roof with him or hanging upside down, she's always giggling with her pops. She is smiling and laughing all the time. We love it! Last weekend we took her to her first Parade. Every year in Eagle River there is what is called the Bear Paw Festival and they have a parade so we decided to partake of the festivities!! It was rainy but a blast! It was fun to see my old cheerleading squad walking in the parade. It brought back so many memories! Anyway , it was a fun time and we've been loving our lives here!

Brainy Baby

Brighton is a bundle of joy! She has started smiling like crazy! She loves to take mom's glasses off. She's gaining so many motor skills with her hands and feet. She's always kicking like crazy and started grabbing things (namely my glasses!). The other day she even rolled over! I think she didn't realize what she was doing because she hasn't done it since. She's growing like crazy! Well, Kyle is still loving his job but he barely gets any time off. It keeps him very busy! Last weekend on his day off, we were able to clean the temple which was a neat experience. Well, we are loving our life in AK!! Hope everyone is doing well!

Hello All!!

Hello everyone!
We just wanted to say hi to everyone out there and let them know that we're doing well up in Alaska. Kyle is enjoying his job and we are loving the benefits of being able to use the gym. Brighton is getting bigger than ever and we are loving seeing her grow. She started laughing and smiling on command which is so fun. She is the biggest talker ever as well!! She cooes up a storm and loves mimicking the sounds we make to her!! And she has the hugest melon!! She's gained 3 pounds since she was born and I think it's all in her head. We thought we'd share some pics of her wearing the hat her aunt Sarah (my sister) made for her that was too small. It really emphasizes the vastness of her noggin. Well, we are loving having her around and being a little family so much! Well, we'll keep you posted on our AK life along with pictures to boot!! Hope all is well with everyone.