Techno Geek

I left the room for 2 seconds and when I came back to the kitchen, I found this. He is officially a a climber and he is in love with the computer. Every minute we turn our backs on him, he is up the chair trying to use the mouse or type away at something. We don't have anything to block him from it either because he'll just climb on whatever blockade we have in order to get his technology fix. Don't get me wrong, Kyle is loving that he can climb. Porter even has a wicked toe hook that he likes to do at our kitchen table, but we're just afraid our computer is going to have a meltdown due to tiny dexterous hands. Does anyone have any suggestions for alleviating this problem? If so, let me know!
He even likes finding our thumbdrive and searching for a place to stick it in. Normally it ends up in his mouth! Luckily he doesn't know how to take the cover off yet! Help!

The Bloodgusher

I have been a little hesitant to announce this publicly on my blog for fear that I wouldn't actually go through with it and have to explain myself to the blogging world, but now is as good a time as any. I have been training for a Marathon. My friend Jenny, and I have been training and plan on traveling to Washington to do the Seattle Marathon. We are really excited/nervous about it. Right now is about our half way mark for training and there was a local 1/2 marathon called the Bloodgusher 1/2, so I decided to do it. It was yesterday and if I could use one word to describe it, it would be...windy. Midland is not known for it's rolling hills. In fact, we are known to have no hills for miles (You can see the airport from our house which is about 15 miles out of town). The race was right outside of town, so there was absolutely nothing blocking the horrible wind which we were running into. I couldn't even hear my music the wind was so loud! It was brutal, but I got my "2nd wind" so to speak on the way back, probably because I was going with the wind instead of against it. Anyway, long story short, I finished. I got my best time. On to the next race (In Seattle June 26th!). Kyle got this cheesy action shot. Obviously I don't look too awesome after 13 miles of running. I couldn't have done it without my cheerleading squad rooting me on!

Brighton's Court

So the townhomes we live in are called Brighton Court and Brighton thinks it's the greatest because we live in "her court". It's been so nice out lately that we have been going on walks everyday and finally got a picture of her by her sign. Thought you would enjoy. Also thought you would enjoy the pic of hammy little B.

Spring has Sprung

So I guess the winter is over in Texas and it is finally spring time! Today it was 75 degrees outside and Brighton got a sunburned face! I'm not very used to this type of spring because that's a hot summer day in Alaska. But I am definitely not complaining. I'm excited for it! You can totally tell my kids are ready for it too because Brighton is exploring every new thing she can outside (thus, the fascination with finding ladybugs as seen below.) and Porter is running around in his diaper and refuses to let me get any pants on him. We've been able to go on walks, go to the park, and hang out basically anywhere that is not indoors. It has been our long awaited cure for cabin fever which we were all suffering from. The bug obsession begins

Pantless buddy

Pretty much, we think Texas springs are "Awesome" as Brighton is clearly stating!

Little Ballerina B

Whenever Wednesday rolls around Brighton's favorite question to ask me is "Is it time for ballet yet?" That right. Brighton fulfilled her long time dreams of going to dance class. I have to admit it is pretty cute to see all those little girls dressed up in leotards and ballet slippers. And Brighton loves practicing at home. If you ask her to do any of her moves, she's all over it. It's fun to see her grow, and become the little person she's becoming. As you can see, I think she's growing into a little dancer!

Can you Believe it?!

When we moved to Texas, we thought it would be great because we kept moving further and further south thus getting away from the snow. They say it never snows here, but to our dismay (and Brighton's joy) the snow flew yesterday! It was about 6-8 inches and it's gone now, but it was actually fun while it lasted for that 1/2 day. Schools everywhere were cancelled and the whole town basically shut down which was a joke to me because it was a light morning dew to Alaska standards. Brighton thought it was the coolest thing to make a snowman and Porter had enough after about 5 minutes. Luckily, Kyle had the day off so we made it quite a family event. We're grateful to have that fun little winter memory, but now we're ready for the spring to come!

Kyle, being the bully of a daddy that he is, thought it would be funny to throw snowballs at the littlest, most defenseless person out there. Needless to say, Porter wanted to go inside soon after that.

Porter got a head-full after standing underneath an overhang. This probably didn't help to make his first texas snow experience pleasant either.

Brighton was so proud of her snowman, she named her Frostbite (Frosty's daughter).

Good times had by most!

Clean as a Whistle

Lately Kyle has been putting Brighton to the test by making her deep clean our house with him. In the past week she has organized her bookshelf and cleaned her room everyday, done the dishes, vacuumed the couches, and he's even had her wash the windows! Who is this guy? I think he missed the memo that said child labor laws are in effect. Luckily Brighton enjoys it but I'm sure that happiness will soon fade once it's required of her to do these chores. For now, I guess I should just kick back and soak in the fact, that I'm not the only one doing the housework!

Workin' at the Car Wash

If we lived in Alaska or anywhere else for that matter, this would not be happening, but thanks to the mild Texas winters (although everywhere else in TX it's not so mild) Kyle and Brighton were able to go out and wash the car the other day. Even though Brighton probably made it a little dirtier than cleaner, she had a ton of fun hanging out with dad and she even sprayed herself in the face with the hose and only cried a little bit (purely accidental, but hilarious for the fam to see!).

Loudness Magnified

Brighton got a CD player with full-functioning microphones for Christmas and hasn't been able to put it down since(Thanks again mom!)but Porter has had a little trouble figuring them out. Don't get me wrong, he loves to get them out and play with them, but it wasn't until yesterday that he figured out they could make him louder than he already is. Now we've got to find a good hiding place for it because that boy has some pipes and a microphone only intesifies the volume. Anyway, here's a little clip of him enjoying his new-found wisdom. Enjoy!

Caught Blue-handed

Brighton and I turn around for one second to clean a paintbrush and this is what we find when we head back over to her easel. Porter can not keep his grubby little hands out of anything! He was evidently very upset that we took him away from the situation as well. It's a good thing he's so cute other wise I probably would have been mad!

It's official...

I'm domestic. I officially bake my own bread now. And it's quite tasty.

Even the kids give it 2 thumbs up.

And it's all thanks to this little bad boy. Thanks again Kyle for the best Christmas present!

Birds of a Feather...

It was my week to teach preschool so we made pinecone birdfeeders. For any of you out there teaching preschool and can't think of activities, this is a hit! The kids thought it was the coolest thing to "paint with peanut butter". They loved it, and they did a very good job of licking the peanut butter bowls clean (Don't worry. No birdfood was consumed in the process of making these bird treats.)
A very proud Brighton showing off her birdfeeder

The gang hard at work

Jaynie and Malachi flashing some smiles

Brighton and Kirsten obviously loved the pb

First Day of Primary

Where does the time go? Wasn't it just yesterday that I was excited to see her go to nursery? Now I am nostalgic to see her move up to Primary. Today was her first day. A lot of mixed feelings are going on, but I guess it's all for the best. I mean, she was completely ready if you can't already tell by the utter enthusiasum on her face. She has been waiting for this moment since Easter. I just don't know if I'm ready yet! Oh well, hooray for Brighton on becoming such a big girl (I just hope I can make it through her first primary program without bawling like a baby!)!

Christmas Favorites

Here are a few of our favorite Christmas spoils!

Thanks Aunt Sariah for your awesome knitting skills! Brighton loved the lobster!

Kyle was amazing and surprised me with a Kitchenaid stand mixer. Thanks Babe!

Probably everyone's favorite thing on Christmas was Porter's new Boston Red Sox baby book. We're starting him early!

Merry Christmas!

We hope your day was a good one filled with love and family! Merry Christmas!

Christmas at a Glance

This Christmas season we did many things including but not limited to:

Making Gingerbread houses

Going to see Christmas at the Mansion at the Children's Museum with Brighton's preschool class

Making Christmas ornaments

Going to the library Christmas party

Meeting Santa (Sadly he was the storybook reader at the library and Brighton caught on pretty quick!)

All-in-all it was an eventful, exciting, exhausting, and exhilarating Christmas time. It goes by way too quick! We hope yours was just as fun!

The Reason for the Season

Brighton loves the Little People nativity we got this year and has really started understanding why we celebrate Christmas. This morning she woke up and said "Mom! Tomorrow is Jesus' birthday!" She always sets the nativity up in a way so everyone can see the new special little baby Jesus. What a sweet spirited girl we have!

G. Kohen Romeril

Before I continue ranting about Christmas acitivities we've recently done, I couldn't help but brag a little bit about my new nephew! This is Gregory Kohen Romeril who was born on November 3rd and is the cutest baby ever! I couldn't be a prouder aunt and I can't wait to meet the little guy! Way to go Casey and Ty! You make beautiful babies!

Happy Birthday to...

ME!

Today is my birthday and since it's Sunday, we just had some friends over for dinner. We've got some great friends here named Jenny and Jon Cummings. Jenny is so great. She baked me a super yummy birthday cake and got me 2 of the best gifts: 1- Twilight lotion (okay it's from bath&body works but we loved the movie so it worked both ways) 2- A subscription to Runners' World. We've been planning on running a marathon together in 2010 and this just gets me more excited to do that! She's so awesome and I don't know what I would do without her here! Thanks again Jenny!

Trimming the Tree

We decorated our Christmas tree about 30 minutes before Kyle went to work, which was fun, but rushed and although we went in a flurry,it was nice to get it done quick. Brighton just loved looking at all the different ornaments and had to put up the prettiest ones all by herself. She also did the honor of putting the star on top. I love this season and it's exciting to see Brighton at the age where she really gets into it. Porter had a good time just trying to get into the decoration boxes. It was a good little time as you can see!
The gang in the midst of hanging

The cookiness never stops with this little girl

Porter really wanted to help. Even now he will go up to the tree and put his toys on the bottom branches. What a cutie!

* Viewer discretion advised due to content of panties*

Brighton was just tickled that daddy and her put the star on top!

Cat in the Hat Girls' Night

Whenever Kyle works nights, Brighton and I have started having girls' nights. Sometimes they are themed, other nights she just gets to stay up a little later (until 8:30 which is big for her) and hang out. A few nights ago, they had The Cat in the Hat movie on TV so I said she could stay up and watch it. We have the book so we read that and we have a stuffed animal from my Nana that she got to play with so she thought that was great. We ate popcorn and hung out like 2 girlfriends. I love the times I get to spend with her. What a fun little girl I have!