HMLA/T 303 Family Day '09

On May 30th we attending HMLA/T 303's Family Day celebration at Lake O'Neill (about a mile from our house). I wore Teagan on the front of me in a carrier while Eric chased Brynnlee around the grounds of the lake (I definitely got the easier job!). Brynnlee enjoyed a pony ride, the traveling petting zoo, a bounce house and some pig - I mean literally, SOME PIG. They roasted a pig like we were at a luau and Brynnlee enjoyed snacking on it for lunch! (We did not take her over to see the actually pig b/c I found it really disturbing!) It was a fun day with friends from Eric's squadron and the whole thing was really well organized. You will notice that Brynnlee looks a little nervous on the horse, but apparently had no problem touching a snake. WHO'S child is this? Teagan slept the day away in the carrier and didn't make a peep!
It was a fun event!
xo, Jennie

Bottle time!

I said that with Teagan I would NOT make the same mistakes I made with Brynnlee and so far we are at about 50% :) I am trying so hard to let her have a bottle from time to time so I will be able to leave the girls with a sitter a little more often than I left B. So far I can say we are "making progress" but maybe not all the way there. Here are couple of pictures of Brynnlee helping us introduce Teagan to a bottle that I ran across as I picked out some pictures to post. Thought you might enjoy the two sisters in action. : ) The funny little bottle is one I got from the hospital when I pumped there and they stored the milk while Teagan was in the "box of lights" for her jaundice (which is all cleared up! Hooray!). Teagan didn't really love this bottle so we have moved on to a different make and model. ; ) These pictures demonstrate what a great helper little Brynnlee is! Enjoy. xoxo, Jennie

So much to say!

Well, there has been a lot going on at our house! And Brynnlee has been talking up a storm! I need to update the blog with pictures from the squadrons family day, church, a fun visit with Papa and Grandma Raasch, stuff around the house, a visit with Mrs. Sewall and Teagan's Baptism. The Baptism might take me some time b/c the pictures are coming from friends and family, but I'll get there, promise! Life is busy, but good. We are getting into a pretty great routine with our days. Brynnlee is in "summer school" - haha. Tassy has a class on Tuesdays and Thursdays until Brynnlee bumps up to the "Little friends" program in the Fall. Monday, Wednesdays and Fridays we are walking in the mornings with our neighbor Wendy and in our free time (haha) we try to get things done around the house and throw in some play time! Eric and I continue to be EVER-SO grateful for the church we found last year and look forward to Sunday each and every week. I have never felt about a church like we do about Christ the King and feel grateful that we found it. I truly believe it is a great place to build a foundation for the girls' relationship with Christ and has helped to strengthen our marriage.
We now look ahead to what the future holds with great optimism and look back with thanks for the things we have been learning. Who knows.... maybe someone will give us some cookies. :) That always seems to make Brynnlee's day!
Hold tight for some pictures as I attempt to upload them today! : )
Love,
Jennie
xoxo

A cooking play-date!

On Thursday Brynnlee had a friend over for a great play date!
Little Orrin and his mommy Crystal came over so we could
do a little "pre-school cooking" and playing together. It was
great fun and the kids did really well together. Teagan was
a good sport and allowed for lots of activity to go on around
her. She was peaceful most of the day with a few feedings
here and there. Orrin was a little shy at first -
but as soon as he warmed up to Brynnlee it
turned out to be a great day! Crystal brought a recipe for
apple pizzas and the kids baked them - as you can see in the
pictures below. I will add the recipe so you can try it! :)
After enjoying the food their hard work resulted in, we
played outside for a long time before it was nap time for
Orrin and Brynnlee. After hours of fun Brynnlee really
crashed hard and slept well for several hours. It was a great
day for the kids and especially for the mommy-friends to
catch up after not seeing each other for a long time.
Hope you enjoy the pictures from yesterday. I have more of
Teagan headed your way.... : )
xoxo, Jennie


B and Orrin putting cheese on their "pizzas"
er, eating cheese....

sprinkling the cinnamon and sugar

Chef Crystal in action with the kids

this is called the "learning tower" so

the kids can safely reach the counter

to "cook" - one of our best investments


"let me help you Orrin" : )

gardening outside after cooking

Orrin said he wanted to "catch her".....

so HE DID! : ) sweet boy!

What Brynnlee does while Mommy is nursing Teagan...

Pen on her face....


and pen on her leg....

Sweet Brynnlee....she knows how to get into trouble!
While I nurse Teagan I usually pen her in the living
room with me, using multiple baby gates. This is
what happens if I don't put up the baby gate to the
kitchen! Trouble! Luckily Teagan is not a big eater
so she doesn't take very long and I was able to save
Brynnlee from herself before any permanent damage
was done! I love these girls - they keep us busy - and
very entertained!
Have a great weekend everyone! xoxo, Jennie

What Teagan does best

Teagan is a great sleeper. No, I tell Brynnlee, your sister cannot walk, talk or eat that blueberry you are trying to give her.... but she can SLEEP! :) Here are a few pictures of our star sleeper!


sweet


peaceful

I am running out of nice sleeping words so let me

just comment on Eric's shirt..... jeepers, huh?

He does own other shirts, but this is his FAVORITE!


out cold on Daddy's chest

The Graduate!

First, let me preface this by saying "I know.... she's not even 2. This is silly - but man was it CUTE!" : )
Yesterday Brynnlee "graduated" from Baby and Me class. She wore a cap and lei and got a DIPLOMA (which she licked, kissed and hugged, proof below). It was a very exciting day and she had FUN which is really all that matters! After the ceremony we enjoyed a yummy potluck lunch, dancing and a free-for-all of screaming, running around and lots of moms looking exhausted. :) It was great. :)
Here are some pictures of our graduate!
I promise that I will get better now that we are adjusting and I will update more often. Love to all. xoxo, Jennie


The Graduate

with her friend - comparing the caps they made together

not so keen on the hat

hugging her diploma



with Mommy and Teagan after the ceremony


taking her gift to Ms. Tassy (her teacher)

she was so excited to give Ms. Tassy her gift!

loading up at the end of the day