Summer Camping

There is nothing like camping in the summer! However, you would think that going up to the mountains in late July you would have warm weather. This was not the case!! Jackets, sweaters, and pants were all the rage. One of my best friends Blair and her husband (that is so wierd to say) Logan came along. If you remember back to a May post, these two were married.

We all got in the boat and Brian rowed us across the lake. Blair caught her first fish since she was little. Yes, that is Brian's hand in the background holding up the fish. Blair did not touch it but she was sure a trooper!!

We went target shooting because I need to practice before the hunt in September. I drew out for the big bull elk tag. It was only my second year putting in. I put in thinking that in 15 years I would be ready to shoot an elk. Well I was wrong. This is the year for me. Brian and his dad have been putting in for 13 and 14 years, respectively, and have yet to draw out. I never, in a million years, thought I would be the one.
Brooklyn fell asleep in the car and we left her in there (with the windows down of course), so it would insulate her from some of the noise. Worked like a charm!! She slept though the whole thing and was wearing quite the fashion statement.

Later on Blair, Brooklyn, and I sat and watched the boys fish from the shore. Brian and Logan both caught some fish. Everyone caught a fish but me:( I was on Brooklyn duty and didn't have an extra hand for a fishing pole.

The girls watching...

The little princess was totally inticed by the fish.

It was so cold so we had to snuggle. (No complaints here!!)

Luckily we caught the sunset. Notice the BYU apparel, we are gearing up for the football season to start!!

It's a Boy!!

My friend Heather is having a baby boy due August 20th. So I threw her a small baby shower. I made my first diaper cake for baby Caden. It was way simpler than I thought it was going to be.

I was just about at the same stage of pregnancy a year ago, so I feel her pain. She is ready to be done and on the home stretch! I thought pregnancy was a dream until the last month, then you really pay for it. I remember just being so uncomfortable. But Heather truly has the pregnant glow and she still has ankles (something I lacked at this point). I know she really didn't want to, but I had to get a picture of that cute belly! My bet is 7 lbs 11 oz. Don't worry I will let you know if I was close when he comes.

Heather and I have been friends since 2nd grade. We were reminiscing about it in the parking lot. I am so excited for her and I know she will be such a great mom!!

Zoofari

We took Brooklyn to the Zoo for the first time last Thursday. I only had to work a half day so I figured it was the perfect time to go. Plus, I thought she may be able to understand what is actually going on now.  I think the elephants were her favorite. Who doesn't like little baby Zuri? She was so adorable! We got there right as they were letting her out so she stayed pretty close to her mama and she was playing with the barrels.

My sister-in-law Anna came with us until Brian got there. I was so glad that she came because I don't think it would have been quite as fun with just me and little B.

This is little baby Zuri!!

I tried to get a picture of Brooklyn and Anna together and these were the best I could do. She is driving me crazy these days with her attachment issues. As long as she can see me you can bet that she is going to cry while anyone else holds her. (With the exception of Brian and both of her Grandmas) If I am not around she is fine, so I hear.

She loves to be pushed around in the stroller and people watch.

I think that she really liked the big animals the best because they are easy to see and don't move very quickly, as opposed to the quick little monkeys they have at several exhibits that she couldn't follow very well.

Brian came in the later afternoon just as Anna left. Her daddy sure makes her smile!! He spoiled her by carrying her around most of the time. He wanted her to get up close and personal with them. He was so enthusiastic about it, such an animal lover!! And of course we had to take Brooklyn's picture next to one of the three lion drinking fountains. I can't believe I let her touch that thing. Think of all the bacteria swimming in there. (Don't Brian's new glasses make him look studly, maybe like a Clark Kent thing? I think they are really cute on him. These are his first pair ever in his life.)

We got to see the elephant drink from the steam and splash a little bit. That was the first time I have ever seen that in person.

Oh and how did we measure up you might wonder?! It looks like the Olsen Family is quite taller and skinnier than the Ape family. However, notice the arm lengths. Yes, we are a little lurpy. Brian and I often joke about how long and skinny our family is going to be with these long arms and legs.

Fish Away

This is Brian's dream.... Seriously, he has talked about getting one for so long and we finally did it. We got a boat. Granted it is not some extravagant wakeboarding machine, but it is a nice little 12 foot aluminum fishing boat. We knew we had to get it when the number 13 was displayed on the top of the motor. It was just the sign we needed. It is so crazy!! Our lives have revolved around the number 13 without us even thinking about it. Don't worry we aren't some crazy voodoo people who seek out certain numbers, it just so happens that anything important in our lives has involved the number somehow. It was only fitting that Brooklyn happened to be born on the 13th!!

Anyway, here is a picture of the oldie goldie herself. (Yes, I am making it a she who has yet to be named.) It is a 1975 Sears. It will make for some fun weekends at the cabin lot.

This weekend we took it out for a putt putt around the lake by the cabin lot. It started up first try!! The little miss hated her life jacket. We are going to have to take it back and trade it for something that does not choke her, and one that will still allow movement of her extremities. Maybe Disney should stick to their day job and not reach out to the water safety consumers.

Also, this weekend we had a family reunion at wheeler farm and I couldn't help but snag some pictures of Brooklyn's first time feeding the ducks/geese with her daddy.

Anna's Birthday Party

My sister-in-law Anna turned 27 on the 8th of July. For her birthday we went out to dinner with her and my brother and some of their friends. We went to their favorite restaurant, Tepanyaki. Our cook was so hilarious. Brian kept trying to tease him and joke with him (like he does at every restaurant). The food was so yummy!!

Gareth  and Anna have been married since October. Anna and I have gotten along so well from the beginning. She is the perfect fit into our family. She is the sweetest person and the one girl who can put my brother in his place!!

Brooklyn has fun with Anna too!! She watches Brooklyn from time to time while I am at work when Debi or my Mom can't. Gareth is so good with her too. He loves kids and loves to play with her. She let him walk her around the restaurant.

The big group of us. These are my brother's best friends Jordan and Travis and their girlfriends, who are best friends.

The little miss was not quite sure about Anna snapping a picture of her.

Brooklyn has become attached to this blanket. She loves to snuggle it right by her face. It is so funny, it is this little recieving blanket that came in a pack but she only wants this one. This little girl loves to snuggle these days. Like this, right on my lap. I can't get enough of it!! She never wanted anything to do with it before so I hope it will last!

Celebrating Independence Day

Afterall it is called "Independence Day" for a reason. When did everyone stop calling the holiday what it really is and instead call it by the day it is celebrated!! :)

I love that this holiday landed on a Sunday because it ment that we got to celebrate it all weekend!! We had the opportunity to go the the stadium of fire. They had Carrie Underwood performing and fireworks. This was my first time ever going to the stadium of fire. Had it not been for Carrie being there I probably wouldn't have been that excited about going, because you can see fireworks everywhere. My favorite was when she performed "Jesus Take The Wheel" she added on the hymn "How Great thou Art." What a hit for a LDS majority audience. She also sang the national anthem and I later learned that she is ranked in the top 10 for singing it. Who knew? But I can understand why! When she sang the words "rockets red glare" some loud rocket like fireworks went off and Brooklyn started to cry. The scared her to death!

After the performance they started the fireworks. Because it so loud in the stadium we took her out to the parking lot to watch. She actually really liked them when she wasn't right up next to them and it was a little more quiet.

Every year we go the the Stein Erickson Lodge BBQ and every year is just as good, if not better, than the last. My favorite was the tomato bar. They had probably close to 15 different kinds of tomatoes with 7 different kinds of salts. I am such a sucker for a good tomato!

I took these pictures when we were walking to the BBQ. The little miss loves her Daddy especially when he caters to her!! This is all she wants to do 24-7 is have someone hold her arms so she can walk around. We are hoping she walks before Trevor's wedding (August 7th) so that she doesn't have to crawl around wearing her pretty dress. We will hope for the best!!

After dinner we took some family pictures but Trevor and Amanda were not in them because they left early to take some engagement pictures and wanted to get them while there was still some daylight.

 Monday we spent some time laying out and playing by the pool.

We had so much fun playing in the pool. It was fun to have Brian's best friend Trevor come up with his fiance Sandee. I think at some point every one of the hotels' noodles was in the pool.

Brooklyn and Baylor loved the water and loved to be floated around the pool.

Brian let her lay on his tummy while he floated on some noodles.

Brooklyn shares a special bond with her Grandma. She loves every second of the time they get to spent together!!

Gandma also loves to spoil her little princess! Look at how cute this little robe is that Grandma got her. Grandma gave this to her because Baylor had his little cute robe on and she wanted Brooklyn to have one so she found this in the spa. Grandma caters to the diva that she is!! Yep, her way or the highway, just like her daddy!