Lately....

One of my New Year's Resolutions is to do more blogging. I love looking back at it sometimes and seeing how much my Brynna has grown. So I am going to do better so there is more for me to look back on and enjoy.

We completed our move to San Diego in September and have been loving it for the most part. I never thought I would come back, but it has been so much fun to do things with Brynna that I did growing up. She absolutely loves going to the beach. She asks me if we can go everyday. (Second New Year's Resolution- take pictures of Brynna at the beach). But I think her favorite thing about San Diego is Disneyland. She is in awe that she actually gets to go see the Princess Castle and meet all the Princesses.

We have passes to Sea World and go about once a week. It is so funny to see her watch all the animals! But she thinks everything is a whale. She knows the difference, but loves Shamu the best so calls everything a whale.

I cannot believe how much she has grown up. No matter how badly I want her to be my baby, I can't deny any longer that she is her own little person- and a force to be reckoned with. While I love the fact that she doesn't let anyone push her around and she sticks to her guns, her stubbornness can make for some very interesting arguments. With a 2 year old. Yes, that is my life. But she is so compassionate and loving, and can find fun in anything!! Whenever I am sad or crying, she always tells me it's okay, gives me a big hug and kiss and gets me a band-aid to make me feel all better. Everyday I am amazed by how smart, beautiful and funny she is. Even more amazed that she came from me. (Definitely gets the brains from her Dad)

Most of my pictures are on my other computer, but here are some pictures from Christmas. She loved decorating the Christmas tree and baking cookies for Santa. Christmas is so much more fun now that we get to watch her experience it. The only flaw in our plan to get her excited about Christmas was, when we woke her up that morning, she thought Santa was going to be there and was pretty sad that he wasn't.

Disneyland October 2011

Yesterday we went to Disneyland for Brynna's very first trip. She had so much fun and when she first saw the castle she let out a load "Wow!" It was so cute. We met her three favorite Disney characters Mickey, Minnie and Tinkerbell. Most mornings are spent with Mickey Mouse Clubhouse while she eats breakfast and mommy gets ready for the day so she was so excited to meet Mickey, she ran in and gave him a big hug! And me and Shawn deserve Mom and Dad of the year awards since we waited in line an hour and a half to meet him




She woke up this morning and told me she gave Mickey a big hug- so at least it was memorable for her too!
We also got to go through Minnie's house and she absolutely loved the kitchen- we couldn't get her out.
She loves to spin so was loving the teacups
Pixie hollow. Absolutely worth the wait! She was talking away to Tinkerbell all about how she is her (Tinkerbell) for Halloween and got a wand and shoes and a hairpiece. It was so stinkin' cute


Her telling Tinkerbell and Iradesca all about it
Buzz Light Year Ride. She thought she was all that was cool with that gun.

And Tarzan's tree house. She has never seen Tarzan but anything that lets her run around and climb is right up her alley.
It was such a great day and I loved being able to show her around one of my favorite places. Next up: Halloween!

Three Years

A couple weeks ago Shawn and I celebrated our 3 year anniversary. In some ways it feels like it has flown by, but in others it seems weird that I ever had a life without him. The last three years have been more amazing than I ever thought possible, and it just gets better everyday. Through all the ups and downs there is no one I would rather spend it with.
Since we were married on leap year, our deal was that every four years when it was our actual anniversary we would go on a big trip. The plan is to go to Italy next year and I could not be more excited!
3 years ago I made the best decision of my life, and I can't wait to see what the rest of our life brings!

Mexico

Early in January Shawn and I, along with my sister Alycia and Greg all went to Riviera Maya Mexico to celebrate them graduating with their Master's and it was amazing!!!! I am so glad we went and that Alycia and I finally talked our husband's into it :o)

These were the Villas we stayed in and they were absolutely beautiful

They had this awesome bar that had swings all around it that you sat in, and I am now determined to do this in my house someday

The beach was amazing- perfect white sandy beaches, water so crystal clear and blue you can see all the way to the bottom

By the way, do you love Shawn's Dunder Mifflin shirt? I think that is his new favorite

We went to the Tulum Mayan Ruins which I have to admit, I was not excited about, but they were amazing! And the beach is one of the top 10 most beautiful beaches in the world so it was very worth the trip. This is Shawn doing his Hulk pose. Don't ask me why, but I love it :o)

This was the beach at Tulum, seriously the most beautiful water I have ever seen

It was so relaxing and so great to be able to get away and spend time in paradise with each other. We love to travel (Well, I love to travel and after all the traveling I have forced Shawn to do, he loves it now too :o), and I can't wait to see where we go next!!

Coming Up

There are so many things coming up that I am excited for. I absolutely love Christmas and am so excited that Brynna is old enough this year to be excited to wake up and open gifts- already she loves the Christmas tree- and taking off the ornaments!'
Shawn graduates with his masters on December 17th and I am so proud of him! This year has been especially grueling for him so I am really excited that he will finally be done and able to relax!
On January 5th, my sister and I and both our husbands are going to Mexico to celebrate our husbands graduating (they graduate the same day) and I think Alycia is literally going to have a heart attach from excitement. She will randomly call me at work and scream that we are going to Mexico. This should be interesting!
Shawn and I are so blessed. We have amazing family all around us- I don't know what I would do without them, a gorgeous home, and a beautiful, healthy baby girl that makes us laugh everyday. I always have big hopes for each new year, wanting it to be just a little better than the last. So hopefully, next year will be spectacular!

Hallloween

We had the cutest little pink pirate for Halloween. She was so good and let me paint her nails (although it went against everything I believe in to paint them black). And of course, she loves putting on makeup so loved all the glitter on her eyes and cheeks. She only cried at the first 2 houses and then she figured out the candy thing and was off!

Even as a pirate she looked like a little angel

Her first stop trick-or-treating was Grandpa
This was the first house, cried walking all the way, and excited walking back to show me her candy

She was determined!
And then she was tuckered out and wanted to cuddle mommy. I was not complaining :o)

Busy Brynna

Our precious little girl definitely keeps us on our toes. She is the ultimate girly girl but loves dirt and being outside. She found the use of the word "no" and just recently she had her first little temper tantrum! But she also loves giving hugs and looks so freaking cute when she purses her lips to give kisses. And, I could not be prouder to say that she is just like her mama- she loves pickles! Yes pickles!She also loves to read- just like her mama too. We can't believe how much she has grown and how beautiful she is, and grows more so everyday. Anytime I am having a bad day and she smiles at me, my day gets immediately better. Shawn is such a great dad and can most usually be found getting down on the ground and playing with her (when he's not studying). I have the most perfect little family
Here are some pictures of our sweet princess


We got a new kitty, which Brynna loves. His name is Charlie and Brynna walks around shouting "Carlie! Carlie" when she wants to play with him. And when he doesn't want to play with her, she carries him around by the neck, as shown above
Her with Miss Sue getting her haircut. She does not really take to strangers, but she cuddled up to Sue right away- that's because we all love her!
I thought she would hate having to sit still and stuff coming at her. But once again, her girly girl came out! She thought she was all that is cool sitting in that chair looking at herself in the mirror