The Jam Adventure

I really enjoy staying home and taking care of Brynnlee. I don't miss her giggles or her crazy stunts or her "conversations." It is a pleasure. One thing I really like is that I get to try new things. I can make a meal I have never prepared before or go places I have never been. This week I decided to take on jam. I was inspired by a friend's status on Facebook and the cheap price of strawberries at the local store. The only thing was.....I didn't know how to make strawberry jam. So, I did a little research on the Internet and found a simple little recipe. I decided to make a very small batch. I didn't want to buy a lot of jars, and I didn't want to waste a lot of strawberries--ya know in case it didn't turn out. I squished the berries and stirred them together for what felt like hours---really only about 40 minutes! Bynnlee stood by wondering what I was doing and wanting her picture taken every time I took one of the jam. I followed the directions, poured the jam in jars, and hoped for the best. After waiting a little while to let the jam cool down, I carefully tasted it. I was waiting for the worst. But I tasted some of the BEST strawberry jam ever. Kevin loves it too. Now I don't mean to toot my own horn too loud.....but I did a great job, and I am excited to try out more jam recipes!

Going to Church

One thing I love about Sundays is getting Brynnlee all dressed up and ready for church....especially because she has been given so many cute dresses. Now that church is at 8:30, the mornings can be a little hectic. One morning we were ready to go and waiting for the missionaries to show up for their ride, and Brynnlee decided she was ready to go!

Fussy Brynn

When we go places Brynnlee is so friendly and cute to people. She says hi to everyone and smiles and waves. The other day we were running errands at the mall. While we stood at the eye doctor's Brynnlee talked to the other patients and smiled being very cute. One of the patients asked me, "Is she always this happy?" Of course my answer--NO! Some days she is impossible and now the Terrible Two's are here. One day she put on two skirts she found in the laundry basket. I asked if I could take her picture......this is what turned out! A big fit with throwing herself on the floor and everything. Yeah she is adorable huh!?

Time with Family

One of my favorite things to do is go to the Baby Animal Days. I was able to take my nieces again this year. We were joined by my sister-in-law, Jessica and her boys Ethan and Alex. My sister-in-law Sher also came. We saw the typical chicks and goats, but Brynnlee, Hannah, and I didn't get to see much more. Hannah got a really big sliver in her hand and was very bothered by it and the pain. She couldn't go on and was crying while we were waiting in line to see the bunnies. So we went to the First Aid booth to get it all fixed up. The "Old Fashioned Doctor" took the sliver out and fixed her up. Hannah was very grateful someone was there to help.
This year there were added features at the American West Heritage Center. We had a great time on the train, and we thought the baby bear cubs were adorable. And of course we had to gone on a cotton candy run before we left for lunch. We didn't get to see everything, but as Hannah said, "The cotton candy is making me feel better." It always does!

The Haircut

There are few people I allow to cut my hair--my best friend growing up is one that I trust. I am picky, and I think a lot of people get what I want.....well wrong. A person to do my hair is the one thing I haven't figured out in Colorado Springs. I had the opportunity to take a trip to Utah, and I knew it was a chance to get a great haircut. I called up Andi--she cuts hair at King Hair and does an excellent job. I don't even have to tell her what I want. Fortunately for me she was available. After hanging up the phone and feeling very satisfied, I realized this was a great chance to get Brynnlee's first haircut. Kevin and I were a little sad to get rid of her little curls....but it had to be done.



Brynnlee was such a trooper while getting her haircut. And Andi was so great too! Brynn was put in a booster seat in the haircut chair. All it took was a Dum Dum sucker to make her sit still! When Andi was done, she styled Brynnlee's hair. Boy did Brynnlee love that. She is such a girly-girl and knew she was being pampered. In the end, Brynnlee's hair turned out so cute. She has a cute little bob that looks a little like her mom's!