As of Today

What has been going on lately!
John

• Is as handsome as always, if I do say so myself.
• One more final and he is done with his first year of law school, yay!
• Purchased another land Cruiser, removed all this (apparently) cool off-roading stuff from said Land Cruiser- ie-38" tires, cool bumper  with a winch, lift and springs....placed them on our family's Land Cruiser, then sold purchased land cruiser for the same price he bought if for!  I wish I could manipulate my hobbies so they could come out free....heck, I wish I had hobbies.
• Still playing basketball in the mornings
• Landed a great internship in Bellevue, WA- now, like a couple weeks before discovered it might not happen because of budget cuts- bah! Praying!
• We just got hired as ACA's (apartment managers) at our student housing (I say "we" because John was hired, but lets face it, who is going to  be planning the community easter egg hunt next year? Yes, me.) So...FREE RENT for the next two years!
• Just got hired to be a Student Ambassador for the law school.

Caity

• Can ride her bike without training wheels! She is so proud. Who am I kidding, I am so proud.  Mostly John though. He took the petals off her bike so she could practice balancing (this girl seriously trips about 5 times a day, and add two wheels and pedals- fail.)  After about two weeks I come home from a church meeting to see Caity zipping on by as fast as she can! She looked all grown up and so little at the same time.  She doesn't dare go slow because she is not the best brake-er, but she is getting better.  Now she rides the sidewalk around our place singing "I love Mommy she loves me, We love Daddy- Yessireee, we all love Jesus, so you see- we are a happy fam-i-ly!"  (mommy and daddy and be replaced with Johnny, Barbie, various My Little Ponies, trees, etc.)
• Has become quite the little helper! Every day she has a few chores to do, and man, it is nice to have her help! 
• Is obsessed with our neighbor's baby, Mason.
• It has been 80 degrees the last few days and yesterday, Caity exclaimed, "Spring LOVES me!"
• Is a rapid dandelion collector. 
• Is NOT a morning person. (Johnny is, sooo, this is very funny.)

Johnny

• In awkward situations, Johnny growls. He bows he head, narrows his eyes and growls at you. 
• He escapes...way too often.  Puts his shoes on, walks outside, takes his shoes off, runs across the parking lot to a playground that has nothing but a slide. 
• Likes to ride his big wheel down waaaaay too steep hills.
• Pretends to be "Wreck it Ralph."  (actually really cute, he pounds his little fists on the couch and says, "I wreck it!"
• Every day, after I tuck him in, he calls under the door, "Mom! Love you too!"
• Still copying Caity. 
• Sometimes Caity will try to help him with something, he'll growl at her, like a socially normal person. Caity will say, "Johnny, I am just trying to help you!" For a second, Johnny will break character and say "Sorry, I just Mon-ter" or "Sorry, I just Dino-door,"  and he will shrug, squint his eyes and smile and snap back into his growling self. 
• Johnny still calls himself "Cal-hyoun.

Mary

• The best for last (just kidding...but f'real.)
• Still in college. Bah. I mean....not "bah." How grateful I am BYU-Idaho offers the rest of my major online to complete.  Some day I'll do that- complete it that is.  I know, some of you are thinking, "Mary, you told me you were graduating like 2 or 3 years ago." I'm crazy and hope things so much I assume there true.  Honestly, I will graduate in 100 years because that is just the way my life is!  Every day I try to drop out, John is pushing me to finish and I hate him for it. Yet, love him for it too.
• Is addicted to Candy Crush- a face book game, my dumb (wonderful) in laws introduced it to me. (Dumb because it is addicting.) I have set rules, so it doesn't take away from family time or school time, but man, dumb game! (No offense, Candy Crush, you know I don't mean it.)
• Is excited to live closer to her big brother this Summer.
• Loves working in the primary at our church.

Alright then..

Johnny turns on our home phone talks to the "If you would like to make a call..." lady then says thank you as the dial tone commences. He will sit for about 20 minutes straight listening to it. I have tried hanging up the phone and giving back to him among other things, but he loves the sound of that dial tone.

Caity's favorite is her "hart-monica." She plays it constantly. Its the worst when she wants to me to sing along, I can never get it right!

Johnny is struggling with a possession syndrome. Where everything he touches is suddenly his and if another child looks at it Johnny cries hysterically, just kidding- he pummels the other kid. I know a lot two year olds go through this, just not a fan!

Right now they are in the bed "taking naps" in other words, singing happy birthday to each and every toy in their room.  It IS kind of sweet to listen to.

Their favorite songs to listen to in the car are "Call Me Maybe," "Young Homie," and "Just a Dream."

The other night Caity woke up in the middle of the night, so we snuck down stairs and made sandwiches and looked up High School Musical songs. She was enchanted and it was kind of fun.  I know, many people find it obnoxious but I think High School Musical is cute and kid-friendly.

John has some 20 page paper due tomorrow. Soooo, he will likely be a no show tonight. What to do, what to do....brain! Stop repeating laundry over and over I am trying to figure out what to do tonight...what....to....do.

It is rainy and stormy outside and I absolutely love it! Rain makes me feel so happy with life. I must be from Washington.

Now, let's just include a picture for sake of doing so:

Johnny was sick in this picture, I love how Caity would hold his little hand.

Johnny's 2nd Birthday

My little man is two, my baby is a toddler.  Johnny's birthday was January 21st. I still consider him my baby, but then people with real life babies are like "No, he is definitely a toddler."  I just ignore them. He is my baby still! 

For Johnny's birthday this year I wanted to everything character-themed, he had just gotten into character recognition and it cracked me up. Right around his birthday, his favorite show was Toy Story and he could watch it all day if I let him. He had all the songs memorized and laughed at all the right parts- he has a very strong sense of humor- maybe just compared to his sister I'm not sure, but he is such a tease and loves being teased back. 

Anyway, on to his birthday:

He was so happy when he saw his table- "Wow, Johnny's Birday!"

His Cake:

 After a breakfast of applesauce and oranges, his favorite, we played with our friend, Owen!

Then we road our bikes with Dad, I love this picture of Johnny:

After naps, he cuddled with his Dad and watched Toy Story 2.

Then the kids played with Play Dough, let me tell you, this more than special occurrence at the Brassell house.

This next sequence of pictures makes me smile!

 Then we opened presents! Johnny got that race car track you can see from the background from us, blocks and spiderman stuff from my mom, and a farmer fisherprice set from John's parents. He was one happy boy.

Then Owen came over again and got Johnny and colorful vibrating, singing ball thing and they played with that forever.

 Johnny is my joy boy. He is always so happy and good humored. Even when he gets in trouble, he just laughs and says- "Ok, mom."  Johnny asks three times for things- the first time he'll ask normal, then he'll ask really sweet, then he'll growl and you and grimace his face and ask in a growled voice. It cracks me up.
Johnny is his sister's sidekick, his mommy's protector and his daddy's mischievous prodigy.
He refuses to eat anything green.  His favorite food is cheese.
He is adventurous and will likely kill himself one of these days our backs are turned. Just a few weeks ago, he grabbed his big wheel and dragged to the top of a SUPER steep hill by our house and as he was speeding to his emanate death, I sprinted down to catch him (I probably looked like a super model mixed with an olympic runner...or a mom overreacting and jiggling every which way.) anyway...right as I caught up to stop him I witnessed the pure joy on his face- he is a lover of thrills. And dirt. And trucks. And "dinoraurs!" And like I said- Toy Story.
He loves singing "Young Homie" by Chris Rene.
He part fish and begs for baths all day long.

His smile melts my heart and every day I thank God for such a sweet boy to be in my life!

Happy Birthday Little Man! 

Caity's 4th Birthday- September 3, 2012

Last year, Caity turned 4.  I never blogged about because I don't know why. Since we have a tendency of busting hard drives, I thought it would be a smart idea to throw some pictures up!

BUT...

Besides all of those reasons, and most of all, I just wished to talk about my favorite girl in the whole world, Caity. 

This was one of the funnest birthdays ever. I was more excited for hers than I have ever been for mine! 

Since I didn't get much of a break away from the kids to sneak presents and decorations for Caity, I tricked her and told her everything was for her friend in Rexburg and I needed Caity's help to make sure her friend had a good birthday.  Caity's chosen theme this year was, "Pink! I want EVERYTHING pink." (She claimed that when she turned four her favorite color would have to change to white- 5 months later, she is still a pink lover.) So pink it was.  You should have seen her face when she ran downstairs and saw all the decorations she picked out for "her friend." Oh wait, you can below!

She was so surprised and excited, it was so sweet.  For breakfast we had strawberries and pink pancakes.  She got to wear her favorite dress and we played board games AAAAAAALLLLLL morning. Yes, all morning.  Then we played outside.

 John surprised Caity with a scooter, we made a picture scavenger hunt for her to find it. Although she still can't ride it effectively, it was cute seeing her all excited and seeing John all excited to get it for her.

 Since we just moved here, Caity didn't know any friends to invite to a birthday party, so she just made treats for her new-soon-to-be- friends, she was VERY very very VERY excited about. 

They "love" sharing....haha.

I don't know why the picture below makes me laugh so much, but it really does- I think it is the crazy eyes. Yes, she is wearing a cape and crown.  She wished for more stars in the sky so she can make more wishes- smart girl- EXCEPT it doesn't even come true if you tell people! Silly, Caity. 

 Caity got books and a couple of My Little Ponies for her birthday, she also got legos and a baking set from her grandparents. 

I just love my Caity girl. She inspires me to be better. She constantly surprises with me with her wisdom, how much she really does pay attention and how intelligent that little mind of hers is.
Caity and I share the most random quirks  and I can't believe how much her odd logic reminds me of me. When John calls her "crazy," I'm like- what are you talking about, that makes perfect sense, and then I explain it to him and he's like- "Ok, you're crazy."
 I like that Caity is conscientious  eager to learn, quick to forgive, motherly to her brother (and the rest of us, who am I kidding!), loves making others happy, is funny.
Caity is a singer, she learns lyrics her first time through a song and almost always has perfect pitch.
She is competitive- this cracks me up because John and I are probably the least competitive people in the world.
Caity is so honest, she always comes clean if she makes a mistake- even if it is a day later and she can get away with it.
She likes riding her bike, playing with friends, helping mom cook, playing with ponies, coloring, bossing her brother and engaging in pillow fights with her dad.
She is a fashionista and looooooves accessorizing her outfits.
She is shy and gets nervous trying new things.
Her closest friends are in their 20's.
Caity is learning how to take a joke- and it is so fun, she is notorious for her disdain in being teased-she is getting it though.
She has a great memory and is my walking day planner.
Caity is a mediator, if she senses John and I are at odds about something- she steps in to coach us through it, "Ok- mom- how does this make you feel? Just tell Dad and then Dad you listen and tell her exactly what you feel too."
Caity is such blessing in our home and is many times the glue that keeps us together. She puts others first and is such a good example to me of what a light you can be in the world.
So glad she is in our life.
(The following video is let you all know how obnoxious my voice is, even to myself- I swear voices mutate over recordings- actually, I just wanted to archive it, since this blog seems to be our family's event journal- I just want to be able to look back on this day and remember Caity's face when she exclaims, "Four!" and then Johnny copies her and says, "Four!"  So, the following video is the sort that I will likely be the only one finding enjoyment- no obligation to watch! Now THAT was a long explanation.)

Right now.

Living with Caity is like living in a Musical. Every time she says something like, "It's ok, I'll get it."  We are suddenly entertained by an original piece about how she is going to 'get it' and how it 'is ok, ok, ok, yeah!'

Johnny has been into puzzles, he doesn't really know how to do them, but oh, how he wants to! It is fun watching him push himself and get smarter and smarter. 

The kids sleep together at night, and they cuddle and it just melts this mom's heart. 

Caity just came down stairs and said, "Mom, I am almost ready for bed, I just have to finish putting my jewelry." 

Johnny is lining up all his cars on a pillow upside down so they can go "night-night." 

John is studying. 

The Sister Missionaries just left and I get to go do a lesson with them tomorrow! I am very excited!

Off the cuff sorta update

It has been so long that updating my blog seems- oh, just overwhelming. So I am just going to avoid the "update" part and speak a little off the cuff what our family is up to lately. Not promising much! Hoping to keep it down in word count since regular and not so regular readers know that I am quite the rambler!

Right now, I am hearing loud noises emancipating from the upstairs room above the kitchen. I am hearing crashes, bangs, and well, I don't know how to describe that last noise- any how each one is followed by a pair of uncontrollable giggles.  Those kids are out.of.control. everyday at about 1:15 pm, Johnny hears nap time and the short in his brain says time for jumping off Caity's bed and what not.

Johnny is Caity's little side-kick, and she loves being the boss and controlling their make-believe world. Yesterday, she gave birth to dinosaurs. I said, "Really?" She said, "Yes, the doctors say it was a miracle!" Johnny echoes, "A miracle!"  A miracle indeed.  Johnny is a master mimicker these days. He will copy EVERYTHING you say...even if you are in a different room.  I would type it up for you but it just doesn't do it justice.   He knows he is funny too, which is the best part.  Johnny is tease. This is great because Caity DESPISES being teased.  

Caity is learning to have a sense of humor though, her specialty is knock knock jokes.  Her favorite is "Knock knock...who's there...banana orange....banana orange who....don't cry its just a joke."  Then of course Johnny chimes in "knock, knock....just goking...(insert shrug.)"

Both of my kids are my favorite.  Caity is my favorite because she changes the roll on the toilet paper holder- heaven knows I have been waiting for someone help me with that.  Johnny is my favorite because he walks in the kitchen swinging his arms and says, "whatya makin?"  and the last couple days, he then says, "Yuuuuuum, mom- delishuuuuuush."  Then he walks out and says, "see you later."

John passed the first (and main/biggest) part of his interview for an internship this summer in Kirkland, Washington.  He REALLY wanted it, so I am more than happy for him.  More details when I know for sure that he's got it!  He is enjoying law school.

Caity has  been really into crying when she is happy or grateful.  "This brings a tear to my eyes."  Then, she looks at me all sentimental, "I am just so happy."  I think it is funny, John thinks its odd.  She is still into planning her wedding, for some reason I absolutely love talking about it too. Her ideas crack me up!  "I want a row of rainbow candy canes all lined up in a pretty fashion...." (yes, she says fashion.) (confession: we watch wedding make over shows after her homework during Johnny's nap.)

The kids are great play mates, they love play dough, playing on their car mats, legos, blocks, sneaking treats and marching in circles singing songs like "Choose the Right."  They also enjoy alternating waking us up ever couple hours at night.

Some things I probably need to blog about: Caity's 4th birthday, the move to Moscow, ID, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Jordan's wedding, Our December camping trip, Christmas, Johnny's 2nd Birthday....and I think that is all.  But that is a list, isn't it??  Whooweee...do I have my work cut out for me! Oh yeah, AND family pictures!  Now I am just stressed! Haha.

But all in all things are good here, we are happy we are livin the high life (in nasty student housing.) And adventuring as always.  Well, that last nap crash seemed a little out of control, I should probably go check on them and stare at Johnny until his eyes close -not creepy. Effective!

Mountain Biking

Back in June, John and I went mountain biking (ish) (I'm kind of a pansy.) (more like dirt trail biking.) Summertime is especially fun for us because that was the time we met and dated and got married (because we were ridiculously fast movers.) Mountain biking was our first official date. 

(I was kind of a pansy then too... so what?? I lack coordination, ok?) 

Not the cutest picture- but I was terrified to take my toes off the ground, you would think I never rode a bike before.  I was probably saying something like, "If you take a picture of me  right now I will  kill you." (you know, sweet nothings.) (John was not killed after this picture was taken.)

It was beautiful!

John just hanging out...on a cliff! You can't even tell, but it was  pretty steep, so of course John was all stoked to  go sit on the death trap.

The first time we came here, we could ride through. Now you can't.  So what does John do when he spots a structurally unsound tunnel-climbs on top of it, naturally, only a couple beams fell from underneath him.

Awww, we're in love! 

Trying to climb the tunnel to show John I was cool. Back fired. 

Isn't he cute??

And our only close up together- eyes closed and blurry! Thanks,  fate.

It was a fun date, beautiful weather and good company.  I would do again! And again, probably.  Its crazy it will be 5 years this September! Man, has time flown by.