Goin' to Church

I love when we don't calculate our time right, so we are a little early getting ready for church. (Seriously, it seems like we are always rushing out the door!) 

There is just something about having a few minutes to enjoy each other before we head out and because they are dressed in their Sunday best, the kids almost look sweet and innocent.

It's hard these days to capture a picture of William that doesn't come out blurry.  He is just so wiggly! Yesterday he mastered saying "Uh oh." (Should I mention it was when I caught him pulling all kleenex out of the box in the church foyer? No, I'll leave that part out.)  John took Wills for the third hour and when I exited Relief Society, there he was, toddling full speed in my direction, smiling and laughing. Made my day.

I love when Johnny wears suits.  He is such a little man. When I picked him up from nursery, he said, "Mom! I have a friend who's going to be my friend forever!" I asked him who it was.  He said, "YOU!" Then he gave me that cheesy grin where he opens his eyes all wide and it just melted my heart.  Johnny is always so good at those one-liners I need to hear!

This girl.  Love her. She makes it her personal responsibility that everyone has what they need for church each week. She makes sure there are enough crayons and coloring books for her and Johnny, and let's just say- I stopped packing a diaper bag because Caity already had it under control.  Atta' girl.  Her big obsession these days is having a "ballerina bun" in her hair.

(See! Another blurry picture of a constantly moving baby!) William and Johnny have been walking and holding hands lately.  It is so cute. That is, until Johnny gets too excited and takes off running...then it gets a little traumatic for little brother. So far, he has survived though.

John insisted we drive Sally to church yesterday.  The kids were 100% on board- not that I wasn't, it's just 6-inch lift and big tires don't mix with a pencil skirt when I am trying to get in the car! Ha ha.  

It was a good Sunday. We tried our hand at Bacon Cheddar Burgers and they were yummy.  We went on a walk, and laid low. Good day, good life.

Some Brassells Came on Over

John's dad stopped in for a night since he was in the area for some training.  It is just so fun, I just love my father in law.  The kids were so excited- as was John.  In true father/son fashion, they worked on a motor scooter John's dad brought up for Caity almost as soon as he got here!

(insert picture of the men tinkering)

It was fun staying up and talking.  The next day, Caity got to show her grandpa her school, he always knows how to make her feel special and I think she thought pretty highly of herself showing him around.  Then, he took off to watch John being all lawer-y in federal court doing sentencings, which John said wasn't too big of a deal but I'm over here like, "for YOU, for the guys getting sentenced it's the biggest day of their life!" John's dad pointed out how cool it was that John was representing the United States of America and gosh, when he put it that way- I realized how cool it really was!  It has been such an awesome opportunity for John to work in the US Attorney's office the past few months.  John said they had a good time catching up over lunch and spending time together.  I love when they get to spend time together.

The same day John's dad left, Shaylee and Kevin came to visit! It was so good seeing them. We just love those two. I married John when Shaylee was only 13 years old, we shared a room when I went to visit and immediately she felt like my sister away from my sister (they are only a month a part in age.)  Her and Kevin got married a year ago and they just make a great pair.  We had fun hanging out and spending time together.

In efforts to not be as boring as we usually seem to be and overload on Netflix, we thought we'd give the Boise River another go and we didn't even come close to dying this time, so that was good. Bad news: Shay and Kevin lost their Go-Pro camera! The same Go-Pro that they bought less than a month ago for their one year anniversary! Gosh, I feel bad. We searched for hours trying to find it in the river to no avail.  We sure know how to have a good time when people come over.  I'm sure Shaylee and Kevin are just dying to come back!  Maybe when the dirt settles we can go back out.

We tried to shake off the bad news with pizza and a movie, which was fun..but alas, the Jensens took their leave and we sure miss them.

These are the only two pictures I got of their visit:

They were troopers and played with our kids a ton.  Caity and Johnny were on cloud nine.

Last Sunday, we got together with the Stotts and had a barbeque at Ann Morrison park and went on a walk.  It is so fun that they are here and we can get together.  It was nice catching up as my children mauled Addi.

Like seriously...that poor girl was smothered.  I am impressed with what a little trooper she was through it all and impressed that Whitney didn't make a "no kids bigger than Addi on the blanket" rule, because yes- it was that bad!  William may or may not have whacked her on the head. Multiple times. Gosh, I love being a parent at times like this!

Haha. Oh dear- such is life, I suppose. Well, life as a Brassell anyway.

Play Ball

Today while Caity was in school, I played catch with this guy:

 

Gosh, he's cute.

We had so much fun. Some of my favorite things he said while we were out playing today:

"Don't throw it in a bird's nest, or you'll break Mama Bird's kitchen."

"Oh my FRICKEN!"

"Sometimes I like when Caity goes to school because there's no talking in my ears all the time. So yeah."

When I asked him if he was having fun: "Yeah, but I wish the ball was a rocket ship and I wish there were monsters here."

"Shhh, you'll wake up the spiders and they'll bite my brother in his bed like dinosaurs."
"My tummy is just frustrated."

Today, I experimented with dinner and came up with something new. Hopefully it tastes good and hopefully we don't die upon consumption.  Actually, I'd rather die if it doesn't taste good, because forcing kids to eat food I don't even like is exhausting.

Happy First Birthday, William Bradley!

Yesterday, our little guy turned ONE!

Mr. William, we just love you over here! A year ago was one of the best days of my life- and I am so glad and grateful you are a part of our family.  I just love the way you want to experience life in full throttle, you always want to touch everything and explore it out.  When you discover something new you giggle- whether it's reaching for the bushes on our walk and you find a new texture, or when you are digging in the sand box.  I love that you give bear hugs more time a day than I can keep track.  You, my baby, are happy to be alive and it is contagious!

You are a laid back baby.  I suppose you have to be because of your very attentive brother and sister. You are a tease.  When people talk to you that you don't know, you get shy and nuzzle into my shoulder.  You can trust some when they tease you though. 

You love high-fiving.

You aren't a big talker, but you sure do babble a lot and you are just tickled when we babble back to you!  Yesterday, however; you kept saying Happy Birthday (Hap buhday!)

I love when you sing along and wave your arm.

You love cars.

You love fuzzy blankets and always bury your head in them.

You love the sound of your dad's voice.  Ever since you were a baby- you hear his voice and freeze until you see him and then it is all kicks and giggles.

You thoroughly enjoy feeling things with your hands.

I love watching you follow your brother and sister around the house, always about five feet behind the excitement, grinning ear to ear.

I love when you get excited and want something your eyes get big and you grunt.

You love socks! You bring me socks in the morning and sit on my lap.

You are not much a cuddler, but you give the very best hugs. 

You make your dad and me so happy. We just like you and we love you.  You are one awesome little guy.

Here is a picture overload of your birthday:

Of course, Chocolate Cake! I know my Wills and his chocolate!...Errr...I mean...uh, this was the first time you like ever had sugar...but I just had a feeling you would...uh....like chocolate...or something. Who am I kidding? You are a sneaky little boy and you figure out a way to get what you want! And you figured out sooner than you should have- you like chocolate!

Caity got this toy for Christmas when she was one.  We saved passing it on for your birthday. You were so excited when you found it waiting for you.

Rather than hang up balloons, I figured I'd leave them where the could be a good ole' choking hazard, good time! You didn't disappoint, you had a great time!

We played in the sand box for about an hour and a half.

Your brother smothered you all day...

As did your sister.

We finally got to sing you Happy Birthday and have cake!

You felt so special! It was just my favorite part of the day.

A little hesitant at first...

You got over it.

You even tried to share!

For presents, we passed on some of the toys the older kids had when they were your age.  You loved them. You tried to pick them all up at once and walk with them.  I could see the panic in your eyes everytime one of your siblings picked up a toy to look at it, you were possessive. You also got a Popper Vaccum from your Brassell Grandparents (which you loved) and a quilt from Partridge Grandparents (which you also loved.)

Caity also wrote you a note:

"William, Happ Birthday. I love you. It is so exide (exciting) I hop (hope) you hv (have) fun ben (being) one. Love, Caity" 

With pictures of you, Johnny and Caity with party hats.

 

We love our Master Wills. You just make us smile! 

Happy Birthday, if this year is anything like the last year, I'm sure it will be a great one. 

Love, Mom

Thoughts about William

Tomorrow, William turns one. I have been feel really nostalgic today. It is just crazy to think this time a year ago he was still kickin' it inside me. It's funny, when I am in the first few months after a baby's birth, I am in survival mode, thinking that if I can just make it the next couple months it will get better. Now, a small part of me wants to go back to that time.  My happiness was so simple.  I had this baby and he was mine to hold and he brought such a special spirit in our home.  The entire dynamics changed. Those first few months were special. The sleepless nights were hard sometimes.  Guessing what he needed seemed impossible sometimes. Most times, though, I felt so content and confident that I needed Will in my life and he needed me. 

With two kids at home that needed their dad, I spent most of my time alone in the hospital with William.  It was a special bonding time for us.  I remember being awake with him at 2:00 am, the hospital was quiet and we stared at each other by the glow of the dimmed hospital lights. In time, I told him about his brother and sister and dad and about all the adventures he had been apart of that summer.  I told him how excited I was to bring him home and how much our family needed him and how wonderful this experience on Earth truly is.  I told him my hopes that I could help him always remember that he was a child of a Heavenly Father, who loved him. 

John and I can't talk about Wills without smiling, he just has that effect on us.  So much has changed in a year, yet William remains a constant reminder of what a joyful life this was intended to be.

Wannabe Lewis & Clark

Friday, William went on his first camping trip!  Unless you count the time last summer when we went while I was seven and half months pregnant...boy- was that torture! This time was a lot more enjoyable- Let me tell you. And get this...we didn't forget ANYTHING (well, except roasting poles, but not a big deal).  We are famous among our friends for forgetting vital pieces every time we go camping- the tent (4 times), sleeping bags, food... Not this time though, this time we were like little Eagle Scouts and prepared and stuff.

 John took off work a couple hours early and we got everything all packed and picked up Caity from school, then headed straight to the mountains. The kids were beyond excited.  I was planning a family movie night and both Johnny and Caity assured me that Dad's idea was better. :) I'd have to agree. It took us a while to find the perfect spot.  John doesn't count it as camping if there other campers within 20 miles. Soooo, ziggy zaggy through the off road trails we roamed in search of our mountainous oasis in Boise National Park.  Despite my supportive exasperation getting there, I have to hand it to him: it was beautiful camping spot! 

We cleared out all the pine cones and sticks to set up the tent John's parents handed down to us at Christmas- it was one of the old big two room kind with metal poles.  I wish I could have gotten some footage of that process.  It looked a little sad and droopy for a while there- I was losing hope and ambition, but we finally got it up. Gold star for us, you know?  Next we had to set up the fire pit, which the kids loved. They did a great job! We made a fire and roasted hot dogs. The kids explored the great outdoors and John and I enjoyed the peacefulness of the moment. (Key word: moment. ha!)  William spent most of the evening in his high chair, which he loved- he just sat there like a boss overlooking his kingdom.  After dinner, we did a little night hike, the kids were pretty scared of bears and foxes, but thanks to their dad they got over that and were soon afraid of sharks. Sharks, people!  Maybe we are the type of people who shouldn't procreate and no one took the time to inform us. I mean, really? :) We came back and put Wills down in his Pack-and-Play and talked around the campfire as it died down. We tried our hand at dutch oven cooking for the first time and made raspberry peach cobbler- so delicious.  It was just so nice eating cobbler looking at the stars and listening to crickets.  Both the kids were ready to crash soon after- so I have to say it was a successful first day! 

The night....well, gosh- William had a hard time.  It was nice because we had an area heater this time, so we weren't too worried about the cold, but Wills was pretty bent out of shape not having warm milk. Roughin' it, if you know what I mean. Poor guy.  It was funny when we did pull him out of his crib and he would just crawl around laughing! Johnny woke up, but Caity slept through the whole thing.

Saturday we had a tinfoil breakfast of breakfast burritos- yes and thank you. They were amazing.  I swear everything tastes better when you camp! I would recommend it to anyone looking for a yummy and easy, but warm breakfast outdoors.  Then we played Ladderball (the boys won) and we explored some more.  I was proud of myself because while John was working on his land cruiser, I cowgirled up and gathered some great fire wood to bring home for our fireplace! That's right, I battled spiders, beetles and other creepy creatures like a boss and I better have earned some bonus points from John! 

We carved our names into a stump and took off home.

It was an awesome way to spend the evening.  I can never fully commit to saying "Let's go camping!" because of all the work, but I am so, so, SO glad for John insisting we go because  I am sure I will treasure the memories we made.  I feel like we got to know each other in new ways and definitely appreciated God's beautiful creation more fully.

Watching Dad set up the fire

Caity made a nest, and Johnny would just run down the hill.

I'm widdling a roasting stick, watching William dive for the fire pit, like a good parent. 

Of course we got a picture of Sally!

Off they go!

Showing us her nest.

Drumming and laughing on Dad's head.

Up in the middle of the night!

We had Caity put together the Ladder ball set by herself, and she did it! Way to go, Caity! 

Our little problem solver.

Helping dad fix the truck...

I know, picture don't do it justice, but it was gorgeous. Colors were changing and the streams were clear- it was the perfect weekend for a campout!