Karate Kids

Ryan and Sydney started an after-school karate program today. At first, only Ryan was going to do it, since he isn't in anything else right now...but Sydney has been bugging me and bugging me about it. I kept telling her that she couldn't do it because she was already taking dance, and every time she would say, then take me out of dance. But I really didn't want to rip her out of something that just started back up a month ago... But is it fair to not let her choose what she wants to do??

So today, I signed Ryan up (he's been wanting to try this for a while, and this year it finally works out, schedule-wise...) and Sydney, Jake and I were just watching. Sydney started in again with the "pleeeeease" and those big brown eyes... So I told her she could try it out and see if she liked it and the instructors. She loved it, of course. Long story short, ballerina-girl has been replaced by karate-girl.

I should've known this is the type of thing a girl w/ 3 brothers would want to do. She can be so girly sometimes, but it's not that way most of the time. She loves worms, frogs, getting dirty, and helping her daddy with all things manly. And she can't wait til she's old enough to go hunting w/ him. Go figure.

But I really can't wait to see her in her little uniform...should have pics of that in a couple weeks...

Jake's 2nd Birthday

Where has the time gone??? I know people say that a lot, but it's so true... How did all the sleepless nights, dirty diapers, first smiles, and runny noses turn into two years? Little man turned 2 years old yesterday. It was a bittersweet day, as all my kids' birthdays are. I think I was a little more nostalgic that normal, since he's the last one. I remember SO not wanting to admit that we should have another one before Jake...and finally submitting to the Lord's will...and all the blessings that he has brought to me personally and to our family. What do you know, Heavenly father knows best...I know, it shouldn't be a surprise. I just think it's amazing that he can know what we want or need before we even have any idea that we would ever want it. I remember at Time Out For Women last week, a speaker talked about "What's the WORST thing that could happen?" She said we may even find out that we LOVE the worst thing. There was a time in my life that I thought having a 4th would be the worst thing, and now it's hard to imagine that I ever even felt that way...

Long story short, I'm So glad I listened to those feelings about 3+ years ago, and I truly cherish the time I have with Jake--just the 2 of us for most of the day. He has been the happiest, funniest, sweetest, cutest thing I could have ever hoped for. I love him more every day. O.K. Enough sappy talk. On to the birthday...

He had fun opening his presents and tearing off "BIG" pieces of wrapping paper. Anything "big" is awesome in his book... His favorite present is the ball hopper-thing...I can't remember the name...but he LOVES it! He loves all kinds of balls right now--and throwing them as hard as he can--and throwing anything, for that matter, but that's another story...

Since he loves balls so much, I made him a ball cake. When I brought it to the table, he goes, "BIIIIGGG BAAAALLL!!!" and was uber-impressed. Just the reaction I was hoping for! He blew out the candles all by himself, with a little coaching from Tim. He also tried to eat a candle afterwards when he saw Sydney lick one...we need to work on learning the difference between licking and eating, apparently... I love the pic w/ his hands up high--he's showing that he's "SO Big" now. :)

My favorite part of babies' birthdays is watching them eat their cake. He decided a month or two ago that he's way too big for the highchair, and he wants to sit at the "big kid's table" now, but he can't really reach, so he just stands on a chair most of the time. I'm sure he'll be falling off any day now...awesome! He loved every bit of his cake and ice cream cone, though, and ended up w/ a cute little blue "Hitler" mustache in the end.

Today while I was posting pictures online, he was playing with all his new toys being so good, when he came to me whining, saying something about balls... This is what I found when I got to the family room...he had stuffed Trix cereal all in his ball toy, and didn't understand why it would no longer work. Go figure. The more I thought about it, I realized, he probably just thought they were itty-bitty balls, so they should work right??

Jake Walker Bryson

So, this is my sweet boy. Jake and I went to the park last week so I could get some cute photos of him...a few turned out pretty good. This one is by far my favorite! He just looks so big with his jeans and big boy belt. I think we might try again once the leaves start changing colors...

He really is the sweetest thing! Tim's parents came over to watch him and Ryan Saturday night while we went to the BSU game, and when we got home, they went on and on about how sweet and happy and good he is...I can't dispute any of that...we got a special spirit with this one!

BSU Football Time!

Well, after a long wait, it's finally time for BSU football again! This is our 7th year as season ticket holders...Sydney was just a few months old when we first got them...time sure flies...

Here is a photo of me and my girl all blue and orange and ready for the first home game! She was super-excited for the Bronco tattoos!

I bought her these orange leggings as part of an outfit a month or two ago. I never imagined she would think to wear them with her BSU shirt for the game, but I'm SOOO glad she did! It was sweeeeet!

She had to make sure I got a picture of the side with the face tattoo. :)

The whole fam (minus Jake who was napping) ready to leave for the game. Actually, Ryan stayed home with Jake and Tim's parents, and we took the other two. It was an intense game, but lots of fun. Sydney got bored and whiny after about an hour, so I bought her some kettle corn. Once we got back in our seats with the kettle corn, she gave me a big smile and said, "This is the best football game ever!!!" Amazing what a little (or a lot of...) sugar can do for her. Tim suggested next time we just go by ourselves...he may be on to something...

Grasshoppers make great fish bait!

We went up to Grandjean over Labor Day Weekend for one last visit and to bring the trailer home. We went fishing at Lowman Ponds, but couldn't get any bites. Tim saw a grasshopper, and told one of the boys to catch it. On his hook it went, and grasshopper-baiting was born. Suddenly fish were being caught!

It was seriously the BEST entertainment watching Tim and Brandon trying to catch grasshoppers! Wally had a rake for them to use, which helped. They would stalk the little things, try to get close enough to strike, and hit them with the rake to stun them. They worked like a charm, though, and that reminds me--we still have trout in the freezer that need to be eaten!

Sydney wasn't too interested in fishing. Instead, she wanted to do what every little girl dreams of--catch frogs! I knew she had no chance of being overly-girly with 3 brothers... She caught like 30 or 40. It was crazy! She even shared some of them with her cousin, Hunter. They were pretty cute--for frogs.... They were only about an inch long each.

She needed somewhere to keep her growing collection, so she improvised and used her camp-chair sack. I'm guessing not many girls use their Disney princess camping chair for that use!

What good would a post be without a picture of Little Man?!? And yes, he's really that cute!

Time Out for ME!!!

Last weekend, I put myself in time out. I highly recommend it! I went to Boise with several friends and attended Time Out For Women, an uplifting, super-enjoyable women's conference. We had so much fun! We left Friday afternoon, got dinner at Pita Pit, went to 3 hours of amazing-ness, then went hot-tubbing at our hotel til they kicked us outta there at 11:15. Then we ate goodies and chatted til the wee hours of the morning. Nice.

Then Saturday morning, we got breakfast and went back to the conference for more awesome-ness. We got awesome tote bags while waiting in line, and had lunch along 8th Street in downtown Boise. There was a street fair going on, and we shared some yummy freshly-fried doughnuts after lunch. Pretty perfect.

Then it was back for the remaining session of the conference. It was just so great. I especially loved listening to the live music from Jericho Road and Mercy River. Gonna put their cd's on my Christmas wish-list. Once it was over, we left for home refreshed and recommitted to be ever better mommies and wives.

I'm so glad I was able to go and so glad Tim took care of everything while I was gone. He's basically fantastic.

Thanks, Kim, Raquel, Deidre, Pam, and Chantelle for an awesome time!

P.S. This pic shows me just how badly my hair needs a trim...

Apparently I have allergies...

So for the past 3 weeks or so, I've been a mess. Sneezing, runny nose, crazy-itchy, red, watery eyes. Not to mention feeling like crap! After speaking with some friends, they all thought I was suffering from allergies. WHAT??? I've never had a problem with them, and I'm 35. Isn't it a little too late in life for me to just figure this out?

So, first I tried some Claritin--for about a week--no change. Then I tried Benadryl for several days. It helped a little, but wiped me out. And when you have an almost-two-year-old, you really should try and stay conscious. :) So then I tried Zyrtec--again no change. And frustration mounting by the minute. Seriously wanting my mojo back...

So yesterday I finally drug myself to a clinic and got a Rx for Allegra. Today was my first day on it, and so far, it looks like this might just be the magic pill I've been looking for. I still have a little bit of a runny nose, but everything else is WAY better. Hallelujah!! I'm just afraid that today will turn out to be a fluke and tomorrow will be crappy again. Saying a little prayer that won't be the case, though...

So if indeed I do feel better tomorrow again, I can get back to blogging. I know you're all excited about that! I just haven't had the energy to do the dishes lately, let alone blog. But I'm so ready to be myself again...here's hoping this good feeling lasts.