More Milestones!

So for us Simpson's Tuesday Aug. 26, 2008 was a pretty big day. Our little Chloe Dawn is now a full fledged pre-schooler. Tuesday was Chloe's first day of pre-school at Miss Carolanne's pre-school and she absolutely loves it. Our daughter isn't the one that cries when you drop her off...nope, she's the one crying because she has to go home and can't stay and eat lunch and spend the rest of the day with the daycare kids. Which is fine with me because I would rather it this way and it is a great way of letting me know that she likes it. Everyday we ask her what she did at pre-school and she says "I played and I learned". It never fails that is always her answer. We've started to make our questions more specific. It is so fun to watch Chloe be so excited about school and meeting new friends. She thinks it's pretty cool that there is a girl in her class named "Makayla" just like her cousin. She tells us "Mom, Dad there's another Makayla! I think that's five of them"! Well, it's not quite five but we do know a lot of Makayla's. So we are off and running with pre-school and we have a little girl who couldn't be more happy and of course that make's Mommy and Daddy happy as well...emotional, but happy! Our second milestone of the day was that Hailee turned 9 months old and has figured out how to get herself from one place to another...whether it be scooting backwards or rolling she doesn't care just as long as she gets where she wants. I set her down in the middle of the living room by the coffee table and stepped just outside of the garage door to grab something and when I came back in she had gotten herself about five feet away from the coffee table and had found my basket of smelly pinecones. When I caught her she just looked up at me and gave me a huge grin and a look that said "What?". I just can't believe how fast these girls are growing up. I love it because they are just so fun and interactive and we just have such a good time together, but at the same time I'm trying to take in every moment and remember it exactly as it is. I just don't want to miss a thing! Anyway, it's been a great week and I am so proud of my girls, they are definitely the best things to have happened to us!!

Hailee's First Ponytail

I know, I know three posts in one day, but I tell you we had a very busy week and a lot happened that has to be shared!

I can't believe how big my girls are getting. Chloe is starting preschool on Tuesday the 26th and that same day Hailee will already be 9 months old. It just seems like yesterday that we had Hailee let alone be only 3 months from her 1st birthday. I can't stand it and I have to stop thinking about because it makes me tear up everytime. Anyway...the girls and I were just getting ready for our day Friday and I was putting Chloe's hair up and I looked over at Hailee and she was just watching us. So I got to thinking after looking at her for a minute "she has so much hair...I could probably make a ponytail in her hair". Sure enough after fighting with her movements for a few minutes there was a ponytail sticking straight up in the air. She looked so cute and she new it because Chloe and I were just gushing over her. Here it is another milestone reached!

Meagan's 21st Birthday!

In the midst of the crazy week of police/fire games, Meagan turned 21...YEAH! For those of you reading who don't know Meagan, she is Brian's brother, Brandon's girlfriend. Her birthday was on Tuesday August 19th and since it was the middle of the week us girls just went downtown to Old Chicago for some dinner and of course to have a couple of drinks. It was a quick night because everyone (except for me) had to work the next morning, but I think fun was had by all. Meagan was thoroughly embarassed by all her mom's picture taking and we all got good laughs over it. So on that note..."Welcome Meagan, to the ranks of legalized drinking...sure glad you could join us"! Love ya Sweetie!

Western States Police/Fire Games 2008

Last Sunday a ceremony unveiling the new Idaho Fallen Firefighter's Memorial kicked off the annual Police/Fire Games. It was a beautiful ceremony complete with bag pipes and a fly over by 3 military helicopters (Sorry Dad I don't remember exactly what type of helicopters they were). It was an emotional ceremony and fourteen names were read of men who have lost their lives in the line of duty. It was really neat because on the statue little room was left for more names in hopes that no more names would have to be added. It was a sight to be seen with so many firemen in uniform and fire trucks and engines lining the street. I am so proud to be the daughter and wife of a firefighter.

There were so many sports/activities to participate in in these games it was unbelievable. This enabled guys to sign up for mulitple things and it allowed those local firemen who had to work a chance to participate as well. There were police and firemen from all over the western states. It was so awesome to see them all. Brian signed up for softball, which was enough because they played 3-4 games a day for three days! He says he hasn't been sore like that in a long time. I just laughed at him and called him an "Old Man". He says it was worth it because they ended up getting the Silver Medal for softball..."way to go BFD"! The girls loved going out and watching Daddy play softball! Granted the only time their attention was on the game was when Daddy was either up to bat or when Daddy was making a play in the field. Still being outside in the park for three days was a blast and I am sure Brian loved having his girls there. Here are some pictures of how Chloe and Hailee enjoyed the games...what a couple of goof balls.

Our Anniversary!!

August 2, 2008 was our 5 Year Anniversary...I can't believe we've been married for FIVE years!! What I think is even more of a shock is that we have been together for TEN!! It is amazing to me how the time flies. Sometimes it feels like it was just yesterday that we were graduating from high school...still young and not quite as mature or responsible as we probably thought we were and I look at our girls and think "who trusted us with children"? I definetely have started to not take anything for granted because before I know it it will be five more years and five more and I don't want to miss a thing!

To celebrate this awesome day my amazing husband surprised me with a trip to Seattle!! He had everything planned out so perfectly and I had ablsolutely no idea until we arrived at the airport and the lady at the check in desk said "so your destination will Seattle"! I was so excited!! I must say I was very imprest with my husband...good job Babe!! Brian made arrangements for Chloe to stay with his parents for a night and then his sister for a night and Hailee came with us because he knew that that was a little too far for my comfort to be away from the baby...again good job Babe! Once we were in Seattle we checked into our hotel and relaxed...the only plans we had were some reservations for dinner that night at a very nice restaurant in the Pike's Place Market area called "Il Bistro". It was very yummy. The rest of the trip we had no obligations or places to be; it was all our time and at our own pace. The change of scenery was nice and to leave all stresses at home for a night was refreshing. Since it was afterall both our anniversary I told Brian we should catch a game while we were there so the next day we watched the Mariners beat the Orioles and Hailee got to experience her first major league baseball game. After the game we walked around downtown Seattle and did a little shopping and just enjoyed each other's company.

It was truly an awesome 5 year anniverysary and I can't wait for many, many more anniversaries with this amazing man I get to call my husband! Thank you Babe for my surprise weekend...you definitely pulled one off...I love you!