Saturday, September 25

So, we just had our pictures done by Kim Stahnke Photography (mainly for Brenna's 4 year pics) - they came out fabulous - I'm not sure that I can pick a favorite yet :-) Let me know if you can pick one :-)

Hello All!!!

Hope all is well out there! I just thought I would share our new family pictures and Brenna's 4 year pics - didn't they come out fabulous? The pictures were done by Kim Stahnke Photography and I think she did a great job (and there are a ton of pictures to select from).

Hope you enjoy seeing them as much as I do!

Take Care!

Thursday, September 23

Brenna trying to catch her bubbles on Tuesday - she of course loves her bubbles (now, we just need to get batteries for the bubble maker - blowing them is almost too much work, lol)

watching the bubbles float away...

showing off her silly side...

showing mommy how to use two bubble-wands at the same time...

Justice enjoying our bubble time...

Our craft today - we made homemade shea butter soap (our first time with making soap) - Brenna picked out all the colors and scents for each soap (hmm, wonder if she might like to make and give these as Christmas gifts from her to people this year???) (she even got into the mixing and adding the colors after we worked on them for a little while) (of course, the pink shoe in the middle has already been claimed by a little person at our house, lol). I would say our craft went fairly well today - I need to let go of a little more control when Brenna is crafting with me, maybe one of these days I will get that down. Brenna was most excited to see the final products and she really did a great job getting them out of the molds (we froze them for about 20 minutes before removing - worked wonderfully).

Below are our solid color soaps - we did a lot of mixing/layering (once I did it on one soap - Brenna wanted it done on all of them, lol).

Our new girly mold - 2 purses and shoes (that is where the pink high heel soap above came from). I love our shoes that have the two tone color - I think they look almost professional, lol :-)

Hello All!!!

Hope all is well out there! Things are good here - I still haven't found my "groove" of being home in the US (the big house, driving, and having a TV I understand are actually all a little overwhelming to me these days, lol). (so needless to say that while Brenna was at school today I accomplished nada - and yesterday all I accomplished was grocery shopping - ack!).

On Tuesday afternoon after school, Brenna and I did some bubble fun and bike riding in the afternoon. She is coming home very tired after her morning in school (and doesn't want to nap anymore) - which makes for some interesting afternoons. We saw some vultures circling our neighborhood on Tuesday while we were eating lunch - I got my camera out to take some video of how close they were above, but then they disappeared (so they either landed and were eating or they flew on).

Yesterday, I finally made it to the grocery store and then spent the rest of the time while Brenna was at school making chili for supper. We also made homemade applesauce yesterday and a corn casserole recipe (my kitchen is still a mess - I'm not used to all that cooking anymore, lol). It was nice to finally get the crock pot out after all our time away from it (I think Dustin actually liked having a hot supper for once too). Brenna had dance class in the evening (which she continues to love), but she fell asleep about 1 minute away from the dance building - but we arrived early enough that she revived herself well before class. We went on a bike ride around the neighborhood after getting back home - on the long walk around Brenna still likes to go on her tricycle. (I wonder if it is because she doesn't have to wear all her gear on the tricycle??).

Today, after school, we went to Hobby Lobby for some soap making materials (I really just went for scent, but ended up coming home with more - oops!). I think our soap project today was a big hit :-)

Well, I think that is most of the highlights!

Take Care!

Tuesday, September 21

Brenna was in the mood to have her picture taken yesterday - what a little cheeser that girl is :-) So, here are some pictures of her riding her bike in our neighborhood (I love her shoe choice - her favorite red shoes :-) Below, playing in the backyard - love the sunglasses (I think she always wears her sunglasses upside down - wonder if they are more comfortable that way, lol).

had to include Justice yesterday :-)

we took a ride around the neighborhood at sunset yesterday too, it was a nice evening to enjoy her bike (although she only biked about half way around the neighborhood and then she wanted to walk the dog).

I love how happy she is on the bike - what a great smile :-)

(in case you are wondering what is on her pink helmet, they are bunnies - too cute on her - she looks very good in her gear)

love her expression below (and I don't know that you can really see it, but there is a house behind her with a German and American flag - we love it - now we just need to get some courage to go introduce ourselves and find out why they are flying both flags :-)

a good picture of her helmet and smile

o.k. - I'm done with the biking - let me have the dog now....

early afternoon biking

Pictures from this morning with one of the dresses I made last week (that she wore for pictures on Saturday - isn't she just too cute!!)

Brenna and her dog

Hello All!!!

Hope all is well out there!! Things are going well here. Yesterday, we all had our dental check-ups (Brenna's first one). Brenna did great with having her teeth cleaned (and thankfully they said we weren't doing too bad with our brushing). Brenna showed off her Germany book to the dentist - she hasn't been looking at the book too much yet (every time she does, then we hear from her how much she misses it - we really need to get some letters sent to Germany soon!!!)

Brenna was really interested in having her picture taken while riding her bike yesterday - she was really in a modeling mood :-) (although I think she was the most interested in directing me to take her picture and seeing me run in my skirt and boots, lol). Brenna is doing well with the biking, but she doesn't make it as far with biking yet as she does on her tricycle (I'm sure it will just be a matter of time and I will need to run to keep up with her, lol). I haven't looked at my pictures from Sunday, but Dustin's mom bought her some adorable items to wear and I think she modeled all of them for us - hopefully, I will get those posted this week too ;-)

Brenna is very interested in walking Justice by herself since she has had an opportunity to do it - he does well when there aren't distractions, but does tend to pull her when he is allowed. I can't believe how well she is doing with it for 4 years old though :-)

Well, I think that is about it for now - take care!