While Mom and Dad are Away...

Grandma and Grandpa Cali came to stay with the older three kids while we were in Canada.  They did lots and lots of fun things!

A movie night at Easton's elementary school...

Grandma came prepared with LOTS of fun things to do! Aunt Alisa was great at sending things to do as well.  Like this Rainbow craft!

 Lots of painting and "creating"!

Grandma and Devynee played lots of squinkies.

And the girls enjoyed sticking things onto contact paper.

This isn't nearly all that they did, but it is what I have pictures of! :)

The day before Grandma and Grandpa headed back home, we went out for sushi for lunch.  Both girls were VERY excited to eat sushi (traditionally this restaurant is only for dates for mom and dad.  No kids allowed). We had to document it.

Trip to Canada

Ronnie attends a small conference every year for his firm.  It is different than most, as they call it a "networking" conference and the purpose is for everyone to get to know one another, not to take classes, etc.  This means that there is only a short, four hour time frame when I am not invited to tag along.  It makes for the perfect excuse for a trip.

This year, the conference was in Vancouver, Canada.  Ronnie and I finally had an excuse to get passports and since Brynlee is still nursing, she got to come along as well.

Grandpa and Grandma Cali came up to take care of the other three kids and it was an arrangement loved by both sides.

Hanging out in the Denver airport, ready to go!

When we got into Vancouver, we made our way to our hotel (the Wedgewood) and then took a walk down to the seawall.

Selfie on the seawall.

Views

On our way back to to the hotel we were starving and tried out a little All you can eat sushi and Korean BBQ.  It was pretty fun to BBQ your own meat at your table!

The next day, we drove out to see the Vancouver temple.  It was beautiful.

After the temple, we went to Stanley Park.  We drove the loop, then went around again and stopped at a few different places.

Brynlee was a trooper! She hung out in her carseat like a champ and was just along for the ride.

The next morning was the only time that Ronnie had a meeting.  I met up with two of the wives (my favorite ones) and we hit up the art museum right by our hotel.  It was not quite what I was expecting.  I am no art expert, but enjoy some things.  This particular museum was a little too "crazy" for my taste, but it was still fun to see some of the installations. Like this one made out of antique three-legged stools. It was taller than my house and at least as big.

That afternoon we got on a bus and went up to the Sea to Sky Gondola at Squamish.

Backtracking a bit, here are more pictures of our time at Stanley Park.

And now switching back again, to the Gondola ride.

 Walking across the suspension bridge.

 The group of hikers.  We went on a 1.5 mile hike.  I carried Brynlee in the Baby Bjorn and she slept the entire time!

See? evidence!

We had a wonderful time in Canada!  I can't wait to go back!

Brynlee: 5 months

This happy baby turned 5 months old! She is a good baby who rolls with the punches.  I feel like a broken record, but Brynlee continues to sleep through the night and takes 3 naps a day.  She sleeps best swaddled and in her crib.  She continues to enjoy her swing and is now also enjoying the excersauser. She doesn't like hanging out alone on the floor unless she is in a really, really good mood.

She is in size 2 diapers and 3-6 month clothes.

Brynlee still likes to snuggle with her daddy and occasionally is so content she zonks.

Instagram: February 2015

Sorting through all of the papers I saved for the year is never fun, but necessary for taxes.  This year, I was rewarded for my trouble with this gift card that I accidentally left in a Mother's Day card.  #thanksmomanddad

We have a Math Einstein!  Easton has been working so hard to pass of all of the 1st grade math facts in 1 minute.  Practice pays off!

You know how you buy green onions because you need 2 Tbsp for that recipe? I always chop up all the rest and freeze for later.  They work perfectly in dishes that you are going to cook (not so great as baked potato toppings). My happy hint for the day. #happyhint

One cool cat. (glasses courtesy of Kendree)

A Broncos valentine box for our true fan. #hesalreadythinkginaboutnextyear

Normal cheetah print shirt with gray tone cheetah print pants was an obvious choice for Kendree today.  Not pictured: the cheetah print purse she carried everywhere we went.  Love her.

This beauty is 4 months old today! She sleeps through the night, lights up when she sees any human face and refuses to nap unless she is in her swing, car seat, or someone's arms.  But that sleeping through the night thing makes up for everything else.

Happy Birthday to our ferocious, fantastic, fiery, fabulous, fun-loving FIVE year old!

We did the majority of the celebrating on Saturday with extended family, and kept it simple today, but I'd say Kendree had a pretty great 5th birthday.

Celebrating 10 years with this wonderful guy today! Seems like only yesterday, and yet I can't remember what life was like without him.  So grateful for his love, his faith, his hard work, his apologies ;) and everything about him.

The girls are officially all in the same room! Kendree and Devynee couldn't be more excited about their bunk bed (and Easton couldn't be more jealous). Brynlee is sleeping in there at night like a champ, but we still have some work to do for naps.

These flowers have been brightening my house for over a week now.  The smell of the lilies is divine. #thanksron

Someone found the mascara...

Friends. This was a big day. While an excellent nighttime sleeper, Brynlee has only wanted to nap while being held, in a swing or in her car seat for several months.  I finally seem to have found the trick. Swaddling.  I know, I know, should have tried it sooner, but I've always swaddled at night and not in the day (to set the night "apart" if you will). Here's to continued success!