Birthday Bug

Even crazier than the fact that my baby is two is that I have a FOUR YEAR OLD!!
I know... nuts right?! I always thought you had to be a grown up to have kids that old, turns out I was wrong and Bry pretty much takes care of all of us. :)

On the 25th Brylie had her 4th birthday, at the time she was currently obsessed with ladybugs...she requested a ladybug pillow pet as her birthday present, insisted on being one for Halloween, and begged to have a ladybug party with her cousins. She really didn't have to work that hard talking me into it because well I love to throw a party, and immediately thought of many, many cute black & red things.






















Bry really has turned into such a sweetheart! She is sooo helpful, the BEST big sister, and very neat & tidy (always cleaning her play room). I honestly LOVE this little girl, she is one of my best friends, and already all grown up.

All about Brylie Jo:
FAVORITE FOOD-Hot Kind Noodles & Mommy Kind Cereal (Cajun Chicken Pasta & Special K w/ strawberries)
FAVORITE COLOR- Purple
FAVORITE ANIMAL- Ladybugs (although she recently told me maybe she was getting to big for ladybugs and was considering switching to kitties and horses)
FAVORITE PRINCESS- Rapunzel (she is now determined to grow her hair to the floor)
FAVORITE MOVIE- Tangled
FAVORITE SONG- Taylor Swift "Princess Song" ...(everyday #8 mom)
FAVORITE THINGS -Fancy parties

And on to OCTOBER...

In October my dad was taking a group to visit Eastern Europe. He happened to have a few extra spots and luckily that happens to be Shawn's down time (except for hunts of course.) even so being the amazing husband he is, he offered to keep the girls while I went.
Obviously I didn't hesitate and jumped at the opportunity to tag along.
It was BEAUTIFUL!! Seriously amazing, every place so different and gorgeous. I now have the itch to travel even more, I told Shawn we have to make it happen at least once a year or I would be willing to go without men if anyone else wants to join me ;)

Overlooking Montenagro

Bled (probably my favorite, straight out of a fairytale :)




Island of Burono, Italy

On top of the Castle in Bled

Dubrovnick



Plitvice Lake (Most beautiful walk I have ever taken)

Best gelato ever! Yum, so smooth and creamy, really it makes me want one just looking at it. My mom and I had at least one a day. :)



The ONLY picture you will find of my dad

Venice

More September happenings...

Shawn has been crying for 3 yrs that he hasn't been able to get in his annual Lake Powell trip, so this year the entire Drake clan got together with their many toys to make sure Shawn had an amazing day at the Lake.









Brylie on her first day of preschool at Mrs. Lisa's


More outdoor outings


Jen is always so creative in finding ways to entertain the kiddos :)

I know it does look like she is about to pee, but the kids were LOVING this bouncing on the board game.

Hello World :)

Ok, so I realize I have been a complete slacker in the blogging world since we have returned from Baltimore, but we have been loving being home as well as the added bonus of having Shawn around more often. We have been so busy filling up our time with holidays, outings, and many many projects. So because this is my ONLY method of journaling or scrapbook right now, I have to play catch up. I realize this will all be old news, and very boring for anyone to read so just an advanced apology and feel free to check back in a month or so when I will "hopefully" be caught up to now. :)

Starting with SEPTEMBER!
(I know I am really behind :)

On the 5th my baby turned 2!!!


Shawn made it home just in time to celebrate Lauryn's second birthday. I know everyone says this but seriously I have no idea how she is already two. Really when did that happen!? My sweet, mellow baby girl suddenly became this independent, grown up with a WHOLE lot of attitude. But I must admit I love this age. I love it. Everything she says and does seems to be hilarious, I could spend my days just following her around and laughing.

Just a few fun facts I want to remember about our Lauryn at age 2...

• NICKNAME: "Tink" , which originated from being Shawn's wing man (such a daddy's girl) aka Tiny Wing...which Brylie changed to Tiny Wink due to that fact that she does wink all of the time and has since she was 6 mo old...which then just shortened itself to "Tink" and that one has stuck.
• FAVORITE SHOW: "Da boots" - translation: Dora & Boots
• PERSONALITY TRAITS: All girl!! Must have dresses and skirts all of the time, although still very wild and definitely runs the show at our house. Nonstop jabber mouth and very entertaining.
  
• BEST FRIENDS: sister "Byleee" (Brylie) and cousin "La La" or (Londyn)
• 

Well, that is probably all I can handle for today...yes, this catching up may take a while but I will try to be better tomorrow.