Vacation - Park City with the Brammers

We had an awesome vacation! We flew into the SLC airport from Portland on Tues. June 30th and spent the first night at Craig's parents home. The kids were so happy to see nani and grandpa. They had found Jace an Evil Zurg action figure (from Toy Story) and had a cute mini cabbage patch girl for Brooke. They played and played until they zonked.


The kids with Nani & Grandpa


Aunt Katie & Jace


Uncle Dave & Brooke



The next day we drove up to Park City. Robert and Paula had reserved Marriott's Mountainside Resort. The condo was really great and the beds were even better. That's one thing about Marriott, you always know that you'll sleep well . .at least until your kids climb in with you.

We had to stop on the way and pick up a swimsuit for me because of course I always forget something and it happened to be that this time. Finding a decent swim suit this late in the season is nearly impossible, everything was completly picked over and only one that was "okay" was a skimpy little 2 piece. I bought it even though it totally made me feel uncomfortable, like everyone had super x ray vision and could see every single little part of me. I felt way too exposed and spent most of the time submerged from the neck down. Oh well, the pool area was a little over crowded but still super cool ,especially the hot tubs, they had all these waterfalls running into them. It was beautiful.

This is a sad representation of the resort. It totally doesn't do it justice.

Craig took Jace down the Alpine Slide for the first time. Here they are holding up their tickets.


Brooke and I waited patiently with grandpa Brammer while daddy, nani, and Jace enjoyed a sweet ride down the mountain . They kept stahling the slide because of sporadic drizzle so it was quite the wait. Brooke only pulled out her piggy tails 3 times due to extreme bordom.

Finally they made it down and Craig said that Jace laughed the entire way and wanted to go again the second they stopped at the bottom. We told him that we would take him and Brooke to the bounce house park instead.



But as soon as we got there it started raining pretty good and they closed it down. Here is Jace's sad face . .



. . and his happy face when Grandpa & Nani told him they would take him to a movie instead.




Brooke was very patient. She liked the rain. I guess she's used to it given the fact that we live in the NorthWest.



This is her silly look . .I think?


I don't really know for sure. And a family picture of course:




Jace got to go see the movie "UP" with Nani & Grandpa and Craig and I had a special little date with Brooke. We went out to eat at Cafe Rio, which we have totally missed since moving from Utah, and then nibbled on some authentic Italian Gilato. It was Mmmm Mmmm GOOD! I had pistacio almond and chocolate hazelnut and Craig had rasberry and strawberry. . . Brooke had a little of mine and a LOT of Craig's. She just kept saying "Mmmm es good" "Numma Nummas". Once she finished Craig's off . .I think Craig was able to sneak a few bites in too . .she wanted to share with me. She wasn't nearly as expressive of how good mine was though. While we were eating it was pouring rain outside . .we must have brought it with us from Vancouver. After that we went to the Tanger Outlets and we both got some new shoes at the Nike Store.

Later that evening Robert and Paula watched the kids and Craig and I went out to a movie. We saw "The Proposal". I thought it was pretty funny. Craig said he didn't like it but I caught him laughing out loud on more then one occasion. We also stopped at the Rocky Mountain chocolate factory on the way back. The date was awesome. It was fun to spend some alone time together. We kept racing to the car and were just being silly but it was so much fun.

We had an awesome time in Park City.

Daddy Day

Here is a picture of Craig and Jace at the Father Sons camp out. Well, Fathers Day was a success at our house. . .meaning that Craig had a great day. He awoke to a hot breakfast in bed: french toast, eggs, and bacon. I even garnished it with fresh mint from our herb garden and blackberries. The kids were overjoyed to bring him breakfast and give him his gifts. Jace went first. He was VERY proud that he used his own money out of his piggy bank to get daddy some bubblegum. Not that Craig is a HUGE fan or anything but Jace sure is so he thought it would be the perfect gift. Brooke had fun helping daddy open presents. Then we let daddy go back to sleep and we went downstairs. Later, at church, all the primary kids got up to sing to all the Fathers. Jace was on the brink of falling asleep when it was time to sing but decided to go up anyways along with all the other kids. As soon as he gets up there he sits down and falls asleep up in front of everyone. When the other kids stand up and start singing he wakes up but just sits there with this dazed and confused look on his face. That's okay on Mothers Day when they sang to all the mothers he kept yelling to me "mommy, I need you." We just laughed . .I thought it was funny that he fell asleep. Since I'm the MiaMaid advisor I helped all the Young Women serve pie to all the Fathers. Both of the kids behaved well all day and I made Craig a sausage skillet for dinner and brownies for dessert. He had a great day and he deserved it! Craig is a wonderful father. He always makes time to play with the kids when he gets home from work. We LOVE you VERY much, Craig!

As for other happenings: Craig is finishing up with the softball league soon here. We have enjoyed going to the ball park and watching him play. I have started taping Brooke's diapers on her with scotch tape so she can't be naked all day. We have started going to story time at the library twice a week now. My garden is actually growing . .yeah! I have been waking up at 5:30 every morning to head to the clubhouse gym to work out before Craig leaves for work and I'm actually feeling pretty healthy. I jimmy rigged a fence blockade so Brooke can no longer squeeze through the break in the fence and get naked in the garden. I had been finding all sorts of things back there . .mostly diapers and her clothes and toys. The tape is working great though - she hasn't figured out how to get past that. Jace went to the Primary Activity last Saturday and loved it. They did it on the Army of Helaman and they had men enlisted there in all their gear. Jace loved it. They gave him a dog tag necklace when he first got there that said Private Jace Brammer and then they had different rotations where they would have to do army crawls, push ups, jump ropes, running through tires, and practice saying "sir, yes sir" very loudly. They talked about the Army of Helaman and how they need to listen to their mommies and daddies. Then they got a cupcake with a gummy army man crawling across it. He had a blast!

We have been enjoying the good weather and are looking forward to our vacation to Utah next week.

A Day to Remember

June 6, 2003 was the day we were married and now 6 years later we are still going strong.



We dropped the kids off with some awesome friends . .thanks Laurel & Dan and just spent the day together. We hiked Beacon Rock, had a picnic lunch overlooking the Colombia River, had an awesome dinner at our new favorite restaurant - BlackStone, and watched some movie rentals while enjoying chocolate dipped strawberries. What a wonderful day! I love you, Craig.






View from the top of Beacon Rock.




What a view!



Enjoying a wonderful dinner at BlackStone.

Elder Justin Johnson

My little brother back from his mission. We all wish we could be there to welcome you home. I can't believe that you're already back. We're excited to see you next month and Brookie is excited to meet you for the first time. The kids had a fun time coloring the posters for you. You wouldn't believe how difficult it was to get them to both look at the camera, hold the poster, stand still, and smile. I finally had to tape Brooke's poster to her dress. I'm really sad that I won't be there when you get off the plane but just know that I'm thinking of you!


Here we all are the day you went into the MTC in Provo, Utah. I remember it was June 6, 2007 because it was mine and Craig's 4th anniversary and it was raining like crazy. I just want you to know how very proud of you we are. WE LOVE YOU ELDER JOHNSON! I'm sure that Florida will miss you but we're glad to have you back.

You knew that I would have to embarrass you a little. . .it's just in may nature so here are some good times remembered!

Letting me dress you and Jeremy up like girls for a bag of candy was not such a good idea because I will have these pictures forever! :)

Camping at Quail 2000 . .I love the look on your face. This is one of my favorite pictures of you!


Rosarito Beach, Mexico 2006


Deep Sea fishing in Ensenada, Mexico. I know you'll remember that trip. We froze our butts off, you got sick, and instead of fishing we mostly just piled together for body warmth and wished for the fishing trip to be over. . .good times . .good times.


Jace's first birthday party at the Hogle Zoo. 2006 You are such a good Uncle.

WE LOVE YOU JUSTIN!!

I will NEVER buy chocolate pudding again . . .

. . . because THIS is what happens!

Boating

We spent Memorial Day boating with our friends the Johnsons. It was SO much fun. We hadn't been for a while and Jace was super excited. Brooke was a little fussy because we passed up nap time but had a fun time too. They let us take the kids out on the tube and Jace was smiling and laughing the whole time . . Brooke actually fell asleep - ON THE TUBE. I thought it was pretty funny that she zonked right out in the middle of the water. We did tubing & wake boarding and just enjoyed the sunshine. It was gorgeous that day. Here are some pictures from our trip:


The whole family.
Mommy, Daddy, Jace & Brooke.

Big smiles from Jace riding on the "big boat".


The boys getting ready to tube.
Scott, Gavin, Jace, Craig

All of us on the tube. Brooke was so comfy she fell asleep.
Heather, Jace, Brooke, Craig


Scott & Craig on the left and Genevieve & Heather on the right
I think that Gary went a little easier on the girls . . as you can see.


Craig & I wake boarding . . I'm not looking too graceful here.



What a hottie!
Craig getting back on the boat after wake boarding.


Brooke finally woke up. We made a little bed for her in the boat and her life jacket kept her from rolling.
We took some pretty rapid turns when we were trying to get Scott & Craig off tube.



I thought this was cute.
Jace & Gavin loved just being in the boat and going fast.


Back on Land
Brooke couldn't be happier with a cookie in each hand.

Scott, Brooke, Genevieve.


We all had such a good time. After boating we went over to their place for a barbecue. The kids played in the back yard and we were able to just visit. . .good times . .good times. Thanks Scott & Genevieve for an awesome day!

My Crazy Kids

Here are some random pictures and stories about the kids happenings lately.





Brooke has become a wanna be nudist lately. I think it's more of a game and it was a little funny at first but now . . .not so much. She is constantly taking her clothes off all over the place and she can get out of ANYTHING. It's the worst at night because before she goes to bed she takes her jammies and diaper off, usually wets herself and her sheets then cries until we come and change her. Her newest trick is taking everything off and throwing everything she possibly can out of the crib at bedtime in protest . . . her blanket, baby pooh bear, pajamas, diaper, crib sheet and padding. . . you get the point. We end up going in there after we hear "Hep momma . . cowd cowd" She's freezing because she naked and sitting on a plastic coated uncomfortable crib mattress. This is beginning to drive me CRAZY. I'm sick of having to redress her over and over again. I have tried everything. The only thing that I have found that works is putting her in pajamas that zip up and have the cross over button at the top that covers the zipper. However, these pajamas are out of stock everywhere because they're winter pajamas and they are pretty hot at night for her and to boot this morning when Craig went to get her out of bed she had figured out how to undo the button at the top and I already know that she can get the zipper down after that. I'm totally annoyed that I have to change her into pajamas before her nap time too so they stay on her. Does anyone know where they sell baby straight jackets? J/K . . but what am I to do. I am SICK of cleaning up peeper puddles because she won't keep a diaper on. I suppose it's time to try potty training. Does anyone have any tips for me that has gone through this with a child. This is new to me . . Jace never did the I need to be naked all the time thing. . . . HELP.

I do have a funny story about Brooke though. The other day I put her down for a nap and she still had a bit of brownie dessert in her mouth that she must have been saving. Anyhow, she was spent so she went right to sleep and drooled on her sheets. I would have changed the sheets that night before bedtime but ALL of her other sheets were in the dirty clothes pile on account of her stripping and peeing on them. She didn't seem bugged by the little brown spot when she went down to bed but in the middle of the night I hear "HEP HEP . . . MOMMA HEP" Hmmm I figured she had disrobed again but when I went in her room she was standing at the opposite corner of her crib as far away from the brown spot as possible. She was pointing at it petrified and said " HEP momma . .es a bug, es a bug. Bita bug en a kib" translation . . mommy help there is a biter bug in my crib. She was so scared of the little brownie spot. I snuggled her for a bit and changed her crib with freshly cleaned sheets right out of the dryer. She was so happy I saved her from the little brown biter bug. The next day she was totally a mommy's girl (which is not the norm) I loved every second of it. I was her hero and daddy was jealous.

On to another subject. The kids have been trying to dress themselves lately. Jace usually does a good job but last week after he wore his Iron Man costume 4 days in a row I hid it in the washing machine. This is what happens when Brooke tries to dress herself. I put the onesie one and she added the hula skirt and Jace's batman sandals.


Jace and Brooke have become the best of friends. I mean ,yes, Jace still beats up on her from time to time but I hear them laughing and playing together all the time. Just this morning I found them on the stairs sneakily sharing a bag a doritos before breakfast time. It was so cute . . they just kept hugging and sharing chips then laughing hysterically. And Jace is always there to give her a hug when Brooke gets hurt. Such a good big brother (most of the time).



So even though Brooke's streaking is driving me crazy, I just have to look at her cute little mug and I can't stay mad too long. She really is pretty sweet.


I hope I'm not the only one with crazy little stinkers for kids. :)