First Day of School

Chase and Colby started school Yesterday. Chase is in 3rd grade this year and Colby is in 1st grade. Chase had the same teacher as Colby in 1st grade and We absolutely loved her. They are both so excited for school this year, and after the 2nd day they are loving it more than they thought they would. Cooper and Carter get to stay at home with Me while the boys go to school. It's fun spending some one on one time with the younger boys, just like I got to with the older ones when they were younger; But Cooper, who hasn't taken a nap all summer, has taken little cat naps both days while the boys were gone. I guess I must not be as fun to play with as Chase and Colby are. We are all getting along well though and slowly getting adjusted to the new schedule. Here are some pics of their first day of school.

I can't believe how grown up they look to me. I know they are only 8 & 6, but it was just yesterday that I was bringing them home from the hospital. I wish they could stay young forever, but no matter what, They will always be my little boys!!!

Raingutter Regatta

Tonight was Chase's Raingutter Regatta Pack Meeting. He has been bugging Brian for the last 3 weeks to work on it and finally the day of the event they got it finished. They painted it Black with a red fade on the hull. It looks really cool. Brad made a really cool lightning bolt for the sail and put Chase's favorite number, 8, underneath it. He was so proud of his boat. He was quite nervous about His first race, and ended up blowing too hard, tipping his boat over. But after a little pep talk from Dad, You know the one "Slow and Steady wins the Race!" He started winning. and winning, and winning. 11 times to be exact and ended up beating all of the other cubs in his pack. He was pretty thrilled, as you can probably see from the photos.

Salt Lake Weekend

Well our summer is technically over, meaning school is back in session. So for the last weekend of the official summer break, we decided to have a little rendezvous in the city. We went to the Living Planet Aquarium and then went to Thanksgiving point and saw the Dinosaur Museum and went to a little Ice Cream shop. The kids loved swimming at the Hotel pool as much as anything though, what a shock huh!! We also got to take the opportunity to go and visit Grandma Smith in the hospital. It's sure hard to see Her in the condition that She's in. She is always such a go getter. She is constantly in our prayers and We wish the best for Her. Here are a couple of pics from the weekend.

FAMILY CAMPOUT

I've been a bit of a blog slacker for the past few days but with good reason. We have been on a much needed camping trip. It was so much fun and nice to getaway before school starts again. We did so many fun things as a family in the mountains. We played games, The kids rode their bikes, We went on a hike and waded in the River, Roasted marshmallows, and Played many heated episodes of Hungry Hungry Hippos (which I won 5 times) Chase, Colby, and I started listening to our new favorite book on audio, FABLEHAVEN!! It is so addicting and hard to stop listening to. Cooper and Brian wanted nothing to do with it though. Cooper is a little scared of the man's voice who does the narrating and Brian... I think He's scared of the same thing:) On Friday, my sister Nicole and her two boys suprised us with a visit. She is alot of fun and the kids had fun playing with their cousins McCoy and McCrey. We had such a fun time.

We were sad to have to come back home!

CAMPING PICTURES!!!

Brian & Brandy

Happy Anniversary Brian!

Today, Brian and I are celebrating our 9th anniversary! I can't believe how fast time flies. It has been the best and funnest nine years of my life, Thanks to Brian. Here are twenty things I love about him, I was only going to write 9 for 9 years but when I started writing I couldn't stop!

1-He makes me laugh even when I don’t want too. He can always put a smile on my face!

2-He works really hard to support our family.

3- He Always tells me how much He loves Me and can't live without Me ( He's so sweet)!

4- I love that when I'm feeling down He can always cheer me up!

5- I love how He is always thinking of ways to surprise me!

6- I love how He puts such careful thought into what to get me for my birthdays, Anniversarys etc.

7- He is a very good example to our kids

8- He is the funniest man I have ever met, he really knows how to crack me up!

9- I love how He worries about me when I'm sick.

10- I love that when I have had a hectic day, He comes home and helps Me pick up the house!

11- I love that He plays with our children, He loves to make up Games with them, and they love it as much as he does. Everywhere we go the kids want to play "Trivia!" it's so cute!

12- I love how He loves spending time with me.

13- I love that because of Him, I am a better person.

14- He is such a smarty pants, really He knows everything. He is so smart!

15- I love that He always says sorry first whenever we have a disagreement. Even when I'm in the wrong.

16- I love that He puts up with me when I'm difficult! And that can sometimes be alot.

17-I love that He calls me from work just to check on me and our kids.

18- He makes friends easily with anyone and everyone.

19- Family means everything to Him.

20- He is always willing to help anyone.

Brian, I just want to tell you how much I love you and let you know that you mean the world to me. Thanks for always being there and listening and understanding me. I appreciate everything that you do for me and the kids. You are a great Husband and a great DAD. I am looking forward to many more years, Happy Anniversary! I love you more every day!

The Visitor!

Last night during Family FHE We had an unwanted & uninvited guest. No, We aren't talking about Jennifer and Ashlee :) While we were in the middle of eating, Colby noticed something moving in the front Planter. Jeff and Brian went over to investigate and it was a disgusting snake. They are the creepiest reptile/thing on the planet. I hate snakes. This one was about 6 inches long and as gross as ever. Jeff kept trying to throw it on me, but I would have nothing to do with it, as you can see in the below photos...

Don't you just love Lorraine's reaction in this photo? Looks like She likes snakes as much as I do.

Jeff didn't get too close after I got this rake. Good thing too, cause I would have beat him bloody!

Must have been something funny in the trees, I guess! As you can see, I was getting out of there.

Cooper and Colby petting the nasty thing.

McKinlee loved it. She grabbed it very first and just laughed and laughed. At first we all thought She was going to pull it in half, I wish she would have. Jeff really is not a good influence on her.

Waiting for Michael to bring the Pizza on our new table. Grandma and Grandpa bought us all this little table so that we had a place outside to eat when we have barbecues, pretty cute huh?

Ipod Karaoke

Our monthly Family FHE was last night. Jenny and Ashlee were also here visiting so they were quite lucky to be in on all the Berlin Family action. Michael and Shaurie taught a great lesson about profanity. They had a little boy that had a trash mouth (The kids got to put garbage in his mouth) and the kids loved it. It was a great visual. Then afterwards we all played Ipod Karaoke. It was absolutely hilarious. I'm quite sure I was the worst singer, but it was nice to know that I was certainly not alone in the horrible singer's boat. It's funny how many of the words you can mumble and get away with when everyone is listening to music together, but when you are the only one that hears the music and you're singing out loud, all those mumbles are pretty dang funny. I'll post some videos at a later time, If I dare!

Blessing Day Collage!

Carter's Blessing!

Isn't He so sweet! Brian blessed Carter at church on sunday! It was such a great Day. It's a good thing We didn't wait any longer to bless Him or His outfit wouldn't have fit. Carter brings so much joy to our home and I am so thankful for Him. The Boys absolutely adore Him, sometimes even maul Him. They constantly have to give Him kisses. I am so glad that they all get along so well. I have such wonderful kids, they mean the world to Us!
We had a great turnout. Thanks so much to everyone who came and for all the support that you are to us. You guys are all the greatest.

Going Private!

Hey everyone, I'm going private with my blog, which means if you want to view my page you need to send me your email address so I can add you to my list, And you can continue view our blog, thanks!