Dan and Britt's Anniversary

Our 7th wedding anniversary was on Memorial Day, May 30th. (This may seem like a long time to all of our newly-wed siblings. But trust me, time flies when you're having fun!) Dan had a wonderful surprise date planned for us. On Saturday, June 4th, we went on a dinner train ride through the mountains! We mainly sat out in an open air car, but ate the meal in the dining car. Chicken with almonds, wild rice, creamed potatoes, salad, and dinner rolls were on the menu. After our train ride we went to a restaurant for pie (key lime and pecan) and coffee ..... Mainly to be able to keep talking and stay out a bit longer :)


The "happily-married-7-years" couple! (at this point Britt was STILL in the dark as to what we would be doing on our date)



A view of the train and surrounding nature as seen from our open air car. The benches were romantic looking....but horribly uncomfortable...THAT is why I chose Dan's arm and shoulder as my backrest a good portion of the 2 1/2 hour round trip :)



"Wild Cows" as one nearby jokester stated! They were a friendly herd - mooing at us as we passed by. There were lots of cute calves to gaze at.



The beautiful river that ran along the tracks the whole trip! (Not only was it – and the rest of the scenery – beautiful, but I LOVE the sound of flowing water) A very fun and romantic evening planned by my wonderful husband.

6/6/05 - Updates

The following 3 posts (Swingset, Around the House, and Zoo) are to catch you up on our family life the past couple of weeks. Weather has been wonderful and we have enjoyed several nice weekends as a family outside. Kids are growing and learning or doing something new almost every day it seems. Feel so blessed by God to have a wonderful husband and kids to enjoy. Dan and I miss our relatives, but feel we are right where God wants us at the moment. Just today it was OFFICIALLY confirmed that Dan will be keeping his same job at work! We were trusting God's will be done no matter what the outcome, and were 99% sure Dan would not be laid off, but it IS a relief to now know 100%!
I am about 18 weeks along now in my pregnancy and feeling good. Ethan is starting to comprehend that there will be a new baby: "Mama's belly getting big" :) He also started listing "New Baby" along with the rest of us in his almost daily naming of our family members. Kaylin is now walking! Although still a bit tipsy and defenitely more "toddling" than actual "walking".
Well, I'll stop typing and let you get on with the fun part - the pictures!
Enjoy,
Britt :)

Swingset Maintenence

5/21/05 - Dan helping Ethan re-tighten the swingset screws. (Ethan got realistic looking play tools for his birthday from his godparents - and both he and Kaylin enjoy "using" them!)


"Do you boys need some help?"


Britt (and Baby #3) test the slide! (My shirt reads: “It’s a tough job, but someone’s gotta do it” ……..appropriate both for being pregnant, AND testing the slide!)

Around the House

Here are a few pictures to catch you up on the lives of Ethan and Kaylin “around the house” the past couple weeks!


5/26/05 - Kaylin recently started using a toothbrush (rather than just a washcloth wrapped around Mom's finger) She LOVES it, and HAS to brush her own teeth like her big brother!


5/27/05 - Kaylin is walking! She took her first 2 independent steps on May 2nd and is slowly gaining confidence....and balance!


Ethan "reading" to Kaylin. It is so cute - He will sit down to read (out loud) and then Kaylin comes toddling on over to listen! Ethan really CAN read several words (it, is, and, with, on, up, the ...), but in this case he is reciting from memory (and very accurately, I might add) :)


6/5/05 - Bath night is always exciting. They love their ducky bathroom ... and watching water come out of the new ducky spout cover is simply mesmerizing :)

Memorial Day Weekend - The Zoo and Picnic Lunch

The Saturday of Memorial Day weekend we took the kids to the zoo in the morning, followed by a picnic at the adjoining park. It was a fun day and weekend. Monday we took the kids to a park for a walk down by the river in the afternoon. There was a splash park nearby and after MANY minutes of observing – and prompting from Dad and Mom, Ethan decided to tentatively go stick his hand in some mist and stomp down a few mild bursts of water coming up from the ground. (Kaylin was willing to get her hand and arms wet from the get-go, but not fond of getting her face wet.) After several minutes, they were both crawling/walking around the main area. But both were surprised by the “whale” that misted water up out of the ground. It came down once on Kaylin…. And then once, during a brave moment, Ethan was looking down at the "whale" holes in the ground when the “whale” sprung to life! All in all they both handled it fairly wet, er I mean, well. Ethan getting his face wet was the talk of the next couple of days :) (Sorry, no pics of the splash park outing)


Kaylin and Ethan watching the tigers – probably their favorite exhibit. At one point the tigers were right up by the observing glass and one of them yawned - twice, as Ethan would tell you! Shortly after, Kaylin started "growling". :)


Britt and the kids watching the docile big horn sheep. Can't blame them. At 11 am it was already pretty hot outside.


Dan and the kids observing the Zebra. This was one of the kids' favorite exhibits.



Britt and Kaylin on the way to see the Llamas.


Family picture just before leaving the zoo around noon. We had 2 tired and hungry children!


We went to the adjoining park for a picnic lunch. It was a beautiful day and the big shade trees provided a perfect spot to spread our blanket. The menu consisted of hoagie-style roastbeef and turkey sandwiches with tomato, lettuce, provolone, onion, and vinegar/oil; chips, peaches, kiwi, and green pepper slices. For dessert we had oreos and chips-ahoy. Mmm Mmm! Ethan has decided to eat his oreos by taking them apart and then eating the non-icing half first.


Kaylin excited to have been given TWO cookies!


An after lunch game of "Dad chase Ethan"


Dad caught up with Ethan.... and proceeded to tickle him....to Ethan's delight, of course!

Pigtails, Playing, & Pajamas

Here are a few captured moments from this past week.


Kaylin's first pigtails!
(It only took about 10 minutes of me holding her still between my legs while wrestling with a baby brush, 2 dinky rubber bands, and ultra fine hair that Kaylin did NOT inherit from me!)


Ethan playing with his favorite (for the 2nd year in a row) outside toy - the green garden hose!


Peek-a-Boo!
(Note you can see my reflection in the sliding back door)


Trying to capture a cute "peek through shot". Posed shots never seem to work that well with these two. Ethan only looks serious or smiles cheesy - and Kaylin is too busy to look at me for more than 2 seconds (usually the 2 seconds when Ethan is looking away)


Swinging in the backyard


Weedwacker Ethan put on his own goggles!


Sleeping Boy....Ethan had a fever last night, so he - and Mr. Fish - ended up spending 1/2 the night with Mom and Dad.


Cute Kids in Cute Pajamas! (Note Mr. Fish and Ms. Bunny) Ethan and Kaylin are still waking up in this picture. The routine is that Ethan comes and cuddles with Dad and Mom when he wakes up in the morning (around 7). Then about a half hour later when Kaylin wakes up, I bring her into bed to have her morning sippy cup of formula. It's a nice way to start the day all together as a family