Summer Days

Brinley is 17 months old today!  Here are some random photos that are just super cute, and I wanted to share Brinley's cuteness with you :).  There are a few that are a few months old, but hopefully no repeats.  Enjoy!

It's so hot that we haven't been on a good bike ride
lately, but Brinley still asks to go every chance she gets

Playing play-doh with Solomon

Peak-a-boo!  The park has become a favorite place to hang out.
Brinley still loves to swing, but she has gotten really good
at climbing the stairs by herself and going down the slides
all by herself--what a big girl!

Having a snack with Lexi (and Elissa) :).

I don't know why, but this is one of my favorite
pictures.  We decided to have a "blue day" (
okay, not "we", it was actually my idea), so we ate
blue things, used blue plates and bowls, and
wore blue clothes.  Brinley was used to having her
picture taken that day, so this picture makes me think
of how she'll pose on the first day of preschool, or senior year--yikes!

The Huttons came to visit!

Apparently, even if you sleep in a sleep sak, you can still get your
legs caught in the bars

Well, it seemed to take forever, but the tree service finally finished
chopping down our trees--Brinley is enjoying a snack in this picture
while she watches the chain saw--it looks like she's watching a movie
and eating popcorn :).

Happy Father's Day!  We went to Bass Pro Shops for Father's Day.
Brinley really enjoyed looking at all the animals

What we like to call a "mine field."  Brinley
has been going room to room, putting her legos and blocks
out for display....or for us to trip over....

if you can't tell, Brinley is saying, "uh oh...."

Just because they're on the floor, doesn't mean you can't eat them!

Luci and Brinley saying "cheese!!"  These girls know how to
pose for a picture! (and yes, Brinley is somehow naked again),,,

Happy First Day of Summer!

Swimming Lessons!

I am having so much fun with Brinley!  She is really talking now (at least I can understand her...I don't think others can though), and we can really communicate!  It is fun to hear her "re-tell" things that happened or ask about things--so fun!  The last couple of weeks we have been doing swimming lessons (30 minutes a night, Monday-Thursday).  She graduated last week by jumping off the diving board!  Unfortunately, I didn't get a picture, but it was super cute to see her up on the diving board (to clarify, I was on the diving board with her, and I lowered her into the water for her swim instructor to then take her....and she never actually went under water...., but still it was super fun!)!  Here are some pictures of the lessons!

Practicing kicking and getting our legs and tummies wet.

"front float" and blowing bubbles

Brinley's friend Luci was at swim lessons too!  So fun to
have a friend to do the lessons with!

attempting back float

Playing in the fountains (Brinley's favorite part of swim lessons)

Attempting to get a picture with the two girls

By the way, Karl got to come to some swim lessons too....he was the photographer :).

Can't wait to spend a lot of time at the pool this summer practicing everything we learned!





Family Time

Grandma Jackie passed away at the end of May.  While this has been a rough/sad time, it has also been an opportunity to spend time with family.  Here are some pictures of Brinley spending some time with family in Minnesota.

In the Detroit airport.  Thanks Aunt Lala for the backpack.  Brinley was pretty excited about it.

Although it was a little slower to get around the airport,
we let Brinley wheel her "luggage" too and she thought
she was pretty big stuff.

Brinley did really well on the trip...even taking a nap
in the airport!

Cousin Kara and Brinley playing

Sweet Kara!

Brinley really enjoyed having a playmate just her size

So I'll admit,...I did make them pose holding hands :).

It turns out Kara likes balls too!

Cousins Jonas and Kara!  Jonas was really great with the little ones!

Newest addition:  Joslyn!

Karl and Jonas playing soccer...and Brinley trying to join in.

Not sure how I missed getting photos of Janna and Joel...Brinley had an awesome time playing with them too....next time we're together, we'll have to make sure we get lots of shots of everybody!

We'll miss you Grandma Jackie, but we know you're smiling down on us!