Brannan Family: June 2010

Trampoline, the Circus and Quints Birthday Party

The sun is finally out and making things warm as opposed to out but it is still below freezing. So we have been getting to the park, playing in the backyard and getting over our cabin fever. We also took the kids to their first ever circus ( I think it was my 2nd and Doug's first) Caleb enjoyed it so much and sat in his seat throughout the entire thing, Rachel liked some aspects, but was a little more wiggly. I tried to take photos, but they turned the lights out for most of the acts and my flash capability did not make for the best photos.

Two peas in a pod on the trampoline

What do you want me to do? I was trying to get them to do bottom drops

No he isn't signed up for karate, but Rachel is apparently deserving of such abuse

climbing the tree in the backyard

At the circus, no one likes to get their photo taken

Finally got some good lighting and focus, but my position meant the tigers were behind the bar...oh well

At intermission, watching the pony rides

Playing in the jumping castle at Quint's birthday party

I think Caleb and Quint thought this was a cage fight

"cheese" or should I say "cake"

Rachel's Birthday Party

Happy 2nd birthday to my baby girl, we had a small birthday party at our house for her, although I still think it is more of a party for us, birthdays are a great excuse to have friends over to share good food and have fun. The weather had been not great to say the least and luckily a couple hours before the party was supposed to start the "sun came out and dried up all the rain". Rachel luckily was in a lot better mood than her last year's birthday party and everyone had a great time.

Rachel's cake made with love by mommy...a 3 layer strawberry cake with strawberry/egg white whipped frosting and fresh strawberries, it was very good if I do say so myself.

Rachel trying to get that 2nd finger up to say that she is 2

Rachel, Hannah, Rebekah and Caleb playing on the trampline during the party

Yum...Dinner time...or what is left of it anyways

Rainbow cupcakes for the kids...thanks to Hollee for sharing her pictures and giving me this idea

The inside of said cupcakes, they turned out really well and were a big hit

Princess sweatshirt and barbie dress up gown from the Caplingers

Some nice summer play clothes from the Matthews

Reading/listening to my music card

Quint and Caleb playing with their "grow your own bugs"

Injury and Birthday Gifts in the Mail

The evening following Rachel's mini party at Jumpin, I had an unfortunate espn worthy collision in the outfield during our softball game which left me with a split open eyelid that required 5 stitches and even worse Doug and I had to leave the game! The infamous collision did result in a catch by my attacker (the shortstop) and in the end we won the game even playing 2 people down. The next day my eye was pretty much swollen shut and looked worse, but thankfully other than the throbbing from swelling was not painful. In the next couple days my eye began to look worse as the blackness pooled at the bottom of my eye socket, and still today 6 weeks later not all the way healed. Rachel's birthday came that week and we were having a party for her the following weekend, but we let her open her gifts that came in the mail from Oregon that evening.

Right after getting stitches in my eyelid

the next morning...unfortunately the worse looking photos from the next few days are on my phone

Celebrating Rachel's birthday at the park with cupcakes and our play date friends

A new pink tricycle from the VanDyke grandparents, Caleb is just as excited as Rachel when the box opens

Trying out her new trike

Ooooh new clothes from Auntie Erin, quick Daddy help me try them on!

more clothes, these butterfly camo pants are a little too big still

Swimming suit, Oh I am in heaven...and then she had to try it on, which led to the rest of the evening in the hot tub...Happy Birthday Rachel!

Caleb testing out the trike, while Rachel is distracted with new clothes

Ah Dad, why is mommy making me try these girl pants on? I look ridiculous!

Early Birthday Celebration with Grandma Cindy

The weekend before Rachel's birthday, we went over to Red Robin and Jumpin for a mini birthday celebration with Grandma Cindy. The kids liked it last fall when we went for Maia's birthday, and now that Rachel was a little older, she loved it and was able to do everything by herself like a big girl!