My baby is a graduate!

Isabelle has graduated kindergarten and is nearly 6 years old. I owe so much to her wonderful teacher, Mrs. Ewing. She made Isabelle feel so special and smart. Belle is a girl who can easily fall through the cracks and Mrs. Ewing made sure that she didn't. I'm also very thankful to my good friends, Angie, Sarah, and Jen who valiantly picked up my children during this difficult year. You don't know how much your little acts of service helped me during those dark days!

Belle is so smart and very inquisitive. She asks the best questions and is always wanting to learn. She is content to watch me cook, clean, craft, and take care of Ava. I see her sucking up all this knowledge so that she will one day be the best mom ever. She likes to get my large novels and "read" them. She said Mrs. Ewing told her she could read any book you want. It's sweet to see her with a Mary Higgins Clark novel, lounging on the couch. Love you, Belle.

My husband the adventurer....WHAT?

Many of you know that Chad was called as Young Men's president in our ward about a month ago. He's been working with the 12 and 13 year old scouts for nearly 3 years and has enjoyed learning how to do things he never liked before. He's gained a great love for the boys in our neighborhood. He recently went on his first repelling trip with two teachers from the troop and a couple of leaders. He has never been so scared. I think he peed his pants a little!

Stephanie REALLY belongs to the family NOW!

So, Steph and Paul were volunteering at a triathlon sponsored by her work a few weeks ago. She pushed a board into the water at the end of the lane during the race and somehow ripped half of her nail clean off. At first she thought her pretty "wedding" nail had popped off, but no no no... it was for real. See that sharp edge near her cuticle? That is the bottom of her nail popped out of the skin. Cool... Last Monday Chad and I delivered their wedding gift to them and found Stephanie with a nail hanging on by some cuticle skin. She was a little too nervous to do it herself, so nurse Kristie operated and removed her nail revealing a newly started nail below. I think it will grow back normally. Now we know that Steph belongs in this family of medical mishaps! Love you, Steph.

Welcome to Stephanie...the newest member of the Brown family. Yeah!!

Wedding...May 9, 2009...Bountiful TempleIsn't she lovely?

Between both families, there is only 1 boy. Girls rule!

My baby brother Paul. He'll always be my baby... I love you.
Brown grandkids....my girls and Dean's Mckaydin.

The Brown and Peterson families. My Grandma (89) and Grandpa Brown(92) were able to be there as well as Grandma Peterson (a youthful 49...what?) This is about 1/4 of the total family. We're a big clan.

Isn't Grandpa cute?

"Mom, did they kiss on the lips on the alter?" Of course Charlie would ask this.

Stephanie's side of the family. Her sister Natalie & brother in law Jared with their kids to the left. Her sister, Heather from Wisconsin with two of her five children to the right. Mom and Dad, Gina and Dave above.

Steph is a natural with children. They love her.

Brown immediate family. My brothers Dean (top left), John (next to him), Chad, Dad (Glen), Mom (Kathy), Paul, Steph and me. Emily(John's wife) was on a service mission in Thailand.

These two and cute stinkers together!

This is Emily's cute sister Betsy.

Ava's blessing day

Ava was blessed on Sunday. It was a great day full of family and friends. Chad gave a beautiful blessing, as usual. My family saw me bear my testimony...a rare privilege. Our thanks to all those who helped us make this a great day. I forgot my camera so here are some I got from others. Doesn't Ava look older than 9 weeks?

Imagine this every time you pee...

Okay... I know not all of you are fans of anatomical jokes and interesting medical facts, but; Here is what I expel during just one sitting on the toilet.

This is a collection of about 10 days worth. Looks like a lot of fun, huh?

Ava is loved to death...sometimes literally

Aquarium with Grandma - March 2009

The aquarium is having a new South American exhibit complete with piranhas so we had to go, of course. As we're driving down, Hannah says "Mom, are we going to South America?" Remember she is 9. We had a good lesson in geography!

This is about 4 weeks after having Ava. It's nice getting out of the house.

Nemo and Dory are in this aquarium.

We saw the octopus eat a fish.

Do you think Ava will remember the fish?

L-I-A-R-

My cousin Ashley was playing with the girls last weekend and related the following Charlieism. Ashley asked Charlie to come in and ask me if she could play outside. She disappeared inside and then came out.

Ashley: "What did your mom say?

Charlie: "She said yes"

Ashley: "Are you sure?"

Charlie: "Yes!"

Hannah: "Ashley, you have to be careful cause sometimes Charlie is a LIAR."

Small little chuckles.