Birchell Family: January 2014

1/30/14

1/26/14

Our month of birthdays is coming to an end. It was a great month, and I am def ready for a birthday cake break. We started our weekend out by going to the Altamont drill review. They did great and it was so fun to watch Mylee dance. She is adorable! Saturday morning the kids woke up early, and Bri was so excited for her party that she could hardly stand herself. Jake had to shoe some horses before we could go, but as soon as he finished we hit the road. We ate at Wendy's and then went right to the ice rink. It was insanely busy. When we had gone before there were like five kids there, but this time it was packed. The kids all still had a blast. It was so good to watch them go from timid to confident. The all did great. Jake, my Mom, Donny, and I all skated with the kids too. Jake and I loved it, and can't wait to go back. After skating we spent the evening at my parents house eating a delicious dinner and hanging out. We left Bri there for a sleepover and we got home just in time to put Bronson to sleep. I went over to help with the Valentines chocolates and we were there until 11. It was great visiting with everyone. This morning we woke up and hung out. Did some chores, picked up Bear, and Jake went back to shoe some horses. Bronson napped, then Jake came back to ride his horse. I went walking with Julie and Jenny, and then we had dessert for Jake's bday at Granny's. It was fun and we all sang to him. The only downside was the only candle we had was a princess castle. haha!

1/24/14

January 23, 2014

Bri's birthday was as close to perfect as it could have been! I went to cross-fit at 5, and as soon as it was over I headed to Jubilee. I knew waking up to helium filled balloons would be the best thing ever for my little bday girl! Luckily, the manager who works that early in the morning was able to fill the balloons. I headed home, threw up some birthday banners, put the balloons all around the table, wrapped presents, and placed them right where she could see them when she came out of Bronson's room (she sleeps in there now… it's adorable!). Jake and I got ready for the day, and then we woke up the kids. Bri was gleaming… She loves being the birthday girl! She was so pleased with her balloons and decorations. We couldn't wipe the smile off of her face. Bronson loved all the excitement as well. After playing we hurried and got ready and took Bri to school. She brought cupcakes for all her friends, and she couldn't wait to hand them out. Bronson and I went and did some shopping waiting for her to finish up. Bronson was so tired, but I really wanted him to wait until we got home for his nap. He will not transfer from the car to his bed. My Mom called about 10 minutes before we were heading to get Bri and said she was finished with work for the day. We made the plan that she would pick Bri up, go to lunch, hang out with Papa, and then bring her over after Bronson woke up. It was great, and I knew it would make Brilee so happy to have a Grammy day. So, Bronson and I headed home. It took all I had to keep him awake. He woke up 3 hours later, I went walking, Josie came and hung out, and then I hurried and cooked Bri's special dinner. Bri got home just after 5, and she had Grammy, Stac, and Charlie with her. We ate her favorite food… Mac-N-Cheese and sloppy joes. We then sung to her with the cake she had decorated herself. After that she called Granny and asked her to bring over her cousins. (Granny had made an experimental eggless cake that she wanted to try out.) So Granny, Gramps, Donny, and the Laws and Michaelson kids came over. It was an instant party! We sang again, Bri opened presents, we ate cake and ice cream, the kids played their hearts out, and then everyone went home. Bri laid out all her new American Girl toys by her bed in Bronson's room and asked if she could go to bed. We got Bronson ready and they both were asleep as soon as their little heads hit their pillows. It was the best day.

1/23/14

My Dear

1. What is your favorite color? Pink

2. What is your favorite toy? Saige

3. What is your favorite fruit? Apples

4. What is your favorite tv show?Land Before Time

5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Mac-n-cheese

6. What is your favorite outfit? Pink sparkle shirt

7. What is your favorite game? Ring Around The Rosies

8. What is your favorite snack? Crackers

9. What is your favorite animal? Horses

10. What is your favorite song? I want a Hippopotamus for Christmas

11. What is your favorite book? Bernstein Bears Trouble with Pets

12. Who is your best friend? Mar and Chaz

13. What is your favorite cereal? Tony the Tiger

14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? Play in the snow

15. What is your favorite drink? Crystal Light

16. What is your favorite holiday? Christmas

17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night? Wolfee

18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? Pancakes

19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday? Mac-n-cheese

20. What do you want to be when you grow up? Ice skater

Dear Brilee Rose,

Happy birthday!! 5YEARS OLD!!!!!! I ask you to stop growing so fast all the time, but you won't listen to me! Five is a huge year for you. KINDERGARTEN! I'm so excited for you, and love watching you grow into the amazing person you are. You are so sweet and so much fun. We love you more than words can explain. You are the best big sister, cousin, friend, and daughter. You have the sweetest personality, and are constantly making us all laugh. Bronson is, and will always be, your best friend. He looks up to you, and you are such a good example to him. We love you with all our heart, sweet baby girl!!!

1/19/14

First Time for Everything

Saturday was a big day. We got home from soccer, I put the kids down for a nap, Jake did chores, and then when he got home I got brave and decided to check out the grand opening of the new Roosevelt Cross-Fit. There was a work-out at 1, and so I went for it. As I waited in the gym I decided to sign up for a month. I paid, and then began the work-out. Reading it on the board my thoughts were, "This shouldn't be too bad." Then the warm-up began, and I was spent. After we were good and warm we began the work-out. It was only ten minutes… but I cannot explain the pain my body felt in that ten minutes. I left as soon as the work-out was finished. As I got to my car I couldn't decided if I would cry or puke. I did neither and the feeling left fast, but wow! It was great. I cannot hardly move today and I fear when I go back. WHEN I GO BACK. I am definitely going again. As soon as I finished I went home, took a quick shower, woke up my family, and we headed back to Vernal. We met Stac, Charlie, and Bailey at my parents. We said bye to the kids, and headed up the mountain. Our first stop was at the Lodge. We asked the guy there where we needed to go for ice. He said to Current Creek, which was another 2 hours away. UGH! We hopped back in our car (after spending 35 bucks on snacks… and we didn't even buy anything!) and headed towards Manilla. After passing through Manilla we decided to check out Buckport (I think) because it was getting dark and Jake wanted to see the ice in the day light. Luckily, there was ice. We geared up with all our warm gear and took off on the ice. It was CREEPY!!! Def. not for me. I was a nervous nelly the whole time we were out there. It didn't help that the ice was literally cracking and popping right underneath us. Every time it happened Jake would scream and that scared me. I asked him if it was normal and he said "Never like this." He was so scared too. It also sounded as if there were a distressed cow close to us. It was super dark and just freaky. The ice was about 6-10 inches (we don't really know) so I'm sure we were fine. Charlie caught a fish about 20 minutes after we started. That was exciting. Then about 10 minutes later he caught another. He told us "This is a big one!" We were all excited. He had to let the fish get tired before he could reel him in because he was so big. As soon as he came up Jake was yelling how big it was! Jake literally reached in the water to pull it out. GROSS DUDE! It was a monster. Jake then dug a hole right by Charlie's. He fished it for a little while, and then was over it. Jake's not much of a fisher, his mom told me today he never has been either. We walked to the car to get some sun flower seeds. On the way there Jake, Bailey, and I were freaking out about the guys by us who had a fire… ON THE ICE. Then the dude fell in not much after we were talking about them. He must have been fine because they were all laughing so hard, but I knew if it were me I wouldn't be fine. We decided we could make it another 30 minutes then we would head home. When we walked back out to the ice and Stac and Charlie said it was getting even scarier, and the guy falling in freaked them out. So they were packing up to go fish closer to the cars. Jake and Charlie dug another hole, Jake fished for five minutes, and then we decided to go. The drive home was way faster than the drive up. Lots of deer though. We dropped Bailey off, and were to my parents house by 10:30. The kids were sound asleep, and so we just stayed there. I loved when Bronson woke up in the middle of the night he yelled, "Gammy… Mine Gammy… Gammy." He wasn't scared to be there, and he knew who he needed to yell at to take care of him. I gave him a bottle, and he slept until 8. We then came home. Both kids are coughing today and so it was a low key day. We watched some football, in-between the American Girl movies we can't get enough of (seriously… they all have movies, and we have bought most of them!). We also went Granny's for some of her YUMMY donuts she made! That woman… Loving this January!

We took some family pics on Christmas Eve and I finally downloaded them to my computer… I love them so I have to share them!

Soccer

I am all about Brilee trying and experimenting with new things. She loves to be busy, and has so much fun participating in activities. So, when I heard of an indoor soccer league for 5-6 year olds I jumped at the chance to sign her up. When I went to sign her up they said since she wouldn't be 5 when the season started she couldn't play unless I coached. I explained I knew nothing about soccer, but would have no problem doing it. I recruited Erin and Shannon to help me, and we have had so much fun. Our team is ADORABLE. They are so funny, and they are having fun. We have had one practice and two games. The kids just run their little hearts out, ask for breaks and drinks, and love having their snack after the game. I am pretty sure most of them just show up because they know there will be a snack! I was so impressed with how much they improved with having one game under their belts. Bri comes home from the games bright red, happy, and she sleeps really well! Glad we have these opportunities.