SUMMER FUN

We have already had so much fun this summer. Even though we have been traveling a lot we still have had some good times doing what we love at home.

Colby played in the Heat Stroker in St. George. They play all through the night and into the next night. Their team did pretty good making it into the top 16 out of 60 teams. Braylon tried to match his uniform with Colby's.
I love taking Braylon running with me. And since he works out really hard in his stroller he makes sure to stretch out afterward with me. He doesn't want to get sore of course.

After a very hard run and and many stretches, Braylon hits the hay. Are you kidding me? He said he needed to rest up for our day at Seven Peaks.

SEVEN PEAKS! Even though Braylon refused to go on the Free Fall water slide we had so much fun at Seven Peaks. It was a wild time in the sun as you can see by this amazing hairdo.

What sign is that?

CALIFORNIA

We went to California this July with the 65 Upward Bound people we work with in the Summer. So lucky Braylon has already been to Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farms, Medieval Times and Huntington Beach. Too bad he won't remember any of it. Even though supervising 55 kids in California is hard Colby and I still had a lot of fun.

DISNEYLAND - its a small world!


IF BRAYLON COULD TALK... - this is the longest day of my life! What are we still doing here packed in this place like Sardines. This crazy park that you call The Happiest Place on Earth! The fireworks are scary, the people are pushy, and everyone is eating Giant Chicken Legs. Gross, where is my milk.
We actually went on a lot of rides thanks to our staff that would save us places in line and watch the baby.

MEDIEVAL TIMES

And Braylon thought the Fireworks were scary!! Pretty sure Colby was more excited than most of the Upward Bound Students to eat with his hands and see men jousting on horses and fighting with REAL swords.

HUNTINGTON BEACH

It was all fun and games until I got pummelled by a wave, that gently smashed my head against the bottom of the ocean leaving me with a concussion. Next time, I'll sit under the umbrella with Braylon. Besides the water was 32.5 degrees. Okay, we really did have so much fun Boogie Boarding and playing soccer on the Beach. Many of the kids we work with have never been to the beach. It was awesome to see them experience the beach for the first time.

- See the kids in the background shivering in the water even though its only up to their knees. yeah, That cold.

KNOTT'S BERRY FARM

Blessing Day - May 31, 2009

Today we had the opportunity to bless Braylon. Colby was nervous but it helped that Braylon was smiling up at him the whole time during the blessing. Merilee was grateful for that also since she envisioned him crying the entire blessing. It was an amazing experience.

It was so nice of all our families to come down to support us and also participate in the blessing. We had a lunch in the park with everyone. It was awesome.

Leanne (Merilee's wonderful Boss) was the amazing seamstress who made Braylon's Tuxedo.

2 Months Old - SMILES

Braylon started smiling (not just in his sleep) at around 6 weeks. We were more giddy than 14 year old girls at a slumber party. Yeah, it was that bad. But really it is so fun to see him smile. First it started as a wide mouth grin and slowly developed into a normal smile

He is getting better on his tummy!

He can now even smile with milk in his mouth.

Colby and Braylon decided to catch some rays (but only on Colby's left leg of course) while we were in Las Vegas.

We flew all the way to Tulsa, Oklahoma for the Conference Tournament. Braylon loved the plane especially when his ears wouldn't pop and he just kept screaming. He really did do well on the plane. And he really does love baseball games all cozy in the wrap and somehow soothed by the loud noises.

Dad and Braylon in their Unies

















What is the baseball doing there?

Bunny? or Braylon?

In early April Braylon still had a pretty good Jaundice tan but it continues to fade.

Hopefully Braylon's first Easter pictures do not haunt him for life.


Braylon didn't just see the Easter Bunny, No, he WAS the Easter Bunny. Although a very small one. In fact, small enough to fit in a little basket. I was going to leave him on the porch for Dad when he got home but then decided this was dangerous.


BATH TIME










We are not sure that Braylon fits into the normal category because he loves getting his diaper changed and he loves taking baths. Is this normal? But he doesn't like being cold after his baths so we try to keep him warm in his towel. Colby says he looks like ewok?





Colby loves to play dress up with Braylon. He was changing his clothes multiple times a day. (We both agree that this is not normal) Braylon puts up with it, but let's face it, he would rather be naked. This was one of his favorites. But don't worry, Braylon was still not too cool for his binky.






Mom loves to read books with Braylon. He uses his whole body as a bookmark so we don't lose our spot.

Braylon is finally here!!

John Braylon
March 18th, 2009
9:10am - 7lbs 7oz - 19.5inches

Going on two nights with no sleep but still smiling and happy!

Braylon finally came 30 hours after Mom starting having contractions. The funny part is, he came without a Doctor or nurse in sight. (yes, this was interesting) Although I was in the hospital, the Doctor and nurse decided to be gone at the moment Braylon decided to come. Despite this, he was born safely and healthy.

2 days after Braylon was born he developed Jaundice so they sent us home with a bilibed. It was hard because we could not take him out to hold him. After a whole night in the bilibed his Jaundice got worse so we had to go back to the hospital for 2 more nights.

This time they didn't joke around and put him under the big lights. I don't think he minded bathing in the heat to much. And he loved the sweet shades. His Jaundice lasted quite a few weeks so he had about 10 pricks on his heels at one time where they kept drawing his blood. After a while he didn't even cry when he got pricked. his face just said, "bring it on, been there done that."

This was an ultrasound in December. Any resemblance? Weird. Slightly creepy...

March 29

He had blonde hair and not just on his head...He was fuzzy all over. He loved holding up his head and smiling in his sleep only a few days after he was born. These jammies were one of two that fit him.

SUMMER 2008

This Summer we hiked to Calf Creek in Escalante and to the Santa Barbara Zoo with the Upward Bound Students. We also went to the Santa Barbara Mission, Leadbetter Beach and Six flags.

Colby almost got his face licked by this Giraffe. SERIOUSLY. He looks happy here but in reality is full of fear.

We found the missing links!

CALF CREEK FALLS

It was only a short hike to see the lower Calf Creek Falls. The night before we camped at Posy Lake and took the students on snipe hunts and supervised them to ensure no funny business.






We love working together. We have the greatest job in the world and get to help students everyday. The students love Colby too. For his 25th birthday they threw him a party and brought him a baseball cake. We celebrated during the chemistry class that he tutors. Even though we work long hours for the 6 weeks we have so much fun especially because we are together.
SAN DIEGO

After the program we took a much needed trip to San Diego. At the beach we decided to tackle the largest snow cone in the Universe. We had a fun trip but we actually spent most of our time

watching Michael Phelps dominate the Olympics and going to bed early because I was just barely pregnant and always on the brink of blahhingg*%!. We went to Coronado Beach with white sand and watched dolphins jump out of the water. We stayed in a hotel in the lamplight district. It was very busy and everyone stayed up all night. Except for us that is.