Fairy Land

Welcome to fairy land.
I am finally getting around to posting Alyssa's birthday party. She turned 4 last Saturday and has been dreaming of a fairy party since last year. She invited 10 friends and of course her sister, and Nate hung around as well. She wanted to make sure her whole family was there. Luckily Phil had the weekend off. I love it when their actual birthday is the day of the party.

We started out by having the girls get make-up, glitter, and tattoos on. Then they were able to make a bead necklace. They loved getting all 'ready' to become a fairy. We then turned them into fairies with wings and wands and they were able to enter fairyland.
Here is the birthday girl. She had a blast. Everyone loved the classical music and dancing in the bubbles.


After dancing we had a fairy lunch with butterfly sandwiches, star jello jigglers, fruit wands and pink lemonade with fairy dust (pop rocks). We read a book, 'Alice the Fairy'. I love reading books at parties. The kids love it and sit and listen so well. (Don't look too close I am making a weird face.)


We had ice cream cones- chocolate mint in pink and green cones, with cup cakes. Alyssa wanted cup cakes and a cake so I did these cool cupcake shapes (they are silicone) and you can form a shape with them so it looks like a cake.


She did great blowing out the candles and of course a champ at opening presents. All the pictures I got of her opening gifts were super blurry cause she was so excited and ripping them open.


The kids went home with a little bag filled with fairy fun. Thanks everyone for coming. Alyssa had a wonderful birthday!!
Happy Birthday Alyssa! We love you!

Phil

1.Where did you meet your husband? Weber State, Great, Great, Great! We had a chemistry class and an institute class together.
2. How long did you date before you got married? 10 months
3. How long have you been married? 11 years
4. What does he do that surprises you? Not a whole lot. I know him pretty well. Sometimes he gets in a crazy clean mood, I mean crazy- won't stop moving until everything is picked up. It is surprising cause sometimes it is when the kids have just gotten a bunch of stuff out while I'm making dinner and the living room is a mess but other times it is when there isn't much, and he will only do it in the living room. But it is super funny, no talking, no helping him just a frenzy of movement.
5. What is your favorite feature of his? I love that he is tall and his dark hair.
6. What is his best quality? 'He is the funnest guy around', he doesn't take things too seriously, and he is a great dad
7. Does he have a nickname for you? Babe
8. What is his favorite food? Steak
9. What is his favorite sport? All of them! but soccer is #1
10. When and where did you first kiss? In my dorm room at Weber State
11. What is your favorite thing to do as a couple? Hang out, we actually really like to play sports together, haven't done it in forever but use to always play tennis pre-kiddos.
12. Do you have any children? Yes we sure do.
13. Does he have any hidden talents? He is quite the dancer but doesn't mind showing those moves off, the reason it is hidden is because we don't frequent clubs very often, actually never. He is also a very good piano player and artist.
14. How old is he? super old- 33
15. Who said 'I love you' first? Phil
16. What is his favorite music? I'm not too sure at the present. He likes alternative stuff.
17. What do you admire most about him? he is a good friend
18. What is his favorite color? Blue
19. Will he read this? Nope
20. Who will I tag next? Everyone who has been married for over 10 years that reads this

It's all about the numbers

I am a G5P4013. Do you know what that means? It is some ob doctor term that tells all your baby making history in a set of numbers. I can't believe I am a G5- how many times I have been pregnant. Amazing! When I called the doctor to set up an appointment, yep I am pregnant and she asked what number of pregancy this was I choked out the answer 'uh, 5' with wide eyes. Anyway here are a few other numbers for ya.

due date: my birthday May 19

weeks right now: 13

the rest of these numbers are for all my pregnancies

# of times I have thrown up: 2- I had food poisoning with Alyssa

# of months being pregnant (you are only pregant 9 months for every pregnancy Robs): 40 out of last 108

# of months breastfeeding: 36 out of last 74

which means pregnant or breastfeeding: 76 out of last 108 months

After we lost Andrew I waited and wasn't pregnant for 16 months, since I got pregnant (with McKell) till current I have only not been pregnant or breast feeding for 17 months. Wow!

check out this number-
number of shots given: 1,932 (I have a blood clotting disorder and have to give myself shots when I am pregnant.)

So there are my digits. Can you tell I'm a math girl?

Happy Halloween!

Halloween fun was had by all here at the Brenchley household. We have spent the past week dressed up and having fun at dance classes, school parties, ward trunk-r-treating, and trick-or-treating.
McKell was dressed up like a ghost. An easy costume you might think, but not so much. When she said that is what she wanted to be I thought, no problem. But looking into it further, not anything to buy and no patterns. So this is my made-up version of a ghost. She was quite scary with her face painted and all and loved being on the scary side this year.

Alyssa was our little witch. She was the one who decided first what she wanted to be this year, which means everyone else had to 'go with' her theme. She loved the long hair and I meant to get a picture from behind so you could see how little she looked with that long hair and big hat but I totally forgot. McKell was a witch when she was 3 and so we were able to use the same cape and hat, all I had to do was make a new dress. She had a good time this year and felt so big.

Nate's costume was quickly bought when the girls decided he was going to be a vampire. I had no desire to try and make it. I have a great picture of him smiling that I will put on here soon, I promise. He was such a cutie. He didn't really like the whole idea of getting dressed up until he found out he was able to get candy, then he didn't mind so much. He loves candy! He would go up to a house and hold up his little spider bad and they would put candy in it or he would pick one and then look up and smile and the people would say 'oh you are so cute have another piece' and he would help himself to another and then wave goodbye. He was so good to sit in the stroller and hangout while we walked around the neighborhood.

My kids loved all the dogs dressed up at the houses. They loved to stop and pet the ones walking around, so cute that people dress up their animals for halloween- not anything else.

Phil was missing in action this year again, we are SO glad he is done with nights now. We can get back into our 'normal' schedule. So what should the kids be for halloween next year? hmmm, need to start planning. Just kidding, I am not that crazy- will wait till January at least. :)

Happy Fall Y'all

We have been keeping busy with lots of fall things around here. We went to a pumpkin patch to pick out our perfect pumpkins.
They each were able to pick out one. (Notice throughout the post, Nate is crying in almost every picture.) I don't know why but he does not like to get his picture taken when we are posing them, other times- no problem. He had a blast riding in this car, he didn't care if Noah was in with him or not but he had to be in the car to enjoy it. The girls found something else they wanted to take home. They ask for a pet, mostly a dog, at least once a day. They were in heaven holding the little puppies and they are so good with them.



We always carve our pumpkins every year. It has been a fun tradition and Phil really gets into it. The girls like planning their faces and deciding what 'type' they are going to have. This year McKell's was scary, Alyssa's scary like McKells (surprise, surprise), and Nates was funny. Nate had fun helping get the guts out and loved when we lit them outside.

Alyssa did not want to touch the guts very much, she left that part to McKell. But she did want to add hair to hers with a marker, that got all over so she wasn't able to add anymore accessories.

We also went to another pumpkin patch, well it was called a pumpkin patch but it really was a little farm with some fun Halloween things. A great spooky barn, a little hay maze, corn box to play in, and lots of playground equipment. My kids liked the barn and maze but were pretty much obsessed with the animals. They would love to live on a farm!



We went with a bunch of friends. By the time we got all the kids sitting they were partially in the sun so we moved them to another spot, but my camera ran out of batteries so this is the only one I was able to get. I would say I will post the better ones when I get them, but by the time I get around to it it will be snowy outside.(There is some truth to all you out there who say there is no truth on blogs). So enjoy!

Carmel apples have been made, halloween costumes have been sewn, decorations have been put up- yep the fiberoptic pumpkins are out James. We are in the fall mode around here for sure.

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

As you have heard me say over and over again and if you are around my girls you know they are obsessed with bugs. All crawly things. It is still pretty nasty to me but I heard about a butterfly tagging event and thought this is perfect for them. We caught monarch butterflies and put little tags on them, learned about the life cycle of monarch butterflies, and then let them fly away. Hopefully they will make it to Mexico where they will try and read their tags and post their progress on the computer. I have to admit I thought it was a lot more technical. I thought they had satellite tracking systems or something and that we could track their route to Mexico. So only like 5% of them will ever be recorded, waste of $10 that's for sure. But the kids did have a good time. Morgan and Amaya came with us and we even got Amaya to hold one!
To continue with the girls day, Phil was actually on call, we went to Michael's craft store and they each made an American Girl doll shirt and purse for their dolls. What a fun little craft and best of all it was FREE. We met their other friends Aspen and Trinity there and then we all went to the mall for lunch.

Since we are talking about girly things I will put some pictures of our girls day to see Disney on Ice. A friend called and said she saw some good deals on tickets and so we went on a fun girls day to Cedar Rapids. The girls had so much fun. They each picked out a treat, snow cone and popcorn of course everything was in Disney mugs and boxes. They were so cute sharing their treats and loving every minute of it. They love doing girly things.

Not to leave Nate out of the mix. Here are some pictures of his black eye he got. He fell off a little chair while we were up at Bluestem sitting around the camp fire. It looked so bad the first day and then it got all scabbed up like in the picture and then he pulled the scab off and it was all black and blue around his eye. It is almost gone now. At McKell's soccer game he was kicking the ball so much his toe got all bloody, he didn't care and ripped the band aid off so he could keep doing it. I say again- I can't believe the difference between boys and girls.

Apple Pickin'

We made our annual trip to the apple orchard to pick the yummiest apples ever, honey crisp. They really are the yummiest apples ever! We went one day after school when Phil was post call so he could come with us. The girls being totally obsessed with bugs had to bring their nets and caught a bunch of caterpillars and butterflies. Nate being obsessed with throwing things thought it was great to have so many apples that he could just pick up and throw whenever and at whoever he pleased.

I had to bribe the girls to have 2 hours of non bug talk while we were there and on the ride home. It worked and the prize they wanted was another bug case so McKell can take one to school with her daily. Yes, she spends every recess catching bugs.

Yes, that is the apple he threw flying through the air.

A few days after we went to the orchard Alyssa's preschool class visited the same one. I was the helper that day and so Nate and I tagged along. Nate was having a grand time walking around like the bigger kids. He started running down a hill and totally fell, he jumped back up and started running again and fell again. I tried to get him to walk but that wasn't acceptable. He fell at least 5-6 times, one time rolling down the hill. He got to a muddy part and fell there and was so dirty from the fall. He wouldn't let me get any pictures of his dirty face, shirt, pants, etc.

Alyssa's cute class on the bridge.

Our week ... not in photos

I have good intentions but it seems like I don't get around to actually taking the pictures to document our activities. So here are some things we have done and didn't take a picture of.

Phil and I celebrated out 11 year anniversary. Phil was post call so he slept all day and then we dropped off our kids at the sitter and went out to a very nice, very yummy restaurant. We went to Joseph's Steakhouse. I had macadamia nut crusted halibut and Phil had a steak. SO GOOD!
We watched the movie 'What happens in Vegas' that night as well. It was a great movie, we laughed and laughed. Should have gotten a picture, should have posted 11 exciting things we have done in our marriage, but didn't.

We have been watching some major football around here since the NFL is now in season. You all know how into balls Nate is, well he loves to watch football. He watches the snap and then they throw the ball and he yells 'huh' and then runs up to the TV and grunts when they tackle. He claps when they catch it. It is so cute. After each play he comes back to the couch and does it all over again. I have got to get a video of this sometime soon.

Phil has been on call (working all night at the hospital) a lot this past month and so we have been doing a lot of mommy and kid time. We had some friends over, whose husbands weren't home that night either, and made some pizza and McKell finally made her princess fairy cookies she got from her friend for her birthday. Pink stars with pink icing and fairy dust sprinkles, they loved making them, what a fun idea for a birthday gift. (No pictures)

We went swimming one morning at an indoor pool. Alyssa and Nate loved it. It was a kiddie pool with a walk in entrance and tons of toys to play with. The best part- only $1 a kid for 2 hours.

We have spent many, many, many, many hours outside catching bugs. My girls are obsessed with bugs. They catch worms, butterflies, caterpillars, moths, crickets, daddy long leg spiders (seriously). Anything! They are so obsessed with it. I won't touch any of their finds and won't let the little crawling things come into the house which makes the girls a little upset sometimes.

So we have been keeping busy and having some fun but not taking many pictures. Hopefully next post will be filled with pictures.

Ramblings

(This is not stating the obvious, having a husband who worked 'normal' hours which would give you an opportunity to work out before kids were even awake- it's hard to even grasp that thought.)
Perfect: Have a nanny to stay with kids while I go to plush gym and workout and get ready.
Good: Have a nice gym to work out and have my kids be happy playing in the daycare.
OK: Decent gym, kids maybe a little sad but will calm down after 2-3 minutes.
My Life: Nice gym, Alyssa great, Nate freak out and scream for 20 min or until they come get me and once I am there he is fine to be there, I try to leave again- scream like someone is chopping off his arm.
All of my kids have hated gym daycare. My boy should not be the same! Some days he is fine and others he acts like former story. So what makes it or breaks it- who knows? I sure would love to, cause it makes me so mad. My kids are usually fine going to nursery at church or staying with people at their homes but gym daycare has always set them off. It takes so much effort to go and then to not be able to work-out it drives me crazy!
There has got to be a book out there to help, there is a child-help book for everything isn't there?!


Regrets! We all have them don't we? Does anyone else think about theirs? I think about losing Andrew and wonder if we had a better/different doctor, if I had noticed something earlier, on and on. These big things I have the attitude that they were suppose to happen to you for your life experiences and trials and learning. I accept that, that is why I don't dwell on these things and was able to deal with our loss.
But what about things that don't really matter in the big picture? Do you think about these regrets as well? I do. I had the great idea to make a little scrapbook for our first house and have it be like a guest book, cause I knew we would have fun visitors living so close to Nauvoo and being here at the University of Iowa. But I didn't get it done, or even started and now I really wish I would have done it and it is too late. We have had family, friends, friends of friends, parents of friends, etc, etc, all stay at our home. It would be so fun to look back at the pictures (I was planning to take) and remember everyone who has stayed here. If I would have only...

Anyway, enough of my rambling! Hope you have a great weekend!

We couldn't be happier!

We have worried about this since McKell was born, being a girl and all. Who would be the right one, would we be in a place to meet the correct type of guy. What a wonderful blessing to be doing residency close to Nauvoo, our churches beginnings. So many come to Nauvoo looking for their next or their first. We went to Nauvoo with some friends this summer and there were 3 of our girls (McKell and 2 friends) who were lucky enough to find their future.

The girls getting ready to be shown their future husbands. They are so nervous, as are we standing there watching. I am so glad we were able to get these pictures.

McKell and Amaya meeting them. I am thinking McKell got the better end of the deal, hers being so young and all. She is so happy she is #4 poor Amaya is #15.

Both guys are thinking Amaya, now. We were on pins and needles, poor McKell -would she have to wait until she was 6? What an 'old maid' she would be.

Aspen's new family was all there to welcome her with open arms. She has already met her new 'sisters'.

This was such a proud day for all of us!

(Shoot, I should probably have a private blog to show this. Oh, well...;))

Preschool, Pants, and Rock 'n Roll

Alyssa started Preschool! She loves it and is so happy she is now big like McKell and can go to school. She wasn't too happy that McKell wasn't home from school when she got home, though. My super cute, wonderful with kids, energetic friend is doing a preschool in her home. It is going to be awesome, she has so many great ideas.

Today was the first day of jeans. It is only going to be in the upper 60's today so I thought we should finally get the jeans on, the kids anyway. I have a very strong opinion of jeans, for some reason. I don't understand why people wear them in the summer. I love a good pair as much as the next guy, but you have all winter long. The worst is in 100+ degrees of hot dry St George summer and you see cute, skinny ladies in jeans. What?! Anyway, I love fall and am excited for the great clothes, wonderful colors, and great weather- not excited for the winter to follow though.

Love this picture of Nate and his silly smile he only does when he puts these glasses on. He will walk around the room and make sure everyone gets a look at him while wearing these.

McKell's BIG DAY!

Today is McKell's birthday, she is finally six! She has been looking forward to this day for many weeks. Yesterday we celebrated. She had a cooking birthday party and read on to see some shocking news from McKell.


McKell's Chef Academy entrance. Nate was NOT happy having his apron on. He screamed until I took it off and then was perfectly happy. Alyssa on the other hand was so happy she could be big and match McKell. She went to meet each of the guests with McKell and was happy to be 'in the know' with everything.
We first washed hands, got aprons and hats on. Then we teamed up and they each made their pizzas. The pizzas all looked so yummy and smelled great.

Phil's parents came and were wonderful to help out. The party ran so much better with a few more people to help out with Nate and the 13 partiers. The kids each got to decorate their own cakes (chocolate or white) and all of the cakes looked great.


Then they made salad on a stick. My girls love all these vegetables and some of the other kids were like- 'What why would we be eating veggies if we don't have to?!' Pretty self explanatory- skewer put on lettuce, cucumber, olives, tomato, cheese with a little Ranch for dipping.

We then ate the yummy pizzas. All the kids ate really good, I was thinking we would be throwing a lot of it away, but pretty much everyone ate all of it.

The boys did not want to sit at the little table with all the girls. It was the only time there seemed to be a division between the boys and girls. Oh, and the present opening- when McKell got her....
American Girl doll. All the girls were so excited talking so fast and the boys were bored out of their mind. She got so many fun presents and has played with each of them. She loves all of them from the American Girl doll and cat and dog to the girl (pink) Lego's to the airplane launcher and the bubbles, water barbie, etc, etc. We then blew out candles on the pizza cake, it actually was a cookie. So what do you think?

I was super impressed with myself. I thought it looked so much like a pizza. Cookie crust, red frosting, white chocolate shavings for the cheese, fruit roll-ups for the pepperoni, Jr. mints for the olives. The kids didn't really believe me at first that it was sugary stuff.
So the party was a big hit. Everything went really well and I wasn't stressed at all. McKell got done eating her ice cream and cake and came over to me on the couch and had her hat off. I looked at her hair and tried to fix the front, but I couldn't! Her hair was gone! What! She goes on to tell me right before the party started she ran upstairs and cut her bangs off! What! I still can't believe it. I felt like I was kicked in the stomach, seriously. I had just done all of this work for her and she cut her hair. What! So after the party we went and got her a haircut. I made her cut off her princess long hair and she loves it. The dumb lady at the hair place says,'well she did a good job at least.' I was like, there goes your tip! This was before

And this is after. I don't know what I think. When it grows a little bit we will take her to Laura (friend who cuts hair). She is the mom of one of the little girls at the party so when I was about to call her McKell started crying because she didn't want anyone to know what she had done. She was really nervous to go to church today because she was afraid of what people would think. Of course people liked it. It is ok, just so different! So right now, there will be NO party for McKell next year. Please, Please, Please remind me of the sick feeling (I am still feeling) after this event. McKell, if you ever read this- I love you, but no more haircutting!