Midway getaway

Spent the afternoon on labor day up in midway with the fam. 

Joe was working; couldn't pass up working a triple on holiday pay. He really does work so hard for our family.

It was THE MOST glorious day. Sunny, warm but not uncomfortable, and slightly breezy. 

We went for rides in el-jeepo with the top off, and laid out on blankets in the grass. Bike rides, and plasma car, and running after those crazies. 

So fun. 

Kidlets

These babies. These little loves of mine. 

Oh, how happy they make me.

How crazy they are. 

Munchkins, stay little? 

Stay my chubby cherubs.

Sweet, sticky kisses, and big bear hugs. 

Snuggles, kisses for a boo boo.

I can't get enough. 

Tucking in for bed. Bubbles for the bath.

Extra blankets, extra juice, extra loves, always room for more. 

Kidelts, stay mine. Because I love you beyond the moon and back.

End of a season.

 It's been a whirlwind of a summer. Everyday went faster and faster. Playing outside, pretty much all day. Swimming. Water park. Farmers market. Bike rides. Grilling. Parties. Weddings. Late nights. Open windows. Such a wonderful time for our family.

It's also been one of anticipation. Joe worked so, so hard to be able to join the Navy, and after so many prayers, work, questions, changes, and then more changes, anxiety, papers to sign, more questions, meetings, more phone calls, disappointment, and then huge, huge relief. Of course, I am still biting my nails until he's on the plane, and I won't believe its happening til we are gone

My kids are getting way too big. Bubba is talking like crazy. He also took his binky back, and has to have it to sleep. It is making it easier for him to go down, but it's driving me nuts.

My parents are officially Utah residents, and are loving retirement life so far. Almost as much as Claire is loving be able to have sleepovers with them. So fun to have family dinners, and seeing my dad so relaxed. It's a whole new him!

Anyways, a few pics of life this summer.

story time.

I was looking back through the blog the other day and noticed how I used to write about really funny things that happened, but since having lots of kids it's been rather dull. So! A story for you.

I was conducting in relief society yesterday, and as our teacher was wrapping up her lesson, Eleanor hall started raising her hand.

Now, let me pause and tell you about Eleanor hall. She is OLD. She wears her frizzy, flyaway hair in a very TALL beehive, and has some of the biggest, thick glasses covering half her face. And her comments are always well-intentioned but  off the wall a bit.

So, the teacher tried to ignore her, she was trying to leave time for testimonies. But as she moved to sit down Eleanor started talking anyways. And she started talking about little Yosh, her 'dear friend,' and how it was her birthday, so we really needed to sing to her. What?!?!  The teacher calmly tried to assuage her by saying no, we'll share testimonies first, and perhaps we could all just go make sure to say happy birthday on own.

Crisis almost averted.

I got up after testimonies and announced the closing hymn, and promptly got interrupted by Eleanor, practically yelling (we have RS in the chapel, by the way) saying no, we will sing 'happy birthday' because it would only take two seconds. Ah!

Fine. We sang the least enthusiastic version I have ever heard, closing hymn, and done.

I cant count the number of people who came up and said, 'you should have seen your face!' Yeah, I'm sure that was hilarious. But they all also said there was nothing else that could have been done.

Oh those old people in our ward. They are one funny bunch. I need to say there are a few who I will dearly, dearly miss. One being Cynthia Scott. She is teeny tiny, wears Fifties cat glasses, and her stark white hair in a bob. She has really horrible memory, it took her maybe three years to finally remember my name.  But she always tries so hard to remember, is really so kind, and has the sweetest testimony that she is so willing to share.

I need to also say, I will miss our ward in general. It's a really, really big ward, but it's also really transient, you can meet someone new every week.

Anyways. This is Claire after her dance class recital this summer. So fun!

5 years

Can't believe it's gone this fast.

I sure do love him. Still pretty smitten. It's been an adventure from the start, and I feel so lucky and blessed he has stuck with me, as crazy and weird as I am.

Here's to an eternity of adventures!

Lil' dancing queen

My sweet friend did a little dance class for the girlies in the neighborhood this summer. Claire did really well this year, even after a rough start she really surprised everyone and performed the routine so well. She just loves her buddies and dancing her heart out! We are really going to miss this wonderful group of friends, they have really been such a wonderful blessing for us.

The best two years

Caleb "bubba" James Brewer

You came out, squealing like a pig, and have not stopped since.

You peed all over the nurses and your daddy, but not me, so thank you.

You are so sweet, and give THE BEST hugs.

You very rarely stop moving, but I suspect that goes with the territory of boy/toddler/being your father's son.

You really are mostly good with your sisters, and play along with the girly schemes and they love it.

You l.o.v.e. nursery, and despite my concerns, you get excellent reports.

You love Jesus, and love looking for pictures of him.

You love all your bears. It was one of your first words.

You loves CARS, racing as fast as you can, and driving with the windows down.

You ALWAYS have a bruise on you somewhere. ALWAYS.

Monster, we love you to pieces. Happy 2nd birthday!

And now, a picture montage (of just the last 8 months. Ha.):

California dreamin'

As of today, we are a military family!

Joe was finally able to swear in today, and has joined the Navy! We are all so proud of him, he has worked so hard to be able to do this, and we are excited to be moving to Monterey by the end of the year after he completes his basic training starting in October. 

Ever since then, all the beach boys songs have been playing in my head. We're happy to be moving on, sad to be leaving so much behind in Utah, but totally ready. The kids don't get it, Claire kinda knows but I doubt it will all make sense until it happens. 

And here they are in the tub. They crack me up.

4 months.

I luf this girl. 

4 months. 

4 months of a beautiful, infectious smile. It's been 4 months of pure joy. 

Evie girl is happy, all the time. Except when she is hungry.... But she is a brewer, it's bound to happen. 

Evie is giggly, and coos. She blows bubbles, raspberries, and makes noises that sound like she is talking back. 

And, in true brewer fashion, she was introduced to limes today and couldn't get enough of them. In fact, it was the only thing to calm her down when I didn't have a bottle ready for her when I went to get a burrito with Lindsay tonight. Gotta love that. And Evie. Gotta love Evie. 

Long live summertime!

We are having too much fun right now to post much. Dance class, pool, sprinklers, outside play, doggies, parties, friends, visitors, it's all just making time fly. These two fight as hard as they love each other, so that's fun. Summer is slipping through my fingers like sand, and I can't get it back. I'm sorta obsessed with watching the Olympics as much as possible, and it's driving my kids bonkers I think. Anyone else?

And that binky..... Oh man he hasn't had it since January, but found it last week and he insists sometimes. Yikes!