Our little bike riders...

We took the training wheels off of Brinlee's bike about 3 months ago. Yes, that's right in April. Well, we had to beg, bribe and everything in between to get her to even try riding the bike back and forth across the driveway. About a month ago, her bike tire was completely flat and had a huge hole in the inner tube. So, we finally fixed it yesterday and we said "Okay Brin, let's get riding." She said, "I already know how." And, she got on her bike and away she went. She rides like a pro now and is so happy with life. Great job little STUBBORN Brinlee. I'm glad that you had such a "great idea" to start riding your bike.

The strangest thing...

Well, as some or all of you may know, we don't have the most easy going baby in the world. He just seems to always be frustrated and irritable about something. Today before church out of desperation, Mike got out his pacifier and put it in his mouth--the same pacifier that he hasn't taken for about 3 or 4 months-- and guess what? He LOVED it! He went to town sucking on that dang thing like it was his only life line. And, it wasn't just a little fluke...he LOVES it!! He has sucked on it ALL day now.
I have such mixed feelings because he is definitely more pleasant when his mouth is full of a binky, but is this something I really want to introduce to a 6 month old that will have to be broken of it? Who knows? Maybe tomorrow it will have to be something else to help soothe? Why is parenting so hard?

Have the red demons taken over???

Our lovely weedy garden...

The first pickings and many more to come.

They ripen behind me and I can't even keep up...
Well, it is that splendid time of year when things in the garden start producing and it is time to harvest...Okay, it is that time of year when the raspberries come on in force and I am near tears with the wonder and work that they bring with them. We were blessed to move into a home where raspberry plants were growing. Now, they have taken over the whole back of our garden and our lives. We even found raspberry starts shooting up through the cracks by the foundation IN our garage. Don't get me wrong, we love the berries...but, the work to get them? Last year we got over 15 gallons of the red gems. We will keep everyone posted on this years rewards. Jam anyone?

Our fun at the gardens....

I was looking at Meagan Hymas' blog and she had pictures on it from the gardens...I thought it was a great idea so we took our kids up last night and shot a few photos. It was really fun....except my kids cooperated for about 5 minutes and then they wanted to be off doing other things.

Guess who's 6 months old???

Yeah, you guessed it...Aidan is now 6 months old! I love this stage. From here on out it is all fun and games. (Mostly...) They learn and do so much from this point on and get so much more fun and easy! I can't wait to see what the future holds! Happy 6 month mark "Baby A"!
P.S. Did I mention that Aidan is trying to get up on his hands and knees? WHY????

HAPPY 18th BIRTHDAY BABY BROTHER SEAN!

Dear Sean,

Happy birthday little brother. I remember when you were born and how excited we were to have a new little brother. We sure did think you were so wonderful! You had cute blonde curly hair and beautiful blue eyes. You were a funny little kid and I am sorry that we taught you such awful tricks...but you were hilarious. I can't believe how fast you grew up...a teenager by the time you were 3. Anyway, I hope you have a great birthday! We sure love you a lot!! Love, Bridgett and Family

Happy Birthday to Grandpa Eriskin

I just want to wish my grandpa a very happy birthday yesterday! His real name is Grandpa Erickson, but my girls call him Eriskin. We always have so much fun when we are with you--which isn't near enough! Hope you had a great day! We love you!

Our high chair...

Our high chair that we used with Brinlee wouldn't fit in our kitchen/dining room. So, with advice from Michelle we bought one that hooks right to the counter. Our little pleasant Aidan loved it from the beginning. NOT! As I'm sure you can see, Aidan is not the most easy going fellow. I hope he quickly outgrows this because I am getting worn out from all the carrying I do.

You may have already guessed, but, our new chair is a monkey. Could this be the problem? Aidan doesn't like to sit in a monkeys lap? Huh. Crazy.

Fifty Nifty Ways to Celebrate...

Okay, not that we really did 50 things for the 4th of July, but it sure felt like it. We did many fun and exciting things with the kids and they love "America Day". Can't seem to get them to call it the 4th of July, but whatever. Here is a little run down of the ongoings of our crazy weekend.
We went to parade on the morning of the 4th. Then that evening we met at the Nature Park with Mike's family and had a little dinner picnic and then played at the park and enjoyed being with all the family. We watched the fireworks that we going on at the fairgrounds and then we got home and Mike camped in the backyard with the girls. On the 5th we had a family reunion at Porter Park and the kids were able to ride the carousel and play in the splash park. Brinlee last about 2 minutes in the splash park. Cambree loved it. Aidan rode the carousel for the first time and Mike let him chew on the bench...gross. It was fun to be with Mike's family and we had a really good weekend.

Our fun in the Sugar Sun

Well, ever since we have gotten home from Utah, we have had some busy days. I am just trying to catch up with housework and laundry. My car was so filthy I was afraid that the children were going to catch the black plague, so today I went to work on scrubbing the seats, walls, carpet and windows. Aidan didn't want to cooperate so I finally laid him down in the shade of the tree on the front lawn and within 30 seconds the little fella was taking his morning nap. He napped there for 1 1/2 hours!! I should have joined him, but you know...busy, busy. Anyway, the last picture is how the girls are occupying themselves lately. They get the hose and dig villages in the rocks. It entertains them for HOURS and I love it. Good ol' mud and dirt and rocks. Nothing is better for kids.