Plane ride

We headed to California this weekend. We were about 3 hours delayed getting out of Denver. So M put me in my jammies and gave me my fussy, so that I could sleep on the plane. What a good plan Mom.....too bad it didn't work at ALL!!!I watched the DVD player most of the trip and finally fell asleep on the descent, about 11:30 our time. D thought I was too excited about our trip and the plane ride (plus the loud passengers behind us didn't help!!)

So when we landed (11 pm San Diego time), our car rental company was closed (by about 5 minutes). And because all the car rentals were off-site, we had to just choose a different company and hop on their shuttle for a rental car. Needless to say, we arrived at Ludington's house at 1 am (San Diego time). A very short night to start off our trip.

On the flight back to Denver Tuesday afternoon, D let me have the window.

I was showing George all the views out the window.

October Happenings

We've had a lot going on so far this month. Nothing too exciting, just everyday sort of things. Like the broken down barbed wire fence in our backyard, which meant that we had 3 cows come visit us within 4 days. After D chased his 2nd cow out of the backyard, M decided to go visit the farmer when he was on the far side of the field, to tell him that his fence was down. Hey, I thought I was going to get a new pet.

M even chased a cow that jumped back over the fence.
Then M's friend from college came to visit us for supper one night. Jaden and I played pretty well together, other than he wasn't a huge fan of all my hugs.
M tried to get a good picture of us, but never quite got one. So she had to settle for a video of me hugging Jaden good-bye.

I also have enjoyed reading my favorite books to D.

M didn't get any pictures, but we also spent a fun, but cold weekend up at a YMCA cabin. The worst part of the weekend was that I had a reaction to the chlorine in the pool. It wasn't very fun to have red rashes all over my legs. But other than that it was a fun weekend playing with Cousin L. in the snow and in the cabin both upstairs and down. I didn't know if M&D would remember to make me a bed, so Friday night I was preparing my bed for myself. I got 2 pillows off the couch, took my big blanket and Curious George and made a bed in the closet. I only chose the closet because last time we were at a YMCA cabin, M&D put the twin size mattress in the open closet area. After M laughed at me for making my own bed, she got D to carry in a twin mattress to put in the corner of the room.

We were card shopping the other evening and I found this really fun card to play with. The other cards just didn't hold as much interest to me. I would pick them up and listen to a few words, then close them and pick this one up again. It entertained me the whole 20 minutes we were in the store. So M&D decided to buy it for me--I guess they figured pretty cheap entertainment.

I also have been learning how to do a somersault. I still need a little help to get over. If I do it all by myself I end up a little sideways.

Needless to say it has been a busy month of exploring for me. At the end of this week we head out to San Diego so I will have all sorts of new adventures to talk about.

First Hair cut

I received my first haircut this weekend. I didn't get very much cut off, just tamed up a bit. Here's the before picture.And After. I got a few layers put into my hair and the ends evened up.

I sat very still and was very interested in what was going on. It was pretty fun to have dogs on my cape, too. M was very proud of me.

Where am I?

I was trying to decide what to be for Halloween this year. I'm thinking maybe a clown...I think I look good with green hair. M brought home a Southern Gospel magazine from work. While we were looking through it we found a picture of "Briley". Later I went back through to find her picture again. M has always thought it funny when I am looking for something and I ask, "where are you?" So here I am saying "Brileigh, where are you?"

Popcorn fun!

The other night, my cousins delivered Boy Scout popcorn to G's house. I had lots of fun with my cousins stacking it.....and sitting on it like a princess throne....

and knocking it over like a stack of blocks.

Elk visits

Remember when M's work had an unexpected visitor April Fool's Day?! Well on Thursday, M had some real elk come visit. The cows were hanging around most of the afternoon right outside M's window and then later moved on to the open area in front of the Admin building. But this bull just hung around until closing time!!
Grazing right outside M's window at work!

Girl's Day Out

This past weekend we went over to the YMCA of the Rockies at Snow Mountain Ranch. D wanted to go ATV riding on some different trails and since M gets free night stays in the Y cabins, we thought we would make a whole weekend of it. So while D, P&G and the L couple from church went ATV'ing, M & I enjoyed the YMCA grounds. First I went on my first horse ride. M thought she had just set up a pony ride, but instead it was a "lead rope" ride. In other words I got to ride a full-grown horse and M got to lead me around the stables with the rope! We went around 3 times for a total time of about 20 minutes. All I could talk about for the 3 days before we went over the mountain, was the horse ride I would get to go on. Here I am right before our horse ride, telling M that I get to go "Giddy-up."

After the horse ride, all I could talk about was the helmet I got to wear....just like M&D wear when they ride ATVs. I felt like a really big girl when I got to wear the helmet. Even in this video you can see me tap the top of my head...just reminding M that I am wearing one!

I also got to play mini golf twice. When Aunt R was out here a few weeks ago, she took me mini golfing, so I am an old pro at it. Take a peek!

I also was pretty excited about my yellow ball and club the second time we went. I kept having to point out all the other things that were yellow.

After lunch and naptime (which I took on my very own bed that I was very excited about....a twin mattress on the floor in M&D's room) M & I went swimming and then had some ice cream at the cafe. We made it back to the cabin just in time to greet everyone coming back from the long ATV ride.

D thinks M spoiled me Saturday....how many other girls get to go mini golfing, horse back riding, swimming and ice cream treats all in one day!!! I say it was just a good Girl's Day Out.

Hanging out with family

Here's a few pictures of me hanging out with some of my family.

P and I reading Curious George!Helping D mow the lawn.

He just had to borrow this riding mower from his brother. M thinks our yard is just a little too small to justify a riding mower, but it was fun while we had it.

Tucking G into bed one night at the cabin.

Update on Baby Sister

No pictures for this post, but I wanted to update everyone on my Baby Sister. She is growing just as she should be. M says she is very active....kicking all the time. D got to feel her for the first time over Labor Day weekend. Then at M's last Dr. Appt, she kicked the doctor when she was trying to measure M's belly. M started giggling and so did the doctor, because it was a powerful kick. According to D (who was sitting close by) it looked like an alien reaching out of M's belly!! It took the Dr. a few tries to get the heartbeat recorded because Baby S kicked a few more times. After coming home yesterday from the cabin, M and I relaxed on the couch while D watched football. M tried to get me to feel Baby S kick. I had my hand on M's belly for about 5 minutes and M told me everytime her belly moved that was Baby S kicking. I'm not really sure I completely understand what that means. Anyhow I wasn't as excited as M about it.....I don't understand why Baby S can kick M and it's fine, but when M is getting me ready for bed and I try kicking I get in trouble!!!

Adventures in potty training....part 3

This might be a blackmail picture, but M just thought it was too funny not to share. I have decided that I can use the "big" potty all by myself. The first few times M saw how I climbed up on the toilet she was a little concerned. But I haven't fallen in yet, and M figured she had to get a picture for posterity purposes. So enjoy at your own risk (it is "clean"---my shirt is long enough to cover any embrassing parts!!)

Scooter

Don't I look like a pro on Cousin L's scooter?? I even went down the sidewalk a little ways at the park. However by the time we got home to M's camera, it was a little dark to get a video.

We went camping again over Labor Day weekend. Just like the first night of the season (over Memorial Day) we started off with no heat. This was because of a fuse that wasn't properly connected. When we woke up (after M&D let me sleep in their sleeping bags with them) we found ice inside our camper and outside below the shower drain!! The thermometer said 20 degrees at 7 am! However, I took it all in stride. And D and P fixed the heater the next morning, so the rest of the weekend we stayed warm! It was a great weekend. I ate some cherries.....
watched some logs burn--this particulary log took all afternoon and evening to burn. It was still there in the ring the next morning when we went to light the fire.

Daddy was enjoying himself around the fire!!!

I played with my Cousin L all weekend long. We played Batman and then cowboys/Indians. Here were are posing in our capes. He called me Bat Girl and we ran all over the camp saving rocks and hiding from the enemies!! L had a stick he made into a bow and he let me have the toy gun. I wasn't really sure about the rules to either game, but I like running so I still had fun!

I'm incognito....it's a good disguise, right?

Sunday morning, M took L and I rock climbing. I got pretty high up in the air!

Aren't M & I cute?

Here is my great rock climbing skills.

Flying to save the day!!

When we got home Monday afternoon, I helped D wash up his ATV.

The White House

While we were gone over Labor Day weekend we got our house painted. Basically it is the same color scheme, but a few things were changed. The points of all the eaves were painted using the trim color and the door was changed from blue to white.

I am so excited about the new door, that I have to point the color out to M&D everytime we go in.

Hiking

M, Aunt R and I went on a hike yesterday. It was great fun. We only went 3 1/2 miles, but had all sorts of adventures. We hiked right alongside the river, so we had to stop a few times to enjoy the refreshing coldness and beauty. It was tiring work, so I had to take a little rest on the rock.

Aunt R and I had to contemplate the road ahead.

I decided that we should go this way!

I had the best of both worlds. When I got tired, I got to ride in the pack. Aunt R. says that she has to pay back for the time that she was 2 and rode on Aunt M's shoulders for a backpacking trip. I think I was the better passenger!!!!

Cute girls.

After the hike we enjoyed a lunch at a little bed & breakfast outside of Estes Park. They had some fun benches and swings on their porch. I took Aunt R. to check them all out.

One way M and Aunt R got me to move in the right direction was to promise "more water". Here I am all excited about the "More water" ahead!!

Finally getting to completely enjoy the cool, refreshing water!

Potty adventures!!

On our hike yesterday, I found an outdoor potty. I just had to try it. This is as close to nature as you can get!!!!!

Just hanging out!!

Aunt R. came out to stay with us for a few days. Tonight I was helping her and M make supper. In other words I got a little piece of bread dough that I was able to roll out. I also found a way to get into the flour bowl!!! On Saturday my cousins Grandpa had a end of the summer pool party that we were invited to. I had a wonderful time. I went back and forth between the pool and hot tub. I even got brave enough to not want M to catch me when I jumped in. However, after going all the way under 3 times, I decided it was better for me to reach out to her (I still wouldn't let her reach her hands up to catch me!!). Here's a cute picture of my cousins enjoying the hot tub. M didn't get any pictures of me since she was always in the water with me.
Hey, where's the excerise room....I'm all ready to work out!!!!

I like to challenge myself, so the other day at G's house, I decided I needed to make a train out of all my trikes and drive them around the loop between the kitchen and living room.

Hope you all have a great day exploring y0ur world!

It's a girl!

M sporting her belly at 5 months!! My little baby sister is growing fast.

I am going to have a baby sister!!!! Hope you enjoy some of our pictures of her!

Just having fun

I always have fun exploring. Here's just a few pictures and videos of me having all sorts of different kinds of fun!

I think I'm a Jack in the box!Sunday, M&D helped with registration for YC '09 up at YMCA of the Rockies. I fell asleep in the car on the way up and continued my nap in the corner. D pointed out what banner I was in front of and thought it was very funny. The comment was made that hopefully when I attend HLA I don't sleep in class!!!!

Sleeping soundly!!

Playing fort and gonna get you with D while M tried to fold laundry!!

Playing a little hide and seek with the laundry basket!

Just a little bathtime silliness!

In my puzzle, the skunk looks a lot like a kitty, so I was always pulling it out and saying, "Meow." M has been trying to teach me what "it" really says! (Ok, what people say when they see it!!!!)

Getting out!

So I finally discovered my way out of the crib also!! Luckily I don't feel the need to do it every morning. I am usually pretty content to stand at the end and try to peek out the door until M comes and gets me. Hopefully I get more graceful as time moves on, but I probably won't be in my crib much longer anyhow!

Chalk drawings

I discovered sidewalk chalk this week. On a walk around the neighborhood, we passed some drawings in the park and the girls had left half a piece of chalk. I was enthralled with the idea of being able to write on the sidewalk, so M had to go out and buy me my own!

My cousin came over last night to check out what M & I were doing.
Notice the lifesize me on the ground. I helped M color it in so that I could have a twin!!

I have a little bit of growing to do to catch M's feet!

After we got tired of drawing, L and I found a new way to use chalk.....I call it Chalk Rolling!