Another year older...

Yes, it's true, I got older yesterday. Like they say, it really doesn't matter how old you get after 21. It's just another birthday.

Anyways, it was a great day and having birthdays makes you realize how blessed you are each year. The day started off with Blaine surprising me with flowers and a card. I kept telling Emi that it was Mommy's birthday, but she kept saying back that it was her birthday. I guess once you have kids, your birthdays are never really yours until they understand that other people can have birthdays as well.

Then after we went to Red Robin for dinner because I refuse to cook on my birthday and since Blaine doesn't cook, then it means off to a restaurant. I am not a huge fan of Red Robin, but with two kids, I am all for the kid friendly restaurants.

Thank you for a great day and thanks again for all the birthday presents and birthday wishes from family and friends. I love you all!!!

The best gift... my kids. ;)


and now my favorite picture of the day...
This picture cracks me up because it shows a little of Brenden's crazy side.

Brenden's First Pictures

I know, I know, I'm doing this backwards, but I finally got my pictures back. It's been two months since he was born, so he kind of looks different than these pictures, but it just goes to show you how quickly your child grows up and they were once that small before. (I sound like my child is an adult by saying that, seriously, he's only two months... I know, I know, I'm crazy...)

My hairy monkey. All my kids are like this, I was a little scared of all the hair when Emi was born because I would feel bad if she had all that hair her whole life all over her body. But since Brenden is a boy I'm like, "Bring it on!" But luckily it all falls off.




One with the sister.


And finally the close up shot.

Brenden and Kase, and Other Random Happenings

This past weekend Brenden got to meet his cousin Kase who was born about two weeks after Brenden. It was fun and crazy having two babies here. They sound so much alike, so I didn't know which baby was crying. They say that you're supposed to know your babies cry, but I can't even tell who's who. I don't know how people with twins survive.

Here's Brenden, Emi and cute Kase. Can't wait for them to grow up and be friends, hopefully??? :)


This picture cracks me up because you can see Emi trying to hold it together with Brenden screaming in the background. Lately, when Brenden cries, she will be so sweet and say, "No cry, Brenden, no cry." But then she'll start to lose her patience and scream, "NO CRY! BE QUIET!" I know I should correct her, but I can't help but laugh. It's so funny...


Here's a picture of Brenden in Emi's baby stroller. He's growing so fast, so I had to take a picture of him before it was too late.


And finally, this is my favorite picture because it documents what I like to call, "Aika's Happiness."

TWO sleeping kids... PRICELESS.

Brenden's First Day at Church

So, I was hoping to not come back to church for at least three months, just because I needed to "rest." hahaha... I guess I was hoping to be lazy and having a baby was going to be my only excuse. But since Blaine and I are Sunbeam teachers, he needed my help there, so I had to come back to help him out. Oh well, I guess I'm glad that I'm a Sunbeam teacher because it keeps me active in the church. Just kidding... :)

Anyways, we started this tradition with Emi, so we had to keep it equal between the siblings and take pictures of Brenden's first day at church. I'm still not sure how to dress a boy. Blaine said the sock makes him look like a 'chollo' which is like a hispanic gangster. I refuse to put shoes on the poor boy's feet especially since he can't even walk, so why am I spending money on decoration shoes, right?

This is my favorite picture of my kids because Brenden is giving Emi the crazy eye and probably thinking, "My sister is CRAZY!"


One with Mommy and the kids.


One with Daddy and the kids.


So, did Brenden do good at church? NOO! I was so surprised because I thought newborns are supposed to sleep through the whole thing because that's what Emi did. But later we found out AFTER church that he didn't like his socks, so as soon as we took off his socks he slept so good. Geez... Every kid is so different.