Happy Birthday Brenden!

Yesterday was Brenden's 1st Birthday! Woo Hoo!!! This year has gone by so fast and I just can't believe how fast he has grown.

Here's a trip down memory lane...

Our little monkey boy.


Baby Blessing Picture - 7 weeks old


3 months old


Brenden 5 months and starting to get crazy hair.


Can you see how crazy his hair got? He was my little baby Einstein at 7 1/2 months.


Then after a haircut, he became my little handsome boy.


These are pictures of him on his special day. He's been feeling a little sick, so he didn't get to eat his cake. Poor thing...



Happy Birthday Brenden! Mom, Dad and Emi love you so much!

Gila Valley Temple Open House

This past Saturday we were able to take the YW to the Gila Valley Temple Open House. It was such a special experience and I'm so thankful that I was able to bring my family with me. I loved going into the Celestial room and looking at my family and seeing them there. I thought to myself, that this must be what a little piece of heaven must feel like. I'm so thankful for the gospel because we are able to be with our families forever.
I can't wait for the new temples to be built in Arizona. I need to take advantage of how close they are.

Jackie Lee, the Girls, and me, Emi, and Brenden
I look a little tired from holding and wrestling Brenden to stay reverent during the last part of the tour. Brenden loves the water, so when he saw the Baptismal Font, he was doing everything he could to get in the water. My son is a little crazy...

(Photo courtesy of Jackie Lee)

Since we were there in Thatcher, we decided to make it a weekend and hang out with Blaine's family. Emi had a blast with cousins, Grandma and Grandpa. Thank you so much to my In-laws for the wonderful weekend and letting the whole gang crash in your home.

1st Diamondback Game

For FHE this week, we went to a Diamondback game. At the last minute we were able to get some tickets from a friend. Thank you so much!
It was my first time going to a Diamondback game. Blaine couldn't believe it, but everytime we've ever wanted to go, I've always been very pregnant or just had a baby. So, after patiently waiting for 3 1/2 years, I was able to go.

Dad and Emi in front of Chase Field.


The kids and I at Chase Field. I'm wondering when Brenden will ever grow out of the carrier. All I can say is that I have crazy back muscles.


We had really good seats and we were able to see the players up close, even if it was only a view of their backside. (This is Justin Upton, whose an All-Star for the Diamondbacks. Blaine informed me because I had no clue. Sorry... don't really keep up with my Diamondbacks.)


Then here we have Andre Ethier from the LA Dodgers. (One of the highest batting average in the MLB.)


Surprisingly, the kids did really well and we stayed till the 8th inning. Love this picture. Please ignore me, but the reason why I like this picture is because Brenden looks like a character from my favorite candy in Japan. Just add the hat and see the resemblance?


Emi was all smiles.


We were in such a rush to go to the game that we didn't even look at our clothes. But basically, it looked like we were supporting the Dodgers. Definitely need to get some Diamondback gear. It was a great night at the ballgame even though the D-Backs lost. Now I'm hooked and hopefully we can make it to more games with the family.
Thank you!

Emi's Birthday Week

Last Wednesday was Emi's 3rd Birthday! We seriously celebrated her birthday almost everyday of the week. It was a pretty busy week, so we ended up having to do that. Since I have YW on Wednesday, we opened presents on that day.
Here she is with her scooter, we gave her a helmut that was her age size, but she couldn't fit. What can I say... my daughter has a big head! Hopefully it's because she has a lot of brains. :)


Then on Thursday, we went to Chuck E Cheese. What kid doesn't like Chuck E Cheese? My child was in heaven.
This was her face when we first came in and waited for our food. She was so so happy.

Dad and Emi playing some games. She couldn't reach the pedals, so Dad had to help her out.

Brenden enjoyed some of the Chuck E Cheese action too, I think?
Here she is with Chuck E Cheese. The real one came out and she scared the poor mouse away because she screamed so loud. I was laughing and crying so hard. It was too funny...

Since we came home late on Thursday, we couldn't sing Happy Birthday to her. So finally on Friday, we had cake and sang Happy Birthday to Emi.

I looked at Blaine and said, "We have to do this in 2 weeks for her birthday party! Are we crazy?" Sadly, he nodded and said, "Yes!".
We are crazy, but we love you so much!

Here she is doing, "That's Cooky!" from Wow Wow Wubzy. For those of you that don't know that show, there's this character that comes out random and says and moves his fingers like that.

Thank you for all the joy you bring into our lives! Happy Birthday Emi!