Playdate with Michael

After her picture session, we went over to Bo and Christina's house to play with Michael who is a few months older than Brianna. They were so adorable; they were eating graham crackers and would get up to get a cracker, then sit down on the step next to each other --- but not too close!-- and look at each other.....Quite adorable! Brianna started to kick her feet, so Michael copied her; so funny!!!

Waiting for our pictures

Brianna was a great little girl this week. We went to have some pictures taken and they were running behind. So, it was over 45 minutes before Brianna had her turn; she watched the people in front of us get their pictures taken, stealing away the squeaky bear whenever it fell accidentally to the floor! By the time her turn came, she was pretty tired, but was still a pretty good sport.

A visit to the firehouse.....

Daddy's been working lots of overtime shifts so that Mommy can be home more with " the princess". So, Brianna and I made a trip into the station to visit Daddy when he was working a 72 hour week-- that's too long NOT to see daddy!! Brianna got her own fire helmet that she loves to have mommy wear at home. Hummmmmm, who's in charge here???

SNOW day at HOME!!

It was a cold night----- and here's what we woke up to last week. The snow stuck around all day, but it wasn't enough to make a snowman. Bri enjoyed the day inside, since by the time it was warmer and not snowing, it was becoming really muddy out there!

Fun at home

Brianna wanted to wear daddy's stocking cap!! Do you think that she knows that she's cute??

Rock collecting

Working on the farm.....

Brianna and Dad were searching for the perfect rocks for his stone wall project. Hopefully next time you visit, you will see the completed project!

It's wonderful to have such a BIG helper!! ; )

Home Depot with Dad

While I was working.... Brianna and Dad were shopping at Home depot.... always lots of fun things to buy there..... Dad just couldn't resist the Santa hat-- then again, who would be able to with that cute little happy girl underneath it!??

Russian River arrival

Brianna didn't sleep at all the day we went to Russian River..... but she remained in a good mood excited to see her cousins and everyone else. She really liked the drawing table. She could sit at the table like a big girl. And all weekend, she had fun being chased by older kids, especially her cousin Jack!

Swim lessons

Brianna took some swim lessons this year... they were survival swimming skills, so at the end of the lessons, she practiced floating in all her clothes and shoes. This is to help them have defensive reflexes in case they fall into a pool or other body of water. They are taught to turn on their backs and float. They are also taught to look underwater for a way out and how to grab the side and hold on. Brianna wasn't quite ready to swim ( she wasn't into kicking!!) so we will do that at a refresher course next year. The first 3-4 weeks were so difficult for me, because she cried a ton! But by the end, she was so proud of herself.... and would have fun and want to get back in the water. It was all worth it.... but for a while there I didn't think I could make it! ; )

Justice for sale

Here is one of my 3 year olds who is for sale. That is not me riding him..... since I've had Brianna I've decided that I'm too fragile to ride young crazy horses!! I'll pay someone else to start them for me!!
If you know of anyone interested in a fancy hunter, let me know!! And "no mom", you can't give this one away to unsuspecting children, his price tag is $12,000!!

I love my GOAT!!

Brianna loves her kitty cat..... and Goat must not mind her too much since he lets her lay her head on him and do other funny things!! We are so lucky to have such tolerant animals.....

Life on the farm......

Even ballerinas have to do chores like feed the horses. Brianna wanted to dress up again and we went out to see the horses. She's helping me feed..... ; ) Of course, she was wearing her tennis shoes which isn't her typical ballerina attire, but we had to modify for the terrain.

Cattle drive in our backyard!!

When we ventured outside last night, the horses were stirring because some cowboys were moving a group of cows on the dirt road around the property. I loved the pictures I took of the horses with the sun, the dust and the evening light!

Trick or Treating

Here is a short video of Brianna trick or treating!

Halloween 2009 Quarantined!!

Our little ballerina wasn't able to go real trick or treating on Halloween this year.... it's a good thing that she was able to go last weekend at the Russian River ( pictures will be coming soon) We were supposed to go to Grandma and Grandpa Hodgson's for the pumpkin patch again. Well, Brianna had started to get sick on Monday.... so we decided to take her to her pediatrician on the way to Susanville just to make sure that she was ok to travel. Well, her doctor said DEFINITELY NOT!! She likely has swine flu. We were so bummed...... and so were grandma and grandpa. Then that afternoon I started to feel a little sick.. fever, cough, lethargy. It was best that we didn't travel and possibly expose everyone else. Now, this evening Rob is feverish and achy. I think that we all have the swine flu. So, we are quarantined at home.....bummer for Halloween 2009. So, Brianna went TRICK or TREATING at our front door..... She got a few granola bars and some animal crackers. Thank goodness she didn't really know what she was missing!

The water park

Brianna had a great time at the fireman's picnic at the water park. She was running around in the baby pool for about 30 minutes just giggling and having a blast. She was trying to get all the other kids to play with her... waving to them, whatever it took. But the only takers were her attentive parents. All in all, though it was like the coldest day of the year, we all had fun!

My own pony

Well, thanks to Jack's forced generosity, Brianna has her own little pony....which she loves to ride. It's so cute to see her mount and dismount that little pony. And she has figured out how to push it's ears to make him sing to her!! She's very into figuring things out!

Birthday party!!

Well, the Hodgson's missed the actual party, but made it for the family get together the first week of September at Aunt Rachel's house. Brianna had a blast with her cousins..... Grace dressed her up in her pixy wings.... She also put Brianna in a box! We had fun at the park together too! All in all, although a short visit -- lots of fun! Oh, and we can't forget the "simple" door project! Rob and Glenn spent pretty much the whole time putting a new back door in..... ; ) But it now works.....

Photo shoot for Mimi

Mimi wanted to have a photo shoot with all of her grandchildren together.... I don't think she knew what she was asking for!! Getting 3 children under the age of 4 to smile-- no way!!!! We were able to muster up one with all of them looking at the same time..... but not smiling! But, somehow we did get a number of cute individual pictures. SO, all in all it turned out well. Brianna was a star.... acting like a photo shoot model!! ; )