Herriman Days

A few weeks ago we had our annual Herriman Days get together at Spence & Heidi's house. We bbq'd, played some b-ball, sat around a little "camp" fire and chatted about life. We got to hear some pretty freakin' funny stories, thanks Craig you made Brian's night, and prob Greg's as well!! They also had their little swimming pool set up for the kids but it was a little chilly so I figured once Jordyn got in she would want out... WRONG she and Ashley played until we made them get out because they had turned totally blue. Grace was a little smarter, she only got in for a few minutes at a time then got out to warm up. It was a great night, the watermelon we brought even turned out to be good, YAY!! After it got dark we all headed out to the front yard and watched the fireworks that are launched from the junior high across the street. We get perfect seats and no crowds, it's awesome!! It's always fun to get together with my family and spend a little quality time. They are just as crazy as I am, I love it!! I feel very blessed that I have a whole family full of my best friends. I know how rare that is and how very blessed I am to be a part of it.


Ashley, Grace and Jordyn - the bathing beauties

The troopers, they were shivering like crazy!

My darling little princess mermaid

Thanks Spence and Heidi for a great time!!

Fun Times!!

This last week we have done some fun things including going on a mini hiking (and snow climbing) expedition to Silver Lake which is up by Brighton ski resort and taking a trip to the Living Planet Aquarium. On our trip to Silver Lake we saw a ton of cute little chipmunks, squirrels and other rodents which we had a fabulous time feeding Ritz crackers to. Jordyn thought this was especially fun and would squeal like... well a little girl... every time we found a new one to feed. We also tried feeding some ducks but we got the feeling they didn't really care for Ritz, who knew ducks were so snobby? We hadn't realized there would still be piles off snow like 5 feet high in places but that only added to the adventure, believe me hiking up a few ice/snow mini mountains in flip flops and capris was very exciting. Brian just carried Jordyn which she also thought was pretty cool. Even though it was slightly rainy and pretty overcast it was still a really nice day and we enjoyed the fresh air and time outside. A week after Silver Lake we went to the Living Planet Aquarium to see the new Amazon exhibit. If you have not had a chance to go see this yet you need to take a few hours and check it out, it's very neat and they have some really cool new exhibits like dart frogs and an electric eel. One of my very favorites is still the octopus, I think octopi are some of the most amazing animals in the world. Well on this trip the octopus was very active which was really fun to watch, he was all over his cage like he was showing off for us, Jordyn loved it, she had an octopus on her shirt and was thrilled they were kindred spirits. We had a really fun time seeing everything and finished off with the ray pool. Now Jordyn really likes to put her hands in but isn't sure how she feels about actually touching the rays *lol* and of course since she is nervous they always come right up to her! It's actually pretty neat to see them come right up out of the water to be touched! It's amazing to watch things with the wonder of a 2 year old!! I'm glad we will have these fun memories to look back on as a family and am happy to share them with all our family and friends!!

Feeding the ducks! I love that she is crouching just like Brian!

Where did they go?!

It is so beautiful up there, this picture doesn't really do it justice

One of our cute little friends eating his Ritz

Jordyn loves watching the sharks!! There are lots of cool things in there including the awesome yellow eel!

Cheese!!!

Mom, look at that UGLY fish!

Canoeing in the Amazon!

Hands in the water!!

Here is the ray trying to give Jordyn some fin

Andrea & Andrew's Wedding

Here are the pictures I was planning on doing like a month ago... *sigh* where does the time go? Anyway my cousin Andrea married Andrew Marker on April 24th and these are some pictures that were taken downtown at the Lion House and Temple Square. The super cute dresses that Jordyn, Megan, Ashley and Grace are wearing were made by my cousin, Lainie for a school project. They are the cutest little things (the girls AND the dresses!!)


Ta da!!

I really like this picture, I think it's neat!

Our cute little family

Kelsie, McKenzie, Lainie, Brittany, Me and Andrea

I love my cousins!! We have so much fun!!

Ashley, Megan, Gracie and Jordyn in front of the Lion House

Ethan REALLY wanted to be in a picture with all the girls, what a stud muffin!!

Four little angels... or so they would have you think!

Jordyn loved looking at all the different "waters"... she is still talking about it *lol*

Jordyn with Grandma and Papa Minson

This is one of my very favorite pictures of Jordyn, she is so dang cute!!

The flowers were amazing, some of them were as tall as Jordyn!!

One of THOSE days...

Well I have been meaning to get on here for the last couple weeks to add some pictures from my cousin Andrea's wedding but you know how time just seems to slip away when you get busy. Anyway I am having a day where if Brian doesn't get home from work soon and rescue me I may just murder our child!! Well I WAS having one of those days until I put Jordyn down for her nap and decided to once and for all sit down and update our blog... I decided to read through the recent blogs of my rad people and was quickly humbled right out of my mommy murder mood. I have a very dear friend who is going through some terrifying and unknown things with her new baby girl. Her little one, Lilah stops breathing occasionally while sleeping and they are no closer to knowing for sure what is wrong then they are when it started happening a few weeks ago. I can't even imagine what she and her husband must be going through!! I am amazed she can still function, I'm pretty sure I would be a raving lunatic. Anyway it got me thinking about why Jordyn drives me sooooooo crazy somedays, it's because she is a smart, funny little girl who has the ability to make anyone anywhere her slave... shouldn't I be thrilled? I have a gifted child who just happens to also be the cutest kid in the world, shouldn't I be counting my blessing instead of wishing to kill her? As I said earlier it was a very humbling experience to sit back and ask myself which would you rather be dealing with... not even really a question right? So as I sit her mellowing out on this Mother's Day eve thinking about all these things I feel I need express that I am beyond thankful for the blessing of Jordyn in my life, even all the terrible two things that are happening right now. I also am very grateful to have the BEST mom in the world!! I really do, she is everything I want to be for Jordyn and Brian and everyone else in my life because she is one of those just about perfect people that only come along like every hundred years or so... She'll be so mad I wrote that hehe!! As if that weren't enough I also have a fabulous mother-in-law, Paula who's charity and kindness know no bounds and who am also very thankful for. Oh and let's not forget that I also have the 2 greatest grandma's in the world!! Both my Grandma Minson and my Grandma Pollei (Grams) are such an example of strength and love and also pretty darn fun to be around!! With all these great women, plus the amazing aunts, sister-in-laws, cousins and friends I have I feel like I am the luckiest girl ever! How can I fail with all that greatness around me? So Happy Mother's Day to the all you spectacular women in my life and most especially to my very loved mommy!!

Easter #2

Easter Egg Hunt with Grandma & Papa

Our green baby

Batman egg!!!

Looking for eggs!!

Right before church. Happy Easter!

Mine and Brian's Easter baskets

Typical "smile"

I love this face!

Jordyn and her basket!!

So excited to be coloring eggs!!

AWWWW... aren't we cute!!

Grandma helping Jordyn

She was so good at it!!

Checkin' out the loot in her basket from Grandma & Papa!!

Easter #1

The kids!! Dylan, Preston, Conner, Easton, Ella, Jordyn and Kate

Jordyn with her new buddy

Presents!!!

A champion egg hunter

Our pretty little princess

 

Jordyn and Brian looking very nice

Jordyn and E.B.

So about a week ago we were at South Towne mall and Jordyn happened to see the Easter Bunny... and she fell in love!! We were on the top level and he looked right up at her and waved and blew a kiss to her. Needless to say she was thrilled!! From that point on all she talked about was seeing the "Easey Bunny" and sitting on his lap. Well we were skeptical after the Santa experience. She talked a ton about sitting on Santa's lap but when the time came she wouldn't do it and sat on dad's lap NEXT to Santa. But this time was different... we promised her that when we went back she could wear her Easter dress and sit on his lap. Today was the day we went back. So we got her all dolled up in her princess dress, shoes and bow (she thinks she's Sleeping Beauty when she puts this dress on, it's darling!!) and off we went. The WHOLE way to the mall she went on and on about him. We thought for sure she would chicken out again but the minute we let her out of the stroller she took of down the pathway to see him and promptly climbed up on to the bench next to him and waited for him to put her on his lap. It was amazing!! She snuggled right in and had a huge grin on her face!! Even when their camera was having problems she just hung out with him and had a great time!! We were so proud of her!! Then when it was all over she waved bye to him and had a great time all over again looking at the pictures. She is the cutest kid!! It's great that she is getting braver but at the same time I'm a little sad that my baby is growing up!! Have a "Hoppy Easter" and may you all find the Easter Bunny in your own lives!!

IHC here Brian comes!!

Just a little announcement for all our fans out there, Brian officially starts his new job as a courier for IHC tomorrow!! He has had two days worth of training but is now actually going to be able to go out on a route!! We are really excited about this because it will be a great opportunity for us as a family. For those of you who don't know Brian wants to become an RN and IHC not only offers tuition reimbursement for part time as well as full time but also has their own RN program that you can apply to be admitted to as soon as you have completed your generals!!  They pay for all of it and in return you sign a two year agreement to stay with IHC which works out great because that's where Bri plans on staying anyway!! Needless to say we are both pretty excited and looking towards a bright future!! Jordyn doesn't have much to say on the subject except "Dad work?" which sums the whole thing up pretty well. So everyone keep us in your prayers as we embark on this new path in our journey through life! 

Outdated Family Photo

I apologize for the outdated family photo in the header of this blog, yes it is almost a year old. Unfortunately all the family photos (don't get me wrong there aren't many...) since then have one or all of us not looking exactly stellar. Therefore I will make it my mission to get a really good, current photo for you all to enjoy. In the meantime enjoy the lovely scenery of Seeley Lake, MT, and the fact that this photo is proof that Michelle and I survived our brush with the bear unscathed but filled with curiosity. Yes we actually got in the truck with Jordyn and Ella after and drove around hoping to see it and get pictures, we are very brave. Obviously this was a very memorable trip and we hope this years trip will be just as memorable but free of bear encounters and wildfires!!  

Just a note about the photo attached to this post, yes Jordyn is picking her nose...see why I've had problems finding a good one... 

A Future Super Hero

So Jordyn loves super heros!! Her absolute favorite is Batman, she knew who Batman was before we had ever even thought to tell her about him, so really it must be fate right? Anyway... not only does she love Batman but she loves "Jokie" (or Joker for those of you who don't speak Jordynese) she has managed to sucker mom and dad (mostly dad) into 4 Batmans, 3 Jokers, 1 Iron Man and 1 Venom (action figures) and she loves each and everyone just the same and gives them regular kisses to show them. We even have 2 "poncho" Batmans, an inside joke between Jordyn and Brian. She has Batman jammies that incluse a cape so she can "fly" and now has several very large t-shirts that include Iron Man, Wolverine and Spiderman. Old Navy only had Marvel heros. Now don't get me wrong she still is very much a girl, she has every Carebear available right now and loves her babies as long as they are naked. She loves pretty much any stuffed animal from the most expensive turtle from Shark Reef in Vegas to her free sheep "Happy" from Circle Circle (that's her term for Arctic Circle). She is also a huge Dora fan. So I'm not worried in any way, heck I carried a cap gun around in my purse when I was little and I turned out fine!! Brian likes to tell Jordyn she is the coolest daughter ever and her response is always only "yep." It takes a lot of confidence to be that cool.  So all in all I'm looking forward to the day when I can tell everyone my daughter is a super hero crime fighter, she already practices her flying almost daily and has quite an arm on her. So everyone keep one eye toward the sky because someday in the not to distant future Jordyn will be there keeping us all safe and honest!!