My baby is 2!!

Since we would be traveling on Brooklyn's birthday, we decided to celebrate her 2nd birthday a few days early. She didn't seem to mind one bit. Once we told her it was her birthday, she sang "Happy Birthday to Brooklyn" all day. I was really surprised at how much she understood what was going on. For weeks, she had been telling us she wanted a "swimming baby" for her birthday. She saw a commercial for it on TV & since then that was all she wanted. She told everyone she saw about this "swimming baby". She would say "Swimming baby for my birthday. At Target. Coming up.". I'm sure those that saw her often got tired of hearing about it.
She was so happy today. She was giddy. Her day had finally come. It was fun to watch her open her gifts & get so excited over them. She is so easy to please. She first opened Tic Tacs & thought that was the best thing. Then she got a new book & it became her favorite book all of a sudden. She next opened up a baby stroller & that made her day. She was so excited she just started clapping. She hurried & got a baby doll to put in her stroller & take it for a walk around the house. It's great to see kids enjoy their gifts so much. Later that night, Grandma & Grandpa Yorgason came over to give her a gift. Her dream came true--she got her swimming baby. She loves it!! She wanted to put on all the accessories & go for a walk. Once again, so easily satisfied.
Brooklyn, you are such a wonderful, beautiful, happy little girl. You have grown up so much this last year. I can't believe my baby is 2. You make our lives so much fun & keep us entertained. We all love you & enjoy having you in our family. Happy Birthday sweetie!!

Brooklyn enjoying her favorite dinner--pizza!

Brooklyn getting so excited over her stroller.

The long awaited toy--swimming baby.

I love you, Brooklyn!!

Quick trip to North Carolina

Jake & I took a quick trip to Charlotte, North Carolina to visit the Pelton & Crane factory-the place they make a lot of the dental equipment for dental offices. Jake is in the process of ordering his dental equipment so they flew us out there to check things out. We left Thursday morning, got there around 4PM, checked into our hotel & then went out to eat at a nice steak restaurant. The food was pretty good, but honestly, I am fine with restaurants that aren't so expensive. I'm not real comfortable being so formal when I eat. =) We were all stuffed after dinner, so we went back to our rooms to let our food settle & get ready for a big day tomorrow.
We met at 8AM & headed off to the factory. The ride there was our best chance at seeing the area. We were inside so much that I really didn't get any pictures of the city. The streets were lined with trees so I'm sure in the spring time it is just beautiful.
We went inside the factory & had a tour of how the plant was run. This place was huge & so much was going on. I was surprised at how much was done by hand, not machines.
We spent hours there looking at their showroom & having Jake decide what he wanted in his operatories. He got a lot accomplished & he felt good about how it will a look. We went to lunch & then headed back to the airport to go home. It was a good trip & good for Jake to make some final decisions, but it sure was quick.


These are the cabinets Jake is ordering for his operatories.

My Funny Little Brooklyn

Brooklyn is not quite 2 yet, but she sure is a character. She says the funniest things and tries so hard to be independent. This morning, it was 6:20 AM & most of us were still sleeping. Not Brooklyn. She was coming down the stairs singing "Jesus wants me for a Sunbeam". It's hard to get mad at her when she is so cute.
She loves to see everything & it can be frustrating to her when she can't see what I am doing in the kitchen. She is a problem-solver & now goes & finds a step stool & brings it into the kitchen so she is taller & can see the tops of the counters.
She loves to play "I Spy" in the car. She always starts with the same opening line--"I spy something yellow". No matter what you guess, it's never right. We have to finally give in & say it's our turn. She also likes to play "Slug Bug". She will yell out "Slug Bug. I got it". It's amazing & scary how quickly she picks up on things & remembers what we say. She copies so much of what she hears. We were eating cashews the other day at Grandma's house & after she ate one she asked for more. I told her they were called cashews & from that moment on she asks for cashews by name. We definitely have a real smart girl on our hands. She is also very polite. She almost always says "thank you" after we have done something for her or given her food. What a sweetheart!! We love you Brooklyn & are so glad you are in our family.

Creative Brittany

Brittany was assigned to give the Family Home Evening lesson tonight. She came up with her own idea & planned it very well. She chose to teach us about Lehi & his family traveling to the Promised Land. She dressed up as Sariah, & built a little tent & acted as if we were visiting her in her tent. She told us her story of having to leave Jerusalem & the trials they faced as they lived in the wilderness & then traveled across the sea to the Promised Land. She was so cute & really got into her character. I was so impressed & I love Brittany's talents & how she shares them with us.

Goodbye to the Pacifier

We decided it was time for Brooklyn to be done with her pacifier. I didn't know how she would handle it--it's her best friend at times. The other day, I started telling her that she was a big girl now & since she would be 2 soon, it was time to get rid of her pacifiers. She seemed ok with it & I thought "we'll see at bed time if she is still ok with it". Bedtime came & we gave her her blanket & she asked for her pacifier. We told her that she was a big girl now & she didn't need it anymore. To my surprise, she said ok & rolled over to go to sleep. I thought for sure as I closed her door she would start crying, but she didn't. She went to sleep. It's been 3 nights now & she hasn't cried once for it. She did ask for it at church today, but Jake told her she was a big girl & she seemed ok. After church, she got into the drawer where I've kept a stash of pacifiers & she was so excited. She grabbed all 4 of them, stuffed one in her mouth & took off running with the others in her hand. It was like she had just found a big bag of candy & was sneaking off to go eat it. It was pretty funny to watch her. She eventually gave them back & hasn't asked again for them. I have been so proud of her. I never imagined it would be as easy as it was with her. Way to go, Brooklyn!! You are such a big girl!

Another Job Well Done

Melissa had another recital tonight. She always does a great job & I really enjoy listening & watching her play. She performed 3 songs--2 on the violin and 1 on the piano. I am proud of her talents she has & that she performs them so well.

Helping with Homework

I have to admit, it's gotten to a point in life where my kids have homework that is not so easy for me to figure out. I remember taking the classes, but pre-algebra is just not something I have kept up on in life. Melissa doesn't even think about asking me for help anymore--she knows better. =) Fortunately, Jake has remembered a lot better than I have & he is able to still help. It's fun to watch them sit at the counter & talk out the problems. What a great bonding experience for the two of them. I am so grateful to have such a smart husband!! Keep up the good work, you two!