4th of July

First off, I am so thankful for my wonderful parents. My mom, who gets the summers off and is willing to take our children so we parents can get a break- and for my dad, who has so much energy that he wears our kids out to be manageable for my sweet mother! They are both incredible people, I tell you.  Right now, they have had my sister's kids for a couple weeks as she prepares for the arrival of baby number FIVE!!!

Mom and Dad decided they would make a quick trip up for the 4th of July so the cousins could hang out...

Hanging out on the front steps with our glow sticks late on the 3rd of July.

Our little fireworks (sidenote, I have never taken pictures of fireworks before- USE YOUR TRIPOD! You have no idea how hard it was to get a picture this clear because I was too lazy to grab my tripod out)

All the cute cousins/ Orrell grandkids (except sweet Brooklyn from the previous post)

The only 2 boys!

Happy 4th from our family!



Meeting Baby Brooklyn

My sister-in-law and brother had their baby 10 weeks early, so we made a last minute trip to Reno so I could meet the little sweetheart.  Brooklyn Olina was born 3 lbs, 2oz on June 22- which just happens to be my brother's birthday.  We keep saying she was that determined to steal his thunder, so she came early just to take his birthday!  She is doing well and is so beautiful and strong.  When I saw Brooklyn for the first time, it made me feel so sad that she was so helpless.  But you can feel her strong spirit radiate throughout her little corner of the NICU.  She is a strong little girl and a fighter for sure! What a blessing she will be to all of us, especially her mommy and daddy.  Heidi and Brian, congratulations on your little addition, I love her so much already!

Happy family!

She spends most of her time under lights to improve her bilirubin levels, so she has little eyegear on to protect her peepers!

I'm told that she's a kicker and her little feetsies are up in the air all the time!

Baby Orrell!

Dan said these eye protectors make him think of Willy Wonka. :)

Feeding time!

Heidi's hand looks so big on Brooklyn's tiny head!

We love you so much, baby Brooklyn! Come home soon!

Joy School BBQ

This last year, we were able to do Joyschool with some of our friends.  It's kind of a co-op preschool, where the moms take turns teaching. We had a little BBQ/graduation to celebrate the end of the year.  A few pictures for your viewing pleasure...

Jenna recieving her "diploma"