hey, hey... goodbye binky

Well, Chad & I finally decided that Berkley was getting a bit too attached to her binky.  And, as most things with children, attachments typically strengthen with time.  Berkley got to the point where she would want her binky not just to sleep, but when she was bored, mildly (or even hardly) upset, or if there was a quiet time during the day.  

It was just getting to be too much, and we wanted to try to stop it before it got worse (a.k.a. a preschooler with a need for a binky).  We had also taken her to the dentist recently, and Dr. Doug said that she would need a retainer because her teeth were, um, I cannot remember precisely how he explained it, but they are not coming in completely straight due to prolonged binky usage.  So, after discussing these issues, we came to the conclusion that we would have to take it away cold turkey.  

After Berkley's two-year well-child visit seemed like a practical time to be done, and so we were.  She has definitely had ups and downs, but she isn't asking for it anymore and has stopped having tantrums every day (thank goodness- it was seriously wearing me out).  She is totally like her sister, though- without her binky she doesn't nap unless we are in the car, which has led to falling asleep at 5, at the dinner table, in the car at 4:30 coming home from Stokes, and various other undesirable situations.  However, she adjusts well and sleeps early and for most of the night when naps are missed.  In fact, I think we decided today that she has been sleeping much better overnight since the binky went bye-bye. 

Berkley's last time with her binky
This was literally minutes before she was done with it f.o.r.e.v.e.r

In case you are wondering, we "sent" the binkies in the mail to Dr. McKenna to give to babies who need them but don't have any.  We let her choose from a few options of what to do with them; I think this was a good choice :)  

Hike, lunch, fish (well, sort of)

Several weeks ago Idaho featured a free fishing day.  Chad's sister Melanie told us about it, which was mildly embarrassing considering the fact that we live in Idaho and she does not, but we were super excited to go!  We took the kids up to Willow Flat (which honestly won't mean much to any of you who are in my family, but I will want to remember where these pictures were taken some day when I have forgotten :)  I hope you enjoy these fabulous Instagram pictures.  I decided with hiking and all that carrying our large and in charge Nikon would not be very desirable! 

Chloe & Wyatt are the best of friends

We were so impressed that she crossed all by herself!

This is where Berkley rode for the majority of the hike

Berk looks super enthusiastic, huh? Cracks me up every time!

While our hike and lunch was spectacular, the fishing was, well, bleak!  It was unbelievably windy at Foster Reservoir, but Chloe & Chad tried fishing anyway.  Chloe was beyond excited to be fishing for the first time!

l.o.v.e her freckled nose

It was windy & cold, so Wyatt and Chloe snuggled up
Too cute!

So much, so little time!

As if this wasn't already apparent, I have so much to blog about!  Many of you family members realize this as you calculate the number of things we've done over the past month plus a few random picture posts of every day life.

I am trying my hardest to get this feat accomplished.  I have so many things I want to tell you about & discuss; there are so many photos and memories I want to share.  And, thankfully (oh, and hopefully), it will happen, but it's simply not happening on my time schedule.

Being a mom, in the summer, plus having a new(er) puppy & home (don't forget that HUGE yard) makes blogging near the bottom of my list.  However, I really love blogging.  For a time I actually despised it: I never had the motivation or desire to blog, even when we had the most adorable pictures just hanging out on our camera ready to be shared... But, I have come to enjoy it, and I've found that it relaxes me & affords an outlet that I had mostly forgotten- writing.  Those of you who knew me in my school years (USU included), you will know that I l.o.v.e love to write.  It's nice to revisit this passion of mine, even if it is as insignificant as the little blog.

Thanks for hanging on and always checking to see if I've posted something new.  Sooner or later (I'm crossing my fingers that it's the former) I will get this done!

And there was a wedding

Yes, there was, and it was a very beautiful wedding with beautiful flowers, fun colors, a beautiful bride (Heather) and a handsome groom (my cousin Brock, who looked very handsome in his tux- I think the last time I saw him that dressed up was when his mom and Uncle D got married)! There was even a tractor, yes, that's right, a tractor and some amazingly stylish and cute purple cowboy (er, girl) boots!  We had a fun time, and the girls did, too.  It was so funny at the church because once the minister (or preacher... I can't really remember what his title was) presented the couple as Mr. & Mrs. Brock Menhold, Berkley loudly said, "DONE!"  She was apparently ready to get out of there & have a change of a scenery!  Only my child would do that :)

 Us: 3 girls + 1 boy = our forever family
(remember the sneak peek?? ta da!)

Chad & I, the girls, and Mike & Emily
This picture was the best of the four adults, yet the worst of the girls.  But, the girls were not too interested in picture taking at this point because they weren't truly smiling in any of the ones we (or mom) took!

Mike & Em and the girls
Chloe & Berk are super lucky nieces to have these two in their lives!

I really love the first picture of Mike, Emily, and the girls, but I especially love Mike & Em in this one.  Such a cute couple!  Can't wait for them to have kiddos!

There was an awesome balcony at the reception, and the girls obviously ate it up out there!  It overlooked the Illinois River and there were fountains, boats, and tons of people wandering around.  Chloe loved looking over the edge :)

I know, I know, I can hear you saying, "What a random picture!"  But, you know me, and in true "me" fashion I took this fun pic of Chloe's sweet little feet.  I seriously heart her sandals!

Chad and Berkley enjoyed taking in the view.
Love the bridge as a backdrop!

Like Father, like daughter
I love these two (and Chloe) so very much!

"Lions and tigers and bears, oh my!"
Yes, these are my killer heels (a bit reminiscent of Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, well, minus the glitter) I bought to wear with my beautiful, vintage inspired  Shabby Apple dress.  I thought the colors would pop together, and they certainly did!  I threw on some stacked bracelets that featured the red color, other colors, and gold!  It turned out better than I imagined.  If you know me, you'll know that I don't usually have much confidence in my appearance, but I felt like I looked really pretty decent that day!

Mini checked out the sights!
It's truly a miracle that her sandals are still on her pretty little feet!

Berkley doing who knows what to Mom

Mom, Chloe, Berk, and Gram (four generations sans me)!
They were playing with bracelets... go figure!  They were playing with mine later in the night and lost some.  A great big thanks to my aunt Rhonda who found them- I knew I was missing a couple!!

We gave Berk a wet wipe to clean all of the candy off of her face!
They had the coolest candy bar at the reception with little bags to take home as favors!  Well, ours did make it home, but with a large majority already eaten!

Mike, Berk, and Chloe were playing a game while we were waiting for our dinner.  I cannot remember exactly what it entailed, but I think Mike was mouthing words and teasing the girls because they didn't know what he was saying!  It turned into everyone covering their ears while Mike pretend yelled!
Berkley joined in on the fun!

And Chloe played along, too!  She'd play anything with her uncle Mike!  She loves him very much :)

Haha!  And I was even able to catch Mike playing!  He is literally a laugh a minute!  Can't wait to vacation with you (and Em, Mom & Dad) in a few weeks, little (haha, by one measly minute) bro!

Full of B.O.L.O.G.N.A!

It was either my grandma or grandpa that said something about Berkley being "full of bologna." (It was likely my grandpa- it just sounds like something he would say!) But, Berk thought it was pretty funny, so she decided she'd try the phrase out.  

It has been nearly a month since our visit and if someone says that to her she still says that on great-grandma and great-papa are full of bologna :)  Too cute.

After we arrived...

We had a relatively low key trip planned, but we knew we'd have some shopping to do, Brock & Heather's wedding to attend (photos to come soon), and lots of playing!

The girls were not so willing to look at the camera for this picture!  But they sure looked adorable :)

Chloe swinging on the swing at the park.  If you're ever wondering where my girls are at the park, you should definitely check the swings!

Sweet, curly haired Berkley on none other than the swing.

I joke all the time about how it is like I have three children: a 2-year-old, a 4-year-old, and a 28-year old :)

Super-de-dooper chocolate face, compliments of the chocolate  frosted donut she had just devoured!

Sweet Chloe enjoyed donut holes or donuts nearly every morning we visited my grandparents' house!

Berkley l.o.v.e.d jumping, climbing, and crawling on Mike (once she warmed up to him)!

Mike doing a 70lb push-up thanks to his little weights, Chloe & Berk
These girls definitely love their uncle (who is a true mixture of pure child and huggable, snuggly bear)!  What a wonderful father he will be when that time comes :)

{shhhh} it's a sneak peek

I hope that you've noticed the updated title and sidebar pictures.  Consider these a bit of a sneak peek of posts to come.  Some of my very favorite pictures are coming soon; I can't wait to share them with you!

Leaving on a jet plane... well, sort of...

We were all terribly excited to go back to visit my family (as we always are) a few weeks ago.  My cousin Brock's wedding was the weekend we would be there, so we thought it would be a good reason to go back for a visit!  Well, we arrived at the airport just in time to find out that we'd be stuck in Salt Lake for nearly two hours longer than expected.  Once we finally made it to Chicago we missed our connecting flight (the last one of the day, of course), so we opted to go ahead and rent a car to drive to my parents. After an hour of dealing with crap at O'Hare, which I now officially despise more than ever, we were on the road to my parents, well, sort of.  We kinda drove in the wrong direction (the signs posted were truly misleading), but after about a half an hour we were on familiar roads (well, I was anyway).  We rolled into my parents just before 2 a.m.  Wow, what an arrival!  At least we were able to capture some cute photos in the airport :) 

I guess Berkley classifies as an adequate carry-on! 

Sweet sisters hanging out in the airport

Berkley and I are pals (that is for sure, sometimes more than is comfortable, but it's good nonetheless)

Sweet little silhouette of Chloe  

Finally made it on the plane!  Berkley was quite excited to have her very own seat (and so was I)!

T-ball!!!!

Chloe at her first game!  So cute, so sweet, so awesome!  She's her mother's girl in look, attitude, and  interests (yay)!!

T-ball. Ahhh, it's finally here!  I L.O.V.E softball and anything that has to do with the sport, which would obviously include t-ball.  I was so thrilled when Chloe said she would like to play; it was literally music to my heart.  I pray that she continues in her mother's footsteps: playing softball on travel leagues and having a great joy & passion for the sport (and the challenge that it brings, and we all know how much Chloe loves a challenge just like her mama).  There are loads of pictures, so bear with them, but each is crucial for her first game.  Enjoy!  I hope these make you smile as much as they make me :)

Here are a few of her teammates "warming up."  Chloe just fielded a ball and threw it in to her coaches.

Getting ready to bat

Chloe & her sweet coach, Katy, at first base after her first hit
She got to choose her number.  #7 had already been taken- rats!  But we're happy with 1

Our extremely dirty Berkley posing at the game

Chloe had a turn at being "catcher."  She said she like that the best because she stayed busy :)

A BIG swing (... she missed)

Eyes on the ball, arms coming around, weight on her back leg....
*tear* She makes her mother proud :)  (oh, and she hit this one well)

Running the bases, which she apparently also takes after me.  Running is not our forte!

I love this one: looking into her glove.
I am having a difficult time with the word "glove" simply because everyone here calls it a "mitt." 

In the field awaiting a ball

Chloe was standing near the boys pictured above, and they kept running up for the balls (way to go Dallon & McKay).  Chloe's cute coach Jessie told the boys to hold back on this one so she could have a turn!

Silly, silly playing in the grass with Daddy

We were encouraging her from the sidelines to run up on any ball that came close so she could make a play.
This was her response :)

Berk was seriously a ham the entire game.  Not sure why, but it sure resulted in some cute pictures!

Chloe was so excited after her game!  She had a blast (and she had fun at her last game, too), and we couldn't be happier about that!


P.S. We took videos of her at bats that I plan on posting later this weekend!  So watch for it!  It is coming soon!!!