We're Back!!

Brooklynn and I made it back safely into Paul's arms this weekend after a long week apart. We sure did enjoy our time at home, especially our last days with Uncle Skyler. But it was nice to come back home to Paul- he sure did miss us and us him! A sweet reunion it was. We even made it back in time to go to dinner with Paul's office- which was wonderful because I was starving after a long day of traveling.

The main purpose for our trip back home was to say good-bye to my younger brother, Skyler, now Elder Ridley. He departed on his mission to Manchester, England on Thursday and we could not be more proud! He is just such a great example to everyone, and I mean everyone around him. When being set apart, our Stake President paid him the greatest compliment...he said... Of all the missionaries he has sent out, and that is many, Skyler is the most prepared and words cannot even describe his confidence in Skyler. He knows Skyler will just be amazing! And we couldn't agree more. I just finished downloading all 100 pics and videos from our trip...but many of the ones of Skyler's farewell festivities I will be posting to HIS BLOG I have recently created so check out my "Elder Ridley" link on the right of our blog...

It was so nice to see family- especially so many extended family members while we were home. We got to see cousin Ridley, Matthew, Aunt Robynn and Donna, Uncle Steve and Gary, Grammy, as well as Grandma and Grandpa Giddings! So glad they were all able to make it. And of course it was so nice to spend time with ALL 3 of my brothers and Shayna Paige as well. It's always a treat to go home and this time was no exception. I kept Brooklynn on Texas time so our mornings were early but we have since recuperated! Thank you so much to Mom and Dad for everything! We had such a great time and are so happy we were able to be there.

In other news...Brooklynn is getting so close to crawling! She wants to be mobile so bad but I can wait as long as possible for that to happen. She had her 6-month well visit check up with Dr. Hurwitz while we were in Cali, even though she is 7-months old... She weighed in at 16 lbs. 8 oz and 26.5 inches long- the 50th percentile for everything...I like to say she is just perfectly rounded! She received 4 more shots, which is always hard but she was a trooper!

The summer is officially over and tomorrow commemorates the start of the extension...only 6 more weeks to go! And our plans are to return to Utah for one more year...only to prepare for ANOTHER SUMMER PROGRAM! It sometimes feels like the off-season is just as hectic as the summer...although Paul does have a little more flexibility which we are grateful for so we can spend more time with him! However we are so blessed. Paul works so hard and we are grateful for all he does! Life at the moment is great...couldn't ask for more!

Milestone

I can't believe I haven't done this sooner. I finally painted Brooklynn's toe nails! And considering how squirmy she was and how tiny her nails are, I think they look pretty darn good! I don't dare try her fingernails just yet because I know we'd be getting nail polish all over everything! For now her toes look cute... just in time to go to California!

Water Baby

Paul's office had a little BBQ this morning and so I took Brooklynn out to the pool for the first time since we have been here in Texas...because it is generally way to hot! Anyways, I was reminded how much Brooklynn loves the water. No real surprise there. Even when bath time comes...she knows it and gets extremely excited... I mean she flaps her wings (see earlier video from a previous post), her smile is from ear to ear, and she bounces up and down and she does that starting the second I grab her towel and walk into the bathroom. It's the cutest thing.

P.S. On a side note- doesn't she look so much like Paul these days?? Especially in the middle picture below. It's kind of crazy.

My dearest BFF

Stephanie and I have been best of friends since we were in the 2nd grade. A lot has happened in each of our lives since then and through it all we have remained so close. This summer has been a special one as she and her husband, Mike, have also been working for Northstar and we have been experiencing the ups and downs of summer sales together. Most importantly though, Stephanie has been a life savor for me on several occasions since having Brooklynn. I trust that she loves my precious daughter just as I do. I am so grateful for her. She is such a great example of the woman I want to be. She is the most genuine, kind, helpful and thoughtful person I know. Life has thrown her more than I could imagine and yet she remains steadfast and immovable! She deserves the very best and all the blessings our Father in Heaven has in store for her...and I know they are many! Thank you Steph for being you! I love you like a sister...and you'll always be Auntie Stephy to our little miss Brooklynn!

Paul Turned 26!!

Saturday was Paul's birthday...and once again he had to work on his birthday- total bummer! Anyways, we got up early that morning and opened his presents and then later that evening after he came home from work, we went with some friends to dinner in downtown San Antonio...the Riverwalk to be exact. We ate at the Hard Rock Cafe. Unfortunately we were not too impressed with our meal or experience there. Our server was way nice but for whatever reason thought it was perfectly okay to drop F bombs whenever he felt like it. The music was entirely TOO LOUD...you couldn't even hold a conversation without yelling, and of course Brooklynn was too distracted to fall asleep at dinner. Needless to say we will not be returning there anytime soon. Paul bought some yummy drinks in the souvenir hurricane glasses but I am sad to report that just yesterday Brooklynn pushed them off the counter and they broke! All things considered, I think Paul did at least feel special on his special day. I love him more than I ever thought I could love someone, and that loves continues to grow with each passing day. Happy Birthday to my one and only, me dear sweetheart...and here's to many more birthday celebrations together!


He is just the absolute most handsome man I have ever seen!

Typical Paul expression- gotta love him!

Absolutely Hilarious

Yesterday we went to Austin to spend some time with Uncle Josh and Aunt Cassie. We were all just sitting there visiting when Brooklynn begins to bust out laughing at "The Pup...Veronica". Veronica was doing her infamous donkey hop and Brooklynn thought it was pretty funny...so then Aunt Cassie started to get Veronica to do the donkey hop more and then I couldn't tell if Brooklynn was laughing more at Veronica or Aunt Cassie...either way this video is to die for! I had never heard Brooklynn laugh this much and on her own, meaning I was not instigating the laughter. Oh I am obsessed with her! Love her!

Don't let the bed bugs bite!

The other night, I had finished giving Brooklynn a bath and we were continuing with our normal evening routine- getting her in her pj's on our bed when I noticed this lizard looking thing on our wall above our bed. I freaked out! I grabbed the camera so that I could show Paul later. Turns out it was a gecko...and apparently they can camouflage themselves and so this gecko looked a little translucent trying to hide into our white walls... Paul came home a little while later so I went to show him this thing on our wall but it was gone! Then I really started to freak out...where the heck did it go? Was it in our bed? Brooklynn's bed? I wanted to find it and have Paul get it out of the house...so he got a flashlight and we scanned our room EVERYWHERE...but it was nowhere to be found! All night I was worried I would wake up to it crawling on my legs or something...luckily we have not seen it again, but it still creeps me out even thinking about it. Gotta love Texas!

Kissable Lips

Brooklynn has been doing this thing lately where she bites down on her lower lip..it's actually quite adorable. As for other recent happenings, we are working on confiscating the binki...because it has become a sleep prop and she needs to learn to fall asleep on her own, without it- before it becomes a lasting habit..She can do it- fall asleep without it, but sometimes she will start sucking on her fist, thumb, or fingers- can't get rid of her hands so hopefully she doesn't trade in one sucking habit for another...we shall see. I am simply obsessed with this little girl...she ALWAYS brings a smile to my face and heart...we are so grateful for her in our lives!

Who else but The Brooklynn??!!

Brooklynn is sitting up all the time these days and loves to be in that position. We have tried to put her on her belly with an object a little out of reach to see if she would scoot her way towards it, but not a whole lot of mobility just yet...which is perfectly fine with me! She is developing the cutest little personality and I adore EVERYTHING she does...I simply just cannot get enough of her! I just wanna hug her, and squeeze her, and pinch her, and love her and kiss her. Did I say wanna, cause I actually do that! Paul misses her terribly, everyday. The days go by slow, but the weeks are going by fast. We sure are learning a lot and making a lot of memories!

San Antonio

Well Texas has been treating us good. Other than the extremely HOT climate...we like it here. There are so many things to do here in San Antonio. In fact we bought season passes to Sea World, and since it is so close to us whenever we get a free moment we go. It has been fun to watch Brooklynn's reactions to the different animals. And of course Paul just loves Sea World..."It's not other park...it's another world!" And I enjoy any moment out of our little apartment complex. This slideshow is of our happenings up to this point here in San Antonio. We for sure miss the fam back in California, so Brooklynn and I are are excited for our trip home for Skyler's farewell.