Almost a big girl....

but still my BABY! Miss Maylee Kate is 19 months now and is officially in nursery at church! Her hair is growing like a weed, but she still seems so little in every other way. She has begun to say words and animal noises and never misses a beat. She thinks she is bigger than she is and wants to do EVERYTHING that sister does. She can throw a mad tantrum and yet give the biggest hugs and kisses. She is still the snuggliest toddler you've ever met!

She eats like a champ...sleeps like a champ, and laughs like a champ. She loves a lot of attention, climbing up and down stairs, being naked, bathtubs, and dancing! Last week I tried out a dance class for her at the same studio Brooklynn goes to- she had a ton of fun, but is still too young for a formal class- maybe in another 6 months.

She is our busy baby- always likes to be doing something, and still loves to be held. She has figured out how to take her diapers off and has started to show an interest in the potty-maybe we'll start training sometime soon. She still has her binki, only because we haven't settled yet in our own place and I want her to have that comfort until we do.

She loves her silky blanket just like Brooklynn and is fearless.

Hanging out at the Lake

First official Sunday going to nursery

This picture was not posed. I found her like this.

Cutest little baby bum ever!

Just a bundle of Joy

Keeping Busy

Brooklynn has quite the life for a 3 year old. She now has an activity everyday and she loves it!

She has started her first dance class of ballet, tap and a little tumbling.

She loves feeling like a ballerina and always wearing those tu-tus.

She listens EXTREMELY well and has a memory just like I did at her age!

Swimming lessons have commenced as well.

She is slowly but surely making progress.

She has finally relaxed on her back and puts her face in the water.

She went all the way under a few weeks back for the first time- and wouldn't you know it, it was the first time that Paul took her instead of me, so I missed it :(

She still has an issue/insecurity with her ears being in the water, but her teacher said she is going to start pushing her.

Otherwise, she loves learning to swim.

With it being summer time we get to do a lot of hanging out with Grandma and Auntie's.

This day she went with us and got her first pedicure!

She changes her clothes about 50 times a day LITERALLY.

She switches between all her dress up clothes, and princess t-shirts, and pj's.

This day she added the bow and enjoyed dancing in Auntie Shayna's room.

She is SO girly- and I really have no idea where she gets that from, because I was so NOT girly.

She loves dresses, and purses, and barbies, and polly pockets.

She is loving nursery at church, especially since sister gets to go with her now.

That cabbage patch doll is named "Princess Palace" and she goes everywhere with B.

Next month, Brooklynn starts preschool and she is beyond thrilled! We are excited for her. She is ready to learn and socialize :)

In other news, Brooklynn is still my sensitive, tender-hearted, happy, easy -going girl. She eats very little, and cleans-up very little (we're working on it). But I've become very laxed in a lot of things trying to let go of my need for perfection at all times. It's okay, if her hair is in her face and she looks like an orphan...and it's okay if the house stays a mess all day :)

She still drinks most of her calories, saying she is thirsty all day long.

She says the darndest things and remembers everything!

She still has a hard time with her hair being brushed, but refuses to let me cut it because she LOVES her repunzal hair! Although she no longer has problems with getting it washed! One step at a time I guess.

She recently has taken an interest in playing games and wants to be swimming or outside whenever she can.

She has started a little attitude at times, which I nip in the butt immediately!

She loves to help cook and mow the lawn and play on the piano.

What I love about her most is her tender heart- she is always so concerned for people's feelings and well being.

The other day I was outside swimming with the girls and got stung by a bee for the first time. No joke, Brooklynn nursed me back to my normal self, held ice on the swelling and snuggled, kisssed, and stayed by my side until she was certain I'd be okay...all the while saying, "It's okay mom... I love you mom. Do you feel better. I'll make it feel better." So sweet.

We love our Brooklynn; her spunk, her love of life and people and her messiness!

What would summer be without...

A laughlin trip! My family has been going there every summer since I was in 5th grade (that's about 18 years- WOW). But this trip was special, because this year we invited some of our Giddings family along too! And we celebrated the 4th of July on the river!
Nothing like hanging out in the sun all day, eating, laughing, tubing, jet skiing, and eating some more.
Great company, great trip!

Maylee took a nap on the boat everyday!

Brooklynn absolutely LOVES grandpa's boat.

The three muskateers all week...

maylee-anna-brooklynn

I have to mention the very first day on the lake we were riding to our campsite and we got pulled over by the lake police (because it was the 4th of July they were patrolling heavily). I got a slap on the wrist from the woman cop because my girls were not wearing their life jackets. Needless to say they always wear them now :)

Heading back to our hotel room after some yummy in-n-out

My girls love their daddy!

Paul and his brother Adam

This was the craziest tube ride!

Brothers against brothers

Ryan and Skyler- Paul and Adam

Snuggle pup just loving that life jacket

Grandma swimming with snuggle pup

anna. brooklynn. lauren

Mom and Papa

Always with the cameras- I think they took over 600 pictures!

Ryan and Brooke

Oh how I love the two of them :)

Maylee carrying her bucket like a purse

Watching the AMAZING fireworks.

Best show we've ever seen BY FAR.

They were huge and last FOREVER- gotta love those casino pockets.

The kids were SO tired- I think B just about fell asleep on my dad's shoulders while watching the show

My mermaid Brooklynn

I don't have a picture of it, but they made Paul into a Merman too!

Poor Adam got 2nd degree burns at scout camp the week before Laughlin by tripping into the fire.

He wrapped his leg with duct tape all week and it did heal nicely and we were glad he still got to play :)

They played and played and played in the sand all week!

Poulton Family Reunion

Last month we had our Poulton Family Reunion in Provo, Utah. That included my Grandma, my mom, her 3 sisters, each of their husbands, EVERY one of my cousins and their spouses and ALL our kids. 4 generations of Poultons and every single one of them made it (well, my brother, Cody, is on his mission in Columbia so we missed him)!

Let me tell you the planning and organization of this event was intense, but all worth it. Even though I feel like we didn't have enough time to talk and visit (mostly because it was only 2 days long and it's hard to visit when you have to keep an eye on your kids at all times), I still feel incredibly happy and blessed to have just seen all my cousins and their families. What a treat for my Grandma, who we all just love and adore.

I have no idea if another reunion will ever happen again, so I'll cherish these pictures and memories always. I love my family. I love ALL my cousins. So, so, so much fun!

Part of the Poulton Clan began the reunion Thursday night with a session at the Mt. Timpanogas Temple. What an experience to be in the celestial room with all these family members!

I felt my Grandpa there. I know he was smiling :)

Little Miss loving on her Auntie Shayna- an everyday occurrance

My mom lights up when she is around my girls.

It warms my heart and lightens my load.

Oh how I wish Maylee was in this shot- would have been a great family picture

Brooklynn enjoyed every moment running around and dancing with all the kids.

Giddings Family shot at Tahitian Noni Gardens

And one with Grandma.

Seriously the BEST Grandma ever- she has a personal and unique relationship with ALL her posterity. I love it.

The Ridley Shot

Another Ridley Shot

The whole Ridley Clan (except Cody :( )

All 4 generations of Poultons!!! What a group!

One for Cody- we missed him and were thinking of him. He LOVED this picture.

Grandma with her 4 daughters: oldest to youngest. Yes, my mom is the baby.

Grandma with all her grandsons.

Our spicy grandma with all her granddaughters: oldest to youngest

Love this picture. Love these two.

Skyler and Shayna

Grandma with all her Great-Grandkids!

What a posterity!

Playing at the park.

Paul unvoluntarily got involved in the water fight- with ICE COLD water.

What a sport.

This was the first time he had met several of my cousins and their families.

Brrr.. but love it!

Maylee just played and played and played.

I managed to stay dry :)

Sit with Grandma...nobody will DARE get her wet!

Wherever Grandma is you'll find my girls too!

When did she get so big and independent!?

Work it mom!

My cousin Megan. LOVE her.

She was in my wedding.

Haven't seen her in 5 years.

Was a sweet reunion,

Miss her lots!

Oh Brooklynn and bubbles!

Brody and Maddox.

2 of the cutest and funniest boys you'll meet.

Love, love, love them.

Dancing the night away.

Our Poulton get togethers are known for our dancing.

Too bad we didn't get to do a TON of it :(

What a messy girl! grrr...

Some of the 4th generation boys.

What cutie pies.

Aren't my cousins beautiful!?

Love them so much!

Cousins.

It's a rare moment if you ever see my Brooklynn without her hair in her face!

The one who started it all!

Grandma Poulton we love you forever!

This was her 2nd outfit of the evening because she is always a mess!

Bryton was Maylee's personal assistant for the weekend. She toted Maylee around on her hip all day and night. This girl is 8 going on 20 NO JOKE!

The cutest/sassiest girl ever!

I remember when we got married thinking it wasn't possible to love him anymore than I did that day!

I was WAY wrong.

I love him more and more and deeper and deeper everyday.

Honestly can't imagine life without him.

I'm so lucky and so blessed to call him mine!

She tried to stay dry like me too.

She HATES water in her eyes and/or ears.

Somebody got Maylee wet and this is the result...

What a good daddy- this was obviously before he got involved with the water fight.

Gotcha Tyler!

Bigger than Tyson!

I have no idea where she gets this sass from.

Any ideas!?

Everywhere he goes, the girls love him.

My cousin Lana.

One of my best friends.

I miss her dearly.

There is no question Uncle Ryan loves my girls!

This girl of mine is obsessed with pictures and posing!

There she goes...posing again!

Oh wait, and another one.

Uncle Skyler time.

Oh and another... I'm sure I'm to blame for all this.

Loving me some husband.

Oh those eyes get me ALL the time!

The Ridley kids at Cowabunga Bay

No exaggeration, these boys followed Maylee around all weekend.

They helped put her shoes on, gave her food, the works.

They just loved her and she in return.

It was a magnificient weekend.

And these are only half the pictures.

Love my family.