Our Little Ariel - Take 2!

Well, it should come as no surprise that Gabbie decided that she wanted to be Ariel for Halloween this year! When we first started asking what she wanted to be for Halloween a couple of months ago, she originally said she wanted to be Santa Claus. However, when she started looking at actual costumes, she quickly changed her mind to Ariel.

So here she is, our Little Ariel!

This year was the first year she really had an understanding of what was happening and that made it so much fun! She was so excited to be Ariel and even practiced her Trick or Treating skills by making us practice. She would close the doors in the hallway and Kiley and I had to each retreat to a room. She would knock on the door, say Trick or Treat and then get pretend candy from us.

Our practice paid off and she was an immediate pro when it came time to do it for real!

We almost weren't able to take her since she had come down with Pink Eye the day before. We got her on drops the day of Halloween and the doctor said she would be fine to go

Trick or Treating!

So we took her out and hit a couple of house, one of which was Jodi's, her fabulous babysitter!

We hit it at the perfect time - just as her best friend Trysten showed up!

Trysten is the Super Hero!

Then Gabbie got Jodi's grandkids to sit down and they all sang along to her Ariel necklace.

Prior to Halloween, we tried our hand at Pumpkin Carving again. Gabbie still wasn't to hip on sticking her hand into the goo, but she had a fun time!

Here she is being a ghost!

Our Little Ariel

So, we just got back from a wonderful trip to Disney World. (full post on that to come) Gabbie loved it and is somewhat obsessed with the Little Mermaid! She sings Part of Your World nonstop - seriously. We hear it on the monitor when we put her down, when she wakes up and sometimes in the middle of the night when she is in her dazed somewhat awake state.

I have tried to catch it on video, but she usually stops as soon as the camera comes out. I finally got it tonight, only because I flipped the screen on the video camera so she could watch herself sing it. Here she is in all her glory!

Introducing Gabbie Grace Brannon as Ariel -

And let me tell you, this girl has quite the imagination. Here she is as I am asking her about our Disney World trip. In the middle, she imagines the witch is behind her, the witch named Ursula with her necklace. You know, the one that holds Ariels voice!

We may just have a star in the making!

Bedtime Routine

So each night, we go through our bedtime routine. It consists of reading books, snuggling, singing, tucking in with her blanket and good night kisses.

The other day, Kiley and Gabbie were playing in her room. As I snuck a peek, I caught Gabbie putting her Daddy through her bedtime routine.

After giving him a teddy bear to snuggle with and tucking him in with her blanket, she read books...

told him she loved him, sang him "You are my Sunshine" and sealed it with a kiss.

Too precious!

Baby Boy Brannon is on the Way!

Well, it is official. We are expecting a little baby boy and I am due February 18, 2012.

We are so excited for this little guy to join us.

Sometimes I wonder what I am doing having a baby at 40 years old, but both Kiley and I wanted to have one more child. Due to my age, we decided to have CVS testing done just so I could stop worrying and deal with facts as opposed to what ifs. The test came back that everything looks great when it comes to the chromosomal make up of the baby. That is also how we found out so early that it is a boy!

Gabbie is very excited about our new addition! At first she was a little thrown about having a brother as she insisted it was a sister. I think she has finally realized it is a brother and the topic is not up for negotiation.

She is, however, still pushing the names Raelyn, Arial, or Peyton. She has officially been removed from the naming committee.

Our Yard! Our Yard! We have a YARD!!

So, we have been in our house for 5 1/2 years. The yard has always been something I wanted to have done, but for various financial reasons, we just haven't done it.

Well, this year is the year of the YARD. We were able to put our backyard in the way I wanted to and I LOVE it!

And I don't think I am the only one...

We put a playground section in forGabbie. We have grass! And we extended the patio with pavers. I absolutely love it and can't wait until the sod ha

s rooted so we can all go out

and play on it.

For those in the Elko, Spring Creek area - Green Day Landscaping did it for us and I would absolutely recommend them in a heartbeat. They were wonderful to work with!

Here are the before pictures...

Quite a difference, hu? WAHOOOOO!!!! We have a yard!

Memorial Day 2011

So, these post are somewhat out of order. But hey, they are new posts, so don't complain, right?

This year we headed up to Boise again for Memorial Day Weekend. Gabbie absolutely loves playing with her cousins and always has so much fun with them. Paige will play and play with her for hours. Makes for a great vacation for mom and dad too!

Paige and Gabbie would hide in this tent and then pop out to see us!

Gabbie truly just adores Paige. Here they are snuggling while watching TV. As I walked in, Gabbie told me to go out! She was with Paige and didn't need me. And you know what, I am so okay with that!

Here she is playing Nintendo with Jake.

I wish we lived closer so she could see these guys more often!

Cousins are the best!

Krispy Kreme Day 2011

We once again had our Krispy Kreme Donut Day in the Park with my mom and dad and any of the grandkids and great-grandkids who could make it. This is such a fun tradition that we do each year!

Here is the traditional kids in their Krispy Kreme hats photo. As you can see, Gabbie did not want to wear her hat for the photo. We took a ton of these pictures and the progression is quite funny when you look at them all.

Mackenna, Parker, Steven, Kelsey, Paige, Tate, Crandall, Gabbie & Jake.

Gabbie refusing to wear the hat above and about to get hit with the stick from Tate below. I think Crandall ultimately blocked the shot.

Gabbie loved the slide!

Cutest Krispy Kreme face ever!

Thanks Mom and Dad for such a fun tradition!

Random Summer Fun 2011

Yes, I know. I have been a bad blogger. Sorry! We have had lots of summer fun! Here are some pics to let you in on some of the fun we have been having...

Grandma Dianne, Papa Chuck and my nephew Sid came out to visit. We took Grandma Dianne to feed the ducks and play at the playground!

We also attended the annual Newmont Family Picnic. This was the first year Gabbie could really enjoy all the fun stuff they have there.

She loved climbing through the Caterpillar!

She even loved the slide, as long as mom when with her!

Gabbie is all girl. She loves to dress up, wear her princess shoes and include any accessory possible. Here is shot in all her glory. Please note that the headband is not really a headband, but a crown. It is quite the unique crown in that it also doubles as a pirate patch!

Aarrgh Matey!

Headed out the door with her packback full of bread for the ducks!

See!

Nana Vicky also came to visit. This visit included dancing...

and coloring!

And every now and then, Gabbie has to remind us that although she is growing up quickly, she is still our baby!

Happy Easter 2011!

We had a wonderful Easter weekend filled with coloring eggs, egg hunts and a visit from the Easter Bunny!

And no egg coloring is complete without a funny face!

(I have to mention that the adorable Bibbie that Gabbie is wearing was a gift from my cousins. They actually sell these and they are wonderful! Check out their website - dillydallychic.com)

Happy Easter to all!