Noah's Ark at the Skirball Museum

Brylie and I went to the Noah's Ark exhibit at the Skirball Museum in Los Angeles.  They built an ark that kids could explore and play in along with animals made out of many household items.  It involved a lot of hands on learning. I knew that she was a little young to fully enjoy all the wonderful things that it had to offer, but figured it would be a great experience for us.  I was so impressed and surprised by how much she actually enjoyed it and how curious and focused she was on all the animals.  The exhibit was so impressive and I am so glad we decided to go.

Brylie checking out the polar bear.

The neck of this animal was made out of various keys.  

The hair of the zebra was made out of a keyboard.

 This alligator was made with tires for the body, violin box for the body and the neck of the violin for the tongue.

 Brylie explored some rattles and noise makers.

 She loved looking at all there was to discover in the ark.

This picture is too cute.  I love the smile on my little monkey's face as she plays with a stuffed monkey. I love her :)

Farm Store at Cal Poly

Nick, Brylie and I decided to take a little outing to Cal Poly Pomona's Farm Store.  They have an organic market, nursery as fields to pick your own strawberries.  Brylie loved picking the strawberries and even got to sample one.  It was so much fun and the strawberries tasted so much better than the ones from the grocery store.  It was a beautiful day and fun activity to do as a family.

 Family pic before starting to pick strawberries.

 Brylie looks very interested in the nearby strawberries.

 She was learning how to pick them all by herself.

 The setting was beautiful.

 We thought this technique of planting strawberries was very interesting.  We may have to try it in our own home.

In the strawberry fields with the winning strawberry picked from the day.  It won based on color, size and overall beauty, and yes I was responsible for finding it :)

San Diego

We went to San Diego to celebrate Shelden's graduation from USD.  We stayed Saturday night in a fun hotel with the O'Kane family and went to the graduation and lunch the following day.  It was a great weekend and we felt so touched to be included.

 We made it just in time to join them on a boat in Mission Bay.  This was Brylie's first experience on a boat and she looked so cute in her little life preserver and sunglasses.  We watched as everyone on the other boat tried wake boarding, knee boarding, and water skiing.  So fun to watch everyone.

 Aunt Kathy and Brylie enjoying the ride on the boat.

Mckenen and Brylie.  So cute to see how much she loves her.

 Shel and Brylie outside the hotel room.

 That evening we stayed at the hotel and walked on the beach, ate at the hotel restaurant and sat by the fire.  It was very relaxing.  Poor little Brylie got her first little sunburn around her eyes even though I put sunscreen on her.  Mommy felt so bad.

 Daddy getting the fire ready to roast some smores.

 Mymouse and Brylie playing with a flower at Shelden's graduation lunch.

 Brylie and her great grandmother.  So lucky for the love Mymouse brings into our world, and the beauty of 4 generations.

Uncle Brian and Brylie playing at lunch.  So cute.

Hawaii Photo Shoot

Below are a couple of shots from a mini photo shoot we did at the hotel in Hawaii.  Such great memories.

Hawaii

Nick, Brylie and I were thrilled to travel to Maui with Mom and Darryl.  We spent the week lounging by the pool, taking walks on the beach, eating fabulous food, and relaxing.  It was a week full of celebrations: Brylie's 8th month on this earth, Mother's day, and my 30th birthday.  It was so much fun and we are so appreciative of the wonderful trip and time together.

 Brylie and Mima at lunch at our hotel.

 The view from Mom and Darryl's balcony.

 Brylie enjoying lounging by the pool with her cool shades on.

 Daddy and Brylie by the pool.

 Daddy and Brylie taking a swim in the pool.

 Family pic in the cabana by the pool.

 I almost feel guilty posting this picture of Brylie crying, but it shows how she felt about her first time being in the sand.  She grew more accustomed to it throughout the trip, and eventually enjoyed playing in it.

 Mommy and Brylie playing in the sand while watching the waves.

 I love this picture for a number of reasons.  First because of the two people in it.  I am so proud of my little family, and honored to be called wife and mother.  Second I love the way that Brylie looks at Nick so adoringly.  I can tell how much she loves him already.  I can only imagine when she learns more about her dad who has inspired me with his love, integrity, honesty, respect, work ethic, and compassion.  I am beyond lucky.

 Brylie in her cute little romper and glasses.

 This girl gives me a million and one reasons to smile a day.

While waiting for a table to a wonderful breakfast spot called the Gazebo Brylie fell asleep in Nick's arms.  We used the cover to keep her protected from the sun.  I love how peaceful she looks as she sleeps in her Daddy's arms.

This picture makes me smile.  Brylie was so funny while on the grass.  She could only have one foot touching the grass at a time.  The face she is making is usually accompanied by the sound "oooooooooohh" and makes me laugh at her little ways of trying to communicate with the world.


It was such a fun trip and I will have to post more pictures when I get more downloaded from Mom's camera.

8 Months Old

Little Miss Brylie was lucky enough to celebrate her 8th month of being on this world in Maui. We had so much fun spending it with Mom and Darryl and can't wait to go back.  

Brylie loves:   

Dancing with Mommy and Daddy.  We have so much fun turning the music on and taking turns dancing with her around the family room.  Her little face lights up and she laughs at her two crazy parents who love her so much.

Brylie doesn't love:

Apples.  She is doing so great at trying a variety of solid foods, but every time I offer her apples she puckers her mouth and turns away.  I am sure it will be a taste that she will grow fond of in the future, but for now she has decided that they aren't her favorite.  

Tender moments: 

Brylie has started giving hugs and buries her little head onto your shoulder.  It only lasts a few seconds, but it is long enough to melt my heart.  

Florida & Brylie's 1st Easter

Nick, Brylie and I had the pleasure of going to Florida to visit Mymouse for Easter.  Mom and Ally met us over there and it was great to spend time with them as well.  Brylie did such a great job on her first plane flight and being in unfamiliar environments.  We spent time in the pool, went to the club for lunch, dinner at the Everglades, talked, enjoyed a fabulous easter brunch and had a lovely time.   Unfortunately many of the pictures from the weekend were taken with my mom's camera which I haven't downloaded yet, but figured I should upload the few that I took.  Such a great trip filled with wonderful memories.

 Brylie with her Daddy and her lovie getting ready to go to dinner at the club.

 Mom, Nick, Brylie, Mymouse and I.

 Now a picture with my beautiful pregnant sister.

 So beautiful.

 Sisters had to take a little picture on the beach.

 Ally and Chips.

 Brylie and Auntie Ally swimming in the pool.

 Happy Easter from my little Easter bunny.

Brylie's 1st Easter.

Many more pics to come soon...