Why?

Why would I post this picture? I would love to know what you think and then I will post later about I posted this picture.

YUMMY CUPCAKES

We made cupcakes the other night, the rainbow chip cake mix and frosting (Bryan's favorite). Austin sucked all the frosting off the top of his cupcake (notice the second picture), most if it ended up on his face, and then he (look at last photo) shoved the whole cupcake in his mouth.

*I should include that the cupcakes they are eating are from a mini muffin pan.

43 Things

So when people I know don't post and I don't get emails, I read strangers' blogs. On one stranger's blog there was a link to 43things. I found it interesting and got thinking about 43 things that I want to do or accomplish. I probably won't participate on the website but I think I might do it on the blog.

1. Be more motivated to read scriptures- daily.
2. Learn to sew- better.
3. Plan meals AND follow through with the plan.
4. Save money.
5. Don't buy everything I want for the boys.
6. Control my temper.
7. Go to bed earlier (not early, just earlier).
8. Visit Grandma Schakel (she recently moved to HI) every other year.
9. Visit Grandparents in Utah every other year (preferably opposite Gma Schakel year).
10. Be a supportive wife and not a nag.
11. Go on bi-monthly dates with Bryan.
12. Play with the boys more.
13. Get BA
14. Decide what career I want when my youngest child is in school.
15. Go to park at least once a week.
16. Go to temple at least once a month.
17. Scrapbook
18. Buy a house- that I love.
19. Be happy
20. Be more child-like, not childish
21. Go on family vacations every year ( I would prefer more but #4 would be need to be removed from the list) #8 and #9 would qualify for this one too
22. Get new contacts and glasses.
23. Go to regular doctor appts for me (I sometimes think that I go enough for the boys and I am fine but you need to go regularly).
24. Be excited about living in So Cal.
25. Call friends and family on a REGULAR basis; I know that I horrible at calling people but I justify why I don't and I do think about everybody ALL the time but then I have a million reasons why not to call- #1 I bet they are already in bed (which is usually true) #2 they are getting their kids to bed #3 Bryan is right here, I should talk to him #4 their husband is home from work already #5 they are eating dinner #6 they are taking a nap #7 JUST DO IT
26. Get organized- I HATE paper


I am going to have to finish this later, Austin has climbed on me probably 10 times since I sat down and I really should work on some of the things I just wrote down. I may or may not record my progress (that is something on the website, which is why I don't want to do it there) here. I would hate to say that I have made progress on say calling friends and family and I haven't called you. Don't worry, if I just call one person that is progress for me, so if you don't get a call within a week, I am a procrastinator (I think I found my #27) I will call eventually and you could help me along and call me (I can email my home phone and I still have my Waco cell number).

27. Don't procrastinate.

Gummi Bears Opening Theme

Ali posted her favorite theme songs from the 80s and while checking one of Phil's (3-2-1 Contact), this was "Related." I used to watch Gummi Bears with Jill (I think before school). I also really enjoy eating gummy bears and have become one of the boys' favorite treat. In fact, we each had a little bag for our FHE treat while watching Happy Feet. I recommend the movie, funny and entertaining.

Addition to Yosemite

I finally am getting the pictures from Mom & Dad's camera. I am so glad I got these because I probably would have forgotten about all of these great things if I didn't have the pictures to remind me. Thank you to the photographers of these pictures, since I am a slacker and didn't take any pictures this whole vacation.

Overlooking Yosemite Valley

Adam leaning on a rock at Lower Yosemite Falls

Katie was great and carried Austin for about 2 hours and 45 minutes of that he slept. He is giving her a hug in this one.

Adam eating gummy bears while riding on Ann's Sit-n-Stand stroller.

Adam reading the signs along the trail to Mirror Lake.

All the "older"(Drew, Dean & Adam) boys had walking sticks on our hike to Mirror Lake.

Pie was filling the cap of a water bottle with water and throwing on the kids in the back of the truck.
Beebe got a Bubble Maker on SALE for $8.88 (instead of $9.99) she was bragging about the great deal she got and the kids loved it (notice Bryan in the background sticking his head out of our master suite).

Upper Yosemite Falls

Remember Matt was on the wrong side of the railing to get photos. Bryan told me he didn't go over the railing which was good because he has 2 little boys (and I will leave it at that). There was also a sign posted that stated if you fall there is no 2nd chance (my brother Mike has a picture of the sign, I hope he posts it to his blog).

Yosemite April 12-14, 2007

We went to Yosemite again but my brother Michael and Bryan were able to come this year, maybe next year Jill will be able to take time off of work and Em won't be having a baby so the Righters and Jill can come too. We had a good time but wished that we had stayed one more night. Beebe and I decided that last year 2 nights was plenty long because Austin and Conrad were both less than a year (and I was without Bryan). I don't have pictures from the waterfall that the children went to (I will have to get those from Beebe and Mom & Dad's camera) since my camera went with Bryan, Tyler, Mike & Matt to the Upper Yosemite Falls. After the kids were put to bed, the adults played Settlers (or watched America's Funniest Home Videos). We (the Browns) stayed Wednesday in Bakersfield with Bryan's sister Kim and spent the morning with them and Kim made us an awesome breakfast. Saturday we were going to go to the Redwoods but the parking lots were full and it started raining as we headed for Oakhurst, so we were glad the parking lots were full. In Oakhurst, we stopped for pizza at the same place as last year, Danny's Pizza Factory, and we headed home. I really enjoy vacationing and hope that we will be able to do it a lot.This is in Mom's car. Katie & Mom had all the grandkids (minus Evan who was going to take a nap during this hike- then the cabin would be quiet).

Here are the men in the back of Tyler's truck. Dad & Matt were still on their way. Beebe drove and I was her navigator for the half a block it was to where we parked.
Here are the kids after seeing the waterfall near our cabin, this photo was a lot easier to take than the one at the studio in Feb.
Uncle Mike was such a good sport about playing with the kids. After this "exciting" game with poker chips, he went downstairs and watched movies with Dean & Drew.

Bryan at the top of Upper Yosemite Falls. The other cameras have pictures of the "trail" and a group photo that I will have to get later. This photo does not do Bryan's facial hair justice, his reasoning is that we were in the mountains but really he maybe shaves twice a week.
Mike (left) with Matt taking a picture over the edge of the falls (notice what side of the railing Matt is on to get photos.

Photo of Fall from the "trail."

Lame Posts

SO I want to apologize because of my postings as of late. I have been slacking and have not posted Easter pictures or Yosemite pictures. I have many excuses of why I have been a slacker but really you don't need to hear how exhausting life has been. With going to San Berdo on the weekends, then Kim's before Yosemite then back to Berdo then to RSM less than 24 hours later back to Berdo and the next afternoon back to RSM. Today we hopefully will make it to Disneyland, it is "suppose" to rain tomorrow and I really would rather go NOT in the rain. Adam asks EVERYTIME we get in the car if we are going to Disneyland and points out continuely "Didne-land." I find it interesting that he knows Target and Wal-Mart and wants everything else to be Disneyland. So I promise that I will get some pictures of the past few events we have done and post them because I know you all are waiting to SEE the happenings with the Browns.

Oh, during all of this, waiting for Em to have her baby. With my back-and-forths on Monday/Tuesday, I was calling (what I felt like was constantly) Emily asking how she was doing and then all the new baby questions. I am sure she will be posting as soon as possible for a new mom but don't expect anything before Friday/Saturday (unless she has AJ do it). I thought some of you would want to know.

Questions from Beebe

1. What time is it? 12:59pm

2. What day is it? Monday
3. What are you most afraid of? Failure
4. What do you drive? Either Nissan Maxima or Toyota 4Runner
5. Have you ever seen a ghost? No
6. Where were you born? Athens

7. Ever been to Alaska? No - I'd like to go there on a cruise.
8. Ever been toilet paper decorating in trees? Yes. Many times but was caught by the police only once.
9. Croutons or Bacon bits? Croutons
10. Favorite day of the week? Friday, Bryan usually tries to come home from work early.

11. Favorite restaurant? I don't know. I enjoy BJs, A Taste of Thai, Pei Wei's, Claim Jumper
12. Favorite flower? gerber daisies

13. Favorite sport to watch? BYU football (but boys interrupt that so going to the Vegas Bowl was worth it, even though we froze)
15. Favorite ice cream? Chocolate Malted Crunch
16. Disney or Warner Brothers? Disney
17. Favorite fast food restaurant? El Pollo Loco and In-N-Out
18. What color is your bedroom carpet? tan berber

19. How many times you failed your driving test: 0
20. Before this one, from whom did you get your last e-mail from? Emily

21. What do you do most often when you are bored? get on-line

22. Bedtime? Late (so late into the morning, working on that so last night I went to bed at 1am).

23. Who will respond to this email the quickest? I am posting not emailing-so whenever you want to post it I will be ready to read it.
24. Who is the person you sent this to that is least likely to respond?
25. Who is the person you are most curious to see their responses? EVERYBODY
26. What is your favorite TV show? American Idol, House, The Office, Grey's Anatomy, Law & Order SVU
27. Ford or Chevy? ? I don't buy our vehicles.
28. What are you listening to right now? Adam & Austin playing with Backyardigans on in the background
29. What are your favorite colors? blue and green
31. Do you have any pets? does Austin count when Adam tells him to be a puppy and he crawls around on all fours and Adam pets him on the head?

32. Which came first the chicken or the egg? again?
33. What would you like to accomplish before you die? to control my tongue and to get my BA

34. How many people are you sending this e-mail? how many people read my blog?

The Story of Us

Ali requested that people write their stories, either of their courtship with spouse or boy/girlfriend or first love or first kiss. to entertain Emily in her waiting for her baby to decide to be born. If you would like to entertain a very pregnant lady, write your story and let her know (Em & AJ link) by leaving a comment on her blog. She is living for entertainment and distraction these days. So here is the boring, short story of Bryan and Karin.

~The Browns~

We actually met when I went to Jr Prom with Zac Fenn and Bryan and Johnny came to dinner with us and April before the dance (Bryan remembers that, I don't).

YEARS later, after Bryan reported to the High Council and Stake Presidency after his mission, my dad came home and told me I should date Bryan Brown. I responded "Bryan Brown, who is Bryan Brown?" But through a mutual friend, Bryan started hanging out after Institute and firesides and dances and any other YSA activity that Josh went to. After 4 months of all the friends (usually there was a crowd at the house after YSA stuff), we decided that we would try just us dating. 18 months after our "first" date, we got married.

OBSESSIONS

Heather tagged me, I think she tags me because she knows I have to do it. Thanks I really do enjoy being tagged.
I learned from doing this tag that I am obsessed with so many things it is quite ridiculous. I did not put down everything, I limited it to 5 because really I wouldn't have known when to stop. I did not include TV shows or church/church callings or foods/beverages (except for DC, of course). See I am listing large groups of things that could be individualized, are other people like this too?

5 Things I am Obsessed With:

1. My Boys (including Bryan): I love them and love to know what they are doing. I have a really hard time not being around them, taking trips to Target without them is almost painful (but Katie is a great substitution). And for the hubby, why would I marry the guy if I wasn't obsessed.

2. Diet Coke: are you surprised? I miss Sonic and their Diet Coke with lime with that AWESOME ice, come on you know they have the best ice.

3. My Family: I love being around them and just talking to them (if I am too far away to see them) is fun. I learned while living at my parents' house that I worry way too much about people when I live with them, the weekend stuff is much easier on me (I would say that I am going to bed earlier but you can see when I am posting this).

4. Computer: I am constantly online but I am also interrupted almost everytime I get on too (and not just by Adam and Austin) so even if my name on gmail says that I am on I am probably not.

5. Wal-Mart/Target: I love going there and finding "great deals" or a diet coke and popcorn for $1.40 or browsing and dreaming or printing off pictures. That is also some adult interaction for me (I know that is really pathetic but I admit it, I have no friends).

I am tagging everybody that reads this (including: Misty, Shauni, & Ali because I think you will do it but anybody that wants to prove that they can be added to the "tag list" just do it).

Boys with Train

I'M PUSHY

So I have requested that Emily blog everyday, preferably in the am so that I can read it after I have gotten my boys situated enough that I can get onto the computer with minimal interruption. She has stated that I am pushy for making such a request but in my defense, my other sisters ignore me and Emily listens to me sometimes, so I figured maybe she would listen to this one request and entertain me (and everybody else that reads her blog) on a daily basis. She then asked why she has to blog everyday and I do not. I feel that I blog so much that people just get bored and quite frankly, I get bored sometimes. SO here is my daily posting, no pictures because the camera is the car and I am trying to be strick about the nap thing and Austin as I type is plotting to climb out of bed yet again and Adam is waiting for me to walk in their room so he can pretend to be asleep (so he does not have to move to the sofa). Off I go to be a "mean momma."

Bed

Bryan has wanted a king-sized bed for a long time and since our stuff is in storage in Texas and we needed a bed for here. So here is our Cal-King bed with Bryan "stretched-out." In his defense, I took the boys out of our bed (and Austin snuggles right up against you and you end up on the edge of the bed) right before I took the picture.
My next big purchase will be a comforter for our bed but I decided I am picky and cheap, so it might be a while before we get that. But if you find something inexpensive and not too girly (I prefer greens and blues and we have a white bed skirt that I love), let me know about it.
I really want a nap now. Maybe I should get some stuff done so that when the boys are napping I can nap too (who am I kidding, that isn't going to happen). We are going to Disneyland for FHE if anyone wants to join us.