Brinley's 2nd Birthday!

I am updating a little late, Happy 2nd Birthday to Brinley!!!

 I don't know who was more excited for Brinley's birthday, Brinley or Ashlyn!  But this pink beauty was the best present ever! (all the neighborhood kids think so too).  Thanks Grandma and Papa Martinson.

 We went to Costco for lunch and it was a successful trip (having three kids while shopping is an adventure because you never know what will happen).  We were heading back to the car with our cart full of groceries and happy girls while I was thinking to myself how great and successful it has been until.... the raspberries spilled everywhere in the parking lot.  The girls sat down in the middle of the parking lot eating germ infested raspberries.  I got a lot of disgusting looks, but it was a moment where I loved seeing my girls happy!

 That evening we got the tent all set up in the basement and read books with the flashlight.  Brinley's favorite was Frozen!

Then we did glow in the dark-in-the-dark bathtime!! Yeah! 

(Thanks Aunt Lyssa, Sawyer, and Parker)

Claire is learning to sit up!  I love her sweet face.

I got the girls a bubble machine and it has been a real hit!

Love my three girls!!!

Brinley has recently loved wearing skirts and dresses (following in her older sister's path of girly girl).  Apparently the clothing swap (or stealing sister's clothes) begins now.  She loves wearing Ashlyn's clothes.  

What a doll

So I found this picture of Ashlyn and it looks so much like Claire when she smiles.  Ashlyn loves it when I say that Claire looks like her, but with blue eyes. 

Also when I was cleaning out some closets I found this picture that we took on our honeymoon.

How fast time goes by...

This week and HAPPY MOTHER's DAY!

It was a short week at school this week. I had Tuesday afternoon off, and the rest of the week. It was AWESOME! Started of the break by taking the girls to the Children's Museum so Jenny could take a break... NOT. Jenny rarely takes a break. Even when she has the chance, she cleans, or gets things done that she wants.

Here's Brinley painting her face. This is usually the first place Ashlyn wants to go when we get to the children's museum.

As seen by the excitement on her face here.

Science show!

Good morning!

On Friday we went to the Jocelyn Art Museum. They have a really cool section just for kids! I think I had as much fun as the kids did!

Jenny asked me to teach her to draw Donald Duck. Not bad for her first time!

Can't get much cuter than a sleeping baby.

We sure love our Clairy Bear. Here's a couple videos of her from this week.

Friday afternoon we went to a new park; Dream Park. It was so much fun!  This swing reminded Jenny of her fun times at Helen's growing up. (Helen was her baby sitter)

I asked Jenny to push me on the tire swing. It didn't take very long before I was dry heaving. I thought for sure I was going to throw up. Pretty sad. I thought I would always be able to stay a kid at heart and body during play time.

Ashlyn absolutely LOVED the tire swing!

Don't watch this if you get dizzy easily.

It was a beautiful day at a beautiful park.

On Saturday night, we had pizza. Mom had a fun idea to get three different kinds of root beer and see if we could tell the difference.

I knew which one was A&W. I grew up drinking A&W. Jenny, on the other hand, thought they all tasted the same. 

Grandpa Williams and Nana bought flowers for Jenny for Mother's day! How nice!

Here's our breakfast in bed for Mom this morning. 

I go this idea from this youtube video:

Mom got some new dresses at Dillard's outlet store last week. She has been so excited to wear them! Coincidentally, another Jenny in primary had the same taste and decided to wear her's today!

I love my primary class but sometimes it can be very challenging. There is quite a variable dynamic as far as learning types. Today, only two of my kids were here and it was pretty fun to just have us and focus on the lesson. Here's them unscrambling a message.

A tribute to my mother on Mother's Day. This woman has/is still raising 7 children! Amazing! She is such a great mom. I love her so much and it is fun to have her as a grandmother now. She is so kind and always looking for ways she can cheer others up, or include other people. I am so grateful for her influence in my life. She has helped me stretch, grow, and gain confidence. I love you Mom!

Here she is with her 7 children, 2 daughters-in-law, and four grandkids! (And soon to have 2 sons-in-law!) We all love and appreciate you Mom! You have changed our lives forever!

Fight of the century!

Ashlyn had her dance recital this week! We are so proud of her. She has really enjoyed taking dance the last two years and dances all the time at home! Mom even helped her put on some make up!

Here is the video of the performance:

Not a great picture I know. Ashlyn is on the left.

Ashlyn receiving her certificate.

Brinley ran up and got in line as they were handing out the certificates. I had to run grab her and she was so sad. I told her we would get a picture with her on the stage with Ashie and here it is. With the lovely face again. I think I need to come up with a name for it. 

So now when I get pictures I have to be fast with the camera and hope it will take her a few seconds to remember that face. 

Mom bought a bubble machine for the girls and it is so much fun!

Ashlyn and Jane (neighbor girl) lassoed the turtle! 

I got this picture right as Brinley let go and Jane went to the ground! Haha!

Thanks to my Dad, Jenny and I are both fans of Indian food now. Jenny decided to make some for our family dinner! She found a quick mix at the store for Chicken Tiki Masala and also made some Nan bread from scratch! It was great!

This is actually the movie that got my Dad to try Indian food. Jenny and I loved this movie and recommend it to everyone. It is still found at some redbox locations now.

The "fight of the century" was yesterday. But the fight of the week around here was on Thursday. A few of us have been talking about boxing for a while. We finally decided that Thursday night (after our last final) we would make it a reality. I boxed Steve (my next door neighbor/best friend). He's got a few inches on my as far as reach goes. It turned out to be a lot of fun. There were a few others that boxed but they only lasted one round. Steve and I boxed four rounds. There were no KO's so it was decided by a vote that Steve won. We both took some good hits. I have been extremely sore the last few days since then: my right thumb and index finger, neck, back, abs, etc. We charged everyone that watched $5. 70% of proceeds went to winners and 30% to losers. They gave me a little more because we lasted so many rounds. It definitely gave me more respect for the sport of boxing. There is definitely strategy and art to the sport.

Pre-fight weigh in at clinic. I didn't manage an intimidating face very well. Man, I need a haircut. 

Saturday we went to the zoo and saw a new film about Humpback Whales. It was pretty cool. We had a good time. As you can see, they didn't offer kids glasses this time. Brinley was either too scared, to hungry, or too restless to watch much of the movie. We still had a great time. That is the thing that is so nice about the Omaha zoo. We have a year pass so we can go for just a couple hours then leave. And it only takes 2 minutes to get there!

Ashlyn caught in action jumping off a lion's back. 

Believe it or not, this was actually the best picture out of about 10 that Jenny took of us.

Before we went to the zoo, Mom went shopping with a friend for a couple hours. Brinley and Claire were asleep so Ashlyn and I played around outside. We got a hold of neighbor Hailey's bicycle and Ashlyn wanted to try and ride it. She did amazing! Now we need to get her one!

Brinley is such a sweet sister! Ashlyn and Brinley both are. Jenny always tells me about how much Claire laughs when Ashlyn plays with her. She's still scared of Brinley (just like Brinley was scared of Ashlyn).

While I was writing this post, I heard Claire crying and went up to get her. Brinley started calling for me so I went it to see what was wrong. Here I found Ashlyn asleep in the chair, while Brinley couldn't fall asleep. Of course I ran back downstairs to get my phone for a picture before Ashlyn woke up. 

I realized I didn't have a good picture of Claire so I snapped one real quick. 

I love my cute girls! I am the luckiest guy in the world. Sometimes I think we are so crazy for having kids so close together but I really do love the fun moments and the memories that we are creating! There is nothing more important to me than them!