canning

This last week I have attempted to can tomatoes. My fondest memory of the seasons changing from summer to fall are of my mother spending days canning tomatoes. I have never participated and have watched her year after year. However, this year my mom is just too busy with life and so I thought I would attempt canning some tomatoes. What I discovered is it is A LOT of work. I had no idea what I was getting myself into. Of course no one was around to capture me canning but I did get some pictures/video of my little one distracting me.

Brielle was really interested in what I was doing. I needed both hands so I tried to put her in the high chair for awhile so she can eat and watch at the same time. My theory worked for awhile but then she was done with the high chair.

This is my first batch of tomatoes. Watch Brielle being such a great helper.

I had to find different things for Brielle so I could keep working and she wasn't bored.

Near the end of the canning day I had to stop and cook dinner. I guess she wasn't going to wait for dinner. A box tasted better.

Water Babies

Brielle has been taking a water babies class for the last 3 weeks. We are approaching the end of the class and she has learned so much. She LOVES the water and has such a good time. The water is cold and she gets very tired. In fact, I bring everything for a shower and bedtime because she falls asleep on the way home and sleeps through the night. We sure have had a good time.

At the begginning of class we do motor boats. It's to help them try to kick. Sometimes she does it and other times she does not.

Depending on her mood she either enjoys her back or starts to cry.

Here the instructor is helping Brielle practice her kicking.

This is a video of me dunking Brielle down in the water.

Her facial expresssion after being dunked under water

Brielle just freezes when I put her on the edge.

Brielle and I practicing her underwater skills.

I love it when the instructor takes Brielle and has her swim to me.

Brielle hangs onto the edge all by herself. She is so strong.

Near the end of class she gets cold and tired. She become my little cuddle bug.

9 months old

Brielle enjoys exploring EVERYTHING

This is a tire of one of the airplanes that was displayed at the Reno Air Show-her hands were black by the time she was done playing with it.

Brielle is my little climber. She will attempt to climb and reach for anything.

My brother came and took some pictures of her. Here are a few a like of her feet

Her complextion has such a soft tone to it and is so perfect!

THE MANY FACIAL EXPRESSIONS OF BRIELLE

THE BIG GRINS SHE LOVES TO SHARE

Things she can do:

-Take 8 steps

-pull off all the books off the book shelve

-She is fascinated with books. She can sit there for over 30 mintues playing a book

-clap

-kick the soccer ball with someone holding her hands

-turn certain toys on and off with the sliding switch

-EAT a ton! In one sitting a whole bannana, 2-3 slices of canalope, a bowl of yogurt cereal, some of Dad's cereal and a cereal bar. I can't keep up.

-sleep through the night without waking up..finally!

-go under water

-kick under water

-blow raspberries

-wave goodbye

-climb up the little tikes (on the cube toy she stands on the edge, raises her knee up and pulls herself up)

-started sticking out her tongue again-it's really cute

THINGS SHE ENJOYS:

-Balloons

-Her little tikes toys

Reno Air Races

Saturday we went to the Reno Air Races. I can't tell you how many times I have gone-it's a family tradition (thanks to Grandpa Hicks). This year was fun because so many of us were able to go. We had Brian, Crystal, Erin, Grandpa, Brielle, Matt and I. What a group! Grandpa is always so generous and pays for everyone to go. I can't lie, I wasn't sure how the day was going to go with Brielle. We packed her diaper bag full of toys and food and gave it a shot. She shocked me. She loved it! We sat through the whole day watching all the races. She would track the airplanes and the louder it got, the happier she was. She would pipe right in and start talking. She did get tired and did manage to get 2 lousy naps in. However, she was a trooper. She never cried, and the more tired so got, the happier she became. Brielle stole the hearts of many of the service men(either Navy, Marines, or Army)We were lucky enough to have a fore casted morning and early afternoon. It did get fairly warm once the sun came out but I was so grateful we didn't have the sun betting down on us all day. I do believe everyone enjoyed themselves and I am SO happy we went and played all day. On Sunday Matt took Grandpa out to watch the final race. He called me and told me he was sitting 50 yards away from the runway. I am very jealous but someone had to stay home because the baby needed one good nap this weekend. Thanks grandpa for the wonderful day yesterday.

Opening ceremonies

This plane stops on the runway, backs up and turns around. It's amazing to watch.

Brielle watching the fun

Grandpa is right in his element

Who do you think is faster the plane or the race car??

Brielle enjoying the race with Uncle Brian.

Picture perfect ending

Brielle was becoming a little tired

Brielle cuddling with Auntie Erin

Are there 1 or 2 planes??

The Blue Angels

I love when they put on their smoke and they separate

Brielle finally crashed

Rare Bear got a nice new paint job-it looks sharp

Voodoo's average speed was 500 mph the first 3 laps

Brielle is wearing one of the oxygen mask that the navy men put on her face.

Erin and Brielle at the bottom while Brian was at the top of the plane taking a picture.