What shall we do?!

Ashton had a fun weekend camping! They went to San Diego and Coronado Island. They visited the Mormon Battalion. They rode on a Trolley that felt like a roller coaster and Aunt Briana lost her hat! :) Ashton told us all about every detail when he got home, took about 30 minutes. :) LOVED hearing ALL about it! :)

Ashton got an early birthday present from grammy...much needed.

BEFORE...

 Uncle Norris came over to help put it together. :) Thanks Uncle Norris! You're the best!

 Ashton was his BIG helper!

 AFTER...

In the midst of all of this excitement our air conditioner broke. We flipped the braker and the air lasted in the blasted heat for the night and then by the next morning it was done, no more air conditioner. We called my dad, he had his guy come over and he said..."need a new one!" (in so many words) :0 Was going to come back to install the next day. What were we to do all day, couldn't stay in our house, we would bake for sure! So, we went to the beach. We left at about 1:00 and got there about 2:00. We played at the beach for several hours. I even went boogie boarding with Sierra. So much fun! Then we left the beach and went to Duke's for dinner. After dinner we drove home about 7:00. We showered (took cold showers) in our 90 degree house. Put on jammies and had a sleepover at Terry and Janelle's. We came home the next morning cuz they were going to install our new precious air conditioner and Ashton had a karate lesson but his Sensai had car trouble and didn't show. Take advantage of cold air until it's not there anymore. SO grateful for air conditioner!!! What a fun day and evening at the beach though!
Ashton got to give his talk in Primary last Sunday! He had practiced a ton so it would help with his nerves. He was SO cute! His talk was on Honesty. He was shaking and his voice was quivering when he first stood up there. I could tell he was nervous. He asked me later, "mom, I was shaking. Could you see I was shaking?" I told him I could but it was because I am his mom. I don't think anyone else knew he was nervous.
We had dinner at my dad's last Sunday cuz it was my dad's birthday! Happy Birthday Dad! xoxo
Trina took pictures of our family too. Can't wait to see them.
Briana announced that they are having another baby...Trina announced too! :)
Sierra made cupcakes, delicious cupcakes for the Bartley Open House last night.
Sierra also got to shave her legs for the first time last night. WHOA! Going into 6th grade. Was going to have to wait until she is 12 (she's 11 1/2) but people would say stuff to her about her hairy legs, I'm sick of the drama. She has to shave her armpits anyways. Want to make her as comfortable as possible to start a new school year.
And...we don't start for another week! :) What are we going to do?!

Look who's here...

Lucy Mae has arrived! 7 lbs. 10oz. Congrats to Sophi and Rich!
We got the text at 2:38am from Sophi that her water broke and they were going to the hospital. I woke up Sierra and we headed down too. So we got to the hospital about 3am...and then we would go back and forth to see Sophi and then just hang out in the waiting room because they wouldn't let us all in her tiny triage room.

Brenna, Sierra, Rich's sister Trisha, and Rich's mom CharleneHer Dr. had told her that she could have whoever she wanted in the room however the hospital would only allow her to have 4 people. Well, there were 8 of us...so Sierra and I didn't make the cut this time. Sophi was sad, I was sad, Sierra was sad, there were some tears...still fun to be there and be able to see her right after she was born.

Love you sweet baby Lucy!!!

New arrival...

Luke Harris Mendenhall! 7lbs. 10oz. Such a cutie!!!! Will post a picture soon.

weekend

Yesterday Jake and I drove us, Aunt Leanne and Travis to Newport to attend Jake's cousin, Torrie's, sealing in the Newport Temple. Afterward we took a few photos and then found a Mexican Restaurant that was so so delish, so authentic and so delicious. Then we headed home to get our kids from the G. family. Sophi watched them in the morning and then took them to the G. family to watch them until we got home, she had a birthday party to go to. THANKYOU!!!
Update on baby Corbin. Brett and Briana were going to take him home yesterday but he is not ready. Needs more antibiotics. Briana said he is a strong boy and such a sweet boy! Gets to come home on Tuesday. Prayers are with them all!
Today Travis and Miriam blessed Melanie Esther. We are grateful to be a part. What a sweet baby she is and I love giving her big squeezes. :)
grandpa brought magnets home from Hawaii for the kids


she does not watch Glee

and Corbin James is his name...

Update from Brett...he's doing better today.

Inspiring!

Last night my mom called at about 9:45pm and told us Briana was in labor and we needed to get ready and come. I left about 10:50pm to get Sophi and our Grannie and we headed down. We dropped Grannie to be with boys and then we headed with mom over to the hospital. We got there about 1:15am, my sister is truly inspiring! She is so strong and so determined. She has now had 3 babies totally drug free. She was totally in control and made it seem doable, made it seem easy. She is A.MA.ZING! Brett was so sweet with her too! He was right there the whole time holding her, leaning over her, talking to her, helping her breathe, helping her focus, feeding her ice chips, showing her a picture of Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane. The whole experience being there with Brett and Briana, mom and Sophi was emotional and beautiful and I'm grateful I was able to be a part. She delivered at 3:19am. A BABY BOY!

8 lbs. 11oz 21 in.
A big strong boy!
He is a meconium baby. They put him up on Briana's tummy for a few seconds after delivery and he was looking at her. What a sweet moment! Then they rushed him off to the bed and worked on him. They had a tube down his throat sucking out poopy from his belly. Then he started crying, another great moment!
Briana had said after she delivered, "it's Pioneer Day, I had to do it natural! They had their babies in wagons." and then mom said, "and in the dirt!"
Then they took him to the NICU. After further tests they determined that he has a bacterial infection and fluid in his lungs. They want to keep him for a week.
We went back to Brett and Briana's about 4:30am and got lost so we finally got there about 4:45 and in bed at about 5:00am. We got a few hours of sleep and I woke up to my mom telling Nixon and Rossi that there baby was a baby boy and I heard Nixon say, "3 brothers!"
We got to take the boys to the hospital to see their mommy and new baby brother.

Nixon was concerned and had a lot of questions. He is such a sweet boy!
We had the privelege of watching Brett through the glass give his baby a blessing, his brother James was there assisting him. Another sweet moment! James said Brett gave him a beautiful blessing.
Brett and Briana are such GREAT parents! I love them dearly! Congratulations to a beautiful family!

A YAY DAY!

This morning the kids had a dentist appointment. It was Ashton's first time! He did so so great! He was so brave. I had to be back there with him but he just did whatever he was asked to do. Sierra got an 88% score on brushing and Ashton 83 1/2%. You have to get an 83% to get a special prize out of the special cupboard. So they got so many prizes, one out of the drawer and one out of the cupboard and a balloon, they were thrilled!
The best part is that they both had NO cavities! and look how sparkly white their teeth are! :)

and then tonight we finally got to meet our newest niece, Melanie! She is so beautiful and so perfect. We enjoyed every minute of holding this sweet baby!

news...

Melanie Esther Young is 7lbs. 13oz and 19 in. long. Mommy and baby are doing great!

New arrival...

Last night at 11:15 we got a text from Travis. Melanie Esther Young arrived at 10:57pm. Don't know any other details but they will come and pictures will too! Congratulations Travis and Miriam.

News from Tori...Newest Addition!

"8 lbs 2 oz; 22". No name yet. Everyone healthy. She was born at 12:01 this morning by C-section after Jenny labored for 15 hours. She is a beautiful baby with lots of hair and a very coned little head."
She is beautiful! Congrats to Rod and Jenny!

A GREAT DAY!

Drove carpool. Babysat today and it went great! Took Ashton to school. Stayed at home and played and gave Jordan a nap. Then, I strapped the boys into my double jogger stroller and put Ashton's scooter on top and his helmet underneath and we walked to school to pick him up. We got there a half hour early so Blake could play at the park. Got Ashton. Played basketball at the basketball court, he has been dying to do that. He actually made 2 baskets. We walked home while Ashton scootered. Put Blake down for a nap and Jordan went down shortly after. Played catch with Ashton and watched Spongebob, snoozed a little on the couch too. Carly came home with Sierra. Boy's left. Took Carly home and headed to...

Vincenzo's for this big guy's birthday party! Uncle Blake turned 21! :)

We love it when someone has a birthday! An excuse to party! :)

We then headed over to Aunt Sophi's to meet this sweet little guy. Meet Leo, their new kitty.We all enjoyed him. He is the sweetest thing. Just purrs and purrs, didn't hear one meow.
AND...introducing the newest addition to the Brown family...Rachel Anne

7 lbs 5 oz; 19 1/2" long; born today, May 12th

This is my step-brother, Ryker and his wife, Christa. We just love this sweet family! Congratulations!

WHAT A GREAT DAY!