Dillon's Birthday Video

Dillon's 5th Birthday

This past Thursday was Dillon's 5th birthday. It's hard to believe that five years ago our lives changed forever. Grandma Sharon, Papa, and Granny Barbara came up to visit the morning of the 9th.

On Friday all of us, except for Brenna, went to Yosemite for the day. Dillon was excited when we saw the deer behind him.

It may be hard to tell from this picture, but the falls were amazing. Thanks to all the snowfall this winter and the warm weather last week, Yosemite falls was breathtaking.

On Saturday we had Dillon's birthday party at the park. Of course Grandma Sharon had to make a special cake for Dillon. He was having a super hero themed party so he picked a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle as his cake.

There was also a pinata at the party thanks to Uncle James and Aunt Michelle.

Dillon's pals from pre-school and church helped to sing happy birthday to him. Notice the awesome Spiderman cupcakes, another Grandma Sharon special.

Uncle James also provided all the kids with a Soccer Shots shirt and ball. Thank you to all who came to the party, sent presents, and/or wished Dillon a happy birthday.

Call Me Sis Pie, Not Cow Pie

It's amazing how much different girls are from boys. At 15 months, Dillon and Connor only wanted to play with tractors and cars. But Brenna loves walking around with her stuffed animals. Her favorite is the cow below.

She loves calling her cow "Baby" and randomly walks up to it to give it a hug.

Now that the weather is nice we got a chance to dress her in the cow dress that Aunt Terri got for Brenna. I might be a bit biased but I think she looks udder-ly moo-velous in it.

Brenna's hair in the last few months has really started to grow. She still has a bit of a baby mullet, but the top and sides are finally are adding volume.

Table Topper

Last week Brenna learned a new trick, much to her parents dismay. She was playing by her high chair and when I looked up, she was up on the kitchen table playing with the salt and pepper shakers. I think Dillon and Connor taught her how to climb.

Play Ball

Thanks to the Evans for my awesome birthday jersey. Now I will have something to wear when I go to AT&T Park to watch the Dodgers beat the Giants. Go Blue!

Disneyland Trip 2011

Back in April of 2009 I vowed we would never return to Disneyland with children under the age of three. Last week, after much prodding from my parents, I broke that promise.

Even though the weather wasn't the best, we encountered rain on two of the four days in the park, we had a great time. Dillon had a blast and was tall enough to go on Space Mountain and the Tower of Terror with me. (He didn't enjoy either one.) Connor liked all the characters as long as he could view them from afar. (We did manage to get him close enough for pictures.) Brenna was mesmerized by A Small World. Christina and I relished every moment we could sit down.

All three kids enjoyed spending time with Papa, Grandma Sharon, Uncle Larry, and all five of the Morgans. It was also nice to have a 1:1 adult to child ratio. However, I am declaring once again, we are not going back to Disneyland until after Brenna has turned four. Until that time, the kids can relive their trip with the video below.

One Year Stats

Brenna had her one year old check up this week. She continues to be off the charts for her height and is in the 95th percentile for her weight. Below are her stats along with the boys at the same age:

Brenna: 32 3/4 inches and 26 pounds 5 ounces

Connor: 35 1/2 inches and 25 pounds 10 ounces (Note: Connor was 3 months late for his one year old checkup)

Dillon: 31 inches and 22 pounds 8 ounces

Ride 'Em, Cowboy

Tonight, Connor came out of his room self-dressed as a cowboy, riding Bullseye, and saying, "Giddy up. Giddy up." He sure knows how to make me smile.

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Now playing: Brooks & Dunn - Boot Scootin' Boogie
via FoxyTunes

Brenna's 1st Birthday Party

On Saturday, family gathered in celebration of Brenna's first birthday. Not everyone was able to join us due to sickness but we had a good time nonetheless. Below are pictures:

Brenna was greeted by a hand-made poster and a lot of hugs and kisses from the family.

Following the family tradition, Grandma Sharon made Brenna her own cake. The pink Care Bear was made with love and a few hours of arthritis inducing icing of the cake.

All that hard work of putting together the cake didn't stop Brenna from diving right in. As soon as Christina let go of her hand, she reached straight for that icing.

I could tell you she liked it, but the picture speaks volumes.

Once all the pictures were taken, the boys were allowed to help Brenna eat the cake...

...along with Otis.

Present opening was next. Of course, she got more toys and clothes than a one year should have gotten.

Daddy loves his birthday girl. It's hard to believe our little girl turned one and we can't wait to see what the next year will bring for her.

Happy Birthday Brenna

A year ago we welcomed the sweetest baby girl into our family. Now she is running it. Happy birthday Sis Pie!

For Uncle Jason

It didn't turn out in the picture due to the white lettering on a pink sweatshirt, but Brenna is also wearing Dodger gear.


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Now playing: U2 - Sweetest Thing
via FoxyTunes

Just Brenna

Our sweet little girl is about to turn one in a few weeks. To honor that, here are a few pictures of her.

Her hair has grown enough for Christina to put a pigtail or two in. Christina has begun to have fun dressing Brenna up in cute outfits, putting in pigtails and taking her out on the town.

She loves showing off the new hairdo. Brenna has also become quite the walker. She has decided she wants to keep up with her brothers and chases around after them in that cute just-beginning-to-walk way.

Don't let the cute smile and new pigtails fool you. Brenna can still be ornery to her brothers, constantly try to tip over Otis' water bowl, pull trash out of the bag, grab every remote in the house, and push any electronic button within her reach. But none of us would trade our little Sis Pie for anything else.


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Now playing: Dave Matthews Band - Dreamgirl
via FoxyTunes

Christmas 2010 Highlights

This year's Christmas was up and down. The lowlights included: an accident in Oklahoma kept my aunt and uncle from making the trip to Shafter, a death in our extended family, flooding at my parents house, and the Browns moving from California to Oklahoma.

But these things did not keep us from enjoying our time with the family. The highlights included:

Brenna napping with her Papa.

Brenna enjoying her first Christmas. Like the boys before her, she was more interested in the paper and boxes then the gifts themselves.

Connor finally understanding the idea of getting gifts. He was able to remember what people gave him and got excited each time we were opening presents.

Dillon getting an enormous amount of Legos. On top of what he got as gifts, I was able to find my old Legos that were being stored at my parents' house which will add to his massive collection.

Santa's little helper not wearing her Santa hat that went with her Christmas dress.

Jason really liking his Robin shirt Christina got him. So much so that he made Jonathan wear his Batman shirt so he could take this picture.

Uncle Larry giving me this Lakers warmup jacket. I know it pains him (as a Suns fan) to have to buy anything Lakers but he was a good sport about it.

On a side note, I don't have any pictures from Christmas with the Cummings because I left my camera at home and have not gotten the pictures taken with Michelle's camera. I will be posting those highlights after the first of the year.

Merry Christmas

Sneak Preview

Here is an early look at a present that Dillon, Connor, and Brenna are giving to their cousins Taylor, Kaleb, and Bradley.