Camping over Labor Day weekend

We love going to "the property" as we call it, and camp. Jackson just loved playing outside and on the air mattresses in the tent. And we always have so much fun playing and working together. Plus, Parker just loves to see Jackson enjoying the outdoors like he does.

Bromley Family Reunion 2007

We had so much fun at Aspen Grove! It is a really fun family camp that is run by BYU alumni and students. The kids all had their own groups and we had quite a bit of family time, too. They did all of the cooking, had activities throughout the day, offered "daycare" for kids 0-2 years old, and even had guest speakers, a fireside, church meetings on Sunday, and a family talent show - where I thoroughly embarrassed myself, but we had a great time! I have SO many cute pictures from the reunion. I will try to narrow them down. I have them all on the snapfish.com album, so look there for the rest.

More Family Reunion Pictures...

Okay, I couldn't resist just a few more... there are SO many!

Road Trip!!!

Jackson & I decided to take a road trip this summer and hit some family reunions. We couldn't afford to fly, so this was our only option. And to cut down on costs and make it more fun (and safe), Maddie & Tiffany came with us. Jackson and I loaded up the day before to spend some time with Grandma & Grandpa Ussery in Portland. The next morning, we picked up Maddie & Tiffany at the train station and continued on our way. (They took the Amtrak train from Seattle to Portland.) We drove straight through from Portland to the bay area in California. We were there for a couple of days to help celebrate our Grandparents' 50th wedding anniversary. Being a single parent is tough! I'm glad Tiffany and I were together to help each other, especially in the car when the babies needed something and I was driving - she was the designated "get the babies whatever they want" go-to person and I did all of the driving. There were times when one of us needed to use the restroom... again, very handy to have an extra person to help out. And then the art of taking a shower when you have not coordinated with your child's nap... SO nice to be able to trade off with each others' kids.

Our car was packed, but the kids mostly slept at the same time (a HUGE blessing!) and did EXTREMELY well in the car. From the bay area, we travelled 2 1/2 hours to our Aunt Lisa's house in the Sacramento area, in an attempt to get some of the long drive the next day to Salt Lake City out of the way. We were so glad that we did because it was a very long & boring drive through the Nevada desert! We only stopped for gas and used those stops to change the babies & grab some snacks to keep us going.

We made pretty good time and the kids were SO good! I think all 4 of us were glad to finally be there and unload and relax a little. We stayed with the Jones family and their 6 kids spoiled ours. Then we went to our Aunt Karen's house and stayed there for a few days until our Bromley/Pugmire family reunion started at Aspen Grove Family Camp, just outside of Provo - by Sundance. We had such a great time! The kids loved playing with Natalie (Karen's little girl) and all of the other cousins at the reunion. By the time we were ready to drive back to La Grande, I was about done being a single parent. We had been gone for a VERY long time! Luckily, Parker did get to fly in for a weekend and spend a little time with us at the beginning of the reunion. We missed him and were ready to sleep in our own beds again!!

I'm posting a few pictures of our messy car. I can't say enough how good the kids were... we were such proud Moms!!

Visiting Daddy in Enterprise, OR

Parker was put up in a hotel in Enterprise (about 45 minutes from our house) and assigned to a project for their local NRCS field office. We were lucky enough to be able to spend a few days with him in between trips! For those who know some history, this is the Nez Perce Tribe's native land and Chief Joseph is buried here as well. The town of Joseph is so much fun. There are little shops and restaurants and cafes along the way. During Chief Joseph Days in the summer, it is packed... people make reservations up to a year in advance. At the top of Hwy 82 (which travels through all of these little towns) is Wallowa Lake. It was pretty low this year. Jackson and I didn't go quite that far... we just enjoyed the swimming pool at the hotel. Jackson LOVES to swim! He is a little fishy!! He looks like a frog when he kicks in the water, the way his legs go out and back in. It's pretty funny to watch him. And he thinks it's hilarious to splash Mommy & Daddy. It's been so much fun going trying some of the little restaurants and cafes here and spending so much time with Daddy.

A busy day!

It's been so hot! We are doing everything we can to stay cool and keep our electric bill down at the same time... it's quite a balancing act! Parker got Jackson dressed today. In my most humble opinion, this is such a typical "dad outfit". I wouldn't have combined the cowboy hat and boots (which aren't even close to fitting him yet - I bought them at a yard sale for $1 to put on a shelf in his room) with the little surfer shirt and shorts. But, Jackson didn't complain! Then, I went to put him down for a nap in "the cold room" and he managed to ditch his shorts and was playing/hiding/slightly stuck under the couch cover. He thought he was pretty amusing! He just kept giggling and giggling. Eventually, he did take a nap, but not until we all played for a while. Also, I tried to get a picture of his first little tooth popping through. Jackson hates anyone messing with him, including trying to see inside of his mouth. So, this was tough, but you can sort of see it on the bottom right, his left.

My Mommy's the Coolest

I was mixing Jackson's bottle and set him on the counter in front of me while I did it. He always grabs the utensils that are in the utensil canister. This time when I went to take him down, he grabbed about 3 of them and took them with him. So, I decided it wouldn't hurt anything to let him play with them.

Visitors!!

The Jones family stopped through from Seattle on their way back to Salt Lake City to see Jackson and say hello. We filled the house with kids and blankets that night, but everyone had a good time together! Jackson just loved all the attention!

Hey, it's my name!

Jackson & Daddy outside of Aunt Aubrey's wedding reception hall - Jackson School House!

Our Family

Some of the family pictures from the Family Reunion.

Jackson & Daddy

Jackson loves to ride on Daddy's shoulders! We had a lot of fun at the Winn Family Reunion (Parker's mom's side) in Burley, Idaho. Jackson was spoiled by Parker's cousins! And we got some really fun pictures, including family pictures - which I don't think turned out great, but that's okay.

Jackson & Mommy

I love being home all day with Jackson and not having to worry about school!!! He is so much more fun than my professors! I tried to take some pictures with the timer while Daddy was at work.

Blue-eyed Smiles

We love our little boy!! And he loves us!

Trying to stay cool

These pictures show exactly how hot it has been. The heat has been unbearable for Jackson & Mommy, who both prefer cooler weather. It was making Jackson sick and not want to eat or drink anything and giving Mommy terrible migraines. So, we finally got a window unit/air conditioner to try to stay cool. Since it's in the den, we call it "the cold room". Mommy & Jackson love it, Daddy thinks it's too cold. And since it's the coolest room in the house, Mommy just sets up a little bed for Jackson to sleep on while he naps. Of course, Puppy is always with him!

Playing in my room

Jackson loves to play in his room. Mommy wishes he would hurry up and crawl, rather than just rolling around the room, so that he could reach his toys all by himself. He's a little stubborn though... we're still trying to determine which of us this gene came from... I think it's a toss-up! Anyway, he loves this little toolbox that his Grandma Sharon bought for him before he was even born. It has colored shape blocks that fit into their respective holes in the toolbox. Each time you push one through, the box lights up and plays music. Jackson gets so excited when this happens!

Fourth of July!!!

Jackson's first 4th of July... we weren't sure what he would think of the fireworks. We were invited over to the home of some good friends to celebrate the holiday and watch the fireworks from the top of the hill (great view of the university from the deck in their backyard). However, the sun took forever to completely set, which meant that the fireworks show was later than they had expected. By the time they began, Jackson was exhausted. He was his normal happy, go-lucky self the entire night though! We took some fun pictures setting off our own firecrackers and fireworks, of the kids playing, and then of Jackson & Daddy's tired faces as we watched the fireworks at 11:00pm -- way past our bedtimes! Happy Fourth of July!!

House pics (inside)

We're definitely still putting things in their places, but making progress. We LOVE having so much space to move around and a yard of our own! All three of us love to be outside and so far, Spring has been wonderful. It is really beginning to warm up now, so we try to avoid the mid- to late-afternoon hours. Anyway, I thought I would post a few pictures for those who haven't been able to visit yet. (These are of the kitchen, dining room, & family room.) We love our home!