What Does the Fishy Say?

This is what happens when Daddy is home for the weekend.  Love it.

1st Birthday

Alta is 1 year old.  I can't believe it.  My baby has already lived on this earth for an entire year!  What?!!  Time really does fly, and I can't believe how much she has changed.  In so many ways I just want to stop everything, and stay here... right in this moment... FOREVER.  Luckily, there is just so much joy in watching her grow and change - that I feel lucky to get to be there for that too. 

At one year Alta:

Weighs:  24 lbs 2 oz

Height:  31 1/2 inches

Walks by holding on to things

Has two teeth (bottom front)

Drinks from her own sippy cup

Says Dada constantly, and Momma if she is in complete desperation

Says Alta

Says "Doh" for No

Says "Deh" for Yes

LOVES to hit Mommy in the face (not my favorite developmental milestone)

Will pick peas out of any meal - just to eat them first

Is still very much a Daddy's girl

Here are some pictures from her first Birthday Cake:

As you can see, she loves it!

You can see her little tooth on the bottom.  So cute!

Eating is great - but sometimes, it just tuckers her out. 

If you would like to see the full video of her eating her cake, check this out, oh and this !

For Veterans Day weekend we took a trip up to the North Carolina Zoo.  It was a massive Zoo, with huge habitats.  Great for the animals.... not so great for a one year old to be able to really pick the animals out.  Nevertheless, we had a great time. 

1st carousel ride:

Who doesn't feel like "cracking up" sometimes?

Lovin' her chubby cheeks...

Alta's found her favorite animal!  She loves Elephants (just like her Mommy!)



Alta, it has been an incredible honor to be your mother this year.  I am so grateful that the Lord chose to send you to us.  I am happier than I've ever been, and it has everything to do with watching you grow up.  I love you, and can't wait for this next year.  But please, stop hitting Mommy in the face. 

Goodbye Ft. Rucker, Hello Ft. Bragg!

Warning: Long post. But seriously, what did you expect?

Well, so much has happened since I was last able to write. We left Ft. Rucker, saying goodbye to Alabama...

And goodbye to all of our great friends! (Dang I miss these girls, and my running time like crazy!)

We drove from Alabama to Florida, to see my cousin Theresa's wedding. Unfortunately, I didn't get many pictures (of my own) from that wedding. We were having problems with remembering to charge the batteries! Oops. But here is one with my Aunt Lynne. It was so great to see her!

From Florida, we drove up to North Carolina. Let me say this - Road trips are so much more challenging now. Planning food, milk, more food, diaper changes... all of it - a little taxing for my seemingly slower brain functioning. I honestly swear that I am getting dumber as the days go by. Here is a cute shot of Alta eating spaghetti while Daddy fills up the gas!

Eventually we made it to North Carolina, and spent the next few weeks living in a hotel on base. I did not take pictures, because I have no desire to remember this very dark time in my life. Hotel living is not for me. Especially not with a kiddo.

Eventually that ended, and we moved into our 1st home! I am so excited and feel so blessed to be living in a new home. I never thought that we would be able to do this. I honestly thought I might buy a home when we are out of the Army, and still not a new one. Well as it turns out, in order to live on-post (like we did in Alabama), we would have a year wait to get into the housing. So we looked at renting options. Turns out, everyone here knows exactly what the Army pays it's soldiers for housing, so they charge exactly that. Then you still have to figure out the utilities. So - it wasn't going to be cheap. Reluctantly we began looking at how much it would cost us to buy a home. You can't imagine my surprise to find out that it was our cheapest option. Like, save several hundred dollars a month cheap. And... it's ours? Wow.

For those of you in Utah... you will understand when I say that we couldn't live in Magna for the price that we bought this home. Home prices are low, so are the interest rates... to say we got a good deal... well ... I'm getting repetitive aren't I? Anyhow, the Lord has blessed us yet again, and here is our new home!

From the entryway... here is what you see when you walk in:

Here is our living room, I am standing in the dinning room:

Here is a shot from the living room, into the dinning room:

This is our kitchen:

You go upstairs, and then there are 4 bedrooms. Here is the master bedroom. You can see the opening to the master closet. (Walk in! Yes!!!)

There are 2 bedrooms that look the same... One for Alta, and one for the baby that is on the way! (Wait, you didn't know? That's right! I'm pregnant! I'm due April 27th!!) The third bedroom will be my craft room / office. I love it.

Here is Alta roaming around "her house." I say this because she thinks it's hers. She literally pushed me out of her room that she was playing in the other day - like... "you go back into the kitchen... you can have that... this is my room!" Anyhow, pretty funny.

Here she is helping Daddy sort through his Army gear so that he could be ready for his first day.

Which is a pretty good time to mention that Jaren is now going to be a Med-evac pilot. He's pretty excited about this. So am I! To those who don't know what that is... picture Lifelight - only Army style.

I couldn't resist throwing in this picture of Alta eating spaghetti again. Apparently she is a lot like me in this regard. We both LOVE spaghetti. And she really likes wearing it too.

Skip to Halloween. Alta was Thumbalina. I didn't have time to sew her anything... so next year... watch out. But she enjoyed playing dress up all the same. We didn't go trick-or-treating, because honestly, I think it's a little bizarre to take around your kid who can't eat candy, to basically get more candy for the adults... but apparently, I am alone in this thought process, because I watched all of my friends with kids the same age go out and do it. Next year, we are all in - because she will understand a bit more of what's going on, and it will be for her... this year... we just hung out and met trick or treaters.

A funny story: This is Alta getting ready for our first week at church. Well, our very first week, we actually went to the wrong ward. We tried, but ultimately the meetinghouse locater thing on the church website sent us to the wrong ward. (Don't worry, this didn't make me loose faith in the church!) Anyhow, after sacrament we went and met our new bishop for the right ward. He seemed super nice, and he loved Alta. The next Wednesday we get a phone call to to speak in church. For THAT SUNDAY. Yes, our first Sunday in the right ward. I guess that's one way to introduce yourselves. Ha! Anyhow, it turned out great, and the Lord must have known what he was doing, because since then I have met some really kind and friendly people.

One huge plus to this whole "living in North Carolina thing" is that we actually have a lot of stuff to do here! It is great! We have already been to 3 museums! Here we are at the museum of Natural Science.

And I had to put this one in, because Alta loves everything that her Daddy does. She LOVED the snakes. Jaren has always been a snake lover, and I'm sure I won't be able to stop them from getting another one someday. Although, I think I will make the rule, that Jaren has to be there to feed it. So no snakes until he can't be deployed.

Speaking of deployed. Yes it will happen. Yes he is going. Because of this, I am going to have to privatize the blog soon. I do not want personal family information available that could jeopardize him or any military operation. So I won't be posting that kind of stuff on here while it's not private. And even when it goes private - it will a bit vague. So if you want more details -

call me.

I am going to make an email list of people that want to read my blog. That way I will email you with updates, and you don't have to just wonder when I've posted. So if you want to continue to read my blog - let me know.

Time in Alabama is fast disappearing

You have to cram in so much when you know you are leaving. That's exactly what we have been doing out here in Alabama.

This past week we went to the Andersonville P.O.W. museum in Georgia. It was a humbling experience that put things into perspective with this little life I get to live, and all the great freedoms I enjoy. We are spoiled spoiled people.

Here's a brief explanation from this website:

Camp Sumter, commonly called Andersonville, was one of the largest military prisons established by the Confederacy during the Civil War. In existence for 14 months, over 45,000 Union soldiers were confined at the prison. Of these, almost 13,000 died from disease, poor sanitation, malnutrition, overcrowding, and exposure to the elements.

This is a picture of Alta showing her Daddy the prison walls...
what they would have looked like.

Alta among those that gave their lives for this country. 13,000 dead in 14 months. Unbelievable.

Along the way, Mommy had to touch an actual cotton plant. Because honestly, have you? Felt like it was something I just had to do in the South. And yes, we just pulled off the road, and I ran over to touch a plant.

On the way home from Andersonville, Jaren took our family on an impromptu tangent trip! We visited the Kolomoki Mounds. Here's a bit about them taken from this site:

This historically significant park is the oldest and largest Woodland Indian site in the southeastern U.S., occupied by American Indians from 350 to 750 A.D. Georgia’s oldest great temple mound, standing 57 feet high, dominates two smaller burial mounds and several ceremonial mounds.

Hmmm... this feels familiar. Perhaps some mound building culture of Indians I've read about somewhere.... Who knows. I will say this - the State park people definitely didn't have many answers. Most of their plaques made us laugh. "Here is a temple mound. It was excavated, and we didn't figure out much... and don't really know how it was made. Or where the dirt came from." (I may be misquoting... but I'm close)

Here are some more pictures from that area:

Love my little angel. Love her curly red hair. Aside from our fun trips, Alta has been busy. She is busy working on her music career. She loves singing, dancing, and working the room.

And she's getting better at this crawling thing. Mostly it's still a bunch of fussing. But when she REALLY wants something, she does it just fine. Ultimately, she'd just rather be standing (or dancing) (or singing).

Hello Summer!

Summer is flying by, and EVERYTHING is changing. Especially our little peanut! Just today she said her first intentional word: Dada. Of course, I've been telling you all along... she's a Daddy's girl!!! Honestly, it was so cute. She just kept saying Dada over and over and over. Tears ran down my cheeks as I realized that my little girl is growing up. She also figured out clapping two days ago. I am just amazed at each step along the way, and how truly exciting it is for Jaren and me. I know everyone feels this way about their kids - but it's finally MY turn... and well... I'm just in love.

Anyhow, this summer has been packed full. Here are some of our fun memories and pictures:

You have to start out with the BEACH! This time the water was warmer, and Alta loved it! Mommy loved the 10 hour shopping fest with Marci and Momma Brooks. Daddy did not really love the shopfest.

If we weren't at the beach, we were headed to the pool or cooling off with a bath. As you can see, we both can't get enough of the water in this Alabama heat.

There was a trip to Utah... and all of the old Party house roomies got together (well... not all of us... but a bunch of us). Here are some of our kids. I don't know about you, but I think we do nice work! Ps... I love that Alta is just so excited to be with all of these kids!

Also while in Utah, I got to go ride a couple of times with my brother and sister. We were training for Spudman this year. Although I didn't get to do it... I truly cherished the time I got to spend with my siblings. Scott is happy, because he beat my old time (by 3 minutes). Looks like I'll have to do it again soon to show him who's boss. Ha! Meg did a great job too, and I'm super proud of her!

We also got to take Alta hiking... at Alta. So beautiful.

As you can see, we both belong in the mountains.

I got to see my old team from DCFS (or at least a few of them). I miss working with them more than they will ever know. It was great to see them again, and to eat some yummy Thai food!


Back in 'Bama, Alta was learning to follow in her Daddy's footsteps. She's already mastered hovering. Look how confident she is!

Well, life continues to move quickly, and I'm just holding on for dear life. I'm grateful for my new little family, and for how much joy they bring to my life. Until next time, this is Brenna signing out.

Graduation

It's official. My husband is a Blackhawk pilot. In Army lingo, we say, he's a UH-60 Pilot, or he flies 60's. At any rate... he's done! Well... almost.

On Wednesday, we had family day. Jaren's mom (Janet) and sister (Marci) flew out from Utah to join us for this special occasion. Anyhow, we got to see what Jaren has been doing during his time here at Fort Rucker. We got to go play around in some Blackhawks, and actually see the difference between the Alpha (older) and Mike (newer) models. Jaren has been selected to fly the newer Mike Model - so that means that we will be sticking around in Alabama for another couple of months. We are excited for him to be able to fly the uber computerized cybertron known as the Mike model.... but Jaren is a little worried that he will become completely lazy as a pilot and totally forget how to fly (it basically does everything for you). And I think to myself, "Great, we've spent how long here for you to learn how to not fly?!!!"


Later that night we went to the simulators. He got to show off some more, while the rest of us came to the realization that there are basically endless ways to die in a helicopter. Good, that should be comforting as I prepare for future deployments! Really, I am just completely in awe of my husband. He can fly a metal box in the sky! Oh what? Your husband teaches the blind to read? Well that's boring, isn't it? .... I apologize if your husband actually does teach the blind to read... but not really... because my husband is even cooler than yours.

On Thursday, he graduated flight school. It was surreal. A lot like your own High School / College graduation, only much shorter... and way more formations, turns, and creeds going on. But basically that same sense of nostalgia was present.... letting you know that this was a big moment. Even if the whole world didn't know it.

After his graduation, I Grad-U-Mated. They had a luncheon which celebrated the spouses and supporters of the graduates. I was pinned with "wings" and given a Diploma for a degree in Master of Aviation Support. Jaren totally surprised me with my "wings". It was a cute necklace that he bought all on his own. Good job Jar!

And so we are officially done. Yet not...

Life lesson? I think so. Also sounds a lot like the Army.

Alta, meet your Great Grandma!

My wonderful father recently flew out to Alabama, just so that we could drive the 10 1/2 hours to Arkansas to see my Grandma. Don't I have a great Dad? I do!
I am so thankful for the car rides there and back. #1 - Alta is a rockstar. She only needed to stop one time (other than the pre-planned stops) along the way. She just patiently played in her carseat, slept, and cooed like a gremlin. #2 - I got 20 hours of talking to my Dad. Just us. No distractions... no one else to interrupt us... just us! After about the first 2 hours we figured out that WE actually had to do the talking - it was funny. I feel like we really got to know each other. Why is it that we really don't know our family the way we do our friends? This trip was such a blessing. I will never forget it.

Anyhow, when we got to Arkansas, Grandma was waiting for us. This is her first time meeting Alta.

Alta immediately loved her Great Grandma. She was so happy to be with her. And knew that we were gonna have a good time.

Well enough about meeting your Great Grandma... Foods ready!!! Cornbread, Fried Corn, Taters, Peas, Slaw... you know... the usual. Top it all of with some Pecan Pie... "Well, I'm sorry that I just don't really cook anymore", says Grandma.

So the week was filled with a lot of EATING.

Good doesn't even begin to describe it. Grandma could make you want to eat if you were anorexic.

On Thursday Meghan and Anna joined us. She flew in from Salt Lake. We were lucky enough to be able to go on some runs together. She is amazing, and I love her so much. It was fun to be able to go running with her. We basically have the same stride, the same competitive nature, and the same love of nature. To say that we make good running partners is an understatement. I wish I could have her close by for every workout.

We hit up decoration day again. We celebrated and honored our family at the Shockey Cemetery. I got to see everyone from last year, and it was nice to feel a part of a big family again. I adore my cousins, Aunts, and Uncles. It's weird when you get to be around your family that your never around. You kinda look like each other, have similar mannerisms, and yet - you haven't been hanging out your whole life.... but still - you just fit. Alta remained the center of attention, bath time being no exception. Aunt Helen bought her some rubber duckies, and she really really liked them. Especially this one... which as you can see, she likes to eat with no hands. My Dad sent a picture off to Jaren similar to this one. His response? "Well it's not real meat - but it's a start." One thing about Grandma, she loves Dominoes. It's just not Grandma's if your not playing. Each night (usually after Alta went to bed), the games would begin. Now, Grandma is not your docile, "I'll let you win" type. She is competitive (Hmmmm... I wonder where this comes from), smartypants that will tell you when you haven't been paying attention to the "clicks". I thoroughly enjoyed playing, and won a couple of times too. Alta of course thought it was awesome when she got to play with me. I let her mix for me. Here's a picture of me wrestling with Meg. Apparently she doesn't know what a real threat I am. Anyhow, it was a great trip. I am so lucky to have the family that I do. Here's a final picture of my cute Grandma and my Grandpa (who I miss SO so much!)

I will be heading back up this Thursday so that Jaren can hang out with the family too. We have to take advantage of being so close while we can.