BOOBS

Dear Brooklyn,

Today you took two balls and stuck them in your shirt and said "Boobs!"

Oh boy, don't let your dad see you do that.

This is what we get for having someone who actually has boobs come live with us.

But it was sort of funny.

Sincerely, Lori

CHRISTINA'S GEOCACHING BIRTHDAY WEEKEND

Dear Christina,

We spent two days camping in Yellowstone and Geocaching.

We went even though everyone was convinced we were crazy to go camping in Yellowstone in a tent. Kurt's grandma even bought us bear spray to take with us. Such worry warts.

On our way there we past a sign that read "rodeo tonight" so we flipped a u-turn and spent the next couple hours battling the rain and wind and watching cowboys getting throw around.

You even participated in a little dance-off. Which you should have won and would have if half the audience wasn't related to that little boy.

The next day we geocached our butts off, seeing a ton of the park while we were at it.

We stopped for lunch at a amazing spot in the river that was down stream from where a hot spring flowed into it.

Later that night we went to our campgrounds campfire where we learned about the history of fire in the park. It was super interesting.

Then fajitas, smores, and singing happy birthday into the night.

The next day we woke up, ate breakfast burritos and we were off for more geocaching.

On the way to Old Faithful, we saw a crowd on the side of the road and we knew what that meant: more wildlife. It was a grizzly bear and we were hooked. I don't know what it is about wildlife in Yellowstone but I can't get enough of it. We saw two bears, four coyotes, and a bunch of buffalo and elk.

The trip was amazing.

Happy birthday!!!

I love you.

Sincerely, Lori

WATERMELON BALL

Dear Kurt,

Tonight we crashed Christina's Ward Activity so we could find out what all this watermelon ball stuff was about.

And let me tell you, I think I found my new calling in life!

It was one of the most fun things ever!

I'm sure tomorrow I will black and blue (I can already see the bruises forming) but it was worth it!

I wish we would have found out about this earlier this summer since Ammon pool will be closer soon.

For now, I will go to bed and dream about putting men twice my size in choke holds and elbowing and kicking my way into a mob of angry hands just to get a hold of that dang watermelon ball.

Good times. Very, very good times.

Sincerely, Lori

TO MY DADDY

Dear Dad,

Happy Birthday!

I miss being able to celebrate our birthdays together.

But since we are hundreds of miles apart (and both with sick spouses) I will try to make the best of my day and you do the same, okay?

I love you so much, daddy.

Here's to another amazing year!

Sincerely, Lori

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

Dear Self,

Happy Birthday.

But since Kurt is home sick so we had to un-invite my bestie over and we cancelled making awesome cake balls and I had to run errands while Kurt slept on the couch.... I decided to postpone my birthday.

Which means I get to do birthday lunch and birthday shopping all over again on Thursday! Woo hoo!

I might even re-wrap all my presents just to make the whole thing official.

But since technically you are a quarter of a century old today I will say Happy Birthday!!

Sincerely, Me Myself and I

ANNUAL MACK'S INN PLAYHOUSE TRIP

Dear Kurt,

WHO: You, me, Brooklyn, Christina, and your family.

WHAT: Feeding the giant fish and seeing the play "Home School Musical"

WHERE: Island Park and Mack's Inn Playhouse

WHEN: Last night.

WHY: Because we like to laugh until our cheeks hurt and we almost pee our pants.

I can't wait till next year!

sincerely, Lori

SHOTS

Dear Brooklyn,

Today you got your two year shots.

You were super tough.

The nurses were so amazed at how tough you were!

You only cried for about ten seconds after the second shot.

And then you were so happy about your bandaid.

Your bandaid that ended up in your hair after your nap.

Your bandaid that you refused to let me throw away.

It's a good thing doctors have sparkly bandaids.

Well, good job today. You are so brave and amaze me everyday.

I love you.

Sincerely, Lori

REXBURG RAPIDS

Dear Brooklyn,

When we went to Rexburg Rapids today I wasn't expecting much because you usually hate getting splashed.

But after the first ten minutes you loved it!

It was so much fun. We went around and around the lazy river. We played in the kids splash area. I taught you how to jump into the pool. I would throw you up and catch you over and over again.

I'm beginning to have hope that you will grow up to love the water like your mom.

Sincerely, Lori

FOUR YEARS AGO TODAY

Dear Kurt,

Four years ago today

you got down on one knee

and asked me to marry you.

And the rest is history.

Sincerely, Lori

A BABY, PLEASE

BROOKLYN - FIVE DAYS OLD

Dear Kurt,

I want a baby.

Do you think someone would drop

one off on our doorstep?

Sincerely, Lori

MAMA BEAR

Dear Kurt,

I'm sorry for screaming at you to not touch Brooklyn this evening.

I feel bad and I know I over reacted.

I swear it was like I turned into a mama bear for a second.

I was mad because Brooklyn needed a diaper change and I was trying to get some stuff done before we had to leave and you were refusing to change the diaper and so I was like fine I'll do it! but then she smashed her head on the dresser when she started throwing a fit about getting her diaper changed and then you came in the room to get mad at her for throwing a fit but I could tell she was really hurt and upset so I screamed at you to not take her....

Then I was even more mad because the diaper change turned into that plus washing poop out of her brand new white dress and bloomers and giving her a bath and smothering her bum with diaper rash cream and getting her ready to leave.

All the while you were trying to stay away from Hurricane Lori so you were in the kitchen.

And I wasn't able to get anything done I wanted to before we had to leave.

And then we did the whole "silent fighting" all the way to your parents and through dinner.

Then we talked it out but just so you know I still feel bad and I love you so much!

Sincerely, Lori

p.s. should we count the and's in this letter? I guess my fingers don't believe in coma's or periods today.

CAMPING

Dear Kurt,

Friday night we went and did a little camping with our friends Ben, Shacie, their kids, Isaac, Ally, and their baby.

Actually, it was more like I went camping with Shacie, Ally, and the kids and you, Ben and Isaac went fishing.

Yes. That is a much more accurate statement.

But we did manage to get in a few activities while you boys were around.

Chopping firewood.

Cooking hot dogs and smores.

Four wheeling.

And some lake time.

Mostly I just wanted to sit and hold this little bundle of joy:

Which is basically what I did while you boys went fishing all night and all morning. (Bitter much? A little. Probably because we had three starving kids and women waiting for you guys to come back to breakfast for two and a half hours... But I'm dropping it now. Again. No, I really am this time....)

It's a good thing I love sitting around the campfire and talking girl talk all night and day.

Anyways. I really did have lots of fun. And I'm glad you did too.

I love you much.

Sincerely, Lori

ROARING YOUTH JAM

Dear Brooklyn,

We strolled around the Greenbelt this afternoon during the Snake River Roaring Youth Jam.

Aunt Christina was volunteering at a booth and you and I walked around and had some fun.

Your dad even joined in on the fun during his lunch break.

I was kind of lame and only let you do the art projects and activities that didn't involve paint.

Maybe next year I will put you in something other than white and let you have at it.

You still had fun and I was loving the weather.

Good times. I love you.

Sincerely, Lori

JUST ANOTHER DAY AT THE LAKE

BOATING AT PALISADES LAKE

Dear Kurt,

Today was just another day at the lake.

A beautiful, fun, and sometimes crazy, day at the lake.

Sincerely, Lori

KURT WAKEBOARDING

LORI TUBING

KURT'S DAD, SCOTT, KNEE BOARDING

CHRISTINA TUBING

KURT ATTACKING BROOKLYN WITH A WORM

KURT FISHING WHILE SHANIA PADDLES AROUND.

BROOKLYN AND SHANIA

KURT AND BROOKLYN

BROOKLYN, SHANIA, AND MIA PADDLING AROUND.

BROOKLYN AND LORI WAITING TO GO ON A BOAT RIDE.

P.S. We are bad parents!!! Brooklyn was only wearing a life jacket in one of these pictures! I'll slap your hand and you slap mine.