Bracken Family

Hallie's Turn!

2010-04-17T22:31:00.000-07:00

Our Stake Play:

Our "Dolly" on Stage:

Our "Star" being congratulated by her biggest (littlest) fans:

SCHOOL PLAY

2010-03-03T12:33:00.001-08:00

Two little sisters in a school play! Both LOVE the stage and have sparkling, outgoing personalities. It was time for the dress rehearsal performed for the school during the day. I showed up for the performance and something was wrong.

Alexandra, who has a flair for the dramatic, was in a lip-quivering stupor.

Anna Kate got a main part -the beautiful raindancer.

Alexandra, who had just seen her costume for the first time, thought it was too silly and too fat- nothing like a raindancer for which she felt she was better suited. Better said: She was devastated!

I scooped her up afterwards and reminded her of one of her very favorite stories about Priscilla who dreamed of being the princess but was cast as "the wind".

"Priscilla went to the stage, taking her place.
A big, beaming grin bloomed on her face.
As the curtain drew up, she rolled into the light.
She knew it right then. This was her night.

The Tree stood quite still, except for a breeze.
The Princess was bound by a magical freeze.

But the Wind was alive, it fluttered and flew.
The wind was amazing. Oh how it blew!

Priscilla was soaring. She felt like a star.
And if that's how you feel, then that's what you are."

The night of the performance Andie had a complete turnaround.She tried her very best to be a good sport about her part, sang her heart out, smiled the whole time, and delivered her line great!

AnnaKate took the stage looking so cute:
warning: this video was shot by her 12 year old brother

Afterwards I told Anna how beautifully she danced, what a wonderful job she did and that I COULD NOT have been more thrilled with her performance. I then took Andie aside and told her essentially the same plus a little secret: (she was my very favorite part of the play).

I never knew I would be so enamored by and proud of a little pistachio nut.

A Few Pictures:

2009-07-26T20:11:00.000-07:00

Father's day at kindergarten. Guess which LUCKY dad got TWICE the gifts?
(thanks Aunt Katie for the outfits!!!)

Hallie at her field day. Boy can she run! Not even the boys have a chance with her long legs.

One of our HIGHLIGHTS was going to Santa Barbara for the 4th. Ahhhh.....Santa Barbara......the zoo.....the ocean.....the weather.......Oh, Erbs, you LUCKY LUCKY ducks!

Here a Pose, There a Pose

2009-04-13T21:57:00.000-07:00

No, this wasn't an ordinary graduation. It may have been to the other kids. For Alexandra, it was a chance for the spotlight. It was her shining moment. She wasn't going to let a moment pass with out "working" the camera. Oh, and I think she thinks she's number 1.

To Grandmother's House We Go!

2009-04-13T15:39:00.000-07:00

One of our yearly highlights is going to Granmda Susan & Aunt Jane's house for spring break. The trip did not disappoint! Thanks to their early birthday present, the twins were stocked with all things girlie! Robinson had a blast with James playing NONSTOP and flew home a week later on his first plane trip ride by himself. Me? As usual a full dose of eating, shopping, and laughter.

In the spirit of "tagging", a few random thoughts

2009-03-09T00:01:00.000-07:00

1. I get grouchy trying to translate the quote, "a friend in need is a friend indeed!" into some meaning.

2. If you subscribe to People Magazine, then we already have a head start in our relationship.

3. Boy bands should never be allowed to release their own version of a Christmas song.

4. I've always wanted to bare my testimony with a French accent, just to see my ward members'
reactions.

5. I enjoy a good birthing story now and again, but anything over 3 minutes should be illegal.

6. I burn more than 800 calories 6 days a week so that I can have a daily 900 calorie bowl of ice cream (hey, it's only 3 cups!) and call it a 100 calorie snack.

7. To me, having 3 girls within 3 years was like winning the lottery.

8. I ALWAYS stress about the fact that I will be an empty-nester at age 46 and am gearing up for a mid-life next year when all my kids are in school for a full-day.

9. I tried talking my sister into insisting to her Dr. while discussing her birthing plan that she give birth wearing bright red stilettos, just to see what he would say.

10. I'm happy that my family loves me- my wacky side and all!

Punishment, Colonial Style!

2009-02-28T20:20:00.000-08:00

We took the kids to a colonial-themed town. I was sure the authenticity of it all would make them appreciate what they have now. Instead, they were convinced that this way of living was unbeatable. Their excitement escalated when we put them all in stocks and one replied "Cool! can we have one of these in our house for our time-outs!"

Definitely, children. We'll even put the stocks in our front yard, give the neighbors something to talk about while we're at it.

BEFORE & AFTER

2008-12-29T11:57:00.000-08:00

3 years ago, our family room looked like this! Having bought our first home at the height of the housing boom in CA. meant one thing: accepting the fact that we would be buying a home that exhibits, shall we say, "third world charm!" Indeed it did, every square inch! Richard surprised me for our anniversary with a few touches to finally finish (almost) this room. The results are shocking, no? Just don't ever ask to use our bathroom should you come for a visit...

Worth Blogging

2008-12-05T23:02:00.000-08:00

Now I really feel the spirit of Christmas and what is most important! Click to see (or copy & paste). This reminded me a little of when we flew out to see Richard half-way during his army training and Robinson was 2 and hadn't seen dad for 3 months and how excited he was!

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032619/#28076521

Lollipop, Lollipop, Oooh Lolli, Lolli, Lolli....POP!

2008-11-11T18:57:00.001-08:00

These Girls Make Life.......SWEET!

Robinson's Birthday! Happy 11th!

2008-11-06T15:37:00.000-08:00

Robinson is a special kid. He is always laughing and the getting the uncontrollable giggles. We will be eating, in the car, at church, or even school (according to this teacher) and something strikes him funny and he can't stop laughing. It's pretty contagious. Grandma says it's in the genes! He also LOVES Legos. While many of his friends are outgrowing toys, this kids plays with toys ALL day long. I had so much fun giving him him presents! Check out how I surprised him at the end. His excitement was too much fun.

A Time to Punish....and Perhaps a Time to Resist....

2008-09-22T21:15:00.000-07:00

A Black Sharpie, an impulsive five-year-old, and her name proudly written 12 inches across the interior door of our brand new vehicle. Quite Honestly? I never want to erase it.....

ODE TO MOM (again!)

2008-09-22T12:33:00.000-07:00

Don't miss the comment my mom left under "Happy Birthday Mom!" Did I mention how FUNNY she is????

Happy Birthday Mom!

2008-09-22T09:00:00.000-07:00

What do I love most about my mom? There are not enough words...One of my favorite things is her laugh. She laughs easier and more often than any person I know. Her laughter lights up our family. She is the first one any of us want to call to share a day's adventure, story, or any delight. On the flip side, she is also the first one to call when discouraged. Her words make everything seem just fine. Yes....her children find her to be virtually faultless and her grandchildren adore her! The following quote is so befitting of my mom (but not to be taken literal, I can already read your mind's humor!).

"If the whole world were put into one scale, and my mother in the other, the whole world would kick the beam". ~Lord Langdale (Henry Bickersteth)

If The Big One Hits.....

2008-09-16T21:25:00.000-07:00

I do love living in California. However, occasionally I worry about earthquakes. Not the earthquake itself, but the thought of being separated from my children and not being able to get to them. This assignment the twins brought home from kindergarten didn't help:

Dear Parents,
Should an earthquake occur during school, we feel it is important for each child to be prepared. Please fill the bag provided with the following:

*juice box
*crackers
*a family picture
*a personal note from you telling your child how much you
love them and to "think about happy times"
*a favorite (small) toy for them to hold

Needless to say, I now picture my twins rationing out their cracker and juice box, clinging to one another, staring at a picture of their mommy, clutching their favorite toy, trying to think about how much I love them. Surely, my note that reads "think about happy times" will see them through. Until we meet again, my sissies......

Merry "Squintmas"

2008-09-09T16:32:00.000-07:00

Anyone out there starting to think about getting that perfect family picture for their Christmas card? Rule #1: Never let a photographer talk you into a high noon time slot!

Out of the Mouths of Babes...

2008-09-02T21:31:00.000-07:00

For a good laugh......try this!

At night I give my girls a voice recorder to play with quietly in bed.They may fall asleep a bit later , but it keeps them in their beds. It is so funny to hear what they've come up with once they've fallen asleep and whatever it is (my favorite examples are when they make up sad songs, songs about me, and once they recorded their dramatic crying after being punished) you'll be sure to get a good laugh. And, yes, even potty noises are cute when you see your sleeping child's face being kissed by the moonlight!

No Baby, No Girl Is Quite Ready To Go........

2008-08-28T23:21:00.000-07:00

....Unless She is Wearing Her Santa Barbara Bow! For Alexandra, that means bedtime too. She REFUSES to go to sleep without one of her headbands from Aunt Katie. What can I say, Katie? You've spoiled us rotten with your amazing bows, but really, now, WHEN are you coming out with a special line of bows for bedtime?

Who Knew?

2008-08-27T11:14:00.000-07:00

Who knew that a fish could be so much fun? Richard and the kids caught a bluegill in a pond and put it in the fishtank. We soon found out that this fish would eat ANYTHING. Not only would it eat anything but it would leap straight out of the fish tank and grab it from your hand. The fun, however, was in the hunt. Each night Richard and the kids would get their flashlights and hunts for bugs, then hurry in to watch Buster do his thing. Last night Buster leaped out of his tank, and I, even I, (the anti-pet mom) am sad. RIP, Buster!

Stagemother For a Day!

2008-08-22T22:46:00.000-07:00

My girls have never been in dance or performed in a recital. So, when the opportunity presented itself in the form of our ward's road show I couldn't resist. My girls (esp. the twins) have no fear on stage and a fun time was had by all. I couldn't help being that proud stagemother for once.

Fun, girlie ideas

2008-08-21T00:43:00.000-07:00

Summer is almost over, but here is something that kept my girls busy! Put some sand in a shallow storage container, fill it with accesories from the fish tank aisle, get your girl's favorite princess toys and tell them that their dolls are taking a vacation to the beach!

I got my twins a jewelry box full of jewels (incrediblegifts.com) for their birthday. They seem to incorporate it in all their make-believe play. It is now my new favorite thing to give their friends for their birthdays!

A few favorite family pics to start our new blog!

2008-08-20T23:47:00.000-07:00

First Day of School...

2008-08-20T12:04:00.000-07:00

This is a real FIRST for me. I thought surely that Richard would be peeling me off the ground! My youngest girls have started kindergarten and now all of my kids are in school. I have lost endless hours of sleep just thinking about this day. Luckily, it's only 3 hours (not much different than preschool, I keep telling myself). So far so good. I took them to their class then off to Pinkberry I went to drown my sorrows!