Sunday, September 1, 2013

Summer Fun!

After a long absence from the blogging world, I figured it was time to do an update.  We have had quite the busy, and fun, summer and I can't believe it is already over!  Here are some of our highlights from the last few months. 

* We got a pool pass for our city pool this summer and have been able to go a couple of times.  We also went to Seven Peaks, the water park in Provo, once with Trisha and her kids.  Jackson LOVES the water!

* We had a multi-family yard sale in June with some of Shawn's coworkers.  It was a lot of fun, and we were able to clean out our house and earn a little bit of money.  Kim, Shawn's coworker who hosted the yard sale, had baby ducks and baby bunnies for sale too!  Jackson had fun checking out the little ducklings :)
 

* Unfortunately, Shawn's grandfather passed away the day after Father's day.  We were lucky enough to be able to go up to Washington for the funeral.  All of Shawn's siblings were able to come, and it was the first time everyone had been together in several years.  We got to be in Washington for a little over a week, and we had a great time visiting with everyone and staying with Shawn's parents!  We decided to drive to Washington, which is about 14 hours.  We ended up splitting our drive up into two days each way.  Needless to say, we spent A LOT of time in the car!  We decided Jackson would enjoy all of that time in the car better if he were forward facing.  He was pretty excited!
Poor Jackson had strep throat on the drive up.  The good news ... he slept a lot better in the car!

We also watched a lot of Mickey Mouse and Bubble Guppies!
Jackson doesn't cuddle with us very often anymore, so Shawn was definitely enjoying the moment!
Getting some cousin love :)
The boys playing with Grandma!
Jackson loves playing with cars ... and Grandpa!
He was in heaven with all of the new toys!
Chillin' with Uncle Cody
We took a trip to the Disney store with Scott, Jessica and their kids.  Jackson loved the magic mirror!

Some Mickey Mouse Clubhouse love :)
Jackson and Carter sharing snacks at the Cheesecake Factory

Trying to drink Daddy's Mountain Dew
We spent a day at Gene Coulon park

We went out to dinner with Grandma the night before we left.  The waitress gave Jackson a balloon to play with!
That waitress had no idea what a life saver that balloon would be in the car the next two days!
Jackson was ready to be out of the car!
* Three days after we got back from Washington, we got on a plane and headed out to Myrtle Beach, SC with my family.  We spent the week at the beach with my parents, my sister, and her kids and had a great time!  Jackson loved playing in the lazy river and the pool where we were staying, and especially loved sitting in the waves at the ocean. 
Looking out the plane's window with daddy
Having a nice nap :)
Holding mommy's hand on the plane
Jackson wouldn't go to sleep in the car without his crown and toy from Burger King

The view from our window at the resort
Splashing in the waves with daddy
Out for a walk on the beach
Playing in the sand
Aww, come on dad!
Cuddle time with daddy
Giving mommy loves :)

Trying to wake up cousin Dante
Playing with cousin Kaliah
Jackson was great at holding our clubs for mini-golf

At the mini-golf course ... a Brown family tradition!
Jackson doesn't sleep well in the same room with us,
so we put the pack n' play in the bathroom and everyone got great sleep!

* We've had fun going to the park a few times this summer.  Jackson finally likes the swings and the slide!
 

* We went camping in August with our friends the Stuarts and the Johnsons.  It was our first time camping with Jackson, and overall we think it was a success.  He had a hard time going to sleep in the tent, but after Shawn laid down on the air mattress with him he was out in minutes.


Poor Jordan and Vilja brought two of everything ... and no tent, so they improvised!
Tommy loves playing in, and eating, the dirt!
Poor Jackson was exhausted on the way home. 
About 2 minutes after this picture ...

... came this picture :)
 Overall, we had a great summer!  Hopefully this next school year will bring some more adventures!