Howdy

We FINALLY traveled down to St. Johns and visit my cousin Travis and his family. After so much fun we are certain that will happen again soon and we'll stay longer too! If the kids have their way they will be sick of us. Heath was very disappointed that we didn't get to see Tyler jump with a stick (Pole Vault). His sadness was quickly forgotten once he was on a horse all by himself.

I must say it cracked me up to watch him, he would move the reigns and kick that horse was so gentle it would not run and it kept going right back to the gate! Ria's horse took off on a run as soon as she got on but she stayed on and didn't get too spooked. She REALLY REALLY wants to be a cowgirl! They rode for a few hours and I think they could have stayed on all day. Good thing Trav is so patient!

Even Brant's inner cowboy came out. He is still talking about the hamburgers they made us for dinner. Thanks for a great day!

MOM day

Manager Of Messes

My official title for the most part I'm okay with it. I'm going to vent about motherhood, then brag about my mom's and follow it up with motherhood isn't so bad.

It is the monotony that I don't like, maybe that is why I love holidays so much it breaks up that monotony. Have you ever thought here I am again at the sink, doing the same dishes, switching a load of laundry or reminding a kid again to do something? And there it is again "MOM".
"Mom where are my… " The funny thing about this question is; if I put it somewhere, it would be where it goes and if it's not where it goes well what makes them think I would know where it is?
It may come as a complete shock but while you are at school I'm not home playing with or hiding any of your things." "MOM"
"Mom Heath is in my room" or "mom I'm thirsty" While occasionally I like information, kid statements are a nuisance to me, and are usually followed with, really do you have a request?

Heath also let me know this week that dad is awesomer than me and that he loves me to infinity and beyond but he loves dad more. This display of affection was brought on because dad went on a school field trip with Ria and Heath was stuck with me.

Here is Ria on the field trip

I know it could be worse, those are just my current frustrations which led me into mother's day. Which I often refer to as Guilt Sunday.

Both my kids like to talk (I have no idea where they get that J) Heath can talk nonstop, Ria actually made a request for ear plugs this week! This competing to talk to mom has been a little draining. I can remember as a kid getting off the bus and literally following my mom around, talking and talking and talking about who knows what, I have no memory of my mother turning around and saying "Jana give it a rest" maybe she did but I don't remember it, hopefully my kids won't either. This is my amazing mother Grandma Silly Sally

I've always said if I can be half as good as her I would consider myself a success! I am amazed at her patience. On those tough mom days, I have asked her if she ever wanted a break, "I don't remember, I always enjoyed having my children around". I love you Mom, thanks for liking to have me around even when I was talking non-stop!

The other one, who after all boys took me in, my mom2. Wow, I'm sure she never heard so many details, I know I've tried talking with her boys! Here she is on a hike she is so great to get us together

Heath likes to ask questions like "if we had a nice pet tiger would dogs still come in our yard?" If I ever answer "I don't know" to any question he always suggest we ask Grandma Mary. I guess she does know pretty much everything and we do have a pile of rocks just waiting for Grandma to tell us their REAL names. She can solve any problem and gives the best advice. I usually end up wishing I would have asked sooner and listened more. Sometimes I see a little glimpse of her in me and I smile it gives me hope. I am eternally grateful she took me in, for the me she helped to discover and for the husband I met along the way. She gave me some very personal advice about motherhood and she will probably never know how many times I've come back to those words and how they have strengthened me. I love this amazing woman of Faith!

My mother- in- law is truly super woman! I don't know if I can even articulate the admiration I have for this incredible women. Not only could I live next door to my mother-in-law, I'd love to! On my best day I couldn't keep up with her, she lives the words GO and DO. She is an incredible cook. I received the greatest complement a few weeks ago when I made potato salad and Ria stated (in complete surprise) "This tastes a lot like Grandma Brown's". Heath refers to her as "the grandma who lets me climb her wall".
Here she is with Heath

I'm blessed everyday by the man she raised and I am so grateful he doesn't expect me to be like her, otherwise disappointment would be a big part of his life. No matter where we are the kids are always asking "how far away is Grandma Brown's house from here." Yes, we've even been asked how far grandma's house is if we were in a rocket ship on the moon.

These women and their mother's no matter how far away, continue to bless our lives. I hope they have the mother's day they deserve that they are reminded that all those sacrifices are worth it, we love them and are grateful for their influence in our lives every day!

Kids in the Kitchen my favorite mother moments

A couple of weeks ago I left my list at home pulled into the store and thought I couldn't remember what I needed. Heath suggested I say a prayer, I said good idea so I bowed my head and started a silent prayer only to be interrupted with a sigh followed by "Alright I'll say it, Heath prayed he asked Jesus to look on the list at home and tell mom what she forgot. It was pretty cute and I thought maybe he does pay attention, so when I remembered, I thought I would use it as a teaching moment "Heath I remembered what was on the list" to which I received "yea mom we said prayer!" DUH.
Here is Heath & I with his surf board cake

I also have some current joys of motherhood. I love to hear Heath say the articles of faith he knows 1-6. He also gave a talk today in Primary, it was so cute.
It is complete therapy to raise a daughter who I see myself in but is not me, she handles situations so much better. I love that my kids love to help, that they are independent. I must be doing an OK job, because Brant although joking said I needed to not be so good to the kids or they would never want to leave home, and said "eventually we need them to move out." I feel truly blessed to be mother and like it more than I ever thought I would!

We went hiking yesterday and we had a blast check out the kids just before we headed into the Lava River Cave. 

Adventures & Penguins

Ria's second grade class has been studying penguins. She did her report on the macaroni penguin and for the penguin party for the parents she wanted to be one. (Thanks Grandma Mary for hair bows with endless possibilities!) We brought a fitting veggie tray!

It seems like forever since Brant has actually been home on a Saturday, so we made the most of it. Only 30 minutes away we enjoyed a little hike around Grand Falls!

Brant & I always have so much fun checking out cool spots. And with all that run off what kid doesn't enjoy Mud, (why did I vacuum out the Rodeo earlier that day?)

 We proved our theory bumpy roads really do make me tired. Preparedness items packed in the car is genius; it was windy Ria needed that sweatshirt. Nuts to snack on & water to drink make the kids a little better for the ride home.

We got home and quickly changed for a Luau at NAU. We were given 4 raffle tickets to enter a drawing; Ria with her usual confidence said "we'll win one". There were a lot of people there and we didn't purchase any additional tickets so we didn't have great odds but True to our Lucky lil' lady she won a beach bag & towel. We enjoyed the Luau, Rianne liked the Samoan slap dance. Heath enjoyed the fruit punch but wasn't too impressed with the program until they did a rock, paper, scissors tournament for the pineapple centerpieces and he won! I must have really Lucky kids!

Thanks for a wonderful weekend Brant!

It’s a Bunny!

My kids have really been cracking me up lately. I had Heath with me at the store he wanted something and I told him to wait maybe the Easter Bunny would put it in his basket, Heath said "he doesn't go to the store" So I said how do you know, he rolled his eyes and said "Mom, it's a bunny" well good thing hiding eggs is totally probable for Bunnies! I loved having Easter over Conference weekend. We went to the greatest place to celebrate Easter…Kanab! 
Saturday started with the city egg hunt at the golf course. Decorating eggs was next, so that we can Roll them, that's right Roll them.

 When we got to our spot we were surprised to find snow, this did not deter Brant, and he made a snow track, with the assistance of Heath.

We all supported Dad in his efforts, but those wet eggs were cold and lost their color after a few times down the track.

 We were glad to have a traditional track made by Josh, Morgan and Nate.

And I just thought this picture of Brant & Ria was cute, she is a daddy's girl! I appreciate it in the middle of the night when both my kids request dad or crawl in on his side!

 My kids always enjoy thier cousins, Heath especially liked Caiden.

 Ria and Grandpa snuggle during a session! So glad that Grandpa didn't get offended by receiving something of personal significance from the church being off by one letter!

Heath with his "Ognetic" (magnetic) stuffed animal the bunny brought!

Ria with her basket

The Best parts of the weekend we didn't get pictures of. The temple, girl's night and just sitting around visiting. Eating Peanut butter eggs and watching conference, can you really have a better weekend? I didn't want it to end. I always feel so blessed to be BROWN!

 

A little foolin’ around

Not too many tricks this year. At breakfast Heath said "this doesn't taste like egg"

Ria was able to pull a few pranks with her shock pen.

We also had our after school snack "grilled cheese" & "peas-n-carrots"

Even the pickiest eater we know was pleased J and Morgan kept saying "I like this cheese, this cheese is good"

April fool's is great and it always reminds me to be grateful I can read!

So Lucky

I was probably in 6^th grade before I realized not everybody has the same things going on at home. My daughter is in 2^nd. Like a normal morning Ria was lollygagging and I told her she had better get going or I was going to have to beat her, I was kidding. Rianne turned to me in all seriousness and said "Mom did you know there really are parents who beat their kids like for real they hit them"! I told her I was aware that happened to some kids. Then, she said "I'm so lucky I have nice parents"! We are so lucky to have her too!

We are also very Lucky that the Leprechaun found us on St. Patrick's Day! He really tricked Ria this year, who would have thought to look in mom and dad's closet for a shoe!

Heath was more excited about chocolate coins than anything else.

Brant also took a "top o' the morning" breakfast in to work; green egg-ocean (German Pancakes) made into an Irish Flag.

 Later that night we had a "Pot O' Luck" with friends! So much food and fun!
Annette sporting a party Prize!

We even caught the cutest leprechaun!

 Ria also had a good time practicing her Irish accent. I must admit mine sounds more like a pirate!

 And of Course we handed out March Madness brackets. This year the bottom bracket fills a goodie request for the winner. Annette has clinched the bottom and because she is an amazing cook, Brant is really hoping to close out a top spot!

We feel so Lucky to be here in Flagstaff and to have made some great friends!

Hangin’ 10

Doesn't seem that long ago when we took our March fourth To Eternity but look how young we are!

That was then

This is 10

I would totally do it again!   

So much has happened and we still feel like newlyweds! Time fly's when you're having fun; we've had so much fun!

Bring on the next 10!

 

We love ESPN so here is our top 10

10 Education moments Brant & Jana bachelors, Brant's masters, Ria starting School, Jana starting on masters

9 Our Life IS a musical

8 Playing/watching sports together

7 Creating a home with our own traditions and buying homes 1, 2 &3

6 Enjoying so many family get-togethers & Making super friends!
5 Baja Cruise (Kayaking)
4 San Francisco Trip (driving the coast)
3 Getting our little miracle Man
2 Going from husband and Wife to Dad & Mom
1 Being Best friends (FOREVER)

For our anniversary I thought we should spend it on the beach, well a trip to Hawaii wasn't in the budget but we got our share of sand... hiking to "The Wave"! It is such a cool Rock formation and here we are hangin' 10!