Walking!!

Carly started walking full force the day of her birthday! Here is some video of her today:)

Fun Day with Friends...

Yesterday we went bowling with our dear friends The Sledge's. We had such a great time {We always have a fun time with them}! Here are pictures of our day of fun!

Cowgirl Bini...

Last weekend we went to watch my cousin Hannah in her rodeo competition. Hannah races her horse Guppy in barrels and poles. While we were there she had her best time ever in the poles and overall ended up winning first place overall in her division for barrel racing. She won a beautiful new saddle. She has really come a long way in her love and talent.
Hannah is so sweet to let the kids each take a turn on Guppy. Aubs didn't want to get on but Brynley was way too excited to have her turn. We have learned that Brnyley is our natural cowgirl. She was so good at getting Guppy to turn, stop and go. She knew just what she needed to do. At one point Mitch got a little nervous because Bryn got so far away from us all on her own!




Quote of the Day from Bryn: Caleb was crawling up from the backseat of the car to the front seat after I dropped Aubrie off at school and when he was climbing all over everything Bryn says "Gosh, Caleb you're like a GIANT! You are bigger than mom"
Just thought it was funny. He is getting soo tall though. I think he is about 5'4" and he is only 11. Crazy.

Done. Spent.

Tonight I am so spent its not even funny. I have been through the ringer today and I am waving my white flags. It all started yesterday...
Carly had to get a nose scope and blood drawn due to all her sinusitis and ear infections she has had. The Dr. ruled out big adenoids and he is leaning towards it being a food allergy (hence the blood draw) but after tonight I think I can safely say we are going to get tubes in her ears. We took her into Urgent Care and she has ANOTHER ear infection! Poor Carly bug. She has been so irritable all day, crying off and on and her appetite has taken a hit. That's when we know she doesn't feel good- when she doesnt want to eat. I am hoping that all this sickness she has will go away very soon and not come back!
Also do you ever feel like when it rains it pours? Yeah, it's pouring stress over here at the Lybrook house this week. Awesome.

Carly is done spent too

Following in the footsteps...

of her brother but Dancing to the beat of her own drums. My girl Aubs. She was awarded the Civility award, which is demonstrating all the Pillars of Character. {Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring, and Citizenship} or Overall Character. She has been the first student in her class to achieve this so far this year:)
I am so very proud of Aubrie! She is such a sweet girl to every one she comes across. When I think about how a person should be treated and how we should treat people, its how Aubrie is. She is the perfect example of being caring and loving. I am very grateful for her example, she reminds me to be good and to put other first.
Thank you Aubrie for showing such a wonderful, sweet, respectful attitude at school and for being our shining star!

One!!!

I find it completely unfair at the moment that my sweet baby is already a year old. This past year went by faster than any of the other kids' first year of life went. I am not sure why it was faster but darn it, I am sad in a way that she is already a year old. Carly has been such a joy to have in our family. It truly wasn't complete until she arrived! We are very blessed to have her and her sweet spirit in our lives.
Things Carly can do at a year old are...
Walk! Yes, she is walking and has recently been walking more.
She still prefers to crawl and she is lighting fast at it.
Waves bye, bye and hi
Gives kisses {My favorite}
Says hi, bye, Thank you, Daddy, Mama, Auba{Aubrie}, Bubba{Caleb},
Bob-ba{drink},Papa, Gran-ma
Loves bath time and playing with her brother and sisters
Eats-EVERYTHING! Favorites are oatmeal, cream of wheat, toast, pizza, spaghetti, squash, sweet potatos, green beans, corn, peas, ice cream, Yo-gurt Melts, baby goldfish, clementines, pears, cheese sandwiches, blueberries with greek yogurt,and even fish
Loves to play peek-a-boo
Likes when I tickle her face
Is still a boob baby...yes we are working on that one. I wanted to be done nursing her by now but unfortunately Carly has another plan.
Is turning into a daddy's girl, every time Mitch comes home from work she starts yelling for Dada

Here are some pictures of her First birthday yesterday.
We got her a little princess ride on toy and she loves it.
I also made her a Strawberry Shortcake Cake, it was delish!

Twinkle Toes...

Aubrie has been taking private dancing lessons with Aunt Judy. They are working on learning more about detail and lines as a dancer. Aubrie loves this special time with Judy and she looks forward to it each week. Thank you Judy for taking the time to teach Aubrie and be a mentor to her in her favorite thing...Dancing!





I asked Aubrie her favorite thing about dance...Leaps!

Addicted...

It's not a slight addiction either. It's bad. Really, really bad. I {finally} upgraded my phone, took the plunge and got an iphone. At first I wasn't liking the darn thing but today after spending much of yesterday trying to figure it out...I love it! How I spent my life without one I will never know. I was so content with my 3 1/2 year old Motorola flip piece of crap that I never thought I would like a smartphone. Boy, I have been missing out. My life is now complete with my iphone. Aww.
Just some pics I took with the camera, testing it out:) Dont mind me without makeup, its a daily occurance.


Carly trying to steal my phone from me. I think she might be more addicted than I am. haha.

Wicked Weekend #3...

This past weekend we took a trip down to Albuquerque to see WICKED! Brynley was just a babe when we saw it a few years ago in LA and so I wanted her to be able to see it. She loved it and hasn't quit singing "Popular" and saying "toss, toss" and throwing her hair back all cute like Galinda. {I have decided that Brynley would make the perfect Galinda.}
I wasn't sure if it would be as good as it was in LA but it was. Everything was really great and I think this was the best Galinda I have seen. I love everything about WICKED, the songs, the costumes, the characters, the storyline. All if it is so ingenious!

My friend Sonja and her son Landon went with us


Aubrie has been in love with Wicked since the first time she saw it. Every time I looked at her, she was smiling from ear to ear and loving every minute of it. I think she would make a wonderful Elphaba! {I am biased, I know}


Remember the first time we saw WICKED? Click here.

A trip to Albuquerque wouldn't be complete without a stop to Krispy Kreme! Right when we got there, the fresh, hot glazed heart shaped donuts were coming off the line. They were so super delicious! Carly got to try her first one and boy did she love it! She couldn't get it in her mouth fast enough. And she was making the cutest noises as she was eating it.


Too much of a good thing...

Pancake Face...

Make your own collage

I made blueberry buckwheat pancakes this morning for the kids. We are having a snow day today:) Carly found the pancakes so yummy, that I just had to take some pics of her cute little mug with blueberry all over it.
This one is my favorite. We love her cute little "sloth" teeth that are coming through:)

For my own memory...

This past week both Caleb and Aubrie had Parent Teacher Conferences. I want to write down a few things that was said about each of them.
Caleb: Has straight A+'s. In every single class.
History teacher: Mr. Munson said he "likes Caleb and he adds alot of interesting input in class discussions. Caleb does however talk alot and has been quite loud since christmas. Said that he thinks Caleb has figured out that he is "cool, popular, handsome, he is acting cocky in his class. He does however enjoy his writing when it comes to his work and thinks he is a very great student.
Math: Mrs. Johnson had plenty of things to say about Caleb. Some not so good. Caleb has several of his closest friends in this class and he has a big problem with talking. Caleb wants to add a comment whenever anyone says something. She has had to send Caleb out in the hall for his talking. She made the comment that he shouldnt even be in this class because he is doing so well with understanding the math she is challenging him with. {Caleb was supposed to be placed in an upper level math but it wouldnt work with his schedule so he is a basic 6th grade math}
Music: Mrs. Tolsted had lots of good things to say about Caleb. Loves his witty, clever comments and "surprises" her with them. He likes this class alot. She is teaching them about each decade of music and allows them to highlight groups from each decade to learn about them. They make key note reports on their laptops for each music group. (All 6th graders get new laptops they use from here on out for school. They use them dyring classes and for doing homework. It has internet and really nice Apple computers:)
Gifted Reading/Language Arts: Mrs. Boyles adores Caleb. She said that he is "one of the most brilliant writers and understands language better than most 8th graders". He read at a 9th grade 7 month level at the beginning of the year. She said he always has great input and is definately very "gifted".
World Science: Mrs. Colomb said she really likes Caleb and he is very intelligent. She has him in a "wild" class but likes that he is talkative and outgoing. Really puts in alot of effort in his work and writing. Understands everything she puts in front of him. Wishes she could challenge him more. Wants Caleb to try out Science Olympiad next year instead of a regular 7th grade science. She sees alot of potential in him.
All in all we are very proud of Caleb! Great student, cool dude.

Aubrie is in 1st grade and has Mrs. Bateman has her teacher. She loves Aubrie and is very happy to have her in her class. Aubrie is very helpful and will even start cleaning up the classroom without being told to do so. She doesn't act boastful or rude ever. Always a pleasure and is well liked among her peers. Aubrie is third in her class for knowing the most sight words {291} and is in the best reading group. She said that Aubrie reads the "fastest" in her class with being able to read 75 words per minute which equals the speed of an average 6th grader!
Understands Math very well but seems to be subtracting the hard way.
Aubrie is reading at a 2nd grade 8 month level. Mrs. Bateman is really proud of her for making the biggest jump since the beginning of the year in her reading level.
We are so happy for her. I was really worried about Aubrie changing schools this year and having to make new friends and getting familiar with a new school. But she loves her school and seems to be well adjusted to it.
I enjoy hearing about their new adventures each day and the new and exciting things they are learning. Nothing makes me happier than to hear how well behaved {for the most part, Caleb} and respectful they are to their teachers and to others. I am so proud of them for taking their schooling seriously and for giving 100% to it!

Baby Ezra...

One of my bestest friends had her sweet baby the other day. Mitch and I went up to see them yesterday. I cannot tell you how happy I was to go to the hospital and for it to not be for myself or our baby. It was refreshing to be on the other side of the fence! But let me tell you about Ezra. He was just so super cute and tiny. I find it hard to believe that my own were that same size. He was just perfect and sweet in every way. Congrats to Diana and Josh! Welcome to the club:)

Letter of Love

The other night my mom came by for a quick visit and while she was here Brynley was adiment about going with her to stay the night. I was a bit hesitant because Brynley hasn't ever stayed the night without Aubrie there. Was I ever wrong! From the sounds of it Brynley loved being able to have Papa Phil and Grandma all to herself. She slept good all night and was just a gem there.She did really great by herself and acted as if she didn't miss any of us.
On our end of things, it was the complete opposite. Aubrie was happy for Brynley but I could tell she was wishing she was with her. She made a fuss about sleeping alone in their room and acted lonely all night. It was so cute she wrote Brynley a note for her to read when I picked her up from preschool...

In case you cant read it well she said:
To:Brynley
Fr: Aubrie
I love you so much. I missed you when you were gone.
PS- You are so cute.

Sweet.

Night, Night Daddy...

When Mitch is home, not a night goes by that he doesn't read to his girls. I love this about him. He is such a great dad. He loves reading poetry, girly books, silly books, science books, non fiction, fiction, anything that the girls want him to read. Aubrie is doing so great reading! So when Daddy is working, she steps in to fill his shoes for that night. Gotta love that girl!
{PS- Dont mind Brynley's splotchy, red face. She had a meltdown about what book to read.}
Good night Daddy. Sweet dreams.