Happy Tuesday everyone! The youth center, on base, had a special for summer swim lessons this year. The lessons cost $25 per session. Each session is four weeks long with classes twice a week. We signed Jordyn up for the evening classes to be sure her Dad would be able to go with us most of the time. Although this was Jordyn’s first time taking official swim classes, by the second class, she looked like a natural. With only the help of floaties she was whizzing around the pool collecting toys, and taking “breaks” on the stairs. Read More
Berry Smoothie Pops
Summer may be over a month away, but here in Montana, we’ve already had a few days of summer-like temperatures, and there couldn’t be a better time to eat a delicious, Berry Smoothie Pop! I take my little one to the park every day to run some of her energy off, and we always find ourselves coming back home looking for a delicious, quick, and more importantly, cold snack to eat. One of her favorite post park snacks is a fresh strawberry and blueberry mix. Have I mentioned how blessed I am to have a toddler who loves and eats fresh fruit like it’s candy? Read More
California Love: Family Vacation April 2017
We took our first family trip of 2017 to California, last month. This was the first time Kris and I have been back to California in over three years. Not only was this Jordyn’s first time in California, but this was her first time riding on an airplane. To say she loved it would be an understatement. She has been asking every day, since we landed, if we’re “going to get on the airplane.” Every time she asks my heart does a little happy dance, because we all know, not all kids are fans of traveling by plane.
DIY Easter Basket
Easter 2017 is exactly three days away and I can’t believe how fast this year is flying by. My little one, Jordyn, will be three years old this June. Ever since she was born I have found a new hobby in do-it-yourself projects for toddlers. Read More
Vacation Checklist for Toddlers
Exactly one week from today we will be landing in sunny California for some much-needed family and friends time. I’ve been counting down this vacation since we booked the tickets a few months ago. We have so many great events planned out and restaurants to try for the first time. I haven’t been to California in a few years so this will be a nice refresher. Especially since I’ll be going to a few places in California for the first time. Example: San Diego.Read More
DIY Flower Hand Print
This past week, it has felt like Spring, here in Montana. The beautiful weather, the leaves growing on the trees, smells of BBQ around the neighborhood, etc. It has completely gotten me in the Spring mood which means it’s time for Spring decor in and around the house. I decided I wanted to add more of my little one’s artwork for decor around the house so we made a Spring craft last night. Read More
Jordyn Denise: 2 Years 7 Months
Today, Jordyn is technically 2 years and 7 months old, but she’s close enough to 6 month mark to round down and tell people she’s 2 and a half, right? Either way, we’re rolling with saying “2 and a half” until a month before her 3rd birthday. Ha!Read More
Jamieson Family Vacation 2016
Last month we went on a jam-packed family vacation to Illinois, Tennessee, Washington D.C./Virginia, and a brief stop in Indiana. It was three weeks filled of some much needed fun and love. We spent every single dime we saved plus some, by the time we got back home, so it’s safe to say we had a great time LOL. We spent the first week in Illinois, two days in Tennessee, five days in D.C./Virginia, and the remaining five-ish days in Illinois.
We got to see my beautiful little cousin get married on October 15th to my new cousin, Justin, and as anticipated, it was an amazing time. Jordyn was the adorable flower girl who made Mommy and Daddy so proud she walked down the aisle all by herself. She was saying “uh-oh” as she stepped on the flowers while walking down the aisle LOL. Then of course we partied hard as any family should at the reception. We were all so sore the following day from all the dancing we did.
We went to Knoxville, Tennessee as a mid way stop on our drive to D.C., and stayed with our awesome friends, the Hawkins. We all used to be based in Montana together (they were lucky enough to escape ha!) and we haven’t seen each other since 2014. Our babies finally got to meet and quickly became the best of friends. They took us around town for some good ol’ sight-seeing and Tennessee culture. We also got to hang with/meet one of Kris’ friends, Matt, and his sweet boys. It was an all around great time!
Those of you who know me well know I absolutely LOVE Washington D.C. If it was in my power we would live there. I love the city and surrounding areas. One of them being Alexandria, Virginia. Kris’ Dad a.k.a Jordyn’s “Dad-Dad” met us there for the last two days which made an amazing trip even better. It was nice to go somewhere and be tourists on an actual vacation. We ate at delicious restaurants, got a tour of the Pentagon, visited the new National Museum of African American History and Culture, as well as, the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. We met famous people, visited a majority of the national memorials and monuments, and I even got to see an old college friend. We are already planning on going back for a follow-up vacation when we get the chance. It was Kris’ first time in D.C. so I’m happy he enjoyed himself!
On our way back to Chicago we stopped in Indianapolis to visit our friends the, Wilcoxs. We were able to meet their beautiful new addition to their family, Averie, as well as see her beautiful sister, Alanna, again. We were even able to see Alaiya’s memorial in the front room and visit her. (We miss you babygirl) It was a good time as always. Jordyn and Alanna had a ball playing together too. At one point Alanna had Jordyn on the ground with her arms behind her back “arresting” her. In case you can’t tell, Alanna’s Dad, Brandon, is a police officer hahaha. I wish we all lived closer to one another, but even if it was a small amount of time we spent together, it was a great time.
When we arrived back in Chicago we were all beyond TIRED. We had originally planned to hang with friends the last few days, but as it has seemed to become a tradition, Jordyn and I caught colds. (My Grandma and Mom are the real MVPs for nursing us back to health lol) We were out of commission for two of the four days. We did however win tickets to the Chicago Bulls season opener, the night before we left back for Montana, thanks to my awesome Mommy’s nomination, and my friend John’s huge heart. The Bulls won their game and we all won Chick-fil-A and McDonald’s during the game. It’s safe to say we went out with a bang! Lol.
As much fun as we all had on vacation we couldn’t WAIT to get back in our own beds and back to our “normal” every day life routine. Yesterday made an official week of us being back in Montana and I’m already anxious to leave for vacation somewhere else…ha! Thankfully, Thanksgiving is two and a half weeks away, and we’ll have family and friends in town. Followed by Christmas when we’ll have family in town again. Life is great and I can’t/won’t complain.
I dubbed the month of November: #ThankfulNovember and it’s only right I share how thankful I am for our vacation this year. I’m thankful we’re blessed enough to be in a position to take family vacations, have so many people to love/love us, and create beautiful memories together. I’m also thankful for safe travels to and from our many destinations. What is there NOT to be thankful for? Thank you, Lord!
Brie <3
[11.06.16]
Jordyn Denise: 2 Years 3 Months
If you weren’t able to tell by the cover photo of this blog post, Jordyn Denise, is still very much so a little person filled with enormous personality. LOL. Jordyn is 2 years and 3 months old, today. Or as she likes to tell people when they ask her how old she is: “I’m five.”Read More
Jordyn Denise: 1 Year 10 Months
Today, my little comedian, diva, loveable, sassy, and strong willed, child is 1 year and 10 months old. Only two months left until she is the big 2! I can’t believe I have an almost 2 year old already. Time is flying by way too fast, but thankfully, we’re having the time of our lives in the process.
Jordyn can say her ABC’s but not sing them. Strange, I know, it’s usually easier for kids to learn the song first lol. She can count to thirteen, she knows all of her colors, and can recognize most children’s book animals and tell you their sounds. She is beginning to piece together her words to create sentences as well. She loves looking at us and saying “HUG!” before giving us the biggest and sweetest hugs in the world. She’s a little stingy with her kisses LOL but she gives me “nose kisses” with no hesitation. Nose kisses = brushing our noses together. Oh, and she’s officially sleeping in a big girl bed!
She can say: GG, Gramma, Auntie, Taylor, Maya, Mommy, Daddy, Elmo, and Abby (our neighbor and the Sesame Street puppet) very clearly. She loves going outside to play on the playground and in the wood chips. However, her favorite part about being outside is collecting sticks and digging in the dirt. I love she’s growing up to appreciate the simple childhood most of us grew up with as well.
She still loves her big brother a.k.a “Es” more than we could have ever imagined. And she’s SO independent! I love being able to talk to her and know she’s understanding what I’m saying to her. She my little BFF who I can’t believe is growing so quickly right before my eyes. It’s the most bittersweet feeling in the world. I can’t wait to see how much more she’ll grow in the next two months. She makes me so proud to be her Mommy every single day.
Happy Monday folks!