Memorial Day = Home Improvement Black Friday

I miss the Memorial days of the past when in MN it would seem everyone would pile into a car and drive 2 to 4 hours north to the lake. The weather alway varied but it was always a good weekend and usually the beginning of summer.
Its crazy to think that we are about to embark on the summer of 2014, our community pool is opening this weekend and the weather is slated to be gorgeous here in Utah. We can't wait to take Quinn to the pool for the first time and also just have a great weekend. As weekend warriors and home owners we seem to have projects anyways every weekend but Memorial day always brings out the big guns. Our plans for home improvement black friday involve turning on the sprinkler system, crossing our fingers all is operating well with that. Stain some chairs, maybe the deck, plant some flowers, bed, bath and beyond if we have time....
For my first Mothers day Bren's gift to me was redoing our flower garden in the front of the house. The big project this weekend is getting the metal edging installed. In the meantime we are hoping some time with friends, cocktails and good times will also be had. All in all should be awesome.
Everything has been great, lil man continues to grow at an astonishing speed. He is now putting everything in his mouth, holding his own bottle and finding his voice. We continue to still be in bliss that this is all real. Exciting things coming this summer, our great friends Sara and Zane are due for their baby boy in a month. The three amigos will be complete Lexi, Sara and myself all had or are having baby boys within a year and a half of each other. Lucky girls we are! We are hosting Sara's baby shower at my house next weekend, can't wait.
We hope everyone also has great welcome to Summer 2014 weekends or home improvement black fridays!

Love,
Bren, Alyssa, Quinn

Best Birthday Ever!

Being welcomed into my thirties usually might be a little depressing but honestly this was the best birthday ever because I got the best gift this year, becoming a mom! Its a rainy, grey morning here in Utah and the whole family is all cuddled up in our bed, drinking coffee and hanging out. Life is good.
We have had a whirlwind last few weeks. Going back to work has been crazy, we have been so lucky though to have our Amy who takes care of little man. I think she loves him just as much as we do. I sent out birth announcements right before finishing maternity leave, after reading about pinterest I mailed one to the white house and actually got a response, its pretty cool! I included a picture down below.
April held lots of travel. We went to Jamaica with Bren's work for Presidents club. It was an amazing trip, beyond anything we would ever be able to do on our own. The resort was a five star Iberro star resort in Jamaica, all the food and drinks were included. Our room had an amazing view down the coast and we pretty much just laid on the beach all day. On top of that, every night in our room they surprised us with gifts ranging from snorkel sets to a mini Jawbone Jambox and even a Tiffany necklace for me, we really were spoiled! Lucky for us Grandma Kathy flew to town and took care of the little man, I think they both had a great time too.
For Easter this year we took Quinn down to Florida to meet his Great Grandparents Bud and Barb. Lucky for us Grandpa Tom and also Aunt Laura and Uncle Mike were in town. It was also really special that our flower girl Rowan stayed in town too to cuddle and meet Quinn. He got to put his toes in the ocean for the first time, some beach walks and a boat ride. It was a great trip, the first Easter I have ever spent in a swimsuit.
Back to wonderful reality now and getting ready for his baptism and the baby shower for my friend Sara. We are sad our really good friends Andy, Lexi and Everett are moving to Denver in a week. We are happy for them for the opportunity but sad to see them go. I guess some Colorado vacations will be in order in the future.

Love,
Alyssa, Brendan and Quinn

Jamaica on our balcony

one of my new favorite pictures of little man

A picture on the beach before dinner in Jamaica

Grandma Kathy reading to Quinn

Kathy took POTD (pictures of the day) for us

As you can see Quinn had an amazing time

Lucky Grandson

I can't believe he is three months already and half way to four!

Lovely cousin Rowan meeting Quinn for the first time

Great Grandma and Grandpa with Quinn

Florida pictures

Aunt Laura got all snuggles at the Pink Elephant in Boca

Bren said this is one of his favorite pics

Easter picture

Lucky little bunny

On his first boat ride, borrowing cousin Kara'spink life jacket

The response from the White house

And on to the next challenge

My maternity leave will be ending here in a few days. I am excited to go back to work because I do love my job and miss my co workers and I know that Quinn will be in excellent hands. Maternity leave has been interesting to me, it was such a mix of emotions and time. I have loved watching Quinn grow and change every day. I have to laugh at the irony that he is now at the stage where he knows us and smiles and coos. This only makes it even harder to leave him in the mornings but everyone did warn me of this! He is just growing so quickly and is a happy baby boy. He literally wakes up every morning and stretches and then gives us a full gummy grin. In a perfect world I would go part time and still have lots of these days but I will continue to work full time and still teach dance. The good news is it has been an amazing leave and the future always holds more if you stay positive.
I was really surprised by my leave how little I could actually accomplish. I had all these books that I was going to read, projects to knit, things around the house to do. None of it got done but I sure did enjoy snuggling Quinn and finding our groove. We were lucky to have lots of help and wonderful guests as well.
I just got back from MN where Quinn got to meet his Aunts and Uncles and cousins. It was an amazing trip from beginning to end. I was very nervous about flying alone with a 2 month old but he did awesome and slept both trips the entire time. My Godmother Trudi also flew into MN to spend time with all of us. We got to see lots of friends and family, the important one was introducing Quinn my his great Grandma Brecke who is 101 years old. The next few weeks also hold some more exciting traveling as well. In between going back to work we are also going to Jamaica. Brendan got the honor of getting Presidents Club for his work, this is an all paid, all inclusive trip that is given to employees in recognition of going above and beyond. Grandma White is coming to take care of Quinn when we do this. We also are making a trip in April to Florida as well to see Grandpa and Grandma Toor. It will help me adjust to getting back to work slowly but surely!

Here are some pictures from this month, enjoy!

In his Moby wrap sleeping

Godmother Trudi and Quinn

sleeping with Grandpa Brecke

snuggles with Gaga B

My Godmother Trudi holding me when I was little

Meeting his Uncles Jay and Ross

Meeting his cousin Maddie

A picture when we all got together Monday

Oh how times have changed!

With my Godmother and his Gaga B

Meeting Uncle Anton for the first time

Cousins

Meeting Eli, Westin and Aunt Kristy

Meeting his Great Grandma Brecke

Off we go to catch our flight

Meeting his Great Aunt Laurie

So BIG!

Meeting his Aunt Jesse

Love,

Brendan, Alyssa and Quinn 

We got a new Valentine

And his name is Quinn! We are in love with this little guy, he is officially one month old now. It has been great so far just a lot of adjusting. I have to laugh because it has been a learning experience from beginning to end. We have been spoiled, since January we have had lots of help. Kathy and Tom came to town and Grandpa Tom finally got to meet Mr.Quinn. Aunt Laura and Unlce Mike were also here at the same time and it was such a treat spending time with everyone. I also got lots of help with little man as well. Brendan and I had a day date too! Tommy and Brandy babysat and we were able to go skiing/snowboarding.
This past week my parents came to town and my Grandpa Brecke got to meet Quinn as well. Lucky for me my Mom has been here all week and has spent lots of cuddling both Quinn and me. We have a few weeks alone here and then we have some visitors again and I will be going back to MN as well. Life is good and we can't wait for some spring! Enjoy some recent pics!

Me and Quinn he is in his custom sweater by Mom and tie onsie made by the lovely Lexi

Grandpa Brecke meeting Quinn for the first time!

After our newborn baby Quinn photo session

Having a great weekend with my parents

Quinn and his buddy Everett on his first Birthday!

Uncle Mike meeting Quinn

Daddy and snuggly baby photo

Hot dads with baby boys

Quinn hanging out with Aunty B

Love this picture

Quinn with Uncle Tommy watching some American domination

Oscar and Quinn

One month old picture, getting bigger!

Spending quality time with Grandpa White

Love,

Bren, Alyssa and Baby Q