Halloween

We love the fall and everything that comes along with it including Halloween! The hazy sun, cool whether, pumpkin pie, sweat pants, the smell of cinnamon, and the beginning of the holiday season.

We took Bailey to a pumpkin patch just for the fun festivities. The patch had bubble machines, animals, and games set out and Bailey had a blast running around and visiting the animals. She carried pumpkins around and tried to pick up ones twice the size of her.

That night we took Bailey trick-or-treating around my parent's neighborhood. She made an adorable dalmatian dog and it suited her personality perfectly in her love of dogs. All the neighbors we visited had dogs and so I think Bailey thought trick-or-treating was visiting people's dogs. She barked every time someone answered their door and laughed when the dog showed up too. Bailey was quite a hit.

And later that night when Bailey was sleeping at grandma and grandpa's house, Brandon and I transformed into Centaurs. It was the most I have ever worked on a Halloween costume and I don't want to do it again unless it is for my kids. It was super fun but Brandon and I were cramming to get it done all morning!

Jenni and Tim were Centaurs too, and this was Jenni's magnificent plan. She also thought up how to make the costume and it was really impressive. Jenni is very crafty and her horse was perfect! Mine barely survived the night! Brandon and I were "Midsummer Night's Dream" themed centaurs, while J&T were warrior themed.

Jenni and Tim's annual Halloween party was a huge hit and it was the most people that have ever shown up! It was packed and you could not even breathe in the dance room; so much fun! The costume creativity also definitely went up a notch.

Brandon's Birthday!

Brandon is 28 years old and I love that he still wants to celebrate by going to Disneyland! For his birthday he got a disneyland pass and so we got to enjoy the fall decorations and D-land.

We started off the day with a family breakfast at the Original Pancake House. One just opened near our house and we have been excited for a visit. Brandon got to enjoy one of his favorite breakfasts of French Toast.

We then took the little one to my parent's house for a nap and to disneyland. It was a pretty crowded day so we enjoyed exploring the video rooms and walking through the shops. We did not get much time there but it was a good start to a year of fun.

For dinner Brandon's family came to visit and treated us to Red Robin; need to get that free birthday burger! We enjoyed Brandon's favorite, Pumpkin Pie, for dessert. It was a relaxing and fun day and a joy to spend time with family.

Happy Birthday my Love!

Family Lovin'

So, I am failing at keeping up on my blogs. I also have been doing a poor job in taking pictures but I am going to get back into the game!

Lately, the Bridgman's have been enjoying their time dancing to the "Baby Bop Hop," hunting for our neighbors cat's, walking Bailey's fake doggies, changing her babies "poopie diapers" about 50 times a day, making smoothies and cuddling.

Cuddling with Frani and daddy.

Cuddling with Mommy.

Cuddling with her stuffed dogs.

I can't believe Bailey is about 19 months now! She is very animated and acts-out everything she wants to share with us. For example, she loves the trash man. Every thursday is trash day and we spend most of the day running outside to watch the truck. She says "trash!" and starts running to the door and she imitates the truck picking up the cans and dropping them; it cracks me up to see how this makes her day. She is silly, active, sensitive, and a joy to spend life with.

Owl the Fish

Since Thursday is our new Friday, Bailey and I get excited for Brandon to come home and start our three day weekend!

Well, one particular thursday, about 2 weeks ago, Brandon called at five to say he was stuck at work and won't be home until close to 8pm. Always sad news on the much anticipated thursday night fun. So, with the extra time on our hands Bailey and I leisurely walked around Petsmart before getting Frani from the groomer.

They have a large fish section at this store and Bailey and I slowly looked at all the types of fish and their colors. Bailey was "ooing" and "awing" at all the fish and I had to refrain her from repeatedly hitting the glass to watch the fish scatter; entertaining I know, but terrifying for the poor fish.

Well, due to the extra time on our hands and missing Brandon, Bailey and I bought a fish. We have a blue and red male beta fish. I figured it is good cheap entertainment. Bailey picked out the color and we got rocks and a little plant for its home in one of my flower vases.

On the way home in the car I asked Bailey what her fishes name was. She kept saying "owel." After asking her a few more times later, we went with the name Owl. She has been watching Winnie the Pooh, and she says owl when she sees Owl in the movie, so why not; we have a fish named Owl.

Busy Busy

Note: Loving the beginning of Fall!! We Bridgmans love the fall; the cool breeze, the smell of rain, the nostalgic feeling of school, pumpkin pie, Halloween, sweaters, sweat pants...oh so many cozy things!

Anyhow, the Fall always seems busier than summer too. I am a bit behind in my hobbies, like my blog, a quilt for Bailey, editing my home videos and cooking quality dinners, but I will get into the swing of things I am sure.

Brandon continues to work like a studly man on the oil rig 4 days a week for 10 hours and is enjoying it. He is also playing soccer on Wednesday nights with our church Rockharbor and taking our Life Group through a study of C.S. Lewis's book "Mere Christianity." Brandon is a very thorough teacher and is able to get everyone interested in the topics.

Yes, we joined a Life Group that meets Tuesday nights. A life group is a small group through our church that meets to discuss the sunday sermon in depth and our group decided to do a book study as well. It was been enriching to meet with others and talk about what God and support one another.

As for me, I unexpectedly got involved in a few different things but so far I love everything! I became a Life Care Counselor at our church. After a lot of training, interviews, and a few psychological tests, I get to meet one-on-one with individuals and talk with them about their lives and struggles. I meet with a supervisor to debrief the session and make sure we are on track. It is a wonderful ministry and I feel so blessed for this experience. It is humbling to be so available to someone and listen to their life story.

I am also teaching a Bible class at Redhill Lutheran School. I go for two periods on friday mornings and meet with the Jr. High. It is a small group setting, only girls, and I am there for them with their questions or concerns about God and general life. I love all my girls and I am enjoying getting to know them better. Plus its great time for Brandon and Bailey to get a couple hours of "daddy daughter time."

My mom's bible study (Nurture) starts at the end of this month and Bailey gets to go and play with her friends in the nursery.

We are enjoying our new responsibilities and Brandon and I enjoy some nights of studying again.

Here are some Bailey highlights:

Playing piano.

Snuggled up watching 101 Dalmatians.

Bailey reminds me a lot of my younger brother Ryan when it comes to movies. Ryan would always watch one movie until he had it completely memorized and it became old news. Bailey follows this same pattern. So far, her order of favorites have been Bambi, Strawberry Shortcake, Lady and the Tramp, and currently 101 Dalmatians. She really has a taste for classics.

Flowers for Mommy from Daddy-ahhh...so sweet.

Jenny on Broadway

Well, not exactly Broadway but pretty close. My good friend Jenny has always been involved in theater and for the first time she and her friend, Lauren, wrote, directed, and performed their own play! They rented a small theater in Hollywood and made their own props, got their own music, lighting, programs, and hosts. It was quit impressive and everything went very smooth.

The play was entitled, "He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not," and it was about their humorous college years of dating, breaking up, and discovering what real love is.

Leann and I particularly enjoyed the play because we have been friends with Jenny through all of the scenarios and were able to recall the memories.

Some highlights: Jenny performing a "sexy" song and her and Lauren going on dates with their dads.

Good job Jenny!

Disneyland!!i

Sadly Brandon and I's Disneyland passes expired on the 24th and so we had our last hurrah and made the best of it.

Luckily it was not too crowded and so we got to hit up many of the good kiddy-rides; It's a Small World, Dumbo, the Carousal, Jungle Cruise, and Winnie the Pooh. Peter Pan and Pirates would have perfected it but ah well, still did good.

For dinner Brandon finally got the long anticipated giant Turkey leg. The curious thing about it was that it looked and tasted like salty ham...do they lie? Is it really ham? How doe they get so many large Turkey legs? Does Disney have their own giant Turkey farm? My thanksgiving turkey has never had a leg that large.

We also ate bread bowls and picked out a treat. Brandon got his favorite Micky Mouse cookie and I got a candied apple that was 'apple pie' flavored; amazing.

We stayed for fireworks and it was Bailey's first firework show. She was not so sure about it; she kept shaking her head "no" when it got too loud but kept pointing in excitement. We started in front of the castle, moved to the middle of Main St., and ended at the far end of Main St.

It was a wonderful family day and it was definitely one of our best Disneyland trips.

She's just so pretty and cute I can't stand it.