Gifts for the Kids

One thing that helped Brayden when we brought Brooklyn home from the hospital was the basketball hoop we had waiting for him when we got home. It was his first hoop and he has been obsessed ever since. So we've been planning on having special gifts for the kids at home when we brought Brynlee home. We got this cute little doll set for Brooklyn for her birthday 2 months ago, but kept it hidden until now. She loves it, and loves that she has her own baby to take care of while I'm taking care of Brynlee. Brayden even plays with it as much as she does. Here's Brooklyn playing with her baby:

For Brayden I've been wanting to get him a real basketball hoop for the driveway. I've looked on KSL and found plenty, but since we don't have a truck to go pick it up we've been out of luck. Well...the house 2 down from us is vacant and has been for sale ever since we moved in. Every time I drive past it I think to call the realtor and ask if the homeowners would sell us their portable basketball hoop that's in their driveway. I finally emailed the realtor and got no response. A few days before the baby was born I noticed a truck in their driveway so I stopped by and it happened to be the homeowner. I introduced myself as the new neighbor and we talked for a few minutes. I asked if we could buy their hoop, and he said we could just take it! I couldn't believe it! So after we dropped the kids off at the Ericson's the night before the baby was born, Josh and I walked down and rolled the hoop to our house. It's adjustable so we put it down to 7ft. When my mother-in-law brought the kids home a few hours after we got home from the hospital, it was the FIRST thing Brayden noticed before they even got to our house. He has been SO excited ever since. He loves shooting his hoops and is getting pretty good. I haven't taken a picture of it yet, but I will soon!