Santa Came to Town

The days leading up to Christmas Blake and I kept telling Brooke how Santa was going to come down our chimney and leave us presents. Brooke looked at me with a very serious look and said, "Santa's going to ruin our house!"

On Thursday I spent all day in the kitchen baking yummy Christmas treats. I made 3lbs of fudge, dozens of sugar cookies, peppermint sandwich cookies and 2 loaves of banana bread. It took me a lot longer than I thought it would to get the neighbor plates put together. As nighttime was approaching and we still needed to deliver the plates, I recruited Blake to help me frost cookies. This is what he came up with:
I was laughing so hard! Needless to say that I appreciated the help but this particular plate stayed at our house!
This is a totally random picture, but so cute of our happy girl in the morning!

Blake had the luxury of having all weekend off (something rare in his line of work). Christmas Eve was spent at his parent's house. Blake's sister and her family were also there so it was fun to be with them. Christmas day, we had dinner with his parents at his cousin's house. Blake's aunt and uncle were also there. It was fun to catch up with them. And after killing myself cooking all day on Thanksgiving it was so nice to just relax and eat other people's food!

Christmas Eve, ready for bed and for Santa to come!

Santa came to our house! We had a nice, (relatively) quiet Christmas morning. It was just the 3 of us so we took our time opening gifts. Brooke wanted to immediately play with her things, so it was nice to be able to let her do that.

Video of Brooke coming down Christmas morning

Blake got a Dremmel Saw Max--the tool of all tools. He also got another surprise!

Brooke's magnetic "paper" doll set. She loved it!

A cute stuffed zebra from Nona (my mom)

Ariel and Cinderella were a big hit!

Brooke also got a princess story book that has a crown that plays music when you dance.
Mom and Brooke in our Christmas slippers.

Getting ready to stary a rousing game of CandyLand

After we opened presents Blake's parents came over for breakfast. I tried a new recipe: bananas foster baked french toast. It was super easy and yummy. I made it Christmas Eve, put it in the fridge overnight and baked it while we were opening presents so it was ready to go!

Blake's mom made Brooke the cutest blanket for her bed--perfect since we just moved Brooke into her new toddler bed (more on that later!)

Of course, my biggest present was a new video camera (that I love) and a newly painted baby's room. Blake was also so sweet and fixed the keyless entry in our car. It has never worked since we've had it, and when it was just Blake and I it was no big deal to unlock the car or trunk by hand. But now with kids, it will be soooooo nice to have that fixed! Thanks honey!

A Merry Christmas to All!!

Because of snazzy technology I can write this post today (the 20th) and have it post on the 25th.

I just wanted to write and tell all of you how thankful I am for your love, support, and friendship. I love being able to stay in touch with friends and family who live far away. Many of you I haven't seen in years and years, yet I feel like connected and close to you through blogging, facebook and emails. It's so nice to be able to comment to each other and empathize when we go through hardships, successes, and just everyday life. We relate with, laugh, and cry with each other.

I am especially thankful for this time of year to remember the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. I am thankful for His life, His example, and giving us the greatest gift we will ever recieve: the atonement and the chance to live with Him, our Heavenly Father and our families forever.

I am looking forward to 2012 for several reason. The biggest being the addition of a sweet little boy to our family. We are looking forward to having a newborn in our home again. Although I am sure we are in for a few surprises too. Three years may not seem like a long time, but now that Brooke is so independent, potty trained, etc... having a newborn around will be a huge change for us. But we are ready!

I also look forward to see what Brooke learns in 2012. She has such unlimted potential that I know she will grow and develop in ways I didn't see coming. I hope 2012 will bring great things for Blake and I as well. We set some goals for ourselves for 2011 and are happy to say we accomplished most, if not all, of them. Blake is amazing. He always has the best interest of our family in mind. Whether it's coming up with ways to get our house paid off faster or building our food storage supply he is always good to remind me that small sacrifices now will have huge payoffs in the long term. And I need reminded of that a lot! One of the best things I saw happen this year was the relationship between Brooke and Blake grow. She loves her daddy! They wrestle and play and go fishing and four wheeling. It always warms my heart when Blake chooses a day with Brooke over a day with his buddies or peace and quiet fishing

We love you all and wish the merriest of Christmases and the happiest of New Years!

And if you made it this far...for your listening enjoyment are two short videos of Brooke singing some Christmas songs:

I took these videos using my new Christmas present (that I may or may not have bought for myself) It was such a great deal I couldn't resist and I wanted to get the hang of using it before Christmas morning. I can't believe how much better the picture and sound quality is than our old camera!

What a Weekend!

I think trying to fit 2 big events into one weekend, combined with being 8 months pregnant wasn't the smartest idea, but alas we did it and survived.

I try to not to make Brooke's birthday into an "event" but somehow every year it turns into one. It started on Friday (the 16th) when she celebrated at her sitter's house. I brought cupcakes for the kids and she got to wear a happy birthday crown. H. said she didn't take it off all day.

Saturday (Brooke's actual birthday) Blake and I had plans to leave Brooke with his parents so we could drive to SLC for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas Concert. We made reservations at the Marriot on Temple Square and were looking foward to some time together to be able to eat out, see the lights, and attend the concert on Sunday morning. 7:30am on Saturday Blake calls and leaves this message for me, "um..my parents house is on fire. I'm on my way over right now. Don't come. We might not be going to SLC today." Of course I am panicking, thinking their house is burning to the ground. I waited an hour and hadn't heard again from Blake so I called him for an update. He said that the fire was contained to his parent's bedroom and there was quite a bit of damage done to one of the walls. They were in the middle of cleaning up and he was going to stay there as long as they needed him. At that point, I didn't know if our trip was cancelled or not. I went about my Saturday cleaning and getting our house ready to host Brooke's birthday party on Sunday. Finally, around 11 I heard from Blake saying they had gotten the damage cleaned up, the house was livable and that we could go ahead and go on our trip. But considering the circumstances, his parents would not be able to watch Brooke for us. Thankfully Blake's sister stepped in and offered to take Brooke over night for us. I hurried and packed a bag for all of us and off we went to the city!

We got Brooke situated with Blake's family and they did a little mini party for her that night. Apparently Brooke got hammered on root beer :) while Blake and I did our thing. We got our sea-food fix at Market Street Grill, walked around Temple Square, and enjoyed an amazing Christmas Concert in the Conference Center, not to mention a kid free stay at our hotel. We picked up Brooke Sunday afternoon and were on our way home. I am so glad we took the time to walk around Temple Square. We haven't done that in many, many years. And without Brooke, we were able to take our time and enjoy the spirit that was felt there.We got home a few hours before our party guests were to arrive. I cooked some appetizers (spinach-artichoke dip, sweet & sour meatballs, a veggie tray) and got things ready for the party. We are lucky and blessed to have such good friends and family around. It was a little crazy at our house with all the people/kids running around, but it was fun to be together. Thank you to everyone who brought food/presents.Trying to get a picture of Brooke with her cards--she was way too excited

Brooke's friend Adelle was Brooke's helper--it was too cute!Opening presents: She got a Little Einsteins DVD, lacing cards, 2 books and a new doll from Blake and I. From friends she got coloring stuff, stickers, Hungry-Hungry Hippos, and a puzzle--it was perfectWhen we'd say "Brooke, show us" She would stand up and do this move:Blake was in charge of taking pictures during presents, but instead he just did a video: Brooke was really funny because when we'd tell her who the present was from, she would go over and give the present to that person. I think she is still trying to figure this whole thing out.

The cake: I knew Brooke would LOVE this cake. However I was not prepared for the ginormous fit Brooke threw when she first saw it. She wanted the crown (she called it her "castle head" and wand right away and did not want to wait until it was time. I finally had to hide it from her and she had a time out (I know, on her bday) to cool off.
Singing Happy Birthday:

Adelle, Brooke, Keaton, and Talton--there were also two one year olds running around Brooke loved her new doll!And this is typical BrookeLove you Birthday Girl!By the time the last person left, I was exhausted! We put Brooke to bed and went to bed soon after ourselves. Now to gear up for Christmas weekend.

Miss December

I blinked and suddenly my baby girl is 3! How did that happen? And my oh my how she's grown: Leaving the hospital--2 days oldFirst Christmas--1 Week OldTwo Weeks Old (This is probably my favorite photo of Brooke as a baby--Thanks V!)One Year Old Two Years OldThree Years Old:

When you are a Miss December baby it is a party all month long! Birthday presents/cards have been coming since last week and with Christmas only a week way I'm not sure that Brooke understands that they are two separate holidays. We've been trying to tell her that Christmas is Jesus' birthday and she has been going around the house saying: "It's my happy day and it's Jesus' happy day--I'm going to say hi to him"

About Brooke: she is very independent and talkative. She can memorize songs and books like you wouldn't believe, she loves anything that sparkles or has to do with princesses. Everyday when we get home she has to take off her clothes and get into a dress so she can dance (she tells me that), she is also sensitive and will gives hugs to Blake or I if we are upset, sick, or hurt. The other night I said I wasn't feeling very well and she took my hand and had me lay down on the couch. Then she sat next to me with her book and "read" me a story.

It is so fun to see her grow and develop habits and interests. She is turning into a little girl more and more everyday. We love her so much and can't imagine life without her! Happy Birthday!

Baby Love

Yesterday we had another ultrasound done to make sure the baby was growing as he should be. As I posted earlier, we found out at our 20 week ultrasound that the baby only has a 2 vessel umbilical cord when he should have 3. This can cause the heart and kidneys not to develop as they should. Thankfully it was confirmed that all looks great and our little guy is perfect. My estimated due date is still around February 3rd and he is in the 50th percentile for height and weight (I need to ask my dr. next visit what specific weight we are talking about here, I still have no desire to deliver a giant baby)

Lucky for us, our ultrasound tech was actually our neighbor so he went above and beyond showing us pictures of our little man. At first I was weirded out by our tech knowing us (but in a small town you can't help that) and having to show him my lovely bare pregnant stomach. But then I realized I show my OB a heck of a lot more than that, so I got over it :) After we confirmed all looked healthy and normal, Blake request a gender check to make sure he was still a boy. Yep, he was and I'll spare you the pictures of that. Then we got to see him practice breathing and sucking and some more developed shots of his face. I feel so extremely grateful for modern technology.

Profile shot: baby's nose and lips (his lips look huge!)
sucking on his fist:some face shots:

Seeing him this developed definitely makes it seem more real. Time has gone by so fast (at least faster than I thought it would) and we are getting so excited to see him in person--only about 8 more weeks to go! I think that he looks a lot like Blake and his side of the family. Perhaps a Blake Jr. is on his way ;)

Holiday Favorites

Before I get into my post, I have to show off my latest project. I am always looking for activities for Brooke to do during church and found a some file folder games I decided to make. And when I say "I" made them, I really mean that I had my student aide color them, cut them out and glue them together. I just laminated everything and put the velcro on. There are way more games than what is pictured here, but I am going to slowly add a few games at a time to a binder we keep in our church bag. So far, they are a huge hit; Brooke loves them.Okay, onto our holiday favorites. There are so many things I love about this time of year. From the lights to thinking of fun gift ideas for people I love, putting together neighbor plates of treats, Christmas cards and of course reflecting on the real reason for the season. One of our favorite things to do (when we can) is go see this musical: The message of the play is beautiful, the songs are uplifting and Blake and I just love it. We recently went Saturday night with Blake's parents and had a really fun time. It really puts in perspective what the season is all about.

On the wordly side, I cannot let a December go by without watching some of our favorite Christmas movies:

Also: A Christmas Story, Home Alone, It's A Wonderful Life, Christmas Vacation..just to name a few.

Friday night was our ward Christmas party. Santa comes to it and this year I wasn't sure how Brooke would react. Now, Brooke has never been afraid of Santa. Curious about him, a little shy, but never scared. I was wondering if this would be the year when "stranger danger" would kick in and she would cry. Nope. She could barely contain her excitment while we were waiting in line. In fact, as we got closer and could actually see him, Brooke got away from Blake and cut in front of a group of girls and ran up to Santa to give him a big hug and sit on his lap. When asked what she wanted for Christmas, Brooke replied, "A Christmas tree" Sweet! We can do that!Brooke also loves the Christmas lights. We have probably driven around to look at lights several times already this year. Brooke says "pretty!" or "Boo-e-ful" (beautiful) when she sees them. Thankfully, lots of people on our street have lights up now so that saves us from having to drive around our neighborhood everytime we come home.

Here is Brooke dressed in jammies and a hat made by Honey ready to go look at lights on evening:I have gotten a couple requests for pictures of our tree in our house. I am not a decorater! So don't expect anything fancy:

We had to rearrange our furniture to fit the tree. Next year, the tree might go in our downstairs family roomSome of our favorite ornaments: First Christmas

Brooke's First ChristmasAnd a new one this year: We got this on our CruiseFinally, some of you may have seen on FB that Brooke was running around wearing two swimsuits on Saturday afternoon, insisting that she was going swimming. She also found a flipper (aka spatula) and was doing karate moves with it and saying "hi-ya" Well, to appease her swimming bug she settled for a bath instead:

And while she was taking a bath last night Brooke said to me, "Mommy you can't see my owies." (she has 2 bandaides on her knees where she skinned them..one of them is a batman bandaide) and I said, "Why not?" and she replied, "Because Batman is too scary."