J's Company Party

This was Jason's work party. They rented out a giant room at the Canyons Resort. It was beautiful up there...and freezing cold!

Steele watched the kid's for us in Park City at Cynthia's house so they would be nearby. We we're planning on leaving the party at around 9:00, but the night flew by so fast- the first time we even looked at a clock was 9:45! As soon as the program was over, we jumped up to run out the door (my baby was probably starving...that's why we were hurrying). I felt like a teenager, sneaking in past curfew or something (not that I have ever had a curfew, but you know what I mean).The camera guy snapped a quick picture before we left, we handed the valet guy our ticket, and we we're off! It was so nice to be alone for a while and be spoiled by people waiting on us. :)

Mommy Moments

How is it that these little people that come into our lives can have so much power over our hearts? I used to think of myself as a girl who had a pretty good handle on my emotions...but becoming a mother has turned my insides into mush! These are the moments that take my breath away:

The other night I was rocking with Brooklyn trying to get her a little bit sleepy. She was fighting it, and I admit I was being a big push-over, which doesn't help get her to bed any faster. I allowed three more books than normal plus a few extra songs. We sat there rocking in the dark until I was the one about to fall asleep. She requested that I sing "I Am A Child of God". I sang it half-way through and I thought she was out cold...until suddenly she burst into song singing right along with me as if it was her own solo. We finished the song and I was determined to be firm and make her go to bed until I felt her cute little hand reach up and touch my cheek and then she said, "Mom- you make me happy." I turned to mush all over again, but I am happy to say she went to bed right after our song.

Moment #2 for the week was all about my chubby 5-month old. He has a few different laughs, I have discovered over time, and he does one of them only when he snuggles with me cheek to cheek. His whole body goes limp as I hold his fluffy little face next to mine. He lets out this content little one-note laugh as I talk to him right next to his face, then he buries his face in my neck and just giggles. Then he starts it all over again like it's routine. Again...mush!

No, my kid's aren't perfect, and yes, sometimes I wish I could just call in sick for a day, but as long as there are moments like this to look forward to, I will always be one happy little mama!

Thanksgiving Weekend

Ben had this really brilliant idea to see who could fit an entire pack of Big League Chewing gum in their mouth and blow a bubble. They each had their own bag and were laughing too hard to finish. I was eliminated before even starting.

All of us at Thanksgiving Point with Ben, Emilee and Cambree

Brooklyn and Cambree were throwing the reindeer straw on Papa

The horses at the Petting Zoo

"LLama Face!"

The llamas were extra friendly that day for some reason. They were all popping up sticking their heads out at us. They were literally eating out of our hands...well not my hands, but other people's hands.

Brooklyn was really amused with the fake cow...can you tell?

This little elf man just wandered up to us to say hello :)

Brooklyn all snuggled up with Papa! It was cold outside- perfect time for hot chocolate with peppermint ice cream in it! Yum!

My little hot-rod. I love it when he purses his lips together like this- it makes his little cheeks round out even more!

Brooklyn was "ice-skating" with Aunt Amanda. We had been watching the show 'Cutting Edge' and it gave Brooklyn the dancing bone and she ended up ice skating all night across the living room floor.

A Happy Thanksgiving

Brooklyn and Jason's Aunt Shauna (the wild and crazy aunt we all adore!)

This is such a Brooklyn look- I love her!

Brooklyn playing with Beckam, our little turkey!

4-generation picture of the boys in J's family!

What's Thanksgiving without a wrestling match?

Grandma got Beckam to sleep!! yay!

A very sweet lady just gave this guitar to Brooklyn...she loves it! It sounds the same when Brooklyn plays it as when I play it.

Brooklyn LOVED making pumpkin bars with Monga. When she woke up the next morning, the first thing she said was, "I made a cake!"

Jason made the turkey this year. It was fabulous! It was actually the best turkey I have ever had. It was really moist and tasty- just what a turkey should be.

The Big Game

We won't even talk about the game...but despite the outcome- our blood still runs blue!!!!

A Belated Halloween...Better late than never

Veronica, Brooklyn, Yvette, and me out trick-or-treating

Brooklyn was more into mommy that night than trick-or-treating, so we came in early and snuggled! The only thing she wanted out of her candy bag was the fruit snacks! go figure.

Aliah and her daddy who is dressed like a horribly scary gorilla. Brooklyn was literally trembling at the sight of him. She was climbing up my body and clinging with every muscle she had. He ended up taking it off.

Grandma Kay and Beckam, my little pluffy pumpkin

My mom made us all homemade chili and scones and it was amazing!

Part of the big clan we went trick or treating with!

left to right: Aliah, Brooklyn, Jaeli, McKlaine, Holden

Wasn't Halloween night incredibly nice!? I didn't even need to wear a jacket! I remember going trick or treating through snow as a kid, hiding my costume under blankets, coats, gloves, and boots! This year was awesome.

Playing together!

This was Beckam's first shot at solid foods! He did really well. We we're both pretty much covered in rice cereal by the time he was done. Jason does not understand how I get so messy feeding the baby because when he does it, they are both perfectly clean!! Oh well, at least I have fun doing it :)
Beckam ADORES his big sister!!! She can make him laugh like no one else can. I love seeing her play with him- she talks to him exactly how I talk to him. All she has to do is look at him and he is the happiest baby brother around!

She also likes to pretend she's still a baby too!

Destination: California

The kids and I went to California for two weeks to visit Jason's parents. They were getting a little "grandchild sick" and had to spend some time with Brooklyn and Beckam. So, I had to say goodbye to J for two whole weeks. He said he was either crazy or just a really good husband.

This was Beckam's first little trip and first time on an airplane. It was really early in the morning so we all went to the airport in our jammies (my favorite thing to wear!)
He did so well on the plane. People were talking to him and making him smile. He got a little upset as the plane took off, but all I had to do was look at him and he would smile again. He melts my heart!
A big fat thanks to Sue for flying with me!!! We love you!

Brooklyn was making Papa twirl in circles with her. She would clap for them (after making them sickly dizzy) and tell them "good job". She loved having them in the palm of her little hand.

Yes, Grandma also had a broken wrist so they were little twinners.
When does that happen?

Beckam's favorite thing is grabbing his feet and playing with his toes. I have to admit it's my favorite thing too. I have at least 20 pictures of him doing it, it's just so cute.

We went and rode a surry on the boardwalk of Newport Beach (we never make a trip without doing that at least once) and Brooklyn rode in front with her monkey. It was really hot, but the mist from ocean would breeze through the wind making it so perfect. I love the beach!!

Brooklyn really felt in charge behind the steering wheel!

As we were walking around Balboa Island, a group of Japanese girls stopped to ask us if they could take a picture with Brooklyn. ummmm, ok! Brooklyn wasn't sure what to think.

Papa, Brooklyn and Beckam

Destination: California (continued)

And everywhere that Papa went, Papa went, Papa went,

everywhere that Papa went, B-Kate was sure to go!

She wanted to participate in everything he was doing. He loved it.

She picked up a few bad habits from ol' Papa I'm afraid

...See what I mean

Don't worry, this was house water.


She was in heaven playing outside all day and in the water.

Next, she helped Papa sweep out the garage.

Hard work is just so much fun!

We went to the park and fed the ducks but these three geese were ganging up on all the ducks and eating everything. They never separated from each other and got up out of the water and charged all the kids trying to feed the little ducks. They were viscious little creatures. I had to run and grab Brooklyn before they ate her too!

She was waiting for the ducks to come back...

...but they were a little too slow apparently.

Grandma and Beckam.

He loves the outdoors. If I can't get him settle down, the outdoors will. Such a nature baby.

Brooklyn got her cast wet in the bath-tub. We don't know how it happened because we wrapped her hand all up tight and held it out of the water, but she still managed to fill it with water somehow. I was up for at least two hours with her blow drying it. She just fell asleep.

His bath, on the other hand, was a success. Squeaky clean...and dry!

Dad, I thought you would appreciate this...he already has his Elvis impersonation down!

He loved thinking he was walking around.

Grandma made Brooklyn special Halloween pancakes almost everyday!

This time was a spider.

She even spoiled me and made me a spooky bat! He tasted delicious.

Ice cream sandwiches are a must at grandma's house.

Ice cream teeth...yummy!

We ate at this really fab-o delicious French cafe. It was so good. But next time I will have to try their strawberry cream crepes! I can't believe I had the self-control to pass them up this time...that won't happen again.

Brooklyn playing with her baby brother and having tons of fun. He has really grown to love his big sister, too. She makes him smile all the time.

What's a visit to California without a Golden Spoon frozen yogurt!

Brooklyn started out eating a little sample...

Then ended up with grandma's!

This was B-Kate as a fairy for the trunk-or-treating party. She was guarder of the ball-- kid's were asking her permission to use it.

Beckam was really enjoying himself.
The coziest pumpkin I ever did see!

Brooklyn in her fairy costume. She wouldn't wear the head-wreath or hold the wand...or even keep her wrist bands on, but I still think she made one cute little fairy.

Thanks Mike and Julie, for a wonderful trip! I had more free time than ever before with both of my kids being so well taken care of by their grandparents.