MERRY CHRISTMAS 2009

Brandt (7) continues his love of reading, 2^nd grade, making projects, telling Mom and Dad all about the wonderful facts that he’s learning, being a big helper with the other two, crusading about why he needs a dog, and is becoming an expert in persuasion and manipulation. Lately, he’s become obsessed with defeating the world against Darth Vader’s evil-ness (aka: LEGOs Star Wars). Matt is pride incarnate! (Wait, I thought pride was evil… nice.) Brandt has also begun to take piano lessons and is really enjoying it. He is so such a joy manly and cool!

Talia (5) is our enforcer. As sweet and caring as she is, she loves to let you know when you’re ‘in trouble!’ She uses a ‘sneak attack’ form of discipline. Everything is wonderful and roses, until a rule is broken and then its like WWE (that’s WWF for you old-timers) in High Definition! She is still quite the princess and loves to play dress-up, make crafts, and is becoming quite the expert at coloring. She is currently in her second year of preschool and absolutely loves it! She recently took a midnight trip to the hospital with Dad for her first asthma attack (Ahh, good times! Especially when she hurled all over the equipment, the nurse, and me). Fortunately she was very blessed and pulled through just fine.

Aeron (2) is VERY two. He’s into everything and takes delight in seeing how fast he can do it while our backs are turned. I’m quite amazed at his efficiency; I only wish I could hone his mad skills!! We are constantly laughing at his antics as he’s turning into quite the comic/entertainer. He LOVES to wrestle with his dad and Brandt. He is 100% boy and loves anything to do with running, sports, making funny noises, trains, cars, motorcycles, and making people laugh. We’re lucky to have him and all his spunk in our lives.

Matt (complete with aching back and gray hair) is still hard at work at Lockheed/NASA. He likes to tell people what to do and so his position works well for him. These people actually listen!! (Ehh, not really I just pretend like they do – it makes the day go faster.) He is so great with the kids and they tackle him the moment he walks in the door. He’s been playing football on Saturday mornings with our ward and comes home boasting of how amazing he is and how many touchdowns he makes (I am pretty amazing). Personally, I think this is meant to compensate for all the moaning and limping he does for days afterward (Totally untrue, by the way).

Amber (forever young and spry) is having a great time with the kids (Facebook), her church calling (still in YW) (Facebook), and painting the house (and Facebook). This last May, I decided that I was sick of looking like I did, and got my rear in gear and lost 20 lbs. Hopefully, these lost pounds will not be ‘found’ any time soon as we are looking forward to our 10yr Anniversary in February sans kids (Thanks Mom and Dad!!) We’re headed to the Caribbean, and are like 2 kids waiting for Christmas to come (actually, it’s like one adult and one kid).

May you have a wonderful Holiday Season and that the Spirit of Christmas touches your hearts and homes.

&, Amber and Family (Commentary by Matt)

I pretty much suck at this...

Going with my softball team to an Astros game. SO much fun!! I sure miss playing.

Isn't he a hottie?!? I'm such a lucky girl.

Showing off our muscles at the beach a couple of weeks ago. Gotta love TX in the Fall - you can still hit the beach!!!

My first 5K - WOO HOO! I did it!!! (It was VERY early in the morning on a Saturday and the photos didn't turn out very well. I think M was still halfway asleep!!)

Meet the Flintstones!

So I was looking at my blog - something I haven't done in a LONG time and I thought it was time to update.

It seems that September & October have been a blink and I can't believe November starts tomorrow! The kids have been really busy with school and A & I have been chillin' at home by ourselves for the majority of the day. As far as specifics, my memory doesn't retain them. I'll just try to do better for the next while as this time of year is so wonderful and I hope to share it with you as well.

Yesterday was our ward Halloween party and I thought that I should at least upload a photo to share on one of my favorite holidays! Hope yours was fabulous! Until next time...

Birthday & Colorado Catch-Up

Happy 7th Birthday, B! My first trial with fondant frosting... possibly my last?? Although it did turn out pretty fun.
Playing with Grandma and Grandpa at the Park. Gotta love those ice cream trucks!

Loving the slide.

My cute buddy brothers.

A beautiful view of the Denver valley. Miss those mountains!

Just enjoying ourselves at viewpoint park & giving the grandparents a break.

A fun ride at the Denver Renaissance Festival.
Well, it started out fun. I just love his face!!

At least T had a good time!

More fun rides.

Playing dress-up.

T just HAD to play too.

The kids had fun playing musical instruments.

What a natural!

Why I Do What I Do

"Mom! Let's GO-GO!"

Rock star in the making.My very own 'Next Top Model.'My little cuddle-bugs.The big 2! Mmmm, that cake looks good!It is DELICIOUS!!! A's B-day Loot! The Big 3-2!
Friends that helped me celebrate.

The F Bomb

So, A is becoming much more verbal as he nears his 2nd b-day. His latest word is yes, the F Bomb. I honestly don't know where he heard it (we're a little more G-rated around our house), but nevertheless, he's spouting it any chance he gets.

I got pretty concerned (in between giggling) about this and was trying to get him to say something else instead - all the while trying to figure out what he 'really' meant. Then, today while we were practicing body parts, I pointed to his feet and said, "A? What's this?" He then dropped the bomb and the whole world made sense.

Ahhhh, the joys of parenting.

Emotional Basketcase

Why is it, just when you're starting to feel good and normal (if there is such a state of emotion), that in the next moment you feel completely insecure and just plain dumb??? I must be PMSing...

Quote of the Day

"Hey B & T, Did you clean up your mess on the table?" I say as they run out of the room.
Brandt (under his breath) "Ohhh, SO close!"

They definitely keep my guessing. :)

On a fun note, we hit the beach again yesterday and B got to use his BRAND NEW BOOGIE BOARD!!!!! He got it for an early b-day present and he was riding it the entire time we were there. (3+ hrs...) Needless to say, I was quite proud of him - he is a natural surfer bum.......

Oh wait, this might be a bad thing... Crap.

June. In Pictures.

B's graduation from 1st grade beach party... He got the 'Best Friend' award. I made that sand castle!! Fun huh? My cutie friends at a RS dinner at the park. Afterward, we played softball. This was SUCH a great night. The food was DE-LISH!!! Eh, Carina?? Emmaly - all smiles and preggers. You rock! Hair cuts: A perfect reason to hang out with my friends. (Check out my cute curtains that I made in the background!!)

The YW had an overnight Pre-Certification campout in early June. Overly friendly rabid racoons, freakishly large (& way too close to me) alligators, and some seriously pokey hair were some of the highlights. Good times!

Then, the next weekend, we had Youth Conference. I love these girls. They are a bunch of crazies and I love it!!! We had a really great three days together.

We went to Kemah the first night and we all rode "Pharoah's Fury." I think I peed my pants a little bit...Here's me and 'D' at Friday Night's dance. She's freakin' HYSTERICAL!!! (I've been doin' WW & have lost 7 lbs so far... Can you tell????)

Has it really been a month!?!?!

Ok, so school's been out for T for a month now. Two weeks (well, 10 days) for B - and already I'm excited to go school shopping and ship them back... Nah, its been a really fun time so far, I just need to have the patience for the...

Mom! Mom! Mom! Mooom! Moooooooooooooooooom!!!!!!!!!! What are we going to do today, Mom? Mooom, I'm bored! I didn't make that mess, He did! When are we going to go to the ...??? I'm hungry! Is it ok if I have some more gum? Moooom! Why do I have to clean that up? I didn't do that TODAY!! Mooooooooom!!!!! How LONG is this going to take!?? Moom!!! He hit me! I did not! She kicked me first!!! Wellllll, he told me to! I DID NOT! MOOOOOOM!

And so on and so forth...

Bless me Father to make it through the summer without killing my children!

In Pictures

Here're some recent pictures to catch up what we've been up to the last little while.

We went camping this last weekend. It was really HOT but we survived and even saw some wildlife... Alligators, an armadillo, B saw a fox, lightning bugs, and the ever present plethera of mosquitos. :)It was B's first cub scout activity and he has THE best time. We all did. :)
Once the kids heard we were camping, we got asked, "Are we going to go camping today?" about 40 million different times. We're going to surprise them next time!

Along with camping, M spent a lot of time getting his, er, I mean our garden together. We've actually enjoyed eating some fresh herbs & some blueberries from our garden & flower beds already.

I love that man.

My family had the opportunity to get together for my Grandma's funeral this past month. Here's everyone that was there from our immediate family. It was great seeing everyone. Some relatives I hadn't seen for over 12 years.

A fun & yummy breakfast - Thanks Mom & Dad!

The whole crew.

Some pics from the hotel. Hanging with D - you sexy mama you.

Isn't my neice cute? His daddy isn't bad either. :)

Cute pic of my smokin-hot sisters and adorable nephew!

I love this shot. It completely captures how family get togethers usually go. I love these people with all my heart.

Mr. Mischief himself. A has taken the whole 'Terrible Twos' saying and run with it. He is constantly either on my lap, or off causing trouble. Sometimes, he manages to do both at the same time. What a cute little terror!!

This is my little Calvin & Hobbes photo shoot. B wouldn't be serious and just take a normal picture. I have about 20 pictures of him with different poses and facial expressions. This is him being a tiger. Grrrrr.

T is just the opposite. According to her, I didn't take enough pictures of her & they ALL turned out this cute. What a bug. :)