Family Pictures '09

We finally had some family pictures taken, the first since Bella was born, just after Christmas last month. My sister Alisha took them, and I absolutely love 'em. The hardest part is choosing which ones I want to hang up in the house and share with people! There are so many good ones. These are some of my favorites though. Thanks again, sis. You're awesome!

My beautiful little sister Alisha got her mission call last Wednesday. We all gathered over at my parents that night and as soon as they got home (they had been out of town for their anniversary...she had to wait 2 days for them to get home to open it!) she opened it. It was an exciting and a sweet experience. She was a little worried that she might be disappointed in where she was going to serve because she really wanted to go somewhere that would "expand her horizons," and by all means she got what she wanted. She is going to KINGSTON, JAMAIICA!!!!! Can you believe it? She was nervous and excited as she was opening it, and as soon as she started to read it she got really emotional. We were all in tears as she read where she was going. She is going to be such a wonderful missionary. We are going to miss her, but are excited for her and know the Lord is adding a strong and dedicated servant to his army.

Christmas '09

Christmas came and went so fast this year, but I just accepted the fact that it would and tried to make the most out of every day. It was so fun watching Braxton kind of understand what was going on. He knows who Santa is and learned some fun Christmas songs and kept saying "Santa?Presents?" all the time. I tried explaining to him the real reason for the season and why we celebrate this special day, but I think he is still a bit young to fully understand. It was so fun watching him open presents Christmas morning and get all excited about what each box held. Some of his favorites were some heavy duty CAT trucks he can play outside with, a tent-like car from Grandma Bebe, and his present from Santa Claus, a trampoline! Wahoo! Bella got a sea horse that glows and plays music and a big stuffed giraffe and blanket also from Gma Bebe, Justin got a Iso-cool pillow that is supposed to stay cold all night long (we are still trying to determine if it really works) and I got the best present of all! Ready?? Drum roll please.............................................................................................................................................

A DYSON VACUUM!!! Wahoo!! Justin brought it in after we were all done opening presents, a beautifully wrapped big box that I had seen the night before at my parents house. I just thought it was something for my mom or something. (He is sneaky!) I wasn't expecting one, (but secretly hoping) so I was way stoked to open it try it out. My dogs shed like crazy and I am so tired of having their hair everywhere and never wanting to put Bella down on the ground or play on the floor with my kids cause of all the junk down there, and I know my old vacuum picks up squat. One turn around the room with my dyson and the bin was full already!! This beautiful piece of machinery looks and works and feels like a dream. I LOVE IT! THANKS SANTA BABY!! :)

Opening presents Christmas morning. Gotta love the Berenstein Bears!

This was so funny. He loved his candy necklace he found in his stocking, and he wouldn't stop eating it to open presents. It was too cute.

Helping Sister open her presents. He is such a good big brother.

Bella's toy from Gma Bebe. She loves it! Thanks Mom!

This toy car from Gma Bebe is AWESOME. The kids love playing in the back, and it is perfect for containing Bella if I need to put her down for a minute while I get something done. Braxton sits back here while he watches movies, eats his Christmas candy, plays with his cars...everything! And it was a huge hit with all the grandkids last night when everyone came over for dinner. Definitely a great Christmas present. Thanks again Mom!

Here it is...the big gift from Santa...the trampoline!!! The face he made when we brought him out and showed it to him was classic. He was so excited! And this is definitely one of the best investments we have ever made by far.... Braxton spends half the day out here on this thing, and best part is I can zip him up and he is nice and safe and contained and I can go do other stuff while he plays! We got an AWESOME deal on it. Gotta love Black Friday!

Hope everyone had a safe and happy Christmas. Happy Holidays!

My Kiddos

I love my children. Yes they can be frustrating and messy and cranky and lots and lots of work and many sleepless nights, but they are worth every second of it.

Braxton is such a good big brother. He loves to makes Bella laugh and has started to just go up to her and give her kisses. He gives her toys and talks to her when she is crying and has only tried to sit on her twice now. :) He thinks it is so funny when she touches him. I don't know why, but its a crack up to watch.

This is the first time I put her in his lap, and he wouldn't stop laughing! She had no idea what was going on, but I was laughing pretty hard just watching B-rax. He cracks me up.


Just within the past month, he has started to tell me he loves me. I say " I love you baby," and he will respond with "I wuv too, momma." The first time he said it I about cried, and everytime since then it still makes my heart do a little flip to hear him say it. I don't know why, but there sure is something special about hearing your child tell you they love you.
He is talking up a storm and making his sentences longer and saying more words now. He is such a smart boy - he can count to twelve already and is startin to learn his colors and some letters.

Bella, as always, is a joy. She has been having some rough nights and keeping momma awake for hours at a time, but despite that I can never stay frustrated with her long. One look at her precious face and a wet slobbery kiss on the lips or cheek and I am putty in her hands. She is almost sitting up all by herself now, and she will be crawling soon at the rate she is going. I love snuggling with her fluffy little body. I have tried to start her on solids, but so far she isn't having it. She gags everytime I feed her rice cereal, no matter what I mix it with or how I make it. Today, though, I actually fed her frozen yogurt and she ate it happily and wanted more. Thats my girl! :)

Bella Rose, my beautiful flower! How I love her!

I Love Fall!

Thanksgiving, Braxton's Birthday '09

Its amazing to me how fast the holidays come each year. As soon as October hits, Halloween is here, then you barely have time to get ready for Thanksgiving before it comes and goes, and then you blink and its Christmas! I wish this time of year could just slow down a bit so we could actually enjoy every minute of that beautiful feeling that surrounds this time of year. Its sad that it goes by so fast.

Thanksgiving was wonderful. We had it at my parents house, of course, and the food was divine. I love spending time with my fam and just sitting around and talking and relaxing. It was ESPECIALLY NICE this year to only have to drive a few minutes to get to my parents, and then be able to actually come home to put the kids down for naps in the afternoon. Living 45 min away the past couple years has made for long holidays and late nights anytime we came into town. I LOVE our new home! :) Later in the evening we met the Nobles at a big field near my aunt's house and played games and ate pie and just enjoyed being together. The weather was beautiful, too, so it was nice being outside and enjoying that while we can. Braxton loved being able to just run around and kick balls all night.

Me and Bella, Thanksgiving night, enjoying the nice cool breeze outside while watching the guys and kids play flag football

For Braxton's birthday, we took him to the zoo. He has been there before, but its been awhile and he was so excited to go see all the animals. I think he might have even had more fun just chasing all the birds around on the ground and trying to make them fly away. He wouldn't sit in a stroller the whole time we were there and insisted on running everywhere we went. Where does this kid get his energy?!?! I had so much fun just watching him enjoy himself, though. It made me happy to see him so happy and carefree.

On the bridge before going into the zoo

Anytime he saw water, he HAD to stop and find a rock to throw in it

I think the monkey kingdom was his favorite cause they were so close and almost in your face. He threw a fit when we left. (The only time the whole time we were there...a miracle!)

Waiting to ride the carasoul...this was his other favorite part of the day. He wouldn't stop smiling the whole time he was on it.

You gotta love this face....

Cake and present time! I said "say cheese" and he would say it but not smile, so I said "show me your teeth!" to try and get him to smile. This is what I got. :)

Happy Birthday my son! I love you like chocolate fudge cake loves milk!!