Random Pictures

Brock no longer lets me feed him. I put it off letting him feed himself for about a year too long just because I hate messes. Turns out he got good at it pretty fast (not that you can tell by looking at these pictures).

Yogurt is yummy!

Wish she would cuddle like this more often...

This picture is so sweet, I could just eat it right up! That's not weird, I promise.

Just something about your husband cuddling and reading princess stories that melts your heart.

New Years Resolutions

(I usually try not to type very much, so this is me apologizing for this post in advance.)

2010

For 2010 I had two New Year's Resolutions. I had resolved to run my first half marathon and to learn to play twenty hymns on the piano. I feel really good about my accomplishments this year. I ended up running a half marathon in April, a 10K in July, another half marathon in early September, and a 5k on Thanksgiving. I really grew to love running and the peace of mind it gives me, and just being fit in general. I talk about it a lot because it is really the only hobby that I have and really enjoy. I would apologize to everyone who has to listen to me, but I am not really that sorry :)

While I don't know the exact number of hymns I can now play on the piano, I do know that I couldn't play any before, and I put a valiant effort into practicing. However, even more than that, I am proud to say that I actually sang and accompanied myself on the piano for a musical number at the care center in our stake. It was a perfect audience for my first time, and I am happy to report that it was not a total train wreck. I actually made it through the entire number, not perfectly by any means, but I did it!

2011

My New Year's Resolutions for 2011 are a little more involved. I have resolved to run a full marathon and learn to play at least one song on the bass guitar. Last year I didn't make any spiritual goals that were easily measured, and I am changing that this year. I have resolved to pray ever morning. I have always been able to make time for my night time prayers, but mornings are a little more hectic. I need to remember to say my morning prayers EVERY DAY! I also will read "Jesus the Christ"and read the Sunday school lesson and scriptures before Sunday each week. I think these are goals that can be tracked easily and will make an impact on my spirituality in ways that can't be measured.

I would say wish me luck, but I guess no luck is needed. I have committed to do these things, so I will! Happy New Year!

Christmas 2010

Christmas Eve

We kicked off Christmas Eve by watching "The Nativity" with the kids. Tyler and I have decided to make that a tradition in our family. We always watch that movie before we open any presents to help us remember to true meaning of Christmas. After that we opened presents with Grandma and Papa Bricco. The kids also got to open their traditional Christmas jammies.

Here are the tents they got from Grandma and Papa Bricco. The kids really liked them a lot!

After that we headed over to the McLachlans to have breakfast for dinner and wait for Collin to get home! He proposed to Natalie, and she said yes!!! We were all super excited for them to get back! Then we played some games together as a family.

Christmas Day

Tyler and I were really excited for Christmas morning this year because our kids are finally starting to understand and get excited about Santa. Brock had asked for a rocket ship and Bradlee had asked for the Fashion Fairytale Barbie, a pink curling iron and a white dress. They were so excited that Santa actually brought them what they wanted.

I found Bradlee on Christmas morning sitting in front of her presents from Santa in just her underwear and looking kinda sad. Turns out she thought Santa would still be there, and was upset that he had "disappeared". After we showed her her stocking, she started to get over it!

After that, we had her put some clothes on, and then the real present opening began.

After we opened presents from Santa, we headed back over to the McLachlans for more present opening!!!

The McLachlan girls...we meant to take another picture later once Natalie got there, but surprise...that never happened.

Bradlee is a very efficient present opener.

For the record, Brock is the worst present opener ever!!! He seriously cannot focus long enough to even get one present open. He is SO SLOW, and then he has no desire to move on to any more presents.

Here is Tyler opening Brock's presents.

Here is Lisa looking all pretty and stuff!

Tyler showing off his new beanie.

Megan was SUPER excited about some new maternity clothes!!!

Collin loves movies.

Bryan was really excited about the new coat Wendy got him. He wasn't expecting that at all!

Collin also got a new coat...and a fiance!

We mostly just relaxed the rest of Christmas day. We watched some movies, ate some snacks and played Twister. All I have to say is I dominated at Twister. Tyler finally pushed me down because I am so amazing!

I think everyone had a good Christmas! I love the whole Christmas season and the way it brings families together. I love the extra emphasis the whole community puts in to being more Christlike and charitable.

Carriage Ride

Sunday night we went caroling with the McLachlans. We sang "Jingle Bells", "Silent Night" and "Away in a Manger". Bradlee and Brock especially had a good time. They knocked on the doors and rang the jingle bells. Every single person there forgot to bring a camera even though we talked about it before we left the house. I am sad we didn't get any pictures because I think everyone had more fun than they thought they would.

Monday night for FHE we went out to Red Lobster for dinner and then on a carriage ride around Temple Square. Once again I forgot to bring my camera. I was ready to forget all about pictures, but Tyler (being sentimental) didn't want to miss their first time on a carriage ride, so he ran all the way back to the car to get our camera. The kids had a great time!! They love horses, and they love lights. We still couldn't get very good pictures of the kids because they were too excited to look where we told them. Our horse's name was Wesson, and he did a fine job! Also, we had the only carriage with a heater...sooo nice!

Here's Brock petting Wesson's nose.

Bradlee wouldn't take her eyes off Wesson long enough to take a picture.

She's still trying to get a look at the horse.

Brock was pretty pumped that he got a free candy cane. Ok, technically, I guess it wasn't really free at all.

Gotta love the Christmas season. Today I watched White Christmas with my mom. It is sort of a tradition. I swear I love that movie more and more every year. It might possibly be my favorite movie of all time. They just don't make 'em like they used to.

Two of My Favorite Teenagers

The other weekend Jordan and Max came to visit. While they were here we watched some movies, went to some Christmas parties, went out to lunch and went to the mall. They also came with us to see Bradlee's second dance recital. After the recital we went out to eat at Iceberg. Pretty sure those two were bored out of their minds most of the time, but they were good sports about it anyhow.

FHE with the Jacksons

Last night we had FHE with Kate, Hunter, Keelia and Hadlee. We went to Gardener Village and went on an Elf Hunt. We had to find about ten different elves doing a bunch of different things. After we found all the elves the kids got free candy sticks from the candy shop.

We also stopped to have treats and hot chocolate at the bakery while we were there. My kids both chose to have chips. I don't let them have nacho flavored Doritos or Cheetos at our house because of orange fingers, so they ALWAYS want them when we are out somewhere. As you can see, Keelia is the only child who cooperates for pictures.

Hunter is all about the PDA!

Keelia with her blue frosting face.

Bradlee with her nacho cheese face.

which brings us to Brock...?

I don't know about everyone else, but I had fun. I love being out and about during the holidays. Plus, Kate and Hunter are always entertaining!

Bradlee's First Dance Recital!!!

Bradlee had her first dance recital ever tonight! It was held at the Festival of Trees at the South Town Expo Center. She did AMAZING! Tyler and I could not have been more proud of her. She told us that she wasn't nervous, and she wasn't lying. She did everything exactly like she was supposed to, and was easily the cutest girl out there (I swear I am not biased)!

Oh my goodness! Look at that face! Those eyelashes just DO NOT stop!

Here she is at the venue before the show started showing off her costume.

When I picked her up after the recital was over, the first thing she said to me was "Mom, my lipstick is coming off!" She was so excited when I took her to see everyone who had come to support her. She seemed really surprised!

This picture is just precious! Tyler loves that girl like nobody's business!

When I was growing up my dad gave me yellow roses every time I had a performance, so Tyler is carrying on that tradition! She LOVED them, and that is an understatement. She wanted to carry those flowers with her everywhere!

Grandma and Papa Bricco also brought her flowers. She couldn't get enough of them!

I am the proudest mom ever! Can you tell? I think it is because she has changed so much in the last few months, and dance has made such a big difference in her! She loves her friends in class, and she loves her teachers.

Daddy is pretty proud, too!

I did not mean to only take a picture of my mom with Bradlee. I was a little anxious and excited this evening, and that is just how it worked. Papa Bricco, Grandma and Papa McLachlan were also there. I wish I had pictures of them, too! I hope no one takes it personally! Megan, Cory and Lisa all came to support this little angel too! She was eating up all the attention. I don't think she has EVER been this cooperative while taking pictures!

Brock wanted to show Bradlee some love too! He yelled for her as soon as he saw her come out on stage! I wish I also had a picture of this pose from the back, Brock had his arm around her!

Afterwards, per Bradlee's request, we took her out for pink ice cream with sprinkles. The McLachlans all came to celebrate with us! She has another performance on Friday, and we hope to get video of the actual dance to post! We'll keep our fingers crossed...