Sunday, December 28, 2008

CHRISTMAS

I can't believe that Christmas has already come and gone already. I always get so sad when it is over. I don't want to have to send Brinley back to school, it has been so fun having her home with us. Halle has especially loved having the company. The only good thing about Christmas being over this year is that I am that much closer to my due date! I really can't believe how fast this pregnancy has gone. It really does seem like it has flown by this time! Anyways...We had a good Christmas. We started off Christmas eve with our tradition of the girls opening Christmas pajamas. They were excited to get some new jammies! Then we headed off the Nate's sisters annual Christmas Eve party in the afternoon. She usually has it in the evening, but since a lot of Nate's family wanted to get home early she moved it to the afternoon. Actually it worked out great so we could make it to both of our family parties. It is always stressful trying to get to both parties and deciding which one we will go to first. I think next year we will start rotating so we aren't so stressed!


Brinley and Halle in Christmas Pajamas

The girls were so excited Christmas eve to go to bed! Luckily they went right to sleep so Santa could come early enough! Brinley came into our room at 4:30 and wanted to get up and open presents. We told her that she had to go back to bed until 7:00. I had been up sick most of the night and I just wanted to get some sleep. So she stayed in my bed and talked for another hour, (Nate ended up going into her bed) and she finally feel asleep at about 5:30 after asking every 5 minutes if it was time. Then about 6:45, I rolled over and QUIETLY said her name and she jumped up and asked if it was time to get up. We called Cam and Justin and they were on their way to watch them open their gifts. Grandma Merrell also came down to see them. They were so excited when they saw their presents. Brinley is so dramatic. She would squeal after each present and say it was what she wanted. She is a very easy child to please. Halle was excited, but she didn't have the same reaction as Brinley. It was so fun to see! They got American Girl dolls and Santa had left them sitting out. They were thrilled and they have taken them everywhere we have gone ever since! My mom gave them each some pajamas to match their dolls and that is all they want to wear!


Halle and Brinley wearing their pajamas that match their dolls

Brinley opened a movie that had a sticker from Toys R Us on it. She said to me..."Mom, Santa doesn't make all the toys, this one came from Toys R Us!" It was pretty funny! She is a very observant little girl!

Halle's typical response to opening a present

Christmas morning was spent opening presents, going to my Grandma's breakfast, and visiting all our families here. We all had a great Christmas. Sometimes it is hard having both families in town but then on Christmas I realize that it is kind of nice that we don't have to travel and we can stay in town! I have so many things to be thankful for this year! I have realized how blessed I am, as I look around me. I didn't ever get a Christmas card sent out this year. It just seemed a little more chaotic for some reason, but I hope that you all had a great Christmas! It was fun receive all your cards and catching up on your busy lives as well!

Monday, December 22, 2008

Christmas Happenings...

I always love having my kids home for Christmas break. I feel like sometimes we are so busy with school that we don't get to spend a lot of time together. So I decided that we would do some fun things for Christmas and I let them choose what they wanted to do today. Yesterday we drove around and looked at at the Christmas lights. Then today they wanted to...


Build a snowman..




Make snow angels....



Play in the snow







Make sugar cookies

Then for family night we drove out to the lights at Willard Bay with our friends. They got to see Santa and even Halle sat on his lap and she even talked to him! We also got to go on a wagon ride! It was quite an eventful day....I can't wait to see what tomorrow brings!

Christmas dresses and concerts!

I can't believe that it is Christmas already! It has flown by this year! I am so behind on posting my pictures so I thought that I would update with a few pictures of what we have been up to. Here are my girls in there Christmas dresses. They were a little upset that they were not exactly the same this year.


Halle

Brinley


Brinley also had her TaVaci concert last weekend. She did so good we are so proud of her! She seems to know the songs really well and then she gets a little nervous when she gets on stage. She doesn't dare take her eyes off her teacher in case she misses an action! She still loves singing and we hear the songs she learns all day long! :) But it is still fun to see her perform! Brinley doesn't look too happy here. This was after the concert and she was ready to be done and take her costume off!

Friday, December 5, 2008

Halloween!!!

Okay so I know that it is now December and I am just posting my Halloween pictures! I do have a good explanation for it. Our computer was down and then we could not get it going again so we had to buy another computer. Well it happened to be a good thing because Nate's brother, FINALLY talked him into getting high-speed Internet!!!!!!!!! Well actually our new computer wasn't hooked up for dial-up so he didn't have a choice. Let's just say I can actually upload some pictures without getting a load of laundry done in between and I can upload more then one picture at a time! So just a little warning there is a lot of pictures to come and more to follow.
Our Halloween was good. Brinley was Hannah Montana and Halle was a witch. Brinley was a little sick. She had to come home from because she felt like she was going to throw up. So we took her home and I kept wondering if maybe she wasn't really sick because her cousins were here. Anyways, I had to go back for her classes Halloween part because I am the room mother for her class. She wanted to come so I let her because she said she was feeling better. We were in different groups and all of a sudden her teacher came and told us to trade her spots. Brinley had thrown up all over. Poor Girl! She really wasn't feeling well!
We went trick or treating with Jen and her kids and all Brinley wanted to do was go home. I really knew she didn't feel well when she didn't care to get any candy! Which was fine with me because I just threw away our candy from last year a few weeks ago.


Brinley at her Halloween parade. Doesn't she look happy?!?


Halle and Brinley insisting they pull a funny face!

Halloween Party!

Jen had a Halloween party for us while she was here. She is so creative and is always doing something cute for the Holidays. First it started out with witches brew, which the kids were so fascinated with. They swore it was root beer! Then we ate "Body part soup" out of a pumpkin bowl. It was so funny to see the kids reaction to the body parts in their soup. And Lastly they got to bob for apples! Here are the only pictures that I got from the fun event!

Halle finally got an apple!

Brinley with her apple!


Bobbing for apples


The gang with the pumpkin bowls and the witches brew!

cOuSiNs!

Halle riding the pony at Gardiner Village. She wanted to ride these ponies when she saw them. I was shocked because she usually does not like any animal but pigs!

My sister came from California for a few days and my kids got to spend a little time with them. They were able to come and see Justin and then they stayed for Halloween. They had so much fun and my kids are always sad when their cousins have to leave! Here are some of the pictures we took while they were here! We went to Gardiner Village and saw the witches, the pumpkin patch and then who could forget Jen's fun Halloween party. She is such a fun aunt and she always has such fun ideas. No wonder my children want nothing to do with me when she is around! Thanks Jen and grandma for making the party so fun!


Brinley on her pony ride


It was so hard to get all the cousins to look at the same time so this is the best I could get!
Gardiner Village


Watching the witch the the hula-hoop! They had so much fun together, but we missed Mag's family. They were here the week before but I guess I didn't get any pictures!

Sunday, November 2, 2008

San Diego Trip


A few weeks ago I was able to take a trip with a few of my high school friends to San Diego. It was lots of fun and quite an adventure! We were planning on staying in this beautiful beach house in Imperial Beach. When we got there we were quite taken back by it...and not because of it's beauty! Here is Darci standing by the free T.V. outside our condo. Ours is the one to the left. Andrea did so good to book all of this for us! But we didn't know what we were getting ourselves in to! We got there and we were a little nervous once we drove into Imperial Beach. Let's just say that is was just like Tijuana! We had scary men yelling things at us and trying to take our picture! As soon as we saw our room we booked it out of there! Thank goodness for Darci's bravery cause the rest of us were chickens and we didn't dare tell the people how disgusting our room was. I don't think that anyone had stayed there for a few months and after seeing it, I know why!


Andrea, Me and Darci at Seaport Village



The next day was a lot better. We found ourselves a nice CLEAN, safe hotel room! We went to Coronado Island, and Seaport Village. I loved the sand at Coronado Island! I don't think Darci loved it as much as the rest of us! She got stung by a "no-see-um" jellyfish (as the lifeguard called it). She was even out of the water trying to take our picture and all of a sudden she her foot started stinging. She was in a lot of pain, so she sent me running after the lifeguard (I'm sure it was a sight to see, a pregnant lady running after the lifeguard)while Andrea and Kristi were busy picking up sand dollars. (That never even made it very far after all.......Darci!)


Darci, John, and Andrea

We had a funny experience at the temple. We were all wanting to go see the temple so we were so excited when we found it! We went in and hiked to the top of the hill to take some pictures and out walked one of our friends from high school. We had no idea that he was even working there at the temple. It was so funny! I haven't seen him since we graduated. It was fun to talk to him and he told us some good places to go!








This was probably my favorite beach, Coronado. I loved the glittery sand. It made me want to take my girls there someday. They would of loved it!

























































Darci getting some advice from the lifeguard! He told us what to put on her foot. We had to get ammonia and meat tenderizer and mix it with water! Crazy! It was a lot of fun! I was a little worried about leaving my kids for 5 days, but it was fun to get away! I had a hard time leaving them. I don't know who was more sad....me ot them. I cried the morning before and I didn't think that I wanted to go anymore. I am so glad that I did...we made lots of fun memories that we can laugh about now looking back. My kids did fine without me, but they were ready for me to come home when I did! Thanks, girls for the fun trip. Can't wait to do it again!


Tuesday, October 14, 2008

SnOw aLrEaDy?!?




So I know that it is getting to be that time of year, but I can honestly say I am not quite ready for it. My kids were so excited! They kept staring out the window watching it fall, begging to go play in it. I kept telling them that it wasn't going to stick and there wasn't going to be any snow to play in. Boy was I wrong! At least it kept them entertained for about an hour.....until they turned on the hose and froze everything outside. Cute kids! Especially when they play so well together!

Sunday, October 5, 2008

Happy Anniversary to us!

On Friday we celebrated our 8 year anniversary! I can't believe that it has been 8 years already. I think back to the day were we married and it was such a fun day! We were married in the Bountiful temple and we had our reception in my grandparents backyard. Everyone told us that we weren't going to be able to have it outside and that we should just plan to have it inside. I had always wanted a reception outside, so we just hoped for the best. It was a beautiful day! The weather was perfect and the whole day was perfect as well! Most guys don't enjoy the reception, but Nate loved it (surprise, surprise since he is the one who LOVES to talk).
This year it was my turn to plan our anniversary! I decided that I was going to talk Nate to this hilarious show in Park City. Well let's just say it was a little more colorful then I had planned. It sounds a little weird, but I had heard that it was really funny. So I got tickets and planned it! It was called "Pageant". It was a men's pageant and they were dressed as ladies. (It was supposed to be a comedy) It was a surprise so when Nate found out when we got there he couldn't believe it! I didn't think it would be like it was but parts of it were pretty funny and he did laugh even though he claims he didn't! We stayed overnight and then went shopping the next day! It was a fun getaway. Thanks to both our parents for taking our kids!
I am so blessed to be married to Nate! He is such a good dad and he works very hard so that I am able to be at home with our kids. There has been a lot of ups and downs in the last eight years, but I can honestly say that I wouldn't change one thing. It is so fun being married to him. There is definitely NEVER a dull moment when he is around. He sure makes life fun and I never know what is next with him. I love you, Nate! Happy Anniversary!

Thursday, September 25, 2008

No more bows and pink clothes!

Well I guess it is time for me to put away the bows and ALL the pink clothes. We found out on Wednesday that we are having a BOY! Before we found out I had thought about how I would feel if I was told that it was a boy. I thought that I might be a little sad because I have had so much fun dressing my girls and doing all the "girly" things with them. But when he told us I got really excited. I am ready to have a little something different and hopefully a little less hormones in this house! Plus that means that I get to shop for clothes and not have to make an excuse or hide them from Nate! Ha! Ha! Nate is really excited! He felt like it was a boy from the start. I thought that because I have been just as sick, and maybe a little more then with my girls, then it was going to be another girl! We couldn't be more excited! Halle was wanting a boy all along. Brinley said that she wanted a girl at first, but then she said to me the other day, "Mom, I don't care what it is. I just want it to be healthy." Yes, she is my sensitive little girl. When we asked her if she was excited she didn't say much. It takes her a while to let things sink in.
So now that means that I get to start shopping for fun boy stuff. A lot of people have asked if I am disappointed that it was a boy! I just have to say that I can't wait! I have already bought some really cute boy clothes and I can't wait for him to be able to wear them! We are very excited to have a boy especially since we have a hard time getting pregnant. So now we have a mixture! Also I know that Heavenly Father knew that I would never get to church on Sundays if I had one more girl to get ready in the morning. We may only make it for the very end! Just Kidding! So there is our exciting news, we'll keep you posted it anything changes. (The doctor told us to keep our receipts!)

Saturday, September 20, 2008

Peach Days, Haircuts and Cheerleading Camps.....

Wow I am a little behind! We have been a little busy the past few weeks and with dial-up I have not had the patience to post all the pictures. I just decided it was only going to get worse! Brinley and Halle wanted to do future rockettes but we were out of town that weekend they performed so we let them do the Cheerleader Camp. Brinley LOVED it, and Halle liked it until the day of the performance. She told me that she was NOT going to perform, she DID NOT want to. Usually when she makes her mind up there is no changing it whatsoever. She went willingly with her class and she actually got out there and knew her stuff. It was so fun watching them get so excited when they saw us. Brinley did very well and she knew the entire dance. (I'm a proud mom, I guess). Brinley got to take it with her cousin and she loved it!

Halle and Brinley before the performance!

Halle, Brinley and Addison


Brinley wanted to pose this way with Halle!

HAIRCUTS!

The girls have been asking to get their haircut. It has been a while since we cut it and Brinley said she wanted long hair so I was surprised when she said that she wanted her haircut. I like the easiness of long hair and being able to pull it up, but they sure look cute with their hair short as well!

Halle's new haircut
Showing off their new hair cut!




PEACH DAYS!
I know it has been a few weeks since Peach days, but I thought that I would post a few pictures that we took. The kids had this idea that they wanted to ride in the parade with Brinley's school and I thought it sounded kind of fun. Their cousins are here so they wanted to ride as well. They were all riding bikes or scooters and Nate's sister and I walked behind them. I thought it was be just an easy stroll down main street. Boy was I wrong. First we wait in the line and then finally it was our turn to go. As we turn down to go on main street, Lily decides that she doesn't want to ride the scooter anymore. So Teresa has to walk down main street holding it for her. All the while, I am chasing Brinley and Parker telling them to slow down and stay by us. Then Halle takes off riding her bike not watching where she is going. She rides her bike looking at the crowd, the candy on the street or most frequently, looking behind her. She is coasting down main street, getting further and further ahead of us and the float in front of us. So I am chasing her telling her to use her brakes, but she isn't listening to me. Finally I catch up to her a few blocks later and she had crashed into someone in front of her because she wasn't watching, and she didn't know how to stop! Meanwhile, Addison decides that she doesn't want to ride her scooter either. So Teresa has both scooters while trying to keep up with the girls! I'm sure people were just laughing at us. We were probably the best entertainment of the whole parade! Now I know you are probably asking where Nate was for all of this! Let's just say he is smarter than I and made the excuse that he HAD to be at Peach City! Let's just say that next year, I will really think about this, or maybe I will make sure that Nate gets to join in on the fun!
All ready to ride in the parade!
Halle not so sure about all of this!
Brinley and Addison
Parker and Halle