playing in the leaves

ALWAYS/SOMETIMES/NEVER: CHRISTMAS EDITION

Always
listen to Christmas music from Thanksgiving until Christmas day
send Christmas cards to friends and family
get taken back to my childhood when I hear Rockin around the Christmas tree
get my kids new Christmas jammies each year
love to watch Christmas movies with the family                                                                                                                                        go Christmas light looking every single year with my kids
add a little bit to our Christmas decor each year…and now adding nutcrackers for brody each year to his collection
get excited to check the mail in December
wish it would snow every Christmas

Sometimes
wonder how people don’t love Christmas as much as we do
stress over how long it’s gong to take me to TAKE DOWN our Christmas décor and tree stuff
drink Peppermint Mocha creamer straight from the container
still feel like a kid during this time of year
have to remind myself of the TRUE meaning of Christmas…the most important part! JESUS!!
wish the kids would sleep in past 4am Christmas morning… : )

Never
have a traditional Christmas Eve dinner
leave the sentimental ornaments off of the tree (the kids first ornaments, or the ones they make)
pass an offer for a peppermint mocha YUM!
doubted Santa until FIFTH GRADE! Bless my heart.
want to stop giving stocking stuffers. It’s my favorite part.
dread wrapping gifts! I love it.
want it to be over as quickly as it is!

little booger

Yes my son is becoming “that” boy… the one who goes around with his finger in his nose… I don’t know what his fascination is with it right now, but he sure likes doing it.. and I’m pretty sure he knows momma don’t… (hence the awnry smile)

but he still is a cute little booger! : )

ELF ON THE SHELF

Elfis is our very own elf.. he’s a pretty fun little guy… that likes to get into mischief

the first night he decided to make snow angels in our flour..

the 2nd night he took barbie out on a date..

the 3rd night he went “fishing”

4th night he came back with a surprise, the elf story dvd and a push pop sucker for miss peyton and the 5th night he decided to “play” in the bathroom! : )

can’t wait to see what the next month has in store for our special Elfis

‘Tis the season…

…to lick the beaters! Happy Holiday Baking, everyone!!!

civil war, football….whatever….

Those of you that know me, know that I really couldn't care much less about football. Don't get me wrong, I like supporting my husband and dressing my kids up in what he likes...but, when it comes to a game on T.V., I think I'd rather watch grass grow! ... But, Brandon, on the other hand is the POLAR opposite! He loves it so and it breaks his heart that my love for it hasn't grown in our 10+ years of marriage. Anyway, Saturday afternoon Cassi ) who was in town for Thanksgiving) and Karlie met me and the girls and Brody down at the Northwest Kids Club play place (which he ad not been too since they moved, and probably wont go back again $7 per kid and toys that didn’t work, and not much there to do was not worth it) but we made the best of it, and enjoyed each others company and the babies seemed to be having fun (and peyton had a blast as well lol) I was really tired from shopping all night Thursday night then waking up early friday and back out again, then meeting up with a big group of girls for lunch at Olive Garden, but I finally got to sleep early friday night, but I still felt really tired all day saturday!.. I’m am SOO not a night person, and wont be doing that again! ha!

check out this little walking boy, all decked out in his beaver gear for daddy!

THANKSGIVING 2011

This year we packed the truefam up and headed over to grandma and grandpa’s for Thanksgiving, and I had such a busy week with daycare classes, brody waking up all thru out the night, extra kids being home due to no school, and some cooking, so I was glad we weren’t having it at our house this year! We spent the day eating and enjoying each other’s company, and the kids loved playing with the cousins who they don’t get to see nearly enough. (just wish I would of gotten more pics, of amaiya, ryley and grandma : (

brody decided to share his fishy crackers with candi.. they both enjoyed this : )

brody couldn’t hold out any longer so right before we left he fell asleep in daddy’s arms (which never happens anymore so he was pooped!!) and I was about ready to head out for a long night of black friday shopping with a friend!!

LOOK WHO’S WALKING…

or at least trying….. he has been trying so hard, he’ll take several steps then fall or sit down and crawl, then back up and walking again….. its adorable!!

BRODY: ONE YEAR OLD

My Precious Birthday Boy,

You're ONE! It's hard to believe! The joy that you have brought is truly unexplainable! And, with each passing day of your short little life, I have grown to love and cherish you more. You, are a true gift from God. One that I will never deserve and always be thankful for! This month we celebrated your first birthday!!! we all had a lot of fun, lots of family and friends were here to help celebrate your first year! We spent lots of time getting ready for your big party too! We can't wait to celebrate many birthdays with you as you get older!

Though you're trying pretty hard, you're not quite walking. You can stand by yourself for long periods of time, and can even stand up on your own from the middle of the room without holding on to anything. You have taken one step here and there, but quickly realize that plopping on your hands and knees makes things much easier and allows you to get places much quicker. and you are a FAST crawler! you are pushing and walking with your zebra walker grandma and grandpa got you for your Birthday all around the house but don't want to let go quite yet. When you're ready, we'll be so excited...but, take your time. You have the rest of your life to walk!

You have become quite the little entertainer! You make people smile all of the time by just being silly and happy. You have started shaking your head side to side and making silly faces. You KNOW that we think it's hilarious and will do it over and over again. Your vocabulary hasn’t changed much, your still saying the same things as last month, You have gotten really good at "momma" and "dada!" There's no doubt that you know who we are and that we love for you to say our names!

You still only have 6 teeth, and no sign of anymore coming in real soon, but that don’t stop you from eating! you love food! (although you still refuse to eat veggies), you beg for bites of whatever were eating, and of course we can’t deny giving you bites : )You've eaten things like burritos, mac and cheese, rice, grilled cheese, chicken and hamburger, fish, potatoes, french fries, beans, and MORE! you are also loving your whole milk and juice. When you get your sippy cup, you'll drink and drink until you can't breathe...then you take a big gasp, its so funny! you are also still drinking a few bottles of formula a day 2-3 oz at a time (Dr thinks we should maybe keep you on formula until 18 months) we’ll see!

you are still loving to play with cars, you love all sizes, big ones and little ones, you love to push them all around the floor! Another thing you LOVE to do is play ball. You spot them from a MILE away, your eyes light up and, when it gets in your hand, you can’t wait to throw it! You’ll play catch for LONG amounts of time and always make it right to our hands. Your daddy and brother already have super big dreams for you when they watch how much you love to play ball!

Night time is still off and on, its not as bad as it used to be but still not what I consider “good” some nights you will wake up 1 or 2 times, then next night you will sleep thru, your very inconsistent and any little change of any kind will throw you off of your sleep.

When it comes to napping, you would still prefer (need) two (one around 9:30 and one around 2:00). although you don’t always end up getting 2 if we are out and about but when you’re tired is when your EXTREME side comes out! I have a feeling you’re never going to have a problem sharing your feelings or opinions! Peyton likes to call you a “stinker pot” …and, I must admit that I agree! :) you have also just started throwing temper tantrums, if you get told no-no, or we take something away that you want but shouldn’t have, you will arch your back, and head-butt us, and scream… it’s a little frustrating, and hopefully you will pass this phase soon.

Overall, I can say that I’m madly in love with you. Despite your little tantrums and strong will, there is NO way I could love you more! Your little dimples absolutely melts me…your big Sparkly eyes and mile long eyelashes are surely the most precious thing in the world…

So, as I write my last letter for a while, and think about your first year on this earth, I am not too sad! I am overjoyed that YOU, Brody Jay, are our son! I couldn't be more blessed.

I love you to the moon and back fourteen million times!

Mommy

Other than a dimple in a cute little chin, What's more adorable than a toothless grin? ~Azu "Betty" Espezia

On Nov 21st Peyton lost her first tooth!, these two bottom teeth have been lose for a year and the dentist thought she would lose them several months ago, so she was so excited when the time finally came for daddy to pull it, the two permanent teeth were growing behind them, so with a little work daddy got it out, and she as such a big girl!!

she put her tooth in the tooth pouch, and under her pillow when it was time for bed, and the next morning she woke up with $5 under her pillow!!

seems like just a couple years ago we were waiting for those sweet baby teeth to come in, at 7 months old.