Favorite Time of the Year. . .

Christmas Season 2010

I attempted to take pictures for our Christmas card, but didn't love how they looked (Brody looks adorable, but my photography skills-- not so great).  So I stuck to using a professional photo for the card this year.  Maybe next year I'll have that camera of mine figured out.  Anyways, here's a sample of my attempt.

My sister and her family came over one night for dinner, so we got a picture of the cousins together by the Christmas tree.  Nathan, (in the rocking chair) is scared of Brody, (he has this strange fear of babies that none of us can figure out) so it was torture for him to have to sit this close to Brody (Check out the look on Nate's face!  Maybe he thought if he held reeaallly still, Brody wouldn't notice him.)

Brody, and Lauren

Aunt Mel

We spent Christmas at my parents house, which we normally do each year.  My parents who go south (Arizona) for the winter, make the trek "home" to Idaho for Christmas so they can spend it with all of us-- we're so GLAD!  That's what Christmas is all about. . . FAMILY, and celebrating the birth of our Savior.

T'was the night before Christmas. . .

Brody reminds me of a little elf in this next one- rummaging through all the presents.

Christmas morning.  First things first.  A bottle, then presents.  Looks to me like Brent was sleeping on the job.

Brody got a rocking horse that sings, and whinnies, and makes a galloping sound.  He loves it!

Grandpa's a funny guy!

His kisses are so sweet, but so. . .BRUTAL (and I'm not just saying that, they really are a little painful).  He grabs you by the hair with both fists and pulls, mashes his face into yours, clamps down his jaws with all of his might, and slobbers a gallon of saliva. And they're not quickies either-- you pretty much have to pry him off your face.  After one of Brody's kisses, I feel both loved, and wounded. 

Maybe just a little spoiled.

Brody thought he was one of the big boys, and wanted to try out the drums too.

We all went to church together the day after Christmas to my parent's ward.  Brody was looking dashing in his red Christmas sweater.

Those baby blues get me every time.

Last but not least, our yearly tradition.  I was literally starting to take the tree down, when it dawned on me, we hadn't taken our picture yet in front of the tree this year!  Might sound ridiculous, but I couldn't break the tradition after 10 years, so I grabbed Brent and Brody (just as we were), tried to tame my fro (how I sometimes curse naturally curly hair), and set the timer on the camera.  And this is what you get. . .

ONE word sums up our Christmas.
JOY

We are truly grateful for all we have been blessed with this year.  We thank our Father in Heaven, and couldn't ask for more.

 This is our JOY. . .

He was our most desired, cherished gift this year.

Milestones

6 months

7 months

8 months

9 months

Family Photo Op

Last summer while my brother, Steve, was home from North Dakota we had family pictures taken here in Oakley (I know, I'm slow about getting these pictures posted).  It had been eons since our last family photo (literally, I think I was in high school the last time).  We had plans to go up Birch Creek for an awesome outdoor back drop, but the rain changed our plan.  However, they still turned out great!  Family pictures are priceless to me--love my family. 

The whole crew: Jason, Melanie, Steven, Suzanne, Brent, Landon, Mom, Brody, Lauren, Dad, and Nathan!

Photographer Amy Nielson.  Thanks Amy for another great job!

The Smell of Money (a.k.a. cow manure)

Let me explain.  Living in the "country", you often hear people say they "smell money" when they smell stinky manure, or passing by a smelly feedlot, or dairy.  Delish, I know!  (I still can't figure out if they're referring to the potential money to be made from the cows, or all the money going "through" the cows as they hay turns into manure!)

Anyway, the past couple of years each fall we head down to Spanish Fork, Utah for a big "show cattle" sale where the smell of manure was abundant.  Brent has recently gotten into raising, and selling show steers, and heifers.  WE don't show the cattle, he just sells them to people who travel around to cattle shows to show their animals (yeah, kinda like a dog show, but with cattle).  The first time I saw the hoopla that occurs at a cattle show, I about died.  Seriously, people really wash, and blow-dry and put moose, and hair spray in a cow's hair, only to have it poop all over it self, 2 minutes later?!  Hilarious!  I'm still trying to understand.  I guess there's money to be made, so I better be nicer about it!  I'm learning, slowly. . .

 The hi-light of the weekend for me, was I got to meet up with one of my best friends from high school, Jen, who happens to live in Spanish Fork.  We had a blast reminiscing about the old days, and her kids, Kya, and Brennon are dolls!

Kya was dying to "ride a cow", so Brent let her sit on the heifer's back.

 They were eager to help Brent lead to cow back to the trailer.  So cute!

It ended up being a fun weekend with lots of good times.  

Happy Halloween

We had a super fun Halloween weekend with the family.  We went to my parent's house with my sister and her family. 

Such a cute little jack-o-lantern baby!

My dad put together a "Halloween Land" for the kids. He was careful not to call it a "haunted house" because he knew that would freak out my sister's triplets.  When we first got to their house he met us at the door with a bowl of "pig's eyeballs."  (eye gumballs).  Nate, Landy, and Lauren wouldn't have anything to do with eating a pig's eyeball, even after we told them it was really gum, and after watching each one of us harmlessly pop one into our mouths.  They're hilarious!

Then we went into the kitchen where my dad made magic witch's brew drinks.  We each got to choose the color of our drink.  My sister and I were his assistants.  We held up a blanket so the kids couldn't see my dad adding food coloring to the Sprite.  He let out his secret at the end.

Jason and Nate showing their witch's brew.

Brody, of course, didn't understand what was going on, but could sense the excitement and was all hyped- up! 

Then, my dad had set up a little haunted house upstairs in the master bathroom/ bedroom.  When the kids asked what the sign said above the door, his reply was, "Welcome little children!"  Nate was still scared to enter, and his poor little legs were literally trembling.  After he went through it the first time, he was okay with it, and went through about 20 more times! 

BOO!!

Lauren, Landon, and Nate were completely worn out after the fun weekend.

And so was the littlest one.

Cutest monkey ever.  We chose a monkey costume for Brody this year.  After all, he probably thinks monkey is his name, as we often call him "monkey."

Being a monkey isn't all it's cracked up to be.  He was done with the monkey business. 

My Boy

Did I mention how much I LOVE this boy?

When I'm trying to get Brody to sleep, singing to him usually does the trick.  He loves it, and snuggles right in and goes to sleep.  I ran out of new songs to sing, and got tired of singing the same ones over and over again, so I made one up just for Brody.  It's super corny, but Brody loves it (and he even still loves me after having to hear me sing)!  It goes to the tune of  "You Are My Sunshine."  (Still working on a 2nd verse).

You are my Brody,

My only Brody

You make me Happy each and every day

You'll always know dear how much I love you

I'm so glad that you are my boy.

How ridiculous is THAT!?

Weekend With Grandma and Grandpa

A few weeks ago, we went to visit Grandma, and Grandpa for the weekend.  They will be leaving for Arizona for the winter soon, so we decided to go and spend some time with them.

Grandma was telling Brody secrets!  Every time my mom would whisper in his ear, this cute smile would spread across his face!

Playing peak-a-boo with Grandpa.  Can you see the anticipation on Brody's face?

The weather was perfect, so we went out in the yard to enjoy it.  Brody was laying down in the grass playing, and when I went to pick him up I felt something wet, and slimy under his arm.  I thought, "How did spit-up get under there?"  So I looked, and lo and behold it was a disgusting earthworm hanging out of his armpit!  It surprised me, and I screamed (just a little).  Grandma rescued Brody from the earthworm, and pulled it out of his shirt.  Ew yuck!

While we did clean-up in the kitchen, Brody entertained himself in . . . the laundry basket!  He's such a good, easy-going, HAPPY baby.

6 Month Photo Shoot

A few weeks ago, a photographer friend (Amy) came over to our house to take some pics of our Brody.  They turned out super cute.

Take a peak.

Baby Buckaroo.  This is one of my favorites. 

What a handsome lil' cowboy!

This one should make your day, or at least make you smile.

Love those baby blues.

Daddy's hat. Oh, and those chubby cheeks--I could just nibble on him.

Such a sweet babe.  We love him sooooo much!!

Photography by AMY NIELSON