Brandon turns 6!!

Brandon finally got his birthday party at Boondocks. He was such a trooper to wait 3 extra weeks after we had to cancel his party in December. I told him it would be worth it & this way his birthday would stretch out a little longer. It was definitely crazy, but he had alot of fun & that is all that matters. In honor of his 6th birthday, I thought I would write my 6 favorite things about Brandon.

1. He is such a great big brother to Peyton
2. His laugh is absolutely infectious
3. He loves to hide from his dad when he gets home from work
4. He always has to give me a hig & a kiss before I leave, even if it is just to go across the street
5. He remembers EVERYTHING, even if I don't want him to
6. He is all boy...loves to wrestle, play sports, play video games & any other boy thing you can imagine!!!

I love you, Brandon & thanks for being such a good kid!!

Merry Christmas

Hi!! I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas & that you got everything you wanted (well, maybe not everything, but a few things anyway). We had a great Christmas this year, & my kids had a blast opening presents on Christmas morning. All Brandon wanted this year was a wii. He's been asking for one for about 6 months now, so Santa decided it was probably time for him to get one. He loves playing it, & I have to admit that I love it, too. Peyton wanted a Barbie Jeep, so that is what she got. There is still so much snow here that she really hasn't been able to drive it. We tried having her drive it in the basement, but she doesn't quite get the concept of steering, so she needs a much bigger area to learn in.

It's Christmas Time

Like all of you, we have had a busy few weeks around here. Christmas time is so much fun, but it is going by way too fast!! First, Brandon turned six! I really cannot believe that I have a six year old. I know alot of you have kids that turned six this year or who will be very soon, so I know you know what I mean when I say it seems like we just had his first birthday party:) We had a party scheduled with his friends at Boondocks, but a big storm came through on the day of his party so we had to reschedule it. I have to say that he took it like a man (as Derek would say). He was pretty sad for a few minutes, but then, after I explained things he understood & was okay for the rest of the day. I think Peyton was more upset than he was!!
The kids each had their Christmas programs last week. They were both so cute up on stage singing their Christmas songs. Brandon would not tell me what songs his class was singing, because he wanted it to be a surprise & of course, Peyton couldn't stop singing her songs all week.
I hope all of you have a great Christmas & are safe during your traveling. We miss everyone & can't wait to see your cute Chritsmas pictures of what Santa brought you & your family!!

Trick or Treat

I hope everyone had a great halloween. My kids had a blast & even a little rain could not dampen their excitement. As always, Peyton had to be a princess, but this year it was the Barbie Island Princess. Brandon changed his mind so many times but saw this Power Ranger costume at Costco & finally made a decision. We actually bought it a month a half ago. I'm surprised it made it to halloween.
Earlier in the day, I helped out with Brandon's school party, & it was so fun to see him in class with his friends. Then, that night we went up to Derek's parent's house for dinner & then did a little trick or treating in our neighborhood. For a small neighborhood. they scored pretty big with the candy.

Fall Happenings

After the freak snow storm at the beginning of the month, the weather here has been so great. They call it Indian Summer. Whatever it is, I love it:) We've been able to be outside & enjoy the warmth for the whole month of October!!
We've been saying all summer that we would take the kids camping. Since summer is over, & we never actually took them, Derek had this bright idea of camping in the back yard. We bundled them up in warm clothes & sleeping bags & Derek "camped" with the kids in the tent. They loved it & actually made it until about 5 a.m. Brandon got too cold & wanted to come in. I opted to sleep in my warm bed. I kept telling them that pregnant mommies don't sleep in tents!! We also went to a pumpkin patch, had a picnic in the mountains & for the first time in I don't know how long, Derek & I went to a Halloween party with our friends. It was a murder mystery dinner & it was so much fun. The theme was 80s & it was hilarious to see the 80s fashions back in action (crimped hair & all). Thanks to those of you who helped put on such a fun night!!
Fall is my favorite time of year & this has been a very fun month. Hope everyone has had a great October & can't wait to see all the cute pictures of your kids on Halloween!!

Snow in October!!

So we woke up Sunday morning to this!! They said there was going to be some snow flurries, but I never imagined it sticking like this. It looked like December instead of October. The high on Sunday was 40, & it was a record for the lowest high this early in October. I really hope this is not an indication of how this winter is going to be, because if it is, then I really need to think about moving back to Florida!! What were we thinking when we decided to come to freezing Utah?!? As sad I was, I'm pretty sure the kids were happier than I was sad. They jumped out of bed & couldn't wait to get on their snow gear & play in that mess. They made snow angels & threw snow balls until it melted & they came in crying. I told them there would be plenty more snow in the next few months so not to worry. It will definitely return with a vengence I'm sure!!

St. George Marathon

This past weekend was the St. George marathon & Derek decided to run it again. I think he's nuts & the training is crazy, but I am proud of him for setting a goal & sticking to it. The weather this year was terrible. It poured the entire 26.2 miles & to add to the torture there was also 15-20 mile per hour head winds. I was stressed just standing in the rain waiting for him to finish, but when he finally did cross the line, I was definitley a little relieved. The kids had a blast swimming in the pool & hanging out at the condo. The weather was beautiful every day except for the race. In the last 32 years it has only rained twice for the race. I told Derek that was just his luck & that means the next 15 years should be great weather!!