The Sweetest Candy Cane For sure!

We kept telling Braelyn her shirt
looked like a candycane.

 So she thought

she

would

turn

into

a

candy

cane!

Simple Christmas

Christmas was kept simple this year.

I think I prefer it from now on.

I'm not saying Braelyn wasn't spoiled, but I didn't go overboard.

I bought her some gifts that we could do together.

She only had four things that she really wanted from

Santa.

Plus grandparents always spoil too.

Jeremy and I also set a $50 limit on gifts for eachother.

That was hard.

I did go over on my limit a tiny bit.

I went to Mesa to a hobby shop but couldn't find a

plane that was inexpensive.

I was sad because I really wanted to get him one since

he has been practicing flying with his flight simulator

Brae and I got him for Father's Day.

So I told him that we couldn't get one because they were over the limit.

He was ok with that and didn't complain and told me not

to worry so much about it.

Then I got home from Mesa and remembered we had a EWS Hobby

in town.

I went in there and because I was so nice the man

said  he wanted to give me a discount!

 15% discount may not seem like much to you but

that pretty much paid for my tax.

Jeremy was totally excited and suprised.

Braelyn pretty much has the same facial expression

in each photo.

She is so appreciative and grateful.

Jeremy has improved so much on his flying!

I bought him a plane a couple years ago and he

crashed Christmas Day into our garage and that was that.

It is so much fun to watch.

I want to get myself a helicopter but first I want to get Jeremy

a larger plane for Christmas next year!

It's hard for me not to spend money on Jeremy

he is such a great husband and provider for our family.

I hope you all had a Merry Christmas!

Winter Wonderland

We had to work fast to make a

SNOWMAN.

Time was running out.

The snow was melting....

Me

and my

SNOW ANGEL!

Family

My little brother Taz's daughter

Tatum had surgery on her heart last week.

Taz and his wife Halie are both nurses and understood everything

that was going to happen.

They are so strong.

Tatum did so well.

Jeremy, Brae and I went to see Tatum at the hospital in Tucson.

Braelyn was so scared for her little cousin.

I can't even imagine what parents go through when a child

is sick with something serious like this.

Constant worry.

I just admire my brother and his wife.

Such good parents.

I just love them.

I am so grateful for family.

I love my family.

This is my brother Taz and his wife Halie and their two cute kids Talley and Tatum.

Some people have said to me.

Braelyn is so sweet why try to have any more kids.

Your life is great.

Don't do it.

Don't adopt.

But for me. 

I think of all the great times that I have with my family.

Things that we have been through as brothers and sisters.
I want her to experience that.

I couldn't imagine not having them.

So grateful for family!

Mesa Temple Christmas Lights

I love Christmas time!

Jeremy and I lived next to the temple

when we first were married.

I remember all the time it took to put up all the lights.

I would exercise and run around the temple everyday

and watch as they put all the lights up.

Braelyn pretending she is a shepherd looking at the

star of Christmas.

I love this picture!

I love Christmas!

Kindergarten Christmas Program

Braelyn was so nervous about her speaking part.

She told me after.

Mom, I was so scared but I kept

telling myself .

I can do this.

I can do this.

She came alive after she did her part.

She did so good.

I was so proud of her.

Best Buddies!

NaUghTy or niCe

I think very nice!

giNgerBrEad HoUse

We love to create a

gingerbread house

each year.

One for me.

One for the house.

One for me.....

Yummy, shiny little candies!

Braelyn takes such care with each candy.

This year our house had a wreath.

All done.

Jeremy is counting down the days

until Braelyn lets him blow it up

with a firecracker.

Pilgrims, Indians and Turkeys

Braelyn a fierce indian girl warrior.

She made this hat at Kindergarten. 

 Montessorri Thanksgiving Celebration

Braelyn at work

We let the kids decide

if they wanted

 to be a pilgrim or indian.

Mrs. Merrill made all the pilgrim hats and

I helped the kids make their own indian hats.

Then the day of the celebration

 the indians

 made cornbread and caramel apple pudding

 and the pilgrims

made turkey and stuffing

with vegetables and cranberry orange relish.

Then the PILGRIMS and INDIANS

joined together for their

THANKSGIVING FEAST.

KINDERGARTEN THANKSGIVING PROGRAM

Under One Sky

Braelyn being a turkey.

Kindergarten  Class

Braelyn and her friend Baylee did an encore performance

for me and Baylee's Mom.

Too cute!

mONkeY bArS

Braelyn is a monkey bars PRO!

Have you done the monkey bars lately?

Braelyn asks

Mom can you do the monkey bars?

Me

Yup I used to be able to.

So I tried ....

I thought my arms were going to

pop out of their sockets.

So I can do 2 rungs.

Terrible isn't it.

Kinda like when you jump on the

trampoline.

When you were a kid it didn't hurt but

for me now it's just plain painful.

Braelyn

got her ears pierced.

It was quite the event.

We went to Mesa and while I was out working Jeremy called to say

that Braelyn was ready to get her ears pierced.

I had heard this before but she usually would change her mind.

This time she was ready so we wen o the mall into Merle Norman.

There was another little girl there also getting her ears pierced.

I guess she wasn't really little, she was probably 8 or 9 years old.

When they were prepping the other little girl to get her ears pierced

 Jeremy quickly took Braelyn out into the mall.

Which was good because

when the girl got her ears pierced she yelped and began to cry.

Then I started to get nervous for Braelyn.

Jeremy brought Braelyn back into the store and

Braelyn looked over at the other little girl crying.

She looked a tiny bit uneasy.

Then they got her up on the stool and

 I held her hands and talked about all the cool earrings she could wear.

Then before she knew it she had pierced ears.

More than anything it startled her.

Then she couldn't believe it and Jeremy took her to the mirror.

She was so happy.

Then she says

Mom, I didn't even scream

 and I didn't even

hold my breath.

I'm so glad it is over and of course I didn't bring my camera.

So I didn't capture the moment darnit.

Now she has been wearing her hair back so everyone can see her

beautiful diamond earrings.

What's the Difference?

What is the

 difference

between these two photos?

My favorite pics

I am starting a new photography blog.

Just to share some of

 my favorite photos.

The button is on my sidebar.

Take a click over there.

My DandyLION has a dandelion

Braelyn found a dandelion to make a wish on.

She is running to me to show it off.

 

Making a wish and hoping it will come true.

I already know what her wish is....

a baby.

I knew it before she told me me.

 I was right.

When filling out our adoption questionaire for

itsaboutlove.org.

When asked what Jeremy's favorite flower was he

said the

dandelion.

I'm not sure if he was kidding or not.

Another thing you may not know about Jeremy

is that he loves

SUNSETS.

I remember when Jeremy and I were dating and he
would go pick up the film he had shot.

I would look at the pictures and half of the pictures

were of sunsets.

I never cared too much for sunsets, but up here I

notice that the sun sets so beautifully.

SUNSETS and DANDELIONS

Just some of the Lord's most beautiful ideas.

My First WEDDING

I am a dabbler of photography.

I have never taken a photography class.

I learn mostly by trial and error.

But I LOVE to take pictures!

I am in need of more practice so if you live close

to me and would be interested in a family picture

for your Christmas card.

Let me know.

I would love to do it for a very small fee.

THANKS!