My 100th Post

I am so glad that my friend Keli started her blog.  If I hadn't seen hers I don't know that I would have ever started doing this.  I love that I am able to give my family and friends that are far away a sneak peak into our daily lives.  I hope that those of you who read it enjoy it as much as I enjoy writing it.

2008 has been a wild ride.  We are so glad to be back living in Tucson.  Marshall is working for himself and even though the economy is not in the greatest shape we are doing just fine.  We are so thankful each and every day for the blessings that God has provided in our lives.  We have two beautiful, happy, healthy children that have taught us what it means to love unconditionally.  I am married to one of the greatest men in the world, he is so good to me and I can't imagine my life without him.  We are surrounded by friends and family who are always there for us.  I look at my life and I just cannot believe how lucky I am.

I love you all so much and I pray that each and every one of you has a happy, healthy, and blessed New Year.  

HAPPY NEW YEAR from the kids.

Emma counts!

Every night when we bath the kids we always count how many cups of water it takes to rinse out the shampoo.  Emma has started to count with us.  Here is a video of her saying her numbers with us.    **I am thinking she is going to be talking in full sentences by two!** 

Click here for video.

First time in the snow

We decided to make the drive up Mt. Lemmon today to let the kids play in the snow.  Everyone else in Tucson had the same idea but luckily we got up there before it got too crowded.  Tyler and Emma had a blast.  He loved making and throwing snowballs and probably would have stayed up there all day if we would have let him. (Check out the video..the end is the best part!)

Here are a few pictures from our morning.

She fell down a lot but had Dad right there to pick her back up!

We forgot how good Tyler's aim is...check out Marshall getting a snowball  in the face!

Leave it to Marshall to teach his boy how to make yellow snow!!!

It sure is nice living in a place where you can drive an hour to play in the snow but then turn around and get back home to warmer weather and enjoy it from afar.

SNOW

It was rainy and cold yesterday which meant that we got snow in the mountains!  The paper said this morning that there was snow at 3000 ft.  I took these two pictures yesterday evening from our backyard.  

This is how I like my white Christmas...one that we can enjoy from afar!

Merry Christmas

We let all of our family know that our house would be up and moving by six a.m. so they needed to be ready if they wanted to see the magic!  Katie had one camera, Randy had my flip video, Carl had my camcorder, and mom had her camera, so every second of the morning was documented!=)  Tyler woke up first and we made him stay in his room until we heard Emma wake.  After we got her diaper changed and read the thank you note that Santa had left we headed in to the living room to see the presents.  

I think the kids were a bit shocked at everyone being in the room and staring at them because as you can see from this video they looked a bit stunned as they entered the room and saw what Santa brought.

Tyler's Santa gift was the jeep and Emma got the kitchen that I always wanted!=)

Everyone was beyond generous to the kids and they got so many wonderful gifts.  Katie got Emma a bunch of dress up clothes so that she can be Cinderella.  She loves all of the dresses and has been wearing her high heels and jewelry around the house today.  Marie got her a doll that came with a stroller, cradle, diaper bag, and baby carrier.  She has been such a good little mommy to her babies today.

Marie got Tyler the scooter that he has been wanting.  Mom and Carl got him a really neat tool bench that he has been busy at work at all day.  We are going to buy him a bike with the money that Grammy and Grandpa and Grandma Brown sent.  I haven't decided yet what we are going to use the money on for Emma but I am leaning toward a doll house...she would love this!

We had a wonderful time opening gifts and Tyler really enjoyed ripping open all the packages. Emma would get so involved in the toy that was in front of her that she would not be that interested in opening anything new so I opened most of hers.

(The Hess truck and table topper were from my Aunt Mary Lea....she made the table topper and Emma just fell in love with the pretty princess pics.)

Carl made us a wonderful breakfast and we just sat around playing with toys and watching movies for most of the afternoon. 

A customer of Marshall's had sent us a Honey Baked Ham so we had that for our dinner along with mashed potatoes like my grandmother used to make and oyster stuffing.  We also had a birthday cake to celebrate the birthday of Jesus.  

It was a wonderful day spent with our loved ones.  We really missed all of you who could not be with us, but I hope that watching these videos and seeing these pictures will make you feel like you were right here with us!  We love you all and are so grateful for all that you do for us and our children.  Thank you for helping to make our holiday season such a special one.  I wish each you a very Merry Christmas and a truly blessed New Year.

Tuesday and Wednesday

Tuesday, Tyler had school and he didn't want to miss it even if it meant not spending the day with Nana and Aunt Katie.  He was very excited because they had a birthday party for Jesus and a gift exchange.  He was thrilled with all the Spider man "stuff" that he got in the exchange.

While he was at school us girls went to do some last minute shopping.  We didn't go too many places so it really wasn't that awful to be out and about with the masses.  That evening we went to our favorite Mexican restaurant here in Tucson, El Mezon del Cobre.  The kids did really well and we all had a delicious dinner.

Wednesday we got up and went to the YMCA to burn off some of those calories from the night before.  After we were done we got a few groceries for Christmas dinner and then headed home. Mom and Carl went to spend the afternoon at his grand daughter's house at the military base on the other side of town.  Katie and Randy went to finish their shopping while the kids napped and I got a chance to make sure I had everything ready for the next day.  

After dinner that night we decorated some cookies for Santa and got out a few carrots for his reindeer.

Before we got ready for bed we let the kids open one gift each.  I decided last year that I would get them new pj's every year so they would look extra cute in the Christmas morning pictures. Last year Tyler was thrilled with his gift.  This year I think he was expecting something a bit more exciting than pajamas.  Click here to see his reaction...it is priceless!  

Marshall and I told each other no gifts this year but my sweet husband gave me a pretty wonderful gift that night...a new Cannon Rebel camera.  I was shocked.  Now I just need to take some photography classes so I can get really good at it and maybe I can start a little side business!=)

After baths, reading The Night Before Christmas,  and getting our kids nestled all snug in their beds, six very busy elves went to work putting together Santa's gifts.  We got everything done and were in bed by a decent hour.  

Monday

We geared up for house guests today.  Mom, Carl, Katie and Randy all came in to help us celebrate Christmas.  I had been telling Tyler all day that as soon as they got here that we would have Aunt Katie help us make a gingerbread house.  They didn't get here until dinner time so we quickly ate and then started on our little project.  I always have these grand dreams that our house will come out like those awesome ones that we see on the box, in magazines, and on TV.  Yet somehow I always end up just shocked at how little creative talent I have!=) We did have a few laughs as we tried to create our little masterpiece!

Mom made Tyler a little Christmas tree a few years ago that has little construction ornaments on it.  This year she made a tree for Emma.  She put the Disney princesses on it with red lights...it was beautiful and Emma LOVED it!