A Month Full of L.O.V.E

They're Just Saying...

......Kids are brutally honest, and innocent. It's really some of their best traits. Afterall, isn't that why we're told to be a little bit more like children? Lately we've been hit with some funnies around here. A necessity in life, so we're able, just for a moment to look beyond the constant teasing and fighting and re-gain a touch of sanity. and we've been needing that a little extra around here during tax season.......plus, if we're being honest, most of the embarrasing comments made in public are what we adults are really thinking, but have been trained to keep to ourselves, in attempt to appear proper. But just maybe the kids are doing some people a favor by making them aware of what may have been an oversight in their morning routines :)

"Mom What's wrong with her make-up?" or "How come her hair is so big?"

But the winner of the latest most embarassing goes to.....Carson, who saw a h.u.g.e.l.y obese person.

"Mom, I just heard him fluff. hehehe. But how do you think he goes to the bathroom if he's SO big? How would he even sit on the toilet?"

Good question Carson!

And the best quote of the week- no embarrasment even included, was when I pointed out all the yummy soy milk flavors at the grocery store and Carson said,

"Ewww, I'm never drinking Soy Milk, because then you'll get man boobs."

Well maybe i'll just have to start drinking some...with the exception of when i'm pregnant of course :)

Another Year Older....

...and so much sassier, wiser, cuter, and fun is our little Brynny Bear! Emphasis on the sass, which on a 3 year old is nothing short of pure entertainment 90% of the time. Combine that with the occassional drama...the teenage yrs could be interesting!

This little girl has a serious love of life, and you can't help but be happy in her presense. She smiles, laughs, sings, and dances constantly.

She turned 3 on January 19th, and we celebrated with a princess party fit for a queen. Brynlee is girl through and through so the theme was must do.

After our tea party, Cinderella paid us a visit and read all the little princesses her story. Then we played "find the missing glass slipper", and "hot princess castle". All in all, an adorable party for our favorite 3 yr. old!!!

Dear Rain,

....and winter, and cold (for california) weather. I like you in small doses. And i'll be honest, I'm over you. More importantly, I think i've already learned a valuable lesson from you....I thought I was decently patient, but apparently I have a loooong way to go, and much to learn. Hopefully I learn before baby #3 makes it's grand entrance!

****During prayers tonight Carson said "Thank you that it's so beautiful in California where we live and not raining. And bless that we won't laugh at people who live where it rains a lot, but that we'll feel sad for them." Prayers don't get more sincere.

The Big Day

Christmas was magical this year. Not only because my kids are the BEST ages, but because we caught Santa. But don't worry, he didn't see us.
We were quiet as a mouse as we watched Santa go about his business through the stairs. We saw him taking a rest, putting lots of presents under the tree as he talked about Carson and Brynlee, eating the muffin and milk we left out for him, and even declaring his love for burritos....I can only guess he must have been coming directly from Tiajuana.
The kids were mesmorized. I woke Brynlee up at 6:00 to tell her that I thought I heard him and she immediately popped up and said, "Me too, can we can go look at him?" It was hilarious. Carson was a little more nervous because he didn't want Santa to get even the littlist peek at him so he was very careful!!! Once he left we were ready for business.....
We woke up at my parents house this year, and everyone was in town.
It was a busy day, but SO fun!!!
Brynlee's highlight was her chest of dress-ups. She's learned all the right poses and everything. Have I ever mentioned how much I love having a girl.
And both the kids, were sent on a scavenger hunt for their final present. A John deere tractor. It's the ONLY thing Carson really wanted and when he didn't see it under the tree he was totally bummed. But I knew if I put it under the tree he wouldn't open anything else....so he had to wait.
I always wanted one of these suckers when I was little, so it was pretty fun to see how excited it made the kids, especially Carson!!!!
Then it was off to the Browns. Have I ever mentioned that they live only a mile from my parents? Therefore all holidays are anything but mellow and relaxing. Nonetheless we are so grateful that we get to see so much family all the time and especially that we get to spend holidays with everyone and have 20 meals :)
Since everyone was in town this year we also had our annual Browns vs. Andersons football game. The jury is still out on who won, or should I say who deserved to win, but we'll just leave it at that.
The rest of the week I did a horrible job at taking pictures, but Keri's family stayed in town and we played and played and played. We LOVE when our cousins are here. That, combined with the holidays made for a darn good end to 2009.

Walking in our Winter Wonderland

Our December came and went waaaay to fast like most do. If I could create the calendar for the year it would include 3 months of December and the rest Summer months. And yes, all three of those Christmas months would be be filled with all things Christmas....inlcuding, but not limited to: Christmas music (yes, I am one of those annoying people who play it for 2 months straight and am still not sick of it), Christmas cards- the only month I actually check my mail on a regular basis...honestly where's the fun in the daily and never ending bills, Christmas parties, peppermint ice cream- oh for the love of sweet, sweet peppermint ice cream, cinnamon bread, endless treats on the counter, good food, lots of candy cane hot chocolate, and nice people. (everyone is so much happier!!!!)

But since we are limited to one december month, (except in our home November is more or less a christmas month) we soaked up all the fun we possibly could for one holiday season, and sadly said goodbye until next year.

One of the seasons less exciting yet usually entertaining activities, of attempting the perfect family pictures. It's a good thing i'm writing this 2 months late because at this point i'm remembering these sessions fondly, when really, when is trying to get more the one person looking at the camera at once ever fun? Never!!!!
But it's all about the memories.....
Then we move on to one of our most favorite traditions...Christmas eve parties. We started with the big Anderson party which was luckily moved to the 23rd, so there were no partying conflicts. We LOVE our family parties!!!!
Brynlee realized she had a special place in her heart for her Great Grandma Anderson and couldn't get enough. I thought it was quite possibly one of the most tender and cute things ever, so hopefully Grandma wasn't feeling to smothered :)

What else can you do during the annual talent portion of the program? As if (whoa major clueless flashback:) Nope we listened intently the whole time, but I did love spending time with some of my cousins.

And last but certainly not least, round one of the always entertaining nativity. I figure if we do it enough, one of these years my kids will truly start to understand the true meaning of Christmas, but for now, there enthusiasm to dress up like a shepherd is pretty cute.

And the 24th.... The Brown family Christmas eve party with e.v.e.r.y.o.n.e there!!! Which has not happened in all the years that we've been married, so we LOVED seeing everyone! Here's the whole gang in all our glory!
The now annual rendetion of the 12 days of Christmas performed by some of the Brown boys. I dare to bet that until you've seen this number, you haven't seen the song properly sung with the right amount of energy.
Nativity #2....and dang cute!
Brynlee also realized that she had a special place in her heart for her cousin Brooklyn, after Brooklyn gave her a baby stroller for the cousin gift exchange. Then to top it off with a cherry, she brought her tiny little dog and let Brynlee push her around on the strollers maiden voyage! According to a two year old, life does not get much better.