Valentines Party!

Bryson frosting his cookie!

Bryson and his buddy Luke! Interesting side note is that we gave instructions for the kids to not lick their knives and all four kiddos in this picture listen very well!

I think I was more excited for Bryson's Valentines party than he was. It has been way too long that I have bought valentines and candy to hand out. When I would ask how many girlfriends Bryson had he'd answer with "two", I have yet to figure out who they are. He was such a handsome Valentine!

Out of the snow at last!

What could be better than hanging out with friends?! Oh yes good weather, shopping, golfing and great food! There was no better time to head for Arizona! There were three other couples that came along, Darrin & Shanna, Matt & Kristen, and Jen & Brandon. We rented a beautiful home that made us all not want to go back home. The trip felt like a girls getaway and a couple's retreat all in one. The guys woke up every morning to go golfing while the girls went shopping, shopping and more shopping! The guys met up with us in the afternoons for some great dinners and whatever else we decided to do. It was an awesome trip and although I am back in the cold snow, I keep remembering having the front door open and listening to the water from the water fountain in the front yard! I can't wait to go back! Thanks Kristen for the pictures!

At the airport we met Matt Hughes, he is a 9-time UFC Welterweight Champion. I would have had no idea who he was if it wasn't for Brady, but he was such a nice guy!

Sledding!

We went sledding with our good friends the Crosbie's. It was Bryson's first time playing in the snow this year and the smile he had shows how much he liked it. I was off limits for the sledding but it did give me some time to test out the new camera.

Kiera

Like father like son!

Amy & Ellie

Jeff & Ellie crashing!

It's a girl!

Pink in my house?! I was shocked to see that we were having a little girl! It wasn't until after we left the ultrasound room that I remembered of a dream Brady had previously had. A month or two before we had gotten pregnant Brady had mentioned that he dreamt of holding a little girl and saying that she looked just like Bryson. It is very rare of Brady to have dreams and remember them at that, but the second we left the ultrasound room I remembered the dream. I guess some dreams do come true!!

Santa came!

Santa was not nearly as scary as he must have looked last year. We had told Bryson so many times about Santa coming to visit him and Bryson even said "Ho, Ho, Ho" so well. So meeting him in person was a piece of cake! Santa came as promised and left Bryson a bike, a Mickey Mouse train set, and a DVD & CD of his favorite TV cartoon show!

Bryson, waiting for the gate to open to go downstairs and see what Santa brought!

Opening Christmas gifts!

My parents with the grand kids!

This year there were ourselves, my Sister Ingrid and her family, my parents and Jeff who is Marc's brother with us for Christmas. We had a great time and we missed Jad and his family, but we know that they had a great time with Shanilee's family.

Joseph!

On Christmas Eve our family dressed the kids up to play characters in a nativity scene. Bryson was chosen to be Joseph! He looked so cute in his costume, but what the picture doesn't show is the costume being taken off two seconds later never being put on again. Joseph was having fun playing and doing his own thing and didn't want to sit by Mary, baby Jesus, the angel or the wise man. Proof in this picture below.

The great news is that we think he'd be great at a more suitable character. Something along the lines of the long lost shepherd would of been great! There would be Oscar nominations for sure!

Phoenix for the Holidays!

We spent Christmas in Phoenix this year with my family. Bryson and I flew down earlier to spend time with my sister Ingrid and her family before the rest of the family came into town. Here are pictures from our adventures with the kids. Bryson had a blast!

Pictures from U-bounce (a bounce/slide place)

My view of Bryson going down the slide.

Ingrid sliding!

Brayden's turn.

Juliana sliding!

Bryson & Juliana riding a motorcycle!

Pictures from Makutu's Island (a giant jungle gym for kids & adults).

Bryson's cousin Brayden

Ingrid and the kids with the Makutu's mascots.

Bryson with Mr. Snowman from a children's musical we saw!