Christmas

We had a wonderful Christmas this year!! I couldn't get our Christmas card to upload, but here are some of the pictures we used- my sister-in-law Chelsea did a great job.

We had an eventful week leading up to Christmas. On monday Brooklyn had her sing-a-long at school. She was so excited for this. She had a speaking part in it and nailed it!! They were all wearing headbands to look like Rudolph. She took this very seriously!

On Christmas Eve day we had planned to go to Sean's grandparents house in Stone, ID. But due to Brooklyn and I waking up in the middle of the night sick- we decided to stay at home and rest for our big party that night. Luckily, it passed quickly and we were able to have a great time. On my mom's side of the family, every Christmas Eve we get together with my Great-Aunt Venice's family and have a party. For the last several years, it is held at the Wellsville Tabernacle. We have a delicious meal, a program (Brooklyn sang "Tap, Tap" a song from her sing-a-long), the Nativity scene is acted act- costumes and all, we sing the "12 Days of Christmas" song, and conclude with a gift exchange. I have to say that this was one of the better parties I can remember having. When I was little we were the ones acting out the Nativity and this year it was so fun to see the "second generation" acting it out. Brooklyn was Mary and Gracie was an Angel. (I am sad because we didn't get a picture of the whole group.) My Grandma Ila and Aunt Venice would have been so happy to see those cute great-grandkids up there!!

All along when we asked Brooklyn what she wanted for Christmas she would say she wanted Santa to surprise her. So I decided what we were going to get her and was going to get it. That morning she wakes up and tells me that she has decided what she wants Santa to bring her- a doll house and a couple of dolls. This was 2 weeks before Christmas. So I started looking around and decided that I didn't want a cheap plastic one and I didn't love the ones I saw in stores. I had seen on KSL the one that I wanted. I decided that we could make it- no problem. Sean kept reminding me that neither he or I had the craftsmanship it would take to build it. However, my amazingly talented brother-in-law Derk does. He said he would help me and we started it the Friday night before Christmas. We didn't work on it on Saturday or Sunday and started back up on Monday- working I think 6 hours that night. Tuesday we had a good 10 hour day. And Wednesday a good 12 hours. I had to finish it that night because we were to be going to Stone early Thursday morning. With the help of my dad and Nat were we able to get it done! It turned out just as I hoped it would. The sad thing is is that Brooklyn will never know (or at least for a long time) she won't know all th time that Derk, Sean, my dad, Nat, and I put into it. (Also my mom for watching the gals.)

The finished product

This picture is classic- and of course my camcorder wasn't working to capture her reaction, but Sean got this picture

We had a great Christmas morning at home. Gracie really got into opening the presents and was so excited. Then we headed to my parents house for a delicious breakfast and then went to Sean's parents for a yummy dinner.

The gals were excited when we finally got home and they got to enjoy their toys. The next day Grammie and Pops came down to play Barbies and the gals had a blast. Then we made on unexpected trip to Stone to visit with Sean's Grandparents and his aunt and uncle. We had a great time out there.

On Monday, we got together with my cousins Tara and Ashleigh and their kids. My cousin Tara recently adopted a little girl and this was the first time we got to see her. Brooklyn was in Heaven and could have held her all night. She is even more excited for Nat's baby to get here. She is going to be a big help!

To top our Christmas week off- on Sunday night when we were driving home from my parents house we hit a deer! Yes that is fur still in the car- I am not going to touch it. We are lucky this is all the damage that was done. On our car we have a thermometer on the rear-view mirror and Brooklyn had said it is 4 degrees and Sean points to it and says that it is actually -4 degrees. At this point, I look up from the mirror and see 2 deer in the middle of the road about 5 feet in front of us. I yell, "SEAN!!!" He looks up and sees them- we missed the one and clipped the other. We weren't sure what we were supposed to do about getting the deer off the road so I called my parents and they got in their car to come and help us. So we turn around and see that the deer is laying at the side of the road alive. We sat watching it waiting for my dad to get there. After 5 minutes the deer hopped up and hopped into the field. So I guess it is ok. My parents got there and then 7 other deer crossed the road. So if you drive to Newton by way of Wellsville, be careful coming up right after the bridge- that is where they were.

I just love this time of year!! I am always sad when it is over. I love the music, the sounds, the food, everything about it. I especially love that for those few weeks, more people are turned to the Savior. The real reason for the season. What a miracle his birth was- I remember 2 years ago at Christmastime when I was 9 months pregnant and miserable. I thought of poor Mary and how daunting it must have been to have to leave home and get upon a donkey and travel. And then to get close and know the baby was coming and hoping that they would make it to the town. And to get to the town and find that there is no place for them to stay. How would it have been to know that you are about to deliver the Son of God. And then in the most humble of circumstances to have him in a barn. I love my Savior and am so thankful for him. Let's keep him in our hearts and be more like him this whole year to come and not just these weeks in December!

Happy Birthday Gracie Girl!!

I cannot believe that a whole year has passed!! Gracie had her 2nd Birthday yesterday! I can't stand how fast time goes by- it was just yesterday that I had her and now she is 2!!! I got induced a little after 10PM on the 19th and had her at 3 AM on the 20th. She weighed in at a healthy 8 lbs. 10 oz. and was 20 inches long. She didn't cry very much when she born and right off I knew there was something not right. The nurse kept listening to her lungs and would try and get her to cry and keep listening to her. The nurse played it really cool and told us that sometimes if the baby doesn't cry their lungs don't open fully up and that she wanted to wait and see what happened. Here I am in the after-birth not being able to do anything. My mom kept looking at me with a very concerned look on her face- she knew something wasn't right either. Finally, the nurse said she was going to take her down to the nursery and listen to her for a little bit. They finally determined she was having some respiratory problems and was admitted to the NICU. We were familiar with the NICU because Brooklyn was in there for 6 days after she was born. I could not believe that my second would be in there too. I was still numb from the epidural plus it was 4AM and was so tired. So they took me up to my room and told me that me as soon as the epidural wore off I could go and see her. I got a little sleep, but not a ton and Sean slept a little too. My parents had rode over and my mom had to be to school for her sing-a-long so my sweet dad sat in the NICU with our little baby. Thank you so much dad!! I was finally able to go down and see her around 9 or 10 (I think). I was not prepared to see the oxygen in her nose or the tube going down her throat. At this point, we didn't have a name for her, so Sean and I sat there trying out the 2 names we had and decided that she would be named Gracie Kaye. She ended up spending about 12 hours in the NICU, not too bad. Then she had to be under the lights. We brought her home under the lights, she spent Christmas under the lights, and suntanned for about 5 days. I think we have been blessed for the rough start she had because she is a very sweet little girl. She loves her "sissy" and her "Gus." She has a HUGE sweet tooth (I wonder where she got that from)- I swear she has a 6th sense for anything with sugar in it. I will be in the kitchen trying to sneak me a treat and suddenly she will appear and yell, "PEAS" (for please). She is talking up a storm- it is so fun to watch her develop. She went into the doctor today and weighs 30.5 pounds and is 35.5 inches tall. That puts her in the 89th percentile for both. (She has been in the 100th.) Here comes the cliche part- but I truely do feel so blessed to be her mother. She brings SO much happiness and love into our home! We Love YOU- Gracie!

You can't really tell, but she has the oxygen and tube down her throat in this picture. I love how she is holding her binki.

She had a very successful birthday with LOTS of fun new toys and cute clothes. We had a party for her on Saturday at Sean's parents house and one on Sunday at my parents house. She is a spoile little girl with lots of people who love her.

My sister-in-law Chelsea took some pictures of us last week and got this adorable one of Gracie.

Eight Years

Eight years ago, I married this handsome guy-

In this beautiful place (although the day we got married, the temple looked nothing like this- it started out rainy and then that night during the reception it snowed 8-10 inches)

It was a PERFECT day!!!

First Encounter with Santa

On Tuesday, we had out first encounter with Santa Claus. He came to the Newton Library- me and the gals, Nat and Garrett, and "Santa" Pops went to see him. It went exactly as I had imagined it would. Brooklyn LOVED him and was very serious in her discussion with him. She told him she wanted a couple dolls and a doll house. Gracie on-the-other-hand was not so much of a fan. She loves everything about Santa she loves to say "Ho Ho Ho" but she does not want to be anywhere near him. Garrett wasn't sure what he thought of Santa. It is always such a joy! Brooklyn was very concerned about how Santa got to the library. I had to explain to her that the Reindeer and the Sleigh were hiding because the Reindeer are scared of people, except Santa. She looked at me and says, "But I am really nice!" It was priceless- I agreed with her that she is nice and explained they just like to be around Santa. I can tell that she is really starting to think more deeply.

This is her seeing Santa for the first time. So excited- love the static hair!

Very serious in her discussion

Brooklyn and Santa

The crew

Poor Gracie

This morning- Gracie went and stood by "Frossy Snoman" as she calls him and put her arm around- how cute it that. And wanted her picture taken with him. Love it!

Brooklyn wanted in on the action (ignore the bed head) but I love these girls!! Gracie is yelling. "CHEESE"

Citizen of the Month!

On Monday, we went to good ol' Wellsville Elementary to see Brooklyn receive the Citizen of the Month award for her class. Every month the teacher picks a student who has been a good citizen, friend. The whole school meets in the gym and they call the student from each class up and then do a fun little cheer for them. This really was a proud parent moment. Sean and I have tried to teach Brooklyn to be a good person and we hear all the time how she is a great friend and student at school. I am really proud of her for being such a good girl. It is kinda funny, she takes being a good citizen VERY seriously. If she is acting up- I will say to her, "I bet Mr. Dobson (the Principal) and Mrs. Allen (her teacher) would love to see how you are acting right now- you are really acting like a good citizen." And she will shape right up. We love you Brooklyn!

Cinnamon Carmel Corn with Pecans and White Chocolate

On my Halloween post, I mentioned some popcorn that I had made that Sean said was the best thing I have ever made- besides the gals. It is super good!! I wish I could take credit for the recipe, but can't. Every morning at 11 on our local channel 5 (KSL) is a show called Studio 5. I am a FAN of this show. There are cooking segments, home improvement, home decorating, beauty/fashion, etc. This is where I saw the recipe for this. It was made my a gal named Sara Wells she also has a cooking website that is www.ourbestbites.com. This popcorn would be a cute visiting teaching or neighbor gift- put in a cute celophane bag and tied with a cute ribbon. Let me know if you make it and what you think.

Cinnamon Carmel Popcorn with Pecans and White Chocolate

-12 cups popcorn (about 1/2 cup kernals) I use microwave and use 2 bags
-1 cup roughly chopped pecans
-1 cup brown sugar
-3/4 tsp. cinnamon
-1/2 tsp. baking soda
-1 tsp. vanilla
-1/4 tsp. salt
-1/4 cup Karo syrup (honey makes a good substitution)
-1 stick real butter (1/2 cup)
-3 oz. almond bark (about 2 1/2 squares)

Preheat oven to 250 degrees

Place popcorn and chopped pecans in a large bowl and set aside

Combine brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a 4 cup capacity microwave safe bowl. Mix well. Chop butter into chunks and place on top of sugar mixture. Pour corn syrup over the top of everything. Microwave on high for 30 seconds and then stir to combine. Return to microwave and heat for 2 minutes. Remove and stir and then microwave for 2 minutes more.

Remove from microwave and add in vanilla and baking soda. Stir to combine. Mixture will foam and rise. Pour carmel mixture over popcorn and pecans and stir very well so everything is well coated.

Spread popcorn mixture on a foil-lined jelly roll pan. Place in oven and bake for 30 minutes, stirring every 10 mintues.

Remove from oven and spread on a large piece of parchment, waxed paper, or foil.

Melt almond bark according to package instructions. Drizzle over popcorn mixture. When almond bark is hardened and popcorn is cool, break into chunks and enjoy!

Any Suggestions?

I am the Ward Music Chair in my ward and just found out that I am in charge of organizing the Christmas Program that is presented in Sacrament Meeting. YIKES!! I am in need of any suggestions that any of you talented people might have. Please help!

HaLLowEeN

*WARNING: picture overload- I had too many I liked :)

Our computer broke down the week of Halloween so I have lots to get caught up on. We had a fun Halloween this year. The gals were sick the week before and Brooklyn missed 2 days of school but really wanted to go to the Pumpkin Walk with her class so I drove her over. And then we carved pumpkins on Monday for FHE. On Tuesday, our ward had a Trunk-or-Treat (which ended up being inside due to the snow) and a ward dinner. Gracie was in HEAVEN- this girl was born with her mama's sweet tooth and she LOVES candy so to have all these people handing her candy for no reason she was THRILLED! It was so cute to watch her and the permanent smile she had on her face the whole night. Wednesday, Brooklyn got to dress up again and had a Halloween party at dance. Last year, our cute friend Maggie was Minnie Mouse and Brooklyn decided that is what she wanted to be and remembered the whole year- so we got her a darling Minnie Mouse costume and she looked so CUTE in it! I was in Smith's in St. George with my sister-in-law Chels when I saw the cutest little Lady Bug costume for Gracie- of course I had to get it and it accompanied us on the Ragnar. Gracie actually loved her costume and the headband and wore it the whole time. Saturday, we went to Sean's parents house and played with cousins and ate some good food and snacks that Sean's mom had prepared for us. Thank you Gisele for you hard work- we appreciate it. And then we headed to Kami and Kyle's for the annual Petersen/Anderson Halloween festivities. Kyle had made a delicious chili and Kami made her scrumptious cinnamon twists (which I might add are to die for- just typing about it make me want one right now!) I think I ate about 25 of them. Jan made her usual "Witches Brew" which is homemade rootbeer and the kids were in heaven. Thanks Kami and Kyle for letting us party at your place. With all the parties we went to we ended up with a TON of candy and it has been fun trying to ration it out. I am sad that Halloween has come and gone- but now we have Thanksgiving to look forward to.

Brooklyn doing some Jedi Training at the Pumpkin Walk

She wanted a picture in every single one of these cutouts

Gracie didn't quite know what to think of the whole pumpkin carving

While Sean worked hard on the carving- I was making this delicious carmel cinnamon popcorn- that Sean told me was the best thing I had ever made besides the girls. :)

Gracie climbed up on Sean

Brooklyn took the carving VERY seriously

The finished results- the one on the end Brooklyn did all by herself and it had a cute little face on it- on the back she had also written "Em" and was very proud of it.

Trunk-or-Treat

Gracie in heaven with all the candy

Her little wings that were so cute and she actually left them on

Miss Minnie

My cute gals

I love this picture of Sean with his girls

Cousins at the Maynard's (not too easy trying to get a picture)

This is a classic picture! Brooklyn trying to take care of Garrett- him hating the dog head on- and Gracie trying to get a wrapper off of candy as quickly as possible!

Garrett, Brooklyn, Gracie, and Porter

"Witches Brew"