Christmas Concert

Brenden had his Christmas concert tonight. He was very excited about it. On the way to the school he asked if we were going to be late. It made me smile. He has been singing the songs they sang for the past 3 weeks, so I thought he would sing really loud, but he was quiet. It was very cute.



Brenden we're proud of you!

sNoW dAyS!

It started Snowing Sunday night, during the First Presidency's Christmas Message, and it didn't stop until late Monday. That does not happen here. The boys were so excited when they woke up Monday morning and saw so much snow. I had to beg them to eat breakfast before they rushed outside to play. Here's how it looked.

The boys loved eating the snow and complained that they were having a hard time catching snowflakes on their tongues. I thought it was gross they were eating it, but I remember doing it when I was their age.

Even Noah wanted to eat it!

Brenden and Connor loved having snowball fights.

We were out until the sun went down. Not really, but we spent a lot of time outside the two days they were out of school.

My little angels.

It's Beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Last Saturday we went and cut down our Christmas Tree. We had a lot of fun! I think we got a good one! I decided that I was not going to do it alone this year; so we had help, which was much appreciated! I didn't even have to have it on top of our car!


The boys loved decorating the tree all by themselves. I did the lights and they did the rest. They were so excited. I had so much fun watching them.

Noah even got really into it. He would clap when he was done hanging it up.

I had to take a picture of how they decorated the tree. They would hang all of the bulbs that were the same in the same spot. I left it just like this because I think it is so funny.

I love this time of year, it truly is the most wonderful time of the year.

Look alikes?

Wherever I go people always say that Brenden and Noah look exactly alike. Here are some pictures of them in the same coat. What do you think?


Brenden November 2005

Noah November 2009

Thanksgiving Parties

This is Brenden's class. He is third from the right in the bottom row. They made Pilgrim and Indian costumes. They were so cute. I forgot my camera, but one of the other parents emailed me this.

Connor also had a Thanksgiving party. I also forgot my camera, but all of the other parents forgot too, so I don't have a picture of his. His teachers cooked a turkey, had mashed potatoes, corn, rolls, and pie. They invited all of the parents to attend. Just because I am feeling badly that I don't have a picture of Connor's party; here is a picture of Connor taken on a recent walk.

I'm Old, but not THAT Old

I was making something the other day and Brenden asked me if I had learned to do that on the internet. It made me laugh so hard. I told him that when I was his age, there was no such thing as the internet. Then he asked me if I had lived back with the Pilgrims, and then he informed me that the Pilgrims had no cell phones. Which made me laugh even harder, because I was fairly old when cell phones cam out. He then asked me if our oven was outside, because the Pilgrims ovens were outside. Then I felt a little better, at least when I was his age, we had an oven inside.

Here's another story about age. My boys asked me today how old I was. I told them how old I am and then asked how old I will be on my next birthday. Brenden replied quickly, 40! I guess we should work on counting.

First Haircut

I gave Noah his first haircut. I have never let my boys hair get as long as I did Noah's; and although it was long overdue, I was still sad. I think I was sad because cutting his hair represents how much he is turning into a little boy and leaving behind the baby. He was so good to sit still and be a good helper. Oh, and the candy helped a lot too! Here are some before and after shots.

You're Welcome

I spent the past 2 days washing my windows. They looked great for about 15 hours! So you're welcome to all of you out there who were praying for rain. I guess I'll check the weather next time before I go to all of that work!

First Preschool Field Trip

Connor had his first field trip for preschool. We picked apples at a local apple orchard. Connor loved it! He was really picky about which apples he would pick. He is doing so well in preschoool, and he is so proud that he goes to school. He tells everyone that he is going to preschool now. Oh and I had to add a picture of Noah wearing Connor's backpack around the orchard. It was so cute.

Family Vacation to Canada

We had the best time on our trip to Canada. We enjoyed every minute of our trip. We even didn't mind the long car rides. Our first stop was at my sister Lisa's house in Corvallis, OR. We had fun visiting cousins and thanks Lisa for introducing us to that French Pastry Place. It may have been some of my favorite food the whole trip!

Next we went to Seattle. Here are the boys looking out our hotel room. They liked being up high and looking down on the city.




The next day we went to the Seattle Science Center. We all had fun there. Here is Brenden sitting at a giant table.

Noah and Brenden on a giant caterpillar.

Brenden and Connor blasting off into space in the rocket. They loved pushing the real button and switches.

This cracked me up. They were looking at a giant, moving T-Rex. I love their faces.

Here are my boys looking out at the Puget Sound.

Then were were off for Vancouver City. We went to Stanley Park to the Aquarium. It was amazing. We had a lot of fun. We loved Stanley Park. I could have spent our whole vacation there.

Noah's first time in the Ocean!

We went to Capilano Suspension Bridge. It is 450 feet long and 230 feet above the river below. Because it is a suspension bridge it swings and bounces as you walk on it. It was really a strange feeling. We loved it and the boys weren't scared at all, well I mean my little boys (ha, ha.)

Next we went to Whistler. I fell in love with Whistler. It was beautiful. I can't wait to see it again this winter for the Olympics. We took a gondola from the Peak of Whistler to the peak of Blackcomb. It was amazing. We were 1,430 feet above the ground and there were 9,921 feet of unsupported span. It was pretty crazy how high up were were. They even had gondolas that had a glass bottom so you could look down and see how high up you were. We didn't ride on one of those, per request of Gary. Noah even climbed up to the window and looked down and looked at me and said, "Whoa." We all laughed. It was really amazing. We hiked while we were on Blackcomb mountain. It was gorgeous.

We had a wonderful trip. It was so fun to be together.

First Day of Preschool

Connor's first day of preschool was September 9th. He was so excited to go. I just can't believe that Connor is starting preschool. I feel like it was a couple of months ago that Brenden started.

Connor wasn't scared, or sad to leave me. He was just ready to be there. He has really enjoyed himself so far. I'm proud of what a big boy he is becoming.

First "Official" Day of School

Brenden started Kindergarten today. It was a melancholy day for me. I am excited for Brenden to learn and grow, sad that our life is now forever changed. Every other year the first day of school has been just another day for us. Today, was not just another day.

Brenden did awesome today. I think it was harder on Connor and I than Brenden. We got to the school and we took this picture:

which I might have to retake later because it looks blurry. Anyway, we got to the playground just as they were lining up to go into class. Brenden lined right up and didn't even look back to say bye. He was just excited to go start school at the "big school."

Here he is lined up with Sam.

When Brenden left and went into the school, Connor burst out crying. "Why can't I go with Brenden?" This happened last year when Brenden started Preschool. So as we walked to the car with Connor sobbing, my own eyes filled up with tears. Connor and I talked about how we were going to miss Brenden so much.

So what did we do to console ourselves? We went to the park. We had fun swinging, sliding, and chasing each other around on the grass. We felt much better. I'm just sad I only got a picture of Noah at the park. What was I thinking?

Brenden had a wonderful day. He told me all about what he did today, and how much he loved his teacher. That made me happy. I think it's going to be a good year. Change can be good, right?

Smiley Face Day

Yesterday was wear a smiley face sticker on your head day. What? You don't believe me. Ask:

BRENDEN, who started all of the fun.

or CONNOR, who loved his smiley face, hated getting his picture taken. (yes, that is Noah in the background crying)

You could even ask NOAH, he may have even been the most decorated.

It was fun, you all should try it.

For Real

My real Anniversary gift from Gary. They're gorgeous and they make me happy every time I see them. Thank you hun for the past 7 years. I feel no itch, just love.

Happy Anniversary to ME!

I bought myself an Anniversary present. I am so nice to myself. New running shoes. Aren't they beautiful? I'm pretty happy with them. So thank you Gary, thank you 100 mile man, and you're welcome from me. Oh and by the way, those aren't $4 - 5 dollar insterts.

Brenden's 5!!!

I can't believe my little boy is 5! Time has flown so quickly. We had a great day celebrating with grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. It was great to spend the special day with people we love.





We started the day making Brenden pancakes with strawberries and whipping cream (a family specialty.) Then we decorated Brenden's cake. He was so excited to help, he ended up mostly helping by eating the left-over candies we didn't use. We had a lot of fun. Brenden decided on a crocodile themed party. So we made his cake out of cupcakes. It turned out pretty cute- if I may say so myself.







We went to a spray park in Meridian, we had a picnic lunch with croquet and games and then we played in the water. We all had a blast! And I had so much fun taking pictures.










If we could see past the goggles, we'd be laughing at your hair! (love you Connor!)



Gross, I know. But come on, you all drank out of the hose too when you were a kid!










Then we headed back to my parents for a pinata and the cake. We had some pretty heavy hitters, but the crocodile held out long enough for everyone to have a turn!


Great form Brenden! Looks like being left handed is really going to pay come baseball season!

(Come on Grandma White, this is a party, you look bored!)

Brenden we love you so much! I don't know what I would do without you, you are my big helper and such a wonderful big brother! You are growing into a wonderful little person and I am so proud of you. Thanks for being such an obedient little boy!

You are my little SUPER-MAN!