Prayers and Pronunciations

Just this week Dane wanted to say prayers all by himself. He was extremely successful his first time which was at dinner on Wednesday. Since then, he's wanted to say his own at each meal and does so very reverently but at bedtime....it's another story. No way, you say? See for yourself! I guess it doesn't help that my phone camera was in plain view.

Tonight as we came out of the grocery store Dane was so in awe at the bright moon in the dark sky.

Dane: "I see da moon!"

Me: "You do? Where is it?"

Dane: "Right dere!" (pointing at the moon)

Me: "That's right Dane. What else do you see?"

Dane: "I see a star, right dere, in da window!"

Let's be honest here, when it really comes down to it, the sky really is just a huge gigantic window, right? :)

My boys grow up way to quickly. I was just talking to a friend the other day about how when our kids are young and pronounce their "R"s and "L"s like "W"s, we work so hard with them to pronounce them correctly. But when they finally get it, those precious unique-to-them pronunciations and sweet little kid lisps are gone...forever. So I'm not stressing the correct "L" as much as I used to. I'm not correcting these words either cause they're my absolute favorite right now:

Cade- Movehicle (vehicle)

Example: "Okay Dad, you be the red movehicle and I'll be the blue one."

Dane- Dinosaurus (in case you're scratching your head, it's dinosaur :)

Example: I point to a dinosaur in a book and ask him what it is, to which he responds... "a dinosaurus!" To Dane, every dinosaur is a dinosaurus. :)

I love these messy faces to pieces!!!

Christmas in April with Alvin and the Chipmunks and 3-11

My Mr. Cade is a hilarious chap. I really love the stage that he's in right now, minus the talking back. ;)

While making lunch today, I had the boys play in their room together so I could have a little peace and quiet. Sigh. Those quiet moments are few and far between over here -- as I'm sure they are in your house if you have small children -- so I took my sweet time.

Cade (loudly from behind his closed bedroom door): "mom, I'm hungry. Is lunch ready yet?"

Me: "not yet, buddy." (downloading music albums to my iPod, instead of making lunch.)

Cade: "but I'm REALLY hungry!"

Feeding my kids is probably more important than downloading 3-11's song Amber, a new smooth groovy favorite of mine. But I did it anyway. Then I made lunch. And you know what? It always works out in the end because we listened to Amber while we munched down on PB&J sammies! Delicious to the ears AND the tummies!

But WHILE I was downloading instead of doing my motherly duties, I overheard Cade singing in his room. The thought crossed my mind to run down there and record the sound through the door crack but I thought it better to get his cute little face on tape as well!

So here's the same song I heard earlier, Christmas Don't Be Late. It's pretty much the same great version and SO Cade! Just imagine he's Alvin from Alvin and the Chipmunks while he sings -- they're his new favorite group! :)

Another cute conversation with Cade from today, his birthday is coming up in May.

Me: "what do you want for your birthday Cade?"

Cade: "a scooter, my own iPad, my own computer, and one of those big cars that you ride in from Toys R Us."

Me: "is that all?"

I love this kid. :)

Homemade, re-purposed Babylegs!

I just busted out 4 pairs of babylegs made from adult knee-high socks!! Talk about an EASY sewing project and so cute, right?

My local thrift store has a variety of ladies socks to choose from but it's RARE to find argyle or stripes in masculine colors in either of the men's or women's section. First 3 on the left are girly and will be gifts to a few special people BUT the black and white stripes are for Dane! Love them!!!

Welcome back Brynne and Sewing Happiness!

So I've been away from the blogging world for a LONG time and I've been feeling guilty ever since. I email with a great friend regularly (well, we try, right Michelle? :) and I've been talking about a few things I've been up to, like cloth diapering and re-purposing fabric items into reusable items.

It's been really fun. I've had a few late nights (well, early mornings--2, 3, and 5:30am) on occasion but it's been well worth it and so thrifty!

Michelle, you asked for a few pictures so here are a few teasers--more to come of some clothing I've made for the boys and I'll post as I sew!

1. bread bag for my loaves of homemade bread instead of using plastic ziplocks or cloth towel. Fits first loaf while second is in freezer, waiting to be eaten. :)

2. to-g0 wet bag (for inside my bag) for diaper changes while I'm out and about with Dane. Squirrel bag shows it's just the right size for 1-2 gdiapers. :) I appliquéd the squirrel on the front with teal stitch around to match teal and green pull ribbon.

3. another to-go wet bag--love the owl print!

4. a large wet bag for full load of dirty cloth diapers, awaiting a wash in the washing machine.

5. 2 pair of cloth swim diapers re-purposed from infant-sized swim shorts. I found these tricky to make sure I didn't cut too much off the outside short to give enough coverage over the bum. This light blue aloha print fits great. the second one fits more like the cut of a mini man-bikini on Dane, Oops!! :) But I LOVE the print of the second one.

Well, there you have a few of my crafts. I have plenty more to blog but a few are gifts to blog readers so I'll wait to post pics of those until the gifts have been given.

It's been fun to be creative and improve the skills of a hobby I enjoy so I don't see this "sewing kick" ending any time soon! :)

p.s. I still owe myself and you readers (few as you are) a good post -chalk full of pictures- on my first-ever full marathon from October! Look for that soon!

Columbia Gorge Marathon 2010

As of today, I am running the Columbia Gorge Marathon on October 24th, 2010. It is quite possible that this will be my first AND last marathon but we shall see. The race website describes this particular marathon like this..

"Experience one of the country's most spectacular and breathtaking marathons. Begin your run on the banks of the Columbia River, wind your way up and through the Columbia River Gorge on the old scenic highway.....past waterfalls, amazing vistas and colorful fall foliage."

I really am looking forward to it. Okay, correction... I am as excited as anyone can really be about running 26.2 miles consecutively, mainly to see what my body is capable of, not because I'll enjoy the torture.

I was on-course to running the Portland Marathon on the 10th of October, 10/10/2010, the coolest date this year but missed the registration cutoff. The marathon is on October 10th and the marathon participant numbers met it's quota by July, and the half marathon filled in JANUARY!!! Seriously people, WHO signs up months and months in advance?!! Anyway, totally bummed about missing out on this marathon, I looked online for ANYTHING close that was still to come. The only marathon I found left this year was Seattle's but it takes place 5 hours away and on Thanksgiving weekend so that was out. I realized that this isn't my last chance ever to run one so made the decision to call it quits for the year and try again next year, although I did have 14 weeks of training completed that would go completely wasted and I was really bummed about that.

At this time of forced resignation because of full registration, I was experiencing a lot of pain deep under my left patella (knee cap) and down throughout my fibula and tibia (lower leg bones) that really concerned me. I thought about what could be causing it and realized I had been in serious training since March of this year without true recovery so I had my answer. If I had health insurance, I would go in for an xray to check for hairline fractures but do not have coverage. I then made the public announcement that I was out for the marathon this year and decided to take a 2 week recovery from running.

So how did I end up in the Columbia Gorge marathon? During my 2 weeks off, every time I saw anyone running (and that's A LOT of people, EVERYDAY here in Eugene Oregon, home to Nike and Steve Prefontaine), I missed it so much and ached to be running again. I know what you non-runners are thinking..."she's crazy!!!" but I really did miss it. So this week, after 2 weeks off, I started back up again, pushing Dane in the BOB for an hour on Monday, running hills for 8 miles on Tuesday, then again pushing Dane in the BOB for 50 mins today and guess what? NO PAIN!! :) And my endurance is still there too! I was so relieved. I had read something about the Columbia Gorge Marathon online a few weeks back and looked into it. It's their 2nd anual run, so I knew there was room for many runners, even those who sign up closer to last minute like me. The pictures looked amazingly beautiful! Being up in the Gorge, it will be a HUGE challenge with all those hills, running on the old highway passes up the mountains but it will be the most scenic and beautiful run I'll ever run, as the fall season sets in with the crisp cool air and the breath-taking colored leaves on the trees. So I signed up today.

Am I crazy?? We shall see. I'll let you all know after I run 26.2 miles. I'll be able to buy one of those stickers that says "26.2" and sport in on my car, or water bottle or something. Nothing wrong with that right? I'll have earned the right to brag a little!

Wish me luck!

Dane can count!

At 20 months, Dane started counting!! We'd be busy playing around the house and we could hear him rambling off numbers in order to himself. So I started counting with him one day and this is an example (video taken maybe a week or so later) of what I got! We breed genuis children over here! ;) Enjoy!

Why choose failure when success is an option.

--Jillian Michaels

10 Miler and....the flu

This past weekend was the big Pear Blossom 10 Mile race my sister and I have been training for for 2 months. We, along with my mom, drove down to the Medford/Grants Pass area on Friday to stay with my grandparents in Grants Pass, have a nice visit with my Grandma Mimi and Aunt Lisa, and enjoy the Pear Blossom festivities in Medford on Saturday. It was a girls trip that was very much enjoyed.

Before the race

As for our race, we did very well. 10 miles (1h 39min) doesn't seem so long when you're running and chatting with a buddy! :) It was partially cloudy/sunny with NO wind...the perfect weather in my opinion! The race was pretty well organized and included miles on beautiful back country roads. My mom and grandparents met us at the finish line and took a picture (but on my sister's camera so I don't have it right now). We both felt great during the whole race but were glad it was finally over.

We quickly changed back at the car and then walked the downtown streets of Medford to enjoy the food sampling, see the craft booths, and watch the parade. No offense to those of you reading this that are from Medford but it was the lamest parade I have ever seen. The highlight for me was the skateboarding slice of pizza...."Who likes pizza?!" A nearby park also had live music, concessions and craft booths we walked around. We had to have walked a total of 3-4 hours that day and my 84 year old grandma and 90 year old grandpa skipped right in step. They are truly amazing!

Back to Grants Pass we went for naps, dinner, and then a movie. Sunday morning we slept in, ate breakfast, watched a movie, and then headed for home. I really enjoyed the conversation on our drives there and back. It's nice to get to spend so much time alone with my sister and mom. I sure do love them!

But oh dear, guess what was waiting to welcome me home? Of course my husband and two adoring boys. but also.....stomach flu, an unwelcome guest. Yeah, it's true. We've got the sickies around here. Well, they do anyway. I'm sure after cleaning up puke all Sunday night, cuddling with my sick Dane-boy late into the night, then taking care of sick Aaron and Cade all day today, not to mention changing 7 runny diapers from Dane....I'm bound to get it too, right? I keep praying that I won't though. I need to be healthy to take care of everyone else, to keep this house up and running...I can't get sick. I can't get sick. I can't get sick.........

So that's us today. I will keep Cade home from school again tomorrow which will be 2 missed days in 2 weeks and that's 50% of his days since he goes only twice a week. It's so hard when he misses school because I pay full price for the month. What can I do? sigh.

Here's to kicking this flu, me escaping it....and to a better second half of the week.

Today for Cade

My first born son.....this Cade is quite a boy! He's polite, energetic, thoughtful, silly, smart, sweet, and so much more!!! He's at a really fun stage right now.....creative, theatrical, inventive in his play and he makes me laugh pretty much all the time. He plays well alone but would rather have a buddy (me, Dane, dad, or anyone else who'll play) to play with. Right now, it's his cousin Jackson...I'll have to remember to snap a picture or two of them! Since they're playing so well together, I get a little break from playing and what do I do with my break time? Well today, I thought I'd take the chance to update about Cade.

We've had a little eye drama for a week in our house. Not sure where it came from but first Dane got goopy swollen eyes and could not sleep. 4 days later, Cade's right eye puffs up and gets the same green goopiness. Dane's was never really red inside so the doc said it wasn't pink eye but Cade's has been pretty swollen, goopy, and very red. It didn't seem to bug him until yesterday after waking from a nap, his eye was gooped shut, and he cried all afternoon because of stinging. So we filled the backup prescription the doctor had given us for Dane (before Cade ever got it) and I've been treating Cade's with this medicine. It's looking much better but for sure not all gone. Isn't he looking a bit Quasimodo-ish?? :)



Last week, our stake held it's Pinewood Derby races so I took Cade to watch. The track went basically the whole length of the gym, there were checkered flags everywhere, and they even had a camera and timed sensor at the finish line which immediately told us which cars placed in what placement and their finishing times. The host spoke by microphone and also played some pretty cool car sound effects to give the impression that we were maybe watching the Piston Cup race in California! Needless to say, Cade was in race car heaven!! It was a fun thing to witness his face light up with pure joy! Here he is, sitting with buddy Zachary, awaiting the next heat.

What's springtime without a trip to visit the Easter Bunny? And when I say that, I mean the freakishly large one in full furry costume at the mall, not this one in his room. Although, I could understand if you were a little confused....with the ears and those 2 front teeth... :)

Cade really loves Dane. He loves to hug and kiss him. He also helps him walk, or shares his toys. And he sometimes wants to wrestle....although he hasn't learned how to do it gently yet. Dane only lasts for a few seconds before crying and running to mommy for safety. In the sequence of pictures I took, this is the third one...only 2 before Dane's on the floor and crying for mercy. We're working on it....

Ahh......peace and quiet. Nothing quite like when he's asleep. :)

Cars and trains. Cars and trains. Cars and trains. At this moment, it's a pretty broken down model car he accumulated from Grandpa's stash. It doesn't even look like a car but he loves it just the same.

I love this Mr. Cade of mine!!!

Today's about Dane

This Dane-boy of mine....he's really something else! :)


Most days he's really easy going, happy-always smiling, and just really content to go along with wherever the day takes him. Most days, for real! :) And I'm so grateful for that! Some days though are tougher for him than others...it's usually when he's sick, or hungry, or tired, or.....put in the grass when he doesn't like the grass....

Easter eggs were cool but the grass he couldn't handle. This pic taken before the crying started. :) And because of the crying, I spent my time holding him instead of getting cute pictures. But this one's pretty cute!



He has a shoe obsession and has started young....16 months young to be exact. He sees how mommy and Cade slip their feet into slip-on shoes so he's giving it a try too. A week ago he liked brother's Crocs (below picture). Yesterday.....mommy's slippers.



One night I found him like this....makes me nervous to see a blanket wrapped all around my baby's face like that.



I took a picture before fixing it only because at the same time, I found his feet like this too..... Pretty strange but pretty funny too!


He's learning to eat with utensils. He's 16 months old. Not sure if this is early, late, or right on time but I feel like he's growing up way too fast!!! I started him on the spoon with applesauce and yogurt. And now he's working on eating cereal out of a bowl! It's pretty messy but sure fun to watch! :) He likes using a fork too because he's figured out that when he pokes his food, it sticks to the prongs and usually ends up in his mouth! YUM!

One of his favorite places in the house.....my office-type drawer. It's where I keep scissors, tape, pens, glue, post-it's, etc...I can't get a baby lock on it so have removed all things dangerous since I can't keep him out. Everything ends up on the kitchen floor at least 4 times a day but I can't stand to keep him from enjoying such a simple pleasure. Have at it Dane, it's all yours!!!! :)

And last but not least, proof of his cute happiness!!! :)

Today was all about Dane. Tomorrow, we'll give some blogging love to Cade. In the meantime, happy sunny Wednesday!!

It's about time right??

Wow, it's been a LONG time since I've posted anything. Every day I say to myself to just post something so I don't get further and further behind. But every day comes and goes and I'd rather play outside with my boys or chat on facebook (a guilty pleasure) or even clean my house. Whah??? Yeah, cleaning. But today I decided to get something more important done....documenting our lives.

I need to be better at it and after an enrichment night at church where I was asked to share something about how my mom kept a journal for all 5 kids from birth to 18 years.....I'm feeling a little behind (and a total failure) to say the least. I just have to remind myself that I can do this. I'm not perfect at it and will never be. But I can do it!

Enjoy some updates!

We have a walker!!

Dane's been walking for about 3 weeks now, a 15 month milestone. At the time this video was recorded, he was still a bit wobbly and preferred crawling over walking but now at 16 months, he's all walker. And he's getting pretty fast. He'll be running before we know it!

Little prayers

Cade's prayer at dinner last night went something like this:

"Dear Heavenly Father. Thank you for the fishy bars, the peas, the pears, the spaghetti (we weren't eating spaghetti), my dinosaur plate, my water cause it has power in it. We say these things, name of Jesus Christ, amen."

Power in his water? You better believe it!! I'm Brynne, an athlete, a water drinker. You KNOW I'm teaching my kids that water is a power drink! Boo-yah!!!

Snippity-snip!

My hair was getting long. I mean, REALLY long. So long that it was always in the way when I wore it down....and so I was always putting it up. But while up in a low bun (which is pretty signature Brynne) I was getting headaches because it was starting to get heavy. I have a lot of hair. Thick + long = lots of hair!

Sometimes, to save myself from headaches, I'd just straighten it and put it back in a pony tail...a long blond pony tail. Nothing prettier, right? Well, not exactly in my case because of the length of pony, all the underneath hair that lay against my back would work itself into knots and snarls....UGH! It got to the point that I didn't want to wash it cause it meant that I'd have to brush it. Too many snarls that even detangler couldn't handle. So I'd wash it but wouldn't brush it....do you KNOW what happens when you don't brush long wavy wet hair? Dread locks. Dead serious!!! But I'm wasn't quite ready to join the dread-wearing group here in my hippie community so I decided it was time for a cut.

After a picture of Reese Witherspoon (thanks Ash for finding that one!) and 3 hours in my good friend's kitchen (remember, I have THICK hair).....I've got a new do! Quite a bit shorter (you may not believe it but it is. My long hair was mid back. YIKES!!), a few bangs, and highlighted roots. Ahh, I can breath again! Thanks again Missy, you're wonderful!!

p.s. I'm hoping though that the bangs will be grown out by summer cause I'm just not cut out for bangs. Wish I were, darn it, cause they look SO CUTE on so many of my friends!!!

St. Patty's Day 2010

There's nothing like getting 5 moms and 9 boys (newish baby Michael not in picture, he was in car seat)....yes, I said 9 boys, all together in one room. All boys you ask? Yeah, ALL boys! Again, this Salem group of mine.....that I so dearly miss....was one of a kind. Turns out we breed only boys up there! Anyway, my great friend Erica invited us over again for our Second Annual St. Patty's Day Play Date......green shirts, green food and all! Thanks for bringing the pickles Emily, those were the party favorite...for the mommies, that is. The kids couldn't get enough jelly belly's and gummy worms. Can you blame 'em?

8 of 9 kids present. What a crew, you can call them The Trouble Team!!



Speaking of trouble...this Stevie friend of Dane's likes to get physical now that he's crawling and climbing, he can't help but maul the heck out of Dane. They are basically the same size, Stevie at 9 months and Dane at 16......Here he looks like he's choking my poor Daner. I think it's hilarious...that it looks like he's choking him, cause he would if he could. He's really not though. Don't worry :) Gotta love Stevie, he's ALWAYS a good time!

And this is what I call The Dream Team! Love these kids!!!

After all the friends went home, we stuck around for the day since I had driven the hour drive to Salem...might as well make a day of it, right? While I helped Erica pack for Hawaii (JEALOUS!!! Seriously, happy to help but Erica, you KNOW it was killing me that I wasn't going too!) Cade did some jumping outside......

And Dane did some exploring inside. Now that he's walking, he was into EVERYTHING!!!

Thanks girls for a fun play date! I miss you already!!!

These two boys of mine

Quick! Before I forget....

Dane's new verbally spoken words (as of yesterday, Feb 15, 2010)
nana (banana)
ock! (sock)

He says both of these words when he sees them and knows exactly what they are/mean. I LOVE it!!

Dane's new/old words spoken through sign (that are good and solid now)
thank you (very solid, knows just what to do EVERY time. :)
eat (looks a lot like "thank you")
all done (finally has the wrist-twist thing going, only one hand and SO cute!)
more (does it every time)

I have to be careful when feeding him because he'll be signing "more", I'll be busy getting food for Cade or something else and won't see him signing. Then I look over and wonder why he's fussing. He's been signing and mommy didn't see it...poor guy! He's being such a good boy and doing what he's been taught, so mom shape up!!!

p.s. Dane gives kisses any time, any where and I can't get enough! And occasionally he'll give a "hug" by laying his head on my shoulder. Maybe this anti-cuddler is slowly warming up to the idea of loving on his mommy. I sure would love that!!

Cade's new things (as of a month ago, a few weeks ago, and a few days ago)
All things Chuggington (loves the trains, their names, the shows, the theme song... He asked me last week, "Mom, is Chuggington at Target?" to which I responded, "I don't think so bud. I'm sorry." He SO wants a Chuggington train.)
Wearing Disney's Cars t-shirts only, coupled with sweat pants (now THAT'S a good lookin' outfit! And thank goodness clothes get dirty and I get, yes I said get, to say, "Sorry Cade, it's in the wash today.")
Singing said Cars theme song morning, noon, and night. (Yeah, Real Gone by Sheryl Crow. Seriously, top of his lungs people. And he KNOWS the words! But I love it, what a singer and what a voice!)
Eating raw broccoli (He's put carrots on the back burner and now loving broccoli. I'll take it!!! :)
Tells me that I'm pretty (what a boost to my self-esteem! Come on, a girl needs to hear that every now and then!)


These two boys are the joy of my life and I am blessed to be their mother!

More of Dane at 14 months

Dane's new word is "Daddy". He says it ALL the time, whether Daddy is around or not. He does say it specifically to Daddy too so that's how we know it's an "on purpose" word. :) Another new one is "hi" and he LOVES to watch ceiling fans spin round and round. Oh, and point at and touch every one's nose, eyes, and mouth. What a bright, curious little guy!

It's been a sweet morning...

When I came home from the gym early this morning, Aaron and Cade were rocking in the rocking chair together in the dark. It was a much needed scene for me to see. I almost cried.

I then showered, still dark outside. Afterwards, I could hear Dane talking in his crib so I went in to get him. He'd look up at me, smile, lay down and hide his face from me, look back at me, smile and laugh, and hide his face again...such a sweet happy way to start my day.

Later this morning I realized I hadn't given Cade a hug yet so I asked for a big hug. He's so good about throwing his arms around me and squeezing tight! As we were hugging he said quietly in my ear, "I want to be a good boy for you today mommy." And my immediate reply was, "Oh Cade, that would make me so happy. And I want to be a good mommy for you today too. I love you so much!"

Dane, 14 months

Dane ~ 14 months

Our baby boy is 14 months today.

Sometimes I look at him and can't believe he's growing so fast and sometimes I still see him as "baby".

I'm thankful that he's healthy even though he's a little small. That said, I LOVE that his small size makes him look like a baby still cause I'm not even close to being able to handle another child right now. So, since he's small, he satisfies my want for "baby".

Thank you Dane for being the most wonderful, fun, energetic, light-hearted, healthy baby in the whole world. We love you and thank Heavenly Father everyday for sending you to our family!

Dane right now.....

• Talks, babbles, and rambles constantly like he's part of the conversation. Then, when we laugh, he joins in and laughs too!
• 7 teeth total: 3 on top, 4 on bottom. First tooth to cut on top was his fang!
• Fastest crawler ever and into everything!!
• stands alone for up to 5 seconds.
• sleeps like a champ!
• Can say with meaning, "Dada", "uh-oh", "gook" (book), and "cheese"
• Lightning-quick hands! I'll take something from his hand, set it on the counter and walk away. Next thing I know, he's got it back in his hand. Magic!
• Won't wear a bib anymore.
• Will go to anyone. Very social little guy but definitely a mama's boy.
• Walks with assistance.
• LOVES to slide and swing at the park.
• Climbs stairs as if he's been doing it for years.
• Learning to sign "more", "thank you", "all done", "eat", drink".
• Can crawl head-first into the bath tub so we have to keep the bathroom door closed.
• He LOVES water and knows where to find it, i.e. sink, tub, toilet....
• Smiles, laughs, smiles, laughs, smiles, laughs.....you get the picture. :)

Year 2010

The new year brings a renewal for me in many areas. I have been motivated to be better at studying my scriptures through reading the Sunday school and RS lessons ahead of time, and the scriptures connected with them. I'm so excited to be studying my Savior Jesus Christ this year at church in Relief Society and Young Womens and really look forward to strengthening my testimony of Him and my relationship with Him this year.

Starting this new year off exercising sounds like a great idea and I'm looking forward to bettering myself inside and out. I will be doing a muscle strengthening video at home and going on runs while pushing the boys in the double stroller as many days a week it doesn't rain so I'm looking forward to that. I hope to inspire Aaron to get moving too. It would be great to be healthy and fit this year together. I plan on running 2 half marathons (one in spring and one in summer) and a full marathon in the fall this year so that is something to look forward to and keep me on my toes with training. Wish Ryan lived close so we could run together, it helps to have a running partner to keep me motivated! :)

I also plan on keeping in touch better with family and friends, not only through updating my blog more regularly but writing through emails and snail mail and making phone calls as well. I feel blessed to have such a wonderful family and small support group of friends and hope to strengthen those ties this year.

I am the only one that can make these changes in my life. I am the only one that can help me truly progress and be happy and balanced. I look forward to the challenge it is to stick to such goals but I am a very self-motivated person and because I know my success is entirely up to me, I'm ready. Bring it on 2010. Here's to a better Brynne!

December 2009 Update

December has been a very busy month for us. We've been packing it full of activities that only this wonderful season brings. I have been saving them for one big update so I could list them all in the order we did them this month. It's a lot of pictures and I knew it would be a long post so I chose to do them each in their own little posts. We have had such a great month and I love the fun of lights and presents and cookies especially with excited little kids in the house. That being said, most of all, we worked really hard to make sure Cade knew that even though those are all fun things about Christmas, we celebrate Christmas because of the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. We've read scriptures, sang songs, and held Family Home Evenings focusing on Jesus and His birth at this time of year. Cade is only 3 so he can't fully appreciate and understand the true meaning but if we make this a priority every year, he'll get it and appreciate it someday.

I'll post pictures of tonight's Blevins' Christmas Eve gathering and of course of all the fun on Christmas Day after things slow down a bit.

Enjoy this update and have a very Merry Christmas!!!

Letter to Santa

This year Cade is very aware of what is going on during Christmas. We've been talking a lot about Jesus' birth and have been reading the scriptures that tell of this glorious event. He has a better understanding about the true meaning of this wonderful season and I'm so happy about that. But he is a kid and let's face it...all they want is presents presents PRESENTS!!! So we started a list for Santa and eventually sent him a letter. I wish I had taken a picture of the actual letter but this is what it said,

"Dear Santa,

I've been a really good boy this year. I help my mommy, and daddy, and brother Dane. This Christmas I would like:

1. Lightning McQueen's truck Mac
2. The trouble cars: Wingo, DJ, Boost, Snot Rod
3. Lightning McQueen's race track.

Thank you!

Your friend,
Cade"

He folded it, stuffed and sealed it in an envelope, and addressed it to Santa Clause, North Pole, Far Away. We first took it out to the mailbox and had intentions of leaving it there for the mailman to pick up but since I had some other letters that needed to be dropped off at the post office, we dropped it off there instead.








He was so excited to send Santa a letter and has been talking about how he got the letter at his house at the North Pole and is getting his presents ready to bring to him on Christmas. I've got to admit, this is a fun part of Christmas with little kids. :)

2009 Christmas ornaments

We do ornaments for the boys each year. This year I found some wooden ones we could color and fill with a picture of them in 2009. So for Family Home Evening one Monday this month, we did our ornaments. Cade did a great job coloring his train and I did Dane's penguin. Later that week I put pictures in them. I thought they turned out so cute!



FHE treat was hot chocolate and marshmallows. Yummy!!


Mallow on the nose!

Cade's school Christmas Program

Cade's school class (plus 3 other 3yr old classes) put on a very nice Christmas program for parents, grandparents, and anyone who'd like to come. He was fortunate to have both sets of grandparents, his aunt Kretha and cousins Emma and Natalie, and Mom, Dad, and brother Dane there to support him. I took video, leaving Aaron to take pictures so with all the moving around and the dim lights, these pics are about the best they could have been. Here he is sitting up in his spot waiting patiently for his part in the program, next to good friend Joshua Walker (who's face is blocked by a girls head).



Here they are, the bell ringers as all kids sang "Come on Ring Those Bells," the song Cade knew the best but turns out he didn't sing one word throughout the whole thing. He had been practicing with his class for weeks and we worked on songs at home but when it came time to sing, I thought he'd sing so loud and so proudly. Nope, not a word. Oh well, I think he was distracted by all the people watching them. He sure was good bell ringer though! Yay Cade!!! (friend Joshua with the really light blonde hair)

Etable Christmas Trees and cute boys

On Cade's last day of school before the Christmas break, they had a small party where they made these cute Christmas trees. Turn an ice cream cone upside down, ice it and then decorate. So simple and so cute! So here he is showing and enjoying it.






Dane wanted some sugar too so I gave him a few mini m&ms. These seem to be the perfect little treat for him. Look how happy he is!

Friends and sugar cookies!

It's not Christmas until you've made and decorated sugar cookies. My good friend Brenley invited us to her house for just this reason! I made and brought the cookies and she had all sort of fun things to decorate with. The boys ate the frosting, marshmallows, and sprinkles so the real hard work of icing was up to us moms. We had a fun time and I always love getting together with this fun girl! Thanks Brenley for such a great time!!

Brenley with her son Mac

Leave it up to Cade to be super silly for the camera. :)

Mac's favorite part, licking the icing!!!

Just a few of our masterpieces. YUM!