Christmas

We had a wonderful December and a great Christmas.  We were able to do the 12 days of Christmas filled with family activities.  We tried to keep the spirit of Christmas and keep things Christ centered.  We enjoyed being with each other, serving others, and learning more about our Savior. 

It was also a very busy time also with a very fussy (colic) baby.  I hope to do better with blogging.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving was spent in Akron with my Family, the kids spent the day with their Dad and the Roberts family.  We had dinner with the Perkins family (my sister and her in-laws).  Good food, friends, and family.  

It has been a hard month with this sweet little thing.  But, I have so much to be Thankful for- especially my family, even baby.  Greatest blessing is my husband.  The picture below shows the true nature of this amazing man.  He loves his family, a good provider and protector, and really loves the Lord.  He does his best to be the best husband and "Poppy" ever!!

 (At Laura's playing games and watching football- watching the half time show)

For Family Home Evening in November we did write down all the things we are Thankful for.  This time we did it using the Alphabet.

A- animals, America

B- babies, Brynn

C- Clothes, Community

D- dads

E- eternity, experiences, electricity

F- family, food

G- grandparents, especially Grandma Liz & Grandpa Jerry

H- home, Heavenly Father

I- ice cream, instruments

J- Jenna, Jesus Christ

K- kids

L- love and life

M- moms

N- Nana

O- Ohio

P- Poppy, Peyton

Q- quilts

R- rest

S- Skipper

T- transportation, and trials

U- universe

V- vegetables, victory

W- Water

X- XOXOX

Y- youth

Z- zion

I am so blessed and feel so much Gratitude to my Heavenly Father!!

My greatest blessings are my family.  I am also Thankful for life, for each day, each experience, and even my trials.  Because of my trials and the sadness I have experienced, I have also experienced great joy!!

A few of my favorite... Baby things!

Excited for the baby and with so many baby things on the market, I did a lot of research.  I have been really happy with a few products and thought I would share.

I looked at lots of wraps and baby carriers and found the Baby K'tan.  I love it!!  You have to buy a certain size so it does not work to share.  It is easy to put on and to baby in.  Also versatile and baby and I love it!!!

She wants to be held all the time so this has been a life saver.  It is also how I do my grocery shopping!

I love my diaper bag.  Brandt wanted one that he wouldn't be embarassed to carry around.  My sister-in-law had gotten a similar diaper bag- I basically copied her.  It is from Skip Hop.  Lots of pockets and room.  I also love how it hooks to the stroller.  

I do like how car seat and stroller from Britax- we were sold on it because the single stroller can convert to a double stroller when baby #2 ever comes along (in the future).

We do love the car seat and she is in it a lot because she is quieter when we are in the car.  But, this picture also shows our favorite product- the Blanket.  Peyton has a similar blanket in blue that was given to us by my good friend Stacey and then she got Brynn one.  Both blankies are favorites.  

Now I didn't research or buy this swing, but it has saved my life.  I am so thankful for it and for the kind people that passed it to us!!!

Here is a pic of a sweet sleeping baby- my favorite time!!

Not a favorite product even though I do love this blanket.  She has to be swaddled to sleep!!

I also love her little cradle which is the rock and play sleeper.  Don't have a better picture, but it is great!!!

We have decided to try cloth diapers.  We are liking it, but still learning the process.  I have a few diapers I am trying out and trying different systems.  We hope to also save money in the long run and do our part for the environment. :)

(I will do a more detailed post about cloth diapers later!)

I love babies and baby things!!  I also like to shop- so this is fun, looking for good product at a good price.

I also love taking care of my family and I love this little baby!!

And it is great to have such great help!!!

Slimy the Salamander

We had Slimy for only 24 hours, but he found a place in our hearts!!

The night before Halloween Peyton found Slimy by our garage and wanted to keep him.  We brought him in and got out our old aquarium and made him a home.  The kids were so excited and we looked up online how to care for him.  We found him worms to eat.  He didn't eat.  

That first night he escaped out and Brandt found him covered in dust walking across the floor.  

We also found out that you shouldn't hold Salamanders because of their skin and the oils on our hands.

At scripture study we talked as a family and felt that Slimy wanted to be free and the kids want a pet they can hold and play with.  So on Halloween night- which was really wet, but the perfect temperature, we let Slimy go.  The kids were sad, but felt it was the right thing to do.

Now for Christmas the kids want Santa to bring them a pet they can hold  and play with!!!

Brynn Leigh is 2 months

She turned 3 months on Halloween

She is a very fussy baby, but has just started to smile!!

We love her and she brings so much joy to us!!

Brynn weighs 11lbs. 2oz. and is 22in long

She is growing big!!!

I love her smile!!!

We had a mommy and baby play date!  Theodore and Brynn had matching halloween costumes so we got a picture!

Theodore is 3 months, Brynn is 2 months, and Talitha is almost 4 months.

Megan came to visit and loves the baby!

Jenna's 10th birthday holding baby so I could get ready for church!

Peyton is such a big help and a great big brother!

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween!!!

G

"Arrrrhhh" Never trust a Pirate!!!

GNO Halloween Party

I love these Ladies!!!

My three Skeletons

Ward Trunk or Treat "Fall Festival" and Chili Cook off

We had a great time and all of us dressed up!!!

"ooooohhhhhhhh" Scary!!!

Brynn at 8 weeks finally showed us a smile!

Boonshoft Museum

We went to the Boonshoft Museum for the first time with Nana.  We loved it and got a a Family Pass so we can go back many more times!!!

Jenna is a scientist!  And she really does love science.

Peyton is my silly Plumber.  He is really silly!!!

Nana and him talking about the desert and looking at a snake!

There is a part of the museum that has a little zoo.  The otters were a lot of fun and actually played and interacted with my kids!!!

We can't wait to go back to the museum.  We really had a great time!