4 is my favorite number

Yesterday Matt and I celebrated our 4th anniversary and had a really fun day hanging out while Grandma Gwen and Aunt Mary watched Brennen. Sometimes it seems crazy to me that it's already been four years and other times I can't even remember what life was like without him. He puts up with so much from me and we balance each other out so well. I am so happy and I love him so much! I know he's not perfect but he's perfect for me. :) I'm so glad he decided that he wanted to be with me when there were several other girls waiting in the wings. ha ha!

Dating
Engaged

Coming out of the Mt. Timanogos Temple on our wedding day! December 30, 2006.

And us now. It was hard to find a recent picture of us without Brennen in it! So thanks to my sister Christena for taking this one. :P

And looking through these pictures I've realized that apparently I only have one hair style... it hasn't changed much in at least 4 years...

Another Wonderful Christmas

We spent Christmas this year with my family in Lyman. Everyone was there so it was a little crowded and chaotic but still very merry. :) During the few days we were there we went sledding, played basketball, played some card games, played a trivia game (that Matt kicked our trash in), ate good food, and just generally had a lot of fun as a family.
I think Brennen enjoyed his first Christmas. Everyone says kids like the wrapping paper best but he always made a weird confused face while he was "opening" stuff but then liked to play with whatever was inside. He got lots of fun toys, some books, and some really cute clothes.
And a little side note, in my last post I said that he couldn't sit up yet but 2 days after that post he suddenly learned and is now a pro. He still falls back every now and then but doesn't even cry about it anymore.
Here are some pictures of our fun week.
This wasn't in Lyman but the week before Christmas my piano students had a recital and here's a picture of me with the four of them.
The only "action shot" of me sledding. I'm with my niece Abigail.
The whole sledding crew.
All the grandkids on Christmas Eve in their matching pjs.

The "pink ladies" in our matching pjs (would be a great picture if my mom wasn't blinking) :)
Brennen first thing Christmas morning.

My beautiful sister on a beautiful Christmas morning.The guys in their matching pjs
The next few are just cute ones of Brennen opening presents.

Me holding Brennen on Christmas night. He's wearing his cute "baby's first Christmas" outfit from his Grandma Hope.
Back in Laramie at Grandma and Grandpa Clark's still wearing his new adorable church outfit.

Four generations. Grandma Clark, Matt's dad Randy, Matt, and Brennen.
Brennen got ahold of the wrapping paper roll. :)

December Happenings

First of all, Brennen is SIX MONTHS OLD today! It seems insane to me that he's already half a year old. He is a really happy boy and finally takes somewhat regular naps and still sleeps through the night. He still isn't very good at rolling over and sitting by himself but he sits pretty well if we're there to steady him and he likes sitting up in the shopping cart. Still no sign of teeth either but he LOVES peas and carrots. He would much rather eat those than applesauce or cereal. If you know me you know that I don't much like peas or carrots and yesterday I found myself saying "yucky, gross peas!" as I was feeding him so I quickly changed my tune to say "yummy! eat your yum yums!" or something to that effect.... :)

We went up to the Snowy Range to get our Christmas tree a couple weeks ago. We went on a Friday afternoon and found a great tree but we had only brought a chain saw with us and Matt accidentally broke the starter cord so we had to drive back home without our tree. :( Brennen HATED the snow at first but then the next day we went back, found the exact same tree despite the many people who were up there cutting down trees, and Brennen was much happier 'cause it wasn't snowing as badly.

Also last week I was in a church/community performance of Handel's "Messiah." I'd been in it a couple times before but only as a soloist and this year I was in the choir and we had a really good director and we sounded really good. I found myself really thinking about the words as I never had before. It's easier for me to really listen and feel the words within the music rather than just reading them in Isaiah. They really struck me and I got a little choked up as I was singing them. I'm so thankful that our Father in Heaven sent his Son to earth for us.

"For unto us a child is born. Unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder; and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."

"The kingdom of this world is become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ; and He shall reign forever and ever. King of Kings and Lord of Lords."

"Surely He hath borne our griefs and carried our sorrows. He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities. And with His stripes we are healed"

I have been feeling SO HAPPY and blessed lately. I have such a wonderful family, both my side and Matt's. Matt did well in his classes this semester which is a huge blessing and I just love Brennen more and more every day. Life is so wonderful and I'm so excited for Christmas!

And now, picture time. :)

Matt and Brennen in the snow after we cut down our tree.
Matt with our freshly cut tree.Me and Brennen by the river and next to some trees on the first day.

Don't worry, it was empty but Brennen LOVED this can of cherry 7-up!
Brennen chills out in his walker a lot so he can practice sitting and play with his toys upright so we can get him off his back and get rid of the pesky bald spot.
He fights us if we try to feed him a bottle but if we stick him on the floor and let him do it himself he's happy. And as you can see, he's pretty much a pro with the one handed thing going on.

I have a few more pictures of our decorated tree and some cute ones of Brennen at 6 months but I lost my camera cord (again).... so until next time......

Thanksgiving Trip

Matt and I had planned on staying here with his family for Thanksgiving this year but we ended up going to Lyman instead because my Grandma passed away and her funeral was last Saturday. Both of us were really looking forward to spending the holiday here so we were sad we had to go but we had SUCH a good time in Lyman despite the circumstances. We played basketball, had a wonderful Thanksgiving feast, played some fun games, and had really good conversations about my Grandma and life in general.
Here are just a bunch of random pictures from the week. I have the best family ever!

During the funeral luncheon

We introduced "peanut carnage" to my family. So here's my crazy oldest sister with the rest of us playing in the background.
I guess I messed up...
:)
Kasey's turn
The grandkids

Our little family again
Me and my sibs. I have some gooooood lookin' brothers! (and yes Christena, I did steal some of these pics from your blog....) :)

Getting ready to eat the bird

Matt is helping our nephew Tanner play a game

Three generations. I'm so bummed that I never got a pic of us three with my mom's mom (she's the one who just passed away) cause since my dad is not living there is a gap on that side between me and my grandpa so I will only ever have three generation pics until my kids have kids.

My brothers playing with Brennen

Just me and B-ren before dinner

Another Month

Brennen is 5 months today! He is a wonderful, adorable little boy except he still doesn't nap except maybe a couple 15 minute cat naps a day. But this morning we put him in the swing and let him cry for a few minutes and he was asleep really soon and stayed asleep for almost 2 hours! This is unheard of for our little boy. He sleeps awesome at night, though, and he smiles and giggles ALL the time.
I forgot to mention that I got a new calling... I'm the ward choir director. :) It's fun but I'm always worried I'm not doing a very good job. We'll see how it goes I guess! If only we could get more men to come...
And now....... Brennen! :)

He loves his little johnny jump up.

Holding his own bottle.
Playing with dad while wearing his cute snowsuit.With his mom. He's always smiling better in his pics with his dad.... guess we know who's more fun! :)
Matt always puts him in interesting places... but Brennen seems happy there!
Me and my best friend Sarah holding each other's babies. Her little Chelsey was just born on Saturday!

Halloween!

On Saturday we finally carved our pumpkin and I think he turned out pretty well! :)

Then we took Brennen over to Grandma and Grandpa Clark's so they could see him in costume. He ended up being a dragon and he sure was a cute one!

Then on Sunday we had a very nice relaxing day and then went to an awesome Halloween party at our friend Kasey's house. Here's our little family before we went over there. The hood is a little big as you can see ha ha!

Brennen the dragon.

After we got home Matt put Brennen in a different "costume." This is my new all time favorite picture!