{Brittany's Senior Pics}

I had to post these picture of my sister Brittany..... Senior pictures have come a long ways, right?? She looks so pretty in all of these, don't you think?

{Santa}

Our December has flown by - as I'm sure it has for most of you as well! One more week until Christmas....I wish time would slow down because I am not ready for this month to be over! Especially since I have finals on Saturday...wish me luck!!

Last week I went with Rhett and Ethan to the IMAX at Arizona Mills. Even though they don't look thrilled, we had fun watching the movie with sharks and sea creatures!



Afterwards we went and ate at The Rainforest Cafe. The best part of course was the Lava Mud and Worms they boys chose for desert...yum!

Tonight was Rhett's Holiday Concert! All the 1st graders dressed up and sang Christmas songs. (Rhett's still working on finding a "natural" smile).

He's made some great friends this year....

The next stop was the Ward Christmas party. Kade loved the cupcakes :o)

Kade's best bud Brayden was there so of course they ran around together, trying to escape from Mom!


Santa was there, even if you can't see him under the boys! Rhett would like a black whistle, Ethan wants a transformer, and Kade wants a cow to supply his daily milk demands.

This last Santa picture is a picture of a picture....I couldn't get my scanner going tonight. The boys also got to see Santa last week when he came to Rhett's school.

I hope everyone is having a great December.....XOXO! -Brooke

{Pillow Hurdles}

Around here with 3 boys things can get crazy. Rhett and Ethan had an idea to stack pillows and then run and jump over them. They wanted me to take some "cool pictures".

Rhett


Ethan

Rhett

Ethan (I think he may have a future with hurdles, check out that form)

Even little Kade wanted in on the action.

He didn't like it when Ethan stole his turn....look at that look he's giving!

{The Polar Express}

A few months ago my Uncle Jon (only a few years older than me) called to see if we'd want to go on the Polar Express with their family. We have never been, but thought it would be a fun way to kick off December! We had so much fun!

I picked up Rhett a little early from school. His teacher told me he told his class "Bye! I'm going to the North Pole!" Our kids still believe in Santa and were so excited that they were going on a train to meet him. We met Jon's family in Flagstaff for dinner at Cracker Barrel. Then we went 30 more miles over to Williams, to board the Polar Express.

We were all bundled up....brrr it was cold outside!

Ethan and Hayden had too much fun together!! They enjoyed the hot cocoa and cookies served on the train.

My three cute boys in their PJ's....so excited to see Santa!

Kade wanted Rhett or Ethan to hold him - not Mom or Dad :O)

Here's Dawniel and Brynn. She is a couple of months older than Kade. Is she not the cutest thing ever??

We are almost to the North Pole...they are anxiously looking out the window!

Santa came and brought bells for all the children. Very LOUD and annoying bells!



At the end of our journey.......the end!
*PS please ignore my scary red eyes. This last week I have been getting over an eye infection / allergic reaction to eye medication / other eye infection. YUCK!

{Thankful}

I hope everyone had a fabulous Thanksgiving....we spent the day with my Flake relatives at Suzi and Kevin's home. Their home is on 2 acres....all kid friendly with lots of grassy hills, trampoline, and a built in playground like you'd find at a park. The pool and slide is fun too, but it was too cold for that! They always host huge family events...they know how to throw a good party!!

The food was so yummy, and it was so fun to visit with lots of family members. I feel so lucky to have grown up with so many amazing aunts and uncles who are such great examples to me. They are all so generous, loving, and truly care about my family....

There is so much I am thankful for. The biggest thing that has been on my mind is the Plan of Salvation. Almost two weeks ago I got the call that my sister-in-law had lost her sweet baby girl at 28 weeks. Cody was gone for the week and I just broke down. I felt so bad for their family....wished I could be there to help. I felt so hopeless living in a different state, where all I could do was call or send an e-mail. I have learned to hug my little ones a little tighter and appreciate this miracle and gift of life we have been given. That being said I wanted to list some things that I am thankful for about my boys (all four of them!)

Kade, I love how you wake up calling for me in your deep morning voice! You are still half-asleep and your first thought is where's momma! I love how you have to give me a kiss and a hug every time we part, and how you tell me you love me even when you are just going to play in the backyard. I love how polite you are, you say thank you so many times each day! I love how you cry when your brothers go to school, you love them so much! I love to watch you imitate everything they do. I love to hear you talk on the phone, you sound so grown-up! I could go on and on...

Ethan I love your daring personality. You will try anything, and nothing will stop you! I love how you could go across the monkey bars when you were only 3. I love how you listen so good to your church and FHE lessons, you amaze me with the information you retain! I love how Daddy is your hero! I love how social you are, you are always wanting to have friends over to play! I love to see how sweet you are with Kade, I can always count on you to keep him entertained! I love your sweet tooth (you got it from me!), you sneak candy just like I did when I was little!

Rhett, I love how you and I are best buds. You are so smart, and try so hard at school. I love how you have stayed on green everyday all of last year and this year too. I love how you idolize your school and church teachers! I love the pictures you color for me and sweet little notes you give me. I love the flowers you pick for me from the backyard. I love your laugh and toothless smile! I love to watch you play video games, you can't sit still! I love to see you read to your little brothers. I love your memory...you never forget!!

Cody is going to die when he sees this picture....hee hee....it was taken as a joke. Cody I love how hard you work. You put in so many hours and then come home ready to help me. I love how you can't ever sleep in...and let me do it on your days off. I love how you do such a great job at your new calling and don't complain even though you are gone all day Sunday. I love how you are not picky about dinners, you appreciate every meal I make. I love how you love cereal so much....great for nights when dinner just did not happen! I love the huge bowl of ice cream you eat each night! I love how athletic you are, and I enjoy watching you play b-ball. I love the dad you are to our boys...I'm glad you toughen them up because I sure don't!!

So this turned into quite the cheesy post. Sorry about that!! I could go on and on about all the people I am thankful for, but it's getting late and I better get to bed. I hope everyone is doing well!!

XOXO

Brooke

{Tag}

7 Things I can do:

1 – Get places on time, I hate being late

2 – Test well even if I haven’t studied the material like I should have…

3 – Find a good deal, I love to shop

4 – Eat a whole package of Ferrero Rocher’s….embarrassing!

5 – Jump off high cliffs into water

6 – A back flip on the trampoline (my boys think it’s cool at least!)

7 – Cook

7 Things I can not do:

1 – Fall asleep fast, it takes me forever even if I’m really tired

2 – Eat breakfast…I’ll do it when I have to but food before 10 makes me feel kind of nauseous.

3 – Go to bed early

4 – Go anywhere besides the gym in my running shoes…I feel so grungy!

5 – Mow the lawn / change the oil / tires / anything manly

6 – Wear Gauchos…my sisters know my views on this one!

7 – text LOL (right Shannon?)

7 Products I love:

1 – L-Oreal Voluminous Mascara, it’s the best!

2 – My Orek….I vacuum with it at least once a day, I’m obsessed

3 – Lip Gloss, always have it on, the cheaper the better

4 – Shimmer Japanese Cherry Blossom Lotion

5 – This shirt from shade (you are all going to laugh… but it’s the best I promise!)

6 – Shabby Apple Dresses (Candace got me hooked! They had a great sale last summer and I got a couple)

7 – Target Jewelry, so cute and so cheap

7 Things I love to eat:

1 – Homemade white bread with butter & jam

2 – Thanksgiving dinner..yum love it all

3 – German Chocolate Pie from Marie Callander’s

4 – White Chocolate Raspberry Truffle Cheesecake from Cheesecake Factory

5 – Lettuce Wraps from Pei Wei / PF Changs / or ones my Dad makes

6 – Diet Coke w/ Lime

7 – Cafe Rio Pork Salad

This was fun....you should do it too. I'd love to read the answers, especially the products you love! It's so fun to find out new products....the cheaper the better I am not all about the labels. And while we're talking about products...does anyone use a fabric softener that is strong smelling? I *LOVE* the smell of fabric softener on my clothes and my Downy is good, but not strong enough for me!! The other day at the gym a lady walked past me and smelled like Downy x 10.....just what I'm looking for! Overpowering! But I was too shy to ask her what she used... so now you all know how weird I am but if you have any advice let me know! And if I am sniffing your clothes you'll know why!!

{At Last!}

This week was fun.....the boys were so excited for Veterans Day, no school! My Mom had the fun idea to go bowling, and we had so much fun last time so we were up for it again. My boys are so photogenic....

Go Mom!

Cute Brittany

Kade came too...but kept disappearing to go play at the arcade inside. We had fun!

Yesterday Ethan and Rhett learned how to ride their bikes with no training wheels. Ethan's friend Cody learned how so he's been begging for Daddy to take off his wheels! He learned so fast, and was so proud!

So if the 4 year old can do it....then his 7 year old brother needs to learn how, right? Rhett does not like trying new things unless he can do them perfectly...so he's never had the desire to take of his training wheels and we've never pushed him. So I made him do it, and after just about 3 minutes he had the hang of it also. Woo hoo, go boys!

They rode all over on Saturday, and I took them out for a long ride tonight also. Now they are snug asleep in bed and I am loving life! I hope everyone else had a fun week!

{Update!}

This week was costume-free, and that's a good thing! I am all Halloweened out, if that's a word! The costumes and decorations are high on garage shelves, woo hoo. Now on to Fall....Thanksgiving and Christmas, I can't wait! I get so excited just thinking about all the fun traditions! Last year we started reading Christmas stories each night all during December, it really got us in the spirit. If anyone wants me to forward them on to you, let me know!

Monday morning Cody moved into his new office (new to him!). It's at 99th Ave. and Greenway, in Sun City. This was such a busy week, running all around to Kirklands, Costco Business, Staples, Office Depot, etc trying to get all the things needed to furnish and get his office going for clients on Thursday. We are so proud of Cody and his hard work that earned him this office - all those 60 hour work weeks are paying off. It will be a challenge but he is up for it. Here are some pictures...keep in mind that it's a work in progress and we do have to work with a forest green color scheme!

Front Waiting Area

Cody's Office

There is also a conference room we are still working on and a room where he keeps all his files/fridge/misc.

Here's some more random pictures from the last little while...Ethan with his preschool class:

Ethan showing his flexibility with Aunt Ally....could he be the next Paul Hamm? We hope not!


Today Cody taught the older boys how to do front flips on the trampoline. You know how some people have little tickers on the side of their blog, counting down until they have their baby? Well I need one counting down the time until one of my kids gets a broken bone!

Ethan

Ethan

Rhett

Rhett