Our December Whirlwind!

First, I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a happy holiday season. Each year Bryce and I plan to take it easy during the holidays and enjoy a good movie, or even take the time to nap... however it never seems to happen. The more we hope for peace and quiet, the more busy we seem to be. So, giving into my instincts to be a super mom, super wife, and super family member, once again the month of December has come and gone in a blur. What we are left with... the pictures to help us remember. And if Bryce will attest to anything, its the fact that I like to take pictures. :) So, here are our holiday memories. I hope that you enjoy them! And, may you all have a very Happy New Year!

Smith Family Christmas Party Brylee all ready to play with the Smith's.

Smith Family enjoying dinner in our kitchen.

Parker enjoying his new books from Grandpa and Grandma Smith

Seeing Santa Claus

Parker, his friend, Jaxon, and his cousin Aubrey. The mall refused to let me take a picture of them with Santa, so we went to the side. Can I just say, that I think it is freaking ridiculous that they charge 30 bucks for a picture of my kid seeing Santa! Don't they realize he wont even smile...

Parker enjoying his candy cane.

Parker and Brylee

Atkinson Christmas Lunch at Maddox Restaurant

Bryce being super Dad and entertaining both kids at lunch! Way to go!

A look down the table. I must have 20 or so pictures that look just like this. This has been a tradition for my dad's side of the family for as many years as I can remember. But it is a good one. The food here is awesome. Only prob... its in Perry, Utah, which is about 2 hours from us down here in Highland.

Brylee... Ok, I love taking pictures of her. :)

My sis, Jenni and I. Just goofing.

Saunders Family Christmas Party

Parker enjoying dinner with his cousins.

Santa always has time to stop by the Saunder's party. Yes, that is Parker, eating his Santa treat before he is even off his lap.

Bryce and Santa

Santa and I. Thank you to my cuz, Corey for taking this awesome pic.

Kaylie and Santa

Obviously, Landon is still afraid.

Part of my family doing skits. I failed to mention, that not only did we attend these parties this year, we also planned both the Saunders and Smith party. So, if you never need any ideas... this was hilarious.

Christmas Eve

This year, Kaylie and Landon were with their mom for Christmas Eve. Therefore, Bryce andI spent they day with my family. We played games and ate alot! For those who live in Utah you know why we were homebound... I think our state got like a foot of snow this day!

Christmas jammies! Another tradition I can thank my Mom for. Every Christmas Eve, we are allowed to open one gift... that gift is always new Christmas pjs. Here is Brylee sporting hers.

Parker's had Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck on them. He is trying to show you that.

My fam... of course we are all in our new pjs. After the gifts, the tradition continues with hilarious photo ops.

After a few hundred or so photos, which I spared you from, comes time for making Santa's cookies. Because we all know... if Santa does not get his cookies... he is grumpy. :)

Christmas Morning

So, you know when you are a teen and you swear you'll never do to your kids, what your parents did to you... well thats a lie. So, thanks to Janna ( My mom) again for this one... my kids waiting on the stairs to go down together to see what Santa brought.

Santa had this gift all put together. And, Parker loved it! In fact it took a lot of convincing to pull him away to un-wrap his other gifts.

So, Brylee got a Bumbo chair. And can I just say... best thing ever! She loves it, and it is a great place to sit her when I need my hands.

He finally got the hang of it... and then he wanted to open everyones Christmas presents.

Parker and his haul... thank you Santa is what he kept saying.

Brylee, and her Christmas.

Christmas Afternoon at my Mom's

So, we got Kaylie and Landon back and headed to my Mom's for more Christmas.

Though its past noon, I am not sure that Landon is awake yet...

Parker playing with Brylee.

So, Bryce and I, along with my Dad, had a surprise gift for everyone this year. This is them, figuring it out. Each of them got a piece to a puzzle. They put it together... and realized they were going on a cruise!

Enjoying Gifts

My sweet girl...She is wearing an adorable hat that Kaylie gave to her.

So, she is tired of pictures... I get it, and I bet so are you. Thanks for visiting our blog though.

Brylee's Special Day

Yesterday, we blessed Brylee. Thank you to all of our family and friends that were there to share that day with us. We are so grateful to know how loved and supported we are. We feel so blessed to have Brylee as part of our family and know she is lucky to have all of you.

My Blue-eyed girl.

Brylee wishing I would put the camera away.

Brylee in her Blessing dress.

Me and My Girl!

Festival of the Trees

Every year I try to make it to the Festival of the Trees. It is a charity event held here in Utah to raise funds for Primary Children's Medical Center. People decorate the trees and then they are sold. Some of these trees are breath- taking, and sell for thousands of dollars. It is incredible to see how creative people are. And, every once in a while, I will see a tree that is in honor of a child that was actually one of my patients. That is always something very humbling. This year we took all of the kids. Kaylie liked the trees, but wished she were there on a date instead of with her family. :) Landon loved the Gingerbread houses, and Parker loved all of the toys under some of the trees. He wanted them all. Brylee just liked all the action. And my favorite... the sliced apples with home made Carmel on top. They are to die for!
Kaylie and Brylee posing.

Yes, thats Parker riding in the stroller, sitting in the baby carrier. I guess he thought that was the best view.

In honor of all you Twilight fans, myself included. Here is a tree titled " A Cullen Christmas." The picture does not do it justice. It was all red, white, and black. Then they had used all the items from the front covers of the books...including dipping white flowers in red paint. The larger bulbs had the names of all the characters. Nobody was forgotten. It was awesome. Then, under the tree... anything that you could ever want that has to do with the series. Calendars, books, magazines, games etc. I guess the ladies who put the tree together actually took a road trip to Forks, Washington. So, you had high school memorabilia too. There was a ton of thought in this tree.

On a side note... Bryce and I went with some of our friends to see "Twilight"... finally... and we freakin' loved it. And despite all the opinions on characters, special effects, etc, I bought it, and fell in love with "Twilight" all over again. In fact that night, on our way home, I made Bryce stop and buy me the book, just so I could read it again. That was a week ago... since then I have re-read "Twilight," " New Moon," and I am working on " Eclipse." Lets just say not much is getting done around my house... its an obsession. I should have not started again. :)

Happy Late Thanksgiving!

This Thanksgiving we were actually all together as a family. In years passed, the kids have been with their Mom a lot, so I think this is the first year we have had them all day since Bryce and I have been married. We had dinner at Bryce's sisters house. It was a wonderful meal. We hung out there for a little while, then went to my grandparents for some pie and to see my fam for a few hours. It was a nice day... and now its legal to listen to Christmas music, turn on the lights and hope for snow. :)

A list of what I am GRATEFUL for:

Today at my church, talks were given on being thankful, and gratitude. Something that one of the speaker's said, caught my attention. He said something like this," Yes, we all say we are grateful, we all say we know we are blessed, but if I asked, could you quickly give me a list, or tell me why you are grateful for those things..." So, being the week of Thanksgiving, here is my list of the things I am thankful for. And for the things I count as my personal blessings.

1. My Religion. Its the backbone of my life. Through it I find the strength and the motivation to keep going and to be a better person.

2. My Husband. Somebody may have had him first... but he was made for me! I could not ask for a better man to spend my life with. He is all I ever dreamed of, and more then I could of ever hoped for.

3. My Marriage. I purposely listed it separately. My husband is incredible, but or marriage can be tough. But, I am grateful for those ups and downs. And, I am grateful that during those tough times, that we both fight to keep us going. Marriage, not the easiest thing... but the greatest of blessings.

4. Kaylie and Landon: They challenge me each day to be a better person and a better parent. Through them I have learned more about Love then any other person. We all had to choose to love, and I know its not always easy. And I know, that somewhere, long ago, in a different world, that I promised them, that I would be here for them. I just hope that I do not disappoint.

5. Parker: Nobody brings a smile to my face like this kid. Though, he and I have our moments, he is the first person I ever experienced unconditional love with. Even if I get upset with him, I am the one he wants to console him. There are not words to explain that.

6. Brylee: A coo or a smile melts my heart. Looking into her eyes, I see, that to her, I am the best mommy in the world. It is a wonderful reminder on those tough days.

7. My Mom: Aka My Hero. She gave up so much to give her kids the best life they could have. I have her to thank for everything! I only hope I can be as good as Mom as her. And even now, when I am sick or upset, she is the one I turn to. Thanks for being there mom!

8. My Dad: Though not actively present most of my childhood, he instilled more in me then he will ever know, or ever take credit for. To me, you were the best Dad you knew how to be. I love you!

9. My Siblings: The people on earth that know me best. And, my favorite people to be with. With you, I can be whoever I want to be. Our memories together are some of my dearest. XOXOXO

10. My In- Laws: So, accepting, so loving. From the day I met all of them, I have been loved and accepted. Though I was a decade younger then their son and brother, and the second wife. They are all fantastic people and I am grateful that my kids have them to learn from.

11. My extended family: Nobody gets us. And I think its just perfect. To my grand-parents, aunts, uncles, and cousins... thank you for all your support and love. Each one of you is a blessing and brings happiness to my life. Though my trials, ups, and downs, my family has stood there, ready to give me love, support or even just a hug. Even today, they attend all my crazy birthday parties, births of my babies, and their blessings.


12. Friends New and Old: Some friends I don't talk to for months, and with a phone call those days float away, and it was like we were hanging out just yesterday. It is such a comfort to know that you are there, if I need you. And friends new, its great to discover our similarities and have the excitement of building new memories together.

13. The Harvey Family: The Harvey's are my husband's ex-in-laws. Wow, what can I say. The Harvey's have been a great example to me, of acceptance, and of love. Though their daughter and sister is my husband's ex, I have always felt loved and welcomed in their home. They even display a picture of Bryce and I and the kiddos. I was so touched by this. They even go as far as to refer to themselves as Parker's and Brylee's other grandma and grandpa. My kids and I are so lucky to have the Harvey's as part of our lives.

14. Answers to Prayers: Though I receive this blessing on a daily basis, my largest reminder of how close my Heavenly Father listens to both Bryce and I, lives across the street. When we made the decision to move 2 years ago, we prayed that our new neighbors would get us, and accept our unique family situation. Not only do we have neighbors that we love, and love us, but he gave us the Grants! Their family situation is identical to ours. So, not only do I and Bryce have someone who gets us, but our kids are also fortunate to have someone as well. Even if it s a few minutes in the yard, its so comforting to know, that they just know. And I honestly can not explain it better then that.

15. Forgiveness: I am not perfect, and therefore make a lot, I am talking, a lot of mistakes. I am thankful for those close in my life for their forgiveness, and willingness to love me despite my short comings. I am so thankful for my Savior Jesus Christ, and all the second chances he has given me.

16. For all of you, reading this blog: I am thankful for you, and blessed that you care enough to take time from your day to show interest in me and my family. It is your love and support that we feel daily. Thank you. And may you all have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Brylee's 2 Month Appointment

Brylee's 2 month visit to the doctor went well. She is up to 10 lbs and 7 oz. and she is 24 inches long. So, 25th percentile for weight, and 75 percentile for height. Tall and lean, just like her Daddy. She was such a sport through the whole visit. Until it came time for shots! Wow- she did not like those, the whole building heard her complaints of the treatment she had just received. Our long and skinny girl.

This is her opinion on having to get shots.

Parker's School Thanksgiving

This past week, Parker's pre-school had a Thanksgiving dinner and they invited the partents to come. It was a lot of fun. And, the food was really good. Parker also loves when we visit his school. He likes to show us all the toys and the friends he has there.Bryce and Parker.

Me, attempting not only to get Parker to smile for a picture, but also to sit still long enough to eat.

Parker playing. One of his favorite things at school is the toys outside! He loves to play on them.

Busy As Ever...

So this past week was crazy! On Monday night we went to see Madagascar 2. Every time that Parker saw a commercial he asked to go...so we did. He actually did really well. He lasted the whole movie. However, with about 45 minutes left he started saying, " It's over." Though it was not. So, when it finally was, I said, " Parker guess what? The movie is over now." And he looked at me and said, " Again?" :) Then, on Tuesday we went through the annual adventure of getting a family picture taken. I always get so excited to have an updated picture... I forget how painful it is to get the actual pic taken. Also, Bryce wanted the puppies in the picture this year, so we had that as an extra treat... So, one newborn, one toddler, two teens, two stressed out parents, and two barking dogs... put them in Wheeler Farm, where there is plenty of geese, along with their poop, and plenty of people walking their dogs, not to mention the wet grass, and the cold temp... you do the Math! I needed a serious diet coke after this one! Look forward to the Christmas cards... it is going to be a winner. On Wednesday we went to Disney on Ice. Can I say the look on Parker's face is all I needed, to know that this was worth it. He loved it all, except the whole princess thing. They did a long number with all the princes and princesses and he kept saying, "No more princesses, no more princesses. Bring back the Beast." ( The Beast had been transformed to the dashing prince by this point.) Meanwhile, my niece was in Heaven. Thursday I spent assisting Landon in completing his report on Ireland. Thank you to Shari for all your help on that one! Friday and Saturday were spent at my family's cabin... and yesterday we spent with my mother-in-law for her birthday. Wow! Are you out of breath... I am. Sad thing, most our weeks go this way. Below are a few pics to put in the scrapbooks that I am 12 years behind on.

Parker enjoying Disney on Ice

Parker and his friend, Jaxon, with their light up Buzz Light Year swords. 12 bucks for the ticket and 18 bucks for the stupid souvenir... I am a smarty.

If the kids had not already had enough of the pictures, I had them smile for this one.

This is when she is an angel... when she is asleep.

Brylee is officially 2 Months! Its crazy!