Christmas Festivities!

 The Gingerbread House...We bought one of those box kits only to open it up and find it needed some major repairs:( Since we are so skilled with our Graham crackers and frosting, we managed to build a beauty.

 The candy was eaten and enjoyed by the end of day three...

 Opening pajamas on Christmas Eve...

 Of course my camera battery was dying

so my pictures are not at their prime.

December 16th 2012

Noah at Salem Pond...Our family pics I got with my camera were way too dark. We enjoyed some yummy hot cocoa and a walk around the pond with Heather, Jon, Kate, Brooke, Dan, Maddie, Christian, Chapin, Kristin, Ali, Cam, Papa, Sunny, Briant, Camille & Brighton. Just as we got ready to take a family photo on the bridge, Heather pulled out her phone/camera and it slipped out of her hands and into the water below. It was so sad.

Let it SNOW! Let it SNOW!

Paige's FIRST BIG SNOW ADVENTURE in our backyard!

Saturday December 15, 2012

Reed preparing Paige for the SNOW!

The boys were so eager to get out into the snow before breakfast,

I forgot to get pictures of them. :(

LiTtLe MiSs PaIgE iS 2!!! December 2012

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

TO OUR SWEET 'P'!

Saturday December 8th 2012

 We enjoyed a birthday breakfast with the family. All the cousins came over for some delicious muffins, banana's, bacon 'n egg bagels and orange juice. YUMMY!

Paige opened her plethora of gifts.Her first dress up's were introduced

and she made quite a grand entrance. She wore her dress all day!

Thank you family for making it such a special day!

 Making sure her purse is snug under her arm.

I think she got that from her Great Grandma Van.

Daddy's little Princess!!!

She wasn't sure about the blowing the candle out.

But she sure enjoyed the festive necklace her cousin Kate let her wear.

Paige at 2... Weighs 22 lbs & is 32.5 in tall.

She loves her brothers, She calls them, Jamie, Reed, and Noah comes out as "Water."

She loves to sing, sing, dance & having her dad swing her in the air.

Loves phones, books, movies, baby dolls, animals, shoes, purses, hats & sticking things on her fingers.

Has always enjoyed squirting, smearing, dumping & spilling lotion, powders, makeup, soap, food, deoderant, toothpaste anything that you could possibly open.

She likes to stack things, "count" & sing "her abc's"

She can smell sugar a mile away!

She loves clementine oranges & cheese.

Paige & I play a game where we look at eachother serious

then we will laugh, then get serious, then laugh. She is HILARIOUS!

Most people can't get her to crack a smile, but with her family, she is a jokester.

Paige  is such a blessing to our family. We Love our little lady and are so grateful to have you Paigeee.

Happy Birthday!

FRIENDS!!!

These buddies are sure going to miss their trio. Ethan had no choice, but we would have kept him if we could. His family the Beesley's decided to move closer to their dad's job in Clearfield. We have sure loved having them as neighbor's and friends. Jared Beesley(Ethan's dad) was actually in my ward when I was 5 years old and was friends with my older brother Scott. Jared's mom was great friends with my mom, and Jared always had something kind to say about my dad.

(his Bishop at the time) It was neat to connect the dots. A great family!

Gabe Beesley & Jamison became great friends. We will sure miss you

Jared, Mary, Madilynn, Ethan, Gabe & Luke.

We wish you the best in your new adventures!

 As for these 2...

Some of my most FAVORITE people have also decided to move...

I am beginning to sense a pattern, Is it us? Our sweet circle is becoming vacant and oddly quiet.

Yes, Amber and I will probably go through withdrawals and crazy mood swings once we are finally severed from our safe, happy circle. But we hope to one day become neighbors again. hahaha-Okay, so Amber has promised to scare off any potential neighbors and save us a lot in her new neighborhood. Not sure if our vision will ever be, but "if you build it they will come." So Tyrel and Amber, you better get building asap so you don't run off and make cool friends and forget to invite us over to your beautiful new house for roasting marshmallows, playing games, or offering me some of my favorite homemade grape juice. Yum!

Oh and of course FABULOUS conversation, laughter, and RAD company!

Our troop of boys will always need some "brotherly rough play" and our little ladies need some tea time. DON'T FORGET US! You will be missed, BUT we better still see ya!

WE love you...Amber & Tyrel-Trey, Trenton, Taft, Corban & baby Audrey.

Brown FaMiLY 2012!

Silly Preview of my latest family photos...more to come soon.

I LOVE THIS FAMILY!!!

Left-Scott(Brother)Marlen, Gaby,Sebastian-Jamison,Noah,Reed,ME,Paige,Steve-Mat,Kristin(Sister) Ali,Cam-MOM,DAD-Kate,Heather(Sister)Jon-Madison,Brooke(Sister),Christian,Chapin,Dan-Camille,Brighton,Briant(Brother) 

November 2012 FuN!!!

 Reed had a "read in" with his class.

He had a cute part being an elephant.

He did such a good job!

 We started off the holiday season by watching

the lights turn on at the Riverwoods.

Our friends the Mansfields invited us

and our bundle of kids(9) kept us busy.

We had a good time though, the weather was nice

and we got free hot chocolate!

 Steve, Paige, me, Noah, Reed, Jamison

 My sister Kristin was determined

to spend some time outside on Saturday,

so we enjoyed the path up Provo Canyon. The kids loved riding their scooters and bikes, while Steve and I pushed Paige. After 2.5 hours of walking and exploring I was spent. It was gorgeous and fun, but I was ready for someone to push me.

 Paige saying "fishy"

 Noah feeding the fish at the bottom of Bridal Veil Falls!

Cam, Fro, Reed, Jamison, Ali, Noah

Some October & some November...

 Have I mentioned that Paige LOVES anything that can be poured, squirted, smeared or dumped?

She is silent in her independence. She pushed a stool to the counter and opened the cupboard to find her next lathering agent. This time...Sunblock. I just have to say that sunblock is hard to get off the head and body, but Vix vapor rub is the worst. Another "agent" adventure... Right before we went to our Halloween party she some how got the lid off the Vix vapor rub and coated her head. It took me almost a week and some dish soap to get that goop out. She looked liked a greaser for quite some time.

I do try to be a responsible mother.

Her clothes will never be the same!

 We went to a nearby pond/picnic area and decided to have a

little hot dog roast.

 Reed, Noah, Jamison

 Or shall I say, hot dog bonfire!

Steve got a little lighter fluid happy.

 Yes, Jamison is holding a "well done" hot dog.

 Happy Reed!

 Silly Noah!

 Adventurous Paige!

Crazy hot Steve!

Happy Birthday Steve!

Steve celebrated his 32nd Birthday on

October 21st

Someday I will have a amazing birthday

celebration for my man...

This year his b-day was on a Sunday so we

enjoyed some dinner and dessert with the family!

Cookies and yummy rice pudding.

Later in the week we went out for some sushi.

Happy Birthday my love!

Not just Donuts!

As we sat down for a little FHE treat, Noah decided to pull out some of his funny 7 year old sass. Steve, being the father and all, was kindly reminding Noah that, "Mom gave you life and she can take it away!" ha ha- I quietly mumbled, "So did dad."
Then from behind his cute donut covered face, Reed, replied,
"Yea, because he slept with you."
Steve's eyes bulged, my face began to feel hot. We both looked at each other and asked, "WHAT?"
"WHAT ARE YOU TALKING  ABOUT?"
(of course hoping not to get any details of the birds and bees)
Reed:"Well, you slept with her." He could see we were still stunned and confused at this new development.
Reed:"You slept with mom...AT THE HOSPITAL" reminding us of what happens when you have a baby.

OH RELIEF!!! I was beginning to wonder what he had learned at his first week of public school, Yikes!

Steve and I sighed and busted out laughing. Thank goodness his innocence is still intact.
----------------------------------------------------------
More "donut" conversation humor...
Jamison asked if he could have another donut. Steve looked at his napkin in astonishment,
Steve: "Did you already finish that whole thing?"
Jamison proudly exclaimed, "Yep!"
Steve: "Well I think you've had plenty."
Noah: "Ha, that's not enough for me, I'm a man!"
---------------------------------------------------------
Over donuts with Mt. Saint Helen's...
Noah: "Dad did you know you were a baby when Mt Saint Helen's erupted?
Steve: "I...don't think so."
Noah: "Yea, it erupted in 1980, when you were born."
Steve: "What? Are you making that up? let's see if you are actually learning something."
Steve turned to his lovely pocket of endless information (phone) and sure enough...NOAH IS LEARNING!
(though he wasn't born yet, it was the SAME year)

MAJOR FIRST!

 It has happened...I made my first sack lunches.

In the back of my mind, far back, I  have envisioned the day when I would make lunches for my kids and send them off to school. The vision continues with, a clean home and the smell of cookies consuming the house.  Of course there would be a cool glass of milk ready for when they waltzed into the door. After big hugs and "I sure missed you's"-We would sit down together and eagerly they would tell me about all the fun things they did at school and all that they learned. In detail of course.

"Beaver Cleaver" style.

Our school year began with the intent for homeschooling. You know, since I have been trying this route for the last three years. (I figured this was the plan) As our year progressed (2 months or so) There was intervention and things were going to have to change. FALL BREAK had to end sometime. I know school isn't always fun, though that would be awesome. My boys needed to cooperate and I was done feeling the pressure. So after more research and homework on my part. School elsewhere was our new route. Believe me, THIS WAS A VERY HARD DECISION. A feeling somewhat like...

throwing my children out to the wolves.

It sounds extreme, but the idea of sending them to school, with the unknown,  was very stressful.

Noah & Reed

2nd & 1st graders

I originally was going to take them to a school a few miles away.  As I went into our boundary school "Greenwood" to get some papers signed, I was consumed by the friendliness and sweet atmosphere. I of course bumped into my neighbor who is a school teacher there. We began to talk and I was truly embarrassed to tell her that instead of walking across the street to take my kids to school, I was going to send them else where. As things should have it I ended up meeting the new principal and chatting with him for at least 45 minutes. I avoided Greenwood in the first place because of rumors and test scores. Apparently this new principal as of 1-2 years has drastically turned the school around and everyone loves him. I sent Steve over to talk with him and get all the "data" and "info"-me and numbers don't click. After 1 hour or discussion Steve gave me the go-ahead if I wanted. I didn't want to make any premature decisions.  I felt no pressure to go there, but in the end things felt better when I thought about talking them to Greenwood (a feeling I thought would never happen) later that week I took the boys to meet their new teachers and take a little tour of the school. 

The kids were sooo excited to meet them and wanted them to stay the rest of the day, but we were going to start on Monday.

It was exactly what we needed.

Brighton Brown is HERE!!! October 12,2012

Briant and Camille

had their baby girl TODAY!

 Brighton Camille Brown

Born: October 12, 2012

Weight: 6lb 3oz

Height:19.5 in

Randomness again!

I had to make sure I wrote this down because it was so hilarious...

Awhile back, Reed wasn't very motivated to do school. The usual flopping around on the ground, groaning about doing work. I gave my usual speech on how it was important and let's get it done blah blah blah. He curled up in the corner of pillows and stated the following, 

"Why can't I just learn about NATURE? I AM CRAZY ABOUT NATURE!!!"

This is my Reed to a T!

 Happy Birthday Camille!

September 30th was Camille's birthday-Friday the 28th We had some 

of my family over for some yummy cake Briant made for her. 

They are about to have their first baby! Yeah!!!

 Paige found this hat and fashioned it for us. She was crackin' us up!

 Her new favorite "scary face"

 Who doesn't like sitting in a basket?

Since I seem to be taking a lot of pictures of Paige lately, I am going to do a quick update:

-As of October 8th she will be 22 months old.

-She likes to say: "Go away" (to anything and anyone she doesn't want) and then "Sorry mom"

-She says Mom, dad (but always calls him mom) Jamie, Reed and always calls Noah Reed, chicky, Ruby, snake, bug, sippy, milk, poopy, nighnight, ouchy, candy, gum gum 

-She is pretty good about communicating...I could go on but I won't.

-She has a TON of hilarious facial expressions and can melt ya in an instant 

(once you get past her stone cold greeting)

-She loves being outside, playing with her brothers,  reading books, loves gum & sugar, singing, and COLORING everywhere!!! Obsessed with finding chap stick, lotions, soap, makeup, deodorant, toothpaste... anything with a cap that can be smeared, squirted, or emptied. She also likes to taste them (gross) Once she has something she shouldn't have, she tries to tuck it under her armpit to hide it, pretty funny! She is not afraid of pushing her brothers around. 

She loves her mom but is becoming quite the daddy's girl (always has been).

-We sure love this little lady!