TALL Tales of The Brinkworth's

~IT'S BEEN A WHILE~

2010-09-23T11:52:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I was gonna do so well on blogging this year...and I didn't. But a little update for those that don't know...we are expecting baby #5 in March. We are very excited and the kids are over the moon!!! I have a feeling it is a boy because I am already having blood pressure problems, and I don't have that with my girls. But we will have to wait and see. I am 13 weeks now so we will find out in November what it is. Life is good and the kids are good. Not to much else new I guess. I will post some updated pics later.

~My Birthday Weekend~

2010-03-02T22:17:00.000-08:00

So we had Macazlyn's baptism on Saturday the 27th and then it was my birthday on the 28th. After the baptism we went ice skating with the kids. I was the only one brave enough to put the skates on and skate with the kids and I had a blast. I have always loved ice skating and did it quite a bit growing up in South Dakota on the pond they made in the park. So my mom, Tom, Vanessa, and Ben stayed on the side and watched...waiting for me to fall. But I didn't LOL I even did some spins and triple sow cow's. Hahaha Ok well maybe just the spins but it was fun and I am SO glad we went. Then on my birthday we went to church and then came home and hung out as a family. It was very nice and relaxing!! Tom left church a little early and came home and decorated the house for my birthday and then before I walked in the house he came out and gave me a crown and a wand. Yes I was the Queen for the day!! It was pretty cute and he did a good job of making my day special!!

~Macazlyn's Baptism~

2010-03-02T21:35:00.000-08:00

I can't believe that the day has come to baptise my baby girl. She turned 8 and we had her baptism Feb. 27, 10. It was a very special day and I am so thankful for my amazing family. My parents weren't gonna be able to come but at the last minute my mom was able to get a ticket and be here. I didn't tell the kids she was coming and it was a fun surprise for them. I am so thankful to have the gospel in my life and that Tom is a preisthood holder and that he could baptise our daughter. It was an amazing day!!

~Valentines Day 2010~

2010-02-20T23:09:00.000-08:00

I had a really fun Valentines this year!! We celebrated a day early since Valentines Day was Sunday this year. It was my friend Jeanette's birthday also so we went and got pedicures and then got our makeup done. It was so relaxing and just some fun girl time. Then we met up with our hubby's for dinner. It was a GREAT day all the way around and it was wonderful to celebrate with my amazing husband!!!

~BETTER BLOGGER~

2010-02-20T22:58:00.000-08:00

Ok...so it's been a really long time since I have blogged and yes, I have let it slide. I really enjoy blogging and I want to get back but after so much time passed I couldn't decide if I should try to go back and do what I missed. But the thought of going back was to overwhelming so I am just starting from now. So here we are February of 2010. Not to much has changed. The kids are all older, sweeter, cuter, and taller LOL Tom and I are the same ol' (no taller thanks goodness). We are working on some goals for ourselves and just living life. So here's to being a BETTER BLOGGER!!

~GIRLIE GIRLS~

2010-02-20T22:46:00.000-08:00

I am SOOO happy that I have girlie girls and that they still like to wear fluffy girlie stuff!! I found these skirts and loved them and so do the girls :o) So here are some pics I snapped. The last pic has one of Macazlyns friends that spent the weekend with us. And yes she is in 2nd grade with Macazlyn and her same age. And yes she is shorter than Brinlyn :o)

~LITTLE MAN~

2010-02-20T22:11:00.000-08:00

I have been so bad at blogging it's not even funny. I am gonna try to start back up and it has been hard trying to decide if I should go back and try to do all the old stuff or just start with now. As you can see I decided to start with now. Drake wanted to go get chicken eggs one day and he looked SO cute walking out there I just had to grab the camera. When he got back he said "here Mommy, I got eggs for you". It was so sweet :o) Drake just loves to play with Daddy's Itouch and when we were in the car the other day I thought it looked so funny to see such a little guys all hooked up with the technology. He is such a little character and makes us all laugh all the time!! All the kids were up stairs cleaning their rooms the other day and had all put on the sports shorts...but Drake doesn't have any. So he found some of Hunter's old ones and put them on.

~HAPPY BIRTHDAY VANESSA~

2009-08-24T22:24:00.000-07:00

Happy birthday to my baby sis!!! I know you had a great day and got some good presents. I am glad you got to spend your day with your hubby and I am glad I got to see you!! I wanted to say what an amazing person I think you are. You are so kind and loving and have such a big heart. And you are so B-E-A-utiful!! I am glad that we have built a friendship since we have grown up. We grew up so far apart in age I didn't know if it would ever happen and I am SO glad it did. I cherish "Us" and love watching it grow. You are a very special person in my life and I am so glad that you are still here. At least we have each other since everyone else is gone!! I am proud to call you my sister and that you are part of our family!!! Happy Birthday Vanessa!! I love you :)

~HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM~

2009-08-17T21:49:00.000-07:00

Today is my mom's birthday and I haven't blogged in a long time, so my first of many in a short period of time will be for my mom. So here it goes...

I hope you had a great day mom and I so glad you got to be with Angela and Sheena even though the other half of us couldn't be there!! I miss having you here much but I have SO many good memories!! Shopping together, decorating together, baking together, and just spending time at your house or mine. You really are an amazing woman and you have taught me SO much. I love your love for the gospel and appreciate that you have taught it to me so that I can teach my family. You have so many talents of being a homemaker and housekeeper!! Your such a great cook and housekeeper ( I don't know why I didn't get more of that) LOL You have always made a comfortable and inviting home for all of us and I appreciate that to this day!!! I always seem to have so much to say in my head and when it comes to putting it on here it never seems to come as well :) So Happy Birthday and I love you with all my heart and am so glad that you are my mom!!!

~HAIR BOWS (FLOWERS)~

2009-07-07T21:26:00.000-07:00

Here are the pictures of the bows Aubrey. Tiffinie and I made them (mostly her on these ones). I haven't finished them yet but they won't look any different when I am done.

~GRAND JUNCTION COUSINS~

2009-07-07T21:13:00.000-07:00

We went to Grand Junction Colorado last week and had a great time visiting friends and family!! There are our "Grand Junction cousins". The top picture is Macazlyn 7, Kayla 10, Brinlyn 5, Brett 8, Hunter 10, and Drake 3 in the front. We got to have them live close to us a couple of years ago and so the kids are really close and have a lot of fun together!! We miss and love you guys and hope to see ya soon!!

~HAPPY 10TH BIRTHDAY HUNTER~

2009-07-01T21:00:00.000-07:00

My Hunter man... You were born July 2, 1999. Our only child born last century. LOL You were born in Grand Junction Colorado and it was HOT, 104 degrees hot to be exact. I wasn't feeling good the night before I had you and it was a good thing that I had a doctors appointment the day you were born. I am kinda stubborn and I don't go to the doctor very often...even if I should. So I went to my appointment and they told me my blood pressure was VERY high and they told me to go home and pack a bag and head to the hospital. I was soooo swollen and puffy it was beyond not funny and I can't say that I was to disappointed at the thought of everything being over. But I was scared too!!!! I was induced with you and you were born at 11:56 pm. You were 6 lb 2 oz and 19 3/4 in long. You were so tiny!!!! Daddy's wedding ring fit around all your little toes....(although his ring is huge) it was still really cute!!! We spent 4 days in the hospital and you were in the ICU but everything turned out ok and when we went home all of Mommy's family was there. It was nice to have the help since you were my first baby!!! You have always been a pretty easy kid. You went through some tantrums when you were around 2 but that wasn't to bad. You are soooo great with your brother and sisters!!! The way you help me and help around the house without complaining is so wonderful! You are a kind hearted and caring boy! I love that you like to be involved in activities and sports. You are a great joy in our family and I can't imagine our home without you!! I love you buddy!! Happy 10th Birthday!!!

~OUR 12TH ANNIVERSARY~

2009-07-01T16:35:00.001-07:00

Tom and I met in December 23, 1996. We were both home for the holiday's. Home was Castle Rock CO for me and Elizabeth for him. My brother needed a ride home from work one night so Tom gave him one and that is how we met. I had just gotten out of a long distance relationship and did not want much to do with him really. I had had enough of men for a while!! But I knew there was something different about him from the start. I tried to tell myself I didn't want anything to do with him but as we can see that didn't work. LOL These first 2 pictures were engagement pictures.

We got engaged March 6, 1997 and then we were married on June 21st 1997. Here are a few pictures. One of them has our friends Brandon and Carrie, they were married 2 weeks before us. They are our "short" friends. LOL One of the pictures is when Tom threw my garter. Chad and Justin decided to go for it. Look at the air they got!!! Justin is the one that caught it. Neither one of these amazing men are with us anymore. We love and miss you both!!!! The picture with the little boy is my nephew, Stephen. I have always loved this picture!!! He is soooo cute!!!

And here we are on our 12th Anniversary. A little less hair (Tom) different colored hair (me), and some extra pounds but just as happy as ever. I just remembered that my first blog I ever did was our anniversary picture last year. How funny!! Our love has truly grown over the year and we are truly blesses with an amazing family and life!!!

~HAPPY 3RD BIRTHDAY DRAKE~

2009-06-16T21:28:00.001-07:00

Happy Birthday to my little Drake. You were born in the early morning hours of June 16th 2006. You were born at 6:36 am and weighted 6 lb 8 oz on 6-16-06. LOL It's easy for me to remember your info. You were not due until July 13th but I was not feeling good so Poppy came down and took my blood pressure for me and it was VERY high. So I threw somethings in a bag and drove myself to Castle Rock to get daddy and we drove up to the doctors office in Thornton, CO. Since you weren't due for another month I wasn't sure what they were going to do, but I can say that I felt horrible!!! My blood pressure didn't go down so they checked me into the hospital because they couldn't let me go home. They watched me through the night and kept doing tests and in the early morning hours they induced me because I had pre-eclampsia/toxemia. I had my beautiful baby boy with in an hour of being induced. You we so cute and had the most hair of any of the other kids!! And amazingly long fingers (which you still have)!! You had some problems and ended up in the ICU and they wouldn't let me out of bed (cause of the pre-eclampsia) so I didn't get to see you for a while and that was hard!! But daddy was there for you!! He went to Build-a-Bear and made a special bear for you that they put in your bed with you in the ICU to keep you company. Everything turned out ok and we took you home where you had a brother and sisters who were anxiously awaiting your arrival!! You are such a sweet little boy! I love waking up to see your smiling face everyday. And I love the way you come and cuddle with me every morning!! You have such a sweet heart and you are always there if someone is sad to give them a hug!! You love to play with your monster trucks, CARS movie cars, and your Thomas the Trains. You take them with you everywhere we go in your little Thomas the Train backpack. Your favorite right now is "Lucky Tween" (Lightning McQueen). LOL Your laugh is so cute and it makes everyone else laugh and smile. You are becoming quite the follower and want to be where everyone else is and you are pretty attached to your mommy too!!! But I love it and you make me soooo happy and proud to be your mommy. I love you little man!! Happy 3rd birthday. I don't have a 3 year old picture yet, the one below is his 2 year picture.

~BROKEN TOE~

2009-06-15T23:47:00.000-07:00

Yep there it is. Toms broken toe. Gross I know but I had to show ya. He broke it in 2 places when he was riding the Harley. Put his foot down to keep from laying the Harley down when his breaks locked up. He is fine now!!!

~KIDS??? WHAT KIDS??

2009-06-15T23:36:00.000-07:00

Because of all the rain we have had the grass is really tall right now. It's creepin' up on Drake and when we put him in the middle of it we could barely find him. LOL Then the other 3 jumped in and we almost lost them all. LOL They thought it was pretty funny!!

~A SUMMER EVENING~

2009-06-15T23:05:00.000-07:00

We decided to go for a walk the other night so I grabbed the camera before we walked out the door. After I started snapping pictures I realized the girls already had on the pj's...but oh well that's life. I love all the wild flowers out in the fields right now. They are so pretty and refreshing!! The girls are swinging on the old house out here on the property. It makes for some pretty great pictures and I hope to get out there again and get some better shots. Then there is Tom with Toby. He loves his dog!! I like Toby, Tom loves him. LOL

~FRENCH BRAID~

2009-06-15T22:40:00.000-07:00

Ok so here it is. Dum Dum Dahh Dum... my first french braid. I have never french braided in my 33 years of life. Crazy I know, and I have 2 daughters and I do their hair all the time. My sister Sheena taught me before she went back to Kentucky. Here is Brinlyn with my first braid. Not bad for never having done it before!! (If ya ask me anyway) LOL

~KING OF THE HILL~

2009-06-02T20:33:00.000-07:00

Drake was so cute when I said "Drake let me take your picture" this is what he did. And Brinlyn was out picking wildflowers.

~JUST ONE EVENING~

2009-06-02T20:10:00.000-07:00

These are just some pictures at Lois house last week. And one picture of Kelsey and I, taken by Macazlyn. Macazlyn set up the one of her and Brinlyn. They are soooo used to having their pictures taken that they pose themselves and come up things to do and then say "mommy take my picture". It makes me laugh.

~MY LITTLE PRINCESSES~

2009-06-02T20:00:00.000-07:00

The girls were dressed matching last week, which I don't do very often, so I got out the camera and played around a little. It was really windy but we got a few shots. Macazlyn is 7 1/2 here and Brinlyn is 5.

~HOUSE~

2009-06-02T19:40:00.000-07:00

This is at a home decor store that I really like. They have a St. Bernard that is always there when the store is open. I think he gets his name from being as big as a "House". He was up walking around but by the time I got the kids assembled he decided to sit. They got him from a rescue and are fostering another St. Bernard right now to0. I am NOT a dog person but House isn't slobbery or loud or stinky or crotch sniffing or any of those dog traits I hate. And he is pretty and clean so it is nice to see him when we go there!!!

~DENVER TEMPLE~

2009-05-27T22:56:00.000-07:00

While my parents are here they needed to go to the temple so we all loaded up and went together. My girls were really excited because we got to see 2 brides while we were there! They were just in awhhh of that. Then Macazlyn started asking about my wedding dress and where it is and she said she wanted to see it. I told her she can see it but I had it preserved in a box so we can't take it out. I haven't gotten it out to show her yet but she is very excited to see it. Anyway, the kids ran around in the grass and we took pictures and just spent some time as a family. It was a nice afternoon!!! It would have been great to have Angela there and as usual, when we are together, we feel someone is missing...and someone is. We missed you Chad!!

~PART OF THE FAMILY~

2009-05-21T00:19:00.000-07:00

I was in Grand Junction, CO for Kiessa's graduation. She is my cousins daughter. We all had a great time visiting and having fun. My cousins Valgene and Lagena were there and my Uncle Gene too. It was so nice to be together!! Miles gave Drake the CARS poster board. It is one of those poster boards that they have at the theater. He LOVED it and it is up on the wall in his room now. Thanks Miles!! We had a big water fight (that I kinda started) that was really fun too!! Never a dull moment with me around...LOL

~MY TWO PRECIOUS BABIES~

2009-05-21T00:06:00.000-07:00

Ok, they may not be babies anymore but they are still MY babies! These are pictures I took of the kids in my cousins front yard in Grand Junction, CO a couple of weekends ago. I love how they turned out!! And I love taking pictures of the kids!!

~PUPPIES~

2009-05-20T23:58:00.000-07:00

After our last snow storm we went out and checked on all the animals and Tom found puppies? No one knew Hannah was pregnant and it was quite the surprise!! Since Dick and Val were gone we took them under our wing. They are about 3 weeks old in this picture. So cute!!

~PROM 2009~

2009-05-20T23:34:00.000-07:00

Tom works at a High School as the Police Officer on duty and he had to go to prom, so we went together. It was a lot of fun!! We had a nice dinner at Maggiano's and I had a great time at prom, seeing all the dresses and chatting. Not to often do you get to go to prom at our age and with your husband. LOL Anyway it was a fun time and it was nice to get dressed up for the night. We went to the after prom party and that is where the "love bug" picture was taken. It was a fun night all in all!!!

~BIRTHDAY PICTURES~

2009-05-04T22:17:00.000-07:00

Brinlyn has such a pretty birthday dress that we decided that we should get pictures done. She has a lot of fun and they turned out cute!!!

~BRINLYN'S BIRTHDAY DAY~

2009-05-04T21:21:00.000-07:00

Brinlyn had a great birthday day!! She picked her favorite lunch, Panda Express!! She loves chinese!! Then she got her money to go shopping with (all in ones) and we headed to the toy section at Wal-mart. She had a great time and got lots of good stuff!! Then we came home for dinner. I always let the kids pick their favorite dinner on there birthday and then make it for them. She picked...duhh duhh da duhh...Mac and Cheese and hot dogs. Yippie! So we added chips to the mix and that was dinner. The family all came over and she opened presents and had a Diamond Castle Cake. Daddy always gives the girls flowers on their birthdays so this is Brinlyn's bouquet.

~HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRINLYN~

2009-04-29T08:46:00.001-07:00

Happy Birthday to my little princess. I was induced with you so I picked your birthday. If you don't like it sorry. Your daddy and I drove up to the hospital in Thronton, CO in snow on the morning of April 29, 2004. Crazy!! You were my biggest baby at 8 lb 6 oz. You were such a precious and sweet baby and I cried the first time I held you!! I just loved your chubby little cheeks. ( none of the other kids had chubby cheeks). You are definitely the sunshine in our family. You smile can light up a room!! Seriously!! Since you were little people have always commented on your eyes and smile!!! You are so sweet, caring, and sharing. It is amazing to me how much you care about everyone. If someone is sad you will do what it takes to make them happy!! You are very tall and beautiful and I hope you like that cause your chances of being tall are VERY good. LOL You love learning and doing what your older brother and sister do. You love horses and all the animals out here on the ranch. You also LOVE your mommy. You like to be with me all the time and I hope that last a life time!! I love you with all my heart. You are so precious and sweet to me and I hope you have a GREAT birthday!! Happy #5 Birthday Princess Brinlyn!!

~HAPPY LATE BIRTHDAY TOM~

2009-04-28T23:48:00.000-07:00

I never got to blog for Tom's birthday, it was March 23. So here it goes... I just wanted to say that Tom is the most wonderful man in the world! He is so kind, funny, loving, funny, sweet, funny, and an amazing father!! Did I say funny? LOL He makes me laugh everyday and I love the sweet, cheesy, and romantic thing he says to me. I love the way he makes up songs to sings them to the kids and I!! I love that he is great at his job and everyone likes him!! He is the light of my life, the ground that I walk on ( inside joke) and Tom, I love you!! Happy Late Birthday!!

~HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD~

2009-04-28T23:30:00.000-07:00

My dad's birthday was April 22nd and I haven't gotten a chance to say it on my blog. So I just wanted to say that I love you dad. Thank you for being the best dad and a man I respect and look up to!! You have always worked so hard for our family and still do and I love you for it!! I hope you had a good birthday and I love you all the days!!

~VAIL 2009~

2009-04-23T15:59:00.000-07:00

Tom and I got to go to Vail this last weekend for a FBLA confrence that Tom was asked to present at. We has really nice time and it was nice to get away together for a while!! It was really beautiful up there!

~EASTER SUNDAY CHURCH~

2009-04-12T21:33:00.000-07:00

Here we are all ready for church this morning. I love this time of year and I love that we can focus on Jesus Christ and the resurrection and atonement. I can't imagine my life without this knowledge. I am so thankful for all the I have and for my wonderful family!!

You have to notice in the family picture that I am almost as tall as Tom. Now that is tall!! LOL I have some pretty high shoes and when I saw this picture I had to laugh!!

Does anyone else think Drake could be Hunter's little puppet if he was a ventriloquist?? Hahaha

~EASTER WEEKEND FUN~

2009-04-12T21:01:00.000-07:00

We had a fun Easter weekend as a family! We dyed eggs on Saturday after 3 soccer games. The kids really had fun with that and Drake didn't break any eggs. I expected a couple from a 2 year old. LOL In the collage of egg dying there is a pic of Drake sitting on a little chair. This is his movie watching spot these days and he had to keep going back and forth during our egg dying.

Then on Easter morning the kids all found their baskets. One hid in the dishwasher and one in the oven. I said "I hope I don't turn the oven on in the morning and forget about that basket" and then what do I do in the morning? Turn on the oven for the turkey!! But then I decided I didn't need to put the turkey in quite that early, so after about 5 minutes I turned it off. Good thing huh? I would have had a huge mess and a very disappointed Brinlyn!! So disaster avoided. Why do I do things like that? LOL Hunter is cooking these days and he wanted to make eggs for everyone. (He is following in his daddy's footsteps with the cooking.) YEAH!! That will make for a great husband someday!! Drake wanted to help but he wanted to use is dyed eggs. Had to explain him that those ones aren't any good for scrambled eggs. Also, I am wearing my new apron from Georgia in this collage. It came in pretty handy today and it is so cute!!

After dinner the kid got to eat their chocolate bunnies. They are always very excited for them and as you can see Drake was holding his for a while. Can you say MESSY?!

~Hmmm...SOMETHING IS MISSING~

2009-04-12T19:28:00.000-07:00

Brinlyn lost her first teeth last weekend. One on Friday and one on Sunday. I was really surprised when she came to me and told me she had loose teeth. I thought she was just playin' around. But they were really loose. She is 4 almost 5 and if I am remembering right, this is pretty early. She is very excited though and of course the tooth fairy came and she could hardly stand the excitement. I on the other had am kinda sad because I think when they start loosing teeth it really changes their look. Hopefully the top ones hang in there a little longer!!!

~FLOWERS FOR MOMMY~

2009-04-07T23:36:00.000-07:00

Today we were at Michaels and Drake came up to me and said these flowers were his favorite colors and that they were for me. It was SO CUTE and SO SWEET!! So I wanted to get a picture and he gave me this hammy grin. He is such a joy in my life and makes me smile everyday. I love waking up to this little my at home. He my little ray of sunshine!!

~THE SURPRISE~

2009-04-03T22:40:00.000-07:00

Well, it was five weeks in the making, and NO ONE knew. (except Tom) I was able to pull it off but it was so hard to keep the secret. I almost spilled the beans more that one time...but I didn't!! I surprised Angela for her birthday with...ME!! I called Al the afternoon before I was flying in to ask him if he could come get me from the airport. He was able to and when we got to the house Angela, Emily, and Alana were out for a walk. I didn't know that so I ran out of the garage to go to the front door but Tristin saw me and told me they were out walking. So I turned around really fast and went back into the garage and we went in the house and shut the garage door. In the mean time Angela and Emily saw some woman come out of the garage with a white shirt and dark hair. LOL She called Al on her cell phone and told him he needed to go check the garage that someone had went in there and shut the garage door. We were laughing and he told her no one was in the house. Angela and Emily were very confused and said that if they got to the house and some woman in a white shirt with dark hair was holding everyone hostage, then they told Al so. So I was waiting in the house and she walked in and I came around the corner. She was just looking at me like, this person doesn't belong in this picture. She took a few seconds to regain herself and then she started crying. Yeah!! It was so exciting and we were so happy to see each other!! It was the best ever!! I told Angela that nothing will ever top this. She may be able to equal it...but never top it!! I had the best time ever and made a ton of new memories with Angela that I will not soon forget!! Thanks little sis...

~DAVE & JACKIE~

2009-04-03T22:07:00.000-07:00

These are two people that I feel I was supposed to cross paths with in this life time. I felt a connection with them from the very beginning and really love and respect them. They are so funny and yet so spiritual and have such an amazing aurora about them!! They have so much to offer!! It means so much to have been there for Jackie in a time that she really needed someone and I will cherish the memories that we made!! They will be with me forever. I am so happy that Angela and I were able to be there for her!! Thank you Angela for bringing them into my life!! And I love that they call Angela and I "the girls"!!! You guys are the best!! The day at the lake house, dancing on the deck, laying out on the dock, and relaxing in the "Warm" water...I will never forget it. Love ya all the days!! (and then some) LOL

~CHERRY BLOSSOM DAYS~

2009-04-03T21:50:00.001-07:00

In Georgia it is Peach and Cherry Blossom time. So they have some crazy activities down south that I thought were pretty funny and I had never seen before. Bed racing and lawnmower racing. Hilarious!!! I was cheering for the little girl with the purple and black lawn mower. She didn't win but I though she was pretty great. That is something I could so see Macazlyn doing...and loving it!! Between Tom, my dad, and tom's dad, I think she would have a pretty good chance!!! We were with Jackie and Dave so that made the day even more fun!! This is an apron I bought to remember Cherry Blossom Days in Georgia and then there is a picture of us at the peach fields.

~GIRLS NIGHT OUT~

2009-04-03T10:16:00.000-07:00

This was our girls night out. We went to The Olive Garden and had the best time just laughing and visiting. We stayed there for hours. Then we went back to Angela's house where we danced, laughed, and talked till the wee hours of the night!!

~HAPPY 3RD BIRTHDAY ALANA~

2009-04-03T09:56:00.000-07:00

While I was in Georgia, Alana had her 3rd birthday party. She had all the neighbor kids over and had a great time. She was quite the little princess!!

~PLAYIN' IN THE RAIN~

2009-04-02T20:12:00.000-07:00

It was pouring rain on the Saturday before I left so I suggested we go for a walk in the rain. We all got changed and off we went. Here we have a before picture, then pics of while we were out, and then dripping wet, after pictures. Emily's friend Nancy has a golf cart so after a long walk and splashing through the puddles we hopped on the cart to go for a ride. It was so fun but there was a causality. My leg :-( I got scratch by the cart when Nancy (the 13 year old driver) took a wild corner. Don't worry, I survived though, and am here to tell the story. You have to note the funny face Angela is making in one of the pictures. She is known for always making faces in pictures and they have to be redone because of her :-) But sometimes we just keep them because they are funny!!

~I GOT YOUR CRAZY!!~

2009-04-02T19:56:00.000-07:00

Ok...We were all having a "we are really tired moment" and Emily had the camera rolling through it. Obviously it was trained on Angela at the time and this is the results. When we looked at the pictures on Emily's camera were laughing even harder. Tears were streaming down our faces!!! We though she looked like a hobo we had brought in from the street. We were trying to get her warm enough for our walk!!

~STAR GAZING WHILE LAYING ON THE ROAD~

2009-04-02T19:39:00.000-07:00

We went for a midnight walk my last night in Georgia. After much laughter we settled down for some star gazing from the road. (She lives in a cult-de-sac don't worry). Angela couldn't stay warm to save her life on our walk and star gazing so that is why she is wearing a scarf and jacket. Emily and I nick her Angela Jane Complain while on our walk. Cause she just wanted to go home because she was so cold. Really we gave Emily that name earlier in the week. Emily Jane Complain. LOL Anyway, a fun time was had by all!!!

~OUR GOODBYE~

2009-04-02T18:22:00.000-07:00

This is definitely the hardest part of the trip. It is always hard to say goodbye to each other!! We have a method to this now though. We hold in all the tears and say good bye to everyone else and then at the very last minute we let it flow!! Thanks Angela for the best time EVER. So many memories made...I will cherish them forever!! PS-Angela couldn't stop laughing in our pouty face picture so this is the best I got!! Someone was trying to make us laugh. I think it was Emily...shame on her. Alana had to jump into the pictures too and I think she looks adorable here!!

~HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANGELA~

2009-03-30T11:00:00.000-07:00

Today is my little sister Angela's Birthday. I don't know if she wants me to say how old she is so I won't but she is only 13 months younger than me. That makes us almost the same age...like twins (almost). LOL Growing up with someone so close in age was hard when we were little but as we got into high school our friendship grew into an amazing bond. We have been through thick and thin together and have come out with a friend ship that will last a life time. She is my best friend and the funnest person I know. Life is a blast when we are together!! We never get tired of each other or run out of things to say. The last trip we were together we drove from Georgia to North Carolina and by the time we were almost there Alana piped up from the back and said "Mommy stop talking. Be quite". We had a good laugh at that too. The memories we have built over the years will last a life time!!

I hope you have a great Birthday and know that I gave you the best present EVER. I told you it would be, and I wasn't kidding!! You mean the world to me. You are my best friend and my sister and that is a great combination!! LOVE YOU ALL THE DAYS AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

~CHRISTINA & ANGELA~

2009-03-24T17:19:00.000-07:00

I am in Georgia with Angela and having the time of my life! I am here for 10 days and you better believe we will enjoy every minuite!!
Tom is at home with the kids having spring break and being Super Dad. Really...the kids aren't going to want me to come home. It's a party everyday with daddy and they are having way to much fun. Angela and I decided we were due for new professional pictures together, it's been a long time. So off we went and here is what we got. We threw Alana (Angela's daughter who will be 3 this weekend) into the picture at the end. So goodbye for now from the very nice and warm state of Georgia!!

~HAPPY ST. PATRICKS DAY~

2009-03-17T09:14:00.000-07:00

Not much to say, just wanted to share the pictures of Hunter and Macazlyn all ready for school on St. Patrick's Day. I like the picture of the back of Hunter's shirt. "Do not pinch" ha, yeah right. That is a funny picture!! Yes, my kids like to pose and have their picture taken. They are MY kids after all. LOL Brinlyn and Drake got to get their green on too and Brinlyn insisted on pictures too. Like I would say no to pictures :)

~MOTHER CHILD BASKETBALL~

2009-03-13T22:52:00.000-07:00

Tonight we has a basketball found raiser for the kids school. I played 3 games with Macazlyn and we took 1st place in the first grade group. Hunter and I played in the 3rd/4th grade division. We didn't win it but we played 2 games and had a great time. Here are some pictures of the night. Let me remind you (mom) if you click on the picture it will be bigger:)

~OUR NEW BABIES~

2009-03-07T22:57:00.000-08:00

No no no not real babies...baby chicks! We got 13 new egg laying chicks this week. They are so cute and tiny!! The kids were very excited and jumping and screaming. Drake didn't want to hold them though. He squealed and pulled away for that. Brinlyn started naming them right away. We have fluffy, fruffy, and stripey so far. I can't remember any other names right now. Drake came up to me and looked at me with such huge innocent eyes and said "Mommy, fruffy is my little buddy!" It was SOOOOO cute!! Just melted my heart. Right now as I blog this Macazlyn hasn't seen yet. I am sure she will have to be quite the little mother hen (chick) when she finds out. If you click on this pic it will make it bigger:)

~THE TEA HOUSE~

2009-03-07T22:23:00.000-08:00

My friend Janie took me out to lunch for my birthday and we went to the new Tea House in Elizabeth. Drake got to got with us and he was so good. We had his monster trucks with us and he got them all out and put them on the floor and was so quiet and good. He did get to have his won little teapot with lemonade in it and his own cup and that was pretty great. It was a great birthday lunch and I had a great time. Thanks Janie!!!

~BASKETBALL PICTURES OF THE KIDS~

2009-03-04T20:05:00.000-08:00

Here as some basketball pictures of the kids. We had a great season for both of these teams this year. We played in the championship this past weekend and both the Hunter and Macazlyn's teams took 2nd place and we are so proud of them. They had a great season and we look forward to next year!!!

~MY BIRTDAY AND PINEAPPLE RIGHTSIDE UP CAKE~

2009-03-04T17:40:00.000-08:00

I had a great birthday this year!! I decided to go to Grand Junction. It was a tough decision because Tom always treats me like a princess on my birthday so I was sad to be away but my cousins birthday is March 1st so I thought it would be fun to celebrate it together. We went and had pedicures together and then went to dinner at Carrino's. Aubrey, my sister-in-law and Kiessa, Tierreny's daughter came with us. It was fun to have a girls night out!! When I got home Tom and the kids took me to dinner and Vanessa and Ben came. Ben of course had to tell them it was my birthday and against great protest from me they sang to me. I was so embarrassed and so red!! Tom asked me what kind of cake I wanted so I requested Pineapple Upside down cake. He called Angela and got the recipe and got right down to the business of making his first from scratch cake. After dinner we went back to Vanessa and Ben's and Brinlyn went and got the cake. As soon as we saw it Vanessa and I said at the same time "Uhhh you did it wrong". Tom was like "how do you know"? We said it's supposed to upside down on a cookie sheet. HE FORGOT TO FLIP IT!! I thought I was so cute. Angela didn't write to flip the cake at the bottom of the recipe. She just assumed that he would know to. So that is the story of the Pineapple Right Side Up Cake for my birthday.

~WE LOOK LIKE POPPY~

2009-02-17T22:31:00.000-08:00

The kids put this fuzzy bracelet thing in their mouth and they thought they were so funy they couldn't stop laughting. Brinlyn said "I look like Poppy". We had a pretty good laugh at that and of course I got pictures!! Drake couldn't miss his turn since he has to do everything Brinlyn does. (I know Yikes right!!)

~VALENTINES DAY~

2009-02-17T22:08:00.001-08:00

The day started off with Basketball games, which is usual for our Saturday mornings. Then my friend Janie and I went to the mall to the MAC makeup store for full face makeovers. It was so much fun and then we went shopping for a couple of hours (with no kids). We met our hubby's at Maggiano's for Dinner and had a GREAT time visiting and spending time together. It was a nice Valentines Day this year. Much better than last year!!!!

~IN LOVING MEMORY~

2009-02-12T19:52:00.000-08:00

Well, I have been sitting here playing on the computer and trying to decide what I want to say for an hour now so I guess here it goes. I am remembering so much pain that we had this time last year... but it's hard not to. Chad passed away a year ago tonight and I am having a hard time. I have been trying to remember the good and to be positive like some people say but it isn't working. I miss my parent and Sheena and Angela so much right now I can't stand it and I wish we were all together. Vanessa and I will go the the cemetery tomorrow and put some flowers on his grave. I am so grateful I have her to go do that with!! At least we have each other.

Chad and I got the opportunity in the last months of his life to build a relationship that I am so grateful for!! I stay up late and he worked nights so he would call me or I would call him because we knew each other was up. He was dealing with a lot and had a lot of pain and I am so grateful that I was able to be there for him. That means so much to me now and I appreciate that opportunity to grow closer to him. To help and love him!! He was a wonderful man and good father who loved his kids. He was a great big brother and I have many fond memories of our childhood!! I will never forget his loud, boisterous, throw your head back, laugh and his big smile. I have a million memories running thought my mind and they are good, but it still hurts. Chad is never far from my thoughts and I know he is looking down at us worrying and caring for us. I can't wait to see him again someday and I know that will happen. Chad loved the Lord, and church was so important in his life. Our family is broken, battered, and bruised without you Chad, but we will continue on and you are never far from our thoughts. They say time heals....I suppose it has gotten a bit better... but we will see. Till we meet again big brother, I love you!! Here is our most recent and our last family picture we will have as a whole family. It has become very precious to me and I will cherish it for the rest of my life. It was taken in the summer of 2007. I don't know if you know this but if you click in these pictures they will get bigger.

~HAPPY BIRTHDAY MICHAEL~

2009-02-10T23:38:00.000-08:00

This last weekend was Chad's son, Michael's birthday. He turned 5. As you can see he really likes Spider Man and he likes Star Wars too. He is such a funny little guy and so full of energy. Shanally and Autumn had a Valentine dance at their school this last weekend also. I guess they had a great time and looked pretty cute too. We always love when we get a chance to see them, all the kids love to play together!!! We love you guys!!! The first picture is Michael, the second is Shanally, and the 3rd one is Autumn:)

~COWGIRL~

2009-02-10T00:11:00.000-08:00

Tom took the kids to Big R this weekend and he got Macazlyn dressed up in chaps and a rope and then he sent me this picture. I just thought it was cute and soooooo Macazlyn!! She got home and asked me why she doesn't have any chaps? (She does have a rope, thanks to her Poppy)

~BARBIE BEWARE~

2009-02-09T23:53:00.000-08:00

The girls took their barbies to the basketball game and Drake got ahold of them. As you can see, I would have to say... poor barbies! He was smashing them together like he was playing with his monster trucks, and the look on his face speaks volumes!!!

~BASKETBALL~

2009-02-09T23:07:00.000-08:00

Hunter is almost done with his first basketball season with his Parker Hawks team. He has had a lot of fun and done great and learned a lot. The team has only lost 3 games (I don't know how many they have played) and we are playing our last game this weekend. (I think) There might be one more after this weekend. He is still playing Parks and Rec for Elizabeth and Macazlyn is playing Parks and Rec too, that doesn't end for a little while yet. Anyway, Hunter is #55 because he wanted to have Tom's #. I am amazed every day at how tall he is. I can't believe my 9 year old is catchin' up to me so fast!! Tom was asked to keep the books at the game and Drake was his helper. Well... that is, as much as a 2 year old can help. This was the day that he wouldn't take his hat off. He took a nap in it, as seen in the last blog, and we had to wear it the rest of the day and to the game! Vanessa and Ben have been able to come to a couple of games, that has been so nice!! Drake had to have a cuddle moment with Vanessa, but just for a little while!! The picture of Hunter (#55) out on the court is grainy but it is all I had. We are so pround of him and the job he has done this basketball season!!

~CUTE STUFF~

2009-02-05T00:27:00.000-08:00

Ok Carie, I couldn't find white daisy's so I used yellow but I think I like it. And here are my blocks. I know you have some pic's of them but I just wanted to show you. The bears are my Me To You bears that I got when I was in England. They are so cute and so Angela, that picture if for you!! I haven't blogged much lately cause my camera is still broken. Tom brings his home sometimes so I can snap a few pics. I know I don't always have to put a pic but lately I just haven't had much to say :) Drake loves this hat at at nap time today he wouldn't take it off. So I snapped a pic of him sleeping in it. Silly little guy!!

~NEW "FAMILY" VINYL~

2009-01-25T20:15:00.000-08:00

Ok Carie here is my Family frames. I love them! I think they turned out sooooo cute! Thankyou thankyou! If anyone is intrested in checking out Carie's website it is www.lineuponlinevinyl.com

~MINI & MIKEY THE MONKEYS~

2009-01-24T10:19:00.000-08:00

Ok, if you thought I was "crazy like that" before, now look at me! Crazy, I know!! But fun!! I couldn't resist the monkey and matching sweater for Brinlyn too.

~WEEKEND WITH TIERRENY & KIESSA~

2009-01-19T20:15:00.000-08:00

This weekend my cousin Tierreny and her daughter Kiessa came to visit me at my house. I was so excited for them to come!! We had a great time together and I was really sad to see them go today!! First of all, the pictures are so small because they are from my phone. I was letting Brinlyn run around the house taking pictures with the camera on Friday and now it doesn't work :( What in the world am I going to do? I am hoping it can be fixed and I don't have to buy a new one but we will see. So anyway, back to the weekend... We went to the MAC store and had makeovers and that was great fun! We all walked out looking amazing!! J/K We spend the day Saturday at my house. We played the wii and just hung out and then Saturday night we went to my friend Janie's house for a little party. We had a great time and great food! It was nice to relax and laugh with friends. Sunday we went shopping for a while and met up with Vanessa and Ben for a visit. We had a really nice time shopping and chatting. Then we got reservations at Maggiano's for dinner and that was fabulous as usual!! The doggie picture of Vanessa and Ben's dog Koda in his polo shirt and his snow boots. He is so funny when he walks in them I am laughting just thinking about it now. I couldn't spot laughing last night. Just one of those silly, tear rolling moments!!

~MIKEY THE MONKEY~

2009-01-16T07:06:00.000-08:00

I know, I know.... I AM crazy like this. Yes, the monkey's sweater matches Drakes. He loves it and carried Mikey around all day yesterday!! And Mikey was the first thing he asked for this morning. It's pretty cute!

~MY CUTIE MUNCHIE MAN~

2009-01-13T20:12:00.000-08:00

Drake was sitting on my bed watching HIS movie "Monsters Inc." this morning with my lambie blanket and my lambie and I couldn't resist a picture. He is just so cute and fun and funny and sweet and lovable!! I could just squeeze him......wait a minute....I do!!!

~MY FAMILY~

2009-01-12T10:29:00.000-08:00

I found these pictures on my mom and Sheena's myspace pages so I decided to steal them and blog them. My dad, mom, and Sheena were able to go to Georgia to see Angela and her family for Christmas and these are some of the pictures. I noticed there wern't any pictures of my mom. I wish there were, I would have blogged you to mom :) So we have Angela, Emily, and Sheena. Then there is Sheena. Then there is Angela and Emily together and then my dad with Angela and Sheena. Then Brecken, Angela's daughter also. The last picture is my handsome dad!! :) I love you all and miss you. These pictures made me want to be there and miss you all SOOOOOOO much!

~LET IT SNOW~

2009-01-09T09:33:00.000-08:00

Ok Carie, here they are. They turned out so cute!!! I love them and they look so great with my snowflake runner! And the Love is great on the door. Thanks!

~AN AFTERNOON AT THE PARK~

2009-01-08T23:51:00.000-08:00

We met Carie Fordham and her kids at the park today and had a nice time playing, so I just thought I would post some pictures. It was such a beautiful day today and so nice to spend some time outside in the fresh air! It was very refreshing and I needed it!!!

~TIME OUT FOR COLORING~

2009-01-08T21:50:00.000-08:00

Brinlyn and Drake wanted to color yesterday so we got out the crayon and had a coloring party. you will have to take notice of the stickers on Drakes cheeks. He was really into it!! He went through the book coloring only the eyes of everything. When I tried to get him to color more of Tigger he shooed me away telling me it was all done and continued on with the eyes. To cute! Brinlyn and I were coloring side by side so you can see the picture I colored for her. It was nice to take a break from the cleaning and enjoy some simple pleasures!

~Is this really MY son?~

2009-01-08T21:11:00.000-08:00

So I picked the kids up from school yesterday and gave kisses and hugs as usual. Hunter took off his coat and sat back in his seat, and then I saw it...his shirt was inside out!!! If you know me, and most of you do, you are laughing right now. He put his shirt on inside out!!!!!! And Tom didn't notice when they left for school!!!!!!! Are you KIDDING me??!!! I said "Hunter, was your shirt on inside out all day?" He looked at me like I was crazy and said "yeah" all casual, like "yeah so". I said "did anyone say anything" and he said no. I was in shock. He really had a who cared and no big deal attitude. I couldn't help laugh at his casualness about it and I just was so shocked that he wore his shirt inside out all day and didn't even notice or care. You probably can't really tell in this tiny pic but you will notice the word is backward. It says captain. Anyway, my kids are usually pretty put together when I go anywhere and I like it that way so this just suprised me and made me laugh!!

~DATE NIGHT~

2009-01-03T14:06:00.000-08:00

Last night Tom and I went out to dinner and afterward he took me to this park in Parker that I have been wanting to got to. It is so beautiful at Christmas and I LOVE the gazebo they have there. I love gazebos!!!! Tom said he would take it down and move it to house for me because I likes it so much but I told him it might not be such a good idea. Someone might notice:) Anyway it was just nice to spend the time with him drinking hot chocolate and wondering around where it was so beautiful.

~HAIR CUT~

2009-01-03T13:57:00.000-08:00

We went to get hair cuts yesterday and Drake looked like such a little man when it was done that I had to take a picture. He just sits there, as still a a mouse, just like Hunter used to when he was this little. It always makes me smile a little. Brinlyn got her hair cut too but you can't tell here, just from the back. We go to Snip It's because it's for kids and I think there has to be something said for them doing kids hair all day. They are better than most places if ya ask me! That is Krista doing the cutting. She's our favorite!!

~POOR DRAKE~

2009-01-01T21:00:00.000-08:00

One year ago today we found out Drake had a broken leg. He actually broke it on New Years Eve but we didn't know. He fell down the stairs from the very top (with a little help from a sister). Yikes, we were lucky it was just a broken leg. The floor is really hard at the bottom, no carpet. Tom was home and I wasn't when it happened. So Tom put him down for his nap and as long as he didn't try to walk, he was fine. Not a bruise, red spot, scratch, or mark. We thought for sure if it was broken we would see something. But on New Year Day he woke up and still wouldn't stand on it. So off to the emergency room and ta da... an 18 months old with a broken leg. What a pain!!! I had to carry him every where for 6 weeks and he was back to crawling at home! He was only 18 months but not your average sized 18 month old. He is tall for his age so it wasn't much fun having to tote him around. Anyway, a year later he is doing great and won't even remember that! So all is well, that ends well.

~BRINLYN~

2009-01-01T20:06:00.000-08:00

Today the Boys and Macazlyn went hunting so Brinlyn, Drake, and I went shopping and to lunch with our friends. Brinlyn looked so cute I had to take some pictures. I know she modeled this outfit earlier in my blog but now we had the hair done and all. I don't think it makes a very good exercise outfit thought. Silly girls!

~NEW YEARS EVE RIDE~

2009-01-01T19:10:00.000-08:00

It was such a nice day on New Years Eve that we decided to go for a ride. Macazlyn and I saddled up (with her showing ME how to do it). She is so funny and wants to do it all herself. I mean all of it and she thought she was going to show me something I didn't know. So I pretended I didn't know. and watched in amazement. She even told me the parts of the horse and bone names. (Sheesh, I really didn't know some of that.) She definitely has a passion for horses and wants to grow up to be a Rodeo Queen. I have no doubts that she will. With her determination, if she wants it she will do it!! Anyway, we rode with Poppy and had a nice time. That is Poppy at the top of the hill with the sun setting and the mountains behind him, and our dog Toby. Brinlyn didn't get to go on the ride and she was very sad about that so I promised her when we got back she could have a turn. As you can see she was very happy to have her turn!!

~KRISPY KREME AND THE FORDHAM'S~

2008-12-31T21:17:00.000-08:00

We met up with the Fordham's (our short friends) yesterday and had a fun time with them. We met at McDonald's for lunch so the kids could play then off to see doughnuts be made. We have 4 kids and they have 3 so we made quite a crew. Look what just 2 couples can do! I have to tell you the ages of all our kids that are lined up. Their height differences are so funny!! First we have Hunter 9, Macazlyn 7, Brinlyn 4. Then we have their Colby 7, Sidney 5, Drake 2 and Olivia 2. But Olivia is 4 months older than Drake. At the bottom we have Brandon and Tom with some kids. They are so cute!!

~CHAD'S KIDS~

2008-12-31T20:11:00.000-08:00

We went and got Chads kids the Saturday after Christmas and had them for "a spend the night", as my kids say. All the kids were so excited to see each other!! They came running to me with open arms. I loved it! It was fun having them over. I really enjoyed our time together. I love them so much.!! They are doing good and are happy, and that is so important to me. I got school pictures of them. Maybe I will scan them in and blog them for all you readers. Love ya kids and can't wait to see ya next time!! Here is everyone's names left to right. Michael, Hunter, Drake, Macazlyn, Brinlyn, Shanally, and Autumn.

~THE PICTURE TO GO ALONG WITH WHEN TOM AND I MET~

2008-12-29T12:29:00.000-08:00

After my blog the other day I went looking for a certain picture of Tom and I, when we met, but I couldn't find it. But I did find this one, it is a little blurry but it will do. We met on the 23rd of December and this picture was taken on Dec. 31, 1996. This was New Year's Eve and yes, it is shocking how thin we are. And Tom with hair!!! And I thought I was fat. Girls....Sheesh!! We are going to do something about that this year. Our brother-in-law has inspired us!!

~BRINKWORTH'S WITH BRINKWORTH'S~

2008-12-28T20:56:00.000-08:00

We got to see Dan and Aubrey with we were in Grand Junction and the kids had a blast. I think Brinlyn enjoyed having Kayla all to herself without Macazlyn! I stayed the night at Tierreny's house a couple of nights and Brinlyn got to stay with Aubrey. She loved it and she loves her aunt Aubrey!! The picture of all the kids is Kayla, Brett, Brinlyn and Drake. Then just the girls and Aubrey and I. I always have a great time when I am with Aubrey and love her sooo much!! I am so glad she is my sister-in-law!!

~GRAND JUNCTION TRIP~

2008-12-27T23:28:00.000-08:00

I had a great time in Grand Junction and am now getting around to posting some of the pictures. These are just some random pictures that I liked. My cousins Tierreny lives there now and her brother ValGene was was visiting with his wife. Kiessa is Tierreny's daughter. She is the blond with the black shirt.

~CUTIE PATOOTIE~

2008-12-27T15:44:00.000-08:00

This is my brother-in-law Ben. He showed up at my house looking so cute today that I told him I was going to take his picture and put it on my blog and call him cutie patootie. So here it is. This is one of his many new Christmas outfits. He started working out and eating good last year in January and on Christmas Eve hit his goal of 70 lb lost. Yeah you Ben!!!! So all he wanted for Christmas was NOT his 2 front teeth, it was clothes. Anyway, he looks great and we are all proud of him

~WAY OFF THE SUBJECT~

2008-12-27T13:34:00.000-08:00

Tom found these pic and wanted to scan them in so he could put them on his myspace with our other Halloween pics, so I decided to blog them. This was 3 Halloweens ago I think. We went with some good friends as The Adams Family. We went to downtown Denver and had dinner at the Cheesecake Factory. It was great fun and we got lots of comments. Everyone did a good job on their costumes and people knew who we were. It's Dana and James Christensen, Tom Brinkworth, Wendy Casto, Christina Brinkworth, and Sam Casto. They have all moved from our ward now so I miss them all!!

~CHRISTMAS EVE~

2008-12-26T20:36:00.000-08:00

We had a fun time on Christmas Eve with Ben and Vanessa. The kids wanted to make pizza with Santa Clause on it but that wouldn't fit so we had to just do S and C. But it was fun and Ben and Vanessa helped. We also did our gingerbread people that night to. We opened our usual 1 present and the kids got pj's. Hunter has now caught on and knows it is pj's but Brinlyn hasn't figured it out yet and was a little disappointed. It was funny. We read the Christmas Story and read our special book from Grandpa, Twas the Night Before Christmas. The kids loved it and loved looking at the bright colorful pictures! ( Thanks Grandpa) We topped the evening off with sprinkling Reindeer food outside and then off to bed. Oh, and Vanessa and Ben have 2 kids (their dogs) Sidney and Koda, we couldn't leave them out!

~CHRISTMAS BAKING~

2008-12-26T15:34:00.000-08:00

The night before Christmas Eve I decided to get in gear and do some Christmas baking. I got a new cinnamon colored Kitchen Aid mixer for Christmas so we needed to put it to the test. It is a professional series 600 or something like that and it has a huge mixing bowl and the highest powered motor. So I decided to triple the banana bread recipe and see how it did. It was great and nice to get it all done at once. All the kids took turns being my helpers while watching Santa Clause (Lois will be so proud of me, having the kids watch Christmas movies)!! Drake is talking on the phone with my mom in the picture while we were baking so I told her we would blog that one. "Hi Grandma"!! I was sitting with the lights off and the fire going, listening to Christmas music, and decided to take some pic because it was so pretty. It looks like the lights were on but they weren't. It was nice to take the time to pause and reflect on my Christmas' growing up. Such good memories!! Grandpa and Grandma's house, the family and cousins that were there, even the food. There were certain aunts who brought the same thing every year and it is funny to remember. We always had a great Christmas at home too. Some with homemade gifts, some not but always great. I remember playing santa and reindeer with Chad and Angela in his room. We would tie someone to the chair and then one of us would sit on the chair and be santa while the others pulled. Silly I know, but a good memory. I cherish these memories, it is what makes Christmas... Christmas.

~MERRY CHRISTMAS~

2008-12-25T23:29:00.000-08:00

Here are some Christmas pictures. Enjoy!!

~MERRY CHRISTMAS PART 2~

2008-12-25T23:15:00.000-08:00

Well, we had a fun Christmas Day and everyone is now tucked in bed and it is time to relax. We had a great time spending Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with Ben and Vanessa! Macazlyn got a cowgirl barbie that looks like her and she thought that was great!! I made Vanessa and Ben their picture frame with Brenneis on it and I made the doll blankie for the girls when I was in Georgia with the Angela. Then I thought this last picture of Drake was so cute. He LOVES trains and when he saw this paper that shows all trains he just loved looking at it!! We all went up to Tom's parents house for Christmas dinner and it was very Yummy!! We got a Wii this year so we all had to have a turn at that. I think it is going to be pretty fun! I hope everyone had a great Christmas and We love you all the Days!!

~12 YEARS AGO TODAY~

2008-12-23T22:08:00.000-08:00

Tom and I met 12 years ago today. I was home from Utah (in Castle Rock) and he was home from Grand Junction (in Elizabeth). Angela and I were in my mom's big tub (in our swim suits, Sheesh) and we had been there for about 2 hours. Just chatting and laughing and such. We were quite the raisins when we got out...
In the mean time my brother Chad was working at the Castle Rock wal-mart and Tom was working there too. My brother needed a ride home and he said he was going to call his mom. Tom offered to give him a ride and Chad said sure. Chad went on to tell him that his sister was in town. Tom asked if I was tall like him and he said yeah and so Tom decided to keep going with that and ask if I was cute. This is always my favorite part of the story. Chad said in his low gruffy voice " I don't know, she's my sister." Hahaha. I have always got a good laugh out of that!
So we had just gotten out of the tub when they got to the house. I was in my bathrobe with my hair in a towel and no makeup. Chad called me downstairs and said he had someone for me to meet. But when he saw me he said (in the same gruff voice) "you might want to go comb your hair." (ok I love that part too) Tom was in the bathroom at this time so I took his advice and ran upstairs and brushed my hair. Not that it made a big difference, I was in a bathrobe and no makeup for heaven sakes! So I came down the stairs at the same time he came around the corner and he took my breath away. He was SO TALL and cute! What a smile and those eyes! I couldn't believe it. His massive height was definitely the first thing I noticed about him!!! He was so cute and TALL and funny and TALL. Did I say tall? Angela and I spent hours chatting with him and he kept winking at me from across the room. We stood to say our goodbyes (once again I was in aw) and he asked me for my #. We saw each other a few more times over Christmas break and went to a New Years Eve Party then we went back to Utah and Grand Junction and saw each other only 2 times before Tom proposed. He must have liked something he saw or heard because he proposed in March after only a few real dates. Met in December 1996, engaged in March, married on June 21, 1997 and the rest, as they say, is history.
As I sit and remember this, how can I not think about Chad. If Tom hadn't brought him home that night who knows how or if we would have met. Chad introduced me to my future husband and he loved to remind us of that. I miss him terrible at this holiday season and I have thought of him a lot. Our family will never be whole again here on this earth without him, and the few times we have all been together since his death, we all feel it. I miss the rest of my family and all my friends that have moved away this year too and I think that has made it even harder this Christmas season. I am feeling a lot of loss but trying to keep my spirits up. Sometimes ya just want to give in and not try so hard to be brave and just let the emotions come. Christmas and being with my family at my parents house has always meant the world to me, and it is hard to let it go now, but we will have Christmas together again I am sure, it's just this one is hard. It really isn't all this sad, it's just a hard night to write this because I am thinking of and missing Chad. Thankyou so much Chad, for bringing the wonderful man I now call my husband into my life!! I will always be grateful! I love you with all my heart and miss you!!! PS- This turned out sadder than it was supposed to be. It really is a wonderful memory, but sad too...so...what will be, will be.

~COZY COUSINS~

2008-12-18T21:04:00.000-08:00

I am in Grand Junction visting my cousins Tierreny and ValGene and their families. We are having a great and stilly time. I am so glad to see everyone!!

~PRECIOUS MOMENTS~

2008-12-17T07:17:00.000-08:00

My mom and dad gave us this little tree a couple of years ago for Christmas. When we got it out this year Drake was is aw over it. He loves it!! He loves trains and this little tree just amazes him. He has very tender precise hands for his age. Very good fine motor skills and long delicate fingers. I am trying to draw a picture of how he holds this precious tree. With tender, loving hands!! There we go, I got the right words. Anyway, it is very sweet and I love him so much and can't imagine our family without him!!

~LITTLE FRIENDS~

2008-12-15T20:48:00.000-08:00

We met up with Carie Fordham and her kids today to get some vinyl and have some lunch. The kids played for a while and Carie and I had a nice chat then went over to Wal-Mart after that and the kids got into the cart together so we both had to get out the cameras. Sidney is older that Brinlyn and Olivia is older than Drake. They are such cute LITTLE kids!! I had to cuddle Olivia a little today because she is so small...I just had to give her a squeeze. She is older than Drake and so much smaller. It's crazy!!

~SANTA~

2008-12-15T20:08:00.000-08:00

We were at Aspen Grove Mall on Saturday as a family and we found Santa walking around with these Christmas Caroler's. He sat with the kids for a while and talked to them. They loved it!! They were just saying how they wanted to see Santa so I lucked out. No wait and some good one on one. Yeah us!!

~FASHION SHOW~

2008-12-11T15:12:00.000-08:00

I got Brinlyn some new stuff, so today we decided to try it on and see what we liked the best. She loved trying different outfits and modeling them for a picture. We decided on the first outfit. It's the one we like the best!!

~MACAZLYN~

2008-12-07T21:24:00.000-08:00

We were just taking pictures for fun and I really liked how this one turned out. So I decided to post it here on my blog.

~HUNTER'S BASKETBALL GAME~

2008-12-07T21:16:00.000-08:00

Hunter had his first basketball game for the Parker club team he plays on. He did great and had a great time. As you can see he is #55 (which was Tom's #). His team on 30 to 10. He as pretty excited and it was fun to go watch him. I really like basketball and it is even more fun to watch when you are watching your kid!!

~THE END OF MACAZLYN'S BIRTHDAY~

2008-12-03T21:25:00.000-08:00

Well, we had a great time shopping but it was freezing cold. My car said 22 degrees. Brrrrrr We did our shopping and got lots of great stuff!! Macazlyn got to pick her favorite place for dinner and she picked Panda Express. She loves Chinese!!

~HAPPY 7TH BIRTHDAY MACAZLYN~

2008-12-03T13:05:00.000-08:00

Seven years ago today our family was blessed with our first beautiful baby girl. She was such a beautiful baby and is still so beautiful inside and out. She is the most confident and outgoing child I know. She is very determined to do good at everything she tries. If she wants to do something she has no problem trying and will work hard at it until she succeeds. I love that about her! She LOVES horses and to have sleepovers and play with her friends. She really likes gymnastics and to do anything crafty or with art. Art is her favorite subject in school. She is very helpful to our family and usually with no complaining! She and I are going to go shopping and to dinner just the 2 of us today after school while the rest of the family is at Hunter's Basketball practice and scouts. Then we will head home for cupcakes and a few little presents. Her present this year is to go shopping with a set amount of money and get what she wants. We will have a family party on Saturday with her favorite dinner and cake. I usually cook their favorite meal but tonight is just to busy with scouts and basketball for us all to be together. Macazlyn is a great blessing to our family and I can't imagine our family without her and the smile and laughter she brings!! Happy Birthday beautiful girl!!

~BRINLYN~

2008-12-03T12:57:00.000-08:00

After we dropped Angela off at the airport yesterday we stopped at the mall to go to the Gap real quick and Brinlyn found this hat and thought is was great. She found furry earmuffs to but my camera ran out of room on my disk. Anyway just a funny moment we thought we would share!!

~PEEK-A-BOO~

2008-12-01T23:43:00.000-08:00

This is Drake with my cousin Tommy. He and my Aunt Aggie and my other cousin Sarah spent Thanksgiving with us. It was so nice to have them!! Anyway Drake was acting shy when Tommy picked him up and we got this peek a book picture. So cute!!