...Feliz Navidad...

going and going and going and

That's what it feels like this Holiday season! 

Every single night we have something to do or somewhere to be.

I think I've already gained like 49 lbs too and I haven't even baked all the yummy things I have planned. (Ruth Chris was last night for Tyler's employees, it didn't disappoint, still my favorite)

We went from spending Christmas with just our little family this year to now both my brothers and mother are coming. The kids couldn't be more excited! 

It took me 3 straight evenings to wrap everything. Because this girl wraps everything! 

Tyler tried to help one night. But I can wrap 4 presents to his 1. So he was demoted and put in charge of the remote control (fast forwarding through commercials).

Went out with our besties. We couldn't go anywhere too fancy because I wanted to stay close in case Esther needed refueling at home. But it was fun. And yummy.

Made it to all the school programs. We had 12 school teacher (and 1 bus driver) gifts to give. I think the kids have too many teachers. Geez.
Decorating gingerbread houses is way over-rated so we decorated gingerbread cookies. And those you can actually eat.
The kids made their list for Santa. The lists cracked me up. I had to keep reminding them that these are just ideas and they probably won't get everything on their lists. Like 10 zu zu pets. Pretty sure you won't even get one. 
Needless to say I have some EXCITED kids at this house and we've been counting down the days (I can't wait to give the kids the gift from me and Tyler, it's something very heavy)! 

Alex's preschool.

All the kinders.

All the 2nd graders.

Esther is .5 years old

- Her little personality is coming out. And I think she is going to be a hoot. It makes me smile just thinking about it.

- She is still nursing. I think she is incredibly brilliant and she heard my plans of stopping at 6 months. Therefore she has this conspiracy against me and absolutely (and I mean absolutely) refuses the bottle. (I would be done today if I could.) Little punk.

- She WAS an avid thumb sucker. Then when her first tooth came in she has not sucked that thumb (or taken the bottle) once ever since. Who does that?

- She sits all by herself.

- She has her first tooth.

- She rolls all over the place.

- She is the BEST baby food eater.

- She sleeps good (about 10 hours straight).

- She is getting into a habit of Tyler rocking her to sleep at night. And they both love it.

- She has her 6 month pictures on Monday. I'm excited for some chubby naked baby pictures.

-Bath time with the brohaws-

Esther's 6 month stats:

26.5 inches (70%)

18 lbs (90%)

Olivia's 8 year old stats:

51.5 inches (75%)

58.2 lbs (50%)

This was in the St. George newspaper today. I don't know who put it in there but I thought it was a cute picture of my Dad. I sure miss him.

12-31-61 ~ 12-14-01 No farewell words were spoken, No time to say goodbye, You were gone before we knew it, and only God knows why. Our thoughts are always with you. 

...neighbor gifts...

It all started a couple of months ago when I {already} started thinking about neighbor gifts. I always try to think of something cute or creative or yummy. Then I don't want to forget any of our neighbor friends so I end up making way too many of whatever. It takes me forever and costs me a ton. Then we freeze our tushes off delivering and in the end we still always forget someone. I do all this because I LOVE to give {and} to get neighbor gifts in return. I especially love the yummy treats (Dallas' black caramels) and I end up eating everything myself in secret. 

This year I wanted to stop the madness! As much as I love to give {and} receive. My neighbors don't really need anything from me and certainly don't need anything from them. So I stole an idea from some "other" friends and ran with it, hoping for the best.

Tyler and Drew passed out these flyers to our 101 neighbors.

I think we had a great turnout for our first year! 

And the best part is we raised $500.00 (in gift-cards) for Primary Children's Hospital! Can't beat that! (Well actually I hope to beat it next year!) Now that's {what I think} neighbor gifts should really mean. Neighbors coming together to gift to those in need.

{the Baptism}

Seriously though, how do I have an eight year old?

Olivia and her Cousin Cody are 6 days apart. So they were both Baptized together in California in the same font that Tyler and all his siblings were Baptized in.


It was a very special day. Olivia and Cody are the oldest kids in the family so they get to set the example for the rest of the kids, and they love it!


{the whole family}

{the 13 grandkids, with another girl on the way}

{our cute family}

{cody and olivia}

I thought for sure the Baptism would wash away the tude that you can see on her face.

But it didn't. 
Still such a perfect perfect day.

HOLLISTER, CALIFORNIA

Tyler was born and raised in Hollister, California. We love to visit his parents. Especially when the WHOLE family is there with us. 24 members of the family to be exact.  13 of it kids, 8 years old and under (with another on the way). In the same house. For 10 days. And what's surprising is that I don't have any juicy drama to report. Dang it. We really do get along so well.

The Pinnacles National Park.

Dinner with Tyler's old friends at Dona Esther's of course.

Fun in the California sun.

Turkey Bowl. Tyler re-living the glory days.

Casa De Fruta.

Esther meets Baba (great grandma).

Christmas parade on Main Street.

Watching the sun set in Aptos, California.

The End.