Merry Christmas

Believe

"You always come around this time of year with your big ole bag that's full of Christmas cheer

And when it starts to snow the little boys and girls all know soon they'll hear the sound of your reindeer.

Now sometimes grownups grow up to believe that you don't really come on Christmas Eve,

But I don't think that's true 'cause I know I see you in sparking little eyes around the tree."

"Oh Santa Claus, I still believe in you.

And there's still a kid inside of me that still believes you're true.

Oh Santa Claus, the kids are tucked in tight.

And I'll be waiting up for you tonight."

-Santa Claus (I Still Believe in You), Alabama

Terrific Twos

Two years ago, the most beautiful baby girl in the world was born. She had a very rough start, but she fought for her life and I like to think that she fought to be in our family. Having a two year old in the house again is pretty crazy. She keeps me running all day, but it's a very happy, busy time. She is healthy and happy and still continues to amaze us everyday.

Having a little girls is so fun. She loves dresses, purses, shoes and babies. Right now she is obsessed with balls. She carries them everywhere.

Emma is such a cookie monster. Most mornings when she is finished with breakfast, she will ask me for a cookie. We decided to buy her a cookie instead of a cake or cupcakes. She was sooo excited when she caught a glimpse of the big cookie.

Making a wish.

Gotta Love Christmas in the 70's

My mom had the Boney M Christmas record. Hearing this song on the radio makes my heart very happy, it reminds me of Christmas when I was a kid. Ryan had never heard of Boney M and didn't believe me that there was such a group, so I found this online.(I must admit that I secretly hope every year that the ward choir will sing this song, this exact version, during the Christmas sacrament meeting, but they never do....maybe this year)

O Holy Night

My favorite Christmas carol is O Holy Night. It is such a beautiful song. A few years ago, Jean, Ryan and I went to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's Christmas concert, the special guests were The King's Singers. It was an amazing concert, I bought the CD so that I could listen to the songs over and over. They sang O Holy Night and it was perfection. I can say that it is one of my favorite versions. I love it. (The video is a little long, but if you love Christmas, you shouldn't mind.)

The Wellington Christmas Parade

A few months ago, I was asked to help with our ward's float for the Wellington Christmas Parade. I had no idea what to expect, I have never done anything like this before. They had a float in the parade last year, so there was a trailer ready to go. Luckily, there were alot of creative people on this committee, I was amazed at how much we got done at that first meeting. We called our float, "The First Gifts". We started decorating the day before Thanksgiving and the finishing touches were done a few hours before the parade began. We had a Santa, 3 Kings and some sign holders on the float. We had a great sound system that played Christmas music. We had some volunteers handing out glow stick bracelets with pass-along cards on them. The pass-along cards were so that people could order a free Christmas DVD. We handed out 900 glow sticks and pass-along cards. It was really fun. Ryan and Braxton were both on the float. The weather really cooperated with us. It's crazy that it's December and we have no snow!!! Oh and where was the littlest Brophy? She was watching the parade with Grandma and enjoying the candy that people were throwing. Thanks Grandma!!!!!

Cutest sign-holder ever

Some of the volunteers with their glow sticks

Our drivers and jacks of all trades

More volunteers

The back of the float

Another sign

Sign-holder and the 3 Kings getting ready to go

Santa waiting for the parade to start

Santa and a cute boy who is on the Nice List (well at least today he is)

The Official Countdown Now Begins (even though I've been counting down since July)

The unwritten rule in our house is no decorating for Christmas until after Thanksgiving. Ryan thinks that if I had a choice, I would just skip Thanksgiving and go into Christmas right after Halloween. Give me a break. I grew up in Canada, our Thanksgiving is the second week of October, so my mom always started decorating for Christmas the day after Halloween. Since we moved right after Christmas last year and 2 guys packed up all my Christmas in boxes, we are still trying to find most of our Christmas decorations. We finally found our Christmas tree stand this morning, so we hope to have that decorated by Monday. Anyway, since I have no awesome decoration pictures to show, here is my favorite scene from the movie "Elf". I almost felt the same level of excitement yesterday when we were at the mall and we saw that Santa was there. PS: I love "Smiling's my favorite."

Snow

Well, it looks like fall is over. It was a beautiful one, the weather was perfect. We got snow last Thursday and then again this morning. Braxton has been asking when we can put the Christmas tree. Believe me, I would have put it up the first day it snowed, but I will wait until after Thanksgiving.

Happy Emma Day

Part of Emma's morning ritual.

Trying to get into Braxton's room

Caught again

I will try again tomorrow.

On November 10, 2010, it marked a year since Emma's adoption was finalized. It also marked a year since I had one of the best night's sleep of my life. The year flew by and I can't remember what life was like without her. She is growing and thriving and is just the happiest little girl.

Janet

On November 10th, since it was Emma's adoption day, I thought that I would call Janet. I hadn't talked to her since January. (I called her shortly after we moved to Colorado. I was feeling a bit "homesick" that day and talking to her made me feel so happy.) I knew that she would appreciate the call on Emma's special day. I couldn't find her phone number, so I thought that I would "google" her and Frank to find their phone number. When I hit enter on "google", the first thing that popped up was an obituary for a Janet A. Rueff of North Ogden. I thought, "....that can't be our Janet. She is so healthy and full of life." I clicked on the link of the obituary and I was shocked to see Janet's picture there. Our sweet Grandma Janet had passed away on May 4th. I sat on my couch and cried all morning. I called my former case worker, Laura, I knew she would know the story. Laura said that back in March, Janet was diagnosed with lymphoma and the disease spread quickly. I feel like there is now a void in our lives and in our hearts. Had I known when she stood in my living room last December, that that would be the last time I would see her in this life, I would have hugged her a little tighter and a little bit longer.

When Ryan and I first began the adoption process, we were prepared and looking forward to an open adoption. We wanted to personally know our child's birthmother and her family. We wanted a relationship, we wanted to share milestones with them. This didn't happen and right now, it's better that it's not an open adoption. I was so happy that even though I don't personally know Emma's birth mom, I was blessed to have others enter my life. People who I am tied to forever because of Emma's adoption process. Laraine, Frank and Janet and our case worker, Laura, are those amazing people who have brought much joy and helped us along on our adoption journey. I am so grateful for Janet, she never gave up on Emma and she opened her home to us, so that we could bond with our baby girl. She took such good care of all the special needs babies who came into her home. We will miss you Janet.

Halloween 2010

Halloween is over!!! Can you believe it's November already, you know what's just around the corner.....Anyway, Halloween for us started on Friday at 12:30pm and ended last night around 9:30 when we had the final Trick or Treaters come to our door. Here's a summary....

On Friday at Braxton's school, they had Math Games at 12:30. They went to different classes and played games. It was fun. After the math games, they had their Halloween Parade and class parties. Since they only get one recess, the kids in Braxton's class decided that instead of a party, they wanted an extra recess. So, they took their Capri Suns and goodies outside and played. The weather was perfect, the whole weekend was beautiful.

My little Ghostbuster

Braxton's teacher, Mrs. Manalo, and one of her Madagascar hissing cockroaches.

Our neighbor's car. I love this!!!

After school, they had Trick or Treat on Main Street here in Wellington. All the businesses downtown gave candy to the kids. They got soooo much candy. After Trick or Treat on Main Street, the Wellington chapter of the Elks had a trunk or treat and some fun activities with a hay maze for the kids. Again, my kids got tons of candy. The above picture is Braxton and Ryan at the Trick or Treat on Main Street.

2 Ghostbusters, a banana and a monkey

On Saturday, we had our ward party at Church. It was a great party. The Activities Committee did an amazing job. We had a trunk or treat there too. We did decorate our trunk, but I forgot to take a picture. We won second place in the trunk decorating contest and Braxton and Ryan won the Grand Prize for their costumes.

Braxton with his Grand Prize Pumpkin

Ryan and Braxton with their Grand Prize Pumpkin

Me with our Second Place Prize for our Trunk

Our decorations

Our Ghosterbuster and Monkey

I love this picture, you can see how much she loves her brother. :)

Go Bobcats

This was Braxton's first year playing tackle football. His last game on on October 23rd. It was hard work, but he had fun. He played Defensive End and Tight End. I thought it was funny that most of the kids want to be on the defense and not the offense because they want to tackle. His team was called the Bobcats, they did great, only 2 loses. I didn't get to watch very many games because I chased Emma around the park, but I did enjoy being in the nice crisp fall air.

Braxton is #1

Lining up

Making the tackle

I would like to know who the genius was who decided that white was a good color for football pants. I went through a whole bottle of "Shout".

Trophy Time

Braxton and his coach

Safety Day

On October 23rd, it was Family Safety Day at Ryan's work. They had different workshops about being prepared and safe at home. Braxton was so excited because we got to go on a tour of the plant too. Since they make explosives there, it isn't a place that we can just stop by and say "hi" to Ryan. Most of the things they told us on the tour went way over my head (chemistry was never my favorite subject), but it was a fun Saturday morning activity.

Playing in the Ambulance

Fun with a fire extinguisher

Happy Halloween

This morning while I was making breakfast for Braxton, "Thriller" came on the radio. I thought what a great way to start the day. Of course, after you hear the song, you have to see the video. I am so thankful for YouTube.

Here's the Lego Version

Utah/Wyoming Game

On October 16th, we travelled up to Laramie, WY to watch the Utes play the Cowboys. We had awesome seats and were surprised by how many Utah fans were there. Our whole row and the row behind us were Utah fans. We met a fun family from Sandy who sat behind us. The weather was so perfect and the game was so fun. The kids had a ball. The Utes won 30-6. I must say that the Wyoming fans are very hospitable, they were all very nice to us.

In front of our seats.

It was free foam finger night, we used ours as seat cushions

At the tailgate park

Braxton kicking field goals

Braxton with Boo Andersen