Happy New Year!!!

New Year's Eve began as a strange day for us, but got much better as the day went on. We went up to Wyoming where Ryan's cousin, Josh and his wife, Tammy, were hosting a family party. We ate a lot of yummy food and had a blast playing games. We have been up to Evanston on New Year's Eve before and are always impressed by the fireworks display that happens at midnight. I always think that Kaysville City does a wonderful job with their Fourth of July fireworks display, but that display is nothing compared to what they do in Evanston. It was almost as if they were trying to burn the town down or something. It was pretty amazing to see. It was SOOOOO cold there, though. After the fireworks, we went to Ryan's aunt and uncle's house for more games. We stayed up until 4:00 am. I am realizing today that I am getting a little too old to be up that late. We were all impressed that Ryan's grandma Louise stayed up with us and played games, she is quite the gamer. So, Happy 2009 everyone. I am hoping this year brings us all health and happiness. (and maybe a new member of the Brophy family, who knows??!!)

Braxton, Ryan, Shelley, Wendy, Grandma Louise and Rick trying to stay warm, while waiting for the fireworks to begin. (Ryan is growing a goatee this holiday season, I am so glad that it will be gone in a few days. :) Fireworks

HAHAHA, this picture will someday be used as blackmail. Gotta love my boy!

Christmas 2008

We had a great Christmas. On Christmas Eve, we went to Ryan's aunt and uncle's house in Evanston for a small get together. It was fun and we hadn't been up to Wyoming for awhile so it was nice to see everyone. Christmas Day was fun and exciting. Santa came and as usual was very generous. We spent the day at home and we had our turkey dinner with just the three of us. I probably wouldn't have gotten out of my pajamas the whole day, but we had company over in the evening. I just love Christmas. Makes me sad to think about taking down the Christmas tree. I would leave it up all year if I could get away with it.

"Just what I wanted!!!"

Football and Pokemon cards in their stockings

Braxton took this nice shot of his knee, with Ryan and me in the background :)

Braxton reading while Molly checks things out

Hooray for the Santa mess!!!

Cookie Confession

Today, I have been finishing up some baking and again I am reminded that for some reason, I cannot bake cookies. I can bake a pie, a cake , cupcakes and a great apple crisp, but give me a cookie recipe and I will mess it up. I even mess up the pre-made dough that you buy at the store. It's a tough thing to be so bad at cookies when you live with two boys who LOVE cookies and ask for them often. They are both good sports (especially Ryan) and will eat them. I will never make cookies for my neighbors at Christmas because what if the Relief Society President found out my cookie secret. Anyway, this morning, Braxton and I made sugar cookies. Half of them are not edible, but we had fun with the cookie cutters and decorating the cookies. Someday when Braxton decides to get married, I am going to make sure she is a good cookie maker so that my grandchildren do not have to suffer like their father and grandfather did.

We love sprinkles!!

Masterpiece Braxton enjoying the pudding from the chocolate pie I made.

Happy Festivus!!!

Frank Costanza: Many Christmases ago, I went to buy a doll for my son. I reached for the last one they had, but so did another man. As I rained blows upon him, I realized there had to be another way.

Cosmo Kramer: What happened to the doll?

Frank Costanza: It was destroyed. But out of that a new holiday was born … a Festivus for the rest of us!

Cosmo Kramer: That must've been some kind of doll.

Frank Costanza: She was.

A Very Special Visitor

We know that Santa is VERY busy this time of year, so we were pretty excited today when he stopped by our house just to make sure that we were still being good and to see if we had any last minute requests. Thank you Santa, you made our day!!!

It's Beginning to Look Alot Like Christmas (Part 2)

What it looked like when I woke up this morning

Ryan and some friendly shoveling neighbors

Boart Longyear Children's Christmas Party

Because of cut-backs at Ryan's work, they didn't have a staff Christmas party this year. So, we were pretty excited that they decided not to do away with the Children's Christmas party. Let's be honest, it is more fun to go to a party with clowns, face painting, Santa, hot dogs, pizza and ice cream sundaes than some "mingling" party with a bunch of adults.

I was trying to take a nice picture of my son in front of this tree, but he was in a hurry.

My boys

Braxton and Santa

Present from Santa Braxton's snow globe hat made by one of the clowns at the party

It's Beginning to Look Alot Like Christmas

I am so excited that it snowed today. I am really relieved that I got all my outdoor decorations taken care of earlier this week, so I can just sit back and enjoy. Doesn't it just make you want to wrap presents and bake cookies?

Gingerbread House

On Wednesday, we had planned to make our gingerbread house after school. The girls happened to come over and play, so they all helped decorate the house. They seemed to be more creative and fun than mom, anyway. I am surprised that there is still candy left on the gingerbread house because what is more fun than decorating a gingerbread house? Eating all the candy off of it, of course. They all did a great job, it's very cute.

Better Late Than Never

My Christmas tree is FINALLY up and is now in the process of being decorated. I am sooo late this year. I usually have it up the day after Thanksgiving, but because of the flu and school, I just haven't had much motivation or time. It snowed today, so I just couldn't resist decorating the tree.