A lot to be Thankful for...

This year for Thanksgiving, we went to Sally's house for the traditional turkey and fixins. As we visited before dinner, I asked Janette to take a picture of our cute little family. When I saw the picture, it almost made me want to cry. For some strange reason, looking at us all smiling just happy to be together struck a cord with me.

I am such a lucky girl! I have an amazing husband who is a dedicated, hard worker and who loves me unconditionally. Despite the little quibbles from time to time that seem to be an inevitable part of marriage, I can honestly say that he would do nearly anything on Earth for me or for Brykn. And, for that I am lucky. I'm not saying that I always realize how lucky I am, but I know that I am lucky nonetheless.

Then, there's Brykn. I distinctly remember right after Brykn was born thinking to myself, "People tell me this is the best day of your life...I'm not sure I believe them." And, after a very long night of labor and three hours of pushing, I really was not sure. But now, I understand. Brykn is so full of life, so fun, so, well, everything. And, in hindsight, that day truly was the best day of my life. Every night before he goes to bed, I kiss him and say, "I love you more than anything in the whole world." And, he replies, "Whole world."

This year, I am thankful to be the wife of one wonderful man and the mother to a wonderful boy. Sometimes both Brandon and Brykn's halos are held up with horns, but deep down I know they are both angels; and, for whatever reason, God sent them to me.

Very, very thankful...

Crashed the Car!

I crashed the car. Yes, it's true. I crashed it and crashed it good. I'm bummed I didn't think about taking pictures of it at the scene, but I was just grateful to be in one piece. I was on I-15 in SLC when the car to my right tried to make a lane change into my lane. I swerved so she wouldn't hit me and in doing so lost control and slid into the HOV lane. From there I over-corrected and began sliding right. The woman who tried to change lanes hit me from behind and sent me sailing head-on into the cement retaining wall on the right hand side of the road. Then, the impact from the barrade bounced me back into the middle of the freeway facing on-coming traffic. Whewww!!!! What a wild ride!

I think the scariest part of the whole thing was seeing the cars headed toward me 70 MPH. I remember thinking, "Maybe I should get out..." Probably a good thing I didn't. There happened to be a man hauling port-a-potties behind me who saw the accident and who came running to my car. I will never forget him lifting up the airbag on the passenger's side and asking me if I was alive. Boy, I really never dreamed that I man hauling traveling lous would come to my rescue. That's not something they typically write in the storybooks!

I am so glad that Brykn wasn't with me. The bulk of the damage to the 2006 Honda Accord was sustained on his side. One good thing, though is that his car seat didn't move. In fact, the UHP trooper couldn't even get it out of the car.

I held my composure pretty well until I heard Brandon's voice. Then, I lost it. And, when we told Brykn I crashed the car all he could ask me was if I had hit a bus.

Thank goodness I'm okay and thank goodness for the luck that this accident happened AFTER I had dropped Brykn off. It's amazing how an accident can change your perspective. Suddenly, after my wild ride, my errand I was running didn't seem all that importnat after all.

And Liberty for ALL!

I don't mean to brag, but I might quite possibly have the smartest 2 year old on the planet...or at least the funniest one. He cracks me up! This video was taken last night and shows off just a couple of Brykn's newest talents. First, we have a really loud rendition of the ABCs. Second, we have a very theatrical version of a monkey falling off a bed, and last we have an abbreviated version of the Pledge of Allegiance. Just in case you miss it, we do cover "Meric" and "to the republic." I don't think, however, that you can possibly miss the "And Justice for All!" Proud American and a genius, I tell you...a Genius!

More Halloween Photos

Trick or Treat

This year Halloween was a blast! Brykn was old enough to say "Trick or Treat" this year and once he caught on that he got candy when he rang the door, he was really into it. I even made his costume this year. Mom always told me that I would want to know how to sew one day and boy was she right. All in all, our "Inian" costumes turned out really cute. I wanted Brandon to dress up, but he wasn't all that interested in a costume. I told him he would look great in a loin cloth, but he wasn't buying that either. I still would've liked to see it! :)

Dad also grew a pumpkin patch for Brykn. He had white pumpkins and the traditional orange pumpkins. Brykn thought getting them out of the patch was great fun.

Brandon's mom holds a Halloween party every year where the kids can carve pumpkins. Brykn was really funny. He didn't mind digging out the pumpkin guts. And, when it was all over, he was really proud of his pumpkin. We put it on the porch and lit it with candles. It's a really fun tradition for the kids!

Then, on Halloween night we go to Jeannie's house for her Halloween party. Chad, Kelli, Tate and Jeannie were the Disney clan--their costumes were darling! I really love the picture where Tate is looking at Brykn and Brykn is looking at Tate. They both look like they are thinking, "Why'd you wear that?" Thanks Aunt Jeannie--we love the party.

Speaking of parties, since Halloween feel on a Friday this year, Brandon and I decided to go out with some friends. Wow--we has such a fun time! We danced until the wee hours of the morning. The funniest part of the evening was when this really old guy (he must've been pushing 90) came up to me and asked me to dance. All my friends were cheering the old duffer on and Brandon just kept hollering "Make us some money, Honey!" Finally, about 2 hours after we arrived I had to break the poor guy's heart and tell him I was married. He found Brandon and told him, "You sure are a lucky guy, she's the best dancer in the whole place." Too funny.

Here's to a really fun Halloween! (Look for more pictures on the next posting.)

A Hunting We Will Go

Well, he FINALLY got Morty. Okay, maybe not Morty (the name Brandon has referred to when talking about the garganchious buck he is going to shoot every single year), but at least its a deer. I tease Brandon because in the 11 years we have been together, he has been hunting every year and never shot a thing! I laugh and tell him he doesn't need a tag to go CAMPING!

This year, Brandon wanted so badly to take Brykn hunting. I went with them the first night, but after 4 hours in a crowded truck with Brykn (it was way too cold for him to get out), I decided that was enough for me. The next night they went was when they brought home the buck.

Brykn kept telling me to "Pet he's ears, Mommy, they sost!" I couldn't let him down by declining, so I did touch the stupid thing. I didn't like it, but I did touch it. Brykn kept telling me, "It's okay, Mom, him's dead." That didn't make it any better for me!

After Brandon got the poor thing skinned, he cut the horns off for Brykn. He told him that they would put the horns on a board and hang them in his room--NOT something I really wanted... Brykn was so excited. He ran right upstairs and hollered, "I wanna hang em right here, Dad." He has a spot on the wall (at his height level) all picked out. Oh boy. Literally, 100% boy.

I think the best thing about this hunting trip has been watching Brandon's excitment, not because he shot "Morty," but because he wants so badly to do these father/son things with Brykn. And, I love that. He's truly a wonderful dad.

On the Move

We finally moved the barn! I couldn't believe it went as well as it did. Brandon told me the morning of move day that he was going to pick it up and set it down and that I would be sooooo impressed. I laughed at him! But, I have to admit, that's exactly what happened. First, they started by chopping off the bottom part of the barn so they could saw the posts off at the ground. Once that was done and the posts had been cut, they literally picked the barn up with backhoes, moved it 16 feet forward and sat it down again--right in the saddle posts! I was a nervous wreck while it was happening, but totally stunned when it was over. I've never really looked at Brandon as a construction foreman, but WOW I have to say that he did REALLY good!