Here Comes Santa Claus

Christmas is just about here and we are all really excited! Brykn has been absolutely hysterical about this whole Santa thing. I just love the curiousity, the excitement, and the wonder. I'm convinced that Christmas Spirit (including the reindeer and elves) lives in 2-year olds; and, what better way to spend a magical time of year?

Brykn was awe-struck with Santa when we went to see him at the mall. He wasn't scared a bit. In fact, he jumped right up on his lap. He didn't talk to Santa right away, but the look on his face was really funny. Santa gave Brykn a coloring book and candy cane and Brykn was delighted. After we left Santa's lap, Brandon asked Brykn what he asked Santa for and Brykn suddenly realized that he didn't ask Santa for a new "Dung, (aka, gun.) So, through the line we went again. This time Brykn wasn't shy at all. He asked Santa immediately for the gun. He didn't have much to say besides that!

At Brandon's Dad's family Christmas party, Santa also makes an appearance and brings each of the kids a present (courtesy of Mom and Dad). When Brykn heard his name called for his present, he jumped off my lap and went right to Santa. He sat on his lap and didn't say much, but was thrilled with the matchbox cars. Apparently, the Santa suit has been passed from Brandon's Great-Grandfather, Grandpa Beede. He played Santa for years when his grand kids were little. Now, Brandon's uncle Todd has stepped up to the plate. He's a funny Santa and the kids and adults seem to enjoy that part of the party the very best!

I am really excited for Christmas morning. I think Brykn is going to have so much fun opening presents. And, I think Brandon and I (and Santa too!) are going to have the best Christmas yet!

Deck the Halls!

These pictures are a little old, but at least I got them posted before Christmas was over! Every year Brandon tends to gripe a little about putting the lights on the house, but this year the griping was a minimum--to my very pleasant surprise. I didn't even have to ask twice--wow!I wouldn't necessarily say he hung the lights with "glee," but he worked very hard to make sure our house looks great for the season. I guess it's a good thing we have our lights up, because Brykn thinks its just great to see our house in all it's Christmas glory!

We decorated our tree the weekend after Thanksgiving and Brykn was such a good little helper. He and I hung the ornaments together. The only downfall is that he thought all the ornaments needed to go on one single solitary little branch. When he wasn't looking I had to move them around to even things out just a bit. Tis the season!

Winner!

Brandon has been entering these team sorting competitions at the fair grounds. For the most part it's a bunch of hicks who don't know know a thing about horses. But, it's fun to watch. It's sort of like a demolition derby--totally white trash, but entertaining!

This is the third one we have been to and Brykn gets the biggest kick out of riding with Brandon when Brandon's not competing. The second one we went to, I entered Brykn in a practice round and he had a blast. It was then I realized that these practice rounds are going to cost me a fortune because he absolutely loves it! Money aside, it was so fun to watch him! He sits up there so good!

This competition, Mom and Dad came to watch Brykn in his practice round. He wore his chaps, spurs, and cowboy hat and before he went into the arena, we had strick instructions to hollar "Go Brykn!" Which, from the video, I think you'll agree we did quite well!

The goal is to get the cows from one end of the pen to the other in numerical order starting with the number the annoucer reads when the time has started. The practice rounds don't have prizes...but when Grandma comes its a different story altogether. When Brykn got done, Mom had brought a trophy for him. He thought he was sooooo big; and, he was sooooo proud of his "rophy."

We all had a fun time and that trophy sits on the dresser in his room. I'm sure it's a staple for years to come!

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!

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