Counting my blessings

because I have this...



and this.

In The Bleak Mid Winter

This time of year is always really hard on my Psyche (Don't you love that word). January just kills me every year. It's sooooooo long, cold, and miserable. It's been especially hard with a new baby and two year old being cooped up in the house all Winter. I'm so paranoid about going to public places, fearing that my kids will get sick. (They somehow manage to get sick anyway). Time to conjure up some fun activities for us to do inside. Any ideas?

Another thing I don't like about January......resolutions. I think it's great to try and improve your life but I never seem to stick with things like I should. I would list the things I want to change but I hate listing all my weaknesses for the world to see. I basically want to work on being healthy and happy both mentally and physically, and being a good wife and mother.

Blessings for our Babies

Sunday my wonderful husband blessed our two children in our home. Derek wanted to bless Evie himself so we just waited until he was able to do it. He did a great job! Evie sat in her chair so quiet and good while she had her Priesthood blessing. Pretty good for a two year old, I was proud of her. Will was happy and quiet also. I'm glad there was no major drama. Thank you family and friends for coming all the way to Morgan to be there to support us.

Christmas at our House

It was so much fun to watch Evie on Christmas morning this year. She was pretty excited to see what Santa had brought her. Christmas Eve she came down with a fever which was a huge bummer because she didn't sleep well at all that night. When morning came she seemed to feel better and her fever was gone. In Santas excitement over Evie's presents he forgot to put out Will's big present. (I found it in my closet the other day). He didn't seem to mind that Santa had forgotten him :) I guess it's okay when your 4 months old. Santa better do better next year.

Christmas Eve Party with the Fam

I look forward to our annual Christmas Eve party in Morgan at

The Brumbaughs home. Sledding, eating, playing games, and

exchanging gifts is such a blast!

The Gift Exchange is always good for a few laughs.

Nice scarf Doug! I think the guys are jealous.

Emma, Sarah, Malia, and Maura playing Farkle...... yes Farkle

Just saying the word made me laugh

Evie came down with a fever that night but refused to

go home before opening her gift.

Will with his Aunt Julie, Aunt Mari and cousins Kath and Megan.

Kathleen enjoying her crayons and coloring books.

What are you doing down there Deb?

Emma catching some air on the way down

Evie covered her eyes on her first couple rides

Choo Choo!!

Derek and his blurry picture taking..

I laughed so hard when I saw that I captured this look!

The face she makes when she tries something on and

thinks she is beautiful.

My husband has a friend that is a train engineer on the Heber Creeper. He was able to get a couple tickets for Derek and Evie to take a ride Saturday afternoon. Low and behold the train broke down and they had to cancel that ride. Huge bummer! They had to fix it for the Polar Express tour they do in the evenings. But Evie and Derek were able to go inside the train, check it out and take some pictures. Derek said she was thrilled with that, so I guess she had fun after all. She has always loved trains. I even made her a train cake for her last birthday.

Derek's Mom had a brilliant idea to send Derek's train he played with as a kid. (She keeps everything, it's awesome!) So we all headed to the basement to set up his old toy train.

It still worked and we had a fun time as a family. It was fun watching Derek set it up, I'm

sure it brought back memories for him. I think Evie enjoyed the wrapping it was sent in just as much. What a goof!

A Moment On The Lips, A Lifetime On The Hips.

Christmas isn't Christmas without lots of fattening candy

and junk food. The past two days I've made caramels and

fudge. There's nothing like being in the kitchen this time

of year. Oh and did I mention how much I like to eat all

it too! (These pictures are lame but you get the idea)

Last year I tried to make caramels and they turned into

carmel sauce. I was proud of myself that they turned out

so well. My Mom's fudge recipe is the BEST fudge recipe

on the planet. I wish I didn't like it so much. Jenny Craig

here I come!