4 Years Old

Happy Birthday sweet girl!

Ugh

This is Drake's new way of emphasizing he doesn't like or want something. It's usually a long drawn out Uggghhh like he is totally put out or annoyed. Where he did he get this? I wondered the same question because he started doing it over Thanksgiving break. But I found the answer....Me. Yep out of habit I have caught myself on numerous occasions saying the big Ugh. Ugh when I drop something, Ugh when I forget something, Ugh when I am frustrated...I guess I say it alot. Enough that Drake has caught on. It is quite humorous to hear him say it and he totally gets the concept of when to say it. I guess I need to be more conscious of what I say now!

It reminds me of when Maddie would want a snack and go pounding on the pantry door (this would happen multiple times a day...alot). I opened it up one day and she said "hmmmmm", like she was deciding what she should pick. I look down at her so surprised and then thinking back I realized that she was mimicking me. Every time I would open the pantry door for her I would say "Hmmmm, what would like to eat." So cute.

I tell ya these toddlers are alot smarter than their little bodies look!

Thanksgiving Time

With Jordan's new company he gets the whole week of Thanksgiving off! Yay, thankyou VM Ware! So we flew out to Vegas the Sunday before Thanksgiving and met Brandy and my parents there. Later on in the week Brittney and Micah came and we had a fantastic Thanksgiving. I love being at home with my family there, everything is so relaxed, we eat well at all of our fav spots and have a good time.

It was Freezing in Vegas! We came from 78 degree weather to low 50's so we were cold! Drake unfortunately felt it the worst. His little body doesn't do well going from different weather extremes, so like in the past, he started wheezing and coughing. My Mom and I decided to take him in, especially before Thanksgiving since we knew everything was going to be closed. Thank goodness we have great insurance and found a great doc that hooked us up with a nebulizer and it worked like a charm! Drake got used to his little penguin nebulizer and did great with every treatment (especially because he got to watch Elmo!) He would point to it all the time. After a week of breathing treatments he was back to new.

The morning of Thanksgiving Micah and Jordan headed down to the field to play in a little turkey bowl. Throughout the morning we all had our assignments of what to make, my Mom having the most as that always happens, and were ready to eat by the afternoon. It was delicious. I know Jordan and I enjoyed it even more that Drake was asleep. I know horrible to say but he had his dinner a little later! Along with other families, as tradition we always go around the table saying what we are thankful for that year, which I like and don't like. I do love hearing what everyone else has to say but I hate it because every year without fail I get a little choked up. Everyone's comments were very touching. I am so thankful for every single one of my family members. After we ate the boys of course gathered around the TV to watch football and us girls played some games.

The rest of the week we hung out, went to movies, put a puzzle together (or should I say Dad and I), did some Christmas shopping and Friday night my Mom arranged for all of us to go to The Beatles, Love show. It was a fun show, although I didn't understand 90 percent of it, it was fun hearing the music and watching all of the acts!

Holidays are such a special time of year. I love spending time with family, especially since we don't see them all of the time. We had a fabulous Thanksgiving and this year we have alot to be grateful for. I give my thanks everyday for how blessed we are. Until next year...Happy Thanksgiving!

Part 2- Denver

The week after Thanksgiving I headed to Denver, CO to spend a little time with a long time girlfriend of mine. Robyn and I grew up together and have so many fond memories together I decided it was time to reunite, especially since I had never met her little girl, Taylor, and her Drake, who are a month a part! So Drake and I were off all bundled up, which he didn't know what was going on when I put on his hat and huge coat! It was such a fun couple of days, minus the times that Drake got a little aggressive (another post of it's own). We just hung out, talked alot, caught up, went to dinner, and played with the kids.

This was Old Town (right, Robyn?) such a cute street and check out that waterfall behind us. Yes that is ice!

Drake is a lover and a hater, but this time such a lover. Gotta love that bed head!
Ah, loves.
We went to story time at the library which is so dang cute. I wish ours did as good of a job!

I don't remember what this place was called but it was crazy and cool at the same time. It was a bunch of dinosaurs and different creations made of random objects and parts of cars. I am not describing it well but they were really neat to look at. Taylor and Drake loved exploring by themselves!

I love how big and poofy he looks. I was amazed he could even walk!

Such a fun visit! Thankyou Robyn and Taylor for such a great time. And Aaron hopefully next time you will be home!

Part 3 -Emerson's Blessing

The day after Drake and I got back from Denver we were on another flight to Oakland, CA for Emerson's blessing that Sunday. My family all came in on different flights and right from the airport we met up with Tyler, Alisha, Bella, Grayson, and Emerson.

Baby Emerson, such a sweet baby.

We met up for lunch at this great ice creamery and Grayson and Jordan became fast friends!

After lunch we went and took family pictures and went to the Jungle to celebrate Bella's birthday a little early but it was so fun being there with her. The kids had a blast...but that is one crazy place!

After the birthday celebration we hung out at our hotel for a little while, opened sibling Christmas gifts and then were off to dinner at a crepe place. It was fantastic. By this time Jordan and I were soo done chasing after Drake and it was time for bed!

The next day we went to church and Tyler gave a beautiful blessing to Emerson. It is so neat to see my siblings at this stage in their lives, Tyler has three children now and is a great father and husband, Brittney is married now and Brandy is almost done with college. It is crazy how we all are so grown up now! It was a fun, busy weekend and Drake definitely broke me down by the end of the day but it was so fun being with my family.

That night we all went our separate ways at the airport. Brandy took off to Provo, Britt and Micah left to the O.C., and my parents, Grandma, Jordan, Drake and I left for Vegas. On Monday night Jordan, Drake and I were on another flight back to Austin. It was a packed two week vacation, 6 flights, 3 states, and alot of fun. I just need a massage now! :)

Warrior Dash

A long while back, in the summer, Jordan and I signed up to race in the annual Warrior Dash with some friends. When signing up I thought "Oh yeah, I have enough time to start running to prepare," since I am so NOT a runner. I don't think it is in my blood actually. Anyways days,weeks, and months go by without being able to go to the gym for one reason or another...many of them being a huge procrastinator. So the day arrives, November 20, and I am really not worried about it, there are obstacles in between the running and it's only a 5k, right? Suuure. Jordan and I get all dressed up the same, since you are supposed to look a little crazy doing this and I did at least with my crazy hair...again, what was I thinking? :) So we meet up with our friends and the count down began, we were off! Jordan was a great sport he stuck by my side the whole way. Did we run the whole time? Nope not even going to lie, we ran a little bit here and there but the obstacles were awesome! I wish there were more. It was so much fun. I don't know if I would do it again, maybe if I really tried to train before hand, but it was alot of fun doing it with Jordan. Here we are in action!

After the fire jump the last obstacle was to crawl under barb wire in mud. Jordan decided to please the crowd by getting a running start and slip 'n' slide through the mud!