Catch Up - December

December was a fun, busy month for our family. We started it out with getting the Christmas tree up and the Christmas decorations out.

While I was getting the ornaments out, Beckam decided to get a little head start on the decorating. He definitely had his favorite spot to put things.

Everyone helped decorate the tree and before we knew it we were done and ready to watch a Christmas movie. (When we were done you could definitely tell where the kids had been hanging things and until we left for Las Vegas they would constantly check for they ornaments they hung.)

We also made it out for a couple of Christmas season activities. (That's more then we've done in the past). We went to Temple Square to see the lights...

We went to the sing along at Energy Solutions Arena....(I didn't take any pictures. It was packed!) We rode Trax to get there and home. I didn't really enjoy it, but the kids had fun. Beckam still talks about riding the choo choo with Brylie, Daddy and Mommy.

We also had an early visit from Santa. The kids started out the night by writing letters to Santa. When he came Brylie wanted to give hers to him right away but was patient and gave it to him when it was her turn.

Beckam on the other hand only wanted to look at Santa from a distance and nothing else. Having Daddy close to him didn't even help.

Luckily he warmed up enough to Santa by the end of the trip to give him a hug. Maybe next year he won't cry.

My month was spent getting gifts ready for Christmas. Luckily I got them all done before we had to leave for Las Vegas. Photoshop and Modge Podge became my best friends!!!

Brandon started a new job the Monday before Christmas so we didn't get to leave for Las Vegas until Christmas Eve. We got there a little later then planned, but still had a great visit. Christmas of course was a blast and the kids made out like bandits.

(Santa's gifts and waiting to go down the stairs to see what they got)

(Beckam was a little overwhelmed)

(Brylie stacked up her presents and didn't want to play with anything until she had unwrapped everything.)

The day after Christmas was spent shopping and relaxing. We also got to finally meet my brother Nathan's girlfriend Brittany. The whole family (mom, dad, siblings, siblings' spouses, and kids) took Brittany out to dinner and to see some Christmas decorations and fountain at the Bellagio. It was quite the fun night and the next day Brittany became Nathan's fiance. She'll be officially joining our family this summer!!!

We got back to Utah after Christmas, tried to recoup for a couple days and then it was the end of the year. Our awesome friends Randy and Viv invited us over for a kid friendly New Year's Eve party. The kids played together while the girls gabbed and the guys played video games. We celebrated east coast New Years, went outside to light some sparklers, and then it was off to home to bed.

We had a great December and end to 2009. Now on to 2010!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas everyone! Hope you all have a great holiday season and an even greater next year! (Sorry cards didn't get out as planned this year.)

Cause and Effect

Handmade Christmas presents=Lack of blog posts, picture taking, and clean house. But it's all worth it. At the same time can't wait to get them all done!!!

BYU Wins!!

Saturday was the game we wait for all season - BYU vs Utah and BYU came out on top!! Beckam was in to watching the game as soon as he heard football.

Brylie didn't really want to have anything to do with it until I brought out the veggies and then she joined in the fun!

We also had a little visitor from next door during halftime. Our Ute friends let their puppy Romeo come over and play with the kids for a few minutes. The dog was so mellow that he ended up just sitting next to Beckam and laying down on Brandon's lap. He was my kind of dog.

Once the puppy left the kids lost pretty much all interest in the game. Beckam did stick around a little bit longer to play with the remote from my camera.

(Obviously we're not real thrilled by what was happening. Thanks Beckam for capturing the moment.)

The game was a long one, with ups and downs, but at the end we were happy with the outcome. And with how long the game lasted, Brandon and I got to spend a little time without the kids watching it.

Way to go Cougars!! Lets repeat the win next year.

Thanksgiving

(Really the only picture I took today)

Happy Thanksgiving!! We hope everyone enjoyed it as much as we did. This year we spent Thanksgiving in Utah with Brandon's family. It was the first time we had really all been together in quite awhile and it was long overdue. We had great food and a great time seeing everyone. I'm grateful for this time of year to really focus on the many blessings in our lives. Through all the ups and downs of this past year the blessings have been there and we have a ton to be thankful for, the least of which that there was no snow on the ground today so the kids could play inside or out. The little things sometimes matter the most at the time!

Wonderful Day!!

It's finally here! In-N-Out opened in Draper today and thanks to my wonderful husband I was able to enjoy some from the comfort of my own home.

And no this wasn't all for me. This meal was a family affair. I'm getting the kids started early in the love of In-N-Out.

And if you love this food, don't make the mistake I did of looking at the calorie count of the food. Let's just say we won't be making routine trips because I would have to starve for three days to make up the calories. But it's definitely worth it once in a while.

1st Snow --- at least that stuck

The first official snow came a little while ago, but much to Brylie's dismay it didn't stick! From then until now whenever we drove by the littlest bit of snow Brylie would hope for snow at our house to play in. After last weekend's storm there was plenty to play in.

(Brylie's been waiting to make snow angels since last winter)

Beckam and Brylie only came in side after I couldn't handle the cold anymore. Good thing they like playing in the snow since there is bound to be more!

Getting Back to Normal...whatever that is!

Things in the Harward house have been a little crazy lately! My time as a single parent is over and I couldn't be happier. Brandon is now back in Utah after coming to the realization that Las Vegas wasn't all he had hoped it would be and a little nudge from his employer that firmed up that realization. I don't know how much longer I could have lasted with only having Brandon home every other weekend for a couple of days (if I was lucky) so this came at a great time. The kids are adjusting to having Brandon back and as soon as we can convince Beckam that Brandon isn't leaving again we'll all be a lot happier and more productive. It took two months for the kids to kind of get used to having a commuting dad so I'm sure it will take that long to get them out of that mindset. All I know is both Brandon and I learned a ton these last couple of months and now the realization of blessings and being watched over is really hitting us. Some of the top lessons learned are that if at all humanly possible we will never do the commuting thing again, technology is a wonderful, wonderful thing, and we are a strong, in it together all the way, family. Glad we can check this life experience off the list!!! Utah we're here to stay.

Halloween Weekend Fun

We had a great Halloween. Brylie had her preschool party on Thursday, so she actually got to dress up three times. The best thing is that Brandon was able to come home for a few days more then normal due to Nevada admissions day on Friday which gave him an extra day off. (I loved growing up in Nevada and never having to go to school on Halloween.) Friday night was our ward party and Trunk or Treat. The only way we could get Beckam to leave on his costume was to tell him he had to be Thomas to get candy.

We also got around to carving the pumpkins. Beckam wanted nothing to do with it because they (the insides of the pumpkin) were yucky. He wouldn't even touch the stuff. Brylie had fun carving her own pumpkin. (I helped with the mouth.)

We of course went Trick of Treating Halloween night. We did our street and then headed over to Brandon's parent's neighborhood. We hadn't seen his parents in awhile and the kids really wanted some grandparent time. (And Brandon wanted the can of soda from their neighbor.)

We had a blast and Brylie is already making plans for Halloween next year.