Happy Birthday Brigham!

Has it really been a year already?  Today little Brigham turned 1 and we celebrated this special little guy and all the happiness that he brings us.  David is neck deep in finals and so we couldn't do much.  We played with his toys today and built a fort for him to play around in.  David got home in time to sing him happy birthday and watch him eat his cupcake.  As I was finishing frosting some of the cupcakes, Brigham fell asleep in his high chair.  Poor little guy must have been tuckered out.

As you can see, he wasn't too happy with his cupcake.  He took a big handful of the frosting, and then got mad he couldn't get it off.  The chocolate cupcake looks like a soul patch on his chin!

I want to remember how he is at this stage.  Here are a few fun things about Brigham:

-He is walking great.  It is so cute to hear those little feet pitter patter around the house.  He is crawling up and down the stairs like a maniac and has free reign to destroy (er...play) with everything in the house.

-He is learning how to wave.  Our home teacher was over last night, and Brigham gave him a big old wave and held his hand out to shake it.

-Brigham still loves music, just like Isabel.  They hear a music beat, and they can't help themselves and start shaking their groove thing.  When we turn the stereo on, he crawls over to it, and stands up and dances in front of it.

-He can say a few words: mama, dada, hi, no-no, night-night, uh-oh, and I think he tried to say ball the other day.

-He is so funny!  He tries to mimick every sound he hears.  From stuff Isabel says, to noises he hears around the house, or words we say, he will always give it a great effort.

-He likes the phone.  Whenever I answer the phone, he starts following me around,saying "hi, hi, hi, hi".  Anything that resembles a phone, he will hold up to his ear, what a character!

-Brother Brigham loves his baths!  You ask him if he wants to take a bath, and he takes off up the stairs, and bolts into the bathroom and stands by the tub, trying to crawl in and drumming on it until you can get him in.  He loves to splash and him and Isabel have some big giggle matches in there as the splash around.

-He is still very tender-hearted.  If you chew him out, or tell him no and are too stern, he gets a big pouty lip, and he will look at you with these sad eyes.  Then after about 5 seconds, he finally breaks out into a big wail and gets the saddest face.  Can't stay mad at that kid for long!

-He loves to find a mess and knows how to make one.  The toilet paper roll, folded laundry in  basket, the movies under the tv cabinet, the shoe basket in the closet, the pantry.  Anything he can get his hands on is fair game and he can make quick work of anything I just organized.  You can't get mad at him because he is so proud of whatever he is doing and looks at you with these big, excited eyes and wants you to be happy like he is!

-We can't imagine how life would be without him.  He is such a blessing and we look forward to watching him grow and learn.  I see so much of David in him and that makes me all the happier.  Brigham has the most amazing role model to look up to.  Aren't families the best?

Here is the angel baby the day after we brought him home.  He has always been so special and sweet.  He is full of love and life. 

Christmas is coming?!!

Sorry I haven't posted for a while. Our computer is giving us problems with the SDcard slot, so I can't get pictures easily.  We haven't been up to much.  David has been interviewing with Pedo programs this last month and we have been trying to stay sane with him gone.  He has a few more interviews before Christmas.  We are really excited and keeping our fingers crossed that everything works out.  The results come out January 25, and then we will know where we will be for the next 2 years. 

The kids are doing well.  Isabel is finally out of the crib.  She is doing well and likes her "big girl bed".  She is starting to talk a lot more and says some really funny things. 

Brigham is starting to walk.  It is so fun to see him walk between furniture with a big grin on his face.  He is still tearing everything apart and is starting to hold his own against Isabel.  He jabbers like crazy and loves to talk on the phone.  He found the tv remote the other day and held it up to his ear and started chattering away. 

We have the Christmas tree up and are really excited for Christmas.  Isabel is old enough to know what is going on and always asks for a baby doll for Christmas.  Thank goodness for easy requests:)  We will be in Utah for a few weeks over the break and are excited for the kids to get to play with some cousins. 
I had really good intentions of doing a family photo card for christmas, but I got realistic and realized that would never happen.  At least I had good intentions, right?

Carving Pumpkins with our "pumpkins"

We carved our pumpkins tonight, since our ward trunk or treat is tomorrow night and we won't have time then.  We had lots of fun with the kiddos tonight!

Eeewww!  She was not a fan of the "guts"

Trying to get momma to do her job of cleaning it out:)

Brigham's newest teether was the lid of the pumpkin.  He was getting some pieces of it and chewing them up...I guess whatever works for ya.  At least it was keeping him happy!

I'm ready to clean a pumpkin!

Just a cute on of them together...not beating up on each other:)

Practicing her "spooky" laugh

Yes! Another piece of pumpkin to eat, thanks Mom!

I just love this pic because it shows all his teeth really well.  What a character.

The final results. 

We had the trick-or-treating at the dental school today.  It is always fun to get all the kiddos together and hang out with our hubbys in their daily environment.  David's sister Liz wanted to buy Isabel a costume.  So we got her a Little Red Riding Hood costume weeks ago.  She was always so excited about it and told everyone that came over what she was gonna be.  Well today came and it was the first time we needed to put it on.  She went NUTS.  I have never seen her get that upset that fast over something.  She was hysterical.  We have lots of things this weekend that she can wear her costume to, so I had to think fast.  So we ran back to the store and exchanged costumes and she picked Snow White out and then we ran to the school with minutes to spare!  What drama. I did not want to give in, but I knew I did not want her freaking out in all these situations with crowds of people, so I buckled!  Don't judge:)

Happy Halloween everyone, more pictures to follow this weekend.  Be safe!

The sun is finally back out in Omaha

After a few dreary weeks of clouds and cold, the sun has come out to give us one last blast of sunshine and warmth before it leaves us for 6 months!  The kids are still getting over their sickness and took turns napping, so we couldn't be out too much, but we did go out for a nice walk after dinner.  I have been having fun playing with my new camera and got some cute shots.  Still so much to learn...

The leaves are already on the downhill end of the color changing.  We love all the beautiful colors of Fall and have enjoyed living out here to see some good Falls

Giving sass to us!  If you haven't passed out yet from this picture, than you are stronger than me!  We cut his hair!!!!!  David tricked me and told me the longest attachment for the hair clippers would only take off  a bit of his hair, but it took off close to 3 inches of his beautiful, soft, blond luscious hair.  I almost cried:(  I know it will grow back, but it was so sad to see my little baby get a BOY haircut.  Oh, if I could only turn back time...

Showing me the flower she picked.  This girl is so sweet to always give me flowers.  Now, whenever she sees a bouquet of roses at the store, she always says (while pointing) "ohhh, Mommy sooo happy!"  She knows I love flowers and always wants to have me smell the ones she picks.  Now I just need her to stop picking the flowers at the Botanical Gardens:)

Trying to get the camera.

Isabel saw Daddy cleaning out the flower garden on Saturday.  So today after our walk, she went over to the shovel and drug it to the garden and proceeded to dig it all up.  She is always so observant and has a memory like an elephant.  She always wants to do what we do.  Lately she won't leave the house unless she has a baby and a purse, just like mommy.  She will go and bring food to Brigham when I am putting him in the highchair.  I love how she watches us and still wants to be like us!

Vala's Pumpkin Patch in one word....AMAZING!!!

We have lived out here in Omaha for almost 3 years and this was our first time at Vala's.  We didn't think Isabel was old enough to enjoy it very much.  Man we should have been coming every year, because we had as much fun, if not more than Isabel.  This place is incredible!  We were there for over 4 hours and we didn't even see half of it.  I wish some of you could come out and visit us this month to go to Vala's, it is totally worth the trip out here:)  Here are just a few pics of the fun stuff we did last night.

My two greatest blessings...

We have been keeping busy, but not doing much at the same time. How does that seem to always happen?
I love my children! They are more wonderful than I could have ever hoped for. I have seen even more lately how lucky I am to be a mother and raise these sweet children. Here is some fun facts about each of them so I can remember how great life is right now!
ISABEL:
-She LOVES to help. She has always been such a wonderful help to us. She stayed after music time last week to help put the chairs away because she saw some girls stacking the chairs and she wanted to help. Isabel loves to help cook or prepare food and empty the dishwasher and wash the dishes.
-She is learning how to be soft with Brigham. Since he has started crawling, she has had her world turned upside down and is learning that it is not the end of the world if he comes over to play with some of her toys. Those sweet moments when they are sitting together and playing and giggling just melt my heart and make me forget the battles they have.
-She is talking a lot more. She has started to form small, broken sentences and it is hilarious to hear the things that come out of her mommy. I love to hear her say, "Ohh, so cute!" or "ooooh, thank you mommy." She really has pretty good manners and learns to say things even if we don't want her to (guess we better watch our words:)
-She finally loves nursery. She has always had pretty bad separation anxiety, but she is finally able to go in there and let me leave without tears. She is growing up and it is so bittersweet.
-She is still as petite as ever. I love having her little because I don't break my back picking her up.
-She is always reminding us to say our prayers before meals. She says her own prayer at night. We don't understand much of it, but starts out by thanking Heavenly Father for this day, she blesses the missionaries and brigham and daddy and mommy. She asks for help being nice and to sleep good. I love her example and the innocence that she has. Do they really have to grow up???
-She loves to snuggle. She will go grab a blanket and say "coldy mommy, coldy" and want me to wrap her up and cuddle. Oh she melts my heart!
I love Isabel so much. I have felt bad lately because I feel like I am getting after her all the time for beating up, pushing, kicking, smacking Brigham. She will always be my little princess and I get teary eyed just thinking about her sweet spirit and all the happiness that she brings into our family.

BRIGHAM:
-He is now 9 months old: 19 lbs 5oz
-Since he has been crawling he has thinned out a bit. He is up and down the stairs like crazy and starting to cruise all over the furniture.
-He loves music. Just like Isabel, they can't help themselves when they hear a beat. He headbangs, but it is back and forth like he is shaking his head. It is pretty funny to watch him.
-He is learning how to voice his feelings when Isabel takes something away from him. He has learned from her how to scream in outrage and flail limbs in panic. What a temper!
-He no longer likes baby food, he wants stuff with texture.
-He loves it when David comes home from school. He crawls towards him with the biggest grin on his face and opens his arms for David to pick him up. I always love when little kids start to recognize people.
-He gives the biggest smile when you go get him from his crib and starts jumping up and down. He is so affectionate and loves to give hugs. If he needs me and I am in the kitchen making dinner, he will crawl in and stand up underneath me and hold on to both legs. It is so cute but really hard to walk around the kitchen.
-He can say mama when he is fussy. He loves to babble and talk back to ya. Sometimes it even says like he is saying his name...too funny.
-He now has 4 teeth and is working on 2 more. He got his upper laterals before his centrals so he looks a bit like a baby vampire (ooh good halloween costume idea, too bad he already has his costume) -When I am feeding him, he closes his eyes and shakes his head when he is done, like he is trying to make the food go away. If I try and give him another bite, he just closes his eyes again and shakes his head. Kind of a mean trick, but it is good for a laugh.
-Brigham is my special little man. I didn't know I could love someone as much as Isabel, but it happened. I love those moments with the family when we are all just hanging out in the living room and we can sit and enjoy these kiddos. It really is amazing the way they make my heart so full.

Here comes trouble!!!

Better grab a chair and a snack for this one!

This is gonna be long! I have been dreading this for a long time cause there are so many pictures and it takes so darn long to load them up (my camera is set up right now to take pictures as REALLY large files, and I can't figure out how to change it) Anyway, enjoy the pictures, we have been busy lately.

While David was in the Dominican Republic, we treated ourselves to homemade icecream cones. Can you tell she was loving it?

We finally decided to give Brigham a real haircut. He was 7 1/2 months and had quite the mop. I love his hair and didn't want to take much off.

Our little Kennickie! He was being so silly, wish I could dress him as Danny Zucko for Halloween, that is quite the hairdo!

After: What a cute little man, even with his crazy face he is pulling!

I hope they call me on a mission, when I have grown a foot or too!

Sibling love. I love these moments when they are getting along, they are few and far between right now!

We went to Kansas City at the end of July for David to do an externship at their program there. We stayed in a nice hotel in downtown KC, and it was so fun! There was a rooftop pool that Isabel and I swam in, she was crazy, I couldn't take my eyes off her!

Isabel loved to play with the controls for the Sleep Number beds, it was like sleeping on a moving boat:)

One word: YUM! We went to this wonderful BBQ restaurant inside a gas station, it was the absolute best and it is world famous. We stood in line for 45 minutes and it was totally worth it. I could have eaten so much more of that great food. I hope we go back someday, whether for his residency, or just to get some more of those sandwiches.

Brigham started crawling right after we got back from KC. He is so crazy and it is hilarious to watch him wander around and find things to tear apart. He moves non-stop and keeps me on my toes.

We were so lucky to have David's parents and little sister, Rachel come and visit us in August. It was lots of fun and we did so much, here are some of the highlights.

Rachel babysat the kids so we could go do a temple session with his parents. Poor rachel, she is soooo wonderful, but our kids were kinda naughty for her, I don't think she will want to watch them again for a while:)

We made baby back ribs one night (okay actually two, but they were soo good) and we couldn't resist giving our little monkey some of the bones to chew on!

This little girl is starting to dress herself a lot and this is the hat she picked to wear out to dinner one night.

David's mom treated us to a girls night out while they were here and we went to the Taylor Swift concert. It was incredible!!! Thanks so much Camille. It was so fun to go out with the girls and know the kids were having fun a home! The concert was amazing and we had lots of fun singing our hearts out with her.

We took them to the Kanesville Tabernacle and Mormon Trail Center. Here is little miss sunshine playing with the wagon wheel. She sat there for like 15 minutes just spinning the thing.

can't go there without getting dressed up in pioneer clothing!

What cute little pioneer men! Brigham was having fun having all the attention. Isabel was having a blast getting dressed up and showing off to everyone.

We had so much fun with family in town. The girls got to do some shopping, the boys did some golfing, we ate like crazy and just had a good time doing nothing!

We went with a bunch of friends to this really cute spray ground. Isabel didn't know what to do at first, but then she warmed up and started running around and splashing in the water. She was really good and could run through the whole thing without ever getting wet. I put Brigham down for a second and he crawled over to one and put his face right over it when the spray went off. He was very surprised and got his breath taken away. Too funny, I wish I had a picture of his expression when that happened.

The Children's museum had a sesame street/elmo's world exhibit here for a bit. They had a chance for us to go and meet Elmo. I thought Isabel might be nervous (you know how some kids get when it is time to meet Santa), but she was so cute! She got excited when she saw him and walked up to him and gave him a hug. I asked her if she wanted to sit on his lap, and she backed up a little, but then cheesed it up for this photo. Oh, what would we do without Elmo in the world???

Brigham LOVES the dishwasher. If he crawls into the dining room and sees that it is open, he goes from 0-60 in 2 seconds flat. He is into everything, but he is so adorable about it, you can't get mad. He has learned how to stand at the toilet and spin the TP roll, he pulls all the books off the shelf, he likes to eat magazines, paper, and shoes, and he uses me like a rock climbing wall! We love our little Brig and enjoy watching him learn and grow.

I love this picture. Brigham had just woken up right before David had to go to school. He saw David, got a big grin on his face and reached out for his Daddy. I love how Brigham looks when he has just woken up, sooo adorable.

My younger brother, Kyle came through town on his way back from visiting his girlfriend's family. We took them out to Lake Manawa and had a dutch oven dinner. It was lots of fun with them and great to hang out for a bit with family.

My brother Kyle, his girlfriend Lisa and Isabel all enjoying a cookie. I told Isabel to show me what she was eating and this is what I got from her! We are working on manners:)

This is her pose she has been pulling lately when we bust the camera out. How can you not love this little lady???

We swapped nights babysitting with some friends, so we were finally able to go out on a date without the kids, I think it is the first time we have gone out to dinner alone since Brigham was born. It was very relaxing and it was nice to be able to hold hands and have an adult conversation. We went to this yummy restuarant in Old Market called M's Pub. They have really good food, but it is a little different. David decided to go with the beer brats and he said they were great.

I tried this dish called Lavosh and Iwas so pleasantly surprised with it and really enjoyed it. I have been craving it since I ate there last week. I will definitely eat that again!

One thing I love about Omaha is all the beautiful flowers and greenery that grows out here. One of my favorites are the hibiscus'. Everytime I see one, it reminds me of Hawaii, and brightens my day.

Here is David's prized turkey. He shot it last spring and decided to get it taxidermied. We just got it back from the taxidermist a few weeks ago. It is huge, and the only place it will fit is on our bedroom dresser, how lucky am I? So every night when I go to bed and each morning I wake up, I have this lovely thing staring at me:) I told him when we have a house it can't be in the front room and it can't be in our bedroom. But he is so happy with it, so I am happy for him.

Brigham bonked his head the other day and got a black eye. You can't see it very good, but it was instantly blue and looked like a blood blister, the next day it looked like he had eye shadow and now it is finally black. He is already been beat up so much more than Isabel, he is gonna get some big bruisers in his day.

Whew!! I knew I was dreading this for a reason. My hands have carpel tunnal from typing so much. I hope you enjoyed the pictures and I promise to do a better job keeping the family updated on our happenings!