Ruby Monday Nights

It was so fun being able to see Grandma Jackie and Miles last night. The best part was watching Grandma meet Brooklyn. So sweet. Brooklyn talked and smiled the whole time. Grandma loved it.

 

We enjoyed dinner together at Ruby Tuesdays. There seemed to be a recurring seafood theme around the table. James and I were stuffed with shrimp by the time we left. It totally hit the spot.

It was so nice to visit with grandma all evening. I miss seeing her often. She's doing really well and it was so good to see her. I told her she needs to come down and visit again soon and we'll make a shopping trip to Brass Plum. That store screams Grandma Jackie! It is totally her style. She's the most stylish grandma out there. Great-grandma even! Oh we love our grandma Jackie!

Pictures from dinner:

lastly...this baby was a happy girl this morning



Saturday in pictures...

and a few words...

(nap w/Daddy)

(she does this face when Mommy howls like a wolf - who knows)

(laundry)

(X-Boxing)

(dinner @ Chic-Fil-A)

October Family Tradition:

chocolate waffles

ice cream

caramel

and

Hocus Pocus

Such a great Saturday!

Tonight, dinner in Park City w/Grandma Jackie. Brooklyn can't wait to meet her!

Chili Cheese & Chocolate

Brooklyn and I had a good day with lots of blankets and lots of time in the nice warm steamy bathroom. When we woke up this morning, the house was freezing. I wrapped lots of big blankets around us and I told Brooklyn about all the fun things we're going to do for Halloween and the other upcoming holidays. I think she's excited. We also spent awhile in the bathroom warming up.

We ended the day with my parents and little sister. They came down to visit and go to Home Depot. Dinner was chili cheese dogs and Dr. Pepper. So good. So unhealthy. But so fun. I suggested we get dessert at The Chocolate, a dessert cafe...that is absolutely adorable! They have all sorts of desserts, and it's inside this cute little old house that's decorated with cute vintage things that I WANT. Go there, you'll thank me later. It'd be perfect for a date night! 

(looky looky...her own cake!)

We spent the rest of the evening doing our own things. I watched The Office, my dad slept, my mom played with Brooklyn, and Haley wrote a paper. It was super relaxing. James went to help clean the conference center. What a good boy.

(in her weekend jammies)

(Mmm, my pumpkin spice candle)

Thanks for coming family. Please come again soon, next time, with Whit and Chandler, and Googs. And in less than 70 days...Dev too.

Snuggled up...

Boy am I enjoying being a stay at home mom right now. With the weather changing, becoming a bit more cozy, I think back to days when I would be in my classroom wishing that I was like my students' moms. I wanted to be a mom preparing an after school snack and kissing cold cheeks as they walked through the door. This weather always made me yearn for motherhood just a little bit more.

So, today, I snuggled with my baby and thanked my Heavenly Father for the gift that she truly is. We cozied up on the couch and while we snuggled I watched some online tv shows and did laundry in between.

Oh it was a good day. A cozy day. It would have only been better if James would've been home to snuggle on the couch with too.

Along with the cozy feeling of the day came my urge to prepare a cozy dinner, one that reminded me of cozy days passed. Chinese casserole:

cream of mushroom soup

milk

peas

celery

hamburger

and fried onions on top

Mmm...

such a comfort food for me.

we ate it with bread and jam and concord grapes. I was sad Brooklyn couldn't try any. She'll love it when she's older.

We still haven't caught up and done our October 1st tradition yet, hopefully tomorrow or Friday. Until then, here are a few pictures of my Halloween decor.

(Brooklyn loves the string of bats, loves them)

And a cute one of Brooklyn for good measure.

This girl loves her baths! She gets excited every morning when she knows it's coming and then when she gets in she's totally in the zone. As you can see in her face here. That expression doesn't change.

Evenings...

My evening...

watching these two together melts my heart.

Visiting teaching goodies delivered.

Taco salad for dinner.

(baby stuff ends up in every picture!)



h a p p y  b i r t h d a y  b r i t t !

Visit

Brooklyn, James, and I got to go visit my grandparents up at my Aunt Barbara and Uncle Tom's this evening. They always come down for General Conference and stay for a few days. We love having them in Salt Lake. They just couldn't get enough of Brooklyn.

(these Wyoming residents are so excited for the Star Valley temple)

She loved Grandpa Tub's deep voice.

And of course, Grandma Carol had just the right touch. I love my grandparents and any chance I get to spend time with them.

They treated James and I to dinner, where Grandpa gave Brooklyn her first taste of Dr. Pepper. She loved it! Oh boy! Dinner wore her out and she fell asleep for awhile.

But of course started crying as we drove over to the hospital to visit Uncle Tom and Aunt Barb. She was starving by then and wouldn't let anyone cuddle her. Aunt Barb's been dying to see her again and just wanted to squeeze her. I told her we'd come visit again when Brooklyn was in a better mood.

We said goodbye and headed home, starving baby in tow. She ate and then was in the best mood. I put up some Halloween decorations and then we all snuggled on the couch watching the flame of my pumpkin spice candle. Because October 1st was on the Saturday of conference, our new family tradition was put on the back burner. Hopefully it'll happen sometime this week! I love October!

(I love my grandpa's face in this picture)



October General Conference 2011

I love conference weekend! It comes and goes so quickly that I really try to savor every moment. We spent it with family and wouldn't want it any other way.

The weekend actually started with Brooklyn and I meeting up with another BFF of mine, emilee, and going to dinner. It had been way too long since our last get together and I think another one should already be in the works. I love her and miss hanging out with her all the time.

The Cougars beat the Aggies...dumb. But atleast James was happy. We'll get 'em next year!

Saturday morning after our showers and breakfast, we listened to conference. I enjoy conference more and more with each new stage in my life. Being a mother gave me a whole new perspective and the messages touched my heart a little more tenderly.

Brooklyn loved being the center of attention everywhere we went.

James continued his tradition of going to the priesthood session with his dad and brother. They said it was great. I always enjoy reading talks from that session.

We sang happy birthday to Gary and then we were on our way over the mountain to Coalville. Brooklyn was so excited to see her Auntie Googs. They stayed up late and had some bonding time.



Sunday morning breakfast was the traditional butterscotch rolls. I had four.

I finally gave in to Aunt Haley's request to paint Brooklyn's toe nails. She painted one foot and Aunt Whitney did the other. It was a group effort. They turned out so cute. Brooklyn loves them too.

We finished conference weekend off with chili and cornbread and brownies for dessert. Perfect. We had a great weekend spent with our family and enjoying the messages from our church leaders.

Highlights:

Brooklyn sleeping well

announcement of the Star Valley, Wyoming temple!

purchasing my fall/winter candles

primary choir: Heaveny Father Loves Me

ribs for Gary's birthday

produce from Chels

Brooklyn sleeping well again-6 hours

butterscotch rolls

peek-a-boo with Uncle Colby

Sister Dalton's talk

James and Brooklyn on the tramp

afternoon nap

visiting

Akinator

my USU shirt-thanks Googs

safe (quiet) trip home

Yay for October and Halloween decorations!