It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

On Saturday, we carried all the dusty boxes upstairs, and decorated, for what seemed to be all day! The kids all loved getting out their own mini trees again, and put everything they could find to decorate it, including non-Christmas items. Oh well, guess it's their's to decorate RIGHT! It was fun, and the kids and I had fun. Ryan was gone so, it was just us. Kind of sad, and empty, but on Sunday, when he got home, the kids made a sign, and plugged in all the lights to suprize him. Yea, he was suprized all right, with the look of "gee, I wonder how long these have been plugged in". Good thing, he didn't say it though. He was sweet about it. We were all so happy to have him back! Yea!

Tea Time

One day when Kyler and Karissa were over, I broke out the tea set which happened to be a gift to Kami from them. The kids were so excited to be doing this. The usual is a movie in the theatre room or playing in the play room which had sooooooooo many toys in it, the carpet is covered. Anyway, so "Tea Party" was appealing to all the kids. We had kool-aid, orange slices, fruit snacks, cold cereal, & ice-cream! They all had so much fun, so when it all dies down, they all went in different directions. I was cleaning up, and no more than 5-6 min. had passed, when cute little Kyler comes in, and says, "Sistew Bwomwee, I'm hungwee. (side note, Sheia, I hope in reading this you find the humor in as it was intended.) I had to turn my face, to hide my snickers, and sent him off to go find the others.

Kyler and Kami (punch mustache)

Derek and Karissa

The whole gang

Cute little teapot (was filled 6 or 7 times at least)

Brooke's real birthday was on November 11th

Because she had had a sleepover with friends on Friday, and a party at Grandma's on Sunday, by the time Tuesday the 11th rolled around, we just did something simple. I made dinner, and had cake and ice-cream.

I think her favorite thing she got from us was a cell phone. She has it with her constantly! She opens it up, just to hear it beep and to check the time. The rare calls she does get, are from a friend, or me, tring to track her down. It's actually been kind of nice, because before, I would have to call all over to find her, and now I know where she is at all times.

Grandma Shellie, Jana, and Andrew gave her this way cute stylin' outfit and boots. You can't really see the boots that well, but she say's they are her favorite shoe! Doesn't she look so cute in this color!!

Cute Little Trace!

Hayes and Trace!

We all love having our friend down the street, Trace come over on Monday's to play. Kami likes being his mommy, and Hayes gets along so well with him. He is such a cutie! If they can't find each other, they come up to me and shrug their shoulders saying the other ones name. It is quite adorable!!!

Christmas Cards

This year, I designed our Christams Cards. I am kind of sad, though, they got cut off a little. Oh well, I am still going to use them!

Little Brother + Big brother = Best Buds!

This is such a cute picture to me, because Hayes just has so much love, and trust in Derek. Derek was a little squirmy at first, but then decided to give up the firght and love him right back. Hayes started to get up, and I made him stay there so I can go get my camera. If only you could snap a picture with your eyes, and download when needed.

Huh?

I wonder sometimes when I find things like this, what the other person is thinking. In this case, it was not a child, so I don't have imaturity to blame. My husband claims this bathroom as his read and discard domain. Some find it funny, I feel it's a little irratating. Although, he will be the one taking out the trash tomorrow, so I guess I should not complain!

Getting too big!!

Hayes Cole Bromley

Adorable, little mess maker, all the while holding mommies heart in his little grasp. Sometimes I seriously can't stand it. I have to eat him. I love him so much. He has been so much fun. I just cannot believe my baby is so big already. We have this fun little bedtime ritual going on right now, Jammies, brush teeth, you know, just normal stuff, but to us, "it's special". He is now in a big boy bed (on the floor to prevent rolling) and he LOVES it. When I say it's bedtime, he runs upstairs, and knows the drill. He has 2 books that are required, and ends with a kiss and hug, and then he pushes me away as I snicker, and we blow kisses goodnight. Can there be anything better than that? I hope that at 10, or 17 and every age inbetween we'll have some sort of thing that is special to only us. Hayes turns 2 on Jan. 4th!! As the tantrums set in, we'll see how much I'll want to eat him up, right!

Gratitude for the 4 little ones in my life.

This year for Thanksgiving, I am going to try to be grateful for, unstead of overwhelmed by my children. I don't know why, but lately I have been having a hard time controlling my temper, and being grateful for my kids. I get frustrated with silly little things. Like tonight. Kami was trying to find some pjs for bed, and was searching in her closet. I saw her new dress on the floor and flipped. I was so upset, cause it took me a while to iron the darn thing, and had asked her after church to go upstairs and hang it up. So to see it, on the floor along with other clothes, was, in that moment too much for me to handle. But then, quickly, (more quickly than normal) It hit me. My 5 year old cannot even reach the hanger. Also, the dirty clothes stuffed in one corner of her closet. What is she suppose to do with them? She has no hamper, no basket, and no way to keep that organized. So, to sum it all up, 90% of the time, that I blame my poor kids for things, it ends up falling in my lap as to who's fault it is. So, I vow to breathe, and take a moment to ponder the situation, BEFORE the temper gets the better of me. I love my children with all of my heart, and do not want them to grow up and have me be a thorn in their sides. I want to be the one they could come to, about anything. The one they are not afraid to cry with, and the one who has uncondional love for them. I want them to always want to come home and visit. I want them to know with out a doubt that I love them. Because I do!

Brooke turns 10!

Brooke had a big sleepover for her 10th birthday!! I have to be honest. I thought I was going to go nuts at first. Kids were fighting, crying, and upset. Guess 12 girls of all ages, trying to get along with eachother was a lot to deal with at first! Then, finally after the first 1 1/2 hours, we finally got it together. They had so much fun. They decorated pillow cases, had pizza, watched movies, played red-rover, and other group games. We has a pj fashion show in the morning. They thought that was so fun, to jive to the music, and come down the stairs and pose. After all is said and done, the party was a hit. I am glad we did it. Happy 10th b-day Brooke

Halloween was so simple this year. That's the way I like it. We did the trunk or treat thing, then met mom, dad, and Jana at Macey's to see Andrews awsome haunted house. The kids really liked it, and the people were so nice to my kids! Then up to Ryan's parents for more fun and to fill up on grub. I think Hayes' costume was soooooooooooo funny this year. His hat was way too big, but suprisingly, he kept it on pretty well.