Going to the Sand Dudes!

It is the middle of January and today was the most beautiful day at the Beach! We went to Sand Lake to ride on the Dunes. Brice and Brianna were so excited to go. Brian has been going to the dunes since he was little & since getting his dirt bike, he and Eric go often. However, it was a first for me and the kids. We had a blast! Eric and Carsen took us over there and let us ride in their Sand Machine aka. the Rhino. Every time we stopped, Brice said "Go again!" Brice loves nothing more than working on motorcycles and being around motorcycles so today was Heaven for him.

Brice kept saying "This is my best ever at the Sand Dudes" Brian told him to hold onto his boots because we were getting ready to go fast. Brice takes things literally, so grabbed onto his shoes & wouldn't let go until Brian finally told him he didn't really need to hold onto them.

Although Brianna loves all things Girly, she knows how to hang with the boys too!

Bricen can not wait for the day that he can have a Big Mo Mo just like his daddy!

Do you think he is big enough to ride it now? He sure wanted to!

Brianna and Carsen had a great time playing together. They ran up the sand hills and ran/tumbled down the hills.

What a beautiful day at the Oregon Coast. We are so lucky to be able to have so many activities to go and do. There aren't many other places that you can go play in the snow, go to the lake, go to the beach and see all of the beauty that our State has to offer. Now that I and the kids know how much fun the Sand Dunes (Dudes) are, we will make as many trips with the boys as we can!

Brianna's School Program

Brianna had been practicing and practicing for her school's Christmas program. It was scheduled for the week before Christmas break. Then...SNOW! Her program was re-scheduled due to all the snow and bad weather conditions. What did that mean for us??? More practicing!

There was a day in early December when Brian had to work late. I kept the kids up a little late so he could tuck them in to bed. Brianna had planned a little show for him. She got her Christmas dress on and stood on her stage, (our bay window) and I turned the lights off & flashlight on as her spot light. She practiced her memory verse, her two songs and danced and danced. When Brian got home, she put on her show for Brian. She was so confident, so poised, so beautiful. A night we won't forget. From that night on, it became a fun way for her to practice and get ready for the show.

Brianna would sing during dinner, in the morning and any time she had a spare moment. She practiced so much that even Brice was able to recite the Memory Verse and sing the songs.

Finally, Jan. 13th was here! Brianna got ready in her beautiful dress and Brian and I gave her a good luck card before we left for the program. She had quite a cheering crowd and did a wonderful job. She knew all the hand motions, sang loud and was so confident and happy up on that stage.

Posing before we left the house

Up on stage, look at that smile, what a performer!

What a mighty God we serve! Brice was in the audience singing with her and doing all of the motions too :)

Congratulations! High fives all around!

Brianna said she felt so Special, we got her a rose for her job well done and for all of the hard work she put in practicing for the Big night! She said she loved it up on stage because the lights were shining on her.

Good Bye Diapers!

Bricen is now entering his 3rd week without diapers. He is wearing Big Boy undies during the day and pull-ups during the night. Although it was a little tough at first, he is proving to be a star student at potty training or as they call it now, "toilet learning".

About a year ago he started going potty on the toilet occasionally and would occasionally go poop too. Over the last few months he has had several days of success then taken steps backwards. The best example of this was one day towards the end of November, when I caught him in the act of going poop in his diaper. He had been doing so well going on the toilet and keeping his diapers dry, so I let him know I was disapointed in him. He insisted on continuing to go in his diaper, so I told him to let me know when he was finished so I could change him. He could tell I was not happy. He came and found me in the playroom when he was finished and started rubbing my arm. He said, "Mommy you an angel, you a miracle" he was trying to butter me up after he knew I wasn't happy. He looked at me with those sweet little eyes and said, "you not pointed in me mommy". Oh it just ripped at my heartstrings... Needless to say, I laid off for a little while.

Then opportunity struck. Just before New Year's we went to only underwear. He went through several pairs during the day at first, but now he is doing great! He went several days last week with no accidents. Today we went on an out of town trip and he wore the same pair of underwear the whole day! As each day goes on, Brice becomes a bigger and bigger boy. Before I know it he will be bigger than me:)

I think these undies are just the cutest! I had to take a picture to remember how small they are, yet what a big step for a Big Boy.

Look at all of those stickers on the Potty Chart!

First 2009 Project

When we first bought this house, there were a few things at the top of my list to change. WALLPAPER! I am happy to announce that the last of the wallpaper is GONE. I never really knew how much I dislike wallpaper until we started tearing it down soon after we moved in. New texture and a fresh coat of paint really makes a room look new & ours. I still have several rooms to re-paint, but it is such a relief to know that there is no more wallpaper to tear down.

Before...

This faucet always grossed us out. No matter how much I cleaned it, it was always gross.

Looks like a brand new sink!

Brian re-textured the walls, put in a new fan, power outlets, light fixture, mirror, and faucet among a few other small additions. The picture just doesn't do it justice. The color is a charcol grey and looks so great with the tile!

Christmas Continued...

One of the BEST Christmas gifts we got was a visit from Uncle Daniel and Aunt Mandy. Due to the snow and icy weather their trip got delayed but they only missed a couple days here. We got to spend Friday and Saturday with them & it was so good to see them and catch up. Brianna and Brice wanted to be with them as much as they could. We celebrated Christmas with my immediate family on the day after Christmas and once again, had a wonderful time. My Dad BBQ'd steak and shrimp on our deck and had lots of yummy stuff to go with it. There were many more gifts and everyone was greatful. Best of all we got to spend time together.

I am reminded that we are so lucky to have so many people to celebrate with. We love every moment we get to spend with family and missed the family we didn't get to celebrate with. I am thankful for many things, my children are thankful for many things. Material things aside, we would not be happy, would not lead the joyful lives we lead without everyone who surrounds us. I am blessed to be right where I am today!