Christmas 2012

Brax and baby cousin Jayden

Brax and baby cousin Tate

Brax and Brev decided to make snowmen in one of our first trips.

Our drive home on Christmas Eve.

We decided as a family that we were going to spend Christmas at home.  It was very different because we'd never done that before.  Branden was up at 6 and insisted that I get up and get ready.  Braxten didn't get up until just before 8 am.  It was a fun morning.  I made breakfast casserole for my guys, because that's what they requested.  We opened presents and then ate breakfast.

This year I cut back on all the presents, but it was still a nice day.  Braxten received a Nintendo DS XL and two model Tonka vehicles from Santa.  He also got two remote control cars and a remote control dune buggy.  Roller blades, a beanie, and DS games rounded out his gifts.  Branden received a blessing oil vile and games.  I got a breast pump and pads, also some earrings.  As a couple we received some movies, popcorn, candy, a Christmas book, calendar and a few other things I can't think of right now.  We had a lot of fun.  Also, we had a special gift for Braxten.  We decided that we'd give him the gift of finding out what gender his sibling is.  He was so excited and was bouncing off the walls.  We found out IT'S A GIRL!  He was so excited because that's what he really wanted.

After breakfast I started working on our evening meal.  While trying to get my stuffing made for that night I fell in the kitchen.  I ended up in the splits and it has sent me in pain since then.  I'm not sure if I stretched myself out or pulled something.  Oh well!  We had hamburgers for lunch and relaxed through the afternoon.  For dinner I made stuffing, potatoes, and turkey.  It turned out quite well.

 Due to weather conditions we spent a few more days at home.  We did a favor for my dad on the 26th and had a lazy day.  On the 27th Branden went to work and I headed to the doctor with Braxten.  The doctor had Brax find the heart beat.  I measured a few days early.  It was fun to have Brax with me for my appointment.

On the 28th we headed back to Venice/Glenwood for the final time before the baby is born.  We played games and visited.  On the 29th we had the Spencer family Christmas party.  Brax and I went and had fun visiting with cousins that I hadn't seen in a while.  We went to church in Venice and I kept throwing up.  It was not the best church experience.  On New Year's Eve we headed up to Jeremy and Katie's for dinner.  We had Cafe Rio burritoes and little smokies.  We also had a really good dessert that included Golden Grahams, caramel popcorn, chocolate, and I can't remember what else.  I was addicted!  Branden headed over to hang out with some friends.  I'd been throwing up and not feeling well so I headed back to my parents.  That night I hung out with my mom and the grandkids.  My dad was sick so he went to bed.  Mother Goose came that night and brought Brax another DS game and us some more game boards to add to our Ticket to Ride collection.  That afternoon we headed over to the Anderson's for lunch and then back home.  It was so nice to see everyone over a three week period, but I was sure ready to be in my own home again.

Santa 2012

I can tell that Brax is definitely getting older.  We had our ward party right before all of the wedding events.  He spoke to Santa and man what a wish list.  He asked for an iPad, basketball hoop, Nintendo 3DS, Wii games, and a big screen TV.  He added a few since we had talked last.  He is so funny!

Gearing up for Christmas

This year I decided to calm down on the Christmas decorating!  My theme this year is "Less is More!"  I am taking it a lot easier, but I kind of need to slow down at this point.  I have been exhausted and overdo things a lot!  Imagine that!  I waited until after Brax's party to put out the Christmas decor because I didn't want anything to get broken.  We did things a little differently.  Brax usually has a tree in his playroom.  We usually have a family one in the family room and one in the entry way that is small.  This year we put them all together and Brax informed me that the other little tree is now the baby's.  He informed me also that we need another stocking for baby.  He wanted one this year, but I told him the baby wasn't born yet but I'd let him pick one out on clearance for next year. 

The tree on the left is now the baby's and the one on the right is Brax's.

Brax's village - It belongs to the whole family, but Brax is the one that selects the new pieces each year and determines how it'll be set up.  Next year it'll be up on top of the cupboards, but I didn't want to attempt it this year since my balance is off for some reason!

For Christmas gifts Branden suggested that I make my grandma's candy for neighbors and friends.  I haven't attempted making her candy in years, so I decided it was worth the try.  If I could get it all done between 30 and 31 weeks of pregnancy, I should be able to handle it not pregnant.  I got all the candy done in a week.  I made 3 batches of toffee and caramel, 2 batches of fudge, 1 batch of fondant for cherry chocolates, 3 batches peanut clusters, 2 large bags of mini marshmallows, 2 bags of rod pretzels, and 2 bags of mini pretzels all of which were covered in chocolate!  It was a fun, but challenging time.  One of my caramel batches didn't turn out well it was too soft, but that was the only mishap I guess besides burning my finger.  Next year we'll only make 2 batches of caramel.  One will be caramels and the other will be for turtles.  We got out our gifts early this year due to the fact that we're preparing for my sister's wedding.  I'm excited to be able to celebrate a wedding and also for our friends and neighbors to know that we love them! 

marshmallows

pretzels

Toffee

Cherry chocolates - they didn't turn out real pretty, but I know what to do differently next year.

turtles

Fudge - Branden isn't a fudge fan, but he loves my fudge!  It's a Christmas miracle!

This is how my table has looked for the past week.  We get things done and put it away then do more!

I did cut back on gifts this year and tried to get people more meaningful presents.  I love the Christmas season and how giving everyone is.  I do feel bad for those that feel so desperate that they steal from others to get gain, but I believe there are more giving people than those who take away.  I'm grateful for my Savior, Jesus Christ and his birth.  He is a great example to each of us and a person I hope that I even somewhat emulate in my life.  I look forward to spending time with family and friends.  I am excited however to spend our first Christmas at home just three of us, soon to be four.  It's something we've never done before and I think it'll give us each time to think about what we're grateful for and not worry about running from one house to another and if we're spending enough time with each family.  Don't get me wrong, I enjoy being in the middle of family for Christmas, but sometimes it's too stressful.  As I've proved, in high stress situations I start to have contractions and Branden is really worried about keeping my stress level low.  I also like mixing things up every once in a while.  I wish you all a Merry Christmas!  I hope we can all remember the reason for the season!

Christmas 2011

WARNING: This post is long and full of pictures, I hope you enjoy it!

On December 21st we headed to Venice and Glenwood for Christmas as soon as Brax got out of school. For Braxten's 8th birthday my parents were taking him to ride the Polar Express on the 22nd. He had a great time. They had hot cocoa and cookies. They each also got a mug to remember their trip as well as a special ticket. Brax was excited to go and especially excited because he got to stay in a hotel with Grandpa and Grandma. The next day they did some shopping and headed back to Venice. Brax was antsy to get home because all his Anderson cousins were in town. The night of the 23rd was the Oldroyd family Christmas party. The Anderson clan was in charge. We ate dinner, the kids decorated cookies, acted out the nativity, and played some games. It was a lot of fun. Following the party Brax headed back to my parents to have the Christmas cousin sleep over.

Brax was Joseph in orange.

The whole group.

The kids played a game where they have to dress in winter wear (gloves, hats, scarves, etc.) and then run and open a present. Brax's present was easy though because I put it in a bag. He got an eyeball that splatters on the floor. It's pretty cool.

Christmas Eve was kind of a busy day. We tried to help get some stuff done. Branden went bowling with our friends while I helped my youngest sister make rolls for the Spencer family party since my mom was sick. We ate dinner at the Andersons and then headed to the Spencer party. After playing the game we headed back to the Andersons for the kids to open gifts.

Spencer family Christmas Eve party. We only made it in time for a game, but it was fun. Each person was supposed to bring a gift under $3. Each person took turns opening a present they were handed and then they could keep it or trade with someone else. I got a little kids book, Branden traded for the popcorn, and Brax traded for chips and salsa, his favorite. I gave the book to Easton, our nephew, because he didn't have many books and it was too young for Brax.

Grandpa and Grandma Anderson gave all the boys remote control cars.

A pogo stick from Brinley.

Christmas morning, we opened presents in our church clothes. We waited for Brax to get up and so we decided we'd get ready for church while he was sleeping. He woke up and saw us ready for church and decided to get ready himself.


Branden chose what he got for Christmas. He got jars for our flour and sugar, spatulas, tupperware, a volleyball, and basting brushes. He was the 1st to use all of his gifts. He was really excited about his presents. He told me that if he expects me to make good food, then I need good things to use to make the food. I did really appreciate it.
Brax wasn't as spoiled as most years, but that was okay too. Santa brought him a Blu Ray player and some movies. He also got a new outfit and a camera. The theme this year was movies and entertainment, but that's what he wanted. He did also get a puzzle.

I too got a new camera, a vest, and a coat.

Brax hopped on his pogo stick before going to church.
After church we went to my grandparents for breakfast and more present opening. I love to go to Grandma's for breakfast. my grandparents gave Brax a remote control truck.

After visiting our siblings houses to see what they got for Christmas, we headed to my parents house. We hung out and opened more presents. We got a roaster and bobbin saver. Brax got Legos, the one thing Santa didn't bring him, but he wanted.

After Christmas day we were exhausted, but stayed up late playing games anyway. The next day my sister, Shanelle, went in to have her gall bladder removed. I spent the day with my sister and family mostly. Cara and I went to lunch and hung out at the hospital for a couple hours. We couldn't decide when to come home, but ended up staying until the 29th. By then we were ready to come home and get some stuff done and just to hang out just the three of us. It was nice to spend time with everyone for Christmas. We did stay home and hang out for New Year's as well because once again, I wasn't feeling well. While in Glenwood over Christmas I developed a sinus infection and am finally get over it.