It is Christmas time and therefore appropriate to update you all on our family!
Well lets see...
Bryce our little one is now a one year old. Since he was born he has always been a great baby. Now that he is traveling around the house he gets into more trouble. He has graduated from the army crawl, which he did so well on the hardwood floor (he seriously looked like a reptile) to just crawling. He walks from various objects to objects but still is very timid to take his first steps. He is now also needing less nap time and we are in the middle of the "one" or "two" naps a day. It is sad for me because I really need to down time in the afternoon but don't quite get that time anymore.

Jaxon is a adventurous one. He also doesn't like to listen and knows what he is doing is naughty but will do it anyway with this slow walk and mischievous grin. He also is the one that needs the most loves or he will cry like a fire engine constantly. He also doesn't like to go to sleep but also has a hard time waking up after naps..whats up with that! I would love a nap.

Mason is in a stage where he like to do things by himself and also ways says "I do it" , or "help you". The main ones are that he needs to dress himself, and buckle himself in the car seat. IF you don't let him do it himself, we are in for a fit. We are still working on this one. He has such a fun personality,and also has a soft heart for his twin brother Jaxon. He will give any treat, fruit snack or sippy cup to his brother when asked. Mason is also very good with "please" and "thank you".

Chase is just turned four and is finally potty trained.. I thought he would go to school in diapers. He mastered this within the last month or so. Brad and I are excited that we only have to change three diapers and not four. Chase loves to play guitar, drums and quite frequently asks to watch Blue Man group or Rock band. Then he proceeds to jump on the couch and then bang his drum sticks (kitchen utensils) on the arm of the couch. He likes being dry and clean (umm ....where does he get that from) and if he gets a speck of water on his clothes.. he will change his outfit. He is known to change his shirt and pants two to three times a day.
Emilie is just at home enjoying the time raising kids.. It has been a struggle to re-train the brain and not to be so uptight about things and how things need or should be. I am getting used to the fact that one day I will use my brain for organization, cleaniness, and to be on time ...but just not right now. I have the daily chore chart , diet soda and the occasional Kohl's trips to keep my sane. I dabbling into sewing and still like to make cards. Other than that I am just there for the kids and my hubby. I plan on using the workout tapes in the cuboard soon. I have no excuse anymore.
Brad did get a job and will work their until he can find a another job that he can actually use his skills he is known for and good at. He loves his work schedule of 5am to 2pm. Not! He has started a new hobby of growing exotic plants and has a terrarium. He feeds them spiders and ants that we catch in our house. What Fun!
It has been a hard 2009 ... it is not a year that we want to repeat but it is almost over and hopefully Heaven Father will have something better in store for our family in the coming year. We are blessed that we are healthy and happy. We have wonderful extended family and a ward family that really loves us and looks out for us. It is so great to feel loved and I along with Brad are very humbled this year and especially this holiday season from all the love and service people have shown our family. One day soon we hope to give the abundant love and service that has been rendered to our family to others. Count your blessings!
Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!