Lots and Lots of Fun

This week has been so much fun! On Wednesday, I took Raylee and Bradock down to Brett's dental school, so Bradock could have his first dental experience. He got to go the the Free Tooth Clinic that the school provides for children under 2, where he got a cleaning and fluoride treatment. He did such a good job and Brett was having so much fun showing off his kids to all his classmates.


Thursday I got to be a part of the crazy Twilight fan experience. My sister called me last week and asked if she bought tickets would I like to go to the opening midnight showing of Twilight. I was so excited because the books were fantastic and I was dying to see Edward in real life. So, we went to dinner and got to the theatre at 7:30pm and to my suprise there was already the longest line I have ever seen at a movie theatre. It was crazy. So, we waited in the outside line for about an hour and a half and then they let the first 800 people into the theatre. Luckily, that included us and we got great seats, so we spent the next few hours playing cards, talking, laughing histerically and getting really slap happy because the late hours were really starting to kick in. At about 11pm I was thinking to myself "this is absolutely crazy and I'm so tired", but then the movie started and I wouldn't have missed it for the world. It was so awesome, Edward was exactly how I pictured him and the movie was fantastic. I can't wait for the other movies to come out. Thanks, Sarah and Kristen for making the night an absolute blast!!




Friday evening we headed to Gilbert for the Annual Gilbert Days Rodeo. We went with our Bishop and his family. We ended up taking our 3 nephews, Bradock and our neighbors' 2 kids...we were definately out numbered, but more the merrier!! Great Grandma and Grandpa Kocherhans watched Raylee and we headed to the rodeo with a car full of kids.

Here is our pre-rodeo tailgate party. The kids love jammin out to the radio.



I knew we were in trouble when 2 of the kids fell asleep before we even got to the rodeo. Luckily, they woke up when we got there and had a great time.


Here's the whole gang. We just love RODEOS!!

Bradock was having so much fun hanging out with all the kids and seeing all the horses at the rodeo.

Here's Hannah, Kasen, Grady, Crew and Carson.

Aren's suckers the best? It keeps kids occupied for awhile and they are just so yummy.

A Taste of Cold Weather

On Thursday, the kids and I headed up to Pinetop to visit Grandma and Papa Tindall. We were excited to see snow because they got a ton of it last week. Unfortunately, the snow had all melted, but the weather was still freezing. We had so much fun hanging out with Grandma and Papa. Bradock got to enjoy a little bit of an early Christmas, since Papa couldn't wait to see him in his "new Escalade".


Bradock was having so much fun playing with the little doggie door. Don't you just love the simple things that make kids laugh?

While Bradock was playing outside, he discovered Grandma's hiding place for his Christmas presents...they learn so fast. Grandma gave in and let him ride his new scooter. Luckily, Bradock is still young enough that she can wrap it up again and he'll never know.



What a little stud muffin! When I sent Brett a text of this pic, he text back and said Bradock better not be getting any wrong ideas about what he'll be driving in high school. Looks like dad is going to be a scrooge and make you drive what mom used to...a yellow 1978 B-210 Datsun...whoohoo!!

Bradock loved his new truck and gave Papa a big hug for the fun gift.

Bradock was a little scared of pushing the pedal and making it move, but he sure loved looking at all the little gadgets and stickers and getting in and out of it.


I couldn't forget my cute little girl. Miss Raylee sure is getting big and growing up so fast. She loves being the center of attention and likes to be held up, so she can see everything.

She also loves to grab things, especially mom's necklaces...what can I say she's a girly girl.

She sure does love those hands.

Back to home sweet home. We were so excited to see Dad.

Now that Bradock is in a big boys bed, he sometimes doesn't end up actually sleeping in it. He loves to play in his room and when he gets tired, he just crashes. The other day, I was finishing cleaning my bathroom and Bradock wasn't playing in my room anymore, so I went to find out what he was doing. I walked around the corner and the door to his room was shut. I cracked it open and my sweet little boy had shut his door, crawled up in his bed, snuggled with all his blankies and went to sleep...it was only 9:30am. I don't think he's ready to drop those morning naps yet.

I was playing on the floor with Raylee and Bradock had to get in on the action.


Isn't she such a cutie? I love her cute, big brown eyes, her dark, long eyelashes and that adorable black hair. I can't believe I have already had to give her several haircuts.


My dad and I had a date night Saturday evening. I have been dying to see High School Musical 3, so my mom said she would watch the kids so I could go with my dad. We had so much fun. When we got to the theatre my dad asked if I wanted some popcorn...are you kidding; do you even have to ask?!! I said I would love to share some, so I went and got some seats while he got the goodies. When he came to join me he had 2 XL bags of popcorn. I started laughing because when it comes to popcorn my family just doesn't like to share. Needless to say, we both scarfed our bags and enjoyed every minute of the movie. I totally get my love of music and dancing from my dad (not that I'm talented in either, but I sure love to listen and watch). I love that my dad appears to be a big, burly masculine man, but he sure loves a good musical anyday. Thanks for the date dad. I had so much fun!!

Tag...I'm It

Okay, so I usually hate the whole "tag" thing, but this one wasn't so bad and since Mele tagged me, I gotta do what the prego lady says. The way to play this game of tag is to go to your picture files and look in the fourth folder and find the fourth picture. Then display and explain.

So here it is...my hubby on Christmas day in 2003. That was the year he bought me my first digital camera, so I took this adorable pic of him. Wow, babe, you don't really look that different, but that's okay because that smile is one I never want to change. Brett is known as "Perm" (short for "perma-grin"). No joke, he is the most happy-go-lucky guy I have ever known. It is probably one of the biggest reasons he won my heart. It's that smile that makes my day better and makes our kids feel safe and loved. Thanks, Brett, for being the smile in our life.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

Today marks the 6th year that Donnie and I have been married. They have been wonderful years and I am so lucky to have Donnie as mine. She is beautiful inside and out. She is one of the smartest people I know and lucky for me she did want to pursue dental school because she would have taken my seat. I wish I had half her brain. Donnie is the best mom. Our kids love and adore her and we are all so grateful for the sacrifices she has made to be at home, to teach them and love them. Just wanted everyone to know how much I love and appreciate Donnie. Happy Anniversary sweetheart!



This was one of my favorite anniversaries ever! On our second year I drug Donnie into the mountains on a overnight horseback trip and she was a great sport despite her fear of horses and dislike for camping. She puts up with all the things I enjoy, just another reason why I love her so much!

Happy Halloween!!

We started our Halloween Festivities by going to the zoo last Saturday, where they had a special Halloween day. We didn't realize it was costume day at the zoo, but it was fun to see all the kids dressed up. Bradock ended up falling asleep a little ways into walking around, so it ended up being Brett and I enjoying all the animals.




Halloween evening we headed out to Queen Creek to meet up with the Hall's and Gonzalez's. Their neighborhood does a big block party and potluck before Trick or Treating begins, which is such a fun idea. Bradock was Ricky Carmichael, which was a great hand-me-down costume from cousin Grady...we love hand-me-downs!! Raylee got to wear her cute "My First Halloween" onsie from Grandma Flaherty, so next year I will definately have to get her a costume.

We hit up a few houses for some candy and then called it a night. Our kids like to be in bed around 7 (or should I say Mom likes it even better), so we went home, put the kids to bed and got to hang out with our neighbors all night.

Here we are hanging out in our neighbors driveway. They had their projector and speakers all set up to watch movies off a screen on their garage door. We ended up watching Wizard of Oz to the soundtrack of Pink Floyd, which by the way was amazing. We also watched Frankenstein, which I had never seen. It was actually fun to hang out until 1am again...oh the good ol' days.



Here is a pic of Bradock at our ward Halloween party. He had so much fun riding on this fake bull.