Part 1: Happy ThanksBdayChristmaNewYear-A!!

I just get lost in the holidays...I really do! It is my absolute favorite time of year and yes, I am the first gal at Hobby Lobby picking up more decorations every year. The husby is wondering how many more color-coded, red and green plastic bins we will need by 2015 ;) Anywho, between moving into a new home, celebrating Daddy's Bday, hosting our 1st Annual Channel Family Holiday Party to benefit Toys 4 Tots (thanks to Steph and Ryan Pulliam for letting us steal your wonderful idea) and a really blessed Christmas and New Year...I just tried to soak in every moment and take mental pictures of my kids at this age...their reactions, sounds, emotions, excitement. If only I could bottle it up forever, it would make each day perfect. We were lucky enough to be referred to a wonderful photographer to capture my "growing-up-way-too fast" little ones, and with jaws dropped as we looked over the proofs, realized that Bella has officially met "kid" status. She has no resembalnce at all to that baby girl we have known for so long...she has grown to be an intelligent, kind-hearted, social butterfly who is the "girly" joy of our every day. On the other hand, the bittersweet realization that the little baby roll days of Brody are gone too...sniff sniff...my little man has grown to be a slim, athletic, adventurous, fearless, but just as sweet and snuggly as ever little "boy". I hope you have enjoyed the pictures of our adventures!! This fabulous blog post is going to be split into two because I have umpteen images from my phone that I have downloaded and are currently sorting. Bella has figured out how to use the camera on my phone so 80% of them are of the wall or tile...or verrry close self-portraits of Miss B ;)
Here's to a rock 'n' roll 2012 filled with blessings and smiles all year long!!

Mom & Dad headed off to work...and this is our send off every morning :)

Celebrating Daddy's 33rd Birthday at Sweet Berry Farms! Happy Bday Dad!

Grama in the gourds!

Work it Mary Lou Retton! Bella is loving her new gymnastics class

All growns up

My little Cowboy

It's Fall!!!

Ohhhh how happy I am that Fall is here! I love the Summer...full of pool days and my kids running around barefoot but I have a weakness for the Holiday Season. I have my decorating hat on and I am so ready to get my house Holidized! We started off the season with a super fun Halloween. This year was different than the past because Brody and Bella really got into Halloween this year! They picked out their own costumes (thanks Mimi) and were so ridiculously excited to put them on at any chance they could get. Bella chose "Snow White" and Brody chose "Buzz LightYear" which he calls...Buzz Yearrrrrr!!!! We dressed up for Bella's 1st ever Halloween Party at school....a great Trunk or Treat event and a night of fun trick or treating. They would run up to a door, ring the bell and yell "Trick or Treat"...then they would take off and Brody would yell the word "CANDY" all the way to the door of the next house. So funny and of course they got quite the reaction from passersby :) Had a blast...countdown to next year!!

Brody was a bit hesitant, so in true Big Sister manner...Bella stepped in an made him all "big boy" So sweet.

Even an arm around his shoulder...awwwe!!!

Our beautiful beauty

On a "Buzz Yearrrrr!" mission

Grandma joined us and handed out candy to a crazy amount of kids in the neighborhood!

Storytime at Bella's preschool Trunk or Treat event

Brody hoarding pumpkins

Bella loves stories and she was enthralled by the awesome storyteller...

If you were all wondering how Snow White bows....Behold!!!

Counting their loot...just before we hide it and slowly eat it ourselves...just kidding...okay maybe kidding just a little ;)

Bella loved handing out candy to the last remaining kids in the neighborhood

So ready for Winter!!

Prayers Needed

Many friends and family of ours know the wonderful and beautifully spirited Stephine Pulliam. I just wanted to send out a huge request for prayers for this sweet gal. As many of you know Stephine has been battling ovarian cancer with a vengeance, she has taken the bull by the horns and has been battling this disease with more faith and courage than you can imagine. She impresses Matt & I more than we could ever put into words. She has received news that she has a 3cm brain tumor and will be undergoing surgery this coming Monday, October 24th to remove the tumor. She has gone through so much and we would like you to each pray for her strength in mind and body, courage to stand up to the unknown, and recovery support for she and her wonderful husband Ryan who has stood by her side on this unexpected journey.

Thank you all for your prayers, I believe prayer in numbers works miracles xoxo

photo courtesy of carrie terrones photography

Teacher's Pet

Her 1st Spirit Day!

Check out the shoes...that she picked out...bling bling high top converse, so stylish girl

Our itty bitty school girl!

Fabulous Times and Good Company

Corinne, Alison, Julie, Beth, Meredith, Me and Kim...

Looking good ladies!

Our handsome other halves ;)

Matt and I were so excited to take a trip to Palo Alto, CA to celebrate the wedding day of Beth & Greg, one of my dearest friends from college at U of A and her fabulous new hubby. Beth looked breathtaking in her wedding gown and the entire weekend was beautiful. I miss my girlfriends so much and loved catching up...it has been way too long. But a few kids later, new spouses, new careers and new adventures...and we girls pick up right where we left off as if we have not spent a day apart. I miss them already but love the memories we get to share. XOXO