Santa!

Every year we go to the mall to see Santa, and this year was no exception. We always go with all the cousins, and it is always so much fun! They have a train that we all can ride, but this year it wasn't working which was a little let down, but we still had a great time together. Ali, Kate and Madison all said they were really good this year

What Great Cousins!!
Pappa has come every year to enjoy
the grandkids

Brittany and the Boys!

Ali asked for a pet you have to fix with the doctor set

Kate asked for a "Cupcake Maker"

and Madi wasn't quite decided!

Cams first time seeing Santa- Ali of course

explained he wasn't the real santa, just one

of the Santa "Helpers"

Cute Cousins

Cam wasn't really into the whole ordeal

He just wanted his Milk

We had a great time and we were glad we

made it before the Snow Hit!

The Lights!

Well this is probably the first year we didn't make it to Temple Square to see the lights! With 2 sick kids and me on the mend of this nasty cold and back drama we decided to do the next best/closest thing- the THANKSGIVING POINT lights!!!! We figured since we didn't have to go far, we could stay in the car, and since I am a member it is cheap! So we went for family night over to see the lights to get in the Christmas spirit. Ali has been wanting to go since they put them up, and I told her we could go once it snowed- So then came the Snow and Lots of it!!

It was actually really fun, and so nice we could stay in the warmth of our car!

Even Cam enjoyed his first Christmas Lights adventure

After the drive through the lights they told us that

Santa and his reindeer were at the Water tower.

So we headed over to see the Reindeer!

We got lucky because Comet and Blitzen were just

chillin at Thanksgiving point. Ali thought that was

pretty cool! I got to pet them.

They were cooler in real life!!!

The Whisper!

I had to write about this because it is one of my favorite things Cam does right now. He loves when you whisper in his ear. He could be screaming, crying, laughing,whatever- but if you start to whisper in his ear, he stops everything and is FROZEN!! He doesn't move the entire time you whisper in his ear. It is HILARIOUS. Me and Ali, and Fro get a huge kick out of it. He just gets this stare on his face, and is frozen the entire time you whisper in his ear. Last night he was a little cranky because he has a cold, and so I started whispering in his ear, and he stopped! He sat there so long he almost fell asleep! He is so cute!

Down, but NOT OUT!!

Since I have had a cold since THANKSGIVING, and I managed to ruin my back, things have been a little low key for us. Ali has been getting a little antsy to get out and do something. So last week she wanted to go swimming so bad that she put my yoga mat on the treadmill and pretended it was a swimming pool. She was really practicing her stroke,

and I must say she was getting better and better!!

So Saturday night - despite all of Fros cryptosporidum fears we headed to the pool. My dad is friends with everyone and he asked the local Hampton Inn girls if we could come swim in their pool. Maybe out of towners have a less likely chance to be carrying Crypto-??? Who knows!!

So we took Ali and Cam and headed to the pool!

It was Cams first time in the pool, and He LOVED it.

I even thought the hot tub would be to much for him, but not this kid-

He LOVED it all.

And of course we can't go anywhere without at least one cousin!

So Brooke and Madi came to make it even more fun!!



Having a ball in the pool!!

Brooke and Madison!

Our family was starting a new tradition. My sister Brittany

really wanted to have a gingerbread house contest. So

each family had to make their own house for a family night

and bring it to our family party to be judged by my mom

and Dad!! I think it turned out pretty good!

Alis' best creation was the heart shaped window with the candy canes.

Ta- Da!!


Then Ali had her "Jingle Jam" at school on Friday. She got to wear little elf ears and sing the cutest little songs with the whole kindergarten. She told me after that she was really nervous there were so many people there. Pappa and Sunny came out in the blizzard to support her and that was so great. Don't you just love Christmas Time!!

Last Night we had our annual Brown Family Auction. It is a tradition that we always look forward to every year. Everyone in the family brings 2 good gifts, and 2 bad gifts. You wrap them up so no one knows what is good, and what is not so good. We play games to earn some money and then the bidding begins. You use the money you earned to buy whatever you want. The best part is you never know if what your spending all your money is good or not. Sometimes you luck out, and sometimes you end up with a freaky Gingerbread doll that haunts our auction.

One thing Dan ended up with a cool beanie my sister knitted

or chroched whatever you call it. She had made one for Ali and Madi too, but Dan

was the real winner- Look at how awesome that is!!

My cute Dad and Sister Brittany

Another thing my family does is called "MUG MANIA". Everyone

brings a mug with whatever you want in it. ANd we have this story that

says right and left a whole bunch of times. So the kids were trying it out this year and we

learned they need some work on thier right and left hands. They had

a great time though. We also take what my mom calls "Mug Shots" and each of

us have to pose with a sign that says- We got Mugged 2008. We have pictures of everyone clear back to Forever!! It is pretty fun to look back and see each person change!

Here they are with their mugs ready to begin passing!

Bulged What?????

So I haven't been my usual blogging self lately because I found out today that my back pain really has a name!!!! The doctor I went to after three weeks of walking around like an old lady said I have a Bulged Disc. I am glad to know that I wasn't just being a whimp! I'll tell you what, I have so much more appreciation for people with chronic back pain because the last three weeks have SUCKED. I kept thinking it would go away, but every time I had to pick up my little man it kept reoccurring to me that I could barely hold him or I would drop him. That is the worst feeling ever!!! So now I am undergoing a bit of physical therapy and hopefully for Christmas I will get a stronger back. So thanks to everyone for all the advice, massages- I loved that- and help everyone gave me over the last few weeks, you all are the BEST!!!! And an extra special THANKS to my dad and DAN who showed up after 10:00 to give me a blessing. And my Cute Dad who didn't want me going to the doctors alone and showed up with donuts for everyone. Dad I am the luckiest girl in the world, and I love you SOOOOO much!!

Best Friends!

Last Night we had our Girls Christmas Party, at my house, and it was so much fun. Everyone came with three of their favorite things (each under $5.00) and we did an exchange, and we got to see what everyone loves at the same time. It was so much fun! It is always a good time with friends you have had since the 4th grade! We try to get together at least once a month but not everyone can make it, so it was really fun since all of us were there. Shaunel even made the trip from Wyoming- Thanks Smee!! I have some of the cutest friends! Hollie, Jen , and Cheryl

Some of Lindsays favorites involved food! Who can argue with that!

I have never seen anyone so excited for Gripper socks!

Look at that group!



And being the host, it is a NEW traditon that you get a back "Rub down" after the party!! Thanks Holls, my back is feeling a little better. You do good work!

Little Buddies

Yesterday we had our cute little neighbor Gage come over and "Play." Well play for as much as 6 and 7 months old can play! The cutest part was Cam had just woken up and I was holding Gage and he looked at him like, What are YOU doing in my moms arms!! They were so fun to watch socialize in their "CRIB" - okay I know that is cheesy and gangsterish, but they are in the crib.

The funniest thing was that when his mom, ANITA, came to get him I was showing her the pictures of them togeather. She said, "Is he sitting up by himself?" I didn't realize he couldn't do that yet and he did it for the first time at my house!!! YIPEE!! Good thing I pulled out the camera! Sorry you missed it Anita- It was pretty cute, Even cuter now that I know it was his first time!

Where did she learn that!

This morning I was feeding Cam and Ali sat down on the stool I had my feet on. She asked if it hurt when she sat on my feet. I said," No you just have a boney bum!" She asked what in the world is a "Boney Bum." So I said someone who has a boney bum doesn't have very much fat on it. She looked at me and said," Like you..... would know, your bum is so TINY, I was thinking of Cam. He has lots of fat. It is just squirting out his diaper." She went on and on. I am pretty sure she was going to say someone elses' name and caught herself before she got into to much trouble. How great is that! The only bad thing is now I have no idea if she is telling me the truth about my appearance! I wonder where she learned that!!! (FRO)

One Tough Guy!

Cam just turned 7 months old and had to go in for his booster flu shot today. Ali did her usuall pep talk of " Just be brave Cam." He went in and the nurse talked about how cute he was over and over again, every mom loves that! Then I said it was to bad he would be screaming like a girl in a minute. She then pulled out the needle, as I held his arms. She jabbed it in and then......................Nothing!!! He looked at the nurse for a second and then just smiled. I don't know if it is his CHUBBY legs (because he wieghs over 20lbs- yes that is correct) but he didn't even flinch! What a tough little fella- Way to go Chubby Bubba!

My Little Ali

One of my favorite things about my days is waking up to Ali saying," Mom do you want me to climb in bed with you and we can just talk?" She then continues to plan out our day. This is seriously almost daily. She loves having a plan. She usually discusses all the events that are to take place that day and all the activities we are going to do together. Her favorite activites are Hide and Go seek- I hide in the "Hard" places. She loves Red Light Green Light, and Who am I. We play them quite often.

Today she decided we were going to have a store in our basement and we would take turns purchasing all the items in the store. So in order to make it a "GREAT" store we had to pull out everything she owns. It was quite the store. The best part was she wore her "Working" outfit, and then I got to wear it when I was the store owner, I looked pretty Hot!!. She is So fun. It always makes me feel good that she wants to play with me more than anyone else. I know someday it won't be that way so I am just loving it as long as I can!

Phinney is BACK!!!

A tradition we started a few years ago is our family Elf Phinney. We have LOVED having Phinney come to our house on December 1st. He is our reminder elf to be good, and loving, and sharing, and caring and all those good things we like to be.-- Especially around Christmas. He comes on Dec. 1st and usually comes in a spectacular way bringing at least on little gift. He doesn't talk, and Ali isn't allowed to touch him, he just watches us. Ali LOVES him. He moves around the house and follows us, and watches how we act to make sure we are being as good as we can. And boy are we all on our best behavior. Every year Phinney brings a note, and a tells us how well we have done so far,

and that he is excited to spend the next 24 days with us.

The month goes by so fast that it is always hard to see Phinney leave.

This year he brought a Christmas sticker book for Ali,

and told her how exciting it is that she is the best big sister in the world.

She was So excited!!

Last year Phinney left his black boot prints all over the house,

but this year he left "ELF DUST" from his trail into the house to Alis room, and back to the kitchen. You can't see it very well, but Ali sure loved the Magical Elf dust.


Phinney hides in the funniest places, and Ali loves to find him throughout the whole day. One thing we started this year is that Ali can write messages to Phinney. It has been fun since she is learning to write. It has motivated her. She writes him questions, and he responds and leaves her some yummy treats!! Thanks Phinney you are the greatest Helper!!