Christmas Day!!

Well, Santa made it to our house and also Grandma and Grandpa Bryan's house for Kendal, Avery, Drew, and Edyn. Kendal got his Hex bug, Avery got her doll, Drew got some puzzles and toys, Edyn got new clothes and bows for her hair... we are all spoiled. It was a great day!!

We had dinner and left completely stuffed, us and our car. It really makes us reflect on how truly blessed we are. We have a home with warm beds, clean clothes, good food, and lots of love. We have family all around. We have health, safety, peace and love. Did I mention LOVE?? We have everything we need and more. We are thankful and blessed.

But it is more than earthly blessings we have. Christ was born to the Earth and we celebrate his birth on this day. He is the real reason for this day, this season, and this life we have!! We are thankful for a Christ, a Savior!! We would not have eternal blessings without him. Christmas Day is about forever, and I have what I want forever every day. Today just makes it feel special because Christmas only happens once a year.

Merry Christmas!!

Cookies for Santa

Christmas Eve!!!







Well, Santa can't be hungry tonight. We have to leave him a sweet treat or two for his long journey.





Kendal wrote his own letter this year and I have to share it. Translated it says:

"I like Christmas, and I love my presents. I want these toys but I have been a good and bad boy. I don't know if I should get any presents or if I should get some presents. I know that you will think of something. Love, Kendal"

Well, Santa, we know you will think of something, too. He has been a great boy, for the record!! Hope you have a safe and wonderful trip around the world!!

Merry Christmas , Everyone!!

Sitting on Santa's Lap

December 19, 2009

Santa looked great this year, as always. And his lap is as strong as ever. Our kids have really grown, as well as the family all together.




Kendal is six years old. He wanted a Nintendo DS, Bakugans, a remote controlled Jeep, and Hex bugs.



Avery just turned four years old. She wanted a hundred dollars, and a new doll.



Drew is not quite two years old. He first and foremost did NOT want to sit on Santa's lap. He wanted to spend more time outside with daddy.



Edyn is 5 weeks old. She was a little sleepy for Santa. She was happy to just be here for the festivities and family parties. She met lots of family on her first Christmas!!

It is always great to be with our families for Christmas!! We played games and laughed!! We wouldn't miss them for anything!!

Edyn's First Bath...

December 2, 2009, at two weeks old, Edyn Bryan had her first at home bath..



She loved it!!



And then she slept...

Birthday and Bowling For Our Avery

December 13th, 2009






Avery is four!! I can't believe it!! This year we thought she was old enough to decide what she wanted to do for her birthday. I offered to take just her to the new Princess and the Frog movie, but she was not interested. She wanted to go bowling...I kid you not, BOWLING!! So we went bowling as a family with the bumpers, the crazy shoes and even the greasy french fries from the snack bar. It turns out she is not bad at bowling. She has a very unique approach. She puts the ball down close to the line, gets a running starts and pushes with all her might. The ball rolls this way and that way until it finally reaches the pins. Sometimes a few fall over, and sometimes the ball stops altogether resting on the pins. We all had a great time!!

Four Things We Love About Avery:

1. We love her smile!! There are few things more deightful than her joyful smile and contagious laughter.

2. Avery loves her brothers and sister. She follows Kendal everywhere he goes and does everything he does because she loves him (Kendal does NOT love that much attention, but is patient anyway). She helps Drew pick up his toys and helps him put on his shoes. And Avery is such a great help with Edyn. She rocks her, picks out her clothes, sings to her, and even tries to change her diapers. Avery is just born to nurture.

3. Avery is musical. Her mom is especially happy about this one. Avery is always humming or making up her own unique songs. She loves Primary hymns and puts her won spin on them. She is also a dancer. It is great to see her move to the music and bop her head with the songs on the radio.

4. Avery is her own person. She can write her name, say and sign her alphabet, draw happy pictures of all her friends, and loves to read the scriptures (with help from mom and dad). She can pump herself on the swings, almost ride a two-wheeler bike and can navigate her Barbie Jeep better than most licensed Idaho drivers. She has her own sense of fashion and has an adventurous sense of fun!! She has a spark of greatness and we love her very much!!



Her favorite gift this year was a new church dress with a matchng dress for her favorite doll, Natalie Sophie.



The perfect touch was a glittery silver pair of shoes from Grandma-by-the-Temple.

Happy Birthday, Avery!! Hope you had a great one!!!

Cuteness...By A Nose

Drew has been great with his new little sister. In fact, he hugs her and holds her quite a bit. He has recently realized that she has some of the same body parts as he does, only smaller.

For example, he has a nose right here...






And Edyn has a nose right there...



Who knew a baby sister could teach us so many practical things??

She's Rolling Over Already...

Yep. Edyn is only two weeks old and she has already rolled over. I put her down to nap on the bed on a little pillow like this...




...and when I came back to check on her, she was like this...




...fast asleep. I think she may have had gravity working for her, and she has no recollection of the incident that I can get out of her, but I am just going to go ahead and chalk it up to potential prodigy status. I mean, when you hit milestones this quickly, it can really only point to one conclusion: superior genetics. Not bragging, just stating the facts. (hee hee)