"MY TOP 5"

1. Playing or going somewhere fun with my hubby and/or kids. They are my favorite people!

2. Getting a "s fix" from glorious candy, so I can release endorphins from a hardcore exercise, to then see the shedding of pounds I gained from eating the candy or having a baby!

Chewy: sour patch kids, jujubees, Haribo gummy bears, hot tamales, mike & ikes, smarties

Chocolate: symphony bar w/toffee and almonds, rolo, butterfinger, and milkyway decent jog on the treadmill, work'n the weights, or Kathy Smith, P90X, or Taebo videos

All too often I hop on the scale knowing it is going to upset me, but I still find myself getting on and recieving the beating- which makes it oh so thrilling when I'm actually making progress and see bit by bit the chub released.

3. Having personal time to either Blog/digital scrapbook my pictures, read a great better-me book, crochet cute booties or blankets for people I like, or last of all if I'm alone Shop til I drop.

My most recently completed book. I enjoyed this book so much because it was a great reminder of things I forget to prioritize that will bring me more happiness, and help my husband feel my love.

I could easliy lose myself in hours and hours of crocheting. Oh how the time flies.

This is a rare activity these days, but one thing I love to do. Just go by myself and shop. I find I have most fun alone, but if its someone who loves shopping as much as I do like my sister Becca, then I can have just as much fun going with a friend. But I'll take shopping however I can get it, so I often go with kids just to get my fill, and them to get an outing.

4. Spend time and have great chats with sisters, mom, and friends who I know care about me.

5. Relaxing or laying out on a beach, while my kids dig in the sand.

Thanks Tara this was fun, I now tag: Mary, Chrystal, Becca, Kim, & Becky

Best Buddies? Not Quite

So looking at these little "buddy" pictures you'd think that these two are the bestest of buddies right? Oh so wrong, Poor little Brooklyn endures more than any little baby sister should. I try to protect her or keep her near me, but because she's so mobile she wants to be down and on the go.... but it comes with a price, and that price is recieving either a beating, pushing, bugging, poking, robbery, or any other big brother middle child syndrome Tyler can dish out. I swear sometimes I wonder if or when it could be possible that she will ever be able to just do her own thing. Both Morgan and Tyler seem to pick on her all day long, and its of course especially bad when they are both bored and I am distracted. The one that seems to be the most frustrating for her, is being pushed away. Morgan and Tyler are not the best of communicators, so if they don't like that she's bombarding her way into their fun or trying to steal a turn with a bike or book, she gets a big shove! Poor BABY! Is there any relief for the little pumpkin?

Look Daddy, I can Shave like YOU DO!

Tyler is usually very independent in his play, and loves to disappear or wander off somewhere quiet and play alone. Typically it is with cars, so I can peacefully not worry about him for usually 15-20 minutes at time, however; today Morgan came racing down from upstairs that "MOMMY MOMMY MOMMY, TYLER IS BLEEDING BAD!" So I call to Tyler to come to me ( I wasn't alarmed by Morgan's drama, because if ever dealing with her and blood, a tiny speckle of blood means PAIN). LOL! So I see Tyler's mouth covered in blood. I clean it up and in the process he proceeds to inform me that he was "shaving like daddy does, to get my wiksters." It was so funny to me that he took it upon himself to help himself to daddy's drawer get out the razor and try to shave. His upper lip was sliced with 2 thin cuts. The pictures show that it was quite minor, but still pretty funny to me that he attempted the task. I don't think I can leave him for 15 minutes alone any longer, he's recenly venturing out into more troublesome antics, this being the most recent.

WE LOVE THE HOFFMANN'S

Last week we got to enjoy some really fun time with the Hoffmann's. Scott, Mary, Haley, and little Parker came to Boyd and Lindsey's to stay, and got to share some of the fun with us being that we live so close. Morgan can never get enough time with Haley, and little Avery was pretty cute to have around also. I got to enjoy kissing on both Hoffmann babies Parker and Ethan. We had so much fun making cookies, playing girl toys, and most of all the "JET BATH." Haley and Morgan were Giggling so hard their tummies both hurt. Next we had a blast at the beach in Janurary! I mean, c'mon how much better can that be! It was seriously like 78 degrees and just a cool enough breeze to not feel like the sun was beating on you. It was a fun week.The weather was so perfect and the sunset was so beautiful. I had to just take a quick shot.

Little "Mr. Butterball" Ethan. Such a little angel to tough out that beach with no whimper or complaint. This picture does not do his chubs justice. He is seriously the cutest little rolly poly.

Me getting to have some play time with little Parker 3 1/2 months old. Amazing how much personality and fun interaction he gives all ready. Love him love him! He loves to stand, it was so funny how if I tried to sit him down, he'd just stiffen up his legs to force me to stand him up. He has the prettiest little mouth and PERFECT nose, and a beautiful complexion from mommy!Be sure to watch the video at the end. He has the most adorable contagious laugh, and I was loving to get to be the one to get it out of him.

Brooklyn sat in one place I think for almost the entire time we were there. Just a dig dig digg'n.

Avery was so adorable and fun to watch, as she went non stop back and forth between the sand-play and the water.

Brooklyn would pick up sand and show me. She wasn't sure what to do with it.

Tyler was extra excited to find this pre-dug whole that was by our blanket

Avery buried as a Mermaid. I was amazed that she held still the whole time while I made her fins.

Tyler kept asking to be a princess mermaid. LOL! wonder who he hangs out with. ha ha ha. So I told him I'd make him a CAR. That was pretty awesome to him, so then the girls wanted to be cars too.

My lame attempt to make a car out of sand. Love how kids have great imaginations and my sad sculpting skills were able to pass.

Tyler trying to spell his Name in the sand like Morgan did.

Avery excited to be buried in the sand.

Lindsey and Morgan burying Avery Again... I think we buried her 3 or 4 times.

Morgan spelling her name and drawing pictures in the perfectly wet but still hard sand.

Avery showing Brooklyn how to dig and put sand in her pail

Haley giving Jared the "HORNS" LOL! She was always playing from a distance. She wasn't brave enough to get closer than 5 feet from him. Do you blame her? That's a pretty scary monster if you ask any kid who doesn't wrestle with him on a daily basis. My kids just run and jump on him if he's on the floor, it was funny to realize that its not that exciting if you don't live here. Haley couldn't make up her mind if she was having fun or scared out of her mind. Haley had to tell Scott to special deliver the message to Jared to not "GET" her.

A little Mickey Mouse time

Quiet Play up in Morgan's room (yea right! Quiet I don't thinks exists in my world)

Cookie making with Grandma Crowder

Trying to get rid of the Bubbles all over their bodies

BROOKLYN'S 1st Piggy Tail

So its official, she has officially grown out of babyhood into toddlerhood. Brooklyn not only has been walking for almost 2 1/2 months now, but I can get a piggy tail in her whispy little locks. I don't know what it is about tiny little pixie piggy tails, but they crack me up! and I love seeing it on little babies and young toddlers. Brooklyn although still a cuddler with me by night, she is not much of a baby to me anymore.... she is the busiest little body trying to keep up with Morgan, and steer clear of Bully Brother Tyler! What is it in Crowder boys and wanting to bug! I swear! Its in the blood. I call Tyler right now my "common denominator"..... If you hear screaming he's either the one screaming or causing the screaming. But I'm catching on to his antics and they're not as effective as they used to be. Any suggestions Please do share.

WELCOME BABY URBAN WEST CROWDER!

Yesterday was a very exciting day for the Crowder Household. Kellie my sister-in-law, Jordan Jared's Bro. and little cousin Wyatt welcomed baby boy Urban West Crowder! Kellie was a superwoman and toughed out the labor "all Natural" as she did with Wyatt! I am so proud of her and inspired by her strength. She is a stronger woman than I. I had to cheat, otherwise it wouldn't have happened. I got to go see the new little family shortly after she delivered, even before his first little bath. He is extra chubbers and super super cute! He has a perfect head with short dark hair, really nice cheeks, and very kissy lips. Judy swears it was deja vu for her seeing Urban, because he looks just like his daddy. He was a 9+ pounder measuring 21.5 in. Kellie was glowing as you can see in the pictures how cute and happy she was to have little Urban finally here. I am so grateful she was willing to share in her special moment with the rest of us. I felt lucky to get to go see her so soon. I enjoyed getting to see little Wyatt, Kathy, Ron, Ryan, Tracy, and Kellie's sweet Grandma. They are always so friendly and loving to me and my kids. Morgan and Tyler were dissappointed that I didn't let them go see baby Urban, but they got to hang for a bit with Wyatt in the lobby and had a blast playing cars with him for the few little minutes that they did. It was cute to see them laughing together, Wyatt so adorable, I wanted to eat him up. I was amazed what a little talker he is. Tyler really enjoyed having a little buddy for how board out of his mind he was down in the lobby. We hope to visit, or have Wyatt over when my kids are over thier colds, and Urban is settled and home. Congratulations Kellie and Jordan. We love you guys!

Happy NEW Year Brooklyn finally joins in the fun of banging, and cheering.

When Morgan was 18 months old we started a silly little tradition banging pots and pans, running around the house like wild indians chanting "HAPPY NEW YEAR," for about 5 minutes or so until it becomes tiresome, and then have a big treat, to ring in the new year. Without having to go anywhere, deal with druk drivers, or stay up past 9 PM, sounds pretty appealing after a busy day of work, or caring for 3 little ones. Funny how when you have kids, some of the events and holidays that used to be sooooooooo important to celebrate aren't as appealing. This was something I think we both did as kids, that we remembered and thought would be funny with our own kids. Which it has been. Last year we did pots with big spoons and tyler was too little so he had a metal measuring cup and a spoon. Morgan complained last year that her pot was too heavy and next year she wanted the measuring cup. So this year it was measuring cups and spoons for everyone. LOL! Brooklyn wasn't quite sure what to think of it. I think she hears me yelling all day to keep the noise down, throwing Tyler in time-out for screaming, or saying "No, more banging" to all sorts of items, that she couldn't quite figure out why all of a sudden banging, yelling, and running was ok. She just kept starring at Morgan, Tyler, and I and deciding if she was going to join in. Probably the last 2-3 minutes she finally joined in and got really excited about making noise. Hopefully I haven't un-done all the rules we set about making noise on "normal" days. As you can see above, Morgan is happy to have her measuring cups this year and Tyler is working on his coordination to hit the spoon in themiddle of the cup.

I am looking forward to a new year with great hopes of being a better me than I was last year. Each year that passes I hope to recognize the good that came of it, and where God's hand was in my life, acknowledge where I can improve, and make changes that help me grow into the person I was put here to become. I am amazed daily of the growth and beauty I feel is developing in each of my children, and hope I can keep up with the growth and development that they embrace daily. I wish each of you all the happiness and success that life can bring. HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Welcome little Kayla

Here is a slideshow of the two latest Braden side B-day girls! In Utah I got to share in my sister Rebbecca's delivery of her new baby girl, and celebrate the big 2 for my neice Brenna. It was a close call, because Becca was 10 minutes away from deliverying Kayla on Brenna's day. Kayla is a little angel, and the cutest combination of both mommy and daddy! She has daddy's handsome eyes, and mommy's pretty lips and chin. I look forward to seeing what my crowder nephews soon to be, look like. It is such a fun season of life with all the growing families around us!

December 2008 Family Pictures

My mom made a special request for new updated pictures for Christmas. So on the 23rd I panicked because I hadn't done the one thing she asked. So with Judy's help, I rounded up the troops, tried to find a few coordinating things to wear, and off to the park we went for a few pictures. We were able to get some really cute shots of the kids, and even Jared was having a good picture day, LOL! As Hot and handsome as I think he is, catching a good smile and his eyes open at the same time is not as easy as most would think! Luv ya babe! I had some fun with paint, and was able to print these in sepia and with some coloring alterations. My mom of course was thrilled, and we printed a few extras for my walls, and Jared's office.

A little Christmas Cheer

We got to spend Christmas in Utah with my Family. Although we were sad to miss out on Jamie, Brody, and little Sawyer visiting CA, we did get to give them a quick kiss and hug in Victorville, as we crossed paths driving up, and them driving down. Luv you guys! It was so exciting to get to enjoy all the Christmas craze with the Bradens, Brackens, and Allens. As usual, my mom made a wonderful Christmas Eve feast, and Christmas brunch. Her food alone was worth the trip up. YUM YUM! We had such a fun time being serenaded by my brother's and their christmas guitar and singing, hanging out, and our humorous effort of putting on a "grandchildren nativity play." Daniel was the narrator, Tanner humored my mom and was a shepherd, Morgan, Juliana, and Brenna were angels, Clarissa was Mary, Tyler was Joseph, and lastly Brooklyn was baby Jesus. It was a miracle Brooklyn laid on the manger and didn't move a muscle for at least 5 minutes. Tyler played his role so seriously, and the girls didn't do too bad either. I was the wild woman trying to herd the cats as Dan read along. I was laughing so hard I swear I thought I was going to wet myself, especially when Grandpa was the Donkey, and Tyler led him so tenderly to the stable. Morgan and Tyler were so giddy they could hardly sleep Christmas Eve. Morgan got her "baby chou chou," and Tyler got his DARN green tractor. I tried many many nights subliminally sending ideas and messages of different ideas for christmas, but it always seemed to come back to the "green tractor." So way to go SANTA! Tyler was also suprised with an awesome motorcycle and GIJoe guy, and Morgan a "loving family doll house." My mom and dad really enjoyed watching the mayhem as their grandchildren and kids dove into presents and picture mania. Julianna was probably the funniest! She was so excited she could hardly contain herself. She ran from booth to booth to see what was new at each person's station. I think she liked Tyler's motorcycle best- and her radio flyer scooter 2nd. She is such a ham, there's never a dull moment with her cute little busy body around. I really enjoyed getting to see my dad enjoy his 52 in Plasma screen TV, ( Go DAD) and my mom overcome with emotion as my dad presented her with a beautiful harp, and the opportunity to take lessons, a long life dream she had given up on 2 years ago. It was pretty special. Later Christmas day we got to just enjoy each other's company and my mom took some special time to play with my kids. She did cute christmas neclaces with Tyler and Morgan, then played dolls, operation, and house with just Morgan. She loves those one on one moments so much. After Christmas was all over, I got to spend a couple days at Chrystal's, which is always a favorite, and then share in Becca's amazing miracle of childbirth, as she welcomed little Kayla Kathleen Allen, to their family the 27th 11:5O pm 6.6 lbs, 18 in long. I got to be in the delivery room with her- helping encourage and chant her along as she pushed. It was so crazy to not be the one having the baby. I got a glimpse of what the husbands feel. Kent was there, holding Becca's hand and loving her along the way. I was so helpless and worried that what I tried to do to help, might be annoying. But Becca said my massaging and pushing on her back and neck was great, so that was good! It was so AMAZING to see little Kayla delivered and delay in taking her first breath. It was kind of scary at first because her ambilical cord was around her neck, but she soon got air and was as perfect as can be. Pictures to come of little Kalya very soon. She wins the prize, because she's extra cute! To top off the visit, I got to also meet little Parker Hoffmann, and be at his Blessing, along with a couple hours of fun with Mary, Haley and the rest of the Hoffmann bunch. It was a whirlwind week, but I couldn't have had it any better! Thanks to all that made it happen, it made my Christmas!