1st Sledding Adventure!

We decided to try out Brea's new sled behind our house, and the cutest thing happened on our way. Brea decided to bring one of her birthday balloons along to share with Grandpa Payne, who recently passed away. She took the balloon outside and let it go up to heaven for him. As she was watching it float up she yelled "share with Jesus!"

Brea's 6!! Oh, I mean 2.

Get cuter, Brea! We did have to wake her up to open her presents. Little sleeper-inner. Jordan took half of the day off to go to the Discovery Gateway Museum with Brea. We had a break-through there. She actually sat on Santa's lap!


Then it was home to Brea's Elmo party. She was in Elmo-heaven!
Jordan and Brea decided she needed a birthday tree rather than a Christmas tree, so they decorated the already-decorated tree with streamers and balloons. Pretty inventive, guys!

The highlight for me was the cupcakes. If you look closely, you can see the Asian elmo in the top right corner. We don't discriminate in our family. All Elmos are welcome.

The party started to go down-hill when Brea started eating the eyes off all of the Elmos. Poor things.

It only got worse when the giant Elmo balloon starting attacking unsuspecting Bryn Lee.

Luckily it got right back on track when Nina showed up. Brea thinks that every horse's name is Nina. This beautiful little paint pony is no exception.

And Brea always loves a rousing rendition of Grandpa's farm by Grandpa Dean!

It was a great day for my little 2-year old Elmo angel-face. Even if she still thinks she's 6.

December Hodgepodge

Just a few days after our visit to Boise, my grandpa Payne died, so we got to spend some extra time with my sis and neice when they flew back down to be with the family. Brea and Bryn looked adorable at the funeral.This is how Brea spent the first half of the month... almost naked in her box-house. And this is how she spent the second half of the month. Dressed as Cinderella while having a tea party.
Just chillin'

what a good daddy!

Boise Beckoned

~and how could we resist? I thought I'd take advantage of Brea's last chance to fly for free, so Brea and I went to visit my sister and her family up in Idaho. It was a really fun, fast trip. We lived it up while we were there- we went to Game World and had a blast duck-pin-bowling and playing at the arcade,

we went to a cute little Discovery Museum. Brea and Bryn could not get enough of the tiny supermarket and vetrenary clinic,

we paid a visit to some of Brea's BFFs,

and helped Dan and Tawni trim the tree!

A trip to Boise is always a good time!!!

Someone has the Christmas Spirit

We miss you, Grandpa

Thanks for all you've done for us and taught us.

We love you.

Brea Loves Babies

It's especially easy to love babies like her cousin, Ty, however.