Better Late than Never

Sorry. I have been a super slacker when it comes to keeping my blog updated. It kind of fell out of my rountine. But lately, I have been reading a lot of other peoples blogs because I just love to see all your pictures and funny stories and I thought maybe I should contribute some of my own. Most of these pictures are from quite awhile ago; but hey better late than never.

This is Kenny and I on our trip to Nauvoo. (Anybody know how to flip the direction of the pic after you've already uploaded it to blogspot?)



This is us at the top of the Sears Tower (actually is has been renamed the Willis Tower) in Chicago. They have built a glass box that you can step out onto. It feels like your standing on air way way way up high! I kind of have a fear of heights, but stepping out there didn't seem to bother me too much. It took a little bit of talking before Kenny would come out there with me for this picture.




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Lake Powell was a blast as usual!




When we went shopping for pumpkins this year I let the kids pick out whatever pumpkin they wanted. It was a like a competition to see who could get the biggest pumpkin. We had to use two shopping carts at Terrels!


Well that's all I'm going to post for today. Hopefully I get back here sooner than later.
Thanks,
Brook ;)

Draper Temple Open House

On Wednesday we got to tour the new Draper Temple. We went with Kenny's parents and brother and sisters and it was really neat to see such a beautiful temple. The kids were so excited to be able to see the inside of a temple. It was such a wonderful opportunity to teach them more about the temple and help them to be excited to visit again when they get older. On our way home, I asked Lillian what her favorite part of temple was, she responded with, "The room with the big pretty chandelier." I thought it was neat that she felt the importance and spirit of the Celestial room. If you haven't been able to attend the open house, I think it is still going until the end of the week. Take some time and check it out with your family.

Jamie and Carlee's Farewell

Two of my sisters are leaving for missions! Carlee entered the MTC on February 18th. She is going to serve in the Chile Osorno Mission. Jamie will go to the MTC on April 1st. She will be serving in the Guatamale Guatamale City Mission. Jamie is also a RN (registered nurse) and part of her mission call includes being a medical technican. We are all going to miss them, especially Lily. She loves having sleepovers, painting nails, and just being with both of them. Our family size will be cut by 1/3 and when my brother leaves for his mission this winter our family size will be cut in half! Three missionary siblings out at the same time is pretty rare! Even though we are going to miss them, we are so glad that they are serving the Lord and spreading the gospel. Their example of service is wonderful! They get to learn Spanish and explore beautiful lands. Sometimes I wish I could just leave on a mission right now myself, but I think I'll have to wait until Kenny and I are older. I truly look forward to serving a couple mission later in life.

The day before Carlee left for the MTC; our last adios for awhile!

Maxwell's First Birthday!

Maxwell in his Sunday suit before church.

My baby is now 1 year old! The past year has just flown by! On Sunday, February 1st, Max turned one at exactly 1:44 p.m. We celebrated with cake and ice cream at our house with family. Max loved his carrot cake and vanilla ice cream. He just picked up the scoop of ice cream and tried to put the whole thing in his mouth at once. Everybody enjoyed carrot cake, banana muffins, and Lily even made a bunch of her own cupcakes in her EasyBake cupcake maker she got for Christmas.

Thursday, Friday, and Saturday before Max's birthday, Kenny, Max and I all went to St. George and Las Vegas. For Christmas, Branch gave all of the ladies tickets to Phantom of the Opera in Las Vegas as well as a night stay in the Venetian. Kenny came along to babysit Max, since he is still nursing (currently we are working on weaning him, but I think its harder than I thought). The Phantom was so amazing! Everything was over the top; Las Vegas style! The hotel room was the nicest I had ever seen. All in all it was a wonderful weekend that started with shopping in St. George, continued to the Venetian in Las Vegas, and ended with a birthday party for Max!

Fun Trip to Logan

A couple of weeks ago we took a little family trip to Logan to be a part of Sienna's baby blessing. As we were driving into town, Kenny and I told the kids that we had lived here before we had any kids. That was only eight years ago, but it seems like forever ago. Logan has changed a lot since those days.

The kids and I spent Saturday shopping , going to a movie and playing with cousins. Kenny went to Beaver Mountian to try out his new snowboard. But by far the kids favorite part was swimming in the hotel pool. Even Max didn't want to get out.

The baby's blessing was wonderful and we had such a fun time afterward visiting with everyone.

Happy New Year!

I must apologize for being such a terrible blogger. The whole month of December came and went so fast that I didn't even get to posting a single thing. On my list of many New Years resolutions, is to be better at updating my blog.

Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday; we sure did!

Getting to Know You Christmas Tag

One of my friends posted this "Getting to Know You Christmas Style" on her blog. It was so fun to read, that I thought I would do the same on my blog. It really was fun to write and reminisce about Christmas! Enjoy!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?

--- I definitely prefer wrapping paper. The kids love to rip into it and I love to watch them. (I have to admit that I still love to rip wrapping paper too!) Although, for the sake of time, I sometimes resort to gift bags.

2. Real tree or Artificial?

--- I love the smell of real trees, but Kenny refuses to let us have one. He has several reasons including 1. It's a fire hazard and 2. It's unnecessary to kill a perfectly good tree in the name of Christmas. Maybe some year I'll talk him into it just for one Christmas.

3. When do you put up the tree?

--- I'm totally against jumping the gun on Christmas. You have to enjoy Thanksgiving first. With that in mind, we put up our tree as soon as we have time after Thanksgiving.

4. When do you take the tree down?

--- By the time Christmas is over, I'm ready to get rid of the tree. But, Kenny insists that we keep it up until New Years.

5. Do you like eggnog?

--- I LOVE eggnog. Kenny does not like it, which means more for ME!

6. Favorite gift received as a child?

--- Every year Santa would give me a new doll. I loved dolls and looked forward to a new one every Christmas.

7. Hardest person to buy for?

--- I think men in general are all hard to buy for.

9. Do you have a nativity scene?

--- We have a Little People plastic set that the kids can play with and I don't have to worry about it breaking.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards?

--- So far in life, neither. Every year since Kenny and I have been married (10 years)I PLAN on sending out Christmas cards and every year I don't get around to it. Maybe I'll do it THIS year.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie?

--- I love to watch "While You Were Sleeping." Kenny loves to watch "A Christmas Story" and can (and frequently does) quote many lines from that movie.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?

--- I like to start early to avoid the chaos. One year we waited until 2 days before Christmas to start shopping. We went to Wal-Mart and it was packed. They didn't have a single shopping cart left to use. People were crazy and it was really no fun. I have vowed to not every do that again.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?

--- Probably, but I'd never admit it!

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?

---Eggnog, sugar cookies, chocolate covered pretzels, toffee, and more eggnog to name just a few things.

16. Lights on the tree?

--- We actually still have the tree we bought our first Christmas being married and that was before they sold pre-lit trees, so we have to string our lights on it every year. Kenny tries to get as many lights as possible on the tree. I love when it just glows!

17. Favorite Christmas song?

--- I've always loved the Chestnuts Roasting on the Open Fire song. I don't even know the official name.

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home?

--- We visit family on Christmas Eve; spend Christmas morning at home; and visit family again on Christmas afternoon.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's?

--- Of course!

20. Angel on the tree top or a star?

---A lit up star

21. Open the presents Christmas eve or Christmas day?

--- I love to save the presents for Christmas morning. Although, this year I was thinking about giving the kids new pajamas to open and wear on Christmas Eve.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year?

--- I feel terrible when I get caught up in shopping and don't think about the true meaning of Christmas. Also, one of my pet peeves is when people try to abbreviate Christmas by substituting an -X- for the most important part of the word.

23. Favorite ornament theme and color?

--- This year it will be "baby friendly" since Max is crawling around grabbing everything and putting it into his mouth!

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner?

--- Anything that tastes good. I'm not picky.

25. What do you want for Christmas this year?

--- I haven't decided yet.

26. Favorite Christmas Tradition?

--- Since I was really little, my family has always gone caroling at rest homes or hospitals on Christmas Eve. I remember taking Christmas stickers and sticking them on the elderly people and just loving it. You wouldn't guess it, but sadly those places are pretty quiet during the holidays. The old people just light up and sing along. It's so much fun and we'll be doing it again this year.

If anyone feels like answering these questions for themselves, feel free. I would love to read on your blogs how you celebrate the Christmas season!