Girls Room Redone

Before

This is how the girls room has been for the past year. It worked just fine, and I think they loved the little reading alcove. For what space we had and what we needed to have in there, I think we made it pretty functional. But Brooklyn was definitely ready for a big girls bed. 

After

Brenna is on the top bunk, Brooklyn on the bottom. And yes, they do have Christmas lights on their bed! Ryan can't help himself when it comes to Christmas.

We moved their dresser and toy shelves. I think the room feels twice as big! I love how it has turned out. And it is amazing how a few changes can really open up a room. 

It is a little bittersweet taking the crib down. We aren't getting rid of it, but won't need it for a while, if then! But these are fun stages to have each of our kids in. And they are having a great time playing in their rearranged space with their new Christmas toys!

Christmas 2011

 We had a great time making room for Santa's delivery. We had a late night, and then Brooklyn woke me up twice that night. Which has become her routine, due to her MASSIVE tonsils, but it was more of a challenge with the living room all set up for Christmas!

 One of Brooklyn's presents was a big girl bed. She has been climbing out of her crib for the past month, and was ready for more room! 

I LOVE how our house looks at Christmas time. 

 As you can tell, I didn't take a lot of pictures! We got some video, which I need to upload, but that takes more time.  The kids flew through opening presents, especially Cannon! He got through his in half the time of everyone else.  What I loved was, whenever Brooklyn would open her presents she would excitedly exclaim "Oh! My! Goodness!!" And she took forever to unwrap! She would pull little pieces off at a time. It was too much fun watching her.

 One of her other presents was a baby kit, with a diaper backpack, diaper, bottle, baby food and spoon, and a blanket. She climbed in her crib with her baby and kit and took care of her for about an hour! Cannon soon joined her.  Cannon had a sports themed Christmas.  He got a basketball hoop, 2 fold up soccer goals, soccer ball, basketball, etc. Brenna was in shock in receiving her iPod Touch. She asked for a Nintendo DSi, but with some convincing from Ryan, we decided a iTouch would be less hassle (trying to keep all of the games intact) and she could have her music, pictures, etc all in one spot. She also can do "Facetime" (video conferencing) and texting while on our wireless internet. She facetimed with her cousins ALL day. We are already having to set up rules for her iTouch. Why did we do this to ourselves again???

After opening gifts, eating a large breakfast, Ryan set up the big girl bed, then started taking down Brooklyn's crib. She bawled the whole time. "Daddy taking my bed!" Once we had it all put together, she was so excited! She hasn't gone down for naptime this easy in a long time!

Doesn't she look so cute asleep in her bed???

Christmas Activities

 We have had a non-stop December.  I have managed to snap a few photo's along the way. And I have a moment, this Thursday morning, while sitting in my pajamas to blog a montage of them!

There is an old school in downtown Edmond, that has been renovated but is usually closed.  One afternoon while out shopping with Brenna, I saw that it was open. We enjoyed a quiet moment drawing on the chalkboards, coloring ornaments, and Brenna even picked up a Squirell Beany Baby she named Nuts.

While my parents were here over Thanksgiving Break, we were apart of the tree lighting at Chesapeake. Since then, we have taken a few drives down there to see the amazing lights. The kids sit quietly in the car (it's a miracle) as they watch the lights.   

 Brenna's school had a family night at the Edmond Outdoor Ice Skating rink. We got there as early as possible (to beat the crowd and the cold!). At first, Cannon and Brenna looked like new born giraffe's. But, over time they got more comfortable. Cannon was the most physically exhausting to keep upright at first, but after about 20 minutes he got his ice-legs and really took off. The way he would ram into the side walls made us wonder if he has a hockey career in the future!

Ice Angel?

The past week I have spent most of my time in the kitchen. I LOVE to bake, and this week I wish I had 2-3 KitchenAide mixers and at least double ovens! But that definitely didn't slow me down. Of course, I couldn't cook without the help from the kids. Cannon especially LOVES playing with dough, rolling pin, and the flour. The only downfall to baking all day, is what the kids do to the house while I'm distracted. 

 Our Christmas season wouldn't be complete without making a ginger bread house! Both Brenna and Cannon made gingerbread houses at their school, but we still needed a family one to complete the set. 

 And finally, Cannon had a Christmas Winter Music presentation. (Darn you, Christmas Haters! I'm not sure how they can't label it Christmas break, Christmas Music Program, reference the stable and manger, but they can sing Christmas Songs! Why aren't they singing Winter Solstice songs? But I digress...)

His program was really sweet. With the room being full of parents, I realized Cannon gets shy being in the spotlight of so many people. He knew all of the songs, the actions, everything! But, he was so much more reserved than I was expecting! Until they brought out the Kazoo's! He loved playing his kazoo, and the teacher said they could bring the kazoo's home!!! Yipee! But our's has mysteriously disappeared...

I'm hoping to catch up on blogging over the break, so here is a good start!  Merry Christmas!

Tis the Season!

We have had an insanely busy few weeks. Mostly fun activities, firesides, nativities, school ice skating, work parties, etc. But, have had 2 rounds of the stomach bug, asthma attack, and regular aches and pains, bumps and bruises. Which is my explanation for lacking on blogging. I haven't added Brenna's baptism day pictures, Thanksgiving, and all of the previously listed activites! But, to tide you over (Mom and Grandma!) I will post the picture of us at the Oklahoma City Stake Nativity. The picture is somewhat ironic. Me and Brenna angels and Ryan and Cannon wise men! Haha! And of course, Brooklyn wouldn't put down baby Jesus.