Brooklyn's BIG Announcement

Right before Thanksgiving dinner, when we were going around the table saying what we are thankful for, Brooklyn made her announcement. With the help from her dad, she took off her big bulky sweater (in 80 degree weather, we should have been suspicous). Her shirt says it all. We are all really excited for the new baby to come...babies are always welcome in our family. When you ask Brooklyn if she wants a baby sister or a baby brother, she ALWAYS says, "Baby sitster." Joel tries to get her to say brother, but it never works. I think she probably knows better than us what's coming.
(I know you are thinking that I act like this child is mine, because I post about her...really Brit has had problems posting pictures, so I do it for them. That way everyone can see how cute she is...and just like all my nieces, she's a doll!)

Brooklyn's Past time

From the moment Brooklyn enters Mimi and Papa's house there are two things she wants..."Elmo's Potty" (her favorite show-which her father finds a bit disturbing that a grown man, Gordon, talks to fuzzy creatures about going to the potty) and she also asks for "Pacorn." She loves to sit on her chair and eat popcorn while watching Elmo. Being the good aunt that I am, I even went out and bought a different Elmo movie, in hopes of weening her from Elmo Potty Time. NO such luck! Although she does love to say, "Elmo peT-s" (with the "t" very pronouced), she doesn't much like to watch it. I have to also say that Elmo's Potty time has introduced her to a few new vocabulary words..."Pee-Pee" and "Poo-Poo." Thanks Gordon, Elmo, and Baby Bear!

Photo Op in the Car

Brooklyn loves the car. Brit had her all dressed up and ready to go get pictures taken. They ended up not having time, so I took her outside and put her in the trunk. She loves everything about cars. I guess that might have something to do with her dad working at a carlot in the summer and her spending a great deal of time there early in her life! She's a doll and I love this little outfit she wears. She actually wore it to Stake Conference and you should have heard all the oohh's and ahhh's.

Thanksgiving Update

I don't have any pictures to post because I didn't bring the cable for my camera, but I did want to take this free second I have to give you all the Thanksgiving run down. (Pictures to post later.)

Well, we got to Aiken, SC on Wednesday night. Thursday we had a yummy mel around 1:00. Poor Clair didn't make it far into the meal and started to fall asleep at the table, so I put her down for a nap right in the middle of turkey and dressing. She was so tired, she didn't even put up any resistance. We have many people here. It was Stephen's parents, his sister - Jessica, his mimi and papa, Stephen and me and the three kids, and four missionaries (including one from SA). It was a yummy dinner, with plenty of food. That night we watched Cars and KT and Creighton came over and we played a little Dance Dance Revolution...mainly watched Kate and Clair play. Then we went to bed. It was a real laid back day.

The worst part of the weekend was Saturday. Stephen and Bowen and I went to the Clemson/USC game with KT and Creighton. As you all know...Clemson lost by 3 points. It was pretty sad and disappointing. However, I didn't get to see much of the game, so I never felt like I really got in it. As a matter of fact, the last 13 minutes of the game, I was sitting in a family restroom nursing Bowen. I could hear the announcer when he got excited. We were driving down the field and then there was nothing. Then I heard them announce the end of the game. I thought we had won. I hurried and finished up and went outside the bathroom and then I could clearly see by the looks of the Tiger fans, we didn't win. By the time I was able to hook back up with Stephen, he seemed to be handling it as well as can be expected. We left the stadium and went back to the car and drove straight to our favorite rib place in all the world (Sardi's Den) and drowned our sorrows in some yummy ribs and chocolate peanut butter ice cream cake! The game was sad, but the food was yummy and a special treat we only get when we go to Clemson!

So, we are still in Aiken and will go home Monday afternoon/early evening. That way we don't have to fight the horrible returning home holiday traffic tonight! I missed you all very much this holiday and hope at least some of you will come see us a Christmas!

My Business Trip to Florida

The last day of October and the 1st 2 days of November I spent in Florida. I was working, but I also got to spend the 1st day of November on the beach. It was 85 degrees and so beautiful. One of the schools that I was supposed to be training at cancelled on me. This meant that I had a whole afternoon on the beach. I got in the water up to my waist and it wasn't actually a nice temperature. There were only about 20 people as far as the eye could see. I am posting pictures from my cellphone. I thought I had forgotten my camera, only to find out my camera was in my laptop bag the whole time! I was a little bugged that I didn't think to check there.

I also had a quick trip to CT. I stayed on Yale's campus...not as nice as Columbia, but I guess it works for some! :) It was beautiful. I was so sad that I was so close to NYC, yet not close enough. Maybe another time!

Next week I go to Truth or Consequences, New Mexico. Don't hold your breath...I doubt it will be worthy of a blog! :)

"Fall" some more!

"Fall" in Love With the South

We drove up to the mountains yesterday for a little family outing. The leafs are a little pass prime color time, but we enjoyed the beautiful day and found a new cool place...Amlicola Falls (in north GA). I didn't get a good picture of the falls...I got one from the top of the falls....it literally starts with just this little trickle of a stream and turns into this beautiful waterfall. Anyway, Stephen took the girls to go and look at the falls from below, but I had to nurse the big boy and didn't get to see them as it was getting late. Kate wanted to hike from the top to the bottom, but poor Clair and her little short legs, could hardly walk up the stairs from the parking area to the senic out look point at the top of the falls. So, we will have to go back another day when we can set up "camp" and Kate can hike, while little Clair can help watch Bowen! :) The girls love to collect leaves and look for the biggest, redest, yellowest...you get the idea.