Spurs Game and Jimmer

Dad got us courtside tickets to the Spurs -vs- Kings game. It was great because we were so close and got to see Jimmer up close and personal. Sadly he didn't play as much as we would have liked. Brooklyn loved the game and knew all the Spurs players. It was a nice way to start 2012.

November in South Carolina

Clair got baptized in November. I was lucky enough to get to be there for her big day. I loved spending time with the Bright kids. Clair looked fabulous on her special day.

Armed Forces Bowl

Joel got us tickets to the Armed Forces Bowl game in Dallas. It was a great game and once again so nice to see BYU play in Texas. I loved all the patriotism and a great game to boot. We sat on the 50 yard line in about the 7th row. Great seats, great game, and a great win!

Christmas Day 2011

I was lucky enough to get night duty, which meant I got to sleep with all the kids and make sure that no one got up in the night. This also meant that I got to get up early when the kids couldn't wait any longer. Brooklyn woke up at 3:30 and I convinced her to stay in bed a little longer. I think we got up around 5. It made for a long Christmas day.

Christmas Eve 2011

We had our traditional Mexican feast on Christmas Eve. Even Perri had her own taste of Mexican...it was her first time eating avocado. Not really sure how much she enjoyed it, but she was cute eating it. Jack and Brooklyn dressed up for our nativity, but they weren't really happy to be doing it. They were so ready to get home and get to bed so that Santa could come.

BYU -vs- UT

It's great when BYU plays in your backyard. 2011 brought BYU to Austin to play UT. It was a great game, but sadly we lost at the last minute. I enjoyed watching the boys in blue try their hardest. I was not very pleased with the UT fans. I thought they were kind of rude. I went with my friend Ram.

Halloween Party 2011

Here are some pictures from the annual Halloween party that I do with Jack and Brooklyn every year. We do some crafts and eat some yummy food.

Slacker

I've been a total slacker with this blog. I vow to be better. I am hoping to get pictures up before the end of the month. I got a new camera, so once I learn to put those pictures on my computer I will get them on the blog.

The Best of our Annual Witch's Cafe!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

So, this year I got to thinking about how many fun ideas I've used over the years. So, I decided to put a few of my favorites from years past on our blog.

Boo-nanas!
These were very cute, but if you don't like coconut, then they might not be the best idea.



String Cheese fingers!
Always a hit and a staple every year!


Frankestein Pizza!
These turned out so cute, if I do say so myself!


Frankestein Kiwi!
I thought these were darling, even if the kids didn't like the taste.


Popcorn Ball Ghost
I didn't realize that the kids liked this, but Jack requested it again. Too bad I can't remember how I made him and I do remember he was a lot of work...so sorry Jack the Ghost won't be appearing again.


Donut Hole Eyeballs and Circus Peanut Pumpkins


Apple Fangs
(Sometimes I include a tongue, but I guess I didn't the year of this picture.)


AND MY ALL TIME FAVORITE THING I'VE MADE....Witch Tacos!
I've never been able to top this one, eventhough I try each year. I think this will go down in history as the best part of any Witch's cafe I'll ever do. I think they are so cute and I am happy to say that I thought of this idea all on my own. Everything else I've gotten on the internet or a book.




So stay tune for what we serve for Witch's Cafe 2011!!!

It's exhausting being so cute!

Sunday was our ward's primary program. Jack never falls asleep in church, but he had a big week...so I guess after his part and a little singing he just couldn't stay awake any longer. We thought this was the cutest picture. They are usually the wiggliest kids in Sunbeams, but they couldn't make it. It also doesn't help that our church is at 1 pm. That's prime napping time for kids and me too! :-)

Babysitting Miss P

So Thursday evening I got to babysit Perri, while her mom took the other two to the park and Brooklyn to tennis practice. She came in such a great mood, probably because she knew she had some fun in store for me! Look at that smile.
It started with me picking her up, only to discover that she had thrown up all over herself and her car seat. I cleaned her up and started on the car seat and then it happened again, only this time she was soaked to the bone. I changed her clothes and she was a happy baby again. Smiling and laughing...once again I am pretty sure she was laughing at me. She is sitting in my lap watching TV, when it happened...3 LARGE explosions. When I went to change her she had exploded over the new outfit I had just put on her. There was only 1 other outfit in the bag and it was a fall outfit. Now I know the months say it is fall, but Texas doesn't know that yet. It was a little too warm to put that on, so Perri and I just chilled on the couch with her only in a diaper and wrapped in her blanket. She slept and was happy as a clam. Right before it was time to go, I decided to put on the darling outfit (I believe Chy Ayn gave to her.), so she could ride home in comfort. She looked so darling and was so happy. Here are a couple of shots that I got. I realized how hard it is to take pictures of a baby when you only have 2 hands and you need them both for the camera. Plus she is starting to get a little wiggly these days.


She is such a cute, happy baby!

Golfing Date

So this was the best date I've had in a LONG time and it was with a total hotty! Because Jack couldn't go to see Mary Poppins (he was really disappointed), I told him I would take him on a date where ever he wanted. He wanted to go to Crocodile Gap. So last Saturday, Jack and I headed to play miniature golf. He was so excited and so cute doing it. We played 18 holes. Now, his dad would not approve...I totally let him drag the ball with his club, start closer to the hole, or kick it with his foot. It was basically a free for all. We were the only ones on the course, so we could do whatever we wanted. It was great! He had such a good time and I got 4 holes in 1. That's never happened before. When I was telling Jack how excited I was about it, he said, "I think the wind really helped you, Aunt Nanny." I guess that was his way of saying, "You're not really that good Aunt Nanny." As we were driving home he said, "Thanks Aunt Nanny for taking me on the date. It was great!" He is a good kid.

Look at that form...he might just turn pro with a little more of my influence after all. :)

Mary Poppins with Brooklyn

So this year Mary Poppins was one of the shows that came to San Antonio with the Broadway Across America series. Brooklyn saw the ticket on my fridge and was so excited to go. She wanted to "dress up really fancy" and get treats for the show. About 1/2 through the 1st Act, she turned to me and said, "When is 1/2 time?" Now that is a true Coach's child! She enjoyed the show, but I think it was still a little bit long for her. Also I think the accents were a bit hard for her to understand. Other than that...she seemed to enjoy herself.
Sorry the picture is so dark. I was illegally taking the picture with my phone, right before the play started.

Happy Birthday Kate!

Happy Birthday Kate! I can't believe that you are 10 years old. Boy does time fly when you are having fun and we've had lots of fun with you in our family. I'm glad you are part of our family and hope you have an amazing birthday! Wish I could be there to help you celebrate.

Fun with Brooklyn and Jack

So there have been a couple of things that I've been able to do with Jack and Brooklyn lately. One day, after school, Jack and Brooklyn came over and we made cupcakes. I didn't get tons of pictures, but I couldn't help myself when I asked Jack to get something for me and he saluted me and said, "Aye, Aye Captain!" I couldn't help but laugh and snap a picture.

Another evening, I went and babysat while Britni went to take some pictures. We decided that it was time to finally use the DQ Blizzard maker that Brooklyn got for Christmas last year. We broke that sucker out and made some blizzards. The ice cream was good, but the toppings that they provided were gross! Here are Brooklyn and Jack cranking out their blizzards.

I have to say that I prefer just going to DQ and buying a blizzard, but they had fun making them.

The last event was just a date with me and Jack. Jack is finally in his big boy briefs all night long. No more pull ups for him. I told him when that day came that I would take him to Build A Bear. Joel was worried that he would pick some girlie bear. You tell me...is Jack all boy or what?
Camo, fireman bear...now that's a bear fit for a man! His name is Blaze and we had a fun time at Build a Bear.

Desperate need for rain!

If you've been watching the national news, you've seen that wildfires are engulfing many parts of Texas. The worse place affected right now is Bastrop. It just so happens that Bastrop is part of our stake. As I was driving to the stake center for a church meeting, Bastrop which is off in the far distance usually seemed very close...because the horizon was covered in a heavy cloud of smoke. Normally the horizon in that area is gorgeous to look at. Instead, it was just a cloud of smoke. I tried snapping a picture to document it, but sadly my phone camera just doesn't do it justice. My heart is breaking for the families that have lost loved ones, homes, and property in one of the prettiest parts of Texas. Our stake has not been unaffected by this tragedy. Last I heard 17 families in the Bastrop ward have lost their homes. One family was getting ready to leave in a couple of months on their mission and they've lost everything. Another family, whom I have worked with 2 of their daughters and mother at camp, also lost their home. One of our counselors in our stake presidency also lost his home. Luckily the church building in Bastrop was unharmed, which is miraculous, because it was surrounded by fire. Texans are resilient and self sufficient people, but prayers for rain and the safety of those brave men and women battling these fires is much needed and greatly appreciated.