Our Simple Christmas

Okay, so I finally updated the blog so keep scrolling down until you find a post you haven't read. I think I did 3 tonight. Sorry, lots of rambling but lots of pics too so ENJOY!

We kept Christmas pretty simple this year. We decided we'd rather spend money on date nights and family time then on gifts this year. Brayli got the most of course and Matthew and I got each other one big gift and a whatever could fit in our stockings. We didn't even get around to putting up the big Christmas tree this year so I settled for the little one on the table with present underneath.

Wow! I just realized I only have pictures of Brayli and her presents. I got Matthew a remote control helicopter that only lasted about an hour and I can't get a hold of the company via email or phone. The voicemail is always full. I was/still am quite upset since it was regularly priced $80. I thought it would be a good one. I got a great deal on it on Black Friday at JC Penney but don't think they can do anything to replace it. I guess I still need to try. Sorry for the sob story-on with Christmas. I also got him a car charger for his cell phone, a new tie and some Reese's. He got me new black shoes for work-which I desperately needed but didn't realize he knew that so he surprised me. He also got me new fuzzy socks that I also really needed/wanted. I ask for them every year because I wear them out so fast. And of course he got me a chocolate orange which I LOVE!

And now after that long boring paragraph you get to see the pictures!

Brayli opening her stocking

Unwrapping her Elmo Kids Favorite Songs movie that she now asks to watch multiple times a day.

Wearing her pretties that have somehow since been lost except one.

If you look close you can see a smile on her face. We got her a couple animal puzzles.

She LOVES to draw and drags this around the house. Thankfully she has figured out how to erase which makes it a lot easier for her to use on her own!

And her big "Santa present" is. . .

Her doll house!! She found it in the Walmart Toy Catalog in November I think and showed everyone the page. She carried the catalog around the house all month so its a good thing Santa knew how to build one!

Brayli with her presents. I should have added to ones from Christmas Eve too but that thought came just a little too late.

She got washable crayons in her stocking and had to try them out right away! Look how well she holds the crayon. She is always so focused when she colors and draws.

These next two were taken a couple days after Christmas. I asked Brayli to smile and this is the face I got. Not exactly what I was looking. We'll work on that one! Please ignore the mismatched clothes. Not sure what I was thinking that day. Comfy maybe???

And I love how she has her ankles crossed in this one. Sooo cute.

We sure love this little girl and are so blessed to have her. We can just sit and watch her play/dance/sing and entertain us all day. What will we do when we have to share the attention with our next baby???? I guess we will find out in June!

Christmas Eve

Here's Brayli just being cute-playing with the nativity and waiting for dinner I think.

Reading a book with Grandpa. (my dad)

Brayli and Campbell in the middle of all the sibling gifts and gifts from Mom and Dad. Looks like a lot of fun for a baby!

Uncle Braden's feet made a perfect seat fro Brayli. She just walked right over and sat down like it was made just for her.

Me-Ma (my mom) got Brayli a Leap Frog My Pal. She loves it!! It hooks up to the computer and you can personalize what songs it plays, favorite food/color/animal, and it even says Brayli's name.

My mom also got her some clothes. She thought she would try the pants on over her jammies. What a silly girl!

I guess I am a little too stuck on my daughter. I only have pics of her. Kimi is good about taking pictures of everyone usually. I think she may have some on her blog. I got a sewing machine from my parents, hooded-full body-foot pj's from Braden, and a movie and popcorn with flavorings from Kimi & Chris. Matthew got a pocket knife type thing from my parents and a new head set for the computer from Zach. Brayli also got books, a cute butterfly hooded towel and possible more that I can't think of from Campbell??(I think or maybe Kimi) Its fun having all the family live so close. Sorry to say it and make everyone sad but I just realized Zach won't be here next Christmas. He will be in Chili on his mission :( I already miss him just thinking about it!

What is Brayli up to these days??

A while ago she figured out how to eat cereal from a bowl with a little milk in it. She loves it but what she loves even more is . . .

Drinking the milk out of the bowl when the cereal is gone! Occasionally this makes a big mess but luckily her bib has a little pocket on the bottom that catches the milk!

Brayli is being potty trained and does very good most days. A recent interest, however, is picking all the sock fuzzies out of her toes while sitting on the potty. She's already learning to multi-task. (and be OCD like her mother!)

One Saturday Matthew and I got the crazy idea to take the side off Brayli's crib making it into a toddler bed. It was definitely a CRAZY idea and the side went back on Sunday night so we could get some rest. It took at least an hour to put her to sleep for naps and bedtime. She pulled all her books off the shelf and sat and read/played/cried by the door until we came and rescued her. We'll try again when it gets closer to June. ( When the next baby comes along)