Father's Day

Happy Father's day, Eric!  We had a little celebration in honoring our father in the home.  We are so lucky to have such a great guy to call dad and spouse.  Words can not explain what you mean to me and I am sure your children. 

Brooklyn showing her love.

Happy New Years

This picture may be deceiving.  It looks like Brooklyn is ringing in the new year with a wine class full of milk and a delicious looking cookie.  Well all but one is true.  She was ringing in 8pm BED TIME. I let her have her cookie and milk early since we knew she wouldn't last past 9pm.  But after saying that, I should of had a cookie and milk then too, because we don't celebrate New Years in our house.  I think I made it until 8:45 PM and I was out.  Hard to think of women my age leaving the house at that time to go party the night away and all I wanted to do was sleep the night away.

 Eric stayed up, keeping himself busy, and luck for him I happened to wake up at 11:58.  Just in time to say, Happy new year and go back to bed.  Annoyed by all the people outside cheering and horns honking, I am for sure a bah humbug when it comes to New Years.  So after that note.
                                                                     Have a great new year!

Christmas 2012

Santa visited our house:

Yes another year on the nice list! 

Our family tradition is after we see what Santa has brought us, we eat breakfast as a family and then head back down to the Christmas tree and open each gift one by one.  

I love having Christmas last longer than 5 minutes.  We have done well so far throughout the years.  We each take turns and open up a gift and we even let the kids open it up all the way and play with it for a few minutes.  As you can see, Eric already started his book. :)

The kids were very excited and happy with all their Christmas gifts they received from family.  We are very thankful for all the love our family has show for us this holiday season.  

After lunch, Brooklyn and uncle Kyle whipped up some treats on Brooklyn's new East Bake Oven! 

We had a great Christmas and are thankful for our family, and the Savior.  We try to focus the holiday season around Christ and the true meaning.  Brooklyn knows the three gifts that Jesus received from the wise men.  Which we are proud she learned and realizes.  

Christmas fun

 We found a fun idea to make snowmen or icicles with toothpicks and marshmallows.  The kids had such a great time. Creating all sorts of things. 

Brooklyn made...not sure. 

 Addison making a rope. 

Andrew, I think was in the process of his. 

 Then they were able to eat their art work...minus the toothpicks. :) 

 Shows us your mouthful! 

Next we made snow globes.  We put to use all those baby food jars i kept for who knows what. They thought it was the coolest thing! Making their own and adding...snow  to it.  

Brooklyn's letter to Santa

Brooklyn wrote her name herself....

She wants a Guitar, microphone and brave movie.

She also would like an Elephant game and Princess books. 

We mailed off the letter on Monday.  Brooklyn is hoping Santa will mail her a letter back. 

Thanksgiving and the Cottriels

Happy Thanksgiving.  All the credit goes to the man of the house, Eric!  He made sure everything was cooked, hot and done on time.  I really am so thankful for him.

Grandpa Cotttriel had the honor or carving the turkey. 

 Brooklyn ready for dinner! 

Bentley ready for dinner! 

And it was served 

 what a happy man. right?

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving and were able to spend it with wonderful people. 

Everyone who attended: 

Eric, Alyssa, Brookly, Bentley, Grandpa Cottriel, Grandma Cottriel and Uncle Kyle. 

You can't have a visit from the grandparents without crafts, games and fun right. Brooklyn made sure she kept them busy. 

The Grandparents also took Brooklyn to a Rec Center that had a huge water area.  They spend some quality time playing together and swimming. 

Grandma Colon visit for Halloween

 We picked grandma up and she was ready for a fun filled couple of days with the Hellers! 

Brooklyn had a list full of stuff she wanted to do with her Grandma.  

First they had to carve the pumpkin.  Since both were not fond of cutting and digging out the guts they opted out to decorating the pumpkin.  Grandma bought Brooklyn a princess set for her pumpkin.  

 Ta...da! 

Grandma even got to snuggle with Mr. Bentley for a while.  She is missing the baby stage so she had to get as much of it while he is still somewhat a baby.  Bentley sure did love being held by his grandma.  

 Next was to make a cake for our friend/neighbor next door. Once again..

Ta...da. 

A barrel of M&M's 

 Next stop was HALLOWEEN night... I totally didn't get any pictures of the kids the night of.  The darkness totally snuck up on us. 

Grandma took Bentley out Trick or Treating...But only for a few minutes.  A mixture of tiredness and being scare put him and grandma back home passing out candy. 

Every year for the past few years we have gone Trick or Treating with the Evens.  This year was no different, same silly kids but different costumes. 

 Brooklyn and Grandma played with babies, little people, games and crafts.  What busy girls.  Oh yes they also spent plenty of time in the bathroom putting on their make up and doing their hair. Typical Grandma! :) 

Grandma cuddling Mr. Bentley in his room.  Which didn't last too long. 

 He is a boy on the move. 

We had a great visit with grandma.  Thanks for coming out and spending time with us. 

Picture below or what we just took because grandma wanted some cute one with her and the kids. 

Halloween at the library

 Brave, I mean Merida. Brooklyn was so excited to wear the hair since Merida's hair is crazy, red, long and CRAZY!  She was the most beautiful Brave girl we saw all night. 

 We decided to go to the library carnival since it was free and perfect for the kids.  Brooklyn had a hoot.  She did all the games and activities and was such a good sport. 

She thought it was so funny, that she had to color a picture and then chew gum and stick it on the witches nose.  

 Bentley enjoyed his time either in the stroller or on mom's hip.  Since he is such a good sport, he just watched the chaos happening and was content. 

 Brooklyn waiting in line to get her face painted. After about 10 minutes in line she chose a red heart.  Yes i know, she choose something I could do at home.  I was surprised she didn't pick the unicorn or the butterfly. 

Pumpkin patch and the farm

We visited good ol' Wheeler Farm again due to the Halloween/Fall season.  It was on our bucket list.  

We were able to hand out with the DeMelo family and join in on the fun.

We took a fun ride on the wagon that was pulled by the tracker...awesome!

My favorite part....They are soo0o darn cute! i might have to convince Eric to have a pig once in our life time.

Bentley enjoyed looking at the animals.  He had a short attention span, but at least was able to enjoy them at their level.

The kids with their pumpkins.  We didn't actually pick any out their, because a. Mom is too cheap to spend 5 dollars on a small pumpkin and b. Daddy wanted to help them pick them out.

Brooklyn was such a strong girl, showing me all the pumpkins she liked and telling me which ones she wanted.