We had a simple and relaxing Christmas this year. We are so grateful for Jesus Christ and for the season of Christmas. Santa Claus and presents and Christmas trees are fun, but the blessings we receive because of Jesus Christ enrich us and bring us peace.
Well folks, Christmas is just around the corner so our family has been doing all sorts of fun stuff to celebrate. Here is a list of just a few: hay ride through Lights of the South, pictures with Santa, the lighted boat parade on the river, the Ward Christmas party dressed like shepherds, making cookies and candies, decorating a gingerbread house, and of course - getting sick. We have pictures to prove everything below (except for the sickness because a a picture of Bridger's snotty nose, or Jess's strep throat would be less than pleasing.)
Finally, the moment you have all been waiting for has arrived. You've probably seen alot of horrible things in your life, but what you are about to witness is, in the words of little Cindy Lou Who - "Hideodorous". Brace yourselves and ...
Behold the Beard in all its glorious forms!
Finally.
If there is one thing that I've learned while Adam was gone, it is that our Heavenly Father knew what he was doing when he put a man and a woman together. He loves us so much, He knew that we would need each other and that we would be happier with each other. I have felt incomplete the last 4 months and right when Adam came home, I felt whole again. The boys and I are so happy to have him back safe and unharmed.
He isn't ever allowed to leave me again.
This is at the airport when we first saw Dad.
The boys never want to let him go.
We love being a family again!
We're back in Georgia after more than 2 great months in Nevada with my family. It was so nice to have family around everyday to help with the boys. At night, I was often able to go out with my friends or to the temple with my mom while someone stayed home with the kids. Having family with me while Adam is away was such a blessing. Those of you who live close to your parents or other family are lucky!
This is me with my best friend from high school- Kendra. We got to hang out a few times and let our kids play together. I even got to celebrate her birthday with her!
The last weekend we were there, my mom, the boys and I drove down to California to stay at my dad's new condo in Santa Ana. We weren't there for long, but we got to go to the beach, to IKEA, and to a really cool petting zoo in San Juan Capistrano.
My mom and I went out to go shopping one night at South Coast Plaza, only to realize that it closed at 8. What mall closes at 8? I was also able to go see my best friend Royah from when we lived in California and meet her family. I haven't seen her since my wedding day and it was fun to catch up with her and see her as a mom.
The day before we left Las Vegas, we drove down to the Strip and let the kids see all the lights and cool buildings. Brody especially like the pyramid (the Luxor) and the lion (MGM Grand). We went to the Bellagio and walked through the flower garden (amazing) and watched the water show. Brody LOVES water fountains so I thought he would be really excited about the water show. He just covered his ears and kept saying it was too loud.
Now that we are home, it's nice to have my own bed to sleep in and to be with my Georgia friends again. I missed them a lot. I've been busy getting back into my church calling, taking care of all the things that built up over 2 months, and trying to stay sane until Adam gets home.
This year, we all decided to be superheroes. Brody chose Batman for him and Superman for Bridger. My mom helped me put my costume together. Every time Brody had his costume on, he would say the funniest things:
"Da da da da da da da da BATMAN!"
"Mom, somebody's in trouble. I better go help them!" (then he would run off to save them)
Bridger would also say "Da da da da da" even though the Superman theme song is nothing like that.
For Halloween yesterday, we started at the mall for trick-or-treating, since you could go as early as 4. The mall gives each store 2 bags of candy and tells them not to buy anything more. They want to keep the candy safe I guess. The only problem is that they give the same kind of candy to each store and it is all crap candy. You know what I'm talking about. 
Twilight mints, fruit wrapper candy, etc. Every store gave the same junk and we had to wait in line at every store to get the junk. It was pretty disappointing, but the kids thought it was cool for like 5 minutes so I guess it was worth it. Or was it?
Then we went to my parent's ward's Trunk or Treat and had chili for dinner and let the kids get more candy. We got way better candy there and it was fun to see all the decorated cars. Brody was very diligent about saying his "Trick-or-Treat" and "Thank you"s and Bridger loved running around pretending he was flying.
Of course, we totally missed having Adam there. I have realized there is a reason why Heavenly Father put a man and a woman together to make a family. It is incomplete without both parents. We each contribute different things to make our family function. I miss him and can't wait until he gets home. He was a superhero this year, too, even though he didn't get to 
dress up.
This week we had a lot of fun things around us to do. On Tuesday I went with my friend Heather, who I went to high school with, and her kids to the Lied Children's Museum. Adam told me he went there on a field trip when he was like 11 and said he remembered it being really cool. Heather also had the same memories, but she realized it was a lot bigger to an adult than to a child. It was kind of lame, but 
the kids really liked it. There were some really fun parts, like the costume stage, which as you can tell, Bridger really liked. We bribed the kids with M&M's to put the costumes on and Bridger was so mad he was choking on his candy. There was a little phone-booth type thing that you could go into and feel what a hurricane with 80 mph wind feels like, which was pretty cool, but Bridger stood outside the booth (he didn't want to go in with 
me) and banged on the glass and cried for me until it was over. It was fun to watch the kids explore and learn.
The next day, we went w
ith Jenn (my YW president who I love) and her sister Natalie (who I also love) to the local pumpkin patch. The boys (meaning just Brody, since Bridger is afraid of EVERYTHING, including baby slides and jump houses) got to ride on all the rides and play with Jenn and Nat's kids. Brody was so brave to ride, even though he was scared. When we got home, the kids were so tired- Bridger slept for 3 1/2 hours, which might be a record.
One night at bath time, Brody decided he wanted to try taking a bath with his clothes on. He thought it was so funny. He got his clothes soaked, poured water and bubbles all over (and in) his shirt and laughed about it all. Then he decided to take his bath the normal way and took his clothes off so we could soap him up. 
About a year and a half ago, a lady from our church offered to take some family pictures for us. It was so so hot outside, as it was summer in Georgia and the kids really weren't happy about having their pictures taken. In some of the pictures, you can see us holding fruit snacks or Brody eating them because we had to bribe him to sit still and smile. Once the ordeal was over, we were excited about getting our pictures back. Well, the photographer moved and we tried to contact her to ask her about our pictures but never heard back. We figured we would never see them, but two days ago I got an email from her explaining how she had forgotten and moved twice and felt really bad. She emailed us the pictures so here are some of my favorites. It's so funny to see how chubby Bridger is and how tiny Brody looks.
I know a lot of people think they have the best mom in the world, but I'm here to say that they are all wrong. That title goes to my mom and I have at least 5 other people who will back me up on this. She is amazing. And attractive too. I'm just saying.
Yesterday we drove the 2 hours to St. George to go to Staheli Farm for the day. They have little rides, swings, a corn maze, a pumpkin patch (more like small pile of pumpkins), a petting zoo, and a redneck trampoline, which is a mattress set on a pile of hay. The kids LOVED it. They have a sand area where there are little ride-on tractors, a wheelbarrow, and huge pile of dirt. There is nothing that my boys love more than dirt. Seriously. My friend Brooke, who invited us, brought her camera and took cute pictures of the boys. I don't have those yet but I have a few that I took. Bridger loved the petting zoo. He didn't want to touch any of the animals but he just stared in amazement. He especially liked the llamas and kept saying, "Hi mama" to them. Brody liked feeding the horses dirt, rocks, and a little hay. It was a really fun place to take kids and I wish it was closer than 2 hours away. Once I get the pictures from Brooke, I'll post them.
Bridger loves to climb up on Grandpa's lap and share his cereal with him.
Brody had his last day of class this week so they had a Halloween party. It's been so nice to have him in classes a few times a week- it keeps him busy and out of trouble. His poor Batman ear won't stay up and his shoes don't match. It seems to be a pattern with him.
Today is Adam's birthday. He's 28. I know- he's old. Even though it was his birthday yesterday where he is right now (he's quite a few hours ahead of us), it's not too late to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY! This picture shows what Adam is all about. He'd rather be with his family than anywhere else. He's a fun dad and a great husband. We love you and miss you and can't wait to be with you again. Muah!
There isn't a lot to say. I went to Disneyland for a whole weekend with only fun girls- no kids, no stroller, no diapers or sippy cups, no worrying about naps (unless it was my nap) and no whining (and no non-fun girls). It was amazing. The group of girls I went with was so fun and entertaining. Again, a huge thank you to my parents who took the kids to Mandalay Bay's Shark Reef and gave them a fun weekend, and to Michael and Amanda who helped out when my parents were working.
Eliza, Natalie, Me, Jenn, Brooke, Seana
By the end of Saturday night, we were all so delusional that we thought it was cute to wear ears around the park. 
Eliza, me and Brooke on the Ferris Wheel type ride that swings the cages you're in. It made me a little sick, but nothing like this....
Who likes how Jenn and Seana are suffering and Natalie is in the background laughing at them? What you can't see is the other three of us laughing on the other bench across from them.
Natalie's "look".
