Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Bring on the Pink!

Yep, it's a baby girl! We are super excited to have a healthy baby girl on the way. We actually have to go back in 2 weeks for another ultrasound because our little girl wouldn't hold still enough for the tech to get a good photo of her heart. And then, she wouldn't move positions so they could see her entire spine...but that's ok, just one more chance that we get to see her!


Baby girl sucking her thumb

Monday, December 21, 2009

A Yummy Christmas Tradition!

So making tamales has been a tradition in Brandon's family for a long time, and I found a place to make them here in AZ! My friend from work, Paula, makes them every year and invited a group of us over to help. What a process! But thanks to many hands, we were able to make about 20 dozen in a few hours (that was after all of the prep had pretty much been done), and they are so tasty!




Friday, December 18, 2009

It's beginning to smell alot like Christmas...

So my mom and I started a new Christmas tradition this year-making gingerbread men! We had a blast! Our little men (and women) had pants and aprons, hats, ties, jewelry and even golf clubs. We even made a pilot for my brother Jeff! We'll have to get super creative to outdo our men next year!






Must take a belly picture everytime I do something new (according to my mom)! :)


One of our golfers for my dad and Brandon.

One of our plate of gingerbread men...what to do next year?

Sunday, December 13, 2009

School's Out...Time to Party!

After we got back from Flagstaff, we had a bonfire and dessert party for Brandon. Thanks to all our family and friends who came out to help us celebrate!






A little guitar hero to get the party started...currently Brandon's favorite thing in the world! :)

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Daddy Graduated!!!

So after years of hard work, no summer and no weekends, Brandon finished his Masters in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University. We had so much fun going up to Flagstaff for the ceremony. The ceremony took place in the middle of a snow storm, so when we came out of the dome, it was so pretty! We stayed at a great hotel with my parents, brother and Brandon's parents and brother and spent the evening playing card games and relaxing. We are all so proud of the hard work that he put into this, and it was so rewarding to see him walk across the stage, get hooded and get his diploma!


Baby saying congrats to Daddy.


The grad in the dome at NAU


He's in the back row somewhere! It was really cool...at the end of the ceremony all of the NAU staff stand on the side of the chairs and shoot out streamers over all of the graduates.


Brandon opening his graduation present from his mom...he was a little shocked (to say the least) to find a trip and round of golf at Pebble Beach in the package! For all you non-golfers out there...this is the dream golf course to play. Off to Monterey, CA we go in January!


Outside in the snow after the ceremony.

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Family Christmas Pictures

So it is definitely that time of year again...the family Christmas card photos! My parents haven't done one in a few years, but they were excited to tell the news of the upcoming baby so that was the theme of the photos.




I just want to say how blessed I feel that my brother and husband are such good friends...I couldn't ask for anything greater!


Grandma to be!


Our "growing" family!

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Baby loves Disneyland!!!

Well, if you know Brandon and I, you know we love Disneyland. It seems only fitting that our baby has been to the Happiest Place on Earth 4 times so far! We hope there are many more visits to come in the future with our newest member of the family!


Visit #1


Visit #2 with Grandma Juarez


Visit #3 with Grandma Juarez and Grandma Larson


Visit #4 (Mom's personal favorite so far due to the fact that it's Christmas at Disneyland and I was finally feeling good!)