Christmas

We had a wonderful Christmas this year. It was great to spend time with family and to see Brynlee's excitement as everyone watched her open gifts.

We spent Christmas Eve with my family.

Christmas morning.

Bryn was a little apprehensive about this shopping cart at first, but after a while she got the hang of it and filled it everyone's stocking stuffers.

The two sweetest gifts I could ever ask for.

MOM- this pic is for you!

Every year growing up my mom wouldn't let us go out to the Christmas tree until she did our hair (you know... the double stack bangs, etc) so that we looked "cute" for pictures. I couldn't bear to put my kids through such "torture." Therefore: BED HEAD!

Brynlee LOVES her new baby! She pats her back all the time and puts her in her shopping cart. We've got a little "mommy" on our hands.

After the excitement at our house, we headed over to Grandma & Papa McCormick's.

Bryn was so afraid of this tunnel... but we forced her through it. So mean, I know.

... And ended the night with fireworks.

We had a wonderful Christmas and enjoy the time we have to reflect on the birth of our Savior.

Merry Christmas!

Recently...

I just can't get enough of THESE TWO:

For Christmas, Riley got me a Flip videocamera (which I've already opened and used... we're horrible about keeping Christmas surprises). I've had so much fun capturing the funny and cute things Bryn & Brody do each day.

Please ignore my annoying "A GOOing"... and try to focus on the cute laughing baby.

Brynlee LOVES her fish. She won it at a family gift exchange on Thanksgiving. Every time she passes his tank, she says "hi Bob" or "bye Bob".

(Aunt Sarah & Uncle Jordan have a fish named BOB... so now EVERYTHING fish-related is "Bob.")

(She thinks the video camera is just a camera. That's why she's batting her eyelashes and saying "cheese")

Thanksgiving and More...

WE HAVE SO MUCH TO BE THANKFUL FOR THIS YEAR...

Two happy, healthy kids.

Not only are they happy and healthy, but they're so sweet. Brody is almost sleeping through the night... which is something to be grateful for itself.

I'm not exactly the most pleasant person when I don't get my sleep.

He greets everyone with that killer smile and adorable coos!

Brynlee's personality continues to make us smile. She's so full of energy and love. Whenever Brody cries, she runs to his rescue and does all she can to help him be happy again.

My favorite time of day is when we do our nightly routine and I get to put her to sleep. She wraps her tiny little hands around my neck and tickles my back while I sing to her. Then, she folds her arms for the prayer.

It's the most precious sight in the world.

Jobs that allow us to provide for our family.

This handsome man (a.k.a my hubby) had is coaching debut this week. He's the JV Basketball coach at Mesquite High School!

I'm also coaching Synchro again this year. It's the best sport EVER!

Family

We are so lucky to have both of our families so close. Our kids have the best grandparents in the world... always so willing to watch Bryn & Brody on a moment's notice. We also love having Aunts, Uncles, & Cousins around to play with.

The Gospel

Having a family, children, jobs, etc. wouldn't be the same if we didn't have the truth of the Gospel and all that it brings.

And, for the newest addition to our family: BROCK!!

Kyley and Brock were married over Thanksgiving weekend. It was a beautiful day and I'm so glad Kyley found someone who makes her so happy.

My Babies are Growing So Fast...

I can't believe Brody is already (more than) 2 months old. It seems like we just brought him home last week. These sweet kiddos are growing and learning so fast. Brynlee amazes me every day with something new she has learned. She's trying so hard to communicate and I can see the frustration in her furrowed brow when we don't understand her. She uses sign language a lot to tell us what she wants. She has also recently learned that her finger fits perfectly up her nose. What a treat! Her new favorite activity is to do somersaults. After each "attempt", she looks up to make sure I saw it and waits for an applause.

It's really doing wonders for her hair...

Brody is all smiles these days. This is my favorite stage! I love it when he recognizes our faces and greets us with the biggest smile ever. He makes you feel like a million bucks! He really is the sweetest baby. He only cries if he's hungry. Other than that, he just grunts and sleeps all day.

He has also discovered his hands and about sucks them off when he's hungry.

It's crazy how fast time flies. These little "stages" don't last very long, but we sure do enjoy every minute of them while they last.

Brody's Baby Blessing

Our sweet little Brody Bug was blessed on Sunday. It was a beautiful day and a wonderful blessing. Family and friends came to support and love our little guy. He's lucky to have so many wonderful people in his life.

(Notice Brody is about to bust out of his blessing outfit. AFTER we took it off, I noticed the size: PREEMIE!! Plus he's a little CHUNKY!) Haha!

Uncle Joel, {Uncle} Shaun, Uncle Jordan, Riley, BRODY, Papa Dennis, Papa Brad, and Great Grandpa Glenn

WE LOVE YOU GUYS!!

Halloween Happenings

The festivities started out with our Annual Family Pumpkin Party.

*Notice the poor little girl sitting in the middle with an UNCARVED pumpkin. Yup, her dad wouldn't carve it because Brynlee "wasn't interested."

But at least it got cleaned out...

We had quite the busy Halloween weekend.

In honor of Brynlee's Winnie the Pooh obsession, the kids dressed up this year as Tigger & Pooh.

Bryn couldn't figure out how to smile in her costume. The hood was scrunching her face, so every time we said "say cheese", this is the face we got.

Check out those cheeks! Yum!

Brynlee and Ellie at our ward Trunk-r-Treat on Friday night.

At the end of the night, we were taking Bryn's costume off and realized that the poor girl had been sweating bullets! (Yes, her hair is sticking up with SWEAT!) I thought it felt nice outside, but apparently Tiggers sweat a lot!

Needless to say, the next day we couldn't put her through that torture again, so she dressed up as a fairy princess.

More Trunk-r-Treating...

And the biggest news of all...

BRYNLEE STARTED NURSERY!!! Hooray!!

She's only 16 months, but I think the Nursery coordinator was feeling bad that neither Riley or I could attend our meetings with TWO babies in the hall.

She didn't even look back to see if I was still there! She didn't miss us at all. I probably checked on her at least 10 times. I caught her eating play-doh, taking another kid's snack, and pushing her way into the "action". Not bad for her first day!

My "baby" is growing up so fast!

HAIR

Brody will be a month old tomorrow and he has already had his first haircut. Poor Brynlee is still struggling to have enough hair for a ponytail.

WHERE DID ALL THAT HAIR COME FROM!?!?

before:

during:

He slept through the whole hair cut. Aunt Whitney said he was her most cooperative client yet...

after: (just woke up)

Since He's Been Home...

The week in pictures:

There were lots of naps...

And Brynlee gave Brody lots of loves...

On his one week birthday, Brody's umbilical cord fell off, so he got his first "real" bath!

Brynlee wasn't about to miss out on the action!

Bryn did a lot of relaxing.

Being a big sister is tough work!

She also got her first pedicure and learned what "toes" are.

(Up until now she hasn't been able to sit still long enough for such a task.)

Riley and I celebrated our 3 Year Anniversary! It may not have been the most romantic day, but we got to spend it with the two sweetest kiddos, so it was a great day!

...And Brynlee gave Brody more loves!

It may be a crazy life, but we love it and wouldn't have it any other way!

He's Here!

Meet the newest addition to our family:

Brody Jason McCormick

September 13, 2010

7:00 am

8 lbs. 2 oz.

21.1 inches

Yeah... we don't know where the hair came from either!

Their first meeting (on Earth).

Brynlee wasn't too sure what to think...

The nurses were all obsessed with washing and styling his hair.

(More details to come)