December 2010

We love watching the NFR in December and Charlize was very into it this year. When we went over to Gramma and Grapa's house she pulled out her rocking horse and got a front row seat. :)

We went down to shop at Cowboy Christmas that last Sautrday of the rodeo and met up with Kyle and Brinlee. They were bummed we didn't have Charlize, but it was fun to shop and go out to dinner with them. We went to City Center and I need to bring Charlize inthe spring to come play- she'd love it!

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5 years ago we had a huge flood that washed away homes and bridges in our area (our subdivision lost 1 home - we don't live close to the river so we're good) but we went to check it out behind the clubhouse to see how high it was. I need to take a comparison picture from what it usually looks like, but its crazy how high the water was!
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One day, I went to pick up Charlize from Eleanore's and pulled out the camera for a mini-shoot of sweet Fallon baby and Charlize.

*potty training! I've been waiting for Christmas break to take on the challange (she'd been showing she was ready for a few months) so I could give all my attention to our Missy to get rid of diapers! She liked her "Lightning McQween and Mater" sticker chart but didn't really care about it - since she loves to put stickers on everything! So we just went to praising and taking her to the bathroom every 15 minutes or so. Yes, it an adjustment for us all but she did great!
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My sister Sonrisa had her little boy Brecken Kelby Adams on December 9th and I got to take some pictures of him at about 2 weeks old. He's such a sleepy little guy, doesn't really like to be touched and is concerned with what's around him. Its fun to have added 3 new babies to my side of the family this year!

The same day that Brecken had an appointment, I got the girls in their Christmas dresses and attempted a quick photoshoot. Good thing my neice Addison was a sweetie! She let me take pictures, but my own Sassy Charlize wasn't having it that day. Well, they were so cute when I did get some!


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Christmas 2010

Christmas Eve

Nate's parents through a Christmas Eve party every year with close friends and family. I actually didn't take any pictures durring the party so hope to get some from Rick, but after everyone had gone Charlize helped make breakfast. They had a plan to make the breakfast dish the night before and any chance Charlize can to help she's all in.

Christmas!! (I look so tired!! haha thats for being up to late and waking up too early to get everything done!) Charlize was determined to wear her cowgirl hat while opening presents and wanted Nate to wear his hat as well. She didn't really understand that Santa had brought her something, but was excited to open the gifts.

Late morning with Nate's family:

After opening our presents we went to breakfast with Nate's parents. Then Charlize helped open and passout the presents. She wanted to fully open and play with each toy she received and was ready when her turn came again. :) She loves dresses and tutu's still, so the chest of dress-up clothes was a huge hit!

Afternoon with my Mom and family:

We had breakfast food for a late lunch/dinner and got to visit. Addi and Charlize just love being together, Fallon's getting cubby cheeks and Mr. Brecken is a sleepy little guy. We watched a movie and got to be together.

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Janine, Charlize, Juanita & Kaitlyn

I worked with Janine on the Farm in Sheridan and Kaity would come play with us while we worked. They've always been very supportive of the college athletes and we've kept in touch through visits and cards. Janine grew up in St. George and has family here still, so I was sooo excited when they told me they'd be able to get together for a quick lunch. Kaitlyn is going to be a Senior next year and its so fun to hear about all her plans and sports she's participating in. I'm so excited to go up and visit this summer (and I get to take her Senior pictures!)

Charlize's First Theater Movie: Tangled

Nate wanted to take Charlize to see Tangled and when my dad tried to get all of us to gether to take Addi and Charlize together it didn't quite line up (I think my Dad ended up going to the movie twice, but got to take both graddaughters). She loved it and liked getting to sit in her own chair.

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New Years Eve - Pine Valey Utah

We went up to Pine Valley to be with Nate's family for New Years Eve. Nate hadbeen roping in Mesquite, but it worked out great to go play in the snow with Aunt Diana and Gramma & Grampa. They fed us a delisious Crab and steak dinner (YUMMY!) and it was fun to let Charlize fun around in the snow.

Merry Christmas!!

Yes, I know Charlize is MUCH bigger now than she is in the picture, but I just LOVE this picture!! I don't like waiting for family pictures until Fall. I *LOVE* green! In fact I just loved these pictures sooo much its going to be hard to come up with different outfits and locations for next year. Just in case you missed some from before, I'll add some more of my favorites below! :)

November 2010

Fallon June was born to Eleanore and Austin on November 7th (11-7 and Elle's birthday is 7-11).

What a smiley, sweet baby girl she is with LOTS of dark hair! All the other babies in our family have had very little and light hair so its a complete change for us! An hour after walking into the hospital she was born (it was really fast and Elle went all natural! You go Elle!!)

We couldn't take Charlize into the hospital with us when we went to visit so a day or so later we went to their house so she could see her new baby cousin.

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The University of Wyoming was playing UNLV in Las Vegas November 12th. My super good friend Gwen came down with Tim and a group of friends to cheer them on and we got to come play! SO EXCITED to see my friends! We had alot of fun! Um, the football team wasn't nearly as entertaining as the rest of us but we were there to support. And we were able to catch up with Teri for a bit!
We had an interesting incident as were were getting a 4th meal at In-N-Out where some disorderly people were in an argument. We were leaving and actually getting in the truck when the cops showed up, parked behind us and yelled at us to get out of the vehicle. Umm, actually pretty funny cause Nate and Tim got out and walked right back towards them telling them that the problem was inside. It made for a good story and laughs.

Again, sooo nice to see my good friends and have a nice get-away with Nate.

The next morning we took them out to breakfast and of course to see the famous Vegas sign!

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I took Fallon's newborn pictures when she was 4 days old :)

She was nice and sleepy! What a doll!

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One morning we were getting ready to go to Grandma Denise's (we usually just go over in our pajamas) but today Charlize was determined to wear a dress. This cute red dress my friend had just handed down to her. So we got dressed up and couldn't leave bewr (Bear) out of the picture.


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I was in charge of my school's Jubilee of Tree's tree to raise money this year for breast cancer screenings and services. This is a yearly fundraiser for the hospital. This year the theme was western cowboy/cowgirl. The 4th/5th grade safety patrol helped make the ornaments. We tore denim and bandanna material and glued them on Styrofoam balls, painted horseshoes and used brads for the nails and made pictures using melted crayons for the sunset.

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Another fun morning outfit. This time the Missy was determined to wear her tutu and of course her boots. I'm trying to do better about getting into the pictures,but morning isn't the best for looking perky.

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Thanksgiving!!! My Aunt Roberta and cousins Carli & Robbi came to visit!! I unfortunately didn't get a group picture of us all :( so I remembered for Black Friday shopping. They actually got up and Charlize and I caught up with them around noon. I set the timer and ran to get in the picture, but a couple was watching us and offered to take it - bummer that the one they took is out of focus (the bottom picture, but you can see the Buckle windows really well).
We grabbed some grub at Carl's Jr (YUM!) and yet again were picture happy. I got my haircut the day before - so love my bangs again!! I'm lucky I get to be around all these lovely ladies!

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This ones a little out of order, but Austin blessed Fallon on Sunday following Thanksgiving because his parents were still in town and it was nice to have his family here.

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We went to ride the horses (cause the girls adore them and we all like to go).

I think this is the most I've ever taken pictures with myself in them!! I'm so glad Charlize is letting me take them and smiling for me.

Rodeo in Gunlock - November 2010

This rodeo was put on to help raise money for Cash Adams who recently underwent extensive surgery to remove cancer in his little body (he's only a few months older than Charlize) and actually a cousin through marriage. (Its my sister Sonrisa's husband's cousin's little boy -whew that was long!) We were excited to let Charlize participate in the barrel racing for her first time!!

She ate some yummy chili-chips before heading out to compete. :)

Nate rode Zima and led Roanie with Charlize. She was very focused on riding and didn't look up at us all cheering for her until the last stretch. :) I even got in one of the pictures since I gave Kyle my other camera :)

Then, it was back to playing in the dirt for Charlize and Kimber. Nate and Kyle ribbon roped, Nate calf roped and team roped. We had fun hanging out with our friends and family :)

Family pictures, Check-up and Roping

We went to the arena with Nate for Charlize to practice for her upcoming barrel racing (1st ever rodeo to compete in). They practiced the pattern and having Charlize hold on as the horse was ponied by anther horse. She was in heaven - big girl on her own horse!

These pictures are from my phone and I'm glad the flash on it worked so well. These were after I chased the steer out of the box! That's quite an adrenaline rush! I'm not to roping just yet. Charlize loves to be at the arena with the boys and was a little taken back that I was there - of course its because I didn't let her just roam free like Nate does, but o well. :) We had fun!

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We had the Brinkerhoff Family pictures taken at the end of October. We had a stormy few days before and lucked out to have overcast lovely clouds in the sky. My little brother James came with me to take the whole group pictures. :) I loved the purple and teal with the red rocks. :) Charlize refused to nap ALL DAY!! She was very tired and grouchy and it just goes to show that all kiddos know when its picture day. I can redirect her just enough to get the pictues.

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We went to Charlize's 2 year old appointment. Here stats were:

98% weight - 33 lbs

94% height - 36 inches

So if we go off the old saying of adult height by doubling 2 year-old height she's going to be around 6 foot like her parents. :)

Charlize is 2!!

Its very fitting to have a "Boo" yard sign for Halloween and since its her nickname (given that she was born so close to Halloween) its hers. She had fun waiting outside for everyone to come!

After Dinner, while we were cleaning up the girls were playing on Charlize's water table turned upside down. They figured the legs made great stools and that apron Charlize is wearing was actually made for me by my Grandma Kika when I was about her age. :)

Dinner was Nate's awesome Chili!!! I made a Funfetti cake and Cinnamon Struesel cake. She loved blowing out the candles and wanted to do it again!

Party Guests: Una (Grandma Patte), Granddad (Grandpa Jim), GG& Papa (Great Grandma Barabara& Grandpa Wayne), Grandma Denise and Grandpa Craig, Aunt Diana, Uncle Kelby, Aunt Sonrisa, Cousin Addi, Baby Adams, Aunt Eleanore and Baby Fallon, Uncle James, Mommy, Daddy and Charlize!

The decorations: The green antique door hung on the wall in the kitchen had a timeline of pictures from each month up to her 2nd birthday; white pumpkin with a glitter glue 2; I reused her banner from last year (helps to keep the same color scheme); pretty flowers; an embroidery hoop wall hanging made from an old shirt and a mini picture of the birthday girl.

These are the pictures that I put on the timeline-clothesline in the kitchen for her party. When I made the collages to blog I put the months on each picture, but they didn't upload with it-sorry! Its fun to see her grow and change (and watch as that hair appeared around 18 months).