Snowboarding in the Red-Neck capital of the world-Sanpete County

The day after Christmas, we packed up the kids, and headed up to see Preston's family. We went snowboarding on Saturday, and had so much fun! I've only snowboarded 3 or 4 other times, so I'm terrible. And the last couple times Preston has gone, I've been pregnant, and can't get my snow pants on. All Preston's siblings have their own snowboards, and are really good. His Mom even snowboards, it's awesome!

Preston was trying to help me figure out how to slow down without falling, while he was boarding with Braxton in his arms. I ran right into the back of them and knocked them over. Braxton just started bawling. He said, "Don't crash us Mom!" I'm quite possibly the worst snowboarder in the family. Even his 8 year old brother Alex, can make it down the hill faster than me. I still had fun and I want to go more often. I could probably be a gold medalist if I just try a few more times. Thanks Kaylee for going down with me a few times, and not caring about how many times I fell!

HAPPY DAY OF TURNING 26, PRESTON!

Since Preston had a Birthday, I thought I would do a special post just for him. I was going to do 26 things I love about him, but I couldn't think of that many. So I decided to do 26 things he does to get on my nerves. Just kidding, I would never do that. Besides, I could only think of 21 annoying things. Braxton wasn't about to let Preston blow out that many candles all by himself!

Mason loves to grab and pinch Prestons face.

If you know me at all, hopefully you know I was just teasing about the paragraph above. It's been approved by Preston, and he thought it was funny.

He is such a good Dad, and the boys get so excited when he come home from work. Every time Braxton sees his car pull up, he runs and hides. The first thing Preston has to do when he gets home, is find Braxton. Preston is so fun to be around, and is always up for sports, hunting, playing games, watching movies, or just hanging out with friends and family. One of the things I love most about him, is he was so excited to be a Dad. And since I couldn't wait to have kids, that was a very good thing. I love you babe, Happy late Birthday!

p.s. It's your turn to do dishes tonight.

8 MONTHS

It's just crazy Mason is 8 months old. He is all over the place, and so much fun! He wants to eat all the time. If anyone is eating something, he yells until you give him some. Yesterday I took the garbage out to the road. It took me a minute because the garbage can was frozen to the cement, so I had to kick it out. Anyway, when I got back in the house, Braxton said, "Uh oh Mom!" Mason was in the middle of the Living Room surrounded by peanut M&M's. He had two in each hand, and 2 in his mouth. I ran him over to the sink to fish them out of his mouth. He had sucked all the chocolate off and was chewing on the peanuts. I have to watch him so close because EVERYTHING goes right into his mouth. I didn't have that problem with Braxton, so it surprises me just how many little things he can find that he could choke on. Good thing I have Braxton to tell me anytime he puts something in his mouth.

Holy fun Christmas Batman!

It's a tradition in our family for each of us to open a present on Christmas Eve. And what do you know, it's always pajamas! We also opened "Horton Hears a Who", and watched it in our new pj's. It's a really cute movie, I highly recommend it.

Not really in the mood for pictures.

Mason didn't even know what to think Christmas morning. He made his way from one new toy to the next. He definitely had a lot of fun!

Braxton ruined the big Christmas morning surprise. Every single morning when he wakes up, he comes in our bedroom before he goes anywhere else. So Christmas morning, I figured he'd come in and get us. NOPE! I heard his door open around 6:30, and I waited for him to come in. I thought I saw his shadow in our doorway, but after looking at it for a while, I realized it wasn't him. I jumped out of bed to find him. There he was, in the living room, lights off, holding onto his bike. I grabbed him and said, "Come with me, you have to wait." He said, "Noooooooo!" When he saw Preston he said, "Daddy! Santa brought a bike for me!" I think it's safe to say that Santa did an excellent job this year.

Braxton liked some of Mason's toys more than his own.

He got this from his nursery teacher, Grandma Leann. I told him to hold it up, and this is what he did.

Preston got an automatic putt return from Santa. Braxton made a bridge for the golf ball to go under.

We went to see my family later on in the day. They got Rock Band for Christmas. It was a lot of fun to hang out and play for a while. We're thinking about robbing my family of their wii and all the games. I have a key to their house, and I usually know when they're out of town. They would never even suspect us. We had such a great Christmas. I can't even explain how fun it is to have kids and see how excited they get. It was also really nice to do our own Christmas this year. Now I have to wait FOREVER to have another Christmas. Dang.

CHRISTMAS TRAIN

Last night we went to my Grandma and Grandpa Bradshaw's house with some friends, to see their train and fun decorations. My friend Candi said this picture would probably end up on my blog, which is why I almost didn't put it on. Of course a picture this fun is going on the blog! Thanks Grandma and Grandpa for letting us come see your house, love you!

Braxton, Eli, and Cody watching the fire truck drive in and out of the firehouse.

Grandpa let Mason have a candy cane. Boy did he love that! He would dive for it when my Grandpa pulled it away.

HAPPY #3 BIG GUY!

Braxton J was born on Joseph Smith's 200th Birthday. So the "J" is for Joseph and Jerry (Prestons Grandpa). He weighed in at 6lbs. 12 oz. He was our little Christmas present that year, and we love him so much!

When he saw the cake he said, "Oh wow, my Birthday cake!" He sat on the counter and stared at it for about 1/2 an hour. When family came over for his party, that was the first thing he had to show them. He has been waiting for his Birthday for months. Every time he went to another kid's party, he came home and told us to sing Happy Birthday to him.

He was trying not to smile when we started singing to him. It was so funny!

People sure know him well. He got all kinds of trucks, cars, and shooting things.

We love you buddy, Happy Birthday!

RANDUM STUFF

This cute little decoration entertained Mason for half an hour. It was awesome!

BEST BUDDIES

Braxton has so much fun going to watch his Uncle Ethan wrestle. Preston has been going to all the practices to help coach. It's been fun, and it definately keeps Preston busy.

The vent on the floor keeps Braxtons balloon in the air. Braxton says, "My balloon dancing!" He loves it.

The most recent hilarious thing we've heard Braxton say: Preston and I said "Don't pick your nose!" To this Braxton replied "Guys, it's o.k. I'm just gettin somethin."

This past month, Braxton and Mason have been able to spend time with all of their living Great Grandparents, and Grandparents. It makes me so happy that my boys have such good relationships with all their Grandparents!

Making a snow angel "like Goofy".

GRADUATION

Our brother-in-law Craig graduated from the Utah State Department of Corrections Training Academy yesterday. He asked Preston to give him his certificate. Craig is working in the Washington County Jail, and really likes it. My Mom doesn't want any more family members to go into law enforcement, it makes her nervous, but they love it. I took a picture of Craig and Preston shaking hands, but Preston ruined the picture with his eyes closed.

The Executive Director for the Department of Corrections said we can move freely about the room to take pictures. So I moved freely about the room to take pictures. I went clear down on the floor by all the Officers. The Officer standing by Preston in the picture above must not have wanted me down there. He urged me to quickly go back up the stairs and said, "You can take more pictures afterwards." I guess they didn't think anyone would go down to the bottom floor for pictures. Oh well, I don't care. We've been to a few of these Graduations before (Preston also gave his cousin Braden his certificate), and I know the pictures don't turn out very well from far away. The lighting in there is really bad and it annoys me.

There's just something about a man in a uniform......

That's my sister Shanna on the left, just so you know. Congratulations Craig! And Preston, way to hand over a piece of paper! They didn't even practice it! Amazing.

KABLAM! ELIMINATION! LACK OF EDUCATION!

He got one! In one of my other posts, I put that Preston was out calling coyotes right then, and it paid off! He blasted him from about 20 yards away. I need to give him more credit. He's a pretty good hunter I guess. I think I'm just unlucky, because when I go with him, (coyote or deer hunting) we don't even see anything. Except our first hunt, he got a little buck after HOURS and DAYS of searching. Good job babe! Get one of those a week, and we'll be FILTHY STINKIN RICH!

OH BOY OH BOY!

Santa came to our ward party, and boy was Braxton excited! He told Santa he wanted toys and a bike. He wanted to talk and talk, but we had to let the other kids have a turn. Braxton can't wait until Christmas and his birthday. He always says, "Gotta wait to December 23rd and Christmas, then I get some toys, o.k?" I just need some dang snow and I will have even more Christmas spirit!

7 MONTHS

This is what his hair looks like when he wakes up. Mason is getting to be a better and better baby. Now that he can sit up, roll around, and almost crawl, he is so happy! And I am super happy with his sleeping habits. He sleeps for 11 hours straight every night, then wakes up around 5:30 for a bottle, and goes back to sleep for another hour-to an hour and a half. He usually has 3 naps a day, but I think we're ready to make the transition to 2 naps instead of 3. He has a tooth that won't decide whether it's going to come in or stay out. Some days I can see the tip of it trying to poke through (and he gets fuss), other days I don't see anything and he's fine. He is so much fun and we love him like crazy!
I forgot to tell about Preston going coyote calling Thanksgiving morning. (My bad). He didn't shoot one, but his friend Jared did. He wanted me to post a picture of it, but I say if he didn't kill it, it's not going on the blog. He is out calling again right now. He better get one this time, I could use 20 bucks.

HOLGREEN PARTAY

We went up to Syracuse on Saturday to have Thanksgiving with the Holgreen side.


This little blonde is Cassidy. She and Braxton shared the same due date, but Cassidy was born exactly two weeks before Braxton.

Lightning lineup

I didn't get very good pictures of the Holgreen Thanksgiving, I just used my phone. But it was a whole lot of fun! We went to Auntie Lisa's church and ate, played games, and visited. Right after lunch a bunch of the cousins (and Prestons Mom of course), played lightning. It was funny to see how into it some of the boys get. After lightning we played potato ball. I had never heard of it. I guess it's a game Uncle Roger taught the boys years ago. It's a fun version of football. I would say Cheryl was the MVP. She caught one of Prestons passes that was intended for Braden. He threw it really hard. I hate to be the recipient when Preston throws, it's terrifying.

While we were cleaning up the church, I got a phone call from by Brother Doug. I hate phone calls that you can tell right away are serious. He told me there had been a 4-wheeling accident in my Grandpa's backyard. He said my cousin Ashley was o.k., but another family member, Jubal, didn't make it. He was 6 years old. So instead of staying at Lisa's house, we came home to be with the family. It's been really hard for all the family members, but I'm so thankful we have the Gospel in our lives, and know we'll see him again.

OH CHRISTMAS TREE, OH CHRISTMAS TREE!

Preston said we can't put the tree up until after Thanksgiving, so you better believe it was up first thing in the morning on Friday! Braxton always sings, "Oh Mama tree, oh mama tree!" It's pretty cute.

The broncos ornament doesn't match the tree at all, but we wanted to start a tradition of taking turns hanging the "special" ornament each year. This was our first year, and Braxton hung it up.

Mason is fascinated by the tree.

My Christmas Village