Christmas in Mexico!

We were lucky enough to spend Christmas (sorta) in Cancun with my family this year. It was my parents 25th wedding anniversary on the 20th, and so they wanted to do something special... lucky us they decided to include the whole fam. My dad's brother and his wife were having an anniversary too so they came with their family also and we had a mini family reunion. It wasn't a very traditional Christmas... in fact, we all had a bit of a hard time remembering it was Christmas! We were actually traveling home on Christmas day, so we spent the week leading up to Christmas in Cancun. Christmas was spent in airports and airplanes and cars. I'm glad Brenna isn't quite old enough to understand Santa yet, so she wasn't too disappointed at her lack of present opening.

We stayed at an all-inclusive resort there, so all of our food and drinks were free the whole week, along with some excursions. So the first thing we did, of coarse, was eat! On Saturday, we decided not to jump on any busses or anything since we were all tired from traveling, so we just relaxed a bit... the boys did some golfing and the girls got pedicures! It was my first pedicure, and I think I should do it again before too long!

Sunday we were bad... there wasn't any transportation to a church building, and the only things available to do was the wet n' wild water park. So we went there, but were punished with cold, rainy weather... serves us right! I never even thought about getting wet, but a few brave soles did try some of the slides. Also, everyone but Brenna and I and Uncle Colin and Aunt Cami did swimming with the dolphins while we were there. Apparently it's too dangerous for pregnant people to swim with dolphins... whatever! So that's our bad Sunday.. I should lie and say we stayed in, but ...

Monday we took a 2 1/2 bus ride to Chichen Itza to see the ruins. This was a long day with Brenna, and it was also pretty rainy and cold, but it was nice to see the ruins. We got Brenna a darling senorita dress too, and a statue that I guess is the love god!

Tuesday we went over to Isla Majeres (Island of the Women) for the day. We had to take a boat out to the island, then while a few of the men did scuba diving, the rest of us took a tour of the island on a boat. We saw some more dolphins and even did our first bit of swimming in the ocean. In the afternoon they took us in to downtown to do some shopping. We got Brenna some cute shirts and we each got a shirt too.

Wednesday was our last excursion, but again Brenna and I were unable to attend... Brenna being too little, and me being "with child". The rest of them though went zip lining over the Cancun jungle. I'm told it was a good time! Brenna and I hung out by the pool most of the day... Brenna was a little fishy and loved running around in the shallow water.

Thursday was our last day, and also Christmas Eve. We decided to have a relaxing family day, so we again hung out by the pool, we all got short massages (they came free for all adults) and the girls got our free manicures as well. In the evening we went to a special Christmas show they put on. They had dinner, dancing, and even a pinata at the end for the kids to attack.

It was a good time had by all, and I have to admit, even Phoenix feels a little cold after being in 80 degree weather for a week. Christmas morning we said our goodbyes (something I had been dreading since hellos) but I am trying to think positive because in only two months I will be having a new baby boy, and my family will be coming back to see him! I can handle two months. Brenna was spoiled the whole week with endless attention and countless hugs and kisses. That's what you get for being the cutest kid around! haha ok, the only kid around!

Christmas 2009

Dear family and friends,

It’s the Christmas season again already, and time just keeps flying by! In the spirit of the season, here’s a little update on our family.

Jeremy is still working at MetLife as a salesman and financial advisor. He has been working hard to meet the goals he set for himself this year, and is always one of the top guys on his team. He was just released as the Elders Quorum President in our ward, so we’ll see what he gets to do next! Jeremy loves being a dad and is always a barrel of fun for Brenna when he gets home from work. She always runs to the back door and gives him a big hug when he gets home!

I have been enjoying being a stay at home mom for most of the year. I had a job for a while at the beginning of the year, but since May I have been able to stay home full time with Brenna. In my ward I am now the primary pianist. We had our program just a few weeks after I got called, so that was exciting. I am also expecting our second child, a boy, at the beginning of the new year, sometime around March 3^rd!

Brenna is now 18 months old! She is getting so big, and talking all the time. She says a lot of words, but even more gibberish. She loves being the center of attention, and usually demands the spotlight. She especially loves babies and balls and anything that spins. She is still very tall for her age, but also very light. She is generally a very happy girl, and attracts attention wherever we go. She is starting to throw fits when she doesn’t get her way, so wish us luck as parents in dealing with this exciting new stage! She is also VERY excited to have a baby brother, and I think she will be very gentle with him when he arrives.

This year we went on a few trips, including two trips to Canada for Brenna and I (Jeremy joined us for one) and a family drive to Utah for Justin and Aly’s wedding (Jeremy’s brother). We are also really looking forward to this Christmas when we get to go to Mexico with my parents and family to celebrate their 25^th wedding anniversary!

We hope this season finds you all happy and well, and can’t wait to hear how your families are doing too!

Love Jeremy, Lana, Brenna and baby boy Cook!

Brenna Meets Santa

Well I feel lately that I haven't been updating this hardly at all. There are a few possible reasons for this. It could be that I am getting pretty big and pregnant and therefore avoiding pictures more than normal, which means less pictures are taken. It could be that we just haven't been very interesting lately. Or it could be that I've been so super busy I haven't had time.... probably not though. Anyway, here are the only pictures we've taken recently. Brenna met Santa at Grandma Cook's Christmas party. She was happy as can be in the line up, but when she realized what I wanted her to do (sit on Santa's lap) she stopped cooperating. Oh well... maybe at our ward party we'll have better luck!

Cheese!

This may have to be our family Christmas photo... we haven't had much luck in that department thus far.

Peekaboo!

eww!! Dad!!

nu-uh... not gonna happen momma.

We couldn't even get her to say cheese while he was close by.

So this is the best we got... Santa was a good sport and still posed for the photo.

Time for Thanks

Well life has gotten a little crazy on me lately! I'm not complaining at all though, it's been wonderful! I unfortunately wasn't a great picture taker during our recent adventures, in fact.. I'm a little dissapointed in myself because this is literally all of the pictures I took! But believe me, we've had some fun.

We went to the park the day before we left, and Brenna and Eliza showed up in the exact same shirt! Cute! We didn't even know they owned matching clothes!

Brenna really wanted to put on her own pj bottoms the other day, so I gave them too her and left the room. She walked in about 10 minutes later, obviously proud of herself for doing such a good job... I laughed right out loud for a good long while... both her legs and her waist are through one leg hole... she's becoming miss independent!

Brenna and I were able to go up to Canada for a week to be with my family. My mom wanted to see us for her birthday, and it is probably our last trip up there before Brenna turns 2 and we have to pay for her separately, so we jumped at the chance to go. We had a quick trip of just a week, but since we will see them again in just 3 more weeks, it's ok. We were very busy in Canada most of the time, but were able to throughly enjoy spending time with loved ones. My brother even made it up from Idaho where he goes to school, so we were ALMOST a complete family for a few days. Jessica and Jeremy would have made it whole.

So while in Canada I got to help for the first time in my mom's annual sister/mother chocolate making marathon. They do it every year, but I have never been involved. It was really neat to see how it's all done and to get to know some cousins better who were there who I haven't seen in a while. I also got to take home lots of yummy chocolates, which is exciting.

We were busy with chocolate stuff most of the time I was home, but on the last day my mom and I were able to sneak away for a couple of hours to see "New Moon". It was definitely a nice treat. *Thanks so much to Devin for volunteering to babysit Brenna so we could go!*

Grandma let Brenna color on her book, but she just couldn't get the right angle! I was laughing as she tried position after position. I guess we need to get her an art table!

So the day I got home I enjoyed a few hours relaxing with my hubby, and then at 2 AM I got to go pick up my sister who drove up (in a carpool) for Thanksgiving! We had her and her friend Shelby here for the holidays. I love it when she gets to come visit, and had a blast hanging out with her. Jeremy's brother and his wife also made it up from BYU, so we had tons of family around to celebrate with. We enjoyed a few days of no work/schedule craziness with family.

This morning Jessica went home and I realized how quiet it usually is here! I am a person who enjoys a quiet life... I don't like a lot of noise, and prefer a small group to a big one, and I have to admit, a part of me is excited for the upcoming week just to sink back into a nice, quiet routine. BUT that doesn't mean a little noise and chaos every once in a while isn't a good thing, and I loved the last few weeks! Now we have to buckle down and work hard (Jeremy) and get ready for Christmas! Can't believe it's almost here! Gotta love the holidays! :)

Good News Minute

Here's my good news minute for the day! I went to the doctor yesterday and had an ultrasound and guess what! My placenta is where it's supposed to be! No more risk of placenta previa. So everything is normal with my pregnancy again, and baby is growing and moving around a ton. I love feeling him in there because it lets me know he's ok! I didn't feel any movement for a long time because my placenta was in the way, and that had me really worried, but he is definitely in there! He is 1lb 9oz already, so we may be in for a BIG surprise when he arrives.

Secondly, I think that my sister Jessica has found a for sure ride to come visit for Thanksgiving! We have had ride after ride fall through and were getting worried nothing would work out, but we are both very excited that she is going to come and have big plans for her visit! Her and Brenna may even have a sleepover and give Brenna's new toddler bed a try, but we'll see.. that may be more of a hassle than a fun experience!

Also, in 6 sleeps Brenna and I get to go to Canada to visit and enjoy some cold this winter season! We can't wait to go and hope the next few days go by quickly! It will be sad to leave Jeremy though!

And lastly, HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM! Have fun being 30, I hear it's a fun age! And we all love you a whole lot! Thanks for being such an incredible influence in all of your children's lives (for sure mine.. I'm just assuming the others will agree!)! Love ya!

Fair Day

On Friday we went to the Arizona State Fair! From noon till 6 it was half price to get in, and all games and rides and some food was only $1! It turned out to be a really good deal, it was beautiful overcast weather, and we had quite a bit of fun! Brenna went on rides, ate a corn dog, saw some animals, and rode a lion. Jeremy even won her a couple stuffed animals! She had a good time, although she didn't seem to particularly enjoy or dislike the rides, it was fun to have a few firsts for her! Here are some pictures from our day!

Her first ride with mommy and cousin Kiersten!

Natalie with Uncle Jeremy... she LOVED all the rides!

Aunt Sylvia with all the girls! Brenna was really unsure about this ride.. this was the only picture where she wasn't death gripping the side.

Jeremy and his mom went on this crazy ride! Us pregnant ladies were jealous that we had to sit on the sidelines and watch.

Jeremy did this one by himself.

Brenna has a little stuffed lion that she loves that looks exactly like this lion! She was very excited!

Wide eyes!

This is Brenna in the petting zoo.. she really liked the zoo!

Rather than touching the animals she liked throwing straw in their faces. Luckily these were all very calm animals!

A Baby kangaroo! Bad quality, but it was cute!

Ballerina

Here are some picture of Brenna's Halloween costume! and a couple of ours.

Alright, incase you couldn't guess, Jeremy was a high school basketball player

And I was his basketball...it would have worked better if I was just a little more pregnant!

This is Brenna with her friend Lydia. She got so excited when she came in, but getting a picture was difficult!

Brenna liked trick or treating, but everytime someone gave her a sucker, she lost all interest in anything else. She loves suckers, even though I think before Halloween she'd only had one!

Here's another sucker!

This was too cute. Whenever the people would let Brenna pick her own candy, she would trade one from her bucket for the one she took... very fair Brenna!

Carrying her own bucket

Good Morning!

I thought I should write a quick post today. It's Halloween! I am very excited to get Brenna in her costume tonight and enjoy ourselves as a family! For now though, I just wanted to say, good morning! This morning, I got to sleep until I wasn't tired, I was the first one up, and I enjoyed the quiet. Then I got a long shower. I did Brenna really fast at the beginning, handed her to dad, and then enjoyed a nice warm shower alone. (This almost never happens because I shower when Jeremy isn't home and have Brenna in there the whole time). When I got out and got dressed and everything, also by myself, I came out to get Breakfast ready, and I found Jeremy and Brenna making french toast, eggs, and hashbrowns. This has happened.. I don't even know if it has happened before! It was awesome! So we ate as a family, and that is the best way I can think of to start my day! Last thing on my good morning list, is that Jeremy was able to feel our little man move for the first time, and it was sorta special! So thank you to a great husband and a cute daughter and a moving little man who are making today a very good day to be me!

Isn't it funny that when you start your day happy, you get more things done and that just makes you feel happier? That's my experience anyway! Today at least! So happy Halloween, and good morning to all!

Instead of Ward Campout We...

We didn't go to our ward campout this year, unfortunately, but we did get some things done! We enjoyed a nice family date night on Friday. We went to Panda Express for dinner, and then this frozen yogurt place for dessert. We enjoyed our yogurt while walking around Westgate a bit and Brenna had lots of fun running along the benches with daddy. She loved flying over the gaps!

I think this picture is hilarious. I can't stop laughing every time I see it. She looks CRAZY!

On Saturday, I made Jeremy promise that if we were going to stay home from camping that we'd get some things done. So we spent the morning garage sale shopping for some winter clothes for Brenna (she's actually going to need pants when we go to Canada to visit!). We didn't find much, so that was a little disappointing, but the afternoon proved to be very productive anyway. Jeremy got to work on the yard. Our yard is FULL of plants and bushes that have thorns all over them. If it were up to me, I'd just get rid of them all and plant a garden... maybe one day we will do that. But right now our yard is sort of a danger zone. Also, Jeremy breaks out in nasty rashes after doing yardwork and then itches and can't sleep for days. As a result of this, we don't get our yard work done all that often, so it piles up. This Saturday, we were going to tackle it. We did the whole backyard. Cut all the bushes back down to size and dragged the remains down to the street for bulk trash pick up. This is the aftermath:

Ok, it doesn't look that bad, but his legs were covered in blood drips from all the thorns poking. I just thought to take a picture too late and most of them were cleaned up already.

Half of our backyard!

Even though I wouldn't say our yard is kid-friendly yet, it is MUCH better. One day, we'll get rid of all the rocks and lay down turf, and we'll get rid of all the bushes and plant a garden... that's my vision anyway!

Projects

I really enjoy having projects. Any kind really, but I especially like sewing/creating things. These are some of the things I've been working on lately. I still have a little stack of things to get to. Things still to come: fitted crib sheet, changing pad, hooter hider, and possibly some burp clothes or another towel!

This is Brenna's Halloween costume. She is being a ballerina! I just have to convince her to wear it!

A new edge I tried to make the blanket more boyish. I might leave it empty, or weave a matching ribbon between the holes, haven't decided yet.

This is the usual shell edge I do on the blankets. This was made before we knew if it was boy or girl.

Hooded bath towel.. I like it a lot!