Update from COLORADO . . .

Well, here we are in Colorado - enjoying the extremely WARM weather (it is supposed to be almost 60 today!) We LOVE being here, and escaping from the snow and reality for awhile.

It has been a crazy last two weeks . . . my Grandma Jacobson had what they thought to be a heart attack and was in the hospital for almost a week before she passed away on Friday, December 19. I was lucky enough to be able to spend time with her in the hospital. I am so glad I was able to be there. Unexpectedly and tragically, my cousin Cody, who was just 18 years old, rolled his truck into a canal along the Snake River on Saturday night, and died. We had my Grandma's viewing on Sunday night (the 21 - my birthday, not very happy), her funeral on Monday the 22, Cody's viewing on Monday night, and his funeral on Tuesday the 23. It has been a very hard time for everyone, lots of hugs and LOTS of tears. My Uncle Doug, who lost his mother and son in two days, spoke at both of the funerals and did an AMAZING job. It is so reassuring to know that they are both in a better place, and that families can be together forever. How lucky we are. I am so lucky to have the family that I do, and so blessed that I was able to know both of them.

So, we flew into Colorado on Christmas Eve early in the morning. We left the frozen tundra of Idaho, and arrived in sunny Denver to NO SNOW!!! How wonderful! It has been so nice to be with our family here, who we miss so much! We have been eating, visiting, shopping, watching Prison Break (LOVE it) and just enjoying each other's company. We fly home to Idaho on Thursday night. Back to the real world. : ) I will post some pictures as soon as I get around to it. We hope that everyone had a wonderful Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone!

Holiday Fun . . .

This year, our Christmas celebration started the day after Thanksgiving when we went out with the Ferney family to cut down Christmas trees. We went up to Green Canyon, and drove a long way up the mountain, but we found some pretty sweet trees. Brooklyn loved being out in the snow, and just wanted to stand there on her own and walk around by herself. She LOVES Sam, the Ferney's golden retriever. She would say "Dog" and he would come running to her, knock her down (just playing) and lick her face. So, ever since we went, she has been telling us "Dog, eye." We had a lot of fun and can't wait to do it again next year!

Battle Wounds . . .

Well, today was one of those days that you just feel helpless being a mother. I was invited over to a friends' house to make bows and let the little ones play. I didn't know any of the other girls that were going to be there, so it was going to be an adventure. I loaded up Brooklyn and off we went. There were LOTS of kids. Brooklyn was having a blast playing with the dog, the boys, and another little Brooklyn(who is my friend's daughter) who is just a few months older than our Brooklyn. The Brooklyn's were running around having a ball. They were right by me, and then they went into Brooklyn's room, which they had been doing all along. All of the sudden, I hear a scream, a bad scream. It didn't sound like Brooklyn, and one of the other mom's was like "That's my little girl." So, she goes to check it out. Brooklyn comes around the corner SCREAMING. I pick her up and try to comfort her, and right by her eye I see : A HUGE BITE MARK!!!! Seriously, this was a big one, and I couldn't believe it. Poor little lady! Then the other mom who had gone to check it out, was like, "Yeah, my 3 year old girl just said she bit her. I'm sorry, she does that every few months." It was not a fun time. I understand that kids are going to be kids, but biting, and what about punishment? I don't get it. Poor little girl, she has some serious battle wounds. And to top it off, as we were leaving, I was putting B in her carseat and what do I notice on her hand? ANOTHER bite mark. Seriously, it was one of those times as a mother, you feel helpless. And, to make matters worse, I am taking B to the doctor tomorrow for a checkup, that will be fun to explain. : )

New Vocabulary . . .

Here is a little video of Brooklyn's latest words. She is so fun!

For Grandma . . .

Last Saturday, we headed up to Parker to put poinsettias on Grandpa Rudd's grave. They were one of his favorite flowers, and Ben and I try to do it every year. It is so peaceful and so nice to visit there and be away from everything. Brooklyn loved it, and was just so sweet standing there next to the headstone.

Happy Little Eater . . .

Little Brooklyn is growing so fast, and wants to do everything on her own. She loves to feed herself using a fork, spoon, or whatever! The other day I let her finish off my cereal and the other night, she was "helping" me frost sugar cookies. What a sweet little girl!!!

Our baby is 18 months today . . .

It is so crazy that Brooklyn is ONE and A HALF!!! Seriously, where does the time go? It seems like just yesterday that we were going to the hospital for me to be induced (two weeks late) and that our beautiful little girl was born. Now, she is so big and is into everything. : ) The other night, we looked over, and she had climbed up the chair onto the table and was standing up there clapping, so proud of herself. She is such a fun little lady, and we just love her so much!!! Happy Half Birthday Brooklyn Lou! Here are 18 things I LOVE about Brooklyn!

1. Her big beautiful blue eyes.
2. Her crazy hair first thing in the morning.
3. Her big, open- mouth "WOW" kisses right on the lips.
4. How she loves to cuddle right after she wakes up.
5. The way she says "Momma" and holds her arms up to me.
6. How she says "Dada gone wor" everyday when she wakes up.
7. How she loves to play hide and seek with me.
8. Her love for books and reading.
9. Her mad dancing skills.
10. How she laughs when we swat at flies.
11. How she loves to eat at McDonald's.
12. How she is a mini me, I love to match our outfits.
13. How she will just come and give me hugs.
14. She is so friendly, and says "Hi" to everyone in the store.
15. She has such a cute smile.
16. She loves to lay by me in bed and hold my hand.
17. Whenever she's in her carseat, she wants to hold my hand.
18. That she is the most beautiful girl in the whole world (in our opinions: )!!!