Unfailing Love: Christmas, really? Yep!

Vincent Gerard

This is my hubby. Also known as Vinny, Dowey, Dowebally, and (as of last night) Pickle Juice. (You may learn that I have an affinity for nicknames, comes from my daddy!) Unbelievably, the hubs and I have been married for 9 years! I can't believe it! Seems like just yesterday I was a freshman in college and my friend introduced me to this hunky senior with a hot red car! Vince is working hard to support our family and traveling here and there. Vince is a WONDERFUL father and his girls (all of us) are the most important things to him!

Barclay Kathryn

What to say? I'm Barclay, usually known as Barclay (not much you can do with Barclay). I was an elementary teacher for fours years until I had Bella. Now I am doing the job I have wanted to do ALL of my life, being a mom. I love these two girls more than I can possibly express and it is my joy and privilege to be able to spend each day with them. I recently entered the blog frontier, and although my blog followers will probably be able to be counted on one hand, I thought it would be exciting to be a part of something so neat. I love that there are many other moms out there facing the same joys, hardships, questions, surprises, and challenges that I am. I also hope to be a sort of medium to spread awareness for others that need prayers, help, or just someone to walk through life with!

Isabella Kathryn

Usually referred to as Bella. As well as Bells, Bellie, Belly Boo, Bellsie Bubs, Bubs, Bubba, Bells and Whistles.... Bella is our first born daughter. She is 6. Bella enjoys school, reading, riding her training-wheel free bike, she could color and write for hours, she loves singing to the Momma Mia soundtrack, anything princess or pink, having bows in her hair, playing dress up, and her little sisters! God blessed us with Bella a month early but she was perfectly healthy. In six years she has become such a bright, outgoing, sensitive, and fearless little girl. Bella really is the sweetest girl you will ever meet. She is eager to please. If she hurts or disappoints someone it literally crushes her to tears. This last year she asked Jesus to be her Lord and Savior and we could not be more proud!! Love this sweet, blonde, blue eyed beauty!

Bryanna Karina

Usually known as Brynn. As well as Brynnie, Miley, Miley Moo, Geegs, Geegers, Brynnie Boo, and many more. Ten days before Bella turned 2 years old we were blessed with another beautiful, healthy girl by planned c-section. This time I was able to see my baby right after birth, watch her get weighed, bathed, etc. I couldn't wait for Bella to meet her. Brynn is now 4 and keeps me laughing all day long. Brynn, since she was about 2 months old has been the smiliest baby I have ever met. All you need to do is look at her and she will flash you a world class smile. Brynn is smiley, more shy and reserved about things than her big sis, can be quite the clown when she feels safe or gets in a silly mood, amazingly brilliant, she's been speaking full sentences since she was 19 months and continues to amaze us with what comes out of her mouth. She loves doing whatever her big sister is doing, dressing up, looking at books, her blankie, being held, twirling in her dresses, singing, and dancing whenever she hears music! Brynn is my compassionate baby, she hates to see people hurting. We just love this sweet, shy, snuggly, smiling little girl!

Brooklyn Blythe

Also known as Brookie, Brookie Cookie, Cookie Lu, Lulu B just to name a few. Sweet, sweet Brooklyn is our family's latest addition! We welcomed Brookie into our family on August 23rd 2010 at 12:23pm by planned c-section. I was nervous she would be a bit high maintenance since she came out screaming bloody murder and continued to wail anytime anyone touched her- get her footprints, take her temperature, etc. Amazingly, she would instantly stop the moment the Hubs touched her or began talking to her. And since her birthday, we have barely heard a peep out of her..... And fast forward 18 months, she definitely makes plenty of peeps now! :) We are full blown in the the terrible twos (which IMO last from 18-36 months) I believe. To make matters worse she's also cutting her 4 molars. She definitely knows what she wants but can't quite articulate it, so gets frustrated. Eating is also a hit or miss these days which is very foreign to me. Mixed with the crabby days though is the funniest personality ever. She is a riot! She LOVES chasing after her big sisters or having them chase and imitate her. She also has this adorable chubby face and will peek out of the corner of her eyes and just melt your heart! She is definitely shy at first but if you can get through to her she will keep you in stitches with her antics. We love you little BB and couldn't ask for a sweeter addition to our family!

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Christmas, really? Yep!

I'm so far behind, I'm a little overwhelmed about where to start!

Please bare with me as I go back and get caught up.

Since this is my way of keeping a record for our family, I don't want a 3 month gap in the details. :)

Here is a quick picture review of our Christmas trip to Colorado:

The girls did AMAZING on the drive out to Colorado, not a peep out of all three. Well, there were peeps, but only happy ones. :)

We spent our first 2 days in Fort Collins where my bro and SIL live. They have a cutest downtown. We were walking around looking at shops and Brynnie wanted to be carried. I had the carrier for Brooke and thought what the heck since Brynn was too heavy to carry. She thought it was great! :)

The girls had an awesome Christmas. The just love ripping open the gifts, almost as much as getting what's inside. Brynn also enjoyed opening Brooke's.

My other bro could not join us in person, so he joined us via Skype. We missed him!

One afternoon, when we thought Miss Brynn was napping in my parents room, we came in to find her like this. Someone had found my mom's make up. She was very remorseful. :)

Had such a wonderful Christmas with my fam.

The girls playing their new favorite game, Zingo, with Uncle Conor.

We of course hit the YMCA a couple of times during our visit.

Brooke tried it out but wasn't crazy about it. :)

One night we had dinner at a restaurant in an actual airplane. The girls LOVED it.

Another day, grandma took us to a Chuck E. Cheese type place that also had bouncies. Again they had a great time.

Us ladies got out and enjoyed a hike one morning.

Crazy it was December and we didn't need to be all bundled up. It was a beautiful hike.

Despite some steep points, the girls did an awesome job and the end was worth the work!

We rewarded the girls with some play time, at the park near the bottom, when we were all done.

One evening we hung out with an old friend of mine and her daughter, Celeste. It was so great to see them.

Brooke turned 4 months while we were there so I thought Mormor could do the honors of feeding her her first bites of solid food. She took to it right away!

Our last morning there we had breakfast at this adorable restaurant downtown Monument. It was delicious!

We had a wonderful Christmas with you Mormor, Poppi, Uncle Conor and Auntie Bonnie!

Again the girls did awesome on the way home. The last hour Brooke had had it so I went in back and just held her and she was fine. (shhh, don't tell)

After surviving a drive from Chicago to Colorado Springs, it made us realize we could probably travel more as a family but travel a little less expensively by driving!