Hi, Mama D! I posted! The problem is, I've been rather lazy with my photo-taking, so I don't have many pictures to post! I hereby promise to take portraits of the kids tomorrow for your viewing pleasure.

Last week the four of us had a rare day off together. We went out to lunch, aiming for something both budget-friendly and kid-friendly, but after waiting at our table at Chili's for 15 minutes and not having a server greet us, we went to the place with the best service around - my work! I'd been wanting to take the fam in there anyway and show off the kids and the hubs to all those coworkers that were starting to doubt that I had any family at all (I don't keep pictures of my kids in my server book - why would I want soda and ketchup spilled on them?). Both children were models of perfect toddler behavior...until they got bored right as we were paying out and dumped their drinks on the table. I didn't even feel a bit guilty after thinking about all the spills from other people's children that I've cleaned up over the past four years there.

I snapped this picture of Alaina while there, and I must admit, I am feeling very sad about it. How did my baby grow into this big girl that has pigtails and whines, "No no no no!" all the way to her bed at night? When Connor was this age, I was simply too busy with an eight-month-old and I was grateful for his independence.

He shut Anthony out of the bathroom today for some privacy while potty training. This big-boy thing doesn't really work for me.

I think it's normal for every mother to be wistful at each new milestone; I suppose I just didn't expect the happy things to be so sad at the same time!

January isn't my favorite month, and I am glad it is over, but it's had some great highlights!


Catching up with my best.


Couponing! Oh, how I love the Smith's mega sale. This picture doesn't even showcase everything I bought, but I got all this stuff for $63! I've also finally gotten my Walgreens register rewards to the point again where I go and collect my free stuff every Sunday. I don't think there's anything more fun than going shopping, then heading to the register and not having to part with any of your cash.


There have been sightings of a myserious masked crusader.


We now have a membership to Discovery Gateway, so let's meet up and play!

As a family, we've been battling a pretty nasty cold for the last ten days. One day it feels like one person is improving, the next day that same person feels like they've been hit in the face with a shovel. I feel fortunate to have the mildest case. Today we went to the doctor and both kids were diagnosed with double ear infections that have induced pinkeye. Lovely!

There hasn't been much sleeping at night and naps have been reduced to wherever one's tiny amount of energy fizzles out...




...but as long as Connor gets his one allotted band-aid a day (the band-aid infatuation has been going on for about a month now and on this particular day, I told him that he couldn't have one of Anthony's Breathe-Right strips, so he improvised) he is a pretty happy guy.

January has been so smoggy and cold. Not my idea of beautiful scenery, but the silver lining is the willow tree covered in ice crystals every morning.


How weird are these formations? If you scroll down and compare them to the healthy, Colorado air ice and snow, it's a little freaky.

When I saw this bathtub, the first thing that came to mind was "Hello, lover!" ala Carrie Bradshaw. I had my first long soak since 2008! Heaven!


Anthony and I saw Avatar in 3D for a belated 5 year anniversary date!


Aren't the boots adorable? (Made cuter by the model, of course!) Since Alaina won't fit these next fall/winter, you better believe that she'll be donning these until sandal season!


I squished this baby as much as I could!


And we enjoyed the winter scenery from our warm place inside. The weather was so cold while we were in Colorado. Would you believe that this picture is taken from a mezzanine, through a window that is 15 feet away? Have I mentioned lately that I love my camera?!


I did have to venture outdoors to get these two, but I think it was worth it.



The days ticked by too quickly, and all too soon it was time to head on home. We like being different places, but Anthony and I are just not fond of actually GOING different places. :) This is his "ready to be home" face.


There won't be too many other times in our lives that we can just take off for fifteen days! The trip was fun and thank you to everyone who made it possible!

Colorado Trip Part II

Santa came!


...and came!


...and came!


But before we showed the kids, we had a quick breakfast of caramel pull-aparts, a Broadhead tradition.


Both kids were showered with amazing gifts and Alaina loves her new camera!


We're not sure who was more excited - the adults or the children!


THE BIG GIFT - a train table for all the grandkids to play with at Nana and Papa's house!


For the rest of Christmas Day, we fatted around and ate cookies in our pajamas.

Our trip began with a "short" flight from SLC to Denver, but I don't know if I have ever been so stressed out! Getting through security was more than I bargained for with two kiddies that didn't want to be put down, didn't want their shoes or jackets taken off, didn't want to eat the snacks or play with the toys I had in my bag to entertain them. In retrospect, I should have done a better job of just going with the flow, but the rude lady a row ahead of us that kept sighing and throwing dirty looks our way kept my blood pressure through the roof. Even a one hour flight is too long with young children!


When we got to Anthony's parents house, we enjoyed the splendid Christmas decorations. I only hope to have a knack for decorating like that someday.




Anthony celebrated his 28th birthday with a quiet dinner at home with family.


Connor and Alaina met their newest cousin, Daynarae. Connor adored her. Alaina did not.




We watched Christmas movies.


And ate homemade popcorn.


Connor modelled his Christmas jammies on Christmas Eve. Very GQ, if you ask me.


The grandparents ate the grandkids up.


...And we waited for Santa to come!