crazy week

Does anyone else find this time of year to be stressful? I sure do! From all the parties, cooking, christmas, new years, and holiday visitors, I get a little frazzled at times. But now that it's new years eve, the craziness is nearly over and we can all get back on track.

We had a WONDERFUL Christmas, which we were in desperate need of. We had three pretty miserable Christmases in a row (especially last year) and we were really due for a good one. It was our first year of really being on our own for the festivities and we enjoyed it (although, we missed seeing family and getting to go to temple square in SLC with the Bollwinkels). It was also Ivy's first real experience with the holiday since last year she was still stuck at PCMC. We stayed home Christmas eve and did all the traditional stuff. We opened jammies and books, read our books, and then read the real Christmas story right out of the bible and talked about why we really celebrate Christmas (I was very pleased to discover that Corbin already has the basics down, I guess I'm doing something right, eh!). We also tracked Santa Claus all night via google earth (thanks ted for telling us about it), and Corbin loved knowing where he was at all times, making sure he was asleep by the time Santa was by the local grocery store down the street. Why the grocery store you ask, beats the heck out of me, that's just what he kept asking, "Is santa by Paul's yet?"

Christmas morning came and we videotaped the kids coming down the stairs and seeing the glorious bounty that is christmas morning, only for Dex to erase the video just a few short hours later. Despite that small disappointment, it was so fun and the kids made out like bandits! We even had a few secret santa gifts, which came from someone in our ward I'm assuming (Nicole Fenn, I'm looking in your direction!) So thanks to whoever sent those. Shawn and Shelley showed up later in the day to have dinner and help test out the wii that santa brought, and we enjoyed visiting with them. I'm so glad that we were able to celebrate as a family this year, and that we can experience the blessings from our savior not just on Christmas day, but every day.

Anyway, just two days later, Scott's parents came into town for a while. They stayed with us for a few days, and are now with Russell's family for a few days. We always love having them come, because they are so helpful and fun. Marde took the kids to the park two days in a row, in the freezing cold. I think she's crazy, but she is just a go-getter! She also taught them how to make play-dough and played with it for hours with them. Both Marde and Ross are always willing to watch our kids so we can have a rare night out away from them and that is GREAT! We were also able to have a big unplanned, unexpected party the day they came in, by having them, Shawn and Shelley, Shelly's brother and his family, and Russell, Collette, and their kids all come over and hang out. We had a total of 18 people in our house at the same time, the most ever. There was lots of good food, fun conversations, and all the kids had a blast together.

Anyway, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and all that other stuff!

Opening the first gifts of the season

showing off their jammies

tearing into the books

Dex enjoying his book (while looking just a tad creepy)

Reading their Christmas books with Daddy

Twas the night before Christmas!

I think she likes it!

Corbin explaining to Dex what exactly this toy does

Corbin showing off his stack of stuff

I swear he liked his stuff, he's just a little grumpy

Ivy's haul

Family and Scott's and my gifts

trying out the Wii

Sportin' my new apron

Play-dough time with Grandma Marde

Christmas Letter 2009

For those of you that didn't receive our annual Christmas Letter (if there is anyone that didn't receive one), here it is.

Dear Family and Friends:

2009 was a year full of stuff,

That we’re happy to leave behind,

Here’s a recap with more than enough,

To make us lose our minds.

Corbin is in a real preschool now,

He’s learning to socialize,

When it comes to smarts, the teacher says “wow!”

But he’s still painfully shy.

He’s a great kid, he’s now five years old,

And what a helpful age,

He cleans the bathroom to lighten mom’s load,

She’s really enjoying this stage.

Dex is a wild and crazy boy,

He’s got energy to spare,

Anything fragile, he will destroy,

But he’s still our sweet Dexy-bear.

He’s talking now, which thrills us all,

Just started a little late,

If we don’t understand, we know who to call,

Corbin can always translate.

Ivy is a fighter, a real superstar,

She amazes us everyday,

She makes us realize how blessed we are,

We wouldn’t have it any other way.

She can say four words, like thank you and uh-oh,

She’s small and happy too,

And with surgery behind her, she’s starting to grow,

She’s got some catching up to do.

Scott’s a great guy, husband, and dad,

The kids think he’s so fun,

He has a lot to do, but he’s not mad,

He still manages to get it all done.

Rochelle has been stressed this year,

But the stress is going down,

She’s writing a book to keep her mind clear,

And can’t find a reason to frown.

We really are blessed, we know it’s true,

We have a lot to be thankful for,

We look forward to a better year or two,

And the challenges we have in store.

Merry Christmas!

Love:

Scott, Rochelle, Corbin, Dexter, and Ivy Brunson

Corbin's Christmas Program

Corbin's preschool put on a christmas program yesterday that was so cute and funny. Its quite lengthy so we apologize for that. Also it can be pretty shaky and awkward at times, but bear with us. We had two camera's taping it, but we also had two other kids to look after, so I'm sure you understand why it isn't perfect. Anywho, enjoy!



and once again if the video doesn't work click here.

Growing Growing Growing

Ivy had her 1 yr old well baby check today. We had to wait 6 weeks after surgery for her to get her immunizations. She is coming along great. She weighed in at 15 lbs 2 oz (still under 3rd percentile) and is just under 27 inches tall (a little less than the 10th percentile).

She is still the most pleasant girl on earth and is an absolute joy in our lives. She still isn't quite crawling (getting close though), and loves to scoot around in circles on her bottom. She recently decided that she loves to stand. She can cruise a little bit on the furniture, but gets nervous if we aren't right there holding onto her, and she can't stand up without us helping her get her feet placed under her correctly. She continues to work with a physical therapist twice a month, and actually really enjoys it.

She is doing pretty well with eating too. She is up to 3 feedings of baby food a day, and hardly ever throws up (unless I try to secretly throw in some kind of baby food meat). Her pediatrician also gave the go ahead to try out a toddler formula in place of her regular baby formula. Since she has such a sensitive stomach we have to be careful and take it slow, but we look forward to moving on from the super expensive pregestimil that is only sold in one or two stores in the whole valley.

Later this month Scott and I are looking forward to our first experience of leaving Ivy to be tended by someone that is unrelated (they'll be watching the boys too, but the boys are veterans now). This is quite nerve-wracking for me, but I really need to learn to trust others. Our Bishop, Bishop Fenn, and his wife, Nicole (one of my visiting teachers), are going to take on the job so that we can attend the Dotcomsecrets Christmas Party. The kids probably couldn't be in better hands! Wish me luck to not die from worry, or call 50 times while we're gone.

Snow time

We got some snow last night and today. It may be the first time it stuck to the ground this season, but I don't remember for sure. Anyway, it's the first time we've played in it. It may possibly be Ivy's first experience with it EVER.

The kids had a great time making snow angels and attempting to make a snowman. The snow was a little too powdery (is that a word) to stick together though.

Ivy had fun until she got cold, so she and I didn't stay out very long.

I made the boys some hot chocolate (Ivy had apple juice) and then we all sat down to watch Mickey Mouses Once Upon A Christmas, and Ivy got all tuckered out.

For me being someone who does not like snow, it was a pretty awesome day.

Thanksgiving and putting up Christmas decorations

We decided to have Thanksgiving at home this year. We counted how many times we had to travel to SLC in the last year, and it was a lot (I think it ended up being 8 or something crazy like that), and we just didn't feel up to doing it again. We stayed home and I cooked. It probably wasn't the greatest meal, and we were kind of sad to not get to see any family, but it was SO NICE just to be home together.


I grew up with the tradition of putting up Christmas decorations the day after Thanksgiving, so I've kind of tried to keep that going with my own family. I just can't do black friday shopping, because of my tendency to have a panic attack in such large crowds, so it was nice to stay home again. This will be Ivy's first real experience with Christmas. Technically, she was around for Christmas last year, but being stuck in the hospital did not get to see a single christmas light or anything, so she really enjoyed playing with the lights and trying to take bulbs off the tree.



Scott spent pretty much the whole weekend outside putting lights on the house. In the pictures it looks warm, but it really wasn't, plus the wind was blowing and making it even more cold. So Scott is a real trooper. The perfectionist in him spent hours making sure no chords were showing, and that everything was straight and symetrical, but the results are amazing!

School Pictures

This being our first year with a child in school, its also our first experience with school pictures. Corbin's preschool offered to let siblings get theirs taken also, so we jumped at the chance. I'm a firm believer that school pictures are not meant to be perfect, so I love the results. Here are our adorable kids.

Corbin's turkey dance

Corbin's preschool put on a turkey dance the last five minutes of class yesterday. I ended up getting to the school a little late and walked in just as they finished. I couldn't believe I missed it! Corbin came up to me with his little turkey hat and said, "Did you see me do the turkey dance?" and I said, "No buddy, I missed it, I'm so sorry." ANd then he gave me the saddest look I've ever seen. His bottom lip started to quiver, "But mommy, I wanted you to see!" My heart broke right then, I felt so bad. Luckily there were a few other kids still waiting for their parents so I asked them to do it again, and they did. So I still got to see, and Corbin was happy. I still felt like the worst mom in the world. Anyway, for your viewing pleasure......the turkey dance.

Once again, if it doesn't work click turkey dance

Corbin's slideshow

I forgot to put in Corbin's slideshow. Pictures of his very exciting life.

Corbin turns five

Corbin had his 5th birthday yesterday. We had a Toy Story day, filled with watching the Toy Story movies and playing with his new Toy Story toys. He became obsessed with it about a month ago after seeing it for the first time at Grandma's house. It reminds me of when my nephew, Jeff, who is now 14, was obsessed with Toy Story and asked Santa for "a big Woody" for Christmas. That was at least 10 years ago, crazy.

Anyway, we went out to IHOP for dinner (his choice), where the employees sang a birthday song to him and gave him some free ice cream (plus kids eat free every night from 4 til 7 or so, so it was cheap). We came home had sang to him and had cake. It was a pretty good day. Happy Birthday big guy.

Showing his presents (and being a good sport by sharing with his little brother)

Having breakfast with Buzz and Woody

Blowing out the candles

Birthday Party

We had a combined birthday party for Ivy and Corbin. Ivy turned 1, Corbin is turning 5 on the 16th. Thanks to everyone that came to the party. We had a lot of fun!

Ivy's ladybug cake

The mother-load

Corbin has been asking for a remote-control car for weeks!

Yay! Food!

Ivy enjoyed a plastic spoon ALMOST more than her toys!

A collection of Curious George books. Corbin is in heaven!

Ellie breaking in the doll stroller

A new doll

Checking out the ladybug cake

Goin' for the antennae

yummy

playing with her new dolls

Chasing the hummer while daddy drives