My baby girl is 6 months old!!

Looking back....

My baby doll. My angel. My little best-surprise-on-earth! ahhhh! I can't believe she has gotten so big. Brynlee Aline was 6 months old on Christmas Eve - my, how the time flew by. I'm in love with her, her daddy just adores her, and Kyler is.... a little obsessed! She has changed our lives forever, our little gem, our little jewel, our little sweetheart.(ignore my post-baby-fatness below... but she is just SOOOO little here! and where did all that hair go? haha)

Brynlee. 6 months old. Sweet little serious-face. Milestones? Yes! She has known how to roll for a while now, but only does it when she wants to get to something. Crawling, not so much, but getting there! She pushes up on her arms very high and scoots herself backwards. Sitting up very well now, but still needs a pillow behind to catch her just in case. She loves her baby food, and water from a sippy cup. And WATCH OUT! She is very grabby! I'm surprised I'm not bald yet... She is very kissy and has discovered how entertaining attention from people can be, even though she is still a serious-face while she watches them make funny faces at her. We love our little girl!!! (warning: large quantity of unnecessary pics below!)

Warning: "Churchy" Stuff!

Well first of all, Happy New Year! I usually am not much into New Years resolutions, but this year I definitely have some things I'd like to improve. I'd like to share a couple.

1. "No TV Night!"

Thursday night is now "No TV Night" in our house! More peace & quiet, and more time for more important things. Last week was the first time we did this, and to be honest, I was surprised how tempting it was to turn it on, and how strange it was to go to bed without having had it on all evening.

2. Study with Gospel Doctrine Class

Now I know, we should all, always, be studying and growing our testimony. But looking back over the past couple years, it sometimes feels like my Sundays are about just trying to handle my kids and completing duties for my calling, and then my physical & mental energy is spent. Sort of *surviving* and not *thriving.* And having the missionaries over for dinner a lot during the week has brought a certain spirit of learning and studying into our home, since I never served a mission myself.

3. Journal with Scripture Study

This year our Gospel Doctrine class at church is studying the New Testatment. I am very excited to refresh my memory and learn more about my Savior, His teachings, and His time here on earth. and... journal about it! I can't believe it, but I don't think I've ever journaled along with my scripture study before.

So, there are many things I am going to try to do this year, of which I've shared a couple. Each thing isn't important specifically - there is just a certain growth that I am searching and hoping for. I'll try to keep you posted on how it goes! Hopefully I will stick to it! Being a mom and raising God's children is important, comes first, and usually takes up most of me, but I'm determined to make the most of what's left of me!

Christmas Day

Sorry I'm behind! Christmas day was wonderful! The kids were both SO FAR BEYOND spoiled it wasn't even funny! It took all day long to open all the gifts under our tree, and Kyler was very excited to see the wagon that Santa brought him & Brynlee, as well as so many other gifts. Lots of family members spoiled the kids too, we are all grateful for everything that we received.

Brynlee turned 6 months old on Christmas eve, and she had soooo much fun opening things on Christmas day - we had to be very careful she didn't swallow any wrapping paper, she is so GRABBY these now! And everything instantly goes into her mouth, and man is she fast! Kyler is growing up so fast, this year he was so focused on and interested in everything he could hardly take a moment to smile for a picture. He helped every person open their gifts, and was very excited to spend all day playing with everything! We spent some time at Josh's parents' house with the family, and got to see his sister Ang & her family visiting from Texas, and we were also able to skype with some of my family out in Idaho too.