SNOW!

When we were in Washington, I think the high was 34! It was soooo cold! It was 17 degrees the day that we left...I am so not a fan of the cold. Give me the sun and the beach ANY day! The only (and I mean ONLY) good thing about how cold it was, was the snow. Brooke had never been to the snow beforeso we bundled her up and let her play in the snow for a little bit. The first thing Tim showed her when she touched the snow was how to eat it! So that's all she wanted to do...

Yum!

Papa Salamone

This past December, my Grandpa (my dad's dad) got really sick. He was in and out of the hospital, so the kids and I went up to Washinton with my family to see him in the beginning of January. Papa had just turned 93 and had worked hard his whole life to provide for his wife and 5 children. He loved Big Band music and Western movies. He loved my Grandma! When she started to get sick, he would help her around the house and would wash the dishes every night. He was always so active (even in his nineties!) so it was tough to see him so sick, and even though it was tough, it was good to be with him and spend time all together. He went to be with the Lord a little over a month later and so it meant that much more to have spent that time with him.

We went up in February for the funeral and although it was sad to say goodbye, it was such a wonderful celebration of his life. We were able to have a really special time to sit around and tell our favorite memories about him. And of course we ate...a lot! Grandma and Papa left a legacy...and a love for really good food! We will miss our Papa Salamone, but we find comfort in knowing he is in a place where there is no more pain and suffering! We know we see him again.

Brooke wearing Papa's hat

update (mostly about the kids)

my kids are sleeping. all night long. in the same room. it is changing my life!

I realize that sounds dramatic, but seriously...In the past 6 months, Tim and I have shared a room with at least one child. But as of last Sunday, our room is child free! I was so anxious because I assumed the worst. Brayden had only slept through the night in the crib for only 2 nights, and Brooke had been getting up and coming into our room in the middle of the night (you see now why I was assuming the worst). They have been amazing! Brayden will go to bed first, usually between 8-8:30, then Brooke will go down at 9. No waking up in the middle of the night for either of them! HALLELUJAH! Brayden will usually wake up first between 7:30-8, but Brooke doesn't wake up when he starts to move around or cry. I go in and get him and Brooke will usually sleep 30-60 minutes longer. I have been a very happy momma this week!

Brayden turned 6 months old on the 9th and just had his check-up this week. He is a healthy 19.2 pounds and is 27 inches long, both 75th%. He started eating some solid food. We have tried rice cereal, oatmeal, avacado, apples, bananas and broccoli. He has seemed to like them all, although the first taste never looks enjoyable....except for bananas, he LOVES those! He has started sitting up and giving me hugs! In addition to sleeping through the night, he has started to take 2-3 hours naps! This coming from the kid that never took more than a 30 minute nap unless we were in the car. He is still just the sweetest baby and I love him more and more each day!

Brooke will be 2 1/2 on the 23rd and she is FULL of personality! She loves all things princess, which is funny because she has never even seen a Disney Princess movie! She is such a girl!! She loves dressing up and has obviously not inherited my obsessive need to match when picking out her outfits. :) She is taking gymnastics and loving it! She even "practices" at home. She constantly keeps me on my toes...and my knees! I pray for patience with her daily! She is always saying something new that cracks me up. Some of my favorites have been:

"Mom," she says while putting on her backpack. "I am going to go to school. I'm going to pay for college and play Volleyball!" Another time she had a handful of change, handed it to Tim and said, "here daddy, I'm going to pay for college."

after trying to do something, she looks at me and says, "Oh my gosh mom, that's ridiculous!"

While driving to church she asked me to cover her with her blanket and I told her I couldn't reach her and she replied with, "Mom, just do your best."

"when I grow up I want to be a doctor and help people"

After eating some ice cream, "This is delicious!"

And this morning...oh my daughter...she is sitting by the door ready to leave and she looked down at her rain boots and saw a piece of mud and said, "what's this crap?" in a completely serious tone. Yes my daughter said crap. and it took EVERYTHING in me not to laugh! We talked about it and she knows that is not a word she is to say! I couldn't wait to tell Tim about that one!

We have been busy and I will have more posts coming soon!