Feeling Fancy

 Our kids were look so fancy and cute I just had to have a little photo shoot.  Our neighbors have a gorgeous Japanese Maple that was the perfect backdrop.  The kids were being stinkers, but we got a few good pictures.  Oh my goodness, they just melt my heart.

Daddy's girl

Sad to say, this is my first pregnancy photo, I'm only 27 weeks, yikes!  How pathetic.  The kids are SO excited!  They ask and talk about the baby daily.  Can't wait for this little bundle of joy.

Little stud muffin!

Halloween

October flew by.  Collin couldn't wait to have Halloween.  Holidays just keep getting more fun with the kids being more aware.  They LOVED trick or treating and trunk or treating and made out like bandits.  It's a good thing they have such loving wonderful parents who make sure that they don't eat ALL that candy alone.  We went to a local pumpkin patch to pick pumpkins.  It was POURING rain.  We were drenched, but the kids were good sports.  I thought we were prepared, but you can never be really prepared for that much rain.  There was a hay maze and slide for small kids, a petting zoo, and a corn maze.  Then we got to ride a tractor out to a huge pumpkin patch.  The kids loved picking pumpkins.  When we finished we stripped them down threw blankets on them, ordered a pizza and made an AWESOME memory.   It was such a fun day.

Collin loved jumping in the puddles with his big snow boots.

Don't let that sassy face fool you.  She was loving it, she was just being a stinker!

Our little Peter Pan.

Our cute Captain Hook

LOVE these two!

Oh what a life :)

What a wonderful and busy summer.  Life is good and what a blessing to be a family.  We thank God every day for these sweet little children.  They keep us busy and crazy, but we love them and there is nothing better than being a family.

She was having "quiet time", but Sundays are always rough and she is so worn out after church.  I love the little bum sticking up!

A little summer picnic.

Isn't she beautiful.  I just love her eyes.  We still haven't figured out just what color they are, but they are unique to our family.

This was a special day, the first day she let me put a braid in her hair.  I was a proud momma!

Yeah, they're crazy!

She is in fact VERY crazy!  She loves to dress herself.  Whenever we can't find Marissa and it's quiet we can guarantee she's in her room either changing into pajamas or redressing herself.   She's such a girl.

First day of Preschool!  He was counting down the days for months.  I can't believe how fast he's growing!

First day of special Mommy and Rissa time.  She wants to be just like Collin.

Best buds

Just a little scripture reading.

Some fruits of our garden, including the Dahlias.  I love to garden!

Taking notes from General Conference.  What a wonderful and special weekend.

Our little Soccer star.  He LOVED playing.  He's already asking when we get to play again, even though it's almost a year away.

So lucky to have daddy as a coach.  Marissa wanted to join the team, she wore her orange shirt every time Collin wore his soccer shirt.  They still change into their "soccer" clothes, and run down the hall playing soccer.  Those cute kids!

A little toe nail painting session.

Look at those cute chubby little piggies.

Arriving January 2012...

It's a boy!!! Coming January 2012 we will be having Brandt baby boy #2!  So excited.  And yes the boys will out number the girls 3 to 2.  We are soooo excited!  After the ultrasound Collin told us he would be a good big brother.  He got so excited to think that maybe Lightening McQueen would be they baby's favorite too.  He even said he would share his cars with him :).  He'll be such a fabulous big brother.  He's very curious about how big the baby is and when is he going to kick.  It'll be fun when he gets to feel the baby squirming around.  When we asked what we should name him Collin said Old McDonald or Jack in the Box.  Tonight I gave him a few ideas and he decided we should name him Clever, ha ha where did that come from?  It will be so exciting to have a 3rd little munchkin running around.  Well not yet running thank goodness.  I don't think my nerves could handle that, but you know what I mean.  Marissa has informed us that she is no longer a baby and always corrects us by telling us she is a big sister.  I think she's getting ready too.  We are all excited and anticipating this new addition, even if three scares me.  But somehow we'll make it through and it will be wonderful :).

Little Performers

 Collin is the Storyteller

 Marissa is the Singer

Summer 2012

This is so long over due it's crazy.  Where does the time go?  Before I can even get to Summer,  I had to add a few Spring pictures.  We had our first Easter Egg hunt in our yard and the kids loved it. Collin had his 4th trip to the ER (he tripped, hit a wood post and got 6 stitches in on his forehead). And we are finally getting to enjoy our yard and make it how we like it (this is before all the Summer blooms, but it was still beautiful).

Summer is here and we are loving it.  We're trying to grab it with both hands and run.  Last summer I was training for my first 1/2 marathon and we just stuck around on the weekends so I could get my training in.  This Summer we have tried to do everything and stay busy.  In May the kids and I went to California to enjoy our special time with Grandma and Grandpa Valenza, along with a weekend visit from Uncle Jeff.  Then Marissa turned 2, Collin turned 4, we went to visit Grandpa Michael and Jennifer, a weekend of camping, some hiking, gardening, our church's Girl's Camp for a week, and hopefully a few more things before summer is over.  It takes a while for the sun to really shine here, but once it does, oh is it gorgeous.  Life is good and busy and we're sure enjoying our sweet little family.  We look at the kids and think how precious they are and we're not sure we can let them grow up.  And then Marissa throws a tantrum, Collin torments Marissa and Toby and we think no we can let them grow up.  It's all a learning process and although there are ups and downs and great days, and not so great days, life is good and there is a lot of love, laughs, messes, and crying here.