Fun In The Sun

One of the best things about living in Arizona is our "winter" weather. While most of the country is cold and dreary we had a beautiful day Saturday and we took advantage of it! We took the kids to the McCormick-Stillman railroad park in Scottsdale. Katelyn had too much fun, Brody slept through most of it but woke in time to ride the train.

Happy Birthday To You!

It was Dave's birthday this past week, he turned 38! I tell him he doesn't look a day over 28, ha ha . We fixed a nice dinner at home followed by yummy ice cream cake and presents.

I'm growing like a weed!

Ok, so carrying Brody around all day I knew he was getting big. I would have guessed like 12-13 pounds or so. Well I was wrong!! We went in for his 2 month check-up this week and when I plopped him down on that scale I was amazed. 14 lbs 11 oz, holy moly! He is between the 95%-97% for weight and he is 75% for height at 24.25 inches. By the time he turns 1 he's gonna outweigh his big sister. Anyway he's all smiles as you can see .

Happy New Year!

Wow,the holidays went by in a blur! I can't believe it's 2008 and Brody is already 2 months old. We've really enjoyed the last few weeks, Katelyn helped me make cookies and wrap presents. I had a birthday and turned 29,yet again! ha ha I won't tell how many years that has happened. Let's see what else, Katelyn's preschool class did a little Christmas program- it was too cute all these kiddos singing carols and then they had to throw in the "Jose can U see" song. In case you can't guess it was the Star Spangled Banner.

She also had a recital at the dance studio and they danced to the "Teddy Bear for Christmas" song, I don't know the real name that's what the kids call it. It was very secretive, none of the parents could even peek in the window when they were practicing. They did a great job and had a lot of fun.

We spent Christmas Eve with the Carson clan. It was a wirlwind of wrapping paper, all you could do was stay out of the way! There were lots of yummy treats to be sampled and it was great to visit with extended family we don't see too often. It's safe to say the kids really enjoyed themselves. Then Christmas morning at home where Katelyn "needed to help" open everyone's gifts for them. It's a lot of fun starting family traditions with her and seeing her excitement. Next year Brody will be right in there with her ripping off all the wrapping paper, hopefully not before Christmas morning.

We had unexpected guests for a visit in between Christmas and New Year's. My cousin, his wife, their triplets and their foreign exchange student were in town from Utah. They stayed with us for 3 nights and we had bedding everywhere! it wasn't too bad though and we enjoyed having them. We were also dog sitting again, just to add to the madness.

There was a birthday party for some friends born the same day and both turning the big 4-0! Happy birthday to Mike and Phil! I love that there are friends in our gang older than me. This took the place of our annual Christmas Party and white elephant exchange, which I was bummed about I like the fighting over the "good" gifts.

By the time New Year's Eve rolled around we were exhausted! And so after getting the kids to bed, I passed out on the couch. I did manage to wake up in time for the countdown, long enough to kiss my honey and drag my tired body off to bed. I would be up nursing in just a few hours, and there's always next year...

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2007 Family Christmas letter

Merry Christmas ! I hope this letter finds everyone well and not too caught up in the chaos of the season. I apologize for taking the easy way out and not sending Christmas cards but this year we're scaling back a bit and being good to the environment (saving trees!) as well. We've been busy adjusting to life with a newborn again, it's funny how quickly you forget and yet it comes back just as quick.

David is starting his 8th year now with the Arizona Game and Fish Department as a wildlife manager a.k.a Game Warden. He really has a fun job and lots of diversity. One day it's flying around in a helicopter counting herds of deer, another patrolling at the lake , and still another day helping handicap children catch their first fish. It's never boring that's for sure. He's also been working quite a few shifts at his off duty job. When road construction is being done near an intersection an officer is required to be there and there is a lot of road work right now. Dave has really sacrificed a lot for his family in order for me to be home right now, and we are so grateful. He even missed out on his deer hunt this year to be at my side when our son was born. He is such an amazing husband and father, I sit back in awe at the silliness he and Katelyn are capable of. I can't wait to watch him with Brody doing all that "guy stuff" together!

I'm still on maternity leave at Southwest Airlines and won't go back to work until sometime in February. It will be hard to leave the kiddos -although I will enjoy getting a full night's sleep,but I really do enjoy my job and the benefits are too good to give up. So for now Katelyn and Brody are keeping me busy with playdates and storytimes and laundry, of course. I do occasionally sneak out for a girl's lunch or a game of Bunko now and then, it keeps me sane.

Katelyn is as independant as always. Her little mind is so sharp, she keeps us on our toes! She is going to preschool 2 days a week and she really is learning a lot. She also takes a tap/ballet class once a week at a local studio, and at the end of the year they do a huge recital. Katelyn can't wait to get on the big stage and do her dancing again. She is such a great big sister, she helps out bringing diapers or other needed items and she sings to him when he cries. Of course the thing she does best is give lots of hugs and kisses!

And finally there's Brody, he's a happy guy most often. He isn't afraid to let you know when he's hungry or needs to burp though. He's starting to be vocal and give smiles-which we all wait patiently for. He's very alert and always checking out the scenery. We're so excited to get to know him as he grows and develops his personality. He makes our family complete !

So that's our story, what fills our days. We're so thankful for all that we've been blessed with, that everyone is happy and healthy. We hope that everyone has a Merry Christmas and that peace and love fill your homes. We love and miss ya and hopefully we'll see y'all real soon,

David, Tami, Katelyn & Brody

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

We finally got a break in the rain long enough to go pick out our Christmas tree. It was still a little chilly for Brody but Katelyn had a blast running in and out of the trees playing hide and seek. If only someone would do the lights the decorating could begin!