Goodbye 2007

Man, has this been a year. Brooks and I were going to write holiday letters this year with our Christmas cards (all handmade by me:), but we just couldn't do it. When we sat down and thought of everything, it was beyond overwhelming. We have had a lot of great things happen to us this year though, and even with all the negatives, we don't want to lose sight of that. So, we are happily saying goodbye to 2007 and looking forward to a great 2008. We want easy family relationships this year, we would like no more funerals or sicknesses, and most importantly, we want the kids to stay healthy, and to know they are loved.

In 2008, Brooks will celebrate his 2nd year with Carlson, we will meet little Jasmine Natasha, and move into our new home. We've got big plans for BizEMoms, and I am sure Taylor will continue to grow cuter and smarter everyday. The kids are really our reason for everything and we are super lucky to have them both. We are looking forward to another year of being the luckiest parents in the world.

Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas to All!

We hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! My parents went up to Williams for the Polar Express ride, and celebrated their Christmas up there. On their way back through Phoenix, they dropped Katie off with us and we will have her for about a week, which means she also got to celebrate Christmas with us. Tay was very excited to see her, and he has been following her around ever since she arrived. We were very excited, because we thought this would be the first year where Taylor sort of understood the whole Santa thing. Brooks thought we should leave Santa five cookies and a glass of chocolate milk, but I asked Mrs. Claus and she felt two cookies would be best since Santa would be having cookies at many houses on Christmas Eve. Well, maybe I made the jolly ole' man unhappy because he left some very pretty and comfy pink slippers in my stocking-only bummer was they are too small :( Brooks got socks in his stocking, I think as a joke because he is always asking for socks and underwear, and he finally got it. Tay got the Smart Cycle from Santa and loves it! It is the coolest little video game system for kids, and he likes playing with it. He of course, got about 10,000 other presents, including an art easel from Grandma Kathy that he decided to open early, before we got smart and hid the Christmas presents. Gradma Marlene and Papa Dale got him a bunch of presents, too, his favorite is the extra sets for his GeoTrax. We also had a big Christmas dinner and Brooks made some great mashed potatoes. We have been experimenting lately, as we can't seem to make lump-less mashed potatoes. Last night they were great, though!

Dale and Marlene were supposed to fly back for Christmas, but Dale was taken to the hospital in Madrid, so they could not fly back. Hopefully everything will be OK, and in the meantime, Tay has been sending some video back with his emails. I think we are going to try to get set up with an account with VM Direct/Hello World so we can just do those all the time, and for both grandparents.

Katie leaves Friday, and we have a few more girly things to do before then. We went clothes shopping today and exchanged what we got her for Christmas because they just weren't cool enough. We also need to do our nails, and she is going to Angie's salon to get her hair cut and thinned.

Merry Christmas and hope Santa brought you all the right sized slippers!

Partying Down Carlson Style

We missed the Christmas Party last year when Brooks worked at The Pointe, because he had already given his notice that he was going to start working for Carlson. I was totally bummed, because that would have been a nice party for sure. So, this year I was really looking forward to the Carlson Party. They are a great company, and very secure. They have plenty of money, and are not afraid to spend it on their employees. So, I was totally psyched about where we would be going and what would be happening. Brooks remained calm and cool about the whole thing, but we don't get out much without the kids, so I was ready! Taylor tried a new babysitter and everything went great for him. He sat and watched some Sponge Bob with her and apparently laughed a bunch. He even took a bath, and get this-put himself to bed! She asked if he wanted her to lay down with him, and he said "nope" and went to sleep all by himself. He also apparently didn't notice that we were gone in the first place. He also didn't throw any tantrums or go wild and crazy, like he normally does for us. Usually around 8:30 or so he decides he is a wrestler and we have to deal with various wrestler moves when we least expect it. His favorite is "the plop" where he stands up and jumps on you. Jasmine could care less for that one.

Anyway, we happily left on our merry way to Old Town Scottsdale and a restaurant called Kazmierz. We'd looked it up on the internet before hand, and figured it was one of those uber trendy places. We entered through an unmarked door in the back. Which really was kinda silly, as we couldn't find it without someone pointing it out to us, and when I left to call Kristin and check up on Taylor, I had to point it out to a few people who were looking for the same door. We mingled around the bar for a bit, then went into a private room, and had our own wine connoisseur for the evening. The unpregnant people got to try five different wines, plus champagne set to complement their dinner. I smelled the wine and tried to teach Brooks a little about a proper wine tasting, but he could have cared less. That may be the one area where I am slightly more sophisticated then he. The appetizers were delish and Jasmine loved the brushetta best. The salad was next and sooooo delicious. It had arugula and pearl couscous-yum! The main course was an espresso rubbed steak with Yukon potatoes and some type of orange sauce on top. It was OK, but not the best steak I have had. But, for the price (free to us, a bajillion dollars for Carlson) I could not complain. Dessert was a warm brownie served in a cup, and a peanut butter and chocolate ball with a peanut butter cookie on the side. It was very chocolately and delicious! Carlson gave all their employees gifts from Tiffany's. The men received ballpoint pens and the ladies got sterling silver link bracelets-very pretty. We looked them up on the website later when we got home, and Brooks' pen was $150. He wants to sign out new mortgage papers with it.

It was so much fun to get out and have a nice dinner. Everyone he works with is so nice, and they all joke and get along together really well. I can't say enough how cool it is that he works for such a great company and how much they really do for their employees to show they care about them. There are some big changes happening with the company, and it is so exciting that Brooks gets to grow with them.

Jasmine's Close-Up

Yesterday little Jasmine received a 4D Ultrasound. We have been so excited about this, especially since it was not offered to us when Taylor was born. They had just come out back then, and now we were able to get one right at the doctor's office. She looks just like Taylor and was punching away. I am sure she was just practicing her cheerleader sparkles :) Taylor was very excited to see Baby Jasmine, and of course Daddy was there, too. She now weighs about 2 pounds 11 ounces and all bets are on as to whether she is going to be a chubby baby like her brother was. Everything looks great, and our next appointment is at 33 weeks.

Happy Birthday Taylor!

The world's cutest little boy turned three yesterday. We had his party at Chuck E. Cheese, and he had a great time. He had a Spiderman cake and got lots of cool presents. His best little friends came, and so did some of mommy and daddy's big friends. Daddy's friends played lots of games and won 1,000 tickets and let Taylor pick out a Spiderman lunch box from the prizes. We got Taylor a new big boy bike and he immediately got out his box of mighty tools to make sure we put it together correctly. Hopefully we did, as we were up til 2 in the morning working on it!He had such a busy day, Taylor fell asleep on the couch at 7:00.

I can't believe we have a three year old! And soon we will have another little one to spoil stinky rotten on her birthday. Being a mommy and daddy is so much fun.

Goodbye, Maggie

Taylor's Great-grandma passed away last Thursday night. She was wonderful in every possible way and we will miss her dearly. I am glad Tay was able to spend as much time as he could with her. We flew out there three times while he was in my tummy and three times since. She loved to travel, loved the Clemson Tigers and loved my grandpa. Since I am so far along in the pregnancy, we won't be able to fly out there, but will always remember Maggie.