This, That, and the Other!

Ok, so I got discouraged by all that I had left to blog and decided to just do a BIG picture post and put it all in. I apologize if this all doesn't make sense to you, but for my record books it does.:) Enjoy a picture view into our lives from the past. 3 1/2- 4 weeks.


All of us went out to lunch to celebrate my sister Mindy's b-day.


The offical crew.:0) We three got together on Monday and tore into my Mom's house to help her get it decorated for Christmas. It was an all day job, but we had such fun working together!


It has been an annual tradition in my famiy that as we set up the Nativity, my mom reads us the Christmas story. This year some of the grandchildren got to enjoy that time with Nana.


Brittan enjoying Keaton while we worked.


The end result of the living room tree.


More labors of love.:)


While doing some Christmas shopping, look who we ran into.:)


My kids love to watch the turkey getting prepared.


Loving on Nana!


Watching Poppy get ready to make the gravy.


Keaton is ready for lunch!


Brittan playing with Allie.


Brooklyn & Rena in the world of make believe.



Our Thanksgiving Table.


That evening, my sister-in-law had the wonderful idea of letting the kids make a gingerbread house. She oversaw the entire project and my kids LOVED it! Thanks to Brittan's many hours at Kindergarten this year, he sat there the entire time.:)


Brooklyn hard at work.


Aunt Rochenda, Brooklyn, & Brittan with their finished project!


My parents with all 5 of their grandchildren.





Brittan, Kolby, Brooklyn, & Kardin
Although it was our 11th wedding anniversary, we met up with our firends in Cd'A for an over night celebration for Kristin's 30th birthday.


The Birthday Girl! Happy 30th Kristin!!

Kindergarten's Thanksgiving Program.

The Thursday before Thanksgiving break Brooklyn's class performed a little program for their parents and grandparents. They made their little hats in class, had handmade placemats to pass out, and then sang a couple of songs, said a poem, and then told everyone what they were thankful for. It was short, to the point, and absolutely darling! Brooklyn loves school and her teacher and we are thankful for them both!


Waiting for the little program to start.


Singing and doing the motions to "This is the Day for Giving Thanks."


"I am thankful for my Mom & Dad."


Our little 'pilgrim'

Happy 3rd Birthday to Brittan

I am well aware that I am way behind in my blogging and in order to try to catch back up I probably keep the posts short and to the point.

Brittan turned 3 a couple of weeks ago and we celebrated his birthday twice. Having family that doesn't live within the same town makes it impossible to only have one party because both sides want to get in on the celebrations. We started with a party at my parents the weekend before his actual b-day and then the day of we had another party at Brook's parents house.

Brittan was a little confused once his actual b-day arrived because in his mind 'his day' had already come and gone. I try to volunteer every Friday in Brooklyn's class and since it was Brittan's b-day and he thinks that he is in Kindergarten, we took cupcakes to all the class. Well, make that several classes. He has friends in 1st grade, 6th grade, 7th grade, and several of the teachers. I baked miniature cupcakes and he had a ball passing them out. He enjoyed having all the classes that he went to, sing 'Happy Birthday' to him, but plugged his ears with the 7th graders because "they were too loud."

God truly blessed our home with a sunbeam when he gave us the gift of Brittan. Dubbed 'Smiley Riley' early on, the name has stuck for a reason. He is all boy, but oh, so soft and tender. A few of his favorite things at the age of 3 include: 'Lightmimg McQueen' or anything 'Caws', Mommy, Bwookwyn, Daddy, Nana, Teechur (Brooklyn's Kindergarten Teacher, Wendy), his nannie (blanket), tools, his 4-wheeler, babies (Keaton & Allie), his aunts, hugs & kisses, and being held.

Our prayer for you Brittan is that you will grow up to know and love Jesus with all of your heart. May you strive to please Him in all that you do. Stay sweet, keep you smile, keep that easy going spirit, and be all that God created you to be. We love you dearly and are so thankful that God chose to give you to us!



Mommy and cake #1.


The Crane Cousins!


Brooklyn explaining her gift to Brittan.:):)


Brittan and his birthday loot!


With Daddy and his 2nd cake,:)

Going to Lock My Blog

Due to having strange people commenting on my blog that I don't know I have decided to make my blog a closed blog. If you want to be a part of my blog please leave me your e-mail address if I have not already sent you an invitation. I am no longer comfortable leaving it open for the public to view it. I will give it a few days for everyone to respond and then I will close it. I am sorry, but I feel that this will be best. Thank you! Valerie

Like Father...Like Son

My boys matched on Sunday and they looked so cute that I decided that I must photograph them before leaving for church. When I looked at the picture later it made me stop and think, not only do I love the idea of Brittan growing up to look like his Daddy, but rather, I want him to grow up to be like his Daddy. I pray that as he watches Brook each day that he will see the kindness, the tenderness, the sincerity, the thoughtfulness, the unselfishness, the easy going, caring ways that define Brook as a person. These are the traits that I so want him to immulate and if he looks like him, well, that is an added bonus.


Brook & Brittan ready for church.

And for the sake of Nana:

Brooklyn & I didn't exactly match to the 'T'(hoping for a gray sweater for Christmas), but we still took the opportunity to get a picture taken together.:):) Oh, how I love her!!!!

Nana's Halloween Darlings!!

Upon requests from Brooklyn & Brittan we went to Nana's house for Halloween this year. It was great fun for our children to get to Trick or Treat with their cousins in her neighborhood. The weather was absolutely perfect, not even a jacket was needed. I am of the opinion that Halloween should always be on a Friday, it was wonderful not to have to worry about homework, bedtimes, or school the next morning. Hope everyone else had as wonderful a time as we did!


And here they are...


The Crane Cousins:)


Brittan, Brooklyn, & Allie (LaRona & Allen's)


Keaton(Brent & Rochenda's)& Rena (LaRona & Allen's)

It's Election Day - VOTE!!!!

It is our duty as citizens of this great country to vote. Knowing first hand from having participated in more elections than I can count, every vote counts. I have no great words of wisdom today as to the outcome of this election, rather I leave you with this, God Bless America! And remember, Romans 8:28