Christmas at the Cottage

This has been a wonderful week. We were able to celebrate Brielle's first Christmas! We were with her Grandma and Grandpa Kolts at their cottage up north. With all of the snow it was a beautiful sight. It was great being with family. It was so nice, there was no cell phone service, or television so we were really roughing it... :) Everytime we needed a food ingredient that we didn't have, Debbie would say, "well, we are camping!" I'd love to go camping in a big cabin like that all the time!
Setting up the tree was an adventure. First we had to find the tree, which was cut down from outside the cottage. It was about 15' tall! We used a ladder for the top half.

We decided to take Brielle out for a little snow excursion. She made the cutest snow angel (with help, of course!) She is our little angel. Isn't this just the cutest picture???

We had another snow fall when we were there. There was so much snow, it went up past my knees at some points!

Christmas Eve dinner was delicious! Debbie made prime rib with yummy side dishes, and a trifle for dessert.

Brielle's thoughts during dinner...

Christmas Morning!! These are the two cute little babies, celebrating their first Christmas!



There were lots of presents from Santa by the tree. Brielle was so excited, about the wrapping paper. She loved tearing at it. Brielle got lots of fun toys!

Outside with Grandma

Sledding! The bottom of the hill went onto the lake that was supposed to be frozen, but it wasn't quite cold enough. Luckily the tubes float..

Fun in the snow

Dad, get away, no more kisses!

Ok, fine we can be pals again

Cute cousins, Brielle and AJ

Beautiful girl, in a dress that her Aunt Aubrey gave her

Talkin to Grandpa

Tons of snow!

It was a wonderful Christmas. We cannot help but be thankful for all of the blessings we have been given. We have wonderful family that love us, and we are so grateful for the gospel in our lives. We are excited for our upcoming trip to Utah! We will be leaving tomorrow and will be there for almost 2 weeks, yeah!

Santa Clause!

Brielle met Santa Clause for her first time today! She was very solemn. She had just woken up from a nap and we figured she'd be super happy, but she just sat there. It's ok though, she was super cute..as always! She can't wait for Santa to come visit her next week. Can you believe Christmas is next week?? I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and that you travel safely. We're excited to go to Grandma and Grandpa Kolts' cabin for Christmas, and also for our trip to Utah on New Years Eve!

We were able to open our presents from Grandma and Grandpa Henrie and family yesterday over Skype (wonderful thing!) and after we were done, we decided to put Brielle in the box with the wrapping paper. She loved it!

Girls' Night!

Yesterday I had a few friends over for Karaoke Revolution girls night. It was fun! Not many people were able to come, but we had a great time! I always get the same hesitancy at first, but after a while, they warmed up to the singing. Unfortunately their confidence waivered a little when Rob came downstairs with the video camera...he didn't have it on. He's lucky.

I like having girls' nights. It was nice, Brielle was asleep and we just played downstairs and ate good snacks. I think we might try to go professional with our 3 amazing voices! Me and Kendra could be back-up singers to Cassi, who won the tournament! It was super fun.

Brrrr!

This past week has been eventful. Brielle and I got a lot of our Christmas shopping done.  I like to do it as early as possible because of how busy it gets.  Then on Thursday we were able to come home with Rob because his dad was recovering enough to be able to come home early! He was looking great, and Brielle was so excited to see grandma and grandpa.
She was trying to be like her grandpa. Aren't babies the ones who are supposed to be bald? :)

We also have had our first real snow here in Minneapolis! Last week it snowed a lot, and now everything is white! Well, brown and white, with all the mud. We took Brielle out into the snow for her first time ever. I'm not sure she enjoyed it too much, it was so cold. She was good for us though, and let us take pictures but was more excited to get back inside.

Last night we were able to go to our Ward Christmas Party. We had a great dinner, and enjoyed a fun program. We were supposed to see Santa but Brielle was getting very tired so we left. My friend Heathere took some family pictures while we were there. As soon as we get them, they're going on the blog!

This is her new coat that Rob's parents so lovingly bought for her. We think she looks adorable, and it keeps her so warm, especially when it was 5 degrees outside...

My mom said that it was snowing at their house, and was saying that it was supposed to get all the way down into the 20's next week...I used to think that was cold too.

Oh, and I forgot to put this picture on. Brielle was trying to help with the laundry and decided that she'd found a comfy chair. Isn't she cute?!

WE'RE GOING TO DENTAL SCHOOL!!!!!!

WOO HOO!!!!!!!!!

We have just found out this morning that Rob has been accepted to the University of Minnesota's dental school!  We are so excited that we'll be able to stay her in Minnesota.  We will here for another four years.  Yeah!

Also, as a side note.. we just thought we'd let you know about an article that was written about Brielle in People Magazine.  We're very impressed with our little superstar.  Doesn't she look cute on the cover?

And next month, National Geographic wants to publish an article about something that was discovered in Minneapolis just months ago by some (may I say gorgeous) pedestrians, who were in the wrong place at the wrong time.  You'll have to read it!

 
go to www.MagMyPic.com to become famous!

It's Christmas Time

We set up and decorated our Christmas tree last Thursday. It is always so exciting to get out all of the Christmas stuff each year, and this was even more so than before because we have Brielle to enjoy it with! We also had James here to help. It was quite a party.

On saturday we fed Brielle her first bowl of rice cereal! She did pretty good considering it was her first time being fed from a spoon. We got really messy, but it was so cute! Since then she has continued to get better and better. She is growing so fast, we can't believe it!

Let's just say that she wasn't the only one learning how to feed her. She kept putting her hands in her mouth, then she just wanted to suck on the bib, and we were not going fast enough. It definitely took 4 hands to get done! But now, we're old pros! :)

Earlier today we were giving her some tummy time. She has only rolled over a couple times, but she has still found a way to get around. While watching her, we saw her lift up her bum, and scoot forward. It was only about an inch, but it was so funny to watch her! It is amazing to watch them grow! Everyday brings a new adventure.
We have also noticed that she has found a favorite blanket. It I ever need her to go to sleep, or calm down, I just give her the blanket, put her in her bouncy seat, and vuala! She loves the softness, and the silky feeling around the edge. I think it's adorable!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Yesterday was Thanksgiving, and we had a wonderful time. We hope you all did too. We even woke up to a little bit of snow on the ground! It didn't last all day, but it was fun to see. We had the dinner at our house. And the turkey tasted great, if I do say so myself! I will say however, that preparing the turkey is disgusting! It was all slimy, I didn't know where to find the giblets (I think that's what they're called) and I swear that the head was still connected.

The top didn't get brown (it actually looked quite disgustingly slimy to me), but we checked the temperature and it was done. But all in all, I think it was a good first (honestly I would be ok if it was the last) turkey cooking experience. And the stuffing inside the turkey... fabulous. I've never had it that way, but everyone said it was required, so I attempted to make it. I was told it tasted good. I tell ya, Debbie's cooking is a lot to live up to! I recommend to my family to try stuffing in the turkey. It was great!

Anyway, it was a great day. We had us of course, Janette, Brandon and their two kids: Noah and Isabelle, and James, Amelia, and Mariah. It was a full house, especially in our little apartment! We had lots of salads, potatoes, and some really great pies! It is so fun being with family.

This was Brielle's idea of a good celebration. She slept through almost the whole dinner! She had a good reason, though. She had a little fever from her shots. Isn't she such a cute little sleeper!

Unfortunately Rob's dad is still recovering from his stem cell transplant, so we couldn't be with them too, but hopefully he'll start feeling better. The transplant went well, but I think it will be at least another week until we know if his body will accept the new stem cells. We are keeping him in our prayers always. We also would like to wish them a happy anniversary! Today is their 30th wedding anniversary. Congratulations!!

Also, while we weren't able to be with my family back in Utah, we were able to talk to them and see them on Skype. There were lots of people there that we were able to chat with, it was great! We are very excited to be able to go to Utah in just over one month to spend some time with family there.

Happy Thanksgiving!

4 Month Doctor Appointment

Brielle's 4 month dr appointment was today. She didn't like it nearly as much as her 2 month appt. but as soon as her doctor started talking to us she looked at him, as if listening to all he was telling us. He commented on how attentive and active she is, and we very much agree.

I have to point out, from reading Krystal's blog, that Brielle is not as chubby as her Grandma Kolts thinks she is. She weighed in at 13lbs 14 oz (54th percentile), and 24 1/4" long (47th percentile).

Poor little girl did not like her shots, of course who does? She did so good, and after we left, she slept for almost 2 hours. (Which is amazing for her; her normal naps are almost always exactly 30 minutes. I don't know how she times it the same every time!) She is such a fun baby.

Her doctor also said that we can/should start feeding her rice cereal anytime now! That will be so cute!!! He also said that she is a very social baby. It's fun, but has been kind of getting in the way of feeding her sometimes. She is just so interested in everything around her, and if her daddy says anything, it's hopeless.

She has to look out, because if she doesn't, of course she'll miss something. We are so grateful for our little bundle of joy! She has brought so much happiness into our lives. While I have never really felt like I knew my reason or place in life, I now know that being my baby's mother is my calling. It's hard work, but so much more rewarding than anything else I could be doing with my life.

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving. We love you all!

Growing Older

Brielle's 4 month birthday was yesterday. She is getting so big! And we are now able to fit little elastics in Brielle's hair. She looks so cute! She and her mom spent the last 2 weeks with her two Aunts, Amelia and Mariah. We had lots of fun with her two crazy aunts. We are so glad we were able to go and help. We sure love our family!

But it is nice to be back at home with her daddy. He missed us alot. We're just so fun! We sure did miss him too. I mean, how could you NOT miss this!

So as not to get too bored, I decided to read the Harry Potter books. I just finished reading the Twilight series (which is amazing!!!) and I'm now on a reading spree. I'm on the 4th book now, and they're a fun read. They're really long, but it goes quick.
This last weekend, Janette, Brandon, and their 2 cute kids, Noah and Isabelle, came so that they could spend the next 2 weeks with Amelia and Mariah. It was fun having more little people around Brielle. Even though she could hardly get through tummy time without Isabelle trying to steal her binkie or sit on her, and then Mimby, their cute dog, wanted in on the action. Even though I was trying to protect Brielle, I couldn't help laughing.


We did a craft while we were there too. We made turkeys. They turned out so cute. I wish I would've taken a picture with Noah's turkey, compared to Brielle's. The size difference is very funny.

Adventures in Marshfield

This past week Brielle and I have been at Grandma and Grandpa Kolts' house watching two cute girls, Amelia and Mariah, while Grandpa Kolts is having a transplant in another state. They left last week, and everything is going well. Brielle is telling them all kinds of stories and is so excited about it.

Of course Mariah got a hold of the camera...

Rob has had to stay in Minneapolis because of school, but last week after his dental school interview at Marquette University (on Wednesday) he came her afterward and stayed the whole weekend with us. As soon as he got here, he gave me a quick peck on the cheek, then grabbed the baby. Haha. They are so fun to watch. Brielle sure loves her daddy.

She has the cutest little smirk faces. We are so proud of Brielle. She has been going 12 hours at night!!! (7:30pm-7:30am) Woo Hoo Brielle!!!!  

She loves putting everything up to her mouth now. She's drooling all the time, and has to always be sucking on something!