I Did It...

Raylee's hair has continued to grow like a weed and for someone who has had short hair their whole life, I have been trying to figure out what to do with all her hair. Well, I finally got the courage to try out some pig tails. With a little bribe with the toothbrush I got her to sit in the bumbo long enough to blow dry her hair, curl it and get the pig tails in. It was kind of hard with her trying to move her head every which way, but I think they turned out pretty cute. What mother has a 5 month old whose hair requires all this work? Oh well, I can't complain because my mom was wishing I would grow some hair and I was like 3.

The Perfect Day for a Day at the Zoo

After being sick all Christmas weekend I was feeling much better yesterday, so we decided to load up the kids and head to the zoo with my mom, brother, his friend Chelise and the Ayividi family. We had so much fun and couldn't have asked for better weather.



I think we could come to the zoo and spend our whole time in the petting zoo and Bradock would be completely content. He loved the goats and was trying to give them kisses.



Raylee spent the first half of our time at the zoo sleeping, but when Bradock started to get tired she got to switch seats and was having so much fun riding up front.

A Very Merry Christmas

We had such a wonderful Christmas this year. It began with my family's traditional mexican feast the Monday before Christmas. My camera battery died as I went to take my first pic that night, so my sis will need to send me the ones she took. My Aunt Cyndi bought all of us Christmas shirts that we wore. We all definately looked very festive.


I was a little worried about how Bradock would react sitting on Santa's lap, but he loved it.



Our Christmas Eve began with another tradition of "Christmas Eve Gift". This is a fun game we play where you call someone and say Christmas Eve gift. If you say it before the other person that person has to get you a gift for Christmas Eve. It's so fun to see who you can beat. All that day I only answer my phone by saying Christmas Eve Gift in hopes to beat whoever is calling me. Let's just say I beat a few people including Aunt Sue and Brett.

Later that night we had another mexican feast with the Flaherty Family and then headed over to Bob and Terri's for a Christmas Eve gift exchange. The kids were so excited to open presents they could hardly stand it.

Don't you just love footie pj's?!




Here's Grady helping Bradock open his Christmas present from him and Carson. Bradock loves his new weed whacker. It was about time Bradock got a "real" weed whacker because he has been using everything around the house and making the cute humming sound as he pretends to be trimming weeds.


Even later that night, Brett and my brother, Justin, stayed up helping Santa assemble toys including a train table and bike. I stayed up as late as I could, but I started to get sick that day, so after some Nyquil I was out. My mom and dad came over Christmas morning to watch the kids open gifts and then that afternoon we went over to their new condo for Christmas lunch/dinner. We kind of had a Bolivian Christmas because my brother brought the Ayividi Family (5 total) down from Utah to enjoy the holidays with us. We stayed with their parents when we were in Bolivia. We had a great day, other than me being sick. Bradock and Raylee definately got spoiled from all the gifts from Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles and cousins. It was a great Christmas!!

Bradock loved his tool set that he got from Aunt Sarah and Uncle Chance.

Sarah made these adorable skirts for Raylee's Christmas gift. She is so talented and Raylee looks so cute in them.

Counting Down the Days Til Christmas

Who doesn't love all the rolls on this adorable little girl? Raylee turned 5 months this week and is just so much fun. She has been cracking up at the silliest little things.

It amazes me how much shampoo I use when washing my kids' hair.
The other morning I went to put the kids in the bath and we had this fun display attached to the bathroom wall. Brett must have been having fun with the kids while bathing them the night before.

I just can't get over the many creative ways kids seem to be able to fall asleep. I just love the cute little booty in the air.

I am so proud of myself this Holiday season. Instead of buying something for our neighbors and friends, like I have done every year since we've been married, I decided to get a little creative myself and make some yummy goodies. When I say creative, I mean 3 whole ingredients and super easy. Brett walked in the door and asked "where is my wife"?! Wonders never cease! Tis the Season to be Jolly!

What Happens in Vegas!!!

Well, my family made the Annual December trip up to Vegas to enjoy a fun time of rodeos, shows, food, food and more food and tons of fun!! It was a whirlwind of a trip, but it was such a blast.

Here we all are on the shuttle bus Thursday night heading to the National Finals Rodeo (NFR) opening night. I know this is the highlight of the trip for Brett. I think his dream of being a cowboy becomes a little more of a reality here.


We got to the rodeo a little early, so we could check out the pre-rodeo scene. We came across this big tent of loud music and of course lots of drinking, but then we spotted this mechanical bull that people were attempting to ride. Sarah decided she wanted to show everyone up and jumped in line. Of course, we all had to follow after that. To be honest, riding a mechanical bull has always been on my "bucket list", so now I can check that one off.




On Friday, Brett caught an early plane back to Phoenix, so he could attend a mandatory laser class at school, so my fam and me enjoyed the best buffet ever, the Paris Hotel breakfast buffet and then did an endowment session at the Las Vegas Temple. I have never seen a celestial room that literally takes your breath away. It was so beautiful. Here we are, eating yet again, before the show that night. Here we all are after the PHENOMENAL performance of Phantom of the Opera. Luckily, even though Brett's plane that evening was delayed he made it just in time for the performance. He was so exhausted from all the traveling and long day at school, but I think the trip was worth it.


I think one of my favorite things in Vegas is the water show at the Bellagio. Not only is it so fun to watch, but it's FREE!!

Brett, Chance and my dad had a fun time golfing on Saturday, while my mom, sis, brother and I headed to the outlets for a fun day of shopping. I think I am pretty much done with all my Christmas shopping now. That evening, we enjoyed another great show, Cirque de Soleil O. It was pretty cool, but I would have to say that Mystere is still my favorite.


I am so grateful to my mom and dad who make this trip possible. We have so much fun as a family and it's something I will remember more than any gift exchange we would have done. I love that it has become our little Christmas tradition and I can't wait to make even more lasting memories.

I am also thankful for Bob and Terri, who watched my little ones why I was gone. Here were a few of the text pics I received while I was gone. I love that I was still able to see them everyday. Bradock and Raylee had lots of fun with Grandma and Grandpa.



Bradock had a doctor's appt Monday morning. He weighs 23.5lbs, (10th percentile), but he's a whopping 36in tall (97th percentile).

A Great Gobble Gobble Weekend

We had such a fun Thanksgiving this year. Of course, my fam started the morning off with the traditional Mi Amigo Turkey Trot. I am so glad it wasn't raining during our run. Brett and I had woken up during the middle of the night to the loudest thunder and pouring rain I have ever heard, but lucikily it stopped prior to our run. My mom and sis ran the 2 mile fun run and Justin and I ran the 10K. We then ate some yummy Turkey lunch with the Flaherty's and ran over to my family's get together to say hello. I just love seeing family and hanging out. We headed back to the Flaherty's where Kiley and Mindi showed all us girls how to make this cute and easy (definately a key word when it comes to crafts for me) Christmas decoration. Those girls have a knack at finding and making cute house stuff. All in all it was a great day.



Sarah decided to take lots of pics with my camera while Justin and I were running...silly girl!




Little Miss Raylee looking adorable as always.

Kartchner family hanging out at Aunt Sue's house after a big Turkey dinner.

What would Thanksgiving be without some crazy, fun games?!




Thanksgiving night, Bob and Terri watched Bradock and Raylee, so my parents, Justin, Brett and I could go and see the movie, Australia. It was fantastic!


The next day was Black Friday and Kiley's 30th birthday. We celebrated by hitting the stores for some good deals. I didn't have anything specific that I was looking for, I just love the crazy crowds, the adrenaline rush of grabbing items at a great deal, shopping all day and being with friends and family. Later that night we ended up playing games with our neighbors, the Crocketts, and the Gonazalez's. It was definately a fun day.

Saturday night, my parents took the kids (aren't Grandparents the best?!!) and we had a fun night with the Flaherty's. We ate dinner at Gecko Grill and then headed to the good ol' AMF bowling alley. We all had such a great time. Bob and I got a little competitive, especially when I beat him the first round. He decided he couldn't be beat by a girl twice in a row and I guess I choked under pressure because he ended up beating me 2 out of 3. I guess I will just have to redeem myself next time.









I just had to post these last few pics because it's just too funny and cute. Last night, Brett got home late (about midnight) from studying and woke me up to come look at something. Every night Brett checks in on our kids before he goes to bed. Well, when he went to peek at Bradock he couldn't find him in his bed. As he was about to leave the room he heard a little snore. Low and behold our little guy had gotten out of bed and must have decided to grab some more blankies and sleep on the floor. He curled right up against his little decorative pillow, which doesn't look very comfy, but it certainly didn't disturb his z's.