Thanksgiving Trip to AZ

Jeff and I decided to make the 16 hour drive to go back home for Thanksgiving this year. This is the first year we have sone this since moving to Texas. We had way too much to eat! We had our first meal at the Rogers at noon and then went off to the Wiemers at 4:00. We had a great time and loved seeing everyone in the family.

Summer feeding Brody some good Thanksgiving food.

Brody getting a bath in Ellen's sink.

Jeff making the long drive.
Cousins all born in the last 5 months.
Crazy Johnson family.

Grandma Mainng loving the great grand babies.

Alright, who is younger?!? Ryan is getting tall.

Where's the trail?

Jeff and I have been talking about going hiking all the time. You know, the real get-a-workout-start-to sweat hike. With the Texas weather being so nice right now, we woke up early on Saturday morning and were on our way. We found a wilderness park that had this sign that read "This is one of the very few parks left in the US that is all natural and wild" (Okay, so I don't remember exactly what it said, but something about nature and rare.) Jeff and I give each other a funny look as we take off on the cemented trail. It takes us around a few trees and bushes and back to where we started. Okay, so we're thinking we had missed the opening for the real, exotic wilderness trail. We go around again. "Don't feed the animals" one sign states in red bold letters. What animals? The stink bug I almost stepped on two feet ago? We once again end up by our car. Should I grab a water bottle or a snack this time because, wow, that hike was so hard I might need substance. There just happens to be a Parks and Rec guy and I try to yell to him our question as the cars speed by on the freeway, which is so close that the previous "wild" stink bug is probably squished on it by now. "Where's the trail?" "You found it". He points out that if we walk along the freeway for a while we can find another trail-not the one talked about on the previous signs-where there are trees and rocks and the kind of stuff we are apparently looking for. We finally find the mysterious trail and I think as we are walking along that this could be a great hike. I have to retract that thought because up ahead doing the same hike I spot a five year old and his mother chatting away on her cell phone. So, the hike literally lasts for 10 minutes and we get back to walking along the noisy freeway, to find our gas guzzling car, parked on black asphault by the cement sidewalk, which takes you around the "rare nature trail". Anyone want to go on a hike...I know of a great place.

First Time at the Park

Brody had a great time going to the park in our town for the very first time. He swang on the swing and seemed to have a smile on the entire time.

I had to take some video of his laugh because it is so cute.

Shade Clothing's new line

I love the company Shade Clothing. Those Utah girls are geniuses who started this company. I have every single color of their under shirts. They now came out with these:They are dress/skirt extenders. I have had so many dresses or skirts where I wish I could have used one of these instead of getting rid of it. So stinkin smart. They are about 26.00 and come in different styles and colors. www.shadeclothing .com They are having free shipping between now and Nov. 22nd.

Flat Stanley visits Texas

Flat Stanley visited Midlothian recently. My niece Candin's second grade class all made one and she sent him our way. Here is Stanley's adventure around Midlothian and Waxahachie.Brody played the part of the great tour guide until he decided he wanted to eat him.

There is a pond right by our house so we took him there to check out the bugs and the scenery. Here he is in Waxahachie's down town section of antique shopping and little cafes. We then took him to Waxahachie's amazingly gorgeous court house. I really can't tell you how long ago it was constructed, but it looks old. There are carvings all over the building and only Jeff's parents know why I laugh when I think about those carvings.
So, we had a fun time showing the flat guy around. Now it is time to postage him back to Queen Creek.

Just another Wednesday

Well, life as a SAHM never gets boring. I am a newbie at all of this. I look at moms with several kids and am seriously amazed. I still haven't learned how to zone out crying or that people think my kid is precious even though he's throwing a fit. Today I wrestled Brody into an outfit...I think he would rather live out life naked. I packed up the huge purse, the stroller, the Baby Einstein saucer, the extra bottles, the snacks for me....okay the list goes on and on. I met some other ladies in the ward and we planned to scrapbook all day long until 4PM. I had the huge bin of supplies and was so gearing to get at least one page done...maybe four...why not try for 10. 5 minutes after starting, Brody is screaming and ready to go. We tried to calm him down by entertaining him with this other little boy in the pictures and toys galore.

Mason Culpepper & Brody

He's so cute in the picture, but two seconds later he's having a cow.
Mia, a little girl in the ward and only two, tries her hardest because she sees Brody crying. It was adorable. I gave up though and packed up my stuff. So much for scrapbooking. I guess Heavenly Father made babies so cute for a reason. My positive of the day: Brody finally fell asleep in my arms after a long struggle.

New addition

Averi Rogers (cutest name ever)was born Nov. 2nd and weighed 6lbs. 15 oz to Rick and Kristi. Rick is Jeff's older brother and is baby #5 for them. She is grand baby #15 on Jeff's side of the family. Family parties are going to be huge a few years down the road!

rolling...well sort of

Brody tries...he really does. We have been working on rolling for weeks now and I get a half roll out of him. I don't know, it's an accomplishment from where we started at.

A new cousin is almost here!

The cousins just keep on coming for Brody. Holly, Jeff's sister, had Raiden back in August and Heather, another sister, had Sadie back in October. We are anxiously awaiting the arrival of Averi. I just got off the phone with Grandma Manning and heard that Kristi's water broke and that she is in the hospital. This is baby #5 for them and we are so excited to meet another one! Good luck to Kristi...