Almost there

The other day I told Noel to give me 20...

He wasn't too happy about it at first

But he realized push-ups are fun and a good way to bulk up for the ladies

On your mark, get set, go...

Bunny Ears

The kids got a package from our Aunt Lynn the other day. Claire loves this Bunny Ears Elmo. We liked this picture of her in the ears. Thank you Aunt Lynn!

The New Year

I don't know about you, but I get a little depressed after the holidays. January is such a bleak month in Michigan where I grew up. Thank goodness we moved to Texas! I think it got up to 75 degrees today. But I still can't help it. All of the travelling, the visits with family - are over. I'm glad that I have moments like this one to help me out of my bluesy state. What a face! Noel is an expert at eating solids food now. At his last appointment he weighed in at a healthy 19 lbs.

Had to post a pic of her new jumper for Grandma Adams. She loves it and it looks so cute on her! Thank you! When she first put it on, she hopped into the next room and then all over the apartment. I guess she thinks that when you wear it you are supposed to jump around a lot. I love her innocence and how she takes everything so literally. Of course she would do that! What else would a jumper be for but for jumping?

This is Claire's new favorite game. Looks like I got lucky, right? Wrong! This only makes for a soaked kid with soaked clothes and a soaked floor. But she's a happy soaked kid, so I'll probably continue to let her play.

Some of you may be interested in a new blog I working on. It's called The Economist's Wife. I'm trying to be better at taking care of our finances and work on trying to improve our lives a little. I'm really going to have to try harder especially since Aaron will be in grad school soon. I'm wanting to keep track of things that I've learned - tricks and tips on how to run a household for less - and things as I'm learning them - in one place. Some things I'd like to cover are: balancing a checkbook, maintaining and budget, buying a car, debt calculators, ecomomical meals, keeping up appearances (like affordable hair and makeup, clothes, and decorating), affordable and free entertainment and kids activities, and our goal - buying a home. If you have any questions that you would like me to answer or topics that you would like to see covered you can e-mail them to econwife@gmail.com.

Our cowgirl

Behind my parents house in Oklahoma is a big field that these horses graze on. The people that lived here before my parents would feed the horses, so that task has fallen upon my parents and their neighbors. Every morning the horses pay a visit. This particular morning it was left up to Claire and me to do the feeding. My parents keep a supply of bagged apples on hand for occasions like these. These horses are totally spoiled! We had so much fun and I loved following Claire around with the camera. What is it about girls and horses?



Claire thought the black and white ones were cows. I corrected her a few times, but gave up. She insisted that they must be cows.

Bye horsies!

2009 Already?

I can't believe how fast the 2000's are going. Remember that song by Prince - 1999? I remember when I first heard that song and it seemed so far away - now we are 10 years past! I am feeling old. Not to mention that a member of my bishopric spoke in Primary opening exercises a week ago about a Christmas on his mission in... 1997 - um... hmmm... that's when I was on my mission! I think the bishop and one of his counselors are both younger than me! Not by much, but still! Yikes! Our bishop is just really young, right?

2008 was a good year though. It went so fast I hardly remember, but here are some highlights:

January- I got a job working at a call center part-time to help pay down some of my student loans. I met a lot of cool people and they threw me a pretty nice baby shower. Some really great people from my ward helped me by babysitting Claire. Aaron applies to UT for Sports Management Masters and IUPUI for Economics Masters. Gets accepted to both.

February- I got to quit that 'hellish' job. I hate call centers. What was I thinking? Aaron gets no funding for either program. We decide to wait it out on grad school until he really knows what he wants to do.

March - I turned 33. I was also told by my doctor early this month that I could deliver at any moment and to be ready to get to the hospital quick. We spent the whole month in anticipation of Noel's birth. My mom arrived to help us out with the new baby. But no baby yet...

April - Noel was born. We almost named him Julien. Ick... When he asks us why we gave him his name I'll say, "It could have been worse, my son". Aaron went right back to work on Monday.

May - Noel turned 1 month. Aaron's parents came to visit and he was blessed. Noel smiles for the first time.

June - Noel turned 2 months and Claire turned 2.

July - My mom and dad moved to Oklahoma. My dad paid us a visit. The Browns move back to Texas! I am thrilled to have my friend back again and so close!

August - I think our ward split this month. I get released from my calling in Young Women and called as Secretary in the Primary Presidency. I guess the Lord loves to give me callings in the primary when I'm nursing a baby. Aaron decides that he would like to study Public Administration or Public Finance. We look into programs. We are feeling good about this decision. We could have a winner!

September - Claire starts Music Makers (an awesome music class for two year olds) and we start a Pre-school for two year olds as well with some ladies from my pre-split ward. We take our first trip since we moved to Texas. We go to Oklahoma! Not far, I know, but had to visit my parents and see them and their new home.

October - Aaron starts the grad school application process. We are grateful after all for the opportunity to come to Texas so that Aaron could figure out what he wanted to do careerwise. Noel is pretty much sleeping through the night - oh wait - I mean he sleeps through the night twice... I win a trip to Chicago.

November - Noel is still not sleeping through the night (oooh). We go to Chicago (Yippee). See Aaron's parents (Yippee!)... see an awesome concert and meet the band (Yippee!).. see Mickey Mouse (Yippee!).... Aaron gets food poisoning (ooooh).... Noel gets RSV (ugh)... Claire gets double ear infection (ugh) We got to Oklahoma for Thanksgiving to see my parents (Yippee!). We get some awesome meals for our awesome friends who find out that my kids are sick (Yippee!) My kids get better(Yippee!)

December - Aaron applies to grad schools - and this is where we could be next year - Kansas University, Syracuse University, University of Delaware, Arizona State university, BYU, or Northern Texas University. So the cat is out of the bag. One more trip to see my sisters and my parents for Christmas. It was a great way to celebrate.

Here's to a great 2009! An Adventure awaits us I'm sure!