Brrr Freezin' Cold!

Who ever said that winters in Michigan are the same as Utah LIED!! The cold has finally set in, and it is COLD! Today's high was 26 degrees. It's not the temperature that is bad, it's the dang wind! Right now, the weather says it is 22 degrees, but feels like 11. Last time I took the garbage out I wore two coats and gloves. Now I just make Tyler brave the cold to take it out.

We went to a Christmas Parade on Friday. It started snowing while we were there. Then it rained! (I'm used to rain, then snow- not vis versa) Brooklyn stayed covered up under the blankets inside my coat in my wrap. She stayed nice and toasty warm! Tyler took the picture. After the parade we stopped for hot dogs and hot chocolate!

Celebration

Our friends, John & Malory got engaged last night! We went to John's house later that night for a little celebration party.

Everybody adored Brooklyn. Karen and Juan taught her how to dance "Latino Syle"! We all know her mom and dad don't have the skills to teach her!

Tyler and I brought our own Sparkling Cider so we could join in the celebration.

CONGRATS JOHN & MALORY! We are so excited for the two of you!

Cereal!

We have started feeding Brooklyn cereal in hopes of curing our sleeping problem. It hasn't helped, but she sure seems to like the cereal! She used to eat and eat and eat until she fell asleep, she seems more satisfied now. The first day was funny to watch her. She didn't know what to do with it! But everyday she gets better and better. She just jabbers away the whole time she eats!

Happy Thanksgiving!

For Thanksgiving, Tyler's school got some people together and we had a little shin-dig at our church. It was a lot of fun. There was about 25 people there with a lot of food! (It isn't Thanksgiving without a lot of food, is it?) The turkeys were provided by the school and everybody else brought something to share. We missed being with our families, but we had a good time with our friends here in Michigan. We were able to talk to all the Woodworth's and Gipsons (Yes, I spelled the name right- it's Tyler's sister's family, not my family "Gibsons" ) on the web cam. It was fun to see everybody. It makes us feel like we aren't so far away.

I am thankful for all of our supportive family. I am thankful for the new friends we have made out here in Michigan that help us get through being so far away from home. I am grateful for our old friends. We miss everybody! I am grateful for my beautiful daughter who makes me smile everyday and I am grateful for my wonderful husband who works so hard to do well in school!

Tyler says, "I am grateful for my beautiful wife and daughter!"

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!!

What are you grateful for?

Sleepless

Does anyone have any ideas on how to get a 3 month old to go to sleep?! It's only midnight- so not too bad yet, but she is as wide eyed and talkative as ever!



Sometimes she does really well. Like last night she went to bed at 10:00, but the night before was 1:00. She is so random! Once she falls asleep she'll sleep for 7-8 hours, it's just getting her to sleep that's the problem.

Well, early this morning I was able to go to the temple in Detroit with my friend Sarah. It is one of the smaller temples. I've never been to a small temple before so it was fun. Tyler stayed home with Brooklyn. (Although she slept for him! When I got home they were both asleep in bed!) After sleeping in with the baby Tyler spent the whole day studying.

Bundle Up!

Brooklyn and I have started going on walks in the morning with our friend Mandy. (Fine time to start, I know- now that it is getting cold. But better late than never, right?) Brooklyn gets all bundled up in her Bundle Me and actually stays really warm. The cold isn't too bad yet. The temp. has been 50ish for the last week. We've had some rain, but no snow yet! I know winter is just around the corner and from what I hear, they are REALLY cold. So we'll take advantage of being able to be outside still- even if we do have to bundle up!

Raisin Bread

Who knew I wouldn't become a master bread maker after I got my bread maker machine? I thought all you had to do was pour in all ingredients and voila! Apparently you still have to tweak things a little sometimes!

My first attempt at white bread came out with a sunken top and hard as a rock! The second loaf came out great! (I didn't have enough salt in the first loaf.)

Tonight we made cinnamon raisin bread! Yum! My first loaf was dry and when I tried to add the raisins they just stuck to the outside and didn't get mixed in.

The next one I added more water and it turned out great! The only problem is we ate half the loaf right after it was done!

Happy Halloween!

Breadmaker

I have been on a Homemade Bread kick lately. I don't know what got me started because I have never been a breadmaker before. So I tried, and tried, and failed. Then I decided to get a breadmaker. I spent WAY too much time researching different kinds and after a couple weeks I just got frustrated with trying to find the perfect one.

On Friday, Tyler had the day off of school so he spent the day with Brooklyn and me. First, we went to Olive Garden for lunch. (Thank you Steph and Brendon!!) I know it is hard to believe for a lot of you, but we don't go out to eat at all anymore! Yes, I actually cook! So it was a real treat to be able to go out. Then we hit the mall. We went mostly to get out and see something new, but we were also looking for a breadmaker. After a couple hours at the mall and being unsucessful, we went to Kohl's. Love that store! We found a breadmaker that I had actually read good reviews about and... it was on SALE!

I've made a couple of loaves now and they are actually good! Tyler is excited to have some homemade bread that actually looks and tastes good! That is my new excitement for the weekend. Anyone have any good recipes?

The Weekend

This weekend was a beautiful fall day. A cool breeze and lots of sunshine- perfect football weather! Tyler's school had a flag football tournament so he got to re-live the glory days! There were 5 different teams from the school that played each other. Tyler's team lost their first game, but won the next two. There were still two games left to play but I don't know what happened.







After four hours of football and wind, Brooklyn had enough. (Plus Tyler was too sore to play another game!) He went limping off the field back to the car. He's been pretty sore the last couple of days.


Once we were home again Brooklyn was happy. But she did have just "a little bit" of fun!

"Spouse Night"

Yesterday Tyler's school had a "Spouse Night." There was a little get together social event that had a couple speakers and a class for the spouses. We had a big homework assignment to read and everything! There was a teacher that taught as if we were actual law students. (Although he might have been a little more generous to us! :0) It was interesting to see what it is like for Tyler in class. Needless to say- it's a good thing Tyler is in Law School and not me! It seemed like they just talked in circles and circles!

Now what you are all here to see.... Here are some pictures of Brooklyn from Birth until present.

The day Brooklyn was Born.

2 days old

3 weeks old

5 weeks old

Tyler's Birthday

Playing Peek-a-boo with dad

2 month's old, right after a bath!

Our new home

Here we are, now in Michigan!! Tyler has started school and is doing very well. He likes it a lot. Mindy is enjoying staying at home with sweet Brooklyn. We are making a lot of friends out here and we are having a lot of fun.