Exciting News...

In case any of you hadn't heard the news...
We're Having a Baby!!!
Baby Bouwhuis is due July 21st!!!

Jaylee's Favorite Guy this Season...

We finally went to see Santa the other day. Jaylee has been asking to go see him for awhile but with crazy work schedules we just hadn't both had time off to go take her. We finally did and she was SOOOO EXCITED!!!

He is her new favorite guy this season, I'm sure it will go back to Daddy after she gets her presents!!!

In the Car ready to go, she was super happy!!

Going into the mall

And checking him out from a distance.
So this is how it went down. All the way over to the mall she is so excited. She sees him and is trying to cut in front of the other little kids already waiting in line. Then it's our time to go in and she tells the elf person, "Not yet!" Finally she goes in just looking at him from a distance still checking him out. She sits in the little chair kind of next to Santa but she's not talking to him and she's not about to get close to him. They're taking her pictures saying it's so cute etc. but Brady and I are saying that's not what we want. Then Daddy has the brilliant plan to just put her in his lap. Freak Out happens and she is fighting to get away from him. All the Elf's thought it was so cute of a picture, but I'm saying no way. She has been so excited to see him, she'll sit on his lap. So we have a little chat with Jaylee alone and remind her that she had told us a couple of things that she wants for Christmas and that she should ask Santa for them. So she runs back to Santa and puts her arms up like Hold Me and starts telling Santa, "I need my presents!" He tried asking her what she wanted but all she kept telling him was "please bring my presents, I need them!" You see we paper-coordinate in our family since Jaylee knows what her name looks like in writing, so she won't know which presents are hers. When she's gotten a little curious about them, I'll tell her it's for this person or that person, and then tell her that Santa will bring her presents. I know it's mean but it's kept her out of the presents so far. Not one has been opened this year that wasn't given permission to open. I guess my theory works for now. I'm sure next year I'll have to think of another lie to tell her!! But in the end she didn't want to leave Santa and she tried to go back after we had left. Good thing this trip is only once a year!!!

Snow Day

She woke up ready to go play in the Snow!!! She was so excited so we went out first thing since the snow usually will melt pretty quick around here. She had a blast and it was fun to watch her enjoy it so much!! There was maybe 2 inches at the deepest part and then other parts only had a small skiff of the white stuff. Jaylee and I threw a couple snowballs but she didn't like that too much!! Then we tried to make a snowman but the snow didn't pack very well so he's just a little guy!! With still no name except snowman!! Her snowsuit from last year actually fits this year!! It was a fun day and we hope we get some more snow before the season changes again!!!

Brady's first time shoveling since we've been here!!

FHE and a Present!!

Last night for FHE we went to look at the lights her at the park with Eric, Jenn, Jaran and Easton. We had a great time!! And the Lights were KILLER!! Way to go Prescott Valley!!! Uncle Eric let Jaylee drive through the lights. I don't know what it is with my brothers letting my 2 year old drive cars!! It was fun and she was able to see a whole lot better though!! After the lights, Eric and Jenn had a little something for Jaylee. It is this adorable little penguin purse!! So I knew once she was allowed to open one, it would all be downhill from there. Sure enough all day today it's been "Where are Jaylee's presents?" I keep telling her that Santa hasn't brought them even though there are things under the tree for her since I don't want her to get in to them. So when she asks who's gift this one or that one is, I tell her someone else so she'll leave it mostly alone. She has her cousin Hudson for the Bouwhuis side gift exchange and today we were wrapping her gift from Jaylee and she was trying to convince me that she needed it!! So Hudson we hope you enjoy your gift as much as Jaylee thinks she would!!

Jaran's Game...

As a Freshman, with a height of 5'11 he is off to a great start with his basketball career!! He is doing great!! We are so proud of you Jaran!! All of our family went to his game the other night over in Cottonwood, then had a family BBQ afterwards!!! It was so fun to watch him play!!

Jaran was chosen to shoot the free-throws when the other coach got a T called on him!! Sunk them both!!

Easton and Brian

Our little Cheerleaders-Jaylee and Adam

Uncle Kevin letting J drive the jeep around the parking lot at the high school!!! She LOVES to drive!!

She's like the little girl he never had sometimes!!

And again A Happy Birthday Cake for me!!! I love my Family!!!

Happy Birthday to ME!!

I feel like we have celebrated my birthday more this year then in years combined!! California was part of my gift from Brady and Jaylee and then they had a few other surprises!! The cake made by Brady was one of my favorites!! Every year I ask him to make me a cake so I don't have to make my own birthday cake and he never has so I stopped asking and this year he did!!! It was wonderful and totally a surprise!!! Jaylee singing Happy Birthday was my favorite song for sure!! It was a great day, week and month!! Since we've been celebrating for so long now!!

Along with the California trip, Jaylee and Brady gave me some jewelry, some new pajama pants and this jogging stroller!! Happy Birthday to ME!!!

Thank you to everyone for making me feel so special on my birthday!!! I Love you all!!!

Thanksgiving in Laughlin

For Thanksgiving this year, my parents suggested something totally nontraditional for our family. They suggested we all meet in Laughlin for the Holiday and so we did. It's only a couple hours for us and since they were able to get everyone free rooms, it was way worth it!! We had a blast, even though we were only there for a day and a half. Jaylee stayed the whole weekend, since Brady and I had to work Black Friday craziness!!! We went swimming, ate some great food that we didn't have to cook and more wonderful that we didn't have to clean up after, and hang out with family. Poor Papa was just relaxing when these 5 monkeys started crawling all over him and laying on top of him. I'm not sure who enjoyed it more, the kids or Dad!!!

Aunt Say putting lipstick on Aunt Michele since she didn't have a mirror with her.

Say and Me

Jaylee got all of her Arizona cousins a little gift for the trip-goggles!! It was perfect for them!!

The pool provided lots of entertainment and fun for the kids especially!!

Jaylee, Brady and Adam-Everyone LOVED the goggles!!!

Uncle Jason, Aunt Steph and Brady hanging out in the Hot Tub

Our Goggle Jaylee Girl!! It was a little chilly with the wind when you got out of the pool so we wrapped her up in hot towels!!

Brian, Aunt Steph, and Uncle Jason

Uncle Kevin and Aunt Michele

Aunt Say and Jaylee

Grammy-Uncle Kevin has a way of catching everyone as they are about to take a bite of food!!

Me and my desserts!!! Of course everyone added theirs to make it look like I had a few more

This is a group shot on Thanksgiving night after dinner-Eric's family came up on Saturday but Brady and I had to get back for Black Friday. We are so Thankful for our families and for the wonderful people that are in both sides!!