Pistons Game

Last weekend Derek's neighbor from back home hooked him up with fantastic tickets. He took his friend Curtis with him, and they were both pretty stoked about it! If you want to see a video and pictures go to Siri's blog (I love when my friends do the posting, it makes it a lot easier for me...thanks Siri). Go Pistions!!!

Photo Shoot

These pictures were taken a while ago by my good friend and neighbor Rachel. If your in the area and need a photographer Rachel does an incredible job!

on to Utah

The week we were in Utah was busy busy busy! There is always so many people to see while we're there. That's one of the reasons why I love Utah. So if I did not get to see you, I apologize. Both Derek and I have all our grandparents in Utah and we were able to see all of them. It was so nice to see so much family that we miss!


The first couple of days we were at my grandparents (Hale) house, and my little cousins loved playing with Brooklynn. They treated her like a little doll, and every once in a while would fight over her.

New Year's Eve

Lauren and I went to see my cousin Jenna perform (thanks for the boys for watching the kiddos). She is in the BYU acapella group Noteworthy. It was so neat to watch her, she is definitely in her element on stage. After the concert we went back to Laurens and played games with Derek and Corey to finish celebrating the New Year.

Here's a picture of Noteworthy during the performance. Jenna is the third from the right.

Here is Jenna and I.

Bryan & Brookie

This is Brooklynn's cousin Bryan, their 9 days apart. It is so fun to watch these two together.

yahoo...let's do that again!

They both were having a blast in the dryer.

Engebretsens

One night all of us girls went to the movies while the boys watched the U of U game. We saw High School Musical III it was fun to see with lot's of girls and laugh at all the cheesy parts together. This is a picture of Joy, Amanda, and me after the movie.

Derek went and played basketball with the Engebretsens.

Here is Brooklynn checking Amelia out. This is my cousin Joy's little girl. She is such a cute and happy baby. It was fun to meat her.

I FINALLY got to go skiing. Last winter I wasn't able to since I was pregnant. It felt so good to get out on the slopes, and I am so glad Derek learned how to ski. We had fun racing each other down the slopes. Derek and I went skiing with Amanda, my brother Ammon, Karly, and Eric.

It was a clear sunny day and nice snow, couldn't get much better than that. My sisters baby sat for me, thanks girls!

One night at the Engebretsens we were all sitting around the table and Brooklynn was putting on a show (having a blast doing it). She was showing her latest tricks clicking her tongue, clapping, smiles, and of course growls. Since we've been home she is missing all the attention she got.

We decided to leave Utah with a bang, a BIG bang. Our last day on our trip we got in a car accident. It was a pile up on I-15. It was so SCARY! Luckily, we are all safe. The air bags went off, and boy did that hurt (it felt like someone punched me in the face). Anyway, we totaled my grandparents car, I think that was the worst part of it all. We feel so bad!

On the plane Brooklynn was showing off and making lot's of friends.

and We're Back...

We are back from our 3 week Christmas brake. The first couple weeks we were in California with the Osbornes to spend Christmas with them. The last week of the break we spent in Utah.

One of my favorite parts from our trip to California was all the competitions. Here are the competitions we did: dodge ball, wiffle ball, gingerbread houses, ping pong, and mario kart. It definitely made for a lot of FUN! Warning this is a huge post, and I promise I even tried to narrow the pictures down, but since it's my blog I can have as many pictures as I want...right?

Dodge Ball

One day we met a couple families from their ward at the church and played some dodge ball.

Puppies & Story Time

Steph & Chuck

Matt, Steph, Rusty, and Chuck (Brooklynn LOVED these dogs, she could chase them around all day).

Story time was always entertaining. I don't know who it was more entertaining for Brooklynn or Derek and I. You should hear all the funny voices Oma & Opa can do. Now I know where Derek get's it. It's quite the talent.

Gingerbread House Competition

This is not your regular gingerbread house competition. We are teamed up into couples except Derek's two youngest siblings there a team. Derek's parents provide the frosting and graham crackers. They give us 10 dollars to go to the store and get candy and whatever else we might want to use for the gingerbread house. Line up the cars, put the timer to 1 hour exactly, and then the competition begins. Last time Derek and I did this we were clearly in last place so we had to prove ourselves this year. This year there was a theme, and we didn't know it until the competition began...the theme was OSBORNIA.

Ready...get set...GO!!!!!!

and 1st place goes to us!!!

Here are all the contestants and the gingerbread houses. Everyone did a great job! The neighbors next door were the judges.

The next day the boys and Karly demolished the gingerbread houses with a bowling ball and a whiffle ball bat (I think they might have had more fun doing that than the actual making of the gingerbread house).

Wiffle Ball Competition

Here we are climbing the fence to post a poster on their neighbors back fence to challenge them to a game of Whiffle Ball (ohh we're so daring:)).


Christmas Eve
I love Christmas Eve! It was a wonderful time to spend with family and focus on Christ. I especially enjoyed the program Derek's parents provided.

Brooklynn in her adorable little Christmas PJ's, and the Santa hat was my favorite.

Oma & Brookie!

Woooh...Derek!

Here we are at Christmas Eve dinner!

the girls

Here is my first sewing project. Everyone always says start with pj's, because there so easy...so I did just that. Plus Derek said the only way he would wear matching pj's is if I made them. Go Blue!

Christmas Morning

Brooklynn sucking on her new bath toys from Oma & Opa.

Shaking their new guitar shakers (I am not really sure what those things are called).

This picture makes me laugh, they remind me of little boys. Playing the wii Mario Kart. This game is super fun, even though I am not good at it, it's still fun!

Hot Date

One night Derek and I were able to escape on a date just the two of us.

Old Rommies

One of my old room mates, and good friend Erika. Her and her husband Drew stopped by one evening, and it was so great to see her and get caught up.

Happy Birthday Banner
Karen (Derek's mom) and I made this birthday banner (Karly was also a huge help). Anyway, it was so fun to make. I am excited to hang it up for birthdays. I think it's a fun but simple tradition.

Stay tuned for Utah adventures...coming soon.