Starting 1/1/11...for life.

1. Eat less...especially sweets.


2.Serve more.


3. Love more.

A Picture Says a Thousand Words

Carter not too fond of Santa. Love Santa's face!
*Photo: Courtesy of Rebecca Billat (my oldest sister) while visiting from Denver.

FAVORITE Christmas Music

Ok...so my husband sings and he's good. He's REALLY good. Curtis was in a few "boy bands" back in the day when he was at Utah State. Funny...since I wasn't into that sort of thing, and I know of lots of girls who were. Anyway, he did an acapella Christmas cd back in 2003 with some friends. Click on the above title "FAVORITE CHRISTMAS Music" to listen to the cd(, but the pictures of the guys aren't accurate...plus it was like seven years ago. ;) ). Curtis's solos are the following songs:

#1 Jingle Bell Rock
#8 When All is Said and Done
#10 Homeless

In fact, I like his "Homeless" better than the one on "The Forgotten Carols" cd. Maybe I'm biased. You be the judge.

P.S.Curtis would be really embarrassed if he knew I was doing this...he's humble. I guess I love great talent!

P.P.S. My all-time favorite Christmas song is "O Holy Night". Curtis is right now practicing a Josh Groban version of it for an upcoming church event.
Love, love, love it!

Snow is falling all around

Snow is falling all around, on the housetops on the ground. Snow is falling on my nose, on my head, and hands and toes.

I love the falling snow!

I just don't like driving in it!

Pride and the Priesthood

Read an INCREDIBLE talk from this past October's General Conference Priesthood Session(actually, all the talks are pretty amazing). It was given by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf. Read it by clicking on the title above, "Pride and the Priesthood". I'd love to know what your thoughts were after reading it.

No More!

So...Cannon and Carter were on the bottle, but that is a thing of the past, and I can't tell you how happy I am about it!
We decided to take the bottles away the day after Carter's birthday...Oct. 23rd to be exact.
We knew we just had to do it.
I didn't even try to take Cannon off the bottle because I knew he would see his little brother's and just take it from him, so it was an all or nothing type of thing.
It was way easier than I thought it would be.
We just hid the bottles and they were "out of sight, out of mind".
Cannon in the past 12 days has only asked for the bottle twice.
We just ignore it and change the subject.
Curtis and I were so sick of washing those Dr. Brown bottles (the bottles with extra pieces-even though they are the best bottles in my opinion)...two years straight of it.

Now on to potty training Cannon and taking away Carter's pacifier.

Any tips or advice?

halloween twenty-ten

*Curtis and I at the Ward Halloween party. He is a "Mail Model" a costume he made up himself. And that wig...no one recognized him with it on. When they finally figured out who he was, they thought he looked 23 yrs. old. Now he is seriously considering a hair transplant. ;)P.S. I am NOT a pregnant witch despite the puffiness look in my stomach area...I blame the dress.

Cannon on the left as a hamburger or "Donald's" as he would say, and Carter as a monkey on the right. Poor Carter gets the hand-me-down costumes from his brother every year. I guess I can keep doing that until he actually cares. This year for Halloween we went to our ward party which consisted of a trunk-or-treat, dinner, and carnival. We had to go...I am the head activities' committee chairperson (huge turnout...which was a good thing).:)Then we went trick-or-treating in the neighborhood. We went pretty early (5 P.M.) so we could be home to pass out candy. The weather was beautiful...couldn't have asked for a more perfect Halloween night. My favorite part was when Cannon would knock on the door if the people wouldn't answer the door fast enough for him (after we had already rang the doorbell). He caught on pretty quickly as to what we were doing...getting treats.
P.S. We CAN NOT get Cannon to smile for the camera. No he doesn't have a horrible childhood, and yes, he does smile at home all the time!

happy halloween

What's your favorite or least favorite part about Halloween?
Is it the dressing up?
All the candy?
The many parties?
Fall weather?
Decorations?

A Piece of Cake

We just celebrated Cannon and Carter's birthdays (since they were born 366 days apart - Oct. 21st '08 & Oct. 22nd '09). And I must admit...it is REALLY FUN (and easier) to have a two-day celebration!! It's like they both get two birthdays in a row!

Benefits:
- throw one party (at least while they are little)
- send out invitations once
- make two cakes at the same time
- decorate once
- go shopping all at once
- clean up after the party once
- put a TON of presents away once. Everyone was so generous...the boys love all their presents! Thank you!

Overall, the birthday stuff was "A piece of cake" (okay, kinda lame/cheesy, but I'm stickin' with it). Enjoy the picture overload!

Trying to get Carter to not touch the fire yet blow out the candle.;)

A party with grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles. Thanks for coming! Carter screaming with his Happy 1st Birthday hat! Perfect!;)

A Mickey Mouse themed party (even though Cannon really wanted a Team Umizoomi Party. We went with Mickey because A) it is easier to find stuff with Mickey and B) not many people even know about Team Umizoomi. Can you tell he was like..."Get this off of me?"

A really quick snapshot with Mickey ears since neither of my boys will wear hats.

Cannon blowing out his candles with cousins close by coaching/cheering him on.

HaPPY BiRTHdaY to OUR FaVoRiTe OnE - yEaR oLd!

Birthday pancake with morning bedhead!
Enjoying a day at the park.
Carter brand new! :)

Happy Birthday to Carter Everett Browning!! He such a little cutie!

Here are some fun facts about our Carter-Boy (A.K.A Squeaky):

*has chubby, soft, irresistable cheeks
*likes to wave
*knows the sounds to the letters: a,c, and s. When he does the "ssss" he has a little lisp. Very cute!
*follows his brother around
*loves music
*talks/jabbers a lot
*looks more like his dad than anyone
*sleeps through the night
*takes two naps a day
*always dances
*peek-a-boo is a favorite
*watches videos and TV (especially Dora and Diego)
*has an extremely high-pitched squeal when he is super excited
*loves food and wants to eat constantly
*chews you out with jabber talk if you don't give it to him fast enough
*likes balls and toys with wheels so he can spin them
*puts his right pointer finger in his mouth everytime we pick him up and hold him
*loves his pacifier
*enjoys going for walks
*has a cute toothy-grin

Carter is a joy to have in our family. It just keeps getting better and better!
Happy 1st Birthday Carter!!!!

HaPPy BiRTHdaY to OUR FaVoRiTe TwO - YeAr OLd

Newborn Cannon
Cannon at age 1.

So...this picture portrays Cannon very well...he has a love for books and learning! We read EVERY, SINGLE, DAY (and sometimes the same books over and over and over)! The boy is a little sponge and just wants to absorb everything!

Here are some tidbits about Cannon at the age of two:

-pretty much wants pancakes every morning
-is really good with his younger brother (isn't mean to him, and tries to help him)
-still watches videos and TV quite a bit (current fav: Team Umizoomi)
-knows his colors, vowels, identifies the alphabet, animal sounds, can count by 2's up to 20 and can count normally from 1-20, likes to count backwards, can read some, knows his shapes really well including: triangle, square, rectangle, oval, circle, crescent, pentagon, octagon, semi-circle, etc.
-likes to look at the stars and moon outside at night
-likes to jump on trampolines
-loves music and likes to sing:"Twinkle, Twinkle", "If You're Happy", "Itsy-Bitsy Spider", "Follow the Prophet", etc.
-loves McDonald's
-is very obedient when it comes to staying on his chair for timeout (and gives the best hugs afterwards)
-eats anything that is sweet
-stays away from peanuts and peanut butter
-takes two naps a day
-likes animals
-has his favorite "blanket" he sleeps with
-likes to go to the park and go up and down the slide by himself
-loves strawberry milk
-isn't attached to me or Curtis...we can leave and he is fine (doesn't cry)
-likes to try and help mom mow the lawn and feels like a big boy while doing it
-loves the computer
-is a leader to his younger brother
-whenever he wants us to follow him he will say, "C,mon team!"
-loves the temple (always talks about how pretty and white it is and Angel Moroni - Cannon often wants to drive by the temple or stop and walk around the temple grounds)

We sure enjoy having Cannon in our family! He brightens our lives!!!
Happy 2nd Birthday Cannon Boy!!!

Oh, how I love these two boyz!

Cannon is almost two and Carter is almost one. It's been a challenge raising these two boyz! They are so close in age...366 days apart, to be exact, and my patience has been tried and tested! They definitely have their own personalities and look totally different. Although most days I can barely "keep my head above water", I wouldn't trade being their mom for anything!
*Photo by Mark Hargis. Location: The lot next to our house.

Can you tell what color Carter's eyes are, or what color they are going to be??? Cause I sure can't tell.

JuSt 4 KiCkS & GiGgLeS

Fun/Funny pictures of the boyz! I love that they are starting to truly play with each other and be best buddies! When Cannon wakes up in the morning he yells out, "Caw-ter...where are you???" :)

Monkey Boy

I'm innocent!

They love to play in Carter's crib together!

Looking so sweet and innocent playing with their cars, spinning the wheels!

Best buds 4 life! :)

No sugar-coating

I am fascinated by this blog...
probably because this mom tries
so hard to be such a good mom,
but she says it like it is and
doesn't sugar-coat situations.
She gets frustrated, annoyed, etc.
despite looking like the perfect family.
Click the title to go to the blog.

Forgiveness: My Burden Was Made Light

No words to describe...just powerful! Be sure to pause the music on my playlist before you push play on this video.

What's the last thing you want to do when you have the stomach flu?

For me, it is change a STINKY diaper! Sorry, random but I had to share.

On a more positive note...our nine month-old Carter is pulling himself up the furniture. He is so proud that he can do it! What a BIG boy he is!! :)

Browning Reunion twenty ten

Me and the boyzzzzzz!

Our little family on Browning Road

All three of the boyzzz!

Walking on the bridge over the creek

Cousins Preston and Macy - so funny those two...

Cousin "Prep" with Cannon

This year's Browning Reunion was in Island Park in a cabin on Browning Road. Here is what we did in no particular order:
-chased after Cannon
-witnessed an AWESOME talent show (I married into an amazingly talented group of performers!)
-went to the Playmill Theatre in West Yellowstone and watched "The Beauty and the Beast" which was VERY good! Ate the fudge...of course!
-chased after Carter crawling around
-went to Quake Lake
-chased Cannon some more since he is obsessed with water and there was a little creek behind the cabin (scary with a little boy so aware of it and wanting it!)
-ate food and more food
-enjoyed listening to the Browning's and their new business idea/venture they want to pursue
-ran after Carter again and again
-went for a walk down Browning Road
-Curtis scored some SAWEET new jeans from his sister Becky's husband...Thanks Becky!
-worked on the Curtis & Adie flag
-forgot my swimming suit so I couldn't get in the hot tub ;)

I've changed...for today anyway

So I am the type of person who really doesn't like food...yes, you read that right. I don't particularly crave food, but I sure do love sweets! My diet pretty much consists of sweet drinks (pop,juices,etc.), candy, and desserts. I snack on sweets all day and don't really want a REAL meal. Pathetic...yes, I know. Today has been different though. I made steamed carrots for lunch and can't get enough of them (I hated any sort of cooked carrots when I was younger). I've changed...for today anyway. What veggies do you like to steam?

Preslee's Song...Buy it, you won't be disappointed you did! Click on this title.

Hurried Child is a Stressed Child

This video has a fantastic message...slow down - enjoy life and enjoy your children! It is also interesting that this is little Preslee who just passed away last week. Remember: Go down to my playlist (which is black) and turn the volume down before you push play on this youtube video.

Pray for Preslee

Click on the above red title.

Date Night

Curtis and I for date night (while the boyz were asleep) made a red velvet cake. We made it, and gave it away. It was fun...especially since Curtis cleaned up the kitchen.;)Also, it seems like in the last few pics of me on this blog I am wearing a hat...weird - I don't wear hats that often.

Pros & Cons

I am definitely not in the running for the MOTHER of the YEAR contest/award/certificate/position/title(whatever you want to call it), but my kids can do a few other things that are positive. *Disclaimer - some of the pros are really cons.

Con: My boys watch A LOT of TV...not a good thing (hence the pic of them in their little blue chairs in front of the tube).
Pro: But... it has been beneficial because they are really learning so much! Cannon knows the alphabet, recognizes letters, knows his sounds, can read "Stop", "Best", etc. He can count to 20 and can count from 10 to 0 backwards.He can identify triangles, squares, circles and ovals. Pretty much knows all the animals and the sounds they make. Recognizes fruits and can say their names. He is working really hard on his colors. Not bad for a 20 month old! Talks about the toilet and flushing it, but I haven't really seen any signs of potty-training yet - darn! Carter can say,"Da-da".

Pro: Awwww!! Look at the baby who can help mommy out and put himself in the swing, put the tray down and turn the dials to actually make it swing!
Con: Still has a bottle - yep, that's right and he is 20 months! Oh well...but every time I give him one he says, "Thank you!"

Pro: We got to go out and go to the parade!!How fun and entertaining! ;)They are partially shaded...
Con: Shhhh! Don't turn me in, I never put sunscreen on them!!

Pro: He is actually wearing shoes! Big step for a boy who hates to wear shoes! I blame it on the Robeez he wore when he first learned to walk, now he hates to wear shoes (and I don't really enforce it).
Con: He is wearing dinosaur boots that are too big! He might trip and hurt himself! P.S. I know the cloth on the ends of the gate are really tacky by the staircase, but we don't want to ruin/scratch the new wood. Do you blame me?

Pro: Cannon is right now eating homemade chocolate chip cookies I just made and drinking "straw-milk" (strawberry milk)...such a good mom. ;)
Con: It is a little after 6 p.m. and he still hasn't eaten dinner.

Motherhood: An Eternal Partnership with God

I think I need to watch this video every few days for a reminder.
Remember: scroll down to my playlist of music and turn the volume down before you click on play on this video.

My favorite summer flower is...

a zinnia. I especially love a bunch of these in a row. I tried this in my backyard...I will show you a pic later in the summer when they are tall and full.

Business in front...Party in back

Okay, so this post does NOT have anything to do with mullets...but I thought it might get your attention. Cannon loves the water!! His playing is serious business for him, yet a party of fun, fun, fun! He kept going from the front of the house to the back from sprinkler to sprinkler.


Notice the sagging shorts.


Cousin Andrew over playing with Cannon.


A cute pic of "The Little Guy" because I don't want him to feel left out. :)