Christmas 2012 Recap

Carter wanted nothing more than to get a train table from Santa. Santa was feeling generous and got him his wish. Christmas morning he sure was excited!!

I always outline the windows in our living room with the Christmas cards we receive. I am happy to report we ended up with more Christmas cards to totally outline the windows. There is just something  special about checking your mailbox at Christmas time!

It's a tradition for our little family to go to Salt Lake City in December and look at the temple square lights and stay at Little America. We love the food at Little America and the boys love to swim in the pool. When we were in line for the breakfast buffet, a man behind us had all of his adult children with him. He told us how it has always been his family's tradition too. He says they always look forward to it, and that we need to continue it. When the boys were swimming at the pool, Curtis ran into his old neighbors growing up and all of their adult children - The Hills. It was fun for him to chat with all of them. Here we are at City Creek watching the fountain/water show.

Cannon's preschool class had a little Christmas program. Curtis volunteered to be Santa for all of the kids. Luckily, Cannon didn't recognize his dad! Whew!

The boys on Christmas morning in their Christmas pajamas.

Me and Christian shopping at the mall doing a little Christmas shopping!:) We hope all of you had a wonderful Christmas spending time with loved ones and reflecting on the birth of our Savior!

J-O-Y

This is a picture I took of our paper plates...yes, Christmas paper plates. I saw some candy canes on the counter and made them into a heart...I have always loved how two candy canes can create a heart. Of all the words on the paper plate, JOY stood out to me. I put the heart representing LOVE over JOY. I LOVE JOY...who doesn't!?! When I hear or think of the word JOY, I think it means even more than happiness...it is better than happiness! Here is a list of things that bring me JOY in my life:

 My little family of five brings me JOY. Yes, the three boys are a handful, and I am guilty of having not very much patience (something I am constantly working on), but they sure do bring JOY into my life when they share or do a kind act or read a book out loud, or say a prayer, smile, listen/behave, or learn something new. Christian is a JOY ---who doesn't LOVE a baby, especially a good baby who is easy-going! Curtis is a JOY to be around! He is easy to talk with and easy to get along with...no one doesn't like Curtis! :) Just a side note: Christmas lights bring me JOY too! Just like the ones on the pine tree behind Cannon and Carter in the above picture.

The temple gives me peace and JOY. I have peace in knowing that my family is an eternal family! What more JOY can you have than that??? I LOVE the Idaho Falls temple! Probably because I am from Idaho Falls and got married/sealed in the Idaho Falls temple.

Jesus Christ, our Savior is the #1 reason why I have so much JOY in my life! I have so many blessings...too many to name, and it is because of HIM! He is the Savior of the world! If we remember to put the following in this particular order in our lives: J - Jesus O - others Y - yourself, we will never go without JOY! We named Christian - Christian because we feel as though people are forgetting Christ. We liked how Christ is in his name, and we hope and pray Christian can be a good example to others, a true Christian, to remind them of our Savior. We wish you JOY and LOVE this Christmas season and all year round!!!

P.S. Here are a few other things that give me JOY (okay, maybe happiness) in my life, but aren't nearly as important as what was mentioned above: my iPhone, instagram, words with friends, candy, restaurants, sleeping in, baths, Christmas cards in the mail, yard work, a newly cleaned - bathroom, fridge, car, etc., music, acts of kindness, good smells,  an organized planner, children's books...and the list goes on and on and on and on....

"Be certain you are creating a rich environment in which your family can look forward to special times of the year when traditions hold you together as a great eternal family unit." ~ Elder L. Tom Perry, The Tradition of Light and Testimony, Dec. Ensign 2012

Cutie Christian

Christian says, "Why, hello there! Hope you are having a great day!" Oh, he is such a joy to have in our family!!! He's our little "cutie patootie"!

Andes Mint Cookies with a Christmas Twist

Before I got married, I had four bridal showers. Yeah, I am one blessed lady!! The faculty and staff where I worked and taught at (Sunnyside Elementary) threw me one of those bridal showers. They all gave me gifts as well as submitted a favorite recipe. They compiled the recipes and put them in a recipe book all nice and neat and organized. I have used many of the recipes and have especially used - Andes Mint Chocolate Cookies because they are quick and easy. I decided to make them for my family (even though I am on a diet and trying to eat less - I couldn't resist). I  got the idea when I was at Walmart in the Christmas candy aisle and saw these:

I had never seen Peppermint Crunch before so I decided to try them and make the cookies a bit more Christmassy.

Here is the recipe:

1 package Devil's Food Cake mix
1/2 cup of melted butter
2 eggs
1 t. vanilla
Andes Mints (you can use the original green ones or try the Christmas ones).

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Beat 1/2 cake mix with butter, vanilla, and eggs. Stir in the rest of cake mix and mix until well blended. Drop by rounded teaspoons about 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 10 - 12 minutes ( I do 10 mins.) or until edges are set. Set Andes mint on the center of the cookie. Let cookie set on cookie sheet for 2 minutes. Remove to wire rack. When the mint is melted spread carefully on the cookie.

5 Years & 3 Boys Later

Five years ago today (Sat., 24 Nov. 2007), Curtis and I (Adriana or Adie) were married in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. I was more calm than I thought I would be on my wedding day. My nieces were instructed to call me that morning to make sure I was up and awake! Surprisingly, I slept well the night before. There is a reason I slept well and wasn't too worked up - I was at peace and felt confident/comfortable with who I was marrying because we were doing it at the right time in the right place. We were both 29 when we got married. Were we both "set in our own ways" you may ask? Yes, yes we were...and I still kindof am. ;) He is way more self-less!!! I remember Curtis's mom saying to me before we got married, that Curtis is a pretty easy guy to live with, probably the easiest. That is totally TRUE!!! He doesn't want contention and always picks up after himself! I hear of husband's who still throw their clothes on the floor...that, I just don't get. Curtis puts up with my OCD of certain things...he knows what they are. ;) He is great with the boys, and is ALWAYS so helpful!! In fact, I think he has changed more diapers than I have. Blessed and grateful??? Yes, yes I am!!! Happy 5th Anniversary, Curtis!!!

Short do

Welp, I did it! I did what most moms with new babies do (or some anyway...), I chopped my hair.  Eight inches to be exact. My hair is falling out like crazy, and it made sense to cut it. It looks thicker and healthier, and deep down I think Curtis likes it better than when it was longer (seriously). Weird, since most guys just LOVE long hair. However, if you were to ask him, he would say he likes it long or short (short to me, is still to my shoulders).  :) He's a smart guy...he knows how to answer when I ask loaded questions. Kinda like, "Do these jeans make me look fat?" ;)

Two EASY and DELICIOUS recipes

Oh my goodness...this Pumpkin Crunch Cake is to die for!!! I was introduced to it at Bunco. I had to make it the next day for my family...it didn't last long. It was devoured in no time. This tastes better than pumpkin pie and is WAY easier to make!!! Here's how:
Ingredients:
- 1 box yellow cake mix
-1 can (15 oz.) pumpkin puree
-1 can (12 oz.) evaporated milk
-3 eggs
-1 1/2 cups sugar
-1 tsp. cinnamon
-1/2 tsp. salt
-1 1/2 cups chopped pecans (optional)
-1 cup butter melted

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease bottom of 9X13" pan. Mix pumpkin, milk, eggs, sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Pour mixture into greased pan. Sprinkle dry cake mix over pumpkin mixture and top with pecans (if desired). Drizzle melted butter over pecans. Bake 50-55 minutes. ENJOY!!!!!!

This was my first time making somewhat homemade bread. Yes, it is less work buying bread, but the smell and taste can't be beat when you make it yourself. Thanks to Stefanie Hunter for sharing this recipe with me.

Honey Whole Wheat Bread

This is half a recipe so it can fit in a Kitchenaid. Mix a can of evaporated milk with hot/warm water to make 2 3/4 cups. Add a Tablespoon of yeast and let it work for 10 mins., until it bubbles. Pour into mixer bowl.
Add 1 tsp. salt, 1/2 cup of oil, and 1/2 cup honey and mix with paddle attachment.
Put the dough hook on. Then add 7 cups of flour (5 whole wheat bread flour and 2 white flour) until the dough is a good consistency, and let it mix with bread hook attachment for 1 1/2 minutes.
Then on setting 2 (which kneads the bread) let it run for 3 mins.
Then let the dough rise for an hour or more in the bowl covered.
Punch it down, divide into 2 sprayed pans, and let it rise for another hour or more.
Bake for 350 degrees in oven for 40-45 minutes.
YUM, YUM, & YUM!!!

1 Baby Blessing + 2 Birthdays = 1 Big Celebration

Precious Picture of the boys on Oct. 21st - Cannon's Birthday and Christian's Baby Blessing. Curtis gave Christian a beautiful blessing! I was planning on having Christian wear the same blessing outfit that Cannon and Carter wore, but when I pulled the little, white outfit out of the closet on Saturday night...it was all yellow. :( So I had to rush to Dillard's and get a new outfit-  luckily they were open!  *Photo by Jana Browning

Cannon and Mom. 

Cannon holding up four fingers to show he is 4 years-old. 

Cannon on his first day of preschool - second year. What we love about Cannon: smart, good listener, helpful, teaches his brothers new things. We love you, Cannon!!

Happy Oct. 22nd Birthday to this guy! For Carter's 3rd Birthday we went to Toys R Us so he could pick out presents. He loves Thomas the Train - notice we were in the Thomas aisle. :)

Carter holding his favorite blanket! :) What we love about Carter: cute smile, good memory, good eater, gentle with his baby brother, Christian. We love you, Carter Boy! :)

We had many extended family members come to the blessing! How grateful we are for them! After the blessing, we had everyone come over to our home for dinner to celebrate the blessing, and two birthdays - Cannon's and Carter's. These two loved having everyone sing to them!! Happy Birthday, Boys!! We love have two birthdays in a row in our household!! *Photo by Jana Browning

Nephew's Wedding Pics

Back in August, my nephew got married to a neat, neat girl - Danielle. Their wedding was incredible, and their reception was magical! The reception took place in Danielle's parents' backyard...one word, BEAUTIFUL!!! Click on the link to see how great of a day it was (and how amazing their photographer was). Brendon and Danielle's Wedding Pictures

Pumpkin Pie Fudge

Boil at medium heat for about 12 minutes or until thick:

1 cup sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
2/3 cup Sego milk
2 Tbls. butter
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

Then add:

2 cups fresh mini marshmallows
12 oz. pkg white chocolate chips
1 tsp. vanilla
nuts (optional)

Let it set over night in an 8x8 buttered pan. Cut into pieces. Put a piece of candy corn on each piece for decoration.

Sorry no picture...you will just have to make this recipe to see what it looks like and how YUMMY it is!

General Conference was uplifting and inspiring as usual! All of the talks were fantastic...they really were - so much to learn from each one!!! Find the time to listen to this talk by Elder Uchtdorf.

Christian's newborn pics taken when he was nine days old

Big Brother Carter and Little Brother Christian
I thought Carter would be nothing but jealous of the little guy.
I was wrong. He LOVES his baby, and tries so hard to be gentle.
He always wants to hold him. :)

The Three Brovers

The first time all three boys - Cannon, Carter, and Christian are together!

Introducing...

Christian James Browning
Born: Monday, September 10, 2012
Time: 10:03 p.m.
Weight: 7 lbs 3 ozs
Length: 20 1/2 inches
Sweet bundle of joy!

Three Pregnancy Comparisons

 This is me due any day now with Baby Boy Browning #3. How much do you think he will weigh?

Due any day with Carter (Baby Boy Browning #2). He weighed 7 lbs. 3 ozs.

Due any time with Cannon (Baby Boy Browning #1). He weighed 7 lbs. 15 oz.

Yes, the same outfit. Yes, the same crib. Yes, the same bedding. Yes, tired in all three pictures. Yes, the same amount of weight gain for each of the pregnancies.

Differences: bedrooms, Cannon and Carter were born in October - this third boy will be born in September, my hair lengths, my age. ;)

Beautiful Sunrise

I snapped a picture of the sun coming up just before I was about to go on my bike ride. It reminded me to slow down in life and savor all the beauty around....it's there - we just have to pay attention!

Busy

I just checked my blog and realized I hadn't posted in almost a month! That's a long time for me...I have been too busy to blog (However, I found a few minutes while the boys are sleeping and I got caught up on a few things). So, here's the scoop...

Curtis and I have been running his parents' business called Fin Fun Mermaid Tails. www.finfunmermaid.com Let me tell you...little girls LOVE these things!!! My in-laws are serving a mission in Riverside, CA for a year. So far, we have had it for a month...and boy howdy...is it a THRIVING/BOOMING business!!! We have put many late nights (1 a.m.) and very early mornings (4:30 a.m. to be exact) into it. We even have nieces who come and work for us everyday...but the work never ends-you know...kinda like laundry! I have had to put a lot of things on the backburner...but that is okay. I keep telling myself "I can do hard things." I am not complaining...we do get paid and we are helping his parents out while they are gone for a very worthwhile cause.

When I do get a free minute to just sit, I index. It is something that is relaxing to me. I do a batch of 40 names a day. With the other spare time that I have ;) I read with the boys and work in the yard. Oh yeah, I am 30 weeks pregnant and don't have a name picked out.;) Any suggestions would  be great! That's the buzz on the Browning's as of late!

Family Picture & a Wedding

This family picture was taken June, 1, 2012 (me 6 months pregnant) at the Bountiful temple. We were at the temple for Curtis's niece's wedding (the first of three niece/nephews weddings we have this summer). As we were going up on the elevator and the doors opened, we walked off, but Cannon wasn't with us. The next thing we hear is Cannon screaming. He was going up and down by himself on the elevator until finally a nice, older man brought him to us. Kids! Our two boys are a HANDFUL!!! Any of you who have been around us know this is the truth!!! To say we are VERY SCARED about adding Browning Boy #3 in September is an understatement!!! ;) I just keep praying he will be an extremely calm, easy baby. Feel free to pray for that for us too. ;)

Beautiful sealing, beautiful day of warm weather, beautiful couple!!! Congrats to Amber and JT!!!

Mother's Day 2012

For Mother's Day this year, I asked for one thing in particular...a new lawn mower.  Sounds like a Father's Day gift, huh?  I didn't need a new lawn mower because the one we had was just fine and did a good job. It was just a little slow. I knew I could cut my mowing time in half if I had a faster machine. Curtis wanted to get me a riding lawn mower...but honestly, I didn't want one. I like the lines on the grass that the regular mowers make. Weird? Maybe. I can't wait until I can mow this week! Yes, I insist on mowing our lawn because I honestly enjoy it!*Image below not of the exact lawn mower I got.

Throughout the week I had been sort of buying myself Mother's Day gifts. Curtis told me too. :) Two years ago I got some Asic running shoes. I used to be a Nike sort-or-gal...because of the looks and the brand. Not so much anymore. I am about comfort and Asics are awesome! My two year-old Asics were used and abused...so I got myself some new Asics. *Image is exactly the pair I bought.

Lately, I can only think about food. And it is kinda driving me crazy! Anyway, I think about Orange Dream Machines from Jamba Juice a TON!!! So...I also got a gift card from Curtis and the boys. I recommend you go get a Jamba soon and have them add a vitamin boost to it! P.S. If you get one, substitute it as one of your meals. So many people think a Jamba is a snack. NO WAY! It has way too many calories to just be a snack...it should count as a meal!

I was also surprised from my boys with these nummy sugar cookies from Mrs. Powell's...

And during the week I got myself a pound of these bad boys and had them eaten in a day...yes ONE DAY!! I told you I can't stop thinking about food...particularly sweets!!! But that's nothing really new...;) I am like that pregnant or not pregnant.

Was given breakfast in bed...with a delicious cinnamon roll. Yum!

I am grateful to be a mom! It is by far the hardest job/task/assignment/calling I have ever had, but it is the most rewarding and beneficial!! My boys keep me busy and are constantly asking questions, like today...Cannon asked why the google sign was different (it had the letters as people and a flower for Mother's Day). I told him they change it on holidays. I am grateful we have holidays to celebrate...especially mothers because they do so much!! I am thankful for all of the mothers in my life and the influence they have had on me!!! Thank you mothers everywhere!!!