CHRISTmas 2013

There's no place like Idahome for the holidays! Merry Christmas!---Love, The Brownings
Curtis, Adie, Cannon, Carter, Christian, and Boy #4 coming early January
I came up with this card idea and had a lady who is a graphic designer in Utah make the cards for me. 

The boys in their matching Christmas pajamas, out outside lights of our house early in the morning, Cannon and Carter hugging each other over the gifts they gave each other, and the tag Cannon wrote for mom. By the way, the gift he gave me was a Christmas tin he found amongst our Christmas storage where he put empty Dove chocolate wrappers with quotes/sayings on the inside foil. Cute. :)

Oh, I just love Carter's protruding little belly that really sticks out when he wears tight shirts. :)

"The children were nestled all snug in their beds, while visions of sugarplums danced in their heads." Christian sleeping on Christmas Eve. He is such a sweet, happy, easy-going little boy!

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas! We did as we tried to focus more on giving rather than getting, and our Savior's birth. Christmas gifts fade and toys don't always get played with and almost always get forgotten about, but the Savior and His love for us is forever! I have really pondered His birth and life a whole lot more this season because I wonder how Mary felt (as I am due any day with a baby boy) knowing she was going to raise the Son of God, and in humble circumstances. Mary made sacrifices as did Jesus for us. For that, I am eternally grateful for.

Browning Boy #4's weight?

This is me pregnant with all four boys. Top left pic: Cannon was 7 lbs. 15 oz. Top right: Carter was 7 lbs. 3 oz. Bottom left: Christian was 7 lbs. 3 oz. also. Bottom right: Boy #4 What do you think he will weigh??? Sorry for the small pic.

HaLLoWeeN 2013

The boys dressed up in various costumes for various Halloween events. They were constantly wearing different costumes from the costume box. :)

Curtis painted this Frankenstein.

Lions and tigers and astronauts and I-am-not-quite-sure-what. :)

Carter and Cannon...oops! I mean, a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle and the Hulk.

This little lion is just too cute! He wore that mask/mane the whole time...such a good boy!

Ward Halloween Party. I am not quite sure what I am either.?. A biker chick???

Enjoying the fall leaves in a park.

Happy 4th Birthday, Carter!

Happy 4th Birthday, Carter Boy! For breakfast, he requested pancakes with a "4" candle in it. He woke up bright and early and excited for the day! :)

Carter with his presents. He loves Thomas the Train and the collection of trains sooooooo much!! Most of his gifts consisted of those items.

He got to take the snacks today to preschool since it was his birthday. He chose to take fruit snacks and juicy juice drinks. Here he is with Ms. Deana where he got a "special" crown. 

Carter wanted to go to the park. We went to the park in the evening...and it was so nice temperature wise for it being Oct. 22nd. Here he is pushing his little bro in the swing. :)

It wouldn't be a birthday for Carter without a Thomas the Train cake. He said he had a good day...I sure hope so! Here are four fun facts about today's birthday boy: 1) He has a contagious smile. 2) He is a HUGE Thomas the Train fan. 3) He is our puzzle man. He loves to complete a puzzle a day, if not more. 4) He is mom's BEST laundry helper. Happy 4th Carter Boy! We are thankful you are a part of our clan! We love you!!!

Happy 5th Birthday, Cannon!

Happy 5th Birthday to Cannon Boy!!! October 21st, 2008 we welcomed you into this world!!! Five tidbits about this boy: 1) He has an INCREDIBLE memory. 2) He loves to read and be read to. 3) He is very helpful with his younger brothers, and is always looking out for them. He roots for the underdog. 4) He is our technology man. He is especially fond of Angry Birds. 5) He is wise beyond his years.

This boy has pancakes almost every morning for breakfast. Today was extra special because the pancakes contained five candles.

Cannon wanted to eat lunch at the park and play on the monkey bars and swings...easy enough. We went to McDonald's (his choice) to get lunch, and ate it at the park. This picture shows Cannon and Carter at the top of a hill/mound. They rolled down the hill in the leaves. It was a perfect fall day.

Curtis pushing Cannon on the swing during lunch at the park. 

Cannon with his bros.

We made Cannon an Angry Birds cake. It wasn't perfection, but he loved it! Cannon said "thank you" at least 20 times throughout the day. He was grateful for his special day. He made it easy...he only wanted grilled cheese for dinner. :) What a good boy we have been blessed with! We are so grateful to have you in our family! We love you!!!

183rd Semi-Annual General Conference Quotes

Here are some quotes that really stood out to me during conference in no particular order:

"God will keep His promises to you as you honor your covenants with Him."  - Sister Carole M. Stephens

"Meekness does not mean weakness." - Elder Ulisses Soares

"Never look back - look at what we still have to do." -Elder Edward Dube

"There should be no more shame in acknowledging mental illness than in acknowledging high blood pressure." - Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

"Live by faith, hold fast to hope, and show compassion one to another." -Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

"Women of God can never be like women of the world. The world has enough women who are tough; we need women who are tender. There are enough women who are coarse; we need women who are kind. There are enough women who are rude; we need women who are refined. We have enough women of fame and fortune; we need more women of faith. We have enough greed; we need more goodness. We have enough vanity; we need more virtue. We have enough popularity; we need more purity." -Elder D. Todd Christoffersen

"The scriptures hold the keys to spiritual protection." - Elder Boyd K. Packer

"Doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith." - Pres. Dieter F. Uchtdorf

"If we see healthy eating and exercise as something only our doctor expects of us, we will likely fail. If we see there are things and choices as who we are and who we want to become, we have a greater chance of staying the course and succeeding." -Pres. Dieter F. Uchtdorf

"The acorn of honest inquiry has often sprouted and matured into a great oak of understanding." - Pres. Dieter F. Uchtdorf

"The church follows two simple financial principles - we live within our means and we set some money aside each year for unforeseen contingencies." - Elder David A. Bednar

"It is not where you serve, but how." -Elder Edward Dube

"Our theology begins with eternal parents." - Elder Dallin A. Oaks

"You were supposed to remember." -Pres. Henry B. Eyring

"God has devised means to save each of His children." -Pres. Henry B. Eyring

"I gave Him to you, because I knew you could and would love Him, no matter what He did." - Pres. Henry B. Eyring

"There is joy guaranteed to the faithful." -Pres. Henry B. Eyring

"Man's law cannot make moral what God has declared immoral." - Elder Dallin H. Oaks

"There is an urgency for each one of us to be engaged in sharing the gospel." -Elder M. Russell Ballard

"Sometimes we just need someone to take our hands look us in the eyes, and say, 'You can do it now!'" -Pres. Dieter F. Uchtdorf

"Courage - not compromise - brings the smile of God's approval." - Elder Dallin H. Oaks quoting Pres. Monson

"Above all, never lose faith in your Father in Heaven, who loves you more than you can comprehend." - Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

"We must not set our hearts so much on the things of the world and aspire to the honors of men that we stop trying to achieve our eternal destiny." - Elder Dallin H. Oaks

"The ultimate treasures on earth and heaven are our children and posterity." -Elder Dallin H. Oaks

"The Lord sees weakness different than He does rebellion. With weakness there is always mercy." - Elder Richard G. Scott

"Repentance is not punishment, it is the hope filled path to a more glorious future." -Elder Richard G. Scott

"Think the best of each other, especially of those you say you love. Assume the good and doubt the bad." -Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

"Don't be just a 15 minutes a month home teacher or visiting teacher. Reach out to each individual member of the family. Get to know them personally. Be a real friend!" - Elder Richard G. Scott

"Our theology begins with eternal parents." -Elder Dallin H. Oaks

"Good timber does not grow with ease; The stronger the wind, the stronger the tree." -Pres. Thomas S. Monson

"Will you finish or will you falter?" -Pres. Thomas S. Monson

"There are not only harmful addictive substances, but also harmful addictive philosophies." -Elder Quentin L. Cook

"The blessings of the priesthood are infinitely greater than the one asked to administer the gift." -Elder Neil L. Andersen

"The gospel of Jesus Christ is that penetrating light which shines through the darkness of our lives." - Pres. Thomas S. Monson

"Men are not the priesthood, a man may pull back the drapes, but he does not own the sun." - Elder Neil L. Andersen

"When the quiet promptings of the Holy Ghost come, you must have the courage to set aside your outlines and your notes and go where those promptings take you. When you do this the lesson you deliver is no longer the lesson, but becomes the Savior's lesson." - Elder David M. McConkie

"Don't neglect to look up!" - Elder Adrian Ochoa

"Let us have the courage to defy the consensus, the courage to stand for principle. Courage, not compromise, brings the smile of God's approval. Courage becomes a living and an attractive virtue when it is regarded not only as a willingness to die manfully, but also as a determination to live decently. A moral coward is one who is afraid to do what he things is right because others will disapprove or laugh. Remember that all men have their fears, but those who face their fears with dignity have courage as well." -Pres. Thomas S. Monson

"If we do not take time to be well, we most assuredly will take time later on to be ill." -Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

"If the bitter cup does not pass, drink and be strong, trusting in happier days ahead." -Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

"Never too young to learn. Never too old to change." -Elder Russell M. Nelson

"Men and women, sisters and brothers, sons and daughters of God, we move forward together." -Elder Neil L. Andersen

"Self-mastery is to place reason over appetite." -Elder Russell M. Nelson

"The Lord needs the integrity of our hearts." - Elder Terence M. Vinson

"It is not easy to be a Latter-Day Saint. It was not meant to be easy. The ultimate goal of living in the presence of God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, is a privilege almost beyond comprehension." - Elder Quentin L. Cook

My Little Sailor Boy

I may be a bit biased, but I think this is one handsome little guy!!!

Happy 1st Birthday, Christian!

Christian loved this colorful lollipop more than his birthday cake and presents.

We filled his room with balloons so when he woke up he was in heaven!

Blueberry pancake with a candle for the birthday boy.

The boys on Christian's 1st birthday. I promise Carter really did enjoy celebrating Christian's birthday.

We went to Texas Roadhouse for his birthday dinner.

Christian and his dad sure are great buddies! Curtis has held Christian so much during his first year of life. They just like being with each other. Curtis often calls Christian his little "teddy bear". 

Christian was really pampered on his birthday! Mom took just him on a walk in the wagon. He made sure we took his little balloon and glow worm baby with us. Hope you had a special day, Christian!

Happy 1st Birthday to our sweet, little Christian boy!! His 1st birthday was September 10, 2013. That year flew by!! It seems like just yesterday I was in the labor and delivery room. Seriously. I remember it all so vividly. For his party, we just had Grandpa and Grandma Browning and Grandpa and Grandma Holtom come over. Christian is such a joy and blessing to our family!! He loves to read books, jump, and say "hap-py"!! We love our Sweetie Petey Pie!! :)

At one he can:

say the words; happy, dada, mama, hi, baby.

walks along furniture and stands by himself.

likes to observe his brothers.

takes two naps a day.

hates being in the car for a long time.

Cannon & Carter Go to Preschool 2013

Buddies who can't live with or without each other.

Cannon 3rd year of preschool

Carter 1st year of preschool

These two boys started preschool today. They will only go to preschool on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I still have one more year until I actually have a child who goes to "real school". Cannon is in his third year of preschool. The two previous years he had Ms. Deana, but "graduated" from the pre-K class last year, so was at his max limit. Ha Ha! So this year, I am sending him to a different preschool that is closer to our house. Ms. Kris is his teacher, and it is going to be another awesome year for him, I just know it. He is mostly in school for the social aspect of it at this point. He is advanced academically...I would say 3rd grade material (no joke).

Carter is attending his 1st year of preschool. We tried last year, but he just wasn't ready to sit and be still. So, he will get two years of preschool before kindergarten, and that's okay. Each child is different. He did really well today and intently listened to Ms. Deana (Cannon's former teacher) and paid attention to her. I was super proud of him!

These two boys sure keep me busy, but I enjoy watching them grow up to see what kind of "men" they will be some day! They have pretty incredible memories. They remember so much! It is exciting because I know they both have a lot of potential to do GREAT things in their lives!

Instagram Photos as of Late Part 8 (Summer 2013 Edition)

Boys everywhere! Heaven help me!

Curtis took me to Jaker's to eat for my 35th birthday.

My sister, Becky, took the two older boys to Bear World with her family so I could have a break. Thank you, Becky! 

Brothers are the best! Beep! Beep! Comin' through!

Carter, Curtis, and Cannon at the Browning Reunion. It was at the Gma and Gpa Browning's cabin at Henry's Lake. Curtis and I were in charge of it this year. The theme was: We Can Do Hard Things

Cannon on the left at 11 months and Christian on the right at 11 months. Two different houses, but same Retro Rocket!

Someone fell in the water...named Carter who is crying in the background. ;)

Carter at the Provo, UT temple seeing cousin Austin off on his mission to TX.

Christian loves the water!

Christian fresh out of the tub!

Camille, Douglas, and Me. The three younger Holtom kids. Douglas surprised us from Seattle at our parents' house.

Happy 75th Birthday to my dad on Aug. 2nd!

We sure are grateful to live in America! July 4, 2013

Picnic in the park! Freeman park

Happy Father's Day to the man who has his hands full!

Breakfast at Smitty's with friends from childhood: Melinda, Brooke, Me, Lisa, and Sarah

I was out mowing the lawn when Cannon came and handed me this "gift". It was a Santa hat stuffed full of Angry Bird plushies. He included the note: To Mom. As he was walking off he said, "It's because I like you." :)

Curtis' parents got home from their mission in Riverside, CA in June. It was their first time meeting Christian.

One night I couldn't find Cannon and Carter, but I did notice the front door was wide open. They were outside "star gazing"...enjoying nature. :)

I love it when my boys tell me to come outside so I can look at the sunset. :) I love that they are learning to appreciate nature and its beauty.

Zinnias grown from our garden.

All three of the boys have their legs crossed at the same time. ;) I think they inherited that from their dad.

My 35th birthday raspberry cream pie from Babe's Bakery. YUM!

Christian, our sweetie pie!