Christmas 2011

Christmas 2011-

We are truly blessed!

Our kids Christmas morning before church

Ethan loves his Spider Man shirt and getting his picture taken as well!

Brandon looking like he is a little confused about all this Christmas stuff. He was really tired and did not make it through all the present opening.

Adriauna and her giant jar of giant pickles. They are bigger than they look in this picture actually.

Brooke and Kami with Daddy!

Our family on Christmas Eve at my brother Kell's house

All the Bean grandkids (Miranda, Brandon, Adriauna, Ethan, Kami, Alexa, Brooke and Hannah)

The finished Ginger Bread House

The kids called me in the living room and I found them in this line. They set up the chairs so that they look like they are in Santa's sleigh with the reign deer in front. I just added Brandon to the back and took a picure!

Christmas Tree

Yesterday our home was filled with Christmas spirit as we listened to Christmas music and put up our tree and decorations! The kids' excitement really made this unforgettable. This year Brooke got to really join in with the decorating and has been talking about Santa all the time. She cracks me up at night while tucking her in bed she will say " I not scared a Santa anymore!" She has a bit of Santa anxiety as well as the other little ones. Of course when we went to the Holiday party at Mike's work where Santa and Mrs. Clause were there, she said "I scared a Santa" with her eyes so wide. Ethan was especially proud saying "Mom, take a picture of me decorating the tree!" and Kami had all of her ornaments on first, carefully selecting the perfect spot for each one. After she was done with her ornaments, she helped put up the other random ornaments. Adriauna hugged on Brandon and put up her ornaments. She is really growing up fast and although we had to pry her from her room to join us in the decorating, you could tell she really enjoyed our family tradition of decorating the tree together:-) What a wonderful evening!

Halloween 2011

The Grandparents came over to our house on Halloween to be able to share the experience of watching the kids trick or treat. It was a beautiful evening so the kids got to stay out a long time which in turn led to way too much candy.

Kamryn, Ethan and Brooke helped Grandma Julie fill up the pumpkin leaf bags

We met up with the next door neighbors and enjoyed their company while our kids trick or treated with each other

Kami as"Robin" (costume courtesy of Grandma Julie)

Brandon as a chicken (previously worn by Ethan when he was this age)

Ethan as "Batman" (again costume by Grandma Julie)

Brooke as "Super Kitty"( costume by Grandma Julie and previously worn by Kami)

Trunk or Treat

A bunch of us at church get together for a Trunk or Treat where everyone decorates the trunks of their vehicles and pass out candy

Bean Pumpkin Carving! 2011

We all got together for our annual "Bean Family Pumpkin Carving" this year. I always enjoy this tradition and it is another good reason to get the big family together. It was fun to see the different pumpkins that were carved. I have to say though, we sure missed my niece Alexa who has gone off to college. She was not able to join us this year and she always enjoys the carving.

Adriauna with her cousin Miranda

Mike, Brandon and Kamryn

Adriauna

Mike, Ethan and my brother Adriel

The finished pumpkins

Painting Pumpkins:-)

As if pumpkins weren't exciting enough, Grandma Julie came over with pumpkins and paint for the kids. They had a blast painting pumpkins and spending time with Grandma:-)

Kami's, Ethan's,Ethan's, Grandma's,Adriauna's, Kami's and Brooke's

Adriauna and Kami

Grandma and Ethan

Brooke

Halloween Preschool style

Today at Preschool Ethan and Kamryn got to dress up in their Halloween costumes so Ethan chose a G.I. Joe ninja (snake eyes) and Kami chose to be Super Girl. They are going to be Batman and Robin on Halloween but they wanted to dress up as something different at Preschool. Kids are so lucky these days with all the chances to dress up and get candy for Halloween.

Kami and Brandon

It is moments like these that I say "My hands are full, but so is my heart" I love my children so much and they are the biggest blessing in my life! I could not be more blessed and although sometimes life gets really busy and hectic with a house full of kids, our lives are full of love and nothing get's my heart soaring more than when my kids are happy and loving on each other!

Kamryn and Brandon

Ethan and Brandon!

There are so many moments where I look at Brandon and see Ethan! I love my sweet little boys and am overjoyed with how blessed we are to have Brandon in our lives to complete our family:-)

This is Ethan when he was just a few weeks older than Brandon is now and in the picture of Brandon below.

Here is Brandon and I think there is a lot of resemblance to how Ethan looked at this age!

Brandon is 2 months old:-)

Brandon is 2 months old. It is amazing how much faster time goes by once they are born. Brandon had his 2 month check up at the Dr. today. Since Mike is in Chicago for work, Mike's dad visiting Eric (Mike's brother) in Utah and my Mom is in Alabama visiting family, I was out of babysitting options. So, I took all the kids with me except for Adriauna who was at school. You never really get used to your tiny little baby getting shots at the Dr. office for the first time no matter how many kids you have. It is so sad:-( Everyone was really good up until that point. Brooke started crying when Brandon got his shot. I am sure she felt bad but she wanted me to comfort her and I really needed to comfort him. So, he had to share the comforting with his older sister.

Anyway, Brandon is doing really well and gaining the right amount of weight and all that. He is in the 50 percentile on weight and length. He is smiling and babbling a lot now and it is so much fun. He sleeps between 4-6 hours at a time at night and I am getting good sleep. The kids, especially Brooke absolutely adore him. I am so amazed how much he looks like Ethan did when he was a baby. I look at pictures and some of them I would not be able to tell apart if I did not have dates on the back of the picture. I am really looking forward to the weeks ahead watching Brandon change and grow but I am also just enjoying being able to cuddle him in my arms while he is not as mobile as he will become in the next few months.

This sailor outfit was Ethan's. It is so fun to see these clothes on Brandon after Ethan wore them!

Don't you just want to pick him up and hug this little guy!! I know I do!!

This was also Ethan's outfit.

Afton Apple Orchard

Our family headed up to Afton Apple Orchard with Karen's family and the Granparents on Mikes side.

Kami, cousin Derek and Ethan on the hay ride!

Adriauna with Uncle Tony rolling Nick and Zac in the tube

Adriauna with cousin Zac. They found a caterpillar:-)

Brooke enjoying the slide

I reluctantly fed the goats thinking Brooke would join in and get the experience. It seems she is a lot like me and finds that animals licking hands is quite disgusting. Oh the sacrifices I a make for my children.

Grandma Julie holding Brandon

Pretty Girls

Grandma Julie made this adorable dress for Kami! She has such amazing talent. I am hoping by being on the receiving end of all this talent, some of it might rub off on me. Although, I do say that I probably have many talents but they are all hidden talents...ba da bum (that was a drum roll for myself) lol

My birthday!!

I was pleasantly surprised to have Mike come home from work on my birthday with flowers, birthday cake and present in hand! Actually, I was not all that surprised since Mike is always really great about doing special things for me on my birthday and it is more than just pleasant, I was really happy! I am so lucky to have such a wonderful husband.

He said he got his least favorite cake because he knows it is my favorite :-)

That is right...chocolate doves from the kids and a gift card to my favorite place to shop for clothes. I do share the doves by the way!