Webster Adventures

So the first of the year has mostly just been getting ready for new baby Lilly to come on March 27th. We are currently in the process of changing around all the rooms and re-painting the crib along with trying to get Jake used to sleeping in a normal bed. Since it's been awhile that I've written anything very life specific I thought I'd just throw in a little update on everyone right now:

Brooke is going to be 8 on April 1st. She is very excited about her baptism and especially about all the people that are coming for it and Lilly's blessing. She is currently in the 2nd grade and taking piano, ballet, and jazz dancing lessons along with reading any book that peaks her interest. She has just recently truly discovered the Star Wars movie and is now considering having a Star Wars themed birthday party this year because she "loves Princess Leia". And for those interested (Aunt Lisa) she most definitely prefers the original Star Wars to the prequels with her favorite being Empire Strikes Back or as she calls it "Number 5".

Bry is going to be 5 on April 23rd and is just finishing pre-school this year. He is already starting to read and likes practicing with Shan any chance he gets. He is continually active, always wanting to play or do something besides just sit around. He is a great brother and always very happy and willing to help out around the house.

Jake just turned 2 on Groundhog's Day and is acting older every day. He is a full on toddler now and as such is starting to realize he has opinions about things and does his best to enforce them on those around him:-) He can be a very loving and tender little guy but has definitely entered the "let's test the boundaries" phase of his life as he is always curious to see what he can get away with. And he still see life as one big obstacle course and climbs pretty much everything he sees.

As for me and Shan we continue chugging along trying to balance pregnancy, parenthood, church callings, and work. I'm still working for a non-profit organization that provides low cost dental care to the kids in our school district and I love it because of how close I am to home and the fact that I get to visit my daughter at school and get paid for it. Churchwise I am in the Elder's Quorum Presidency and Shan coordinates all the visiting teaching in our ward which keeps us very busy. We have really grown to love our ward and area and are starting to look for a house to buy (we are currently in a rental) with a little more room as baby Lilly is coming soon and let's face it, these kids aren't gonna stay small forever. All things considered we are very happy and busy and just trying to enjoy our hectic life as it comes.

For Christmas both Brooke and Bry got there own little tool set and got to build their own tool boxes with their new tools. It was a lot of fun and the kids seemed to enjoy building stuff like Daddy.

Jakie loves building legos and was particularly excited to find some toes to build them on.

The real reason we make brownies: Eat the batter!!

Carnac the Magnificent

For Jake's second birthday we went to a bouncy house place called Inflatable Wonderland which Jake loves. Technically he was supposed to stay in the 5 and under area but as that did not satisfy his adrenaline junky mentality he quickly went over to the big kid slides and went nuts. We all had a great time and since everyone was so tired we did not have cake until the next day.

Shan on Jake's Birthday 2 months before Lilly's due date

We got Brooke's baptism dress and being the fashion diva she is she wanted to take some pictures. Lilly will have a matching styled blessing dress.

Consequences of getting older?? When you write on the wall, you (and not Mommy) have to clean it up

Building legos without a shirt on. Life doesn't get better than this:-)

Christmas and New Years

So Christmas was great this year with Grandma and Grandpa O'Bryant coming to San Antonio to celebrate with us and the Griffeths which made for a full house Christmas morning. We had a great time opening presents and goofing around and of course by the end of the day it appeared a giant wrapping paper and toy tornado had worked it's way quite handily through every room in our house. Highlights from this year include Brooke getting a very special letter and present from Mrs. Clause which were left by her stocking and Bry getting a basketball hoop from Santa which he is already starting to master. We spent New Years at the Griffeth's home playing games and having fun. Overall it was a great holiday season and year and we can't wait to see what 2013 will bring!

Brooklyn in her Elf Hunting Costume. She didn't want to let the elves know she was a little girl so she dressed up like "an adult"

And who better to help catch an elf than a ninja?

What follows are just random Pictures from Christmas and New Years. I decided I didn't really feel like picking and choosing so here is just all the ones that looked like they might be good to post. Besides, can you really get enough pictures of little kids on Christmas morning?

Nothing better than a little sibling love on Christmas

Jake really didn't understand Christmas last year so this year once he figured it out he started going nuts and was excited every time it was his turn to open a present.

Brooke and her McKenna doll from Mrs. Clause proving once again that miracles do happen

If you've been noticing Brooke's recovering blotchy face it is because days before she had had a very bad reaction to some antibiotics she was taking. Luckily by Christmas she was no longer itchy but the remnants of our little polka dotted daughter will remain in Webster Christmas photos forever