Brindi's NEW Home

When Grammy and GrandDad came they brought a surprise for Brindi from her Aunt Amber. To say Brindi loves it would be understatement. She has pretty much lived in this little house. Everyone has had to play in it...and there have been some tight squeezes, with Joe, me, Brindi, and Brooke all having to be inside the house without our feet sticking out :). I still can't believe Amber took the time to make this for her. There is a place for her to hang the laundry, go fishing, pick the garden and the apple tree and orange tree. Brindi can take everything off and put it back on...it is pretty neat and I can't wait for Brooke to be big enough to play with Brindi. I think they are going to have a blast with this.This is when Joe looks at me and says, how come you don't make this like this and I reply, because I'm not supper woman like Amber. Thank you Amber, but like I said, I really can't believe you did this for her!

G&G Hancock Visit

Celeste's parents were able to come out this past week to see our new little girl and to help with out as we all transition into our new life. They were truly a blessing being able to help Celeste and I while also keeping Brindi busy.

The bedspread that Brooklyn is laying on was one of the things Sonja created and finished while she was visiting.
Grammy and Brindi Grandad and Brooklyn
Grammy and Brooklyn This is a picture that Brindi took of Grandad. Besides her thumb, she is a pretty good photographer. Grammy also brought Brindi a present. Can you guess what it was?....make up. What a cute couple of girls we have:) Celeste also decided to put her dad to work to earn his keep. Our funny basement corner was the task and the project kept her dad busy most of the week. I helped out a little but Pete did a great job. This corner has driven us nuts since we moved in because it was such a waste of space. After taking out a couple of walls,adding a couple of walls, a light, and a door...we now have a very functional closet and a lot more family room space!!! All we have left to do is pretty much sand and paint!

Brooke

Brindi has transitioned really well so far and loves to hold and kiss her little sister and tells Brooke everyday that she loves her.

Brooke and her Daddy.

We have forgotten how small they really are. Such a cute little girl! We have really been blessed.

One of the thousands of kisses Brindi has already showered Brooke with:)

Brooklyn Claire

We welcomed Brooklyn Claire Lovell into our family this morning. Can I just say, I love being a Dad! What a strong and emotional feeling it is to watch one of your own come into the world. It is one of the best feelings I have ever experienced and one that cannot be explained but can only be experienced.
Brooklyn arrived around 8:15 AM this morning after a long night of contractions for Celeste. She came quick after the epidural was administered (1 hr 45 min) and weighed in at 7 lbs 4 oz and stretched to 20 inches in length. Mom and baby are doing well.

39 Weeks

One more week until the baby (still undecided on a name) arrives. We are still hoping she comes early but only time will tell. We seem to be trying everything in the book from long walks to feet/ankle massages and everything in between but no luck so far. The doctor even striped the membrane this week. We did start today with some pretty strong and consistent contractions but they have faded thru the afternoon.

We think Brindi is pretty excited for the baby. If only she knew the truth! We will see how excited she is after her little sister comes. But she loves to point to the baby and as demonstrated in the pictures below is spending a lot of time preparing to help once her sister arrives. Today she kept telling the belly, "Baby come out and play," "Baby its time to come out," and "Come out Baby!" We all echo her last statement.

Christmas

This year Brindi was spoiled as this will be her last Christmas as an only child. We started off on Christmas Eve and headed to Old Town St. Charles for the Christmas Traditions festival where the streets are filled with Santas from around the world. Its a great festival when all the characters carry with them cards explaining their individual backgrounds. Characters like Jack Frost, Scrooge, Tiny Tim, Mrs. Claus, the Sugarplum Fairy, and over 10 different Santas are scattered throughout the streets.
On the way to old town, we passed a couple Snowmen. Christmas Eve morning we woke up to a clean blanket of "good" snow, not Missouri ice snow but the good stuff that snowmen are made of. As we headed home all Brindi wanted to do was make a snowman. She was set on making 5 snowmen but I was able to negotiate with her to only make 3.
Brindi started out as a really good helper but only lasted for about a half a snowman before she took a seat on the porch and directed the rest of the snowman construction. However, she did help with creating the faces to our snow family. Sad to say, Dad works a lot of weekends in December and missed the opportunity to do some much needed raking before the snow came so our snowmen were dressed in leaves!

Before we headed to bed Christmas Eve we opened our Christmas PJs.

Brindi's main present was a an Artist Esel with markers and water color paint. She seemed to like it, at least we hope she does. She loves to draw and has enjoyed drawing her hands and also kites on her new toy. Not sure why kites but that is her fascination these days. She also got a lot of plato.

A doctor set was another gift Brindi received and as soon as she opened it she made us all become her patient. Everyone had to take their turn and lay on the couch as we all played doctor and patient. This might have been her favorite toy.

Brindi also got some books, a cool money purse from her cousin that had pictures of them together on one side and a picture of the family on the otherside, a toy story matching game, a shapes creation necklace, a teddy pair mommy and baby, fingernail polish, chapstick, and a lot of candy.

Celeste received some new jewelry, clothes, and some much needed new silverware. Joe received the original NES with a few games, clothes, and several gift cards. We have truly been blessed this year are very fortunate for the life we live and we owe it all to our Savior whose birthday celebration this is. Merry Christmas!

Christmas Card

We had a limited number of Christmas cards and with all our friends and family growing up and moving around our addresses are not all up to date either. But we did want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and to pass along an electronic version of our Christmas card. We hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas.

Happy Birthday!!!

Today Joe turns the BIG 30! I wanted to wish him a Happy Birthday and let him know how much I love him. He really is my better half and is always showing me how to be a better person. I couldn't ask for a better husband or father. I've never met a better man and I know the Lord has truly blessed me. Happy birthday Joe!!! Brindi and I hope you have a great day!

Holiday FHE

This past Monday we decided we better get on the ball and get Christmas in the atmosphere. We decided to start off the night with dough which Brindi loved to cut herself. It was actually a little scary to watch but all her fingers are still intact. We also put up our fake tree. We decided one more year until we purchase a real tree. Brindi loved decorating the tree but as soon as the oven buzzer sounded she was off to never return to the tree. I am guessing she liked frosting the cookies better than decorating the tree! She is quite the cute little girl.

PALS

This past week we headed over to the PALS winter social so that Brindi could visit with Santa. She was excited to see him but as soon as we entered the door and she saw him she wanted nothing to do with him. It was quite funny and she became very clingy not wanting to let go. We were able to get her to sit in the chair next to him and when he offered her a candy cane and some bells she made the decision should could probably handle sitting next to him as long as he didn't get too close.
They also offered a bunch of arts and crafts like making glittery stars and making christmas ornaments out of play dough plus cookies and hot cocoa. We got there right at the end and that was a mistake because Brindi loved playing and had no desire in leaving:)