pie and a piano.

 I got the surprise of my life last night!

OUR first piano!

Brock used some of his birthday money and only $35 dollars of our own money and found this screaming deal on craigslist for $150! There are a few scratches on the bench, but it is in WONDERFUL condition. So here's the story...Brock and Colton went and picked this up one day and told me it was Vanessa's surprise Christmas gift from Colt. They stored it in our garage and that was that. Well last night we were having friends over and the "plan" was I was going to take Ness into the other room while the boys brought the piano in from the garage, then when we walked out she was going to be surprised. Well...When we walked out the joke was obviously on me! I was in shock, I really was. I saw the "Merry Christmas Melissa" sign and had to look twice then a third time. We didn't get pictures of my surprised face but Colt did film the whole thing on our camera. I was in complete shock.

 I'm in love with it!

It couldn't be more perfect.

 After Christmas when the tree is down, 
we'll find the perfect spot for it.

 Another first of the night - Brock made his first pie, an apple pie. Yes, BROCK made it all. The only help I gave was peeled and sliced the apples. He's amazing! A man of many talents. ;)

He said it wasn't a pretty pie, but it's turned out pretty if you ask me. It was the most tasty thing I've tried in awhile!

Just out of the oven. Beautiful!

 So delicious. With vanilla ice cream of course.

 Our amazing friends that were supposedly coming over to play games and eat pie, or so I thought, helped out to make the night perfect. Thank you!

 Colt & Ness Salazar and Andy, Beka & Nixon Philipp

  Brock's amazing surprises never end.

He makes me feel like a queen.

He loves when I play the piano, Cohen LOVES the piano, and I have missed playing oh so much, so this gift for us is more than perfect.

Merry "Early" Christmas to me! 

the countdown is on....

 No, this is not a countdown til Christmas, but a countdown til we leave for UTAH!! 
19 days!! Once we get to Utah, then comes the Christmas countdown.

19 days...

I hope I can make it.

Every time Cohen talks to my parents, somewhere in their
conversation he says "I'm coming to your house next month!"

He's been saying that since Nov. 1.

It's been a long month.

December 17th, please hurry up!

Bon Appetit!
Brendon's 1st feast - rice cereal

At four and a half months Brendon tried his first taste of cereal. As you can see from pictures, he wasn't too in love with it. Although, he was not nearly as bad as Cohen, who gagged and spit out every little speck of cereal that went in. Brendon tried it and did ok, but then whenever I would put a spoonful back up to his mouth, even before he tasted it again, he would get a grossed out look on his face a let out a tiny whine cause he knew what was coming.

This last bite got to him...

 We'll keep trying.

I would be gagging too if I were him.

BLACK FRIDAY

 I've been listening to Christmas music for couple weeks, but today is was the best yet. There's nothing like listening to Christmas music, N'sync Christmas of course, while setting up the tree. Cohen did a great job decorating {we had to move a few ornaments}. He was bummed when we were all done. He wanted to take them off and start all over.

 Funny story about our tree this year....This actually isn't our tree. Ha. Ours is much smaller with no tree skirt. When I was up in the attic getting our tree and decor out I find this one! The people that lived in our house before us must have left it. So, I thought WHY NOT put it up. If they magically come back and want it, we'll gladly take it right down for them.

 My pretty nativity that I've used for the first time now that we have more space in our house. Thanks Carma!

 Cohen LOVED help checking the lights to see if they worked. I'm surprised they didn't blow up for how many times and how fast he plugged them in and out. In and out. In and out.

 We didn't attempt the very late/early black friday shopping, since we didn't have anything BIG to buy this year.

We did go to 3 stores late morning, and it wasn't too bad! We found great deals and only waited in ONE huge line.

Happy Holidays!

thanksgiving 2011

This year's Thanksgiving started out with a Turkey Bowl football tournament with our ward at Fossil Ridge High School. Our stake president, who is also in our ward, is the principal of the high school so the boys were able to play on the school field. The boys and I went to cheer Daddy on. Cohen really wanted to run out and play with Dad, but he was also pretty content in his make believe world on the sidelines.

 Smiley Brendon.

That's mostly what he does these days...smiles.

Even in the chilly weather, he was all smiles at the game.

 Cohen was on cloud 9 playing football on a REAL football field with Brock. Whether he is playing quarterback or not, he likes to get down as if he's hiking the ball.

 TOUCHDOWN!

 Big desire to throw the ball over the goal post.

We spent the afternoon and evening in Dallas at my aunt's house. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves with great company and DELICIOUS food. My grandpa John and his sweetheart, Grandma Ann, came all the way from Salt Lake City, Utah, to spend the week in Dallas. It was so good to see them, and have them meet Brendon for the first time.

 Cohen wore Grandpa John out! He wanted Grandpa to do everything with him and go everywhere. Grandpa loved it, although by the end of the evening he was exhausted.

 Cohen could play a piano for hours.

One day maybe he'll have one in his house,

and maybe one day his Mommy will teach him how to play.

Brendon loved all the snuggling and new people to chat with.

Grandma Ann was so cute with him, and gives some of the best hugs I know. She is a hair stylist and has a little salon in her basement. Growing up, I was always inspired by her to become a hair stylist and always LOVED playing in her salon. 

 Amy, Anna & Aunt Cathy. Amy is Grandma Ann's grandson's girlfriend. She is living in Dallas right now while opening a new In and Out Burger, and Anna is her roommate that works there too. So they came to our feast as well.

Cathy is the gourmet chef that spoiled us!

She did almost the whole meal by herself, and everyone was very impressed. Her sister Sharon, who I didn't get a picture of, came too, and helped out with the meal too. I love their thick southern accents, and could listen to them talk for hours. Two of the sweetest ladies you'll ever meet.

 Chatting with Daddy, and slobbering like crazy.

Teeth might be coming soon!

 Starting to get tricky snapping a family photo with two kids.

 Even in the cold, Cohen wanted to be outside checking out the pool.

 This picture makes me laugh. Brock watching the Cowboys play, and didn't even realize I was taking a picture. His Thanksgiving break {two days} was well needed for us all, especially him.

 My two beautiful cousins, Chelsea and Emily, joined us for their second feast. Troopers. Em's boyfriend Corbin came too. We love them. I wish they lived next door to me so I could see them daily.

 We were all very satisfied when night came.

Wonderful feast.

Great company.

Apple pie and ice cream.

De-lish.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I am thankful for my life, good health, my family, my religion, my Heavenly Father and his Son, Jesus Christ.

Tom the THANKFUL TURKEY

 Last night for Family Home Evening, we made a Thankful Turkey named Tom. On his feathers we wrote things that we are thankful for. We asked Cohen what he is thankful for and without hesitation he said JESUS. Sweet. Next, he said SANTA, then fruit roll ups, and books was his last answer. He also mentioned Lucy, his girlfriend from nursery.

 I am Thankful for my life,

and everyone in it.

Especially my two little munchkins and their good lookin' Daddy.

 P.S.  I am thankful for my parents. We received a package from them today, filled with a fisher price Nativity set. We have a tradition in my family of receiving a Christmas movie from them every Thanksgiving. This year they had the idea of this Nativity set instead, thinking the grandkids could play with it and also it would be a great way of teaching them about our Savior's birth. Perfect. 

One day, I want to be just like my mother. {and Dad}

So thoughtful and giving.

She has some very big shoes to fill.

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A few things I don't want to forget down the road...

 How much this baby loves the tub and splashes, kicks and squirms.

Also how cute and chubby he looks in a towel.

 Cohen's versatile hand sign - this is how Co shows that he is TWO years old and ROCK ON. The missionaries came to our house on P-day for haircuts one day and brought their guitars and taught Cohen ROCK ON.

 I'm pretty sure this will be the closest we get to making a snowman this winter. NOT SAD AT ALL! Not missing Provo winter AT ALL. Cohen's creative juices are coming out more each time we play with play dough.

 Oh. My. Goodness.

My back was turned to this little guy for two seconds, I turned back around to see this....Cohen nursing his toy. I laughed out loud, gained my composure, then made him put his shirt down and we had a very serious talk. Today he also came up to me with his play phone and said, "Mom, I'm texting Lucy."

I love motherhood.

It makes me crazy at times.

It makes life worth living most times.

how am I surviving?

 A frequent question I am asked by family, friends or anyone that finds out I am a wife of a med school student and the mother of two small children is: 
"how are you surviving?"

This picture sums it up.

My answer is BROCK.

He keeps me going, keeps me happy, 

keeps me smiling and staying positive.

He makes me want to be a better person, 

and the best mommy and wife I can be.

We have our share of "stormy days",

but he is always my "sunshine" after the rain.

What a cheesy line, yet oh so true.

Medical school is an adventure, and we have a LONG road ahead of us...
but I will definitely SURVIVE with Brock as my sidekick.

COHEN the DADDY'S BOY

 {wrestling with Dad}

What's new with Cohen?

He is learning at the speed of lightning.

He is now telling me things like "Mom, I have a brain and it's in my head." He volunteers to pray a lot these days...his dinner prayer last night went something like "Heavenly Father, we're grateful that this yogurt is good in the name of Jesus Christ, Aaaaaamen." Some things I have heard in his prayers: grateful that Daddy could study, and that Brendon is awake, and that Nixon could come to my house. Sweet and innocent.

He is getting pretty good and tough at fighting/wrestling/boxing 

{whatever they do} with Daddy.

Can hit a baseball on a tee very well.

Kicking the soccer ball quite hard and far.

Doing great at his chores, which consist of making his bed, taking his dishes to the sink, and picking up toys.

He is FINALLY coming out of his room when he wakes up from naps and in the morning. This has NEVER happened. Not ONCE! That's not an exaggeration. I've been BEGGING him lately to come out when he wakes up, instead of yelling at me until I come in. I'm hoping this will make him come out on his own to go potty easier.

Has been doing great with potty training still. Yes, has had a few accidents, only when he's distracted with friends or something very busy going on. Doesn't use his little potty anymore, only goes on the big toilet. No longer wears diapers during naps, only at bedtime. And no more diapers to church.

He is SO EXCITED for Santa to come, and knows that he is watching at all times. 

{I hate to admit, this bribe is working nicely} 

He wants Santa to bring him a BIKE this year.

He is getting BIG.

Oh so BIG.

I love it and hate it at the same time.

But mostly LOVE it.

{prefers to be dressed in undies ONLY}
 
He is getting to be quite helpful around the house...
unloading the silverware is his favorite, I would say.
He also loves any "spray" cleaners of any kind.
He's my little Windex boy when we clean mirrors and windows.
Today I asked him his name and he said "Cohen Todd Kitchen". I asked how old are you? He said "Hmm...five".
There are a lot of days I do feel like he is five.
His new word is SERIOUSLY, or he'll say I'm SERIOUS. 
{usually used in a stern voice}
Remind to self: he doesn't miss a thing.

Brendon Lee @ four months

 weight: 14.6 lbs {50 %tile}

height: 25 in {75 %tile}

Didn't make a peep during his first shot, only cried for a few seconds during the second, and was smiling by the time I got him in his car seat. My little tough guy.

 ABOUT BRENDON @ FOUR MONTHS:

 - so close to rolling over from back to front....any day now.

- starting to sit up by himself better, still wobbly.

- will chat with anyone that will make eye contact with him.

- chews on one finger most of the time.

- slobbers PLENTY.

- goes crazy in the tub, happy as can be, loves to splash.

- arches back to scoot backwards.

- cohen is his favorite "toy".

- he is loving to grab toys and put in his mouth.

- spoiling me as a mommy. {most days}
- has DARK brown hairs growing rapidly.

- sleeps from 8:00 pm - 8:00 am {eats at 6am goes back to sleep}

- great napper; cat nap late morning then 3 hour nap at 1:30 pm.
- his low-pitched grunts are my favorite.
- still loves to snuggle.

 I can honestly say I can see HEAVEN in his eyes.

PURE as PURE can be.

He knows how to melt my heart, that's for sure.

Love you Brend!