Violet Reese is here!

Our new little niece arrived this morning with hardly any warning! Josh and Cassie had their baby girl at 7:23 this morning. Violet weighed in at 7 lbs. 1 oz. and 18.5 inches long! Both mom and baby are healthy and happy. Cassie was a champ! I'm sure Cassie will update her blog soon, but I have already had many of you ask me for pictures so here you go... Isn't she a doll? We are so happy and excited she is here! We love you guys! Congrats again and Happy Birthday Violet!








On a side note...many of us were curious how much Brooklynn and Violet would look alike...well now the verdict is in. Brooklynn is more of a Ridley and Violet looks more like a Morris...not sure where those Giddings genes are...

Here was Brooklynn at birth:

Santa came...

for Brooklynn's first Christmas! It was a great day! We all woke up when Brooklynn woke up... Paul and I took the video camera into her room and videoed getting out of bed and seeing what Santa brought for the first time! She did enjoy her gifts, but just as we expected she liked the paper, bags, and boxes way more! She had so many gifts mommy just had to open most of them. She really wasn't into the unwrapping. She took a little break for breakfast and then a nap but we were still at it when she woke up. Oh it was so fun!

The most exciting moment of the day was when my brother, Skyler, called from his mission in England! We only got to talk to him for 40 minutes, but it was a great 40 minutes! He already has an English accent and he sounded so amazing! Mom cried of course, and Shayna got a little teary eyed as well.

After cleaning up a little, we went and saw The Curious case of Benjamin Button. It was a LONG movie...thank you to my mom who took Brooklynn for the whole movie so I could enjoy it.

After the movie we met Josh and Cassie for Christmas dinner at Grandma Giddings house. It was yummy of course and it's always great to see Grandma. She just lights up when we come and loves being with Brooklynn and her Paul William.

Its always a bummer when I go to put pictures on here, and I realize all the pictures that I should have taken, but didn't...like a family one of the three of us on CHristmas morning! We've been hassled a little for not doing a Christmas card this year, so I think I will send out a New Year's one when we get back to Utah. We are going back next Friday...so hopefully Cassie has that little neice of ours before we leave so we can hold her at least once!

Hope you all had a Merry, merry Christmas!

Christmas Festivities

Last weekend began many of our Christmas festivities and traditions. We went with Josh and Cassie to their ward Christmas party. They now live in the ward I grew up in...it's a little different now, but I still was able to see many people that I know, which was fun. Santa made a quick appearance so I don't even think Brooklynn really got to see him, but thats okay cause we already got pictures with her and Santa. Then Christmas Sunday, my brother, Cody spoke so my Aunt and Uncle and Grammy came with us to sacrament. Cody did a great job talking about all the meanings behind the Christmas symbols. Monday night we went with the Gonzales/Denton clan to In-N-Out for dinner. We drove by an incredibly ridiculous decorated house (every square inch of that place was covered in lights), and returned to the Denton house for hot chocolate and home video watching. Of course we had to pop in the one of mom's infamous body roll at Aunt Bren's during our Christmas in Texas! It was a fun evening.

For Christmas Eve, we were able to have Paul's mother and her boyfriend, Adam, (whom I must add is a PERFECT fit for Sandy- we love him) up for dinner and celebration! Joshie also stopped by to see us and mother. Dinner was delicious. Adam then played some beautiful Christmas music for us on his flute and then we opened our Christmas PJ's and our Christmas from mother. We did our annual fashion show with our new PJ's and went to bed pretty early. We were all so excited for Brooklynn's first Christmas.

On a side note...Brooklynn has started to do some fun things within the last week. She does "So Big" all by herself when we say it and she blows kisses. Mommy was so proud! It feels really good, knowing she can understand what you are saying! Also caught a snapshot of Brooklynn's favorite pasttime...holding onto and playing with Mommy's hair- mostly when she is tired and ready for bed! It's the sweetest thing.

Ouch

No pictures for this post...sorry but I just have to mention Brooklynn has entered the new stage in her life of injuries. Its so hard to watch her sometimes and to hear that cry...you know the cry I'm talking about...the one you know something is really wrong. In the last week Brooklynn fell off Auntie Shayna's bed (I told Shayna not to worry because when we were in Texas she fell off our bed too- she is so quick), got bit in the hand by our dog, Tahoe, and fell last night and hit her head on the bottom portion of the coffee table. She had a little bump on her head when we put her to bed last night- so sad. She is also cutting her third tooth- up top this time.

Yet through it all, she is still such a happy baby. The consensus from everyone is she looks like me, but she has Paul's personality- always happy! Hmmm.

To my dear friend...Jenna!

So glad to hear you are officially off bed rest! Quinn better wait til we get back to Utah! But I wanted you to know that I updated my blog today especially for you, so enjoy! Miss you!

The Brooklynn and Dat Pup

Precious moments...She loves EVERYONE'S dogs...too bad WE WILL NEVER HAVE A DOG! I hope I don't eat those words one day.

It's finally beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

We finally went and got a Christmas tree on Monday. We picked the 2nd one Paul held up...I think we were all in a hurry to just get one and go home. It was so cold when we went..made it feel more like winter and Christmas! Then yesterday Paul and I put all the lights on it and when the kids and mom got home we decorated it. Paul put on a few ornaments and then was done...hmmm...he was much more spirited with Mama's tree. Anyways, we were almost finished decorating and two light strands went out! We were so mad! We did everything to try to get them to work again but no luck. So today I get to take all the ornaments off and my dad is going to bring home new lights and we get to do the whole process all over again! Doesn' that sound fun!!? I usually love decorating the tree...but once a year is enough. We were all so bummed. I guess I am also a little worn out. I am not used to doing something every minute of everyday. I feel that much more grateful for my mom over these last few weeks with all that she has on her plate. She is like the energizer bunny...she keeps going, and going, and going! I'm simply not a great substitute for her big shoes but I am doing my best. Needless to say, I am ready for Christmas to be here...relaxation and fun!

Sawdust Festival and Santa

Last week we were able to go to the Sawdust Festival in Laguna Beach with Paul's mother. It was a fun little day. While there, Brooklynn saw Santa for the first time. He was a great Santa too for that matter- totally legit. Anyways, she didn't really have feelings for Santa one way or the other. No tears, but no smiles. Completely neutral I guess. We got some great pictures though with all the wonderful Christmas decorations there. Afterwards mother took us all to dinner at the yummy Las Brisas on PCH.

However, I have to mention...on the way to Laguna Beach, Paul and I took Ortega. At dinner everyone convinced us its too dangerous, take the toll roads! Never again! Paul accidently went the wroung way on the toll road so we had to pay twice, which was so annoying and then when we got to the 91 it was bumper to bumper traffic! I didn't really mind cause I slept the whole way home, but Paul was a little frustrated. And he is oh so cute when frustrated.

Speaking of Paul, he has been so helpful...putting up the lights with my dad on the house, carrying and helping pick out our Christmas tree, putting the lights on the tree, doing his Honey-do, son-in-law list... my parents really lucked out with a great son-in-law. What can I say? I picked a winner thats for sure!