A Little of Everything

Since my last post we celebrated Christmas, New Year's, AND my first nephew was born!  

Brianna's second Christmas was a lot of fun.  She was excited by the presents and that Santa came but she was pretty overwhelmed.  She was also sick and we had A LOT of separate family celebrations to go to.  It was very fun though and she has many new toys that she is loving to play with.  

Christmas Eve morning was spent with Grandma Peggy where she was spoiled rotten.  We had breakfast and opened gifts and it was a wonderful morning.  She had so many gifts to open she didn't know what to do with herself.  Her Daddy was even the best Daddy and wore her Minnie Mouse earrings that she got from Grandma. We headed home after that to try to let her get a little nap before heading to our next family gathering.

She had a very runny nose and wasn't feeling great so I had Michael call his cousin in advance before going to celebrate with his Dad's family Christmas Eve evening.  They said that it wasn't a problem so I packed some anti-bacterial wipes and off we went.  Michael's Dad's family buys gifts for all of the children that are school age and younger.  It is absolutely insane the number of gifts that are under that tree.  We ate some yummy food and then the kids all ripped into their gifts.  It was madness.  Brianna's favorite toy was a little computer from Great Grandma Rosie.  She sat on the floor and played while all the other gifts were open around her.  After the kids open their gifts the adults played some super fun games and I won one of the prizes.  

When we got home way past Brianna's bedtime she went was in bed for about 20 minutes before the screaming began.  When I went to check on her she was burning up with fever.  I gave her some baby Ibuprofen and held her in the living room until 1am until she finally fell asleep in my arms.  Santa had come after I put her to bed but didn't put all the toys together so I was up until 4am setting everything up.  I have a whole new appreciation for my parents... 

When she woke up she was so excited but again overwhelmed.  I tried to not do too much this year but I started too early and had accumulated a lot more gifts than I realized.  It was perfect though and she was so sweet!  After opening gifts, her stocking and playing with her toys she was ready for a short nap because she still wasn't feeling very well.  As soon as she woke up we rushed to get ready and went to my parent's house to exchange gifts with them and Adam and Katie.  This is my favorite Christmas tradition because it always makes me feel the magic of Christmas just like when I was little.  We went straight to my Aunt Cathy's from there and spent a couple hours and had a late lunch.  Then we drove straight to Hamilton to Michael's Grandpa's house to celebrate with them.  We don't get to see them near enough so I really enjoyed this.  AND all of the great grand kids were there which was so fun.  I love watching them all play together.  It was a wonderful Christmas and so many great memories were made.  

I had to work a few days in between but then we rang in the New Year like an old married couple at home.  By then Brianna was on antibiotics and was feeling better so that was a relief.  Michael didn't even make it until midnight but I was able to Skype with Kimberly even though she ditched me this year and didn't come home. New Year's Eve is up there with Valentine's Day as my least favorite holiday so I wouldn't have rather spent it any other way.  

Now onto my ADORABLE new nephew!!!  He was born this past Sunday January 13th.  Katie was a rock star and gave birth and managed to remain gorgeous the whole time.  I'm pretty sure she was born to make babies.  And cute ones at that.  And I'm so proud of my brother for being such a great supporter and I can tell how much they are in love with their baby boy.  And so am I!  

Take a look at Joseph Raymond Brumley... he weighed 8 pounds 12 ounces and was 21 inches long.  He is absolutely perfect.  I can't wait to spoil him rotten and watch him and Brianna play for many years to come.  I know she is going to love having cousins as much as I did!  

 Now I'm trying to give Adam and Katie some time to settle in to parenthood before I start bugging them to come visit... it is hard :)  

Aunt Erin is in town for TWO WEEKS to visit so we are going to try to spend as much time with her as we can.  Michael, Brianna and I are all very excited about this!  Here is a little picture that shows the kind of fun we have with Aunt Erin...

In other news... on the way to work today I had a moment where I was definitely feeling my age.  The radio station was explaining a contest where the winner won a trip to see a Justin concert, go backstage and win an iPad!  I was thinking... man... that would be awesome... Justin Timberlake AND an iPad.  Best contest ever.  Then they said Justin Bieber and I was totally bummed.  Nice, huh?  

Okay... I'm going to go look at some pictures of my new nephew and browse Tara's baby registry.  There is ANOTHER baby on the way soon... I can't wait!