Christmas Party & Santa

Sunday my parent's hosted our Family Christmas party. It was such a fun party! My parents have made it a tradition to have a party with just their children and their little families on the Sunday before Christmas. We have a delicious dinner, a talent show, a nativity that is acted out by the children, and then we open gifts. We had such a great time with everyone...even though the boys got in a heated debate about sports! My parents are so generous and so thoughtful with their gifts. I have never met anyone who puts more thought into their gifts than my mom. She bought Lilly some fun toys and the most adorable coat you have ever seen. Lilly also took part in the nativity...she was an angel. She really liked all the hustle and bustle that was going on. I know she is going to have a ball with her cousins when she gets older!

Lilly in her fancy new coat. How bout those cheeks!

The kids acting out the Nativity.

Yes, that is Ellie in her undershirt and tights. She was making me laugh so hard!

With her Papa

Lilly wearing her fluffy angel head band.

On Saturday, our dear friend and Lilly's "adopted Grandma" (that's what we like to call her because she is like a Grandma to Lilly) came to the door carrying some treats and a pack of Coke Zero with a big red bow around it for Anton. So cute! When she was here she was asking if Lilly had gone to see Santa yet. We hadn't taken her yet, so she offered to have her husband Jim bring home his Santa outfit so we could go over and get pictures with him. Jim starts growing out his beard in July so he can have it in time for Christmas so he can play Santa at Wheeler Farm. They were so incredibly thoughtful to do that for Lilly. It was so cute how he came in jingling the bells. Lilly really liked him, I was surprised! I thought for sure she would be afraid, but she wasn't. We love Jim & Diane...they are such sweet people.

And, last but not least, we want to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas!! We hope you have a wonderful holiday, and a very happy New Year!

Merry Christmas!

Love,

The Brog Family

Anton, Liz, Lillian, Diva & Cooper

It's Here!

The pearly white has arrived! It is itty bitty, but oh so sharp. I would take a picture, although it is nearly impossible for you to even look at it. Every time I try and open her mouth to see it, she thinks I am playing. A few other fun things....she says "Da Da" now. I am sure she doesn't know what Da Da means, but it is still adorable that she is saying that. Also, she sits in the grocery cart now. We went Christmas shopping last night at Target, and I wanted to show Anton how she sits in the cart. Needless to say, she thinks she is one hot mamma when she is sitting on her own. About a half hour in, she gets a little tired though, and starts to slump over. I don't think it is humanly possible to love her more than we do. Life could not be better. We love you Lily Bug!(These pictures below aren't the best quality, but it shows how awesome she thinks she is when she is sitting straight up.)

Recap

* Thanksgiving was fabulous!! My mom is a wonderful cook, so the Thanksgiving dinner was delicious. Anton said "I think this is the best Thanksgiving dinner I have ever had". I second that.

* We got to see Antons sister Nicole and her husband Jeremy while they were in town for the holiday. It was so fun! Thanks for the laughs :)

*Lilly has had a bad cold. We didn't get to go to St. George with Anton this weekend because she wasn't feeling well. Poor thing. She definitely knows how to sport a runny nose.

* I think the first tooth is on its way. Lets just say today has been the day from you know where.

* I painted the bathroom cabinets....I am working on the kitchen now. What a job!! I always think house projects look easy...then I get working on them and think 'why am I doing this'?

* Finished most of my Christmas shopping on Saturday. That Macy's one day sale is the best!

* Did you notice I spelled Lilly's name different than I usually do? I have been spelling her name with one L, but her full name has two L's, so I think Lilly should be with two L's as well. What do you think?

* I am exhausted. Can you tell? It has been a long week. Having a sick little Lilly is hard work. My bed is calling, gotta go.

Happy Thanksgiving!

With my cute husband being home from work tomorrow, and getting ready for the big feast, I thought today would be an appropriate day to do a Happy Thanksgiving post! Today I feel so thankful for so many things. So, I am warning you ahead of time, this is a very long post!! First, my Lily. I remember when Lily was first born, we were running back and forth from the hospital and I was in so much pain, I would think to myself 'what have I done'. I was so depressed, and was too embarrassed and ashamed to say to anyone because here I had this healthy beautiful little girl and there are so many people who can't have children, or those who have lost their precious child. The change was so hard for me and Anton. It wasn't just US anymore, doing whatever we want whenever we want. Someone had come between us. I was almost resentful of Lily. Terrible, I know. So, you are probably asking yourself "where are you going with all this"? This morning Lily started jabbering in her room around 6:15. I walked in there, and she smiled at me great big. She was so excited to see me! I picked her up and fed her, then I grabbed her blanket and went into our bedroom. I laid her down on my pillow, and snuggled up next to her. Anton rolled over and immediately he runs his fingers through her hair and kisses her face and her little hands. Here was this little person, between us. It was the best feeling in the world. It was so quiet and there we were, just staring at this most precious little girl. I didn't know it was possible to love someone the way I love Lily. I am so thankful that she has come into our lives. She has changed me. She had made me a softer person, and she has made me want to be better. I know I can also speak for Anton when I say that being a parent is so much better than we ever could have imagined. When Anton comes home from work, he always goes right up to Lily and hugs her and tells her how much he loves her. Last night I was in the other room and I heard him tell her "Seeing you is the best part of my day". It melted my heart. I am SO thankful for Anton. Where would I be without him? I am so lucky to have my husband as my best friend. Last night we sat on the computer for about an hour and just laughed and laughed at some of the things we were looking at. It was so silly, yet so fun. I love that I can be myself with him. He knows me so well, and he loves me no matter how I look or how grumpy I may get. He is such a good man, such an adorable father, and an amazing husband. I love him so much. I am also so thankful for my family. I couldn't have been born into a better family. I can't begin to express how much my parents mean to me. They are such good people. I am thankful for all the things they taught me and for the way they raised me. Sure, I have made mistakes in my life, but it was never because my parents didn't teach me or raise me well. They were and still are such incredible parents. They are such cute grandparents...all their grand kids go nuts when they see them. It is so cute! I love my parents so dearly. I think I might have the funniest brothers around. I always have such a blast when my family gets together. I am so thankful to have two beautiful sisters whom I am so close with. Each and every one of my siblings have qualities that I admire. I am so lucky to be their "little sister". I am also so thankful for my in laws. They are such loving and accepting people. I felt so welcomed the very first time I met them. They always make us laugh when we are around them. And, how could I not love them, they raised Anton into the man that he is. Next, my cute grandparent. They are all still alive, and still in good health. I love Antons grandparents as though they are my own. I am so thankful for the special relationships I have with my grandparents. I am also so thankful for good friends. I have such fun friends I grew up with, and have met such dear friends in the recent years since I have been married. I am so lucky to have them! And, last but not least, I am so thankful for the gospel. I am so thankful for the peace and happiness it brings into my life. It couldn't be a better feeling knowing I am with my family for all eternity. I am so thankful for the atonement, and for the Savior. I get emotional just thinking about it. I am so thankful for all of the many many blessings that have come into my life. As you can well see, there are so many things I am thankful for, and this is just the beginning!! I hope each of you have a Happy Thanksgiving!!

Checkup!

Here are the stats from Lily's 6 month doctors visit...

Weight: 14 lbs. 12 oz.

Height: 25 1/4"

Shots: Hated all 4 of them. Good thing her dad was there to comfort her. Poor thing.

Cooper and his "lady friend" down the street had puppies. This was his last litter. They are DARLING! If you know of anyone interested, let me know!

Winter is coming...

...and Lily is ready!(isn't this hat cute? my friend made it for her...i love it)

Sub for Santa

My family has been involved with a refugee organization here in Salt Lake. We have been asked to find some beds for families that are sleeping on the floors of their homes. If any of you have anything or a slightly used mattress that is sitting in storage that you might be willing to donate, please let me know and we can arrange to pick it up and have it delivered.

Also, if you are thinking you would like to do a Sub for Santa this year with your family or youth group, let me know! There are 90 refugee families that we would like to find Sub for Santa's for.

And, starting in January, the Refugee Center will be doing tours. It may be a neat experience to take your youth group or your family to hear some of the stories of the refugees. So, if you are interested in any of this, please let me know! And, pass on this information to anyone you think might be interested! Thanks!!