Because I'm Loved....

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

I have really been looking forward to Christmas this year because of Brent's age. Not to mention, last year we were homeless for Christmas so we weren't able to have our own Christmas Tree and decorations and things like that. It seems like Christmas just gets better and better every year. I have tried real hard this year to start Christmas shopping early so that I won't be stressed and can really enjoy the true meaning of Christmas.

We set up our tree the Sunday after Thanksgiving and I have been playing Christmas music and reading Christmas literature ever since. The best thing I have read so far is out of the December Ensign (our church magazine). The article was written by President Henry B. Eyring (the 1st Counselor to the Prophet of our church). Here is a link to the article: (click on "Home for Chrismas" on the left)

http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=e419fb40e21cef00VgnVCM1000001f5e340aRCRD


My favorite part of the article is "Feeling the Joy of Giving". At Christmastime we are celebrating the Savior's birth therefore he is on our mind a lot more. This helps us to be more Christ-like and want to reach out to others. We also realize how much He has blessed us and this fills us with the spirit of charity and makes us want to give to those around us, especially those less fortunate than ourselves. I have felt this more this year than ever before!


My Little Elf:








The story of this clip begins back at Nana's house. We went there a few weeks ago and every inch was decorated with Holiday Joy! There was a little snowman about Brent's size in the Den that Brent was scared of. To help with this fear, Brandon showed Brent how to throw down the snowman and then tackle him. Well, while Brandon and I were gone that day hunting, Brent proceeded to do as his Daddy taught him and threw down the snowman and jumped on top of him. At our house, we also have a little snowman about Brent's size. As soon as I brought him out Brent knew just what to do. He picked up the snowman, threw him down, and harassed him. Now our snowman's head has popped off! Thanks Daddy! :)

A Mexican Deer

Brandon went hunting in Mexico this past week. This is another one of his "business perks". He was gone for 5 days and we weren't able to speak to him the whole time he was gone. It was really tough and we missed him a lot but he had a great time.



This is where they slept, ate, and bathed.



Brandon was in a room with 7 men and he was the only one that didn't snore. Needless to say, he didn't get much rest.



Have you ever seen a doe with horns? Well, now you have. This deer has no "male parts" but has horns. Crazy, huh.




This is one of two "trash bucks" that Brandon was able to kill. When the ranch owners don't want particular deer to breed they will allow others to kill them off.



This is the "trophy buck" that Brandon killed. He's a whopper! Brandon definately got spoiled in Mexico.

I am Thankful for Family!

This year we spent Thanksgiving in Hyde County with Brandon's Family. We had such a nice time. There are many things that I am thankful for but I am always most grateful for family. We are so fortunate to live close to both sides of our family. It's so much fun to watch Brent form close bonds with his grandparents, aunts, uncles, and especially cousins! Brent LOVES his cousins Deanna and Kara. He face just lights up when they walk in a room. They are so good with him too! Here are some pics of the festivities...

Deanna, Brent and Kara playing in the floor at Nana's house.

Deanna baked and AWESOME cake for Thanksgiving!

ARGH!!!

We had a busy, busy Halloween but it was LOADS of fun! As you can see, Brent was a pirate this year. And he was the cutest, meanest pirate ever!

Getting ready for Party #1 (Rachel's House)

At Party #2 (Crayola Moms)...this time we did a mustache. I love both of these pics because he is making a "mean pirate face"

Cake I made for Party#3 (Church chilli cook-off and trunk-or-treat)

Brent and his Pirate friend Adam..this party we had a mustache and chest hair. haha.

Brent and Grandpa

Getting ready for trick-or-treating

Brent's first Trick-or-treating experience. It was our neighbor so they actually let us in to their house.

Brent eating his treasure

Here he is assessing his "booty"

"My Baby's Got Rhythm"

Brent LOVES to dance. We dance a lot at home just messin' around and it is one of his favorite pastimes. What cracks me up the most is when we are out in public at a restaurant or a store and they are playing music in the background with a good beat and Brent will just break out into a dance. Brandon went hunting this morning so Brent and I were just playing around listening to music and dancing and I recorded a minute or so of him breaking it down. Enjoy!

Indianapolis, Indiana

Brandon had yet another business trip this past week and this time it was to Indianapolis, Indiana. He is the FFA (Future Farmers of America) representative for his company in the area. He got permission to take Brent and me with him on this trip, and ofcourse we went. Brent may look like his Daddy, but his personality is much more like his Mommy...we like to go!

So, before leaving, I did a little bit of research on where we were staying. While doing so, I discovered that we were 3 miles from the LARGEST Children's Museum in the world! I was so pumped! I also discovered that our beautiful hotel was connected to a HUGE mall! Oh yeah! Fun for Brent and fun for Mommy!

I was a little nervous about the flight since our little buddy has turned into such an active little guy. Actually he has always been real active it's just now he can run! Well, he was perfect on the plane, I can't complain at all.

Our first full day there we attempted to go to the museum. And I use the word attempt because I totally pulled a "Crystal". After discovering that the hotel shuttle would not take us to the museum and it was going to cost $40 to take a cab there, I decided I was going to push Brent in a stroller and walk it. I mean, I run 2 miles a day so I figured I could easily walk 3 miles. And I did...in the wrong direction! After about an hour of walking in a less-than-welcoming area I stopped to ask someone how close I was to the museum. The response I got was, "Oh honey, you are real far from the museum". Yeah, turns out I went the wrong way right off the bat. So I decided that I was not going to walk back, I was going to take a bus. After attempting to get on 3 different buses we finally got on the correct bus which took us right back to our hotel. We were gone for 3 hours and accomplished nothing! But I was just happy to make it back safely to our hotel.

So, the next day we took the bus to the museum and had a WONDERFUL day! I have never seen Brent so excited! He played so hard for about 3 hours until he was absolutely exhausted! I was really impressed with this museum and would totally recommend it to anyone with children passing by the area. It would have taken us 3 days to do all they had to do in this museum.

The next day, we shopped! ;) Enjoy pics of our trip to the right ----->

Tis the Season...

...for HUNTING! This past Saturday was the first day of rifle deer hunting season. Brandon and I got up early that morning and went hunting while Nana watched Brent. We saw several deer that morning and Brandon shot at an 8-pointer but it was a long shot and he missed. After a lunch break we went back out and took Brent with us. We saw several more deer and I shot at a 4-pointer and missed...7 times. Man! I was ticked! That deer was just staring at me like I was crazy because I couldn't shoot him. As for now, we are blaming it on my scope. Brandon has been saying for the past 2 years that I need a new scope because the one I have is cheap and gets knocked off real easy. So, before we go hunting again. I am going to get a new scope and then we'll really be able to tell if it's the hunting equipment, or the hunter.

We let Brent drive back on the Hunting Club.



Don't worry, Daddy was helping.



A spike-horn posed for us!



Hunting wore Brent slam out!

Star Struck!

Brandon and I went to Charleston, SC this past weekend with his company. Brent stayed with his Nana and Da (Brandon's parents) while we stayed at the Charleston Place Hotel in downtown Charleston. It was a really nice trip! The first night we were there we went for a carriage tour downtown. We visited a historic mansion and ate dinner there. Brandon and I were able to go for a run down to the water one morning and take in the beautiful view!

The second day went we did a little shopping and strolled through the market where we bought a few things. That evening we ate dinner with the group at the hotel. Brandon and I went for a walk around the hotel after dinner and decided to go to the spa. We were walking by the pool and guess who we saw! Shaquille freakin O'neal! O yeah! When we walked in and
Brandon said, "that's Shaq", I said, "noway", he said, "yes it is!". When we got closer Shaq looked up at us and said "look at the two love birds". We chatted for a few minutes then left him alone. No, I didn't have my camera and I didn't ask for his auto because he was obviously training and I didn't want to harass him. But yeah, I met Shaq.

I added a few others with Brent because I haven't put up any pics of him in a while.

Napping with Dada.

Chocolate Face!

I love fall weather!

Brent is 1!

I think I was around 7 months pregnant here.

Only minutes old.

Just days old.

3 months old.

6 months old.

9 months old.

1 year old!

I have been saying it all day long, but I still can't believe it...it has actually been a whole year. Wow! What an incredible year it has been! It's amazing to look back on pictures from when we first brought Brent home. We have both changed so much! He is WAY bigger and I am thankfully a lot smaller :)

I remember when I was pregnant with him just trying to imagine the day when I would actually look at him and touch him. Then I remember when he was so tiny and I tried to picture him walking, talking, and playing. It all happens so fast but I can honestly say that I have soaked up every second of it. Being able to stay home with Brent has been the best blessing.

I have to give a lot of credit to my incredible husband. He works so hard and yet when he comes home he musters up some more energy to be the best dad and husband anyone could ever ask ask for. I had a lot of people tell me when I was pregnant, "ya know, statistics show that marriage satisfaction decreases with each child you have". All I have to say about that is BULL CRAP! Brandon and I are closer and happier than we have ever been.

So...I could probably go on and on forever, but these are just a few of the things that I absolutely love about my "little man".

-How he throws his favorite stuffed dog on me and then comes and snuggles up with both of us.

-The way he kisses with his mouth wide open and tongue sticking out.

-When he says "ahhhh" and opens his mouth every time he sees a toothbrush.

-How he brings trash from the floor to me as if he has discovered some unknown treasure.

-When he cries and bangs on the front door dramatically screaming "daddyyyyyyyy" after Brandon leaves for work mornings.

-The way he burries his head into my shoulder after he has gotten hurt.

-How he loves to wake up REAL early in the morning but is so patient and quietly plays in his crib sometimes over an hour until we come get him.

He has brought so much joy into our lives and I can't imagine life without his sweet spirit.

Happy Birthday Brent!! (click on link to the right for birthday party pics)

"A Whole New World"

Brent started taking steps about 3 weeks ago. He went back and forth for a while trying to decide if he preferred walking or crawling more. Well, just a couple days ago he discovered that if he walks, he can carry things as he travels-goodbye crawling! Brent walks all over the place now carrying anything from stuffed animals to buckets of who-knows-what. So everyone has warned me that it is "a whole new world" once they start walking. Well, hello "whole new world" here we are....(now, I just need to buy the poor kid some shoes!)

"1 Year Old" Photos

Brent turns one in a little over a week now and we went and had photos taken today as a family and some just with Brent. I am so pleased at how they turned out. He is really starting to look and act like a toddler now instead of a baby. It's exciting and sad at the same time. Enjoy the pics (to the right), I know I will for years to come!

Bambi

Some friends of ours recently came across a fawn who had been separated from her mother near their house. She looked malnourished so they took her in to nurse her back to health. Now, whenever they release her she will leave for a day or so and then come back to their house. They named her "Bambi"! We took Brent over to their house to meet Bambi the other day. I'm pretty sure he just thought she was a funny looking dog but he loved her! She is so affectionate, and beautiful! She followed us everywhere we went-even out on the dock!

A Preview to Halloween

Brent and I were in Michael's the other day and they had just put their Halloween decorations out on display. In the isle, there was a life-size skeleton that moved and made noises when you touched it. I was curious to see how Brent would react to this since he's never seen anything like it before and I just happened to catch it on camera.

There were moms all around staring at me. They must of thought I was a terrible mom for filming it but I thought it was pretty darn funny. So, this Halloween should be lots of fun!!

A trip for 2

Right after we got back from our vacation to the beach Brandon and I left to go to Asheville, NC on a business trip. With Brandon's new position, there are a couple of business trips a year where the wives are invited. This was my first time attending one. Yes, my first time away from Brent. I have to say, the anticipation of leaving Brent was a lot worse than the actual being away part. Don't get me wrong, I missed my little guy like crazy, but I think I did great! The crying spells occured the day before leaving him when I was packing his bag and calling my mom every hour to remind her of something.

Brandon and I stayed at the Grove Park Inn (wow!). That place was absolutely beautiful! It's been a while since I've been to NC mountains and I was just blown away by its beauty. We were wined and dined (minus the wine) and really, really enjoyed this time alone.

The second day we were there we went on an adventure to Mt. Pisgah's National Forest. I absolutely love waterfalls and I was told this was the place to go to see one. They have over 20 breathtaking waterfalls in this area and we were able to see a couple of them. It was so nice to be out in nature and to spend this much needed time with my best friend and husband!

Pics to the right-->

Waves, NC 2009 Vacation

The Cutrell Family started a tradition 3 years ago where we all get together and stay at a beach house for 1 week in the summer at Waves, NC. The beach house is huge and sleeps all 12 of us plus it has its own private pool, hot tub, and golf cart. We spend as much time at the beach as we possibly can and eat as much food as we possibly can. We all come back fat and sun-burnt but with big smiles on our faces.

Last year when we went, I was 8 months pregnant with Brent so I was not "allowed" to swim in the ocean. Well, this year, you couldn't pull me out of the ocean. All the boys and I enjoyed getting beat up by the waves and stung by jelly fish as we boogie boarded for hours every day. Brent turned into quite the little beach baby and showed no fear as he played in the sand and the ocean. He absolutely loves playing with his cousins Kara and Deanna and they were such a big help with him.

Since we live the furthest away from Brandon's family, it is really nice to look forward to this vacation every year. It's a great time for Brent to bond with this side of the family and learn new things. This year, Brent learned to spit and give a high-five (thanks, Uncle Chad) We look forward to all the new things Brent will learn from this annual vacation :) There were too many pics to post up here so to the right is the album from the whole week.

Fun in the Sun

This past weekend we took a family vacation to Atlantic Beach. This was Brent's first trip to the beach!! I haven't been back to AB in so long and we just had a wonderful time!

The first 2 nights we stayed in a condo at Southwinds. The last night we stayed with Wayne and Rachel at their condo in Summerwinds. Brent absolutely loved the beach! He loved the sand, the ocean, the shells, everything! His first 15 minutes on the beach consisted of him stuffing sand in his mouth and me rinsing it out. After a while, I think he realized he didn't like how the stuff tasted. I was really surprised at how comfortable he was out in the ocean. We are so glad that Brent likes the beach because this is just the first of many, many beach trips!

The beach made Brent really hungry!