Farewell 2009.....Bonjour 2010!

See 2009 in Pictures above!

What an exciting, adventurous, and blessed year 2009 has been! We had so many great memories this year including Brylee's arrival May 1st, 2009, 30th birthdays for both Darryl and myself, Darryl's family visiting MN this summer, Darryl completing the Ragnar relay, and a girl's trip to Vegas for me.  We also had a few losses this year as well (my grandpa, Bailey, Timmy (a student I worked with), but overall 2009 has been the best year! 
We are soooo blessed to have great jobs that we love, great friends and families, and most of all our health!

Here's to many more memories in 2010.... Looking forward already to Brylee's first Birthday, Colby's high school graduation, a Voigt family trip (to celebrate Colby's graduation)this summer and I'm sure many more memories along the way. We can't wait to see what 2010 has in store for us. 

Wishing everyone a happy, healthy, and splendid 2010...Cheers!

Brylee 8 months tomorrow

Brylee is 8 months old tomorrow (1/1/10)! Our baby is getting bigger, more curious, busy, and more beautiful every day. She is so fun to watch!
You know the drill by now....a few little facts about Miss B. at 8 mo. old

• chews on everything!!! Is starting to get more teeth on the bottom (to add to her 6 teeth total)
• is very content sitting on the floor surrounded by toys (believe me there is no shortage!)
• is not yet crawling, (which is totally cool with me as I am not ready to chase her around), but am sure that is on the horizon very soon.
• remains a good eater...consistently eats 4 times a day and has started to venture into "real people food"
• LOVES her jumperoo (thank you Alicia for letting us borrow it). It is quite loud and annoying, but she has a blast!
• her hair is finally getting long enough to be able to put clips and even a ponytail in (this is important to mommy)
• loves music
• when she is excited she twirls her ankles and wrists!
• makes the funniest faces to get attention
• cries when we leave the room
  
• continues to be such a happy and content baby

Noah and Brylee

Brylee playing and Rosie napping

 

 

Happy Anniversary!

Today is our 6th year wedding Anniversary! We are celebrating by going to the Cirque Dreams show this afternoon with my parents and then Darryl and I are going out to dinner at Kona grill.

Shotzes...... I love you so much, and I hope there are many more anniversaries to come! Thanks for being the best husband and daddy! What a beautiful life we have made!

P.S.- Darryl surprised me this morning with a digital SLR camera...(I will be receiving it in the next few days!)...I am so excited and now I get to share more great pictures.

 honeymoon in riviera maya Mexico

Baby's First Christmas....

Brylee had a great first Christmas! She loved playing with the tissue paper, wrapping paper, and of course her new presents! She got a new sled from Santa, which we will definitely be trying out during the next few days. Poor thing caught a bit of a cold or it could be teething again too, but that didn't stop her from enjoying her 1st Christmas.

Thanks to everyone for the great gifts! It was a great Christmas, lots of snow, lots of food, and most of all lots of fun!

Here are some pics of Brylee celebrating Christmas!

Getting ready for church

My new horsey from Grandma and Grandpa...
it neighs, and moves its head 
and clicks when it is galloping!

Brylee got her ears pierced!

Today Brylee and I ran to the mall for a few last minute gifts. While I was in Claire's I decided to have Brylee's ears pierced. I was nervous as I wasn't completely finished with my shopping and didn't want her to be upset the rest of the time, but we went for it anyways. I don't know what I was worried about, she didn't even cry! She cried when the woman took away the disinfecting wipe to clean her ears off with when she was done, because Brylee wanted to hold it. So, much to my surprise she took everything in stride, and now has cute little pink flower earring for 6 weeks. They are sooo cute. I tried to get some good pics, but everytime I turn her head, she turns the opposite way!
Enjoy the pics!

Have a great Christmas everyone and safe travels. Looks like MN, IA, WI might get hit with a Christmas snowstorm...
I will definitely be posting some pictures after Christmas of Brylee. We are so excited for her 1st Christmas!

Brylee's new earrings!

 

Cute new hat I bought her...as you can see she wanted it off her head and didn't want to pose for pictures! See crying pic below!

  Beret hat for Brylee and Rosie!

Christmas Card

Here are our Christmas cards from this year. Version 1 (the top 2-postcard style). Version 2 (the bottom 3-folded card).

Card 1

Card 2

Snow Day poll

I am off today for a snow day. YEAH! Not an "official" snow day (as my district is not closed...they NEVER close!), but it was way too bad to drive in this morning as we are under a blizzard warning in the southern counties and Edina is not one of those. Anyways, I was looking through some pics that Darryl's mom gave me when Brylee was born and found a picture of Darryl at 7 months and then found a picture of myself at 7 months. They are a bit faded from the years, but just thought I would post them and poll people to see who they think little Miss Brylee looks like! (see poll on right to vote).                                                               

Darryl

Chandra

                                                                    

The GIRL EFFECT

 As I was watching Oprah this morning (the shows from this past week that I recorded) I was struck by the show on the in-justices of women and girls in the world today. Our media in the U.S. often neglects to bring us stories of actual substance, and therefore I feel like in many ways we are out of the loop concerning the atrocities happening around the world. This show really moved me and I encourage you to all check out Oprah.com to find out more information and encourage you to donate $5, $10, $15. You would be surprised at how a minimal amount can actually do so much.  Check out Oprah's website (http://www.oprah.com/package/oprahshow/oprahshow/pkgregistry/20090925-tows-registry-girls-women) and click the tabs across the top to donate for a cause you feel strongly about. I encourage everyone to consider making a donation.

Also, please check out the video the girl effect.

Meeting Santa Claus

Today we went to Gerten's Nursery in Inver Grove Heights to see Santa. Brylee patiently waited in line for 45 minutes. We waited in one of their greenhouses to see Santa. When Darryl put her on his lap she just stared at Santa.....as you can see in the pictures. No smiling for Santa this year, but I guess that is better than screaming! :)