Merry Christmas- Our First Ever Christmas Letter

Hello family and friends,

We’ve never done a letter and we're not quite sure how to do it. Natalie toyed with the idea of a top ten list but we realized we were rather boring this year and didn’t have enough interesting items to even get to ten.  But hey, it was a good year even if not much happened so we are grateful for that.

Abigail- Abby was born in July, a rather momentous occasion for her and her family. Abby is still illiterate and really can’t do much but entertain everyone she meets with her smiles. She is the ray of sunshine in our family and seems not to be bothered if Mom watches HGTV during feeding times. She enjoys long naps, snuggles, and being tossed in the air.

Matt (4)- Matt informed us this August that Matty was his 3 year-old name and he was now to be referred to as Matt. He is attending pre-school and is rather a fan of Star Wars and Spider-Man. He is learning to read and has conquered some of the great classics like Go Dog Go and Green Eggs and Ham. His latest project is deciding what his Superhero name and powers will be when he grows up.

James (8)- James is our encyclopedic 3rd grader. He has a fact for just about everything and sometimes it is even on topic. He got baptized in April and is enjoying life in Cub Scouts with mom as his Den Leader. He will soon complete his plans for world take over in 2047, he promises to be a benevolent leader as long as no one tries to make him eat any asparagus or zucchini.

Eve (11)- Eve continues to astound us all with her art work. She is an artsy crafty soul and we have found everything from a light switch to her glasses cleaner decorated with washi tape. She is currently participating in jump rope club and coming up with a variety of make-believe games to help Matt do his chores. She loves spending time with her friends and collecting as many colors of yarn as she can.

Laine (12)- Laine completed elementary school and has moved on to Jr. High. She also started young women’s this year and was able to attend Brighton Beehive Camp, Youth Conference, and Wilderness Camp. She has taken to doing her own laundry and cooking meals once a week for the family. She also has her own little babysitting empire and hopes one day her parents will grow up and stop embarrassing her.

Christian and Natalie- Besides being tired all the time from chasing, chauffeuring, and wrangling five little monkeys they are good. They enjoyed taking their family on fun adventures this year to Disneyland and to Salt Lake’s Comic Con. They enjoy sneaking away from the kids to watch the latest super hero movie or to try out a local restaurant that has been featured on the Food Network. They are also happy that the dog has stopped eating Matt’s shoes but hope they can wean him from Abby’s socks and toys.

Thanks to all of you for being part of our lives, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and hope that you find joy with your friends and family this holiday season,

The Bradley’s

Abby-5 months

Christian and I were talking the other day how fast the last five months have gone. It seemed like pregnancy was forever and now instead of a snuggly newborn we have a happy wiggly baby on our hands. 

Abby continues to delight us with her smiles and her giggles. James has proven to be rather good and making her laugh, Abby considers him to be quite the humorist. Abby is the rare child that actually enjoys tummy time,  I've never met a kid that likes tummy time. This enjoyment of being on her stomach may be the reason that she has yet to roll over, she does enjoy scooting around though and has found toys to be a fabulous source of entertainment.

She has also found her toes and it is fun to watch her grab and play. 

Winter gear! I love having a girl to dress, it is too much fun. 

First visit to the beach. She loved the sand but was not
happy when the water hit her toes. 

First visit with Santa, she was not impressed. 

Abby was a trooper in Disneyland, she got really good
at sleeping in the stroller and slept through just about everything

All ready for her first Christmas party. 

I love when babies fall asleep in random places. She was playing on the floor
next to me and next thing I knew she was conked out. 

She really is our little ray of sunshine. 

The Great Bradley Adventure Part 3- Disneyland concluded!

Our final days in Disneyland were full of rides, and treats, and pretty much were the same as the first three days. I was super excited to have the kids wear their Thing Shirts. I have wanted to have them wear these on vacation for years and I am glad that we found one for all of them...even Abby.

Thursday morning while the older kids and Christian were riding Star Tours I took Matt and Abby on Buzz Lightyear and these women looked at me and at my Thing 4 and 5 and said, "You really have five children?" It was a common question that day and it was the best if Thing 1 and 3 were off on a ride while Things 2 and 4  and 5 met Princesses, it really threw people for a loop and more than one asked if we needed a drink. It was fun. 

Matt loved Toontown. He was most excited that there was a roller coaster there that he can ride. He also liked being able to check off two more of the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse crew.

Eve shyly asked on Wednesday night if she could meet the princesses, she is my little girl that is growing up so fast but still clings to the little princess I first brought to Disneyland. I was happy take her. 

I love this picture, she was so happy to see the princesses. 

While Eve and I met the Princesses Dad took the other kids on the teacups.

Later that day we let Laine and James go ride some of the California Rides while Eve and Matt met Anna and Elsa (no line for those ladies!) They were super cute with the kids and played Reindeer tag with Matt. We also found out what sandwich Anna prefers! 

Our last day started with a character breakfast. We were super excited because it meant we got our own entrance gate and didn't have to wait in line!!! 

It was super hero day in the Bradley family

we love Minnie

Playing Peekaboo with Tigger 

Way to go mom, look at the camera next time. 

Since Matt was too small to ride the rides I was super excited when they picked him to go through Jedi training. I was really happy that they had the training back our last day there, I was afraid he would miss it. He was super excited to fight Darth Vader and has told me that he will "never go to the Dark Side."

My little Jedi

Laine took me on the Materhorn, I have realized that I am too old for the jerky rides.

The kids were good sports in posing for the 60th anniversary pictures for me. I made them visit every one, and even James would pose for me! 

Matt was so cute with these one. He charmed the photographer and got a sticker out of it. 

We spent sometime earning our Junior Wilderness Badges. Matt was super excited to talk to Russell about Kevin's most unusual footprints.

So Thanks Disneyland! We had a great time and we will see you for your 65th!