Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in Pictures

 We had a wonderful Christmas Eve and Christmas Day spent with Mama and Papa Brisken and Mama and Grandpa Bailey.  Here are a few pictures from our night and day together. 

Ethan and Caleb got a "Star Wars Guess Who?" game

 Ethan and Caleb both got an exercise ball . . . they always enjoy using Mama and Papa Brisken's when they visit their house, so now they each have their very own!

 Ethan was so happy to receive his own DVD copy of "How to Train Your Dragon" . . . (Now we can finally send back the Netflix one we have had for over a month!  :-)

 Scott received an unexpected surprise  . . . when the new Ipad comes out in a couple months, he gets one!!!

 Papa Brisken with his Santa hat and Caleb

 Grandpa and Mama Bailey

 Scott and Papa Brisken

 Jill and Scott

 Mama Brisken and Mama Bailey

 Christmas morning, about to start opening all the gifts!

 The boys opening presents they got for each other.

 

Opening a special present from Aunt Megan and Uncle Mike . . . thanks for the Star Wars pancake mix and Darth Vader spatula, these are going to be a hit!! 

 Receiving their asked for Santa presents . . . Caleb with his Color Changing Ramone Car Wash (above) and Ethan with his Voltron with all the different Lions (below).  (We weren't sure Santa was going to be able to make the Voltron in his workshop, since it is a toy that Scott told him about from when he was a little boy in the 80s . . . thank goodness Santa is familiar with ebay!! :-)

 New spider man two wheeled scooter for Ethan and a new Buzz Light Year three wheeled scooter for Caleb!

Me at 34 weeks pregnant on Christmas day.  I'm getting quite uncomfortable and huge!  I'm hopeful for only 3 - 4 more weeks instead of 6 more all the way to my due date.  We'll see when this little girl decides to make her appearance!

December Blur

It seems that December has been a blur . . . we've been so busy, and I haven't posted anything.  Here's a quick catch up on all that we've been up to.

Ethan had his December Christmas Choir program at church:

We had a nice visit with our friends, the Cox family, Chris, Victoria, Charis, Ilana, and Tova, who are missionaries in Cambodia, and were home in the states visiting.  Their girls and our boys hadn't seen each other in 2 years, and seemed to pick up right where they left off having a great time together!

The last week of school before Christmas break was filled with fun class parties for Caleb and Ethan.  Mama Brisken got to attend both parties along with Mommy and Mama Bailey got to attend Caleb's party.  They boys were happy to have us there to help them celebrate in their classrooms!

We snapped a few Christmas pictures for our Christmas yearly website and cards.  You can view our whole greeting at www.freewebs.com/brisken

 The boys came up with putting McDonald's Happy Meal boxes on their heads as hats/masks and it was the only picture that they were both really smiling in simultaneously, so we had to use it!  :-)

The first part of Christmas break has been fun at home for the boys.  They've enjoyed unlimited play time together, watching movies, playing with toys, playing outside, decorating cut-out cookies with Mama Bailey, and playing Star Wars Monopoly with Daddy, among many other things.

2010 Christmas Yearly Update

Merry Christmas 2010!

Dear Family and Friends,

2010 has been a busy and exciting year for our family!  Here are a few updates:

Ethan turned 6 years old on Feb. 3rd and celebrated with a Transformers and Monkey Joes Birthday Party with friends.  He learned so much in kindergarten, including how to read all on his own!  He started 1st grade in August and continues to do well in all subjects, including math fast facts.  He even received all A's on his first graded report card of the year, we are so proud!  Ethan enjoys riding his scooter and playing with friends outside on a daily basis.  He also still loves singing in the 1st grade choir at church every Wednesday night.  Playing Upward Soccer for a 3rd year in a row was a highlight of his year.  His hobbies also include Star Wars, Super Hero Squad, Transformers, Dinosaurs, Dragons, Cars, and many more! 

Caleb turned 4 years old on Aug. 30th and celebrated with a backyard water Birthday Party with friends.  After finishing the first half of the year learning preschool concepts from mommy at home, he started the public 4K program at the same elementary school as Ethan in August.  The socialization with the other kids has been a great growing experience for him, and he is doing very well learning his letters and numbers.  At the beginning of November, Caleb made the special decision to ask Jesus into his heart, and we are rejoicing with him as he learns more and more about what it means to be a Christian.  Caleb also enjoys riding his scooter with his brother and friends outside daily.  Caleb loves music and dancing and playing soccer at home in the backyard.  His hobbies also include coloring and art projects, as well as playing Star Wars, Super Hero Squad, Transformers, Dinosaurs, Dragons, and Cars with his brother! 

Our family enjoyed several trips throughout the year.  We visited Pigeon Forge, TN in February for a long weekend in the mountains with Scott's parents, as well as a week long trip in May to Litchfield Beach, SC.  We also visited with Jill's parents and sisters and families in Williamsburg, VA over the 4th of July weekend and Thanksgiving Holidays.  Jill and the boys were also able to visit Jill's Grandma Watson in Ohio during the summer.

Scott and Jill had their 10th Wedding Anniversary in July, and celebrated with a weekend trip to Charleston, SC in September.  Our biggest surprise present this year was learning that we are expecting our 3rd child, due February 7th, 2011, and we found out it's going to be a girl!  Ethan and Caleb are so excited about becoming big brothers to a baby sister!

As we finish out the year and look forward to 2011, we are thankful for all the blessings that the Lord continues to provide for our family.  We are celebrating at this time of the year and always, the birth of the One who is our personal Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

With Love,

The Brisken Family

Scott, Jill, Ethan, Caleb, & Baby Sister (due Feb. 7th, 2011)