Saturday, December 19, 2009

And we're off


To Fairbanks for Christmas. I'll "see" ya there!

Friday, December 18, 2009

YAHOO

Its the LAST day of school before CHRISTMAS BREAK!
(Not that I'm excited or anything!)

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Reading Buddies



Recently Jonathan has taken a great interest in reading with and to his brother. He will often get books out for them to read together and then direct Jason to his bed, the couch, or a chair so they can read together. Jonathan will tell Jason all about the book using the pictures to retell the story. It's such a cool thing to see them both enjoying books!

Monday, December 14, 2009

Yahoo!

IT'S THE LAST WEEK
OF SCHOOL BEFORE

CHRISTMAS BREAK!

I'm so ready for a break. This semester has been great. I've had a great group of kids and I've learned a lot about teaching and about myself.

BUT...

I'm ready for VACATION!

And I know my mom is ready too! 5 DAYS!

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Happy Birthday AG



LOVE YOU!
SEE YOU SOON!

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Cold

It's cold here. And it's windy here which makes the cold worse! I have lots of things to write about but I we also have a leak under our house so that's been consuming my time and mind. I promise more tomorrow!

Last week we were out shopping at Lloyd Center in Portland. Jonathan got tired of shopping so he found a place to watch the ice skaters from. He loved watching them skate and spin.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Monday, December 7, 2009

Bowling

Last Christmas Dan received a gift certificate to our local bowling lanes as a gift from a student. The certificate expired one year from the date of issue. I figured we'd have no problem going bowling sometime during the year. Well apparently I was wrong because the expiration date was coming up and we hadn't gone yet. So Dan asked one of his students to babysit and we went out bowling.

Dan and I don't get out very often just the two of us. If we do go out we usually go to dinner and then come home. It was so much fun to actually go out and do something together.

Getting ready to bowl. I hadn't bowled in so long that my arm was getting tired after the 1st game. But I was having too much fun to quit!
My handsome husband. I forget how much fun it is to just hang out together when we rarely get to do so!
Awesome fried zucchini! That is probably my favorite appetizer ever. If its on the menu you can bet I'm getting it!
Pouting after a very bad shot. I did ok. Beat Dan one game but I really just bowl for fun.
Dan was pretty frustrated with how badly he was doing. He's usually a pretty good bowler but I think it had just been too long since he'd bowled. He still had fun though.After 2 hours of bowling we were tired and ready to head home. It was a fun night and a good reminder of why its fun to get out with my husband. I definitely want to do it again sooner rather than later!

Friday, December 4, 2009

It's Friday!

Is it just me or has this week just seemed to drag on? I guess maybe that's the way the week after a long weekend goes. One thing is for sure, I'm ready for Christmas vacation.

This week has been good. I planned and taught the whole week. It went really well. There was more that I wanted to do than I had time for but oh well. We have a student who is moving away today so that's a little sad.

HAPPY FRIDAY!



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Future Blogger

Jason has this rather annoying interest in my computer. He likes to run away with my mouse, bang on the keys, and push the power button. He has accidentally updated my Facebook status and created new bookmarks. He apparently has also taken an interest in blogging. Perhaps I'll let him write my next guest post!

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Swimming

1st of all let me apologize for the lack of posts over the Thanksgiving weekend. We went to my in-laws for the weekend. I knew my access would be limited so I uploaded several posts worth of pictures figuring I would at least have time to get on and write the text for the posts. Turns out I was wrong, I had no access all weekend.

This summer Jonathan made several outings to the pool or water park. He really enjoyed being in the water and splashing around but was scared to do much more than splash around. We decided that it was time for him to take some swimming lessons. So every Saturday this fall Jonathan has gone swimming. He has loved taking swimming lessons and we will be continuing them in the spring.

He has learned to put his ears in the water and dunk his head, which has made bath time MUCH easier. He also learned to float on his back with some help from his teacher and hold on to a floating bar and kick. I think his favorite thing he learned to do was blow bubbles in the water.
Here he is floating on his back. His teacher said by the end of the session of lessons she wasn't even holding onto him. He thought he was but she wasn't. I'm really excited that he is gaining confidence in the water.


Jumping in!

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgivivg to everyone. I hope you all have a fantastic time with friends and family!

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

A Giving Heart

Today's post was written by a guest blogger, my husband Dan. I was busy baking last night so I asked him to put this post together. I think he did a fantastic job and I know y'all will enjoy it!

One of the hardest things as a parent is to get your kid's attention off of what they want, what they have, what they need and focus on OTHERS. Obviously, having a little brother requires a little sacrifice every now and again, but we try to really push the point across when we can. Christmas provides an awesome opportunity to find others with greater needs than we have.

For the last couple of years, we have selected from a child from the Sharing Tree at the mall, pick out a gift for that child. This year, we decided to go a different route and fill a box for Operation Christmas Child. Through this program, needy children around the world get to receive a gift for Christmas, and hear the story of Christ and how He gave the ultimate gift for them. With Jonathan being 4, we thought it would be great if the gift was from him to another 2-4 year old boy.

We made a special trip to Wal-Mart just so we could pick out these items. We had a basic list of needs and general gifts to give to the little boy, but it was somewhat open in what we actually could get. We got a box of crayons, some coloring and sticker books, some simple toiletries, and a couple other small toys. The hardest thing for Jonathan was simply remembering that what we were getting was not for him.

The one thing we couldn't find at our Wal-Mart was a small stuffed animal. Since Jonathan has a closet full he never plays withe we decided to choose an animal that he had no particular attachment to and give it away. When we got home, we went into Jonathan's closet to pick out a small stuffed animal to give in the box as well. This did not go over well with Jonathan, as we picked out HIS kitten. Even though he had no special attachment to this particular stuffed animal, he was very unwilling to let go, because it was HIS. We finally convinced him that the little boy we were sending it to would love it even more.

We didn't actually put the box together until Saturday.

He started by filling out a form that had information about him and what he likes.
Then he packed the box with all the things we had purchased. When he got to the kitty, he prayed over it, praying that the kitty would bring the boy who receives it a lot of happiness and comfort.
Then he finished putting that last few things in there. We packed that box pretty full!
That right there is one proud little boy. (He, however, did not do the wrapping... That was done by my wife.)
And here is our little giver with the sticker he got for giving a box. Hopefully, the child who receives that box will be blessed. For Jonathan, we are hoping that he will continually remember how special it is, and what a blessing it is, to be the one able to give.

Monday, November 23, 2009

Christmas Decorating

Christmas is a season that is rich with family traditions. My family had a lot of traditions that we carried on as I grew up. I'd go into greater detail but I already know this is going to be a long post and I don't want to make it longer.

One of the traditions that I clearly remember, partly because if I'm home to decorate the tree we still abide by it, was that I always got to put the first decoration on the tree. For the last two years this has been Jonathan's job, and since Jason isn't old enough to care yet, it was his job again this year. Of course there was always a picture to go along with the placing of the first decoration. Perhaps when I'm home I'll dig up some pictures of me over the years.
Here is Jonathan placing the first decoration on the 2009 Brough Family Christmas Tree. This year's choice for first decoration was a Lightning McQueen.

We gave Jason a bear decoration to hang on the tree. I wanted to let him try on his own before we helped him out.
He didn't really understand quite what to do with the decoration. I don't think he quite has the motor skills to hold the decoration by the string and get it onto the tree. But fear not, his overly helpful older brother was more than willing to help.
And between the two of them they got the job done!

As I was hanging decorations on the tree last night I thought it might be fun to showcase some of the decorations that have special meaning to our family. I quickly realized that I could probably take a picture and share a story for almost every decoration on the tree. Since I didn't want to write that much, and I'm certain you don't want to read that much, I chose some of the most meaningful, or ones with unique stories, to share.

If you know anything about me you should know the significance of a University of Idaho decoration. Dan and I both got our degrees from the University of Idaho. It's also where we met. We are Vandal faithful and I was so excited to find this decoration in the bookstore last year.

This little giraffe came from Lenox and commemorates Jonathan's 1st Christmas in 2005. We also have one for Jason but I do believe that one is in Fairbanks. Sooner or later Jason's decoration will join Jonathan's on our tree.

This bear is named Chaucer. I found him last Christmas at a bookstore. He also has a story book that goes with him. It is a really cute story about the little bear's first winter. Perfect for our little bear who was celebrating his first winter.

This moose is part of a series from Lenox. Growing up in Alaska I saw a lot of moose. The first decoration I got came with a card that said something about making sure to lock my doors. Yes, there is a story behind that. One very early, dark Alaska morning my mom was driving me to jazz band before school. We backed out of our garage and started off when we noticed a moose in the driveway. I was a little tired and not thinking clearly so when I saw the moose I locked the doors. Not sure what good I thought it was going to do but its been a family joke ever since.

My granddaddy loved Snoppy and he passed his love of Snoppy on to me. This is just one of several decorations of Snoppy and the gang that grace our Christmas tree. They are a reminder of my granddaddy. Someplace I have a cow beanie baby that reminds me of my grandmother but that's another story for another time!

My husband LOVES Star Wars. Enough said! (And after previewing my blog my husband wanted to make sure I added that this is a member of the 501st legion. Whatever!)

Paddington is here representing a whole collection of decorations that were given to me by my Great Great Aunt Lucy. I don't remember her, in fact I'm not sure I ever met her, (mom if you are reading help me out here!) but I heard so many stories about her and her adventures that I feel like I know her at least a little bit. Paddington was also a big part of my childhood. I had a Paddington bear and his Aunt Lucy in stuffed animal form. We also read the stories frequently while I was growing up. My very favorite Paddington story is Paddington and the Knickerbocker Rainbow.

And so that brings us to the owl. Before I was born my mom and dad spent sometime living in Guatemala and this little owl is souvenir of that period in their lives. They come in three colors: red, green, and yellow. I'm not sure how many the brought back but I know they had some and they gave some to each of my grandparents as gifts.

And so that concludes your tour of my Christmas tree. Mom if you are out there reading and have anything to add to the stories I've told please do so!

Saturday, November 21, 2009

I've Been Tagged

My blogging friend Kristen tagged me as a Theta Mom. A Theta Mom is a True Authentic mom. Thank you Kristen, I am humbled. And I am now charged with writing about 5 things that make me a True Authentic Mom. Alright lets do this!

1) The contents of my purse always includes both and EpiPen and a diaper. Sadly wipes are optional, besides you can always use wet toilet paper in a pinch. I also almost always have a pacifier, although it never seems to be there when I really need it.

2) I have walked through church, the mall, the airport, and may other public places with spit-up pooling on my shoulder or running down my back. I've also had to change my pants as I was leaving because someone spit-up in a very inconvenient place!

3) I have more apps on my iPhone to entertain my kids than to entertain myself.

4) The pharmacist at Safeway knows my name.

5) Conversations around my house include everything from cars to bodily functions.

Now I tag Kristin, Renee, Erin, April, and Jamie. I can't wait to read what you ladies have to share!

Jason's Message


He just wanted to say "Hi."

Friday, November 20, 2009

Green Bean

Yesterday was Thanksgiving dress-up at the boy's daycare. Of all the dress-up days they have at the daycare this is one of the most difficult. How exactly do you dress up for Thanksgiving? In the past Jonathan has dressed up as a Pilgrim but he just didn't have anything that fit the bill this year.

This morning Dan picked out clothes for him. Jonathan was appalled that the clothes did not fit the dress-up day theme. Dan told him that he just didn't have anything he could wear for Thanksgiving day. Jonathan said, "But Dad I want to be a green bean so I just need to dress in all green!" I have no idea where this idea came from but Dan ran with it and picked out a green shirt and a pair of green Carhartt pants (thanks AG!) And so here is our creative little Green Bean!
I was so impressed with his creativity. I never would have thought of being a green bean. I wonder what he will come up with next!

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Brothers... Oh I think so!

Any guesses who this is?

This picture of Jonathan was taken in March of 2006 when he was 8 months old. I love the similarities between his expression and the expression Jason had in yesterdays post. They are most definitely brothers. While their little personalities are VERY different they both have this happy little boy energy that I think this picture captures very well.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

What we've been up to

So it's been a few days (or maybe a few months) since I've blogged so y'all are a little behind on what is going on in the Brough Family Life. I think I shall do a full update in bullet point form.
  • I started my student teaching in September. I have to do a full year of student teaching and I am fortunate enough that the teacher I'm with this fall wanted me for the full year so I don't have to get a new placement for the spring. I'm in the 6th grade at Russell Elementary School in Moscow, Idaho and I could not be happier. I've got a great team that I get to work with every day and I'm learning a lot from them. I also have a great group of students. I also got to go to the McCall Outdoor Science School for a week in October. That was an experience! One week basically on 24 hours a day, lots of hiking, and a few embarrassing moments. It was beautiful there and I would totally do it again!
  • Dan started his 4th year of teaching at Pullman Christian School. This year they changed the format of the school so his home room class is now 6th-8th grade instead of 7th-8th as it was for the last two year. He's also still teaching Algebra I and computer class. He also had the opportunity to coach soccer this year. He loved coaching and the relationship that it builds with the students, and he learned a little about soccer too. I loved watching the team play and was sad when the season ended, although very glad to have my husband back! They finished 5th in league for the regular season.
  • Jason is now almost 19 months old. He is a wonderfully sweet little boy. His vocabulary has really taken off recently and he is always saying new words or phrases. His latest is "lunch box". He is full of joy and always makes us smile and laugh. He is showing some hints at the "terrible twos" but hopefully that's far as it goes. Hey, I can dream right!
  • Jonathan is in preschool and continues to blow us away with all that he knows. He loves to learn. He is full of energy and definitely keeps us on our toes. He loves books and can read some sight words but isn't "reading" yet. He as already shown hints of his daddy's gifting with numbers and rhythms.
As of right now that's all I can think of right now so I'll end this with a recent picture of our two boys. I think this picture pretty well captures the boys personalities, Jonathan hamming it up for the camera and Jason too busy and on the go to be bothered with taking a picture.

Monday, November 16, 2009

Hi

Remember me? I'll give you a second to think about it.
I'm Jason and my mom has really been neglecting her blog. And while she's been neglecting her blog I've been growing, a lot!

Seriously I've totally dropped the ball. Thank you Kristin and Lisa for a little push to start blogging again. I will get back in the swing of things. I PROMISE!

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Not Wordless Wednesday - Jonathan's Song



10 Little Monkeys

10 little monkeys swinging in a tree,
Teasing Mr. Alligator, "you can't catch me, you can't catch me!"
Along comes Mr. Alligator, quiet as can be
And he SNAPS that monkey right out of that tree!

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Wordless Wednesday - Comparison

August 30, 2008

September 20, 2009

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Happy Birthday!

Happy 27th Birthday to a wonderful husband and father!

Friday, September 18, 2009

Off

We are headed out of town today. Sunday is Dan's birthday and we are going to Portland to celebrate with his family. His mom also scored free Mariner's tickets from her work so Dan and I and his parents will be going to the game on Saturday night. So if you live in the PNW and have Fox Sports Northwest watch the game you might see us. HA! The boys are staying home with Aunt Sarah so we will get some adult time in Seattle. I'm super excited!

Friday, September 11, 2009

Slacking

I'm slacking again. I promise I'll sit down and post some this weekend. I really do miss y'all!

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Riddin' the Tractor

My parents have a John Deere lawn mower. Now living in farm country Jonathan knows a John Deere when he sees one so the moment he laid eyes on my parents lawn mower he was memorized. Several times while we were there my dad took Jonathan on a ride around the yard on the lawn mower. He even let Jonathan steer, which almost gave me a heart attack. Both boys enjoyed sitting on the lawn mower while it was parked. They made car noises and of course wore the protective ear phones.Have you ever seen a cuter lawn mower driver?
Oh wait here's one!
Whatever will we do with such handsome lawn care workers?

Thursday, September 3, 2009

My Bathroom

One of the reasons we bought the house we did was because of the bathroom. We looked at another house that had a walk-in closet but the bathroom was smaller. We decided that it was much more important to have a large and comfortable bathroom than a large closet. After all my clothes aren't going to complain if they are squished but my husband will complain when we bump elbows while he's shaving.

We have always planned on painting the bathroom but have never found a color that we really liked with the towels and shower curtain that we had. For the last year or so our towels have been slowly falling apart. Finally this past Saturday, while we had company visiting, I'd had enough and we headed off to find new towels, rugs and a shower curtain. And we can't just have one thing going on in our house so while my friend and I hung out, played with the kids, and made dinner, Dan painted our bathroom. I LOVE IT!The colors compliment each other so well and it is so absolutely calming. The color is soothing in the evening but doesn't seem dark when we are getting ready in the morning. The blue towels are my new favorite color. And oh my gosh are they soft. The rugs are super soft and feel amazing on my feet. The aren't non-slip so we need to get some carpet sticky stuff to hold them in place but for now we just walk carefully.
We also got brown towels to use when the blue ones are dirty. You can kind of see them up in the right hand corner of the picture above.

And we decided to purchase this cute toothbrush holder that matches the towels we got. Before we had our toothbrushes in a cup that I got when I moved into the dorms 8 years ago. It won't come clean anymore and just looked disgusting, this is so much better.

I LOVE my new bathroom! And I love my husband for being willing to paint our bathroom on a whim!