Bradley's Duck Hunting Trip

Who wants to get up at 2:30 am to go duck hunting on a cold December morning? These 3 guys do. Tyrus, Chad and Bradley went hunting the day before we went to Texas for Christmas.

Bradley hunting.

Bradley with the ducks they all got.

Tyrus' dog, Leroy.

Chad, Bradley and Tyrus. Is this before or after Tyrus fell in the water...:) Must be before...he looks dry.

I think this is Chad. :)

Merry Christmas!

Angy helped Santa put out presents for the boys on Christmas Eve.

John and Bradley put together Charlie's new Diego bike.

Charlie LOVED his bike that Santa brought him. He didn't want to open any other presents after he saw this.

Charlie's showing off his new Diego helmet, elbow pads and knee pads. He wore them all morning.

Bradley received a new camo jacket to wear on cold mornings that he goes hunting.

Jake helped pass out presents to everyone at my parents house.

Charlie is waiting patiently while I take a toy out of a package.

Mom is giving Grandma a gift to open.

Christmas at the Tomlinson house.

Hanging out in TX

We LOVED spending time with our nephews Charlie and Jake this past week. Since we've seen them last they've both grown up SO much. Charlie can sing his ABC's and Jake has started school and lost 4 teeth!! We miss you boys!!


Bradley and I went to Cabela's one day while in Fort Worth. We love to go to the Bargain Cave there to see what kind of "deals" there are. Well, we found this amazingly huge 6 person dome tent. Since it was in the clearance, we wanted to make sure that we had all of the parts we were supposed to so that night we "conned" my parents into helping us set up the new tent in their enclosed back patio. :) We had a great time!

Bradley's reading the instructions to make sure that we are setting it up correctly.

Finished product...we love it! And the inside height is over 6 feet tall...which will be wonderful to be able to stand up inside the tent!

Charlie loves his Uncle Bradley! The last evening that we were in Fort Worth, Charlie told Bradley that his "face was awfully hairy". We all CRACKED up...where in the world does a 2 year old learn how to correctly use the word "awfully"?? So cute.

John and Angy

Why we celebrate

This year, Bradley and I will not be at home for Christmas...we'll be in Texas with our family. So, we decided last night to go ahead and exhange our gifts from each other (plus a few that our family had sent to us here at the house). One thing that we absolutely want to be reminded of throughout the Christmas season is why we celebrate Christmas and exchange gifts...especially now that we are starting a family.

Bradley and I celebrate Christmas because it is a time that we remember the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Jesus is God that came to earth as a man. He lived a sinless life and as a young adult took the punishment of death for all mankind. Man is sinful and is seperated from God and because of that we could never have an intimate relationship with God without Jesus's payment for our sins. When Jesus died, he took the sins of all people. The miraculous part of the story is that Jesus did not stay dead. He rose from the dead, conquering death and sin for us all. Now, in order for a person to have a relationship with God, all we must do is acknowledge that we are sinful, that Jesus paid our debt and accept his perfect Gift that He gave us. Both Bradley and I have this relationship with God and enjoy a relationship with Him. We want all people to know about this and throughout our lives will be sure to keep Jesus in the forefront of our family's minds so that our children will know why we really celebrate Christmas...the birth day of our Lord.


Papa (our cat) was interested in what we were doing.


Bradley's about to open one of his gifts.


Thanks Angy and John for the baby food "cook" book! I can't wait to look through it.


Bradley loves his "fishing" cart that my parents got him. He can load up all of his fishing gear on this cart and take it to the beach with him. That way he doesn't have to make a dozen trips to the truck for all of his stuff! Thanks Mom and Dad!


I LOVE my new food processor! Hopefully I'll be using it lots!!

15 weeks to go...

Well, I'm at the point now where I've decided to count down instead of continuing to count up. Our baby is definitely moving around tons now and I've begun to notice patterns of his/her movements. Most noticebly...it moves a lot in the mornings and after I eat. I think it's going to take after it's dad...ha ha ha...