Brock's Blessing Day

We had Brock's blessing on Sunday, December 28, 2008. Almost all of my family was in town for Christmas, so they were all able to participate in the blessing. In the circle were Peter, Grandpa Kovacs, Jeremy, Rob, David, Dusty, and our friend Marty. Peter did a great job and gave Brock a beautiful blessing. Brock wore the same outfit that his brothers have worn in the past-a white one piece outfit with a sweater over the top of it. We also used a white afghan crocheted by my Grandma Kerby.

Brock's first name was chosen by Peter. His middle name is William, after Peter's grandpa, Carl William "Bill" Johnson. Brock's due date was Grandpa Johnson's birthday, but Grandpa died earlier in the year, shortly after we found out we were pregnant. Peter was close to his grandpa, who was a great man. We hope Brock will feel close to him and try to emulate his example throughout his life.


Our family on Brock's blessing day-Bryan, Peter, and Tyler in the back; Allyson, Brock, and Luke in front.

Tyler's Piano Recital

Tyler has been taking piano lessons for almost three years now. He started in February 2006 when we moved and were living with my parents. My mom taught him until June, when we moved into our own house. We didn't have a piano, so he took a little break for six months until we got a piano for Christmas. I taught him (really, he taught himself-I just supervised) for the next year until I felt like he was past what I could teach. So he started taking from Jessica a year ago. On December 6, she had a recital for all her students. Tyler played "Let It Snow" and "Dark Eyes." He was her most experienced student and did a great job playing his songs. I have video, but can't figure out how to get it onto my computer and post it. If I figure it out I'll post a song.

Brock's Photo Shoot

As I mentioned before, my sister Mary Anne is an amazing photographer! She did a great job shooting Brock, even though he was less than cooperative. He just wouldn't stay asleep when we needed him to, so he was wiggly and wouldn't stay still. None the less, she still got some great shots. Here are some of my favorites (although I'm still having a hard time narrowing it down):

Thanksgiving in Utah, part 2

On Thursday, we ate Thanksgiving dinner with Peter's dad and sister, Cari. That night we went to his Uncle Ken's house and had pie with his Aunt Jane and several cousins from the Christensen side.

Grandpa Ole, Brock, and Peter

Brock and Kendall

On Friday, we ate Thanksgiving dinner with Peter's mom and his siblings. This year we had it at the church so that we could have lots of room to eat, play games, and watch movies.

The cousins playing Turkey Bingo

Grandma Carol loves to give the grandkids baths. She gave Brock his first bath in the big tub.

Tyler, Grandma Carol holding Brock, Bryan, Grandpa Wes, Luke

We had a great time in Utah visiting everyone! Luke was a little disappointed there wasn't any snow to play in, but he love spending time with his cousin, Jason. Tyler and Bryan were sad that their visit with cousin Nathan was shorter than they wanted. We wish we could have stayed another week!

Thanksgiving in Utah

We decided that since we were feeling pretty good, we would go ahead a take the trip to Utah for Thanksgiving. After all, Brock is young enough that he sleeps most of the time, anyway. We left our house at 4:30 am Saturday, November 22, so that we could make it to Peter's Dad's house in time to watch the BYU vs. Utah football game. Unfortunately, the Cougars couldn't pull off a win 3 years in a row.

On Tuesday, Nov. 25, we went down to Provo. Peter took Tyler and Bryan to hike the Y.

Future Cougars

Bryan wasn't sure he would make it to the top, but he did!

While Peter and the older boys were hiking, I was visiting with my sisters, Mary Anne and Kirsten. This was one of my selfish reasons for wanting to come to Utah for Thanksgiving. I wanted to see my sisters and the new nieces that had been recently born (Sadie to my sister Mary Anne and Kendall to Peter's sister Cari), and Sadie was being blessed the Friday after Thanksgiving. In my family, each of the seven children will have had a baby within a year and three months of each other. Family reunions with all those cousins will be tons of fun! Another reason for wanting to go to Utah is that Mary Anne is a great photographer. She usually does weddings and families, but reluctantly agreed to do a baby photo shoot of Brock for me. As you will see in a future post, she did a FABULOUS job!

Me with Brock, Kirsten with Trevor, Mary Anne with Sadie

Tyler's birthday
After we got back from Provo, we celebrated Tyler's 11th birthday. Here's everyone gathered around the table waiting for Tyler to blow out the candles.

Bryan, Tyler, Luke, Grandma Carol holding Brock, and Jason sitting around the table.

Unfortunately I didn't have much time, so Tyler just got a good old funfetti cake. Tyler wanted a Miami Dolphins cake, because he's a fan of John Beck (the former BYU quarterback who doesn't play this year), but I just couldn't get it done. Sorry!


Tyler got a David Cook CD from Grandma Carol and Grandpa Wes. He also got new cleats from Grandpa Ole, money from the Andersons and Carters, and money from Grandpa and Grandma Kovacs which he used to buy a 6 month membership to Club Penguin. Thanks everyone for your generosity!

More of our week of Thanksgiving in Utah to come.

Luke's T-ball Team

Luke played t-ball for the first time this year. The season went from the end of September until the end of November. When we asked him if he wanted to play, he was so excited and couldn't wait for the season to start. Of course, he told us, "Daddy will be my coach." Peter has coached Tyler's teams in the past, so Luke figured that's just the way it is. Their team was yellow, so they chose to be the Stingers. Luke had a great time playing, and I think Peter even may have enjoyed coaching a bunch of 3 and 4 year-olds.

Getting ready to bat

Ready position

"Throw it here!"

Luke and Trey, his buddy

First Suns Game

When our friends Shelly and Kent called and invited us to the Suns vs. Lakers game on November 20, how could we pass it up?! Of course, Brock was only 2 weeks old, but we got a babysitter for the other boys and took him with us. We got him dressed in his best basketball outfit and headed to the US Airways Center. It was an exciting game with great seats (5 rows up from the floor behind the Suns' bench), but as you can tell from the picture, Brock was less than impressed (big yawn). He slept the whole time, except when I woke him up to eat. The noise didn't bother him a bit, although I tried to keep his ears covered as best as possible. Thank you Shelly and Kent for a fun night out (even though the Lakers won)! It was awesome!