Jingle Bells.....

Merry Christmas Everyone!! We had a great week together. I am on my break from school so it was so nice to be home everyday with Tyler. Tom worked Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday (half a day) so we spent lots of family time. Tom is off this week too so we'll be able to go do things together that we don't normally have time to do! We plan to go to the beach at least once or twice. It's been really rainy here lately so we'll have to watch the weather.

We had a nice Christmas here, just the 3 of us. I made a big dinner for us all to enjoy! We sure can't wait to celebrate all the holidays with our families again! :) Tyler got lots of nice gifts and was sure excited this year about everything!

Friday night at about 7pm our power went out. We thought it was just the base power but the WHOLE island lost power. We were without power until 5:30am the next morning. We didn't have anything to do so all of our neighbors hung out together and let the kids play by flashlight. They had lots of fun, stayed up late and ate goodies!

Today we watched the Vikings game (YES!!! We won!!!) and hung out at home! Tyler and I are trying to get rid of colds right now. Tyler had croup and was on steroids last week. He still has a cough but it's getting much better!!!

We wish you all a Happy New Year!!!
The Brouses

Merry Christmas!!

Merry Christmas!! As you can see, Tyler made it to see Santa. Although he didn't like it very much. We took him yesterday. He watched the other kids go before him and seemed fine but as soon as it was his turn, his face changed. He sat for about 10 seconds with the expression you see above and then the tears started. Tom and I tried to sit next to Santa with him thinking it would make him feel better but it didn't work. We're lucky to have gotten this picture!!

Today Tyler and I made lots of Christmas goodies. We made almond bark pretzels, cut out cookies with frosting and peanut butter cookies with kisses! Tyler loves to help me in the kitchen. Tom watched the Vikings....which didn't turn out the best!!

I'm off for the next 3 weeks for Christmas break so I'm VERY happy about that! Tyler and I will be hanging out together and having fun! Then Tom gets the week of New Years off. Then we can all hang out together!

We hope you all have a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

The Brouses

Cookie Making

We've had a very rainy dreary week here in Hawaii. It's been raining like crazy and people here have even had up to 4-6 feet of water in their homes, especially on the North Shore. Tyler had to play indoors most of the week and that's not normal.

Yesterday I went to a baby shower for a friend I worked with at another school. We also got to check out the model home for the homes we are going to move into this coming April. Of course, it's twice as big and brand new so we LOVED it!!!!

Today Tyler and I made cookies and we all watched the Vikings win!!

We hope to have more pictures and news next week!!!
Take Care~The Brouses

It's been a long time!

As you see...Tyler was ready for the game today. When he got up and got dressed he asked "I wanna wear football shirt like daddy's". He loves to wear his Vikings shirt! We just bought the Santa hat...he loves it!

Since it's been awhile since I've posted anything I'll have to go back a little. Last month we went to a craft show here on base and Tyler got to ride on 2 horses. He rode on minature pony and a big horse. He just loved it and still talks about riding the horses when we pass the area where the craft fair was held.

On Thanksgiving, all our neighbors got together. We have 4 families next to us and we decided to have a potluck. We gathered in our backyard and had a feast!! It was really a great day. We rented a bouncy house for the 3 kids and they played and jumped all day long!

This week has been super busy for me at school. My kids and I went on a field trip to the Honolulu Zoo. The kids and I had a fun day scoping out all the animals and walking around.

This weekend has been pretty busy too. I spent most of the day yesterday wrapping and boxing up things we needed to send to our family. I got it all done so...YAY!! Today I spent the day correcting papers and getting ready for the week at school. We only have 2 weeks until my 3 week Christmas break so I can't wait for that. I don't know who's awaiting the break more... my students or me?! :)

I hope everyone is doing well!! We love and miss you all!
The Brouses

Potty Trained!

Tyler is almost all the way potty trained! He has really done so great the past few weeks. We have been working with him for quite awhile but it's just lately it seems that he has really taken to it himself. He hasn't had any accidents for almost 2 weeks. So I think he's got it!! YAY Tyler!!! He just turned 2 in August so we are very happy and grateful it worked so early for him! He still wears a diaper during naps and night but he usually isn't wet after nap. I guess nighttime takes awhile.

Tom is still in Japan. He comes home on Saturday morning. We just can't wait for him to come home. Tyler misses him so much (so do I). When Tyler gets tired he wants daddy! He always asks me to call him on the phone but this trip we can't just call him whenever we want. Tom has been able to call us everyday but with the time difference it's harder to work it out.

Tyler and I didn't do much this weekend. Just hung out together. We cleaned up in the backyard and Tyler played with bubbles!

Well, hope everyone is staying warm back in the states!! I miss it so much!!

Love, The Brouses