Christmas

First off, we found out a week before Christmas that we are having a BOY!

We have had a super fun month of Christmas festivities. We enjoyed cuddling up and looking at Christmas lights, listening to Christmas music, watching Rudolph and Frosty the Snowman, seeing Tustin's Santa Claus come down our street on a float, making cookies. attempting caramel apples, watching the Boat Parade in Newport at a party and attending my school's Jr. high Christmas performance.

Our Christmas began by Brandon and I getting Bailey out of bed with the video camera and pumping her up for Christmas. She has gotten use to this word "Christmas" and something about a baby named Jesus, lights, scary Santa, Rudolph, and the presents that must wait for this special day. So, finally the day came and she was thrilled. We enjoyed our slow cozy morning with an excited toddler who finally got to open presents.

Christmas dress. Yes, those are shimmery tights and shoes with a tool skirt- you can only pull that off for a few very young years of your life.

We went to my parent's house for a late breakfast and more presents! My mom made a fantastic baked french toast and egg dish and Brie brought over for the 2nd year in a row her families wonderful homemade Tamales! It was quite a feast and held us over until dinner.

Caden excited to open presents.

One of her favorite presents that she has been taking every where with her.

Papa and Nanna's winter mittens.

After a nice morning with the Bair's we went home for Bailey's nap and Brandon and I played with our new toys.

That evening we went to L.A. to visit with Brandon's family. We enjoyed a relaxing evening of more yummy food and a fun game of Apple's to Apple's. Bailey and Tank played together the whole time and were talking to each other in a language no one else understood.

Bailey and Tank opening presents.

Bailey and Uncle Kenny cuddling.

Jenni's 30!

Jenni turned 30 years old on December 8th and we had a week long celebration. We started off by going to 2nd street in Long Beach to eat at La Creperie which is a fun French Crepe restaurant that serves delicious food while listening to Jazz music.

The next day we went to my parent's house for a family celebration with one of Mom's (Nanna's) wonderful home-cooked meals with Peach Cobbler for dessert.

Friday, we went to Pinapple Grill for kereoke! All of Jenni's friends showed up and it was a super fun turn out with great entertainment.

Happy 30th Jenni!

Seasonal Highlights

Playing in the rain.

Fall leaves.

Cute beanies.

Ready for anything with a dog on her back and a dog in her purse.

First Hair Cut

Bailey got her first hair cut a few weeks ago. She definitely has an advantage of receiving hair cuts from her Aunt, in her living room, watching the boys play guitar hero. Bailey didn't even seem to notice Jenni cutting her hair.

Even and beautiful.

Christmas Tree

Saturday we went out to the woods of Home Depot and picked out a Christmas tree. Bailey analyzed everyone grabbing trees and carrying them or dragging them out to their cars; so she ran over and started looking at the smallest trees, grabbed one, and began dragging it through the lot. It was so funny because she was completely confident and acted like she does this every year. We bought the little Bailey sized tree; for how could we have wanted any other one?

We went home, put on our sweats, played Christmas music, and decorated our little 3 1/2' tree. Doesn't get much better that this.

she knows just what to do.

Strung popcorn

One can hardly see our tiny tree,

but we love it all the same.

Christmas Banquet

Brandon and I attended his company's annual Christmas party on Friday night at the Petroleum Club in Long Beach. It is a formal event with a nice dinner, drinks, a wheel that the employees get to win money from, and dancing. We enjoyed some fun company, non-alcoholic wine for me (which was interesting) and enjoyed gettin' our groove on.

Too Much Work

Poor Brandon has been working very long hours at work. Working on a rig is a lot of hard labor as it is but working 13 hours days 6 days a week will definitely take an extra toll on him. Bailey and I have been sad for the lack of him but he is always intentional with his time at home. We hope these hours won't last much longer!

Here is a picture my dad took of him at work.

Note: check out how much smaller Brandon is than the guy next to him!

Brandon worked grave-yard shifts all last week and so he came home at 8am. He often collapsed on the floor and played with Bailey while I made breakfast. However, the other day he fell asleep on the floor and Bailey was very considerate and took good care of her sleepy daddy.

Coming this June

I just realized with the lack of my posting this last month I have not announced that in early June Baby #2 will be born! I survived my first trimester sickness and tiredness and am enjoying food and energy again!

We explained to Bailey that there is a baby in mommies tummy and she gets really excited to lift my shirt and kiss my belly and she talks to my belly button. She then will say "out, out" and hold her hands out so she can hold it. She's really sweet and loves babies and dolls so I think she will be thrilled for a little brother or sister. The other day and she sat next to me with a book for me to read to her. Then she lifted my shirt a little and turned the book motioning that she wanted me to read to her and the baby. It cracked me up and broke my heart with how sweet and thoughtful she is.

We are looking forward to our new addition!

Thanksgiving

I think we are still full from thanksgiving

and all the yummy leftovers. We had a wonderful family family day cooking and then went to my parent's house to eat.

Brandon, Bailey, and I made cranberry apple cider sauce, deviled eggs, and butternut squash with a mustard vinaigrette. Brandon and I love cooking together and we enjoy attempting new recipes like our butternut squash, which turned out great.

Bailey stayed entertained by eating yogurt with a rubber spatula and walking Frani around the house.

My family gets bigger every year and we now have 13 members from my original 6. Our family will only keep getting bigger and more fun!

We stuffed ourselves with all the thanksgiving classics and had plenty for the next couple days. After dinner we enjoyed a nice half mile walk to Michael and Tawnia's house for dessert. Tawnia had homemade pumpkin pie, berry pie, cookies, brownies, and coffee.

Then we had family fun with Beatles Guitar Hero. Bailey loved the game and preferred to either help daddy with drums or sing. She kept stealing the mic. from everyone and singing; very cute.

Halloween

We love the fall and everything that comes along with it including Halloween! The hazy sun, cool whether, pumpkin pie, sweat pants, the smell of cinnamon, and the beginning of the holiday season.

We took Bailey to a pumpkin patch just for the fun festivities. The patch had bubble machines, animals, and games set out and Bailey had a blast running around and visiting the animals. She carried pumpkins around and tried to pick up ones twice the size of her.

That night we took Bailey trick-or-treating around my parent's neighborhood. She made an adorable dalmatian dog and it suited her personality perfectly in her love of dogs. All the neighbors we visited had dogs and so I think Bailey thought trick-or-treating was visiting people's dogs. She barked every time someone answered their door and laughed when the dog showed up too. Bailey was quite a hit.

And later that night when Bailey was sleeping at grandma and grandpa's house, Brandon and I transformed into Centaurs. It was the most I have ever worked on a Halloween costume and I don't want to do it again unless it is for my kids. It was super fun but Brandon and I were cramming to get it done all morning!

Jenni and Tim were Centaurs too, and this was Jenni's magnificent plan. She also thought up how to make the costume and it was really impressive. Jenni is very crafty and her horse was perfect! Mine barely survived the night! Brandon and I were "Midsummer Night's Dream" themed centaurs, while J&T were warrior themed.

Jenni and Tim's annual Halloween party was a huge hit and it was the most people that have ever shown up! It was packed and you could not even breathe in the dance room; so much fun! The costume creativity also definitely went up a notch.

Brandon's Birthday!

Brandon is 28 years old and I love that he still wants to celebrate by going to Disneyland! For his birthday he got a disneyland pass and so we got to enjoy the fall decorations and D-land.

We started off the day with a family breakfast at the Original Pancake House. One just opened near our house and we have been excited for a visit. Brandon got to enjoy one of his favorite breakfasts of French Toast.

We then took the little one to my parent's house for a nap and to disneyland. It was a pretty crowded day so we enjoyed exploring the video rooms and walking through the shops. We did not get much time there but it was a good start to a year of fun.

For dinner Brandon's family came to visit and treated us to Red Robin; need to get that free birthday burger! We enjoyed Brandon's favorite, Pumpkin Pie, for dessert. It was a relaxing and fun day and a joy to spend time with family.

Happy Birthday my Love!

Family Lovin'

So, I am failing at keeping up on my blogs. I also have been doing a poor job in taking pictures but I am going to get back into the game!

Lately, the Bridgman's have been enjoying their time dancing to the "Baby Bop Hop," hunting for our neighbors cat's, walking Bailey's fake doggies, changing her babies "poopie diapers" about 50 times a day, making smoothies and cuddling.

Cuddling with Frani and daddy.

Cuddling with Mommy.

Cuddling with her stuffed dogs.

I can't believe Bailey is about 19 months now! She is very animated and acts-out everything she wants to share with us. For example, she loves the trash man. Every thursday is trash day and we spend most of the day running outside to watch the truck. She says "trash!" and starts running to the door and she imitates the truck picking up the cans and dropping them; it cracks me up to see how this makes her day. She is silly, active, sensitive, and a joy to spend life with.

Owl the Fish

Since Thursday is our new Friday, Bailey and I get excited for Brandon to come home and start our three day weekend!

Well, one particular thursday, about 2 weeks ago, Brandon called at five to say he was stuck at work and won't be home until close to 8pm. Always sad news on the much anticipated thursday night fun. So, with the extra time on our hands Bailey and I leisurely walked around Petsmart before getting Frani from the groomer.

They have a large fish section at this store and Bailey and I slowly looked at all the types of fish and their colors. Bailey was "ooing" and "awing" at all the fish and I had to refrain her from repeatedly hitting the glass to watch the fish scatter; entertaining I know, but terrifying for the poor fish.

Well, due to the extra time on our hands and missing Brandon, Bailey and I bought a fish. We have a blue and red male beta fish. I figured it is good cheap entertainment. Bailey picked out the color and we got rocks and a little plant for its home in one of my flower vases.

On the way home in the car I asked Bailey what her fishes name was. She kept saying "owel." After asking her a few more times later, we went with the name Owl. She has been watching Winnie the Pooh, and she says owl when she sees Owl in the movie, so why not; we have a fish named Owl.

Busy Busy

Note: Loving the beginning of Fall!! We Bridgmans love the fall; the cool breeze, the smell of rain, the nostalgic feeling of school, pumpkin pie, Halloween, sweaters, sweat pants...oh so many cozy things!

Anyhow, the Fall always seems busier than summer too. I am a bit behind in my hobbies, like my blog, a quilt for Bailey, editing my home videos and cooking quality dinners, but I will get into the swing of things I am sure.

Brandon continues to work like a studly man on the oil rig 4 days a week for 10 hours and is enjoying it. He is also playing soccer on Wednesday nights with our church Rockharbor and taking our Life Group through a study of C.S. Lewis's book "Mere Christianity." Brandon is a very thorough teacher and is able to get everyone interested in the topics.

Yes, we joined a Life Group that meets Tuesday nights. A life group is a small group through our church that meets to discuss the sunday sermon in depth and our group decided to do a book study as well. It was been enriching to meet with others and talk about what God and support one another.

As for me, I unexpectedly got involved in a few different things but so far I love everything! I became a Life Care Counselor at our church. After a lot of training, interviews, and a few psychological tests, I get to meet one-on-one with individuals and talk with them about their lives and struggles. I meet with a supervisor to debrief the session and make sure we are on track. It is a wonderful ministry and I feel so blessed for this experience. It is humbling to be so available to someone and listen to their life story.

I am also teaching a Bible class at Redhill Lutheran School. I go for two periods on friday mornings and meet with the Jr. High. It is a small group setting, only girls, and I am there for them with their questions or concerns about God and general life. I love all my girls and I am enjoying getting to know them better. Plus its great time for Brandon and Bailey to get a couple hours of "daddy daughter time."

My mom's bible study (Nurture) starts at the end of this month and Bailey gets to go and play with her friends in the nursery.

We are enjoying our new responsibilities and Brandon and I enjoy some nights of studying again.

Here are some Bailey highlights:

Playing piano.

Snuggled up watching 101 Dalmatians.

Bailey reminds me a lot of my younger brother Ryan when it comes to movies. Ryan would always watch one movie until he had it completely memorized and it became old news. Bailey follows this same pattern. So far, her order of favorites have been Bambi, Strawberry Shortcake, Lady and the Tramp, and currently 101 Dalmatians. She really has a taste for classics.

Flowers for Mommy from Daddy-ahhh...so sweet.

Jenny on Broadway

Well, not exactly Broadway but pretty close. My good friend Jenny has always been involved in theater and for the first time she and her friend, Lauren, wrote, directed, and performed their own play! They rented a small theater in Hollywood and made their own props, got their own music, lighting, programs, and hosts. It was quit impressive and everything went very smooth.

The play was entitled, "He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not," and it was about their humorous college years of dating, breaking up, and discovering what real love is.

Leann and I particularly enjoyed the play because we have been friends with Jenny through all of the scenarios and were able to recall the memories.

Some highlights: Jenny performing a "sexy" song and her and Lauren going on dates with their dads.

Good job Jenny!

Disneyland!!i

Sadly Brandon and I's Disneyland passes expired on the 24th and so we had our last hurrah and made the best of it.

Luckily it was not too crowded and so we got to hit up many of the good kiddy-rides; It's a Small World, Dumbo, the Carousal, Jungle Cruise, and Winnie the Pooh. Peter Pan and Pirates would have perfected it but ah well, still did good.

For dinner Brandon finally got the long anticipated giant Turkey leg. The curious thing about it was that it looked and tasted like salty ham...do they lie? Is it really ham? How doe they get so many large Turkey legs? Does Disney have their own giant Turkey farm? My thanksgiving turkey has never had a leg that large.

We also ate bread bowls and picked out a treat. Brandon got his favorite Micky Mouse cookie and I got a candied apple that was 'apple pie' flavored; amazing.

We stayed for fireworks and it was Bailey's first firework show. She was not so sure about it; she kept shaking her head "no" when it got too loud but kept pointing in excitement. We started in front of the castle, moved to the middle of Main St., and ended at the far end of Main St.

It was a wonderful family day and it was definitely one of our best Disneyland trips.

She's just so pretty and cute I can't stand it.