Top 10 Reasons You Know You're Pregnant

10. You sleep with a dryer sheet on your face to keep out all smells while still being able to breathe. 9. You've watched every movie you own because it's the only activity that makes time go by and gets your mind off being completely nauseated 8. The man of your dreams has turned into a smelly creature with death defying breath. 7. You'd rather eat dry cereal and call it a meal because the smells from the refrigerator can take your life. 6. 10 hours of sleep is simply not enough and going to bed at 7pm is absolutely necessary. 5. You suddenly have 30 half eaten boxes of various cereal from Kashi Healthy Heart to Cinnamon Toast Crunch. 4. You plan on waking up between the hours of 1-3 am to: 1.Go to the bathroom 2. Eat a small bowl of cereal (yes, this means you have to open the putrid refrigerator) 3. Then lay awake for an hour hoping that you can fall back asleep soon to get at least 10 hours of sleep. 3. Every healthy eating habit has rushed out the door including all of the once-wonderfully-satisfying vegetables, just for the sake of survival. (Yes, this means you force yourself to gag down a small salad hoping that this child you're creating is getting something nutritious to eat.) 2. You tie an elastic hair-band through the button whole of your jeans to keep them from falling off but not in anyway touching your stomach. And finally you know you are pregnant if 1. After 10 years of being utterly anti fast-food suddenly you find yourself eating Taco Bell twice in one day. Yes, Brent and I are expecting our first baby and all the horror stories about pregnancy are true. I'm due August 5th. And to make it even more fun, my sister Michelle and Dallin are expecting their first 4 days after. They live in Georgia. My mom has never missed a birth yet.

Christmas in Colorado

This year we headed to Colorado to enjoy good ol' Brown traditions which included a broadway production of the nativity, a serious session of Christmas carols props and all, and great food of course. Thankfully we didn't have any major snow storms in Boston or Denver (MIRACLE!) so our travel was flawless as was our stay.

Oh, to dance!

"All our dreams can come true - if we have the courage to pursue them."- Walt Disney I absolutely LOVE this picture. Trisha took this of Malia after her ballet class. She is an absolutely beautiful and graceful dancer- she always has been. This picture is simply too sweet not to post.

Mr. Frost Sneezed

While driving yesterday we came upon the most interesting scene- amongst barren trees of hibernation was an explosion of frost. It was as if a small cloud landed, had a good cry and left. Very odd and very beautiful! And yes... I am cool!

Thank Heavens "ITS" over!

These are the (fill in the blank) presents I made this year for the family. Brent got me hooked on vintage stamps so I decided to make these frames for each family. I picked out each frame depending on the receiver as well as the collage of stamps. There were stamps for Japan, all the states, baseball, france, dogs, beaches, US history, Daniel Boone, Emily Dickinson, and even one for Osteopathic Medicine! I really like how they turned out. Now I need to work on ours!

Love the Past

I LOVE old family photos! I found these in an album Tracey put together. They speak volumes about my family that I love very much!

The Land

The Louis', Thomas', Brown's and Uncle Bill gathered in Indiana for Thanksgiving. Because the Ostlunds are still in Japan we got to hotel in their home which quite convenient. It was a beautiful week as many weeks are in the farm state where we enjoyed frolicking on the land and skipping across meadows (dramatic words added to make you-know-who envious).

Fire Tower to the Heavens

If you're even slightly afraid of heights do not attempt this. I never realize I am until I do. However, I did it. And we all enjoyed a beautiful view because of it. As for the weird Beacker faces. Try it. We found out that not many people can. Brent almost got it (:

Thanksgiving Day

We had a wonderful day of thanks and feast with family. Brent & Dallin sported the local Turkey Bowl while Dad literally cheered them on. And old "cement hands" managed to make a few good plays!

True Patriotism

These quotes were both found at the North Bridge site (see below). Such powerful words from the mouths of true patriots about the America that once was.

Halloween in Concord

To celebrate this horribly festive holiday we decided to head off island to Concord, MA home of the select American authors. It was an absolutely gorgeous day of 70 degrees with incredible highlights of autumn leaves everywhere! Melissa, Mr. "Wild One," Brent, and I visited the burial ground for these authors including Alcott, Thoreau, and Emerson in the famous "Sleepy Hollow Cemetery" ... oh yes... Ichabod Crane. Sadly, we didn't see any headless horsemen. We also walked Walden Pond to Thoreau's venture spot as well as North Bridge- the famous spot where the "shot heard around the world" was fired. Breathtaking. Historical. Mystic.