Out with the old...

For those who missed it, this is the old header - I just love this cutie little girl!

In With The NEW!

So, this is the new photo on the top of the blog... what do ya think?

WHOOPS!

I changed the backdrop by accident and can't go back, so if the blog looks funny, please humor me while I change things up a bit! :D It'll hopefully be oh so adorable again in a few minutes! (or hours - we'll see! :)

Back from NY ...Live ... its....

The Masons! Of course, I didn't realize till after that there is not a SINGLE picture of the 4 of us, just our kids! HAHA - well, good thing they're cute!

One of our most recent adventures was when we had Dave and Heather over last Sunday for dinner. We LOVED having them over and just wish there'd been time to see them more while they were here! As it was, out of a whole month, we were only able to get together with them the one time :(

Funny story about the Masons I love to tell - they met AFTER Joe and I were engaged, but got married BEFORE us! Dave would have actually been Joe's best man, except he'd already taken off too much time for his own wedding! Plus they actually met because of an engagement dinner my sister had for joe and I - there's much more to the story but that will have to be for another time! One more D&H mason quirk-they're TOTALLY against fast weddings!! Even though their own came in July after meeting in Feb - go figure! However, after 4.5 years and 1 baby, they are going strong!

We love you guys and can't wait to see you again!

Welcome!

To those of you who have never been here before, WELCOME!! To those of you who have, Welcome Back! The last few months have been a stressful whirlwind of activity, dotted with joyful times with friends and family! Let me summarize:

As for the "stress"... I don't know that I EVER want to run a Christmas photo special again! At least, not the way we did! HAHA - I had fun taking photos of tons of friends and family, though! It was awesome to get to know people better through their photo shoots! However, it was just a few too many too close to Christmas. Anyone up for Christmas cards in July?! ;)

Then we come to the friends and families! It all began with a BEAUTIFUL wedding in Washington, (congrats Nate and Emily!), followed by an early Christmas with the Heatons. After that, we had a nice quite Christmas at home and with the current "utah" Lemkes, then the big throwdown Christmas when my parents, big sister with her kids and little brother and his girlfriend! After that was a week of family dinners, parties, indoor skydiving and other adventures, including "hanging out" as only the Lemke's can - which of course includes more food than can possibly be eaten! Hopefully we'll have some photos up soon!

Well, once again, WELCOME! It's been a crazy ride, but I'm glad to be back with the blogging world! For all of those we've seen recently, we love you and miss you already!! For those we haven't... well, hopefully we'll see you soon!! You all make us who we are and for that we're grateful (well, most of the time! ;) just kidding!

Thanks for sharing in our adventures!

Love, PB&J :D

To my dearest little angel...

A few weeks ago at the Christmas concert/devotional hosted by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints we had our own little angelic choir sing to us. Remember that? It was beautiful. We had rushed to the church building to join Daddy who was there setting up for the broadcast and they were running into some technical problems. As the minutes passed and it looked like the problem wasn't going to be resolved any time soon, I opened a hymn book and began singing very softly a few Christmas carols. Well, before long several little children sitting in the row in front of us had turned around and opened their books to join us. Song after song we sang... I'm sure it was at least half a dozen... and you, my squirmy little girl, sat still... listening. Occasionally I think you would chime in with a few sounds, but above all, you listened - an amazing feat for you these days!! It truly was beautiful, sitting there singing with these children as you sat listening to songs about your Saviors birth.

I am sure that you were one of those angels singing to welcome Our King, the Prince of Peace to His mortal existence. I'm sure your face glowed with love for your Eldest Brother as you saw Him join his earthly family in preparation for the ultimate sacrifice - a sacrifice that would lead to the salvation of all mankind and pave the road for all to follow in order to once again go back Home. I'm sure you smiled your joyful smile and your eyes sparkled with glee as you sang praises to the King.

I love you, my princess... the daughter of a Heavenly King and an angel in our lives-
Love, Mom

A Package!

Wow - you would have thought it was Christmas! So Priya got a package from Auntie Audrey the other day with some fun little clothes and I just thought I'd document the fun she had opening it :)  First, we begin exploring the package with her favorite ketchup packet in her mouth.  That's right, I said KETCHUP packet!  She LOVES that thing!  I've even washed it in soap and water for her!  Thankfully, it hasn't burst yet, but I think it's about time we got her a new one!  With all her "loving", I'm sure it can't last much longer!!

 :)

Still checkin it out...

Oh, what's in here?!

Didn't take long before she decided that the box was more interesting than it's contents! (Sorry Audrey!)

Snack Time!  Yummy, Tape!

K, time to close 'er up!

;

I know it's just a simple story, but it's her story and we love every moment of her amazing life! Thanks for sharing with us!  Thanks Audrey and your cutie kids for the package!

Take a sec - Say Thanks!

Something cool that Xerox is doing!

If you go to this web site, http://www.letssaythanks.com/ you can pick out a thank you card and Xerox will print it and it will be sent to a soldier that is currently serving in Iraq .

You can't pick out who gets it, but it will go to a member of the armed services.

It is FREE and it only takes a few seconds!

I just did this with my neighbor's kid - he picked out the drawing he liked and told me a message to send to them "Thank you for saving the world" - I almost cried! He's only six and it was so cute to explain to him who these notes were going to!

Election Day, a little late :)

So apparently I can be very vocal about politics on everyone else's blog, but only subtley so on my own! But this isn't about politics - it's just about a silly sticker I couldn't get off and my adorable little baby :) so, after I voted I stuck this silly I Voted sticker on her head. Cute, right? The only problem was that it wouldn't COME OFF!!! So after I voted, Alysse and I went to lunch where some service men were waiting in line. (we're totally addicted to Cafe Rio, by the way! Whenever we get together, we HAVE to get Pork Barbacoa Quesadillas, which means that while I carefully avoided CR for YEARS while my EFY friends constantly went, I now eat it about once a week and can't get enough! Crazy!)
Anyway, the serviceman was like "Isn't she a little young to vote?" To which my sister replied "Yah, well, she's got strong opinions too" Dang straight she does! And she lets me know in not to stubble ways almost every day!
BACK to the sticker! As you can tell, it was still plastered to her head by bath time. Some reason water didn't help either, so 1, 2, 3 -RIP!! And one sad baby later, that sucker was off!
So that's my long and lame story. And you've now just wasted 3 minutes of your life you'll never get back - haha on you! :D

Whoops - I didn't really know I was posting these facebook things till they were posted! oh well. more photos and info to come :D

(no subject)

facebook Breeann Lemke Heaton 8:55pm Nov 20th (no subject) To   Just a quick reminder about the Open House THIS FRIDAY! (tomorrow) Looks like we should be having jewlery from an amazing artist that is also on display at the Thanksgiving Point Gallery! ALSO, if you can't make it, feel free to donate food items all the way thru next week! There are SO many families in need, especially this year. I know things are tight for all of us, but if we all do a little together we can make a big difference. To reply to this message, follow this link: http://www.facebook.com/p.php?i=846925042&k=6VFU62UZSZYM5FAFQJ56YT Are your friends bothering you? You can opt out of emails from friends on Facebook.

Breeann Lemke Heaton invited you to the event "Holiday Gift Idea, Greeting Card & Service Op OPEN HO...

Breeann invited you to "Holiday Gift Idea, Greeting Card & Service Op OPEN HOUSE!" on Friday, November 21 at 3:00pm.

Breeann says, "Hey Guys! Spread the word - it's gonna be great! And if you'd like to display something @ the open house, just let me know!
Don't forget to bring a food item if you can!".

Event: Holiday Gift Idea, Greeting Card & Service Op OPEN HOUSE!
"Plus, it's just a good excuse to hang out and say HI before the madness of the Holidays :)"
What: Benefit
Host: Bree Heaton & Katie Quinones
Start Time: Friday, November 21 at 3:00pm
End Time: Friday, November 21 at 7:00pm
Where: The Quinones Home

To see more details and RSVP, follow the link below:
http://www.facebook.com/p.php?i=846925042&k=6VBXXXSZWW4M5FAFQJ56YT

Facebook helps you keep in touch with your friends and family and reconnect with people you lost touch with. You can share unlimited photos, plan events and join discussion groups. It's free and everyone can join. To register, go to:
http://www.facebook.com/p.php?i=846925042&k=6VBXXXSZWW4M5FAFQJ56YT&r

Thanks,
The Facebook Team

___________________
This e-mail may contain promotional materials. If you do not wish to receive future commercial mailings from Facebook, please click on the link below. Facebook's offices are located at 156 University Ave., Palo Alto, CA 94301.
http://www.facebook.com/o.php?u=1456081380&k=303ed2

Priya 360 :)

Yah, see that blue bag of junk on the floor? I cleaned out my car last week and that bag had some of the "treasures" left in the van. Priya has decided, forget my toys! I'm going bag diving!

But that's not what this video is! Look at the spinny moves of that little girl! I know, she can now spin on her bum - how advanced :P :)

I'm a nut

Can you tell I love this photo :) There were so many other good ones from the pics i took ofher yesterday, but this was my favorite and i loved messing around with it for a few min in photoshop. This collage though is just a quick picasa creation, for those of you who care :) Priya is just such a social butterfly and has so much love to share that she managed to rip off another girl's bow in Sunday School today and tip a little boy over in Relief Society, all in the name of making friends! Thankfully, the moms weren't mad and they played happily after :)

PS I HATE that the colors in these photos aren't nearly as vibrant when they get posted on the blog! I may have to just over-do it just so it looks right on my blog! :P :D

4 ways my baby :)

I Love that cutie little smile & those sparkly eyes! :)

A Whole Nine Months!

My Cutie little princess is 9 months old today, Nov. 14th. I can't even believe it! From midnight on, I've been pretty sentimental, so this, my 100th post of the year is dedicated to my little beauty. Thought, i have to say, with her scratched up nose and the dent I put in her forhead this evening (Thanks to her mother, she had a run-in with a door jam-Sorry my beauty!) she's going for a more rugged cute today :)

Today we made a trip to the Natural History Museum (thanks mom & dad!) with our good friends! You can probably see why we refer to the other child-on-wheels her boyfriend :)

I love my little Sweatheart!  She is such a blessing!  Today I took her with me and she met one of the key doctors that helped make her little life possible and it just reminded me even more of what a miracle she is!  I love the way she discovers new things each day, like how over the last couple days she discoved how fun it is to stick your toung out to the side and lick your lips (to the point that she does it when she wakes up in the middle of the night and is making her lips a little raw!) and the joy of playing wih ketchup packets!  She has also started playing games a WHOLE lot more and enjoys squeeling and crawling just as fast as her little body will carry her every time we say "I'm gonna get you!!"'

I love you, Princess!  I hope you always know that!  You fill our lives with so much joy!

Love, Mom

On Oct 16th...

I was taking some engagement shots and thankfully my brother and his family joined me at the beautiful location! I was messin around for a few min before and after and these are some of the shots I got. Remeber, these were just for fun and unfortunatly I don't have a ton of time to mess with photos (or blog apparently). I know it's probably crazy, but since I do photos and get paid for it, I REALLY have to kind of choak back my feelings as I post more casual photos. Hannah & Travis started playing "patty cake" with Priya - who knew she would know what to do!

Pumpkin Carving! 10-24-08

I'm a loser! Here are some Halloween Photos, starting a week early :)

-Gotta love this face :)

Needless to say, the babies had a great time :)

::: BREAKING NEWS :::

(A friend sent this to me and i wanted to share! I hope you find this as entertaining as I did! Also, you can see what my closest friends think of me :) haha! Be assured that no offence is intended!)

In 2009 the government will start killing all the mentally ill people. I started crying when I thought of you. Run, little friend, run!
MENTAL HOSPITAL PHONE MENU
Hello and thank you for calling The State Mental Hospital.
Please select from the following options menu:
If you are obsessive-compulsive, press 1 repeatedly.
If you are co-dependent, please ask someone to press 2 for you.
If you have multiple personalities, press 3, 4, 5 and 6.
If you are paranoid, we know who you are and what you want, stay on the line so we can trace your call.
If you are delusional, press 7 and your call will be forwarded to the Mother Ship.
If you are schizophrenic, listen carefully and a little voice will tell You which number to press.
If you are manic-depressive, hang up. It doesn't matter which number you press, nothing will make you happy anyway.
If you are dyslexic, press 9-6-9-6.
If you are bipolar, please leave a message after the beep or before the beep or after the beep. But Please wait for the beep.
If you have short-term memory loss, press 9. If you have short-term memory loss, press 9. If you have short-term memory loss, press 9.
If you have low self-esteem, please hang up. Our operators are too busy to talk with you.
If you are menopausal, put the gun down, hang up, turn on the fan, lie down and cry. You won't be crazy forever.
If you are blonde, don't press any buttons. You'll just mess it up.
This coming week is National Mental Health Care week. You can do your part by remembering to contact at least one unstable person to show you care.
(Well, my job is done . Your turn!)
lol

Dear Blog...

Oh how I miss you! Through all of the chaos and clutter, you have been sorely neglected! And for that, I am sorry. I miss you and promise to return to you shortly. In the mean time, I hope you forgive me for my absent self, because my heart is never far from you ~ with love <3

BRENT UPDATE #12 WITH BREAKING NEWS!!! (and some blog additions)

THIS IS A NEW UPDATE! I know many of you get the updates, but I just wanted to share!! (Plus this has photos and a couple additional comments :)

""An email just recieved from my father, Brent's Dad:

"Brent is doing very well. Early Friday morning he had surgery to remove the tumor. We learned meeting with the surgeon on Thursday that there were some additional risks of surgery those we had not previously known. However, the surgery occurred without any complications. As soon as the surgeon removed the tumor, he turned the scalpel over to another surgeon who when into Brent's right side and into his lung and removed 11 small tumors. In addition brent had his chest port removed so he pretty much looks like zipper man. We are still waiting for the pathology reports on all the tumors removed. The hope is that it all dead cancer tissue and there is no active cells of either the primary or secondary cancer. If there is he may have to have future surgery on is left lung. For him the worst part is having the chest tube in his side. It causes a lot of pain and hinders movement. He had more tubes in him which have been gradually removed. He is down just to the chest tube and now takes pain medication by mouth. How long he will be in the Hospital depends on the drainage from the lung. As soon as it is small enough the tube can come out.

Today he had his first meal since Thursday night and he enjoyed it and had no problems. He has been up and walking around which helps.

Thank you for your concern, thoughts and prayers for Brent. They are much appreciated. Craig. "
THIS LITERALLY JUST IN WHILE I WAS COMPOSING THIS MESSAGE!! THE PATHOLOGY REPORTS JUST CAME BACK AND THE CANCER THEY REMOVED IS 100% DEAD!!! THAT MEANS AS FAR AS WE CAN TELL, HE'S CANCER FREE!!!! WAY TO GO, BRENT!!!Feel free to send your notes of congratulations to him here and we will make sure he gets them!!! Thankfully it looks like our will was the same as God's- WOO HOO, HE'S DOING GREAT!!! AND TO ALL OF YOU, THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!! - LOVE, US :)""

Brent and 3 week younger neice Melissa, and Brent with girlfriend Laura - 2 of the AMAZING Angels that have been with Brent through out this experience... I am so grateful for you girls., and all the others that have been by his side - Dru, u rock!

Brent Update

This is the email I sent out as an update on Brent's condition, post surgery, though the photo above is most definitely pre- (he'd be so embarrassed to know I was showing this to you all!). Anyway, the email:

"Hello once again- As you know, Brent went under the knife on Friday. It was actually 2 surgeries, one right after another with 2 different doctors. First, one went in and removed the mass from his side - I guess they went in through his stomach, removing/moving organs to get to the tumor near his back. After that, the next doctor came in and removed 11 nodules from his right lung, which means he once again has a chest tube, like he did after his biopsy. With all of that, though, and 8 hours of surgery, once again it seems as though our prayers have been answered and all has gone well.

"After the surgery he was doing so well that he bypassed the stop in intensive care and was taken straight to his room. Today he was able to sit on the edge of his bed 3 or 4 times and seems to be doing really well. While he couldn't reply to many if any messages on Friday, I know his brother read him any and all messages to him, so if you've sent a text and he hasn't replied, just know he got your message and is grateful to know you are thinking of him.

"We love him so much and are once again thankful for the blessings of heaven that are being poured out upon us. This is still a time of struggle, and there are definitely times when fear tries to sneak in. However, our faith and the peace that comes through that faith, as well as your prayers have been with us and we are grateful to God for all we have and have been blessed with.

With love,"

Thanks a ton to all of my friends and family, especially that don't even know my brother that have gone out of their way to express concern and pray for our family. I could not ask for more loving friends. <3

Brenty Boy - Surgery this Friday

For those of you who don't know, my little brother Brent will be having major surgery in about 12 hours - well, 2 surgeries actually.

Nothing is wrong - his cancer is still under control and is presumed 100% dead! The doctors just want to remove the mass in his abdomen. and the remaining lesions from his lungs. This is going to be major surgery which will happen in Indiana under the hands of a specialist. Surgery is tomorrow, Friday, October 10th and he should be back at home about a week later.

During this critical time, my family and I are asking all of our friends and family for their prayers and thoughts of support. Thankfully, he is young, the doctors are skilled and hopefully many will be praying on his behalf.

We are so grateful to our Heavenly Father for the miracles that have occurred so far and pray that they might continue.

Thank you.

Love,

Bree & Family

Revamp

So, instead of writing something, I redid the look of my blog. Hope you enjoy - if not, tough! ;) Oh, and the baby eating my little girl's head is my good friend Katie's son that is currently betrothed to my "offspring", as Crush would say (Finding Nemo) - i digress! I'm done - Have a beautiful day!