Just because...

Just because...

 I think she's one of the most beautiful little girls out there...and had to share her new "look"... big girl pigtails. 

And just because she's getting quite the personality.  I love my little Miss Vivian. 

The Man in the Big Red Suit stops by...

Christmas morning... Braden was so, so excited this year. Vivian really wasn't all that interested, she was just playing and enjoying herself.  The night before, on Christmas Eve, we put the kids to sleep and set up Christmas.  Then Chad, his mom and I played some Trivial Pursuit and realized that it made a lot of sense for us adults to have our Christmas then and there.  I mean... Braden doesn't really care what I open and it's kind of a distraction from the kids, so we opened our gifts the night before.  Once we did it wasn't hard to figure out why Chad and his mom came up with the idea... they wanted me to get the new flash for my camera so we could enjoy it Christmas morning!  Great idea!!!  Here are some pics of the kids on Christmas morning. 

Expression as he was walking in to see what the man in the big red suit left him

Cheese... this is the look she gives the camera all the time.  One day her "smile" for the camera won't look like she's trying to load up her diaper

Candy in the stocking... always a hit.

He got some clothes... he's 4 and already such a man, totally unimpressed with clothes as gifts.

Our little man was spelling out the letters on the label, he can recognize his name, Vivian's name and Mom and Dad.  He was "reading" to see who the gift went to.

The Smart Cycle game system from Grandma Carole and Uncle Jimmy... it's been a big hit!

Christmas keeps getting better every year as we see them enjoying it so much.  Next year, Vivian should understand it too.

Every Boy Needs a Rocket...

On Christmas Eve we took the kids outside to play with a rocket shooter!  Braden and Vivian enjoyed it a lot!

It's on it's way up... and these things can go high!  As high as the top of the tall trees!  You see there is an air pump that you step on that sends it up, up and away!

That was SO cool!

Let's do it again. He has to get it just right.

He jumped so high I almost didn't get him in the picture.  Braden was giving it all he had!

Miss Vivian thought it was hilarious.  I love when we can capture moments of pure joy.

She even got to help Big B set up

And away it goes... this went on for awhile.  Great to get things that take the kids outside and entertained,  Thanks Uncle Andy and Aunt Amy!

The Road to Four Flies...

Last month we celebrated Braden's fourth birthday... wow.  He's becoming such a little man.  He knows exactly what to do to be the sweetest, smartest kid... and he knows how to push buttons too (seriously Big B... I do not understand your need to want to climb on every.piece.of.everything.  If you think it can't be climbed on or over... Braden will find a way)

With birthdays come annual doctor check ups.  Our boy is still rockin' the high end of the charts at 3 1/2 feet (42 inches tall... 80th percent) and 44 lbs (95th percent).  He's skin and bones on top, so he's just a solid little dude.  We all know vaccinations are painful to watch when you have a little baby... but I personally think it's harder when they get older since they know what's coming and have all the anticipation built up.  Nothing like a promise of ice cream on the way home to dry the tears.

If you recall, last year we started a birthday tradition.  For the kids' birthday they have total control over what they want their cake to look like, no matter how crazy.  (Click here for his 3rd birthday cake). 

Q:  What color cake do you want?
A:  White cake (which was a chocolate cake, but white frosting)

Q:  What do you want it to say?
A:  Braden

Q:  What color do you want the letters?
A:  Blue

Q:  Anything else on the cake?
A:  A Pony... and candles. 

So this is what we came up with... this year Grandma Paula baked and frosted the cake and I decorated.

After cake we opened gifts... Kung Fu Panda from Uncle Keith and Aunt Casse.

He scored the Leapster 2 game system from Grandma Paula!

Boris the Tyrannosaurus!  It's been a big hit.

For his party this year I took the easy route... we went to a massive gymnastics place in town.  Nine kids with a private party instructor.  Warning - the place had bad lighting for my camera... and I didn't have my fancy new flash or zoom lens for my camera yet (more on that in another post).

A big jump into the pit!

Lots of climbing

Miss Vivian loved the trampoline!

In the pit with friends.  He had a blast. 

I'm so happy and feel privileged that this little man is ours. 

Next up... he'll be FIVE.  I cannot even imagine!

Mini Chad...

While I continue to sort through the mass amounts of photos from our fun-filled December (Big B's birthday, the party and loads of Christmas activities), I thought I'd share a photo comparison. 

Both pictures taken on their 4th birthdays. 

And in case the other picture didn't convince you that they kind of look alike.... I think this seals the deal.

And when Braden saw this picture of Chad, from Christmas 1982, on the kitchen counter, he picked it up and said, "Look Mom, it's me!"

D is for Dallas, Dinosaurs and Dolls

The weekend after Thanksgiving we made a trip 4 hours north to Dallas to celebrate Great Grandma Gladys 87th birthday, and also had the chance to make it to Ellyson Newell's 1st birthday party! But before all the birthday parties, Grandma Paula, Braden, Vivian and I got there Friday afternoon to squeeze in a trip to Fair Park, at a Dallas Museum and see an amazing Dinosaur exhibit. If you know Big B... he LOVES dinosaurs!

Look at this massive, life-sized Triceratops!

I do not get enough pictures of them together, they are always on the go.

They had a "dinosaur dig", so future paleontologists can practice!

Braden had looks of awe like this all day. 

And here's a tip for parents... we got there about 2:30 on a Friday afternoon.  All the school field trips were heading out and NO ONE was in this huge exhibit.  We had the place to ourselves.  Awesome for them to take it all in at their own pace and not a worry to let them roam free!

My little lady...

Sweet and Sassy.

Braden is playing here with the box that has buttons for the kids to push and make those big dinosaurs move and roar.  Braden enjoyed it all so very much. 

Grandma Gladys with her daughters, their children and grandchildren.

See the big pink tree, that's a tree that Aunt Sabrina got for Reece and Addison.  They decorated it one evening and Braden got to help.  Then they all decided to pose with their dolls in front of the completed tree... and Braden, not one to want to be left out, asked for a doll too.  And there is Vivian, taking off ornaments, but heard us say "cheese" and stopped long enough to give us one of super cheesy smiles.

And just for the record, I think it's great that Braden decorates a pink tree and holds a doll, just like Vivian wants to play with Braden's tools and dinosaurs. 

Thanksgiving 2010

Have I mentioned how great this move to Texas is?  You know, the weather, the people, the neighborhood, the cost of living... and finally living near family again!!!  This year we had the pleasure of hosting the Courts... all of them!  That meant 15 humans and 3 dogs for 3 days!  Everyone made the trip to Katy and we really appreciated it.  Braden couldn't have been more excited to spend time with cousins Reece (age 6) and Addison (age 4, just a few weeks older than Braden).  We had Uncle Wayne and Aunt Carmen, and their children - Sabrina and fiance, Scott - Christine, her husband Chad (parents of Reece and Addison), Layne and his wife, Mitzi, and of course Grandma Paula hit town for her extended stay just in time!  I didn't take enough pictures... too busy talking, cooking and enjoying the moment.  A huge thank you, since the ladies really contributed to cooking and cleaning!  It was not stressful at all, everyone did their share and things ran smooth.  We are very THANKFUL to be close to such great people (and these ladies can cook!).

Christine had her birthday that week, so we sang... and had cake!

Addison, Reece and Braden finishing up one of many weekend projects... a Gingerbread House

We had three dogs for the weekend... two of which are quite small and sleep in crates over night.  Well... this is what happened.

Aunt Sabrina with Miss Vivian... look at how grown up my little lady is getting!

The three older kids had a balloon party... and Viv couldn't be left out of the fun! 

Here (in the playroom) are my two children.  Completely of their own doing.  Vivian in the cage on the left... Braden on the right.  Silly kids.

Tis the Season

 It's that time of year, while this year feels different for a few reasons... 1) we're close to and celebrating at our home, but will also see some Texas family, the perks of living here.  Last year we were in Illinois... having left Washington and not quite to Houston yet.  The year before we were in Canada without any family around.  2)  I still can't believe Christmas is next week and I was in short sleeves today outside.  3) We have a real tree! (Thanks Grandma!).  And this year, two very special little people participated in decorating the tree.  (Thank goodness for shatterproof ornaments!)

 It's also been a time for Holiday Art Projects.  Braden is really into this kind of stuff these days.