Singing and playing

One of my favorite videos ever...singing Leaving on a Jet Plane:

Here are some things that happened at our house this week...

Balancing the ball collection on Braxton's head:

Playing Bubbles with Daddy:

Saturday

Brock & I topped off our day in Stillwater with a rare Saturday at home together.  Highlights of our day included walking to the pond to see the high water levels and watch the ducks (1st video) and watching a movie while Braxton did stuntman moves (2nd video). In the morning we played peek-a-boo and because of this all day long Brax kept saying, "Braxton, where are you?"  That is the longest proper sentance he has spoken so far! 

Stillwater trip

This weekend Brock, Braxton and I had an adventure.  We weren't able to go on a week long vacation to Missouri as planned--so we improvised.  We went to Stillwater, MN and spent one night at a hotel.  This mini-vacation included walking around the scenic town and Braxton's first trip to Wisconsin.

Photo on the horsey:

Swimming in the hotel pool:

Playing in the "pack&play fort" at the hotel:

The Stillwater lift bridge:

Visiting some very cool antique shops:

A photo of the Wolf Caves & Brewery (Owned by our relatives!  Grandma Catherine's maiden name was "Wolf" and this is where the family reunion is held every few years)

This trip allowed us to cross off two more items on our "Summer to-do list" which were: 

1) take Braxton to Wisconsin and 2) stay in a hotel

Aunt Dordi and Aunt Airplane too

To top off a great weekend--my sister Denise flew in for a Monday night visit! All 3 sisters together is a very rare treat! 

    

Aunt Dordi Visit

My sister Dori flew up from Springfield, Missouri for a long weekend break.  Braxton loved playing ouside with her.  Highlights included swordfighting with Tiger Lily reeds, running round the yard together and sitting in the grass talking about life.  We love you Dordi!

Welcome Cousin Zoe!
.

Zoe Catherine Vermilyea

born September 18, 2010

Beaufort, South Carolina.

Park Party

Braxton and I went to a birthday party today...it was in the park (my friend Mary Helen from High School was throwing it for her 2 year old girl). Unfortunately, we went to the park where the event was held but never found the party! Instead, we found about a thousand kids attending a Disney Fun Park Event....so even though we were wandering lost, there was free kids music playing, a huge playground, and a "juggling station" with tons of juggling props to play with. We hung out there for half an hour because Braxton loved it so much. At the juggling station Braxton began by collecting every juggling ball he could find:
After other kids started taking his "collection of balls" he began moving it to the chair:
After the chair was no longer safe, then he began collecting the balls and throwing them into a big plastic tub.

Next, he ensured the safety of the collection by guarding it carefully.

And after a whole lot of playing...we splurged on a large lemonade and found a shady spot to relax.

Picnic

Mid-week we went on a family picnic to the beach: feeding ducks, playing in the playground, and relaxing (and on his own Brax went up the climbing wall 4 times in a row!) Really fun!

Mall Cars

On Labor Day we met our friend Jen Burger and her husband Troy who live in South Dakota for dinner. We went to the mall early to walk around but all the stores closed early for the holida. We entertained Braxton for an hour by finding the kid cars. He loved climbing on the cars but as the video shows he wasn't thrilled when we put quarters in it to make the car move.

Characters

Braxton has been given two special "character" gifts that he LOVES! The first is a brand new toddler size Spiderman bike helmet (he got this yesterday from babysitter Mikah...a gift she won but didn't need so she gave it to Brax).The second gift is the beloved Elmo footie pajamas given to him by Grandma Debbie. Every time he wears these he grabs his tummy and yells "ELMO! ELMO!"

The Collection

Braxton loves playing with balls. Yesterday he dug through his toy box and pulled out every ball he could find...he then proceeded to haul the collection around the house all weekend.

In this photo he is thankful to have so many balls to play with:
Stacking the collection onto the yellow rug:

Playing in the sun with the collection: Spending quality time with the collection: Trying to stand on the collection:
And here is a video of him playing with the collection...

Avery Visit

Lauren and Avery came over today. The kids had a ton of fun playing in the playhouse, sliding down the slide, and throwing grass at each other. Then they headed up towards the house and found the plastic animals that sit in the flowerbed. This first photo shows double trouble with Braxton holding the rabbit like a football and Avery trying to make the squirrel alive:We were able to get Braxton and Avery to sit together and take a cute photo with the animals but when Avery wanted to kiss Braxton he was having none of it...so he had to elbow her away (photos below):

Just Hanging

A few nights ago while we were on the deck Braxton was hanging on the table....alot...for about 15 minutes straight until I finally decided to go get the camera. Once the camera was rolling he was pretty distracted....but this kid can hang. He is really strong.