Walking

Here is a short little video we took today (on the last day of 2009) showing Braxton taking a few steps while he chews on a wooden spoon (the simple joys of life).

3 Christmas Videos

Here are three videos we took over Christmas.

First Christmas

Braxton had a blast hanging out with Avery over Christmas while we were in Iowa. They played together chasing each other around the house for hours and hours. Here are a few of our favorite photos from Christmas 2009.

Tickling

Last night Brock was tickling Braxton's back and Braxton was so cute as he giggled. Here is a video of them playing.

Roxie's Party

We went to a Christmas party at my old roommate Roxie's house. Here are a few photos of Braxton with Roxie, Elise, and Marilyn. Also--there is a video of Braxton playing with Roxie's sister Rhoda featuring the song "The horsey goes walking".

Norge hat

Brock and I visited Norway in February 2001. It was really cold. Brock lost his hat while we were trecking around Oslo so we bought this NORGE hat. Brock still wears the hat every day in our MN winters and here are photos of Braxton trying it on too.

Male bonding

Priceless male bonding photos. No babies were hurt in the making of these photos (actually Brock was tickling him and Braxton was laughing hysterically)

9 Questions

Braxton’s birthday (January 12) is the same birthday as: Howard Stern and Rush Limbaugh.

9 questions about Braxton’s Mom

1. Name someone with the same birthday as you: George Stephanopoulos
2. Have you ever seriously vandalized someone else's property? Back in junior high school I was allegedly involved in a missing Christmas decoration from the City of Sandstone. One of my sisters and I had to paint the walls inside our church for community service.
3. Have you ever sung in front of a large number of people? Yes. Choir performances and community theater productions as well as a little singing group nicknamed the "Bar Sisters".
4. What do you order at Starbucks?Steamed milk with a shot of hazelnut. Yum!
5. Say something totally random about yourself: The color orange makes me smile.
6. What is the best pick-up line someone has ever used on you? Hi, I’m keenly. keenly interested.
7. Have you ever been to tanning salon?Yes, once or twice.
8. Have you ever ridden in a limo?Yes, twice on business trips with my old job.
9. Have you ever been rushed by an ambulance into the emergency room?Nope.


9 questions about Braxton’s Dad

1. Name someone with the same birthday as you: Paula Abdul
2. Have you ever seriously vandalized someone else's property? No, but I stole flowers off of a grave to give to my girlfriend when I was in Jr. High school.
3. Have you ever sung in front of a large number of people? Yes, several times as a kid at a Baptist Church in Arkansas.
4. What do you order at Starbucks? Large regular coffee with a shot of Carmel.
5. Say something totally random about yourself: I love playing the drums.
6. What is the best pick-up line someone has ever used on you? “I really love your eyes.”
7. Have you ever been to tanning salon? no.
8. Have you ever ridden in a limo?Yes, for a work function at my old job.
9. Have you ever been rushed by an ambulance into the emergency room? Yes. One car accident.

First Steps!!!

Tonight after Brock got off of work we sat on the floor of the kitchen playing with Braxton. As we played, Braxton surprised us by standing up all by himself for about 20 seconds without holding on to anything (he has never done that before!). We applauded for him and Brock said, "maybe he actually will take his first steps before Christmas". Then, about five minutes later I was holding Braxton and said, "go to daddy". Braxton stood up, stretched out his arms toward Brock and took five steps into Brock's arms. It was unbelieveable. Such a special family moment. Here is a photo a few minutes afterwards. After that, Brock and Braxton went to blow out the candles in the living room and I snapped the second "candlelight" photo.

Christmas Party

Today Braxton's daycare had a Christmas Party, mini infant program, and photos with Santa. The photo with Santa went great until Braxton touched Santa's beard and got scared. As for the program--Braxton played the reindeer "Comet" as one of the teachers read "Twas the Night Before Christmas".

Hanging at Home

Here are a few photos of Braxton playing in the toy box and looking out the deck door at the snow.

Just a Tuesday night

Check out these guys.

The Boys

Braxton & Brock looking so cute!

Christmas Photo Shoot

We had a Family Photo Shoot this afternoon after Brock got off of work. I won't show you the "selected Christmas photo" but here are a few of the others. We used the 10-second delay on my camera since no one else was there to take the photos. Braxton was completely mesmerized by the 10 second delay which makes the camera beep and flash a red light 6 times before the photo is taken. He was very intently watching the red flashing lights--so in every family picture he looks like he is seriously concentrating.