Professional Photos

Today we got electronic copies of Braxton's 18 month photos. The first four are the photos that we ordered and the next 5 are the photos we did not order (but I think they are fun to look at!)Here are the photos that we did not order. This photo shoot was the first time that Braxton got really nervous. For the first 5 minutes we sat and "got used to the room". This first photo shows Braxton holding my hand. You can tell by the look on his face that he wanted to leave!

Avery's Birthday Bash

Yesterday Braxton was invited to Avery's 2nd Birthday Party. It was a pool party and they both had a blast!

Trip to Iowa

Last week Braxton and Brock took a trip to Iowa to see family. Braxton loves playing with Annamarie and Josh (who live next door to Aunt De). Look how Braxton spread toys all over Aunt De's floor!

Teaching wisdom?

I'm starting to feel semi-competent about being a parent knowing how to feed, dress, and care for Braxton...but how do you teach a child to be a wonderful, fine, upstanding citizen? To love God. To be kind and considerate. To be wise. To share his toys with other kids. To not throw tantrums at the park because he doesn't want to stop playing and go home?
Got tips? Let me know!

Cousin's Visit!

My sister Denise flew up with the cousins this weekend to take Brittney to Grindstone Lake Bible Camp in Sandstone. The kids had a blast playing together (Braxton is more fun to play with now that he can walk!)

Father's Day

We have celebrated Brock's special birthday/Father's Day weekend. Brock got new t-shirts, a special present that Braxton made at daycare, ice cream bars, and some long-awaited tiki torches for the deck (which we lit the last two nights).The present from Braxton is three parts: a bbq-glove with Braxton's handprint that says "A helping hand for dad", a photo framed in popcicle sticks that says "Daddy's little helper" and a laminated footprint of Braxton which says on the back, "When you are tired of reading your book, mark your place with my little foot!" Braxton 2010".

Awesome Dad!

Daddy: One who protects, provides, loves and so much more....

Brock is the greatest blessing in my life. He is always willing to help out (whether its watching the baby or doing the laundry or watering plants or Swiffering the floors). You are my best friend....and you are an awesome daddy to Braxton full of games and tickles and inside jokes. You rock! Happy Birthday weekend and Happy Father's Day too! We love you tons!

Beach Day

When you go to the beach at 8am the whole beach is yours. We had a blast at the beach (which has a playground too)! Here are two videos and a bunch of photos.

Joy's Visit

Last weekend our friend Joy drove all the way from Wyoming to hang out with us. We had a fun time. Here are a few photos and a video we took while Joy was here (Joy also took this family photo for us...and Braxton is actually looking at the camera!).

18 months old

Braxton...today you are 18 months old! Here is a photo we took this morning to celebrate the milestone!

What are you doing these days?
1. You count to 5.
2. You run up and down the hill in our backyard like a champion.
3. You are able to follow new commands like: "turn around", "touch your toes", "nod your head", "give me five", "stay", "come here", "sit down", "give it to daddy" and "put it back". Though you don't say any of the commands you do listen and obey most of the time.
4. You can play the game "touch your...toes, belly, ears, head, nose, mouth"
5. You ask for a "cookie" often (who taught you that word?) and we always tell you, "here is your cookie" and hand you a cracker, or Cheerios, or fruit to eat
6. You like to say "uh-oh spaghetti-ohs" but it sounds like "uh-oh pagetti" when you say it

Good Times!!! baby boy......
1) I love it when you get excited and run to the top of the stairs screaming “aaaahhhh” when I walk in the house!
2) I love that whenever you give daddy a kiss you automatically turn to give mommy a kiss too
3) I love that you say the phrase "e-i-e-i-doe" repeatedly whenever you get in trouble...as if it has magic powers
4) I love to watch you tickle people because instead of saying "tickle tickle" you say "de de de" in a really cute high pitched voice
5) I love that you are not shy around other people (instead you say "hi" loudly to anyone you see and yell "dog" any time a dog walks past our house)
6) I love to watch you snuggle with daddy every night at bedtime
7) I love it when you do something good and then you clap your hands to applaud yourself

Saint Cloud

This week Brock, Brax and I went to Saint Cloud for a work conference. Here are a few photos we took while walking around town in the evenings--and a video Brock took at the pool while I was at the conference.

A boy and his daddy

This is my new favorite video...

Drumming

It's a rainy day outside. What is a little boy to do when he can't go outside to play? Drumming and more drumming!
Here is a drumming video...

And here is another drumming video...

Memorial Day Travels

Braxton and I drove to Sandstone this weekend to visit Grandma Debbie. We also went out the farm to see Grandpa Dwaine and Grandma Celia (but I forgot to bring the camera out to the farm so we didn't take photos at the farm this time).
Here is a video of Braxton and Grandma Debbie goofing off outside of Chris' Fairway.

One of Braxton's favorite things to do this weekend was to "play music" on the huge Wind Chimes. He would bang the chimes, dance, and sing. Here's a video of it.

And...I'll leave you with one final video of Braxton coloring with crayons (or should I say perfecting the art of making polka-dots).