Four Year Anniversary (June 11th)

We celebrated our 4th anniversary the weekend of June 11th by a nice dinner out and then a weekend getaway.  It was so nice and relaxing to get away and just enjoy each others company!  Our 4 year anniversary was also the same day Bray was exactly 8 months!

Here are some pictures of our eight month old baby boy!

All of our neighbors are so great!  We love our neighborhood.  Our next door neighbor came to our house in the morning and brought us flowers and took Brandy to the Dog Park for us!  She has a dog that plays really well with Bran.

On our anniversary we enjoyed an amazing dinner at El Gaucho!

Every year for our anniversary I make Brett a scrapbook online (through shutterfly).  It has pictures and memories of our last year together...  The books keep getting bigger and bigger!  This one was over 100 pages!

Some snuggles with my baby!   After dinner we had to pick him up from Grammy's and Brett got a quick haircut from Greg.

Can't start a roadtrip without snacks!  On our way to Alderbrook Resort on Hood Canal...

Brett is enjoying the view from our room!  The Alderbrook Resort was AMAZING!  We got a deal that included a couple's massage and dining credit.  As soon as we arrived, we unpacked and relaxed and then walked to the spa...  It was amazing!  Then to dinner and a walk along the dock.  Such a great day!

The view from our dinner table, so peaceful!

Brett is pointing at our room

The next day we got some yummy breakfast and then some pool time in before heading to Bremerton to catch the ferry to Seattle.

We thought this sign was really funny!

The fountains in Bremerton, who knew?  =)

Ferry Ride!  It was a bit windy for my hair...

Brett is holding the space needle!

Seattle Aquarium.  

Then we were reunited with Bray at Julie and Jacob's housewarming party.  He had stayed with Bebo and Grammy for the weekend.  I was so excited to see him!  However, it was really nice to have the time alone with Brett.  As soon as I saw Bray I said, "oh, did you miss mama?"  and he said, "dada!"  Haha! I am sure he meant to say mama, right?  =)  

Who needs toys?

It would really be so time saving if Brayden could hold a bottle himself!  So I gave him a bottle of water to practice.  After a few minutes he figured out how to get water out of it, and boy was that a fun game.  He splashed it around and it really provided good entertainment for a good half hour!  He was full of smiles and having so much fun...

Our 8 month old!

Brayden continues to be such a joy!  He has made being parents really fun!  Brett and I a few times over the last week have just looked at each other and said, "Can't believe he is already (almost) eight months!"

He is so busy!  He LOVES to scoot everywhere.  Because of that the jumper and the highchair are a little less popular these days.  The jumper is still great outdoors as there is lots for him to watch.  But overall, those things just confine him and he wants to be on the move!  No crawling yet, but he is sure a fast scooter!

Dada installed the "big boy" car seat yesterday!  This car seat is so much nicer for him.  We should have done it earlier!  In his other infant seat he would fall asleep and his head would fall forward.  He didn't seem to mind, but I always felt terrible taking him on long car rides.  With this one his head can easily rest on the side and he looks much more comfy...  =)

Uncle Greggy had offered to babysit and honestly the first time he did, I thought he was joking!  What 21 year old guy wants to spend his day with a baby...  Well, Greg does!  He was serious, so I took him up on it.  Greg has always been really good with Brayden so I didn't worry, I knew he was in good hands.  I dropped Bray off and they played and hung out.  I came back a few hours later to find them both asleep in the living room chair.  Here is a picture of them with their sleepy faces...  =)

Below is a picture that Brett took with his cell phone.  

This is Bray eating avocado that I mashed up!

Another cute picture of Bray and little Cora Huff!  Really, I think the only thing cuter than a baby is two babies!  We spent the day at the Putnam's pool with Carly, Caylen, Cora, Kristal and Coleson (trying saying all their names 10 times as fast as you can!).

A little of this, a little of that... Our last few weeks!

We just can't believe that Brayden is almost 8 months old!  He is still "scooting" all over the place!  Today we were hanging out, outside at Auntie Karin's and he was down on the cement and that got him to get up on all fours a little more!  He is getting so fast at scooting, he just hasn't really taken the time or interest to crawl.  When he is scooting around, it is non stop, he keeps going and going and going.  He learned how to go up and down our steps into our living room (with careful supervision).  And if Brandy is in the room we can be certain that is where he is heading to!

He continues to say "dada", although I am pretty sure that he doesn't have a clue what it means (don't tell Brett!!!!).  He is also getting much more vocal with different sounds and letting us know what he wants.  For example, if we are getting ready to go somewhere and try to set him in his crib, and he doesn't want to go there, he will let us know by a big yell!  It only will last less than a minute, until he realizes he doesn't have a say, but he is getting very specific about what he wants and does want.  I am sure once he starts talking we will hear all about it!

Another new thing is his ticklish legs!  He has a certain spot that is almost sure to get giggles out!  Is is too cute!

- Here are some pictures of us over the last few weeks - 

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We all got together to celebrate a friend from highschools birthday!  Although we love little Bray it is fun to get out with friends without worrying about an 8pm bedtime...

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Hanging out before bedtime!

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Mama's shopping buddy!

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Out celebrating with the bride, Jen Kling!  She is Jen Mueller now!

This boy has been to so many showers it ridiculous!

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Meeting Adeline Anderson!  Our friends Seth and Kristin welcomed a cute and healthy baby girl.  

Jen Lee is not too far behind, with another girl due in July!

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Bray loves to keep me company in the yard.  Brandy does too, she just didn't get the memo about facing the camera...  =)

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We have been working hard on our lawn.  We recruited some college boys to come move some dirt around for us!

Greg, of course, was more willing to watch Bray.  He loves being an uncle and is one of Bray's favorite people...  Greg even successfully babysat for a few hours the other day!  They were both wiped out from it all and napping together when I got back to pick Bray up!

Brett and I seeded the lawn ourselves!  This was a couple weeks ago, right after we did it.  We are seeing little grasslings pop up all over now!  Can't wait for it all to come in!

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Walking to Michael's birthday party at the Putnam's! 

Trying out a new game, "ladderball".  It was fun!

Pickleball has become very popular!

We normally would have brought his pack and play for a nap, but being that we walked, that wasn't an option.  Pillows work too though! 

The birthday boy!

Bebo's iPhone makes him giggle...

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I just love this face!  Out of one of our many walks around Chamber Bay...

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Nothing better on a hot day than to go hang out in a pool!

Here is sleeping Cora Huff!

Brayden and I, with Carly and Caylen.

Don't worry, his pale little body was smothered in SPF 50!

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We had a fun time visiting with the Allan's!

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Sunny days!

It's been so nice out that instead of going to the gym, I decided to get my arm workout by going around the lake!  Much more scenic than staring at a tv on a treadmill inside!

Grammy is always finding new ways to get the giggles out!

(Sorry, can't find out how to rotate the video...)

Brett joined us after work.  Brayden LOVES his "dada"!

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My good friend Jen was married last weekend!  Jen and I met and also lived together in California.  It has been so fun because she is actually from Puyallup (went to Cascade Christian) so I have been able to keep in touch with her!

What a cool wedding!  It was definetly one that I won't forget.  Started the ceremony blasting "Love Lockdown" by Kayne West as the bridal party dance down the aisles!  Felt like I was at a concert!  But the ceremony was traditional and very romantic, so happy for them!

Cam and I.  One of my favorite roomies from Cali!

Mr. and Mrs.!

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Out to celebrate our friend, Matt Rody's birthday!

What a cool cake!  I guess it's an ongoing Obama joke between Matt and their cousins who were also there.

We went back to Matt & Stacy's new place after dinner.  Look at the gorgeous view from their new home!