Celebrating 33!

I finally got a moment to organize my pictures, dump them on an external, etc.  Caught up on some other work and now trying to keep up on the blog and finish baby books!  The fun stuff. :) 

Here are some pictures from Brett's Birthday a couple weeks ago.

We had a big family party and were able to celebrate Brett's, Karlton's, Grandma Lois' and Julie's Birthday.

Love my Grandma Lois.  She said she didn't have any wishes for her candles, she is just thankful for all the blessings she has.  This get together was earlier in January before her and Papa went to their vacation home in the Palm Desert.  Little did she know that on her actual birthday (Jan. 20th) she would be surprised in Palm Desert by having all three of her children and their spouses along with Greg, Andrew and Joel visiting her for the weekend!

It was a VERY special birthday because Grandma turned 75!

Here is the video we sent to her in the desert.  :) 

Back to Brett.  :) 

Brayden loves the birthday candles, but has been banned from blowing (spitting) them out at family parties, so Brett lit it again for him to participate.   The other day he asked, "Is is my birthday yet?  When is October?  Can I have a Pirate Party?"

Papa and Brayden enjoyed "facetiming" on their iPhones.  :) 

Happy Birthday Daddy!  A special breakfast, yum!  New recipes we will do again.

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2011/07/french-toast-with-berry-butter/

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2008/05/sleepin-in-omlette/

The plan was a relaxed morning with a special breakfast, massage, swing by a friend's 1st birthday party, then off to a charity auction for another friend, then home... Or so Brett thought.

We did the plan, except for when we got home there were a dozen of Brett's buddies there ready for a guys poker night.  Brett was SO excited.  Thanks to the brothers (Greg & Jacob) who rounded up tables and got there early to unlock and set up!

And then the day after his birthday we got to have a fun date night. It was a slippery & icy drive, but the grandma was already scheduled and the reservations were made so we made it happen!  And enjoyed a meal and evening at one of our favorite restaurants.   Aw, isn't he cute!  Fun celebrations!

Jump, jump, jump & tackle.

It's all fun and games until a surprise tackle from big bro. 

Of course this was followed by an "Sorry Sis!" from Brayden and 

Sienna now thinks this video is hilarious.  :)

Brayden misses his sis so much while she naps longer than he does.  He is VERY excited when she wakes up and he is finally allowed in her room.  Most days we go in there, Bray hops in her crib and they play while I sit in the recliner and watch.  My job {stay at home mommy} is fun.

HOLIDAYS!

Phew!  The holidays just flew by.  Here are a some snapshots of our activities!

MOPS Christmas Party

White Elephant Christmas Party

  Brett took me out on a really fun Birthday date!

On my birthday Papa & Grandma stopped by.  Mom and Julie spent the day with us too!

Followed by dinner with family and friends at Mom & Dad's house!

Christmas Eve highlight was definitely a "Scary Pirate Ship"!

Great Grandparents 

Grandpa Donn & Grandma Geri

"Papa" & Grandma Lois

Aves hanging out with her Uncle Brett

Love babies in their Christmas jammies!

Christmas Day!

After Christmas we spent four days in Leavenworth with family!

Hello 2012!!!

My little love bugs.

There are times when I can't get them to sit still and face the camera.

Then there are the thousands of "unscripted" moments where they couldn't be sweeter.  I just happened to have my camera for this one.

Teasing. 

Happy. 

Lovin'. 

 Sweet.

 Cozy.

Our Sweet & Silly One Year Old.

One Year Old Sienna.

Sienna is overall such an easy one year old!  She is super funny and loves little games.  This morning we played "chase" and she was terrible at it because everytime she would look back she would double over with uncontrollable belly laughs!  So basically we ran around the room and laughed hysterically together!  Anytime she hears a song, her hips feel the beat!  She is a dancin' machine.  It was especially adorable the other day when I came in the playroom, Brayden was strumming his guitar and singing to her while she danced. 

She says:

• "Mama"
• "Dada"
• "Bubba" (Brayden)
• "Baby"
• "Ball"
• "Dah-Dah" (Doggie)
• "Hello"
• "Oh Wow Wow!"
• "Num Num?" (When she's hungry or wants more)
• "Argh!" (When a pirate had is put on her)
• "Yee-Haw!" (When she is holding Woody, Buzz or Superman)

Oh, she is obsessed with her pacifiers and loves to be snuggled in with lots of blankets at naptime and bedtime.  She LOVES her crib and will often wake up and fall back asleep in it.  Many times she will fall back asleep sitting up!  It's so fun to watch her on the video monitor.  She is a great sleeper, good eater!

She loves her big brother!  This morning when she woke up Brayden was already gone at "school".  The first thing she does when she wakes up is have a diaper change and then proudly throws away her diaper and claps for herself.  Then runs into Brayden's room to see where he is.  She will often want to play with whatever he is playing with .  Brayden is sweet to her and has learned to get her another toy to play with before ripping the other one out of her hand.  I know she loves her brother because often times we will tell her to give a kiss to someone.  Sometimes she will, sometimes she won't.  However, if we say, "Sienna, give Brayden a kiss!" she puckered up and after him with out hesitation!  

Another one of her favorite games is PEEK-A-BOO!  Wherever she is, behind a couch, hidden behind a curtain, she is so playful!

My brave boy.

WAY TO GO BRAYDEN!

Brayden did swim lessons from 6 months to 1.5 years old.   He loved it!  As I got more pregnant, we decided to put our membership on hold.  We were very surprised this summer when Brayden was terrified of the water, clinging to my neck and wrapping his legs around my waist.  

We started a few weeks ago with swim lessons.  First lesson he did NOTHING that the group was doing and screamed at the top of his lungs, "Get me outta here!  I don't like it!!!"  This only lasted for the first 25 minutes of the 30 minute class...  

{Brayden's personality is VERY adventerous, BUT it is all in HIS control.  He doesn't like things that he does not have completely control over.  For example, it took him until he was over 2 years old to like to go down slides.  But when it comes to running, jumping and climbing, he can't get enough.  He is comfortable with ACTION, as long is he has control of the speed and destination.}

Here we are at the end of the session and he is doing so great!  What an accomplishment for him.  Blowing bubbles with his head all the way under the water.  Kicking around with a noodle by himself.  He is finally enjoying the water.  I am so proud of the courage it took to learn something that he was absolutely terrified of.  Bray, you totally faced your fear head on and have learned so much!

Being a good swimmer is so important when your Auntie & Uncle have a pool, Mammy & B-bo live on a lake, Grandma & Papa live on the Sound and we have a pool in our development...  Next summer should be much more fun for him!  :)

Thumbs up for Sienna who waits patiently in her stroller and snacks on crackers and water!  

What a good sis. 

I am VERY proud of my little swimmer.  :)

Silly Sienna and her love for food.

Sienna is so silly about her food.  She loves it!

Mammy & B-Bo took the kids to IHOP the other night and we got this video text from them.  Sienna had two eggs and five pancakes!  And apparently Mammy couldn't feed her fast enough!

She's not always this great about finishing what's on her plate.  Last night her teeth were bothering her so a little yogurt and applesauce was all she would do.  Tooth #10 is making it's appearance this week.

And yes, as I post this, she is in her highchair next to me finishing an english muffin and moving onto applesauce...  :)