A few recent pictures of my favorite model...

Life is going on...

Here are some pictures I took of the young man on our snowday. When I showed him the snow out the window that morning he kept saying "towman!" This was his first "real" experience being out in the snow. It took what seemed like upwards of 20 minutes to get the garb on. We soon discovered that there was just no way to get his thumbs where they are supposed to go in the mittens and that if he fell down he was unable to get himself back up again (just like the kid in Christmas Story...)My mom got him these adorable ski pants and boots (which he looooves and wears around the house) and mittens for Christmas, so he was all set. Once the ensemble was complete we waddled out the door...he mostly prefered to just walk around in it and, despite not having opposable thumbs, he really enjoyed himself. He did do a little sledding (another gift from my mom - thank you Memaw!), but had to be "coerced" - all the while we told him it was REALLY fun and that he would like it, we PROMISE!! So, he let Brian pull him around for a bit. We didn't stay out too long because it was sooo cold, but Brett really hasn't gotten to play outside a lot lately because of the weather and it was really nice to get outside for a bit in the fresh air. Brett was not as ready to come inside as we were.

I Heart My New Camera

Brian got me this super awesome Canon Rebel T2i camera for my Birthday/Christmas/Valentine's Day/Mother's Day/Anniversary. I am infatuated with it and can't wait to get some more things figured out. It will definitely be a work in progress, because it is much smarter than I am. I got to fiddle with it today some - here are a few pictures I took with it. I have a LOT to learn about all the different settings and possibilities! AND any tips on photographing people who don't sit still are welcome! More soon.

Half -Way Between 1 & 2

Where did the last 6 months go? On Brett's first birthday in March he was not yet walking and only saying a few basic words...and very much still a BABY. What a whole new little boy from just 6 months ago! He has grown leaps and bounds. Here are some (lots of...) pictures I took of Brett outside playing in our yard on his 18 month "birthday". Outside is definitely this little guy's favorite place to be. First though, a picture from his first birthday 6 months ago (this picture is courtesy of my good friend Kate! thanks!):

And now...

Bubbles

We have had plenty of fun in Brett's kiddie pool this summer...I didn't manage to get Brett going on any early swim lessons this year, but I was so excited about this...

Take Me Out to the Ballgame....

I love my job. Especially right now. It is so much fun getting to be with the little man all day every day (and the bigger one too!). We have been staying just busy enough, I think. Lots of walks, wagon rides, visiting friends and family...I just couldn't ask for a better summer vacation. The only problem, of course, is it's gone way too fast!

Brian's mom bought 30 tickets to a Naturals baseball game, and a whole big slew of family came down from Kansas last month to spend the weekend. It was so much fun. HOT, at first, but sooo much fun. And the babies did great, even though they were up way past their bedtimes!

Grandma arrived a day early, with a little present for Brett - a new pool! Such fun. Thanks Grandma, we were definitely needing one of those! Brett has been taking advantage of that thing most every day (us too!). He loves it. More pool pictures some other day.

Here he is in his Natural's hat. He got that hat last year at his very first game.

Here's what he looked like in it last year...


It was so hot when we got there, but once the game started lots of clouds started rolling in along with this AWESOME breeze that might as well have been air conditioning. We thought we were going to get wet, but no rain-just fresh air - and it was PERFECT.
Brett played, watched, clapped, and ate lots of junk food, like cotton candy, cheetos, ice cream....(as you should at a game, right?)


Here is Brett ignoring us at the playground. We were calling his name in an effort to get him to come back our way...

but he had more important things to do than listen to mom and dad.


Peggy fed Brilynn ice cream and Brilynn fed Brett ice cream. I think that system seemed to work out pretty well for a bit, until the bites were just coming in to fast for Brett...maybe he got a brain freeze?
Some of our other family and friends enjoying the game...

The Chicken - very entertaining for the kiddos, as long as he kept his distance.

Kissing Cousins

An abundance of Cheetos

Brian's brother Rob and his Hannah Montana Bag. Just kidding. Not really his. He is outnumbered in a house full of girls!

This game was SO much fun, even more so to have so many family and friends there too. Thanks Peggy for organizing it!