Movies in the Park

The weather was beautiful, the full moon was out, a picnic dinner was packed and The Polar Express was on the big screen! This made for a nice family night out. We all enjoyed laying on our blanket and watching the Christmas movie together!

Half Way to the Number Three

Two in a half years, where have they gone? They sure have been fun and by far the best two in a half years of our lives. So what's going on with this little guy (or frog!)....here goes!

• He'll repeat almost everything that you say! So we now have to be careful with our choice of words. Some of his new words are: waffles, pretzels, tractor, Mickey, Minnie, guppies (for the show Bubble Guppies), gummie (for his vitamins), pop, macaroni and cheese, Christmas tree, Eli, basketball and many more! He's also putting many words into sentences with his favorite phrase being "let's go Jet's!" and "It's nice" Also I have to note this for me to remember in the future: he also likes to point out Ian's truck but truck comes out more like cock, so we usually will here "Daddy's Cock" mentioned throughout the day. We know what he means but when he screams it in the store our faces turn a little red.
• Loves, loves, loves school. It was the best decision Ian and I made was to put him in school for two half days a week. His teacher Ms. Kathy is amazing and she always has good things to report back to us. We've seen a big difference in his vocabulary since he started school.  He asks every morning if for school so I think we'll be adding another half day soon after the first of the year.
• Babci has taught him the Itsy Bitsy Spider.
• He's starting to learn to undress himself. He's a pro at taking his pants off and is almost a pro at getting his shirt off and just starting a few days ago he likes to have his pajamas off and dressed in his clothes for the day shortly after he awakes.
• Can quickly get on a sugar high! His choices at home are usually fruit, cheese, crackers, and pirate booty (organic cheese puffs) but at Babci's he's spoiled and gets the good stuff but he quickly gets on a sugar high!
• Loves playing with his friends, Harrison, Brooks, Noah and Ethan and still calls them all Darla.
• He loves playing outside on his swing set and  driving in his cozy coupe.
• Talks on the phone. Babci will call him almost everyday and ask to talk to him. He loves getting on the phone and telling her about his day. She'll ask him questions and he'll answer as best as he can.
• He sleeps in big boy beds now at both our house and Babci and Papa's. No more cribs or pack n' plays. He's made the transition easy!
• He's very smart. Ian and I were just talking about it last night, but whenever you ask him to do something he knows exactly what your asking. If you ask him to go get something he knows exactly what your talking about and where it is.
• His favorite foods are still chicken and pizza!
• He loves looking at the moon outside. He can point out the moon quicker than us!

So many new things in the last six months, what's in store for the next six months? We shall see!

Ice Skating

Who would ever think in Florida that you would be able to ice skate outside over looking the ocean? Well it's possible. My dad and Ian put their skates on and skated at the Daytona Bandshell while my mom, Brayden and I shopped some of the shops and make a special visit to my Grandma's stone that we have up at the ocean for her.

My mom purchased the stone at the beach shortly after my Grandma died. Since she was buried in Massachusetts there was no where close by that we could go and visit and she loved the beach so it was the perfect place to put a stone. She would have loved to have met Brayden and would be so proud of all of us today. I know she's watching down on all of us and looking after us. I miss her everyday and think of her all the time.

Maternity Photo Session

What an amazing job done by Natalie Jean Photograghy. Natalie, is a friend of mine and a mom in our moms group! She has two adorable children that Brayden loves to play with and we are so glad to have met them all! Natalie was able to capture our wonderful family and these special moments leading up to Baby Barrette, so beautifully.

Welcome Back, Kib

All the way back from the North Pole for the second time, Kib, our elf has arrived back in our home. He's ready to report back to Santa whether Brayden has been naughty or nice. :)

We got ready for the arrival of Kib, with The Elf of the Shelf movie and then by reading the book. Kib arrived on a candle holder the first morning and has already been in three different spots around the house. He prefers high spots so he can keep his magic alive (if you touch him, he loses the Christmas magic). Every morning we ask Brayden if Kib has arrived back and he goes around looking for him. He usually points and looks in the places he's already been but you know when he's spotted him because he lets out a giggle of excitment.

I think Kib is going to have great things to report back to Santa with this holiday season!

Up Goes The Tree!

After a weekend of camping, I convinced Ian to stop and let us pick out our Christmas on our way back home on Sunday. We got it at Gardner Tree Farms and it didn't take us long to find the perfect one because they were all set out for you to view. Our tree is big and full, the biggest one we've ever bought.We loaded it up in the van and headed home to decorate. Brayden enjoyed hanging all the bulbs on the tree and watching it light up for the first time. He also thinks all the bulbs are balls to play with and likes to take them off the tree, this will take some time to make stop!

Thanksgiving 2011

Happy Thanksgiving! Our family has so much to be thankful for this year. We have a wonderful family, great friends, and our health! Ian and I have been blessed with a year of wonderful memories with Brayden and are looking forward to the arrival of Baby Barrette very soon!

This year we decided to throw tradition out the window and start a new family tradition, camping! My parents joined us for the fun and Brayden loved having them around all weekend! We took off on Wednesday to Tomoka State Park and stayed until Sunday. We stayed close to home because with four weeks left to go until Baby Barrette arrives I didn't want to take any chances being to far away.

The weather was beautiful. In the high  70's during the day,  low 60's at nice with a nice breeze. This was also our first time camping in a camper. A friend of ours let us borrow his. We usually stay in a tent, which we don't mind but again being 36 weeks pregnant I thought I'd be a little more comfortable above ground.

Brayden is definitely all boy! The kids loves the dirt and getting into everything and when I say everything, I mean everything which makes it a little hard when your camping. He wants to be around the fire and help cook but with everything being so hot it seems like a constant telling of no. He loved his walks around the campground in his wagon, trips to the park, riding his four-wheeler, making smores for the first time and walks to "pool" (the river behind our campsite).

This is what it's all about. Making memories. :)