Halloween 2015

We had some BIG shoes to fill this year, between the shark and Carl from Up! we set the bar pretty high, so there were high expectations for Brayden's costume this year.  To be honest, I had no idea what I was going to do and a friend of mine mentioned how 'perfect' Brayden would be in a lumberjack costume.  I tossed it around and went between a couple things to finally come back to the lumberjack!

Brayden LOVED putting up all our Halloween decorations this year and every time we went to the store we had to buy a pumpkin, because he just couldn't get enough of them.  Thankfully the .69 cent pumpkins would do the trick!

With Halloween on a Saturday this year we knew we wanted to do something with Brayden during the day as we weren't going to take him out for hours trick-or-treating in the evening.  So we meet up with a few friends at a Trick-Or-Treat Street at a local recreation center.  It was a little overwhelming, but in the end Brayden was able to pick another pumpkin and got some candy. 

We started the morning with waffles...with Halloween sprinkles of course.

Then headed off to Trick-or-Treat Street!

Pre-beard!

With the beard...which he LOVED!

Brayden with some of his friends.
(Parker, Baker, Logan, Aidan & Jack)

They took 'professional pictures' of the kids at the Trick-Or-Treat Street!

We came home afterwards so Brayden could get a quick nap in before the evening trick-or-treating began.  Once he woke up, I had him carve one of his pumpkins.  He wasn't very excited.  He liked micro-managing instead.  haha!

We then had some dinner - mummy dogs - right before we headed out for some trick-or-treating!  Then my camera died so I had to put all our pictures on my phone.  UGH!  

Brayden had a great time trick-or-treating, but I'm pretty sure he liked handing out candy even more.  He kept saying, 'Momma, the peoples are coming!'  Haha.  Then he would grab a whole handful of candy and go running for them.  We ended up setting up our fire pit in the driveway and handing out candy there.  It was really fun!!  Another great holiday - Brayden's 3rd Halloween - is in the books!!  My heart couldn't be happier.

Here's a picture from some pre-Halloween festivities with our Stroller Stride friends!  I had him wear a tiger costume, to other activities, which worked out great because it was chilly and this costume was thick fleece!!  

Kendyll's Baptism

A couple weeks ago we headed back home for the weekend to baptize, Kendyll!!  Geoff and I had the honor of being a part of Kendyll's baptism as his Godparents.  Those are big shoes to fill, but we're going to do our best to make sure to fulfill our Godparent duties!

So, here's a big photo dump of his wonderful little baptism.  God Bless, Kendyll!!

Abbi's little giggle in the background...haha!

And we also did a little mini-photo shoot with Brayden and his sweet cousin Gianna...they really weren't having it.    

Brayden's 1st Day of Playschool

Insert weepy Mommy here...how in God's creation is it possible that my sweet baby boy is off to playschool and will be 2.5 years old in 2 weeks!!  Boo-hoo!!

I feel like he was just this tiny a couple months ago...and now he's going to PLAYSCHOOL!  So one of my girl-friends and the Mommy to Brayden's BFF's, Logan and Jack, saw something about a pre-school co-op, which is pretty much a group of Moms (and Dads) that do a 'structured play date.'  Just to encourage interaction, taking direction from another adult and listening skills.  I was on board from the get-go.  

So fast-forward a few weeks and here we are at our first day (9/10/15)!  Brayden was SO excited and couldn't want to see his friends.  He kept telling Geoff and I that he was 'Going to school wif' me friends!'  (And don't think I was the only weepy one, Daddy I think had a harder time with it than I did!) 

Here are his first day photos...

He looks so grown up...like he should be going to kindergarten.  But, Mommy is definitely, not ready for that!  haha!

He did so well at his first day (as all the Mommy's stayed for the first day) he was a great listener and a great helper.  So I'm hopeful that his will be a great experience for Brayden and will give Mommy a little break.  We switch houses, every week between the 7 of us and this week, WE'RE UP!  So I have fun plans surrounding the 'Very Hungry Caterpillar!'  

A Day in Our Life

I've seen these posts before where you just post what you do day-to-day and I love them. Haha! So here's a little glimpse into what our Wednesday's usually look like!

6:15am: Mommy wakes up to get ready and have a little quiet time.

6:30am-7am: Brayden wakes up and the fun begins!

Seriously? I love waking up to this sleepy eyed, crazy haired boy!! 

7:15am: Heading downstairs with blankey and Gerard! (Change of clothes because his diaper leaked! Ugh!)

7:30am: Breakfast, milk and Little Einsteins (it's usually Elmo!)

8:45am: We're out the door and on our way to Wal-Mart for diapers!!

9:10am: At Wal-Mart and wrangling a sweet boy back to the checkout.

9:30am: Stroller Strides!

10:00am: Asking when it's over and playing with Mommy's sunglasses! 

10:30am: Stroller Strides is done and time for fun at the park and our book exchange. (forgot to take pictures)

11:10am: On our way to swim lessons!

11:30am: Ready to swim!!

12:20pm: Swam like a champ! Thumbs up!

12:30pm: Lunch on the road!

12:45pm: Home! <3

12:50pm: The 'Do everything to avoid a nap' begins! 

1:30pm: Naptime. I could stare at this sleeping boy all day! 

3:45/4ish: Wake up and ask to watch dump truck videos. Such a boy! 

5:00-6:00pm: Play outside! (While I make dinner) I don't know what we're gonna do when it's too cold to go outside. Ahh!

6:15pm: Dinnertime!

7:00pm: Daddy's Home!!

7:15pm: Bathtime! (Forgot to take a picture during the bath!)

7:45/8pm: Sleeping boy! (With Gerard of course!) 

Time to rest, so we can get up and do it all over again! Wouldn't trade it for the world. 

Our day on Thursday, looked nothing like this, as we didn't even leave the house! Haha!  Those days are needed though.  :)