Christmas Festivities

Christmas was great this year! Although we didn't get Braeda much since she can't open anything..Rylan is making her a toy box and we got her a few books. She received waaayyy too many things for Christmas and I have no idea where I'm going to store these toys..let alone the toys she will receive in years to come..especially since her toy box will be almost completely filled once we get everything in it!

 She loved the tissue paper and the noises it made.

 Ja-Ja and Braeda

 McKenna wants to hold her so bad..until Braeda starts to move..then that freaks McKenna out.

 And she can't figure out why Braeda won't talk back. McKenna gets right in her face and just jabbers away.

 Aww..Mimi with McKenna and Braeda

Candy Making Day

We had an eventful Christmas season. Our festivities began with our traditional candy making day at mom's. There were no powdered sugar fights this year. :( I burnt my finger and Jenn dipped her hair in the hard candy..that was nearly all the excitement we created! But we had a great time anyways..just as we always do!

 Braeda was content most of the time...but between all of us..someone was always paying special attention to her. :)

Playing with Ja-Ja

We took supper out to mom's Friday night. Leslie was there cutting mom's hair..so Braeda got to spend the evening with McKenna. Mom was holding Braeda and talking to her..and McKenna wanted right up there with mom. She couldn't stand that mom wasn't solely focusing her attention on her.

More Pictures of Braeda

Jen put Braeda in the Bumbo seat last week..which she liked for a bit!

 Mom showing Braeda her new ornament.

 Me & Braeda

 Braeda looking at Anna Ryker(5 days old). They were the same length..only Braeda weighed 9lbs2oz and Anna weighed 6lbs6oz. HA! Anna looks super tiny compared to Braeda!

 Braeda with her first Santa encounter.



Busy Busy Busy

Althought I don't have much time to sit and write a whole lot...I wanted to post some pictures from my camera that I have been intending to post for awhile now. They are from Thanksgiving! YIKES I've got to post more often!

Braeda and Ja-Ja

 Jen's table all ready for Thanksgiving guests. So pretty!!

Relaxing after lunch.

First Thanksgiving as a family of 3!

McKenna eating Cool Whip from the container with her hands. She loved it!!

Uncovering The Good 'Ole Days

While putting up Christmas decorations today..I needed to glue something that was broken..and I didn't need a really strong bond and didn't want the glue to be seen. I knew exactly what would work..Elmer's glue!! I thought I had some with the scrap booking stuff in the craft room in the basement. So down I go..on the search for some glue. I wasn't sure I'd have any..but after a little digging..I found some! It must have ended up at my house with some of Samantha's scrap booking stuff..because much to my surprise..I found out that it was stolen glue..because it says Willy Diemel on it. If it was not stolen..then he must have a bottle that says Samantha Cummins or Leslie Cummins on it! This glue must be..at the youngest..10 years old!! (And it still does its job of bonding items together!) So the Willy Diemel glue..reminded me of St. Joe..and the days of sitting on the fire escape during recess..prayer buddies..singing 'Check Yes Or No'..Jump Rope For Heart..lining up outside under your bus number..and many other things! If you have any St. Joe memories..please share!!

Back At It Again

I've decided it's too cold to run outside anymore..and I don't like taking time away from our evenings together. So I broke down and bought a membership to the gym..which I have missed so much! For the past three mornings..I've been hard at it before it's even light outside..trying to shed these last few pounds. I do the usual..run a few miles on the treadmill..do a few ab and back workouts..then either do arms or legs. Yesterday, I hopped on the elliptical before I left, just to burn a few extra calories to help compensate for both Thanksgiving meals. Then today..I thought I'd hop on the bike and ride some miles on it. While I was riding..I kept looking at the screen(you ride through scenic routes) next to me. I didn't think much of it until I kept riding faster and faster...and thought of when mom and I would workout together..and we'd always ride the bikes together..on the same route..and race each other. I can't wait for the day when she can go back to the gym with me so we can race on the bikes again!

I've almost always had a workout buddy. Mom and I worked out every morning before I got married..then we'd either walk in the evenings until it was too dark/cold and every morning in the summer. Then when I was at Newton..I'd walk/run with two different friends(one during lunch and the other after school). So I'm not quite used to this whole working out by myself thing yet. But I'm getting there..with my iPod attached to my arm to keep me company! :-)

As for the rest of the family..everyone is great! Breada is almost 2 months old! Oh how time flies!! She's becoming more and more interactive! We love it!!

A Day with JaJa & Auntie Jenn

Yesterday was my first day back after a wonderful..yet way to short 6 weeks. Aunt Nancy and Uncle Jackie got to spend the entire day with her yesterday and will every day until Christmas, except Tuesdays. She will spend Tuesdays with Auntie Jenn and Uncle Bart.

Braeda spent the day with JaJa & Auntie Jenn while I went to work today. She talked and laughed at JaJa..and gave her all sorts of smiles!

Halloween

Braeda was a pumpkin for Halloween this year. We made our rounds on Saturday so we could be at home Monday for kids to trick-or-treat at our house.

Momma with Braeda Lynn (pumpkin) and McKenna Grace (Minnie Mouse).

McKenna watching the laughing witch roll around on the ground. She wasn't too sure about it.

Momma & Braeda.

Rylan, sharing his M&Ms with McKenna.



1 Month Pictures

I took Braeda's 1-month pictures last week. I can't believe it's been that long already! I'm definitely not ready to leave her and go back to work!

A Visit With Great Friends

Braeda and I ventured north to Solid Grounds in Newton today, to eat lunch and spend a few hours with some friends. Thanks Karrie, Alicia, and Christina for a great afternoon of laughter. It was long overdue!!

 

We had a wonderful time with the kids too! They are all within 9 months of each other..Delia being the oldest, Cooper, then Parker, and Braeda being the youngest.

 Notice how, as Delia gets up, they all fall over!! : )

Growing Like a Weed

I can't believe it's been almost 4 weeks since Braeda was born. She'll be a month old on Sunday..crazy!! We've spent most of our days sleeping in, going for walks, visiting with Ja-Ja, enjoying visitors, and anxiously waiting for kisses and attention from Daddy when he gets home from work.

This is how I usually find them every evening. Rylan talks to her and she sits and quietly listens.

Every so often, we will find her like this. Sucking her thumb.

Jen stopped by yesterday afternoon and held Braeda. Jen had on teardrop shapped earrings..and Braeda latched right onto to one of them..it was the perfect resting spot for her little hand.



She's getting really good at holding her head up. If we put her on her belly..she'll lift her head and turn it from one side to the other.

She had her first real bath today. She actually enjoyed it compared to the sponge baths we had to give her.

Braeda Lynn

Just wanted to post some recent pictures of Braeda. I am definitely enjoying my days of sleeping in with her and laying around the house all day.

 

McKenna's 1st Birthday

A bunch of random pictures from McKenna's 1st birthday party. It's crazy how time flies!! I can't believe she's already a year old!