Happy Thanksgiving!

Hello to you! Just leaving a quick note and wanted you to know we are still alive and well. Fortunately, life has gotten in the way :)

We hope everybody has a wonderful Thanksgiving and wish we could be spending it with the rest of our family.

I am thankful for these three!

Halloween 2011

Halloween didn't go in any way that I had planned. I had spent the last month working on the boys costumes. I got the idea from various sites on the internet so I cannot take credit but I put everything together on my own. I love the way everything turned out and couldn't wait to show them off! Unfortunately, it rained the entire day. Besides the rain, it was freezing, probably in the low 50's. Looking back, I guess I could have taken the boys out but I didn't care to walk in the rain myself and be freezing.
However, everything worked out that night. One of my really good friends I made while at Bragg was moving...to Germany. It was their last day and they were going home first (Wisconsin) before they started their new journey. They were not allowed to leave until midnight and were hoping that they would have let them sign out early but they had no luck. I am very thankful that they (her and her two kids) hung out with us for the day and through the night. It was nice to hang out with her a little bit longer even though we knew we had to say our goodbyes eventually. We did get the kids together pretty frequently but I do wish we hung out more..I hate saying that after she has left! Anyway, we didn't do Halloween and the kids just ran out like manics and had some fun.
I had hoped to do Halloween the next night but the Army got in the way so I just put it off till the weekend. I had absolutely no interest in the whole trick or treating thing and I knew that Brady didn't either, I just wanted him to enjoy his new ride! So here we are..

Introducing Fire Chief Busonick and his sidekick Brendan, the Dalmatian :)

We went on a short stroll yesterday and Brady just loved it. I'm pretty sure he didn't get the whole fire truck thing but pleased he was in the wagon! It was Brendan's first time too and he seemed to enjoy the scenery!

After chasing Brady up the hill and carrying him inside while he kicked and screamed, we attempted at pictures of them together..

Brady wanted no part in it but sweet Brendan was looking as cute as ever!

...the best one I got of both.

Maybe next year will be better!

This is better then Wordless Wednesday!

Gross Farms

We went to a local pumpkin patch over the weekend and decided to opt out from the one we went to last year. I had heard about this one from many people and knew that we had to check it out this time. It was 100x better and had a ton more activities for the little ones, that is what we are here for right?!

Aren't they just so cute?

Having some fun!

We headed over to the pumpkin patch because I had to get some pictures of the boys there.

I knew they weren't going to be looking at the same time..that is close to impossible, so this is just fine. It is hard enough getting Brady just to sit down! What 2 year old wants to do that? Definitely not mine. I am starting to worry about the Christmas pictures that we send out!

Finally, we headed over to this jump thing and it was so awesome. I was a little worried about Brady on it but he laughed the entire time and so did I watching him.
Yes, he collided with this boy! Perfect timing.

It is worth going back a second time but I think our schedule is packed :(

Tour for the Troops

Josh Turner came to post a few weekends ago for a free concert honoring the troops. There was a kid land set up prior to the concert with bounce houses and horse rides. Brady loves horses so I was excited for him to see them. I had no idea how he would react for a ride but he loved it! He kept saying, 'go go go' and held on all by himself. Brady now wants a pony for Christmas, Nana ;)

We took him around twice.

Brady burned a ton of energy from the bounce houses and we settled down with some dinner in the grass and waited for the concert. Once I rocked Brendan to sleep, it was Brady's turn. Now let me tell you this, Brady never fell asleep while being held up right and until recently he has been real lovable and so giving with hugs. He will just hang on in your arms, it is the greatest feeling! So, this is what we did the entire concert, he rested his head on my shoulder and we just danced with the music. I was in heaven!

Let's catch you up.

My blogging has taken the back burner lately, for sure. It isn't that I don't have time to blog, I am just not using my free time to do so. I often sit down at the computer when I have the chance, ready to type something up. Once I finish the fourteen other things before sitting down, the blog has slipped my mind and those free 15 minutes are spent doing other things like catching up on other blogs, my school work, housing at Fort Stewart, Halloween costumes and Pinterest---be careful of this, it will take over your life! ;) This is only naming a few, everyday something new is added.
Back to the point, let's play catch up!

Brendan has finally decided that he wants to eat solids. He has tried and loves carrots and sweet potatoes, hates green beans and peas and we have thrown in a little bit of fruit but trying to stick with the veggies first. He is only eating it once a day right now. He takes forever to eat and pretty much just chomps on the spoon and it splatters everywhere but we are getting better! Brendan did suck on some fruit while in Savannah and loved it and occasionally eats banana pieces now.

Since Brendan is now sitting up by himself, bath time is a blast. I am so relieved that he is finally sitting up, it makes everything so much easier!

This was there first time together and the picture below is Brendan's first time sitting up in the bath on his own. He pretty much noms on those letters the entire time.

Play time is just as fun. Brendan never takes his eyes off Brady if he is in the room. Brendan will definitely be looking up to him in the future and I hope that Brady does a great job being a positive influence and big brother. Brady is still unsure as to why I am giving Brendan 'his' toys but seems to be okay with it once he sees him playing.

and this one just makes me laugh :)

Brady is spitting out words left and right. Bernie and I will say something and Brady will repeat it, it is awesome. Off the top of my head for the latest, Brady can identify the letter 'A', say the sound for 'L', alligator, hippo (po), elephant (nt), pig, eggs, brother, butterfly, diaper...
Brady is able to identify what is dads by saying 'my dads' but now! he knows what is mine and says 'ma'. He has always been able to say 'ma' but now he is putting it to use. When he comes looking for me, he says 'ma', he identifies my cups, my car, my phone..I love it.

Overall, boys are doing great. I have a post on the concert from earlier this month and from Gross Farms--keep checking back ;)
 

Savannah

About 2 weeks ago, the boys and I took a road trip to Savannah/Fort Stewart. We got to check out housing at Stewart, which wasn't very impressive but we also got to visit family! My grandma had a weekend planned with her siblings (so cool!) to catch up on life and have some well deserved drinks. My mom was there too and we arranged to surprise 'The Greats" with the boys. I was glad that everybody got to see them as they are growing too fast!
Brady playing cars with my grandpa--just look at his smile, he is so very special to me!

We made a day of Savannah and it is a really neat town!-the historic district

Brady got to see horses pulling carriages and he couldn't believe his eyes! We also saw some big boats and fire trucks in action (there was a building fire).
These are some of the buildings along the water.

I would love to sit under these trees and just read. It is relaxing!

We made our way to the center of the park..it has a name, I just don't remember it. Kids were running around in the middle and there were fountains shooting up water. I really wanted Brady to run around but he would head straight for the water and I just didn't want to deal with that (the other kids surprisingly stayed away from the water). Nana went to check out some stores and came back with gelato, YUM!

It was a great weekend and I think Brady found a new ride over the wagon. Nana had him pushing the buttons on the elevator every time we went somewhere and he learned 'push', which is what this was called every time we saw it.

Brady also managed to push the 'call' button on the elevator which happens to be next to the 'emergency' button. That would have been interesting!

Miles

Say hello to Miles! He is a new addition to the family. He is such a good boy, just in need of some love and attention. Miles loves to play ball. He is Brady's newest side kick and they chase each other up and down the hall.

and Brady playing tug-o-war with daddy's pants, haha :)

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Fire trucks!

Fayetteville held its annual Fall Safety day today. They brought in tons of fire trucks, ambulances and even a helicopter! Of course, there was plenty to do for kids. I knew we would take Brady because he loves fire trucks. I had to ran into Hobby Lobby first because I had to get materials for the boys Halloween bags (that will be another post) then we stopped at McDonald's right next door to the location for some sweet tea. As we are waiting in the drive through, I spotted a helicopter circling and I got so excited..I jumped out of the car and grabbed Brady and we went ran over and watched the helicopter land. He couldn't believe his eyes! (he says helicopter too and with his toy helicopter, he flies it through the air..so adorable!)

Finally Daddy arrived and we were off!

We checked out the k-9's first..I have no idea why Brady got so scared since he was calling him 'good girl' from daddy's arms. He was very sweet. There was another older puppy behind us that I tried to sneak a picture but a lady was standing in front of her...she looked JUST like Dakota. He put her away because she was too rowdy and was still in the training process.

Brady leads the way..

Brendan bear is enjoying himself :)

There were a few of these little trucks riding around. They were remote controlled and this particular one had a speaker on it. There was someone on the other end having a great time with the kids. Brady eventually tried to hop on it!

Over by the boat..his face tells all. He cannot believe what he is seeing and is trying to take it all in. What do I do next?!

Here is an old time fire truck, you even had to crank the siren yourself..pretty neat!

Driving course for the kids. Brady took one car out at a time and pushed it about 5 ft and went back and got another, over and over.

I did put Brady in a big fire truck and he screamed. Here he is sitting on a seat that is on the side of a truck..I don't remember what type of fire truck it was but they had all types there..

He finally put on his fire hat and was very happy with it.