Brody: 11 months

I know I just made several posts about my baby and one recently about him being 10 months, but he just turned 11, so here we go again. Brody's older brother built this (with mom's help): a table fort. Being the older brother that he is, he put all the contents of his toy box in there.

This little boy couldn't resist. Anywhere big brother is, he is also. I just have to look towards the camera and this little boy will be shooting me smiles left and right. I love how Brody is so proud of himself. He was happy that he crawled into the fort. What's not to be proud about?
While I was at the gym last night, Blake took pictures of his latest fav toy, the bucket.

Is there anything more fun than putting a bucket on your head?

The children's librarian told me on Wednesday that the boys don't look so much alike anymore. I agree with her. They went from looking like complete opposites at birth to little twinsies, and now Brodes is starting to get his own little look.

He definitely has his own little personality.

Quick surgery update: He is doing great. He pulled out his catheter on Sunday (which tore stitches and make him cry a lot), but since it came out, he's healing has been incredible. Minimal pain. We just pray we won't have to do this again. We still are in love with our baby boy.

Science Center

If you ever come visit us in Pullman, chances are we will take you to the Science Center. I know I've talked about it before, but I just love this little place. It's not as big as Discovery Gateway, OMSI, or Pacific Sci Center, but it's the small town version and my boys love it.

We try and go once a week. Braden spends at least an hour in the Lentil Pit.

He loves the dinosaurs. They have a T-rex with an open mouth. I can't tell you how many lentil the t-rex has eaten.

Brody loves the freedom to explore. No one is stopping him and it's wide open spaces. He tries to keep up with his brother though.

Every once in a while Braden will branch out from the lentil pit and do some of the science games. This is like operation, don't touch the metal, however, Braden likes to hear the buzzing sound.

I like to play with Lego's too. We couldn't help but build this incredibly large Lego tower. It almost touched the ceiling. Braden was paranoid that it was going to fall the whole time. It didn't.

For $60 a year we get weekly entertainment, plus free admission into science centers around the country.

Christmas Day

I am pretty sure I was more excited about Christmas morning than anyone else. I was up at 7:30 am, I know, not early, but still. I showered, which I have NEVER done before opening presents and got ready for the day.

Brody woke up shortly after me and Blake went to get him. We then played the waiting game. 8 o'clock came and went, then 8:30. By 10 to 9:00 Blake and I had it, we woke Braden up. I told him it was time to open presents. He was up in a flash. I would show the video we took of Braden discovering his kitchen, but it would take FOREVER to upload. Needless to say, he loves it.

It's our family tradition to have one main gift open, this would typically be from Santa, but since my parents got the kitchen, I wanted them to get the credit. While the kids are playing with the 'special gift,' I prepare a nice breakfast. After breakfast we open the remainder of the gifts. Blake and I figure if we start this tradition young then the kids won't know any better. It's prolongs the morning, we like it.

We also open our stockings before breakfast. Braden got a bunch of random things, one of which was Beauty and the Beast. He loved it. It's one of my favorites too.
My mom got Braden this shark grabber at the Seattle Aquarium. I decided it would make a great stocking stuffer. He carries this everywhere. You would be surprised at what this shark eats.

The boys played while I cooked. They had a lot of fun.

Brody got a stocking too.

After breakfast we opened gifts. Braden got this Melissa and Doug Puzzle fishing pole set. He discovered these at my parents house. This boys could fish all day.

Brody has already figured out how to make his giraffe work. You put the balls in the mouth and they roll down to the feet. It plays music too. It isn't annoying, yet.

My mom got him this colors book. He played with it for like 20 minutes.

Blake's parents sent tons of gifts. All of which the boys (and we) loved.

More Fishing.

Braden hugging the "How to Train Your Dragon" dvd. He also hugged "Toy Story 3." Both from Grandma/pa Barnett.

Brody opening his gifts.

He got his own movie. We have already watched this a couple of times. Thanks Mom and Dad Barnett.And then our little boy got tired, so we put him to bed. He opened a total of 2 presents. We just let Braden open the rest. He enjoyed it more.

Melissa and Doug food from Aunt Audrey and Uncle Toren. Braden loves cutting this. I can't tell you how many meals we've made with this food.

Blake has been wanting a steamer for his clothes. I couldn't resist this purchase. He is happy with it.

As for me, I had a great Christmas. Running shoes, socks, water belt, rice cooker and French cooking lessons. I couldn't be more blessed. Thanks everyone.

After presents, we headed over to our neighbors for some food and games. Braden loved playing with more toys.

We came home and just relaxed the rest of the day. We watched 2 movies and I even took down the tree so our kitchen could have a permanent place.

Thanks again to everyone. We got way more presents than we needed, but are grateful to have them. Although it would have been wonderful to spend the holiday with family, it was nice spending it as our little family. We hope to create Christmas traditions that our kids will remember, hopefully those revolved around our Savior Jesus Christ. Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve

Blake had the day off, so we headed to the gym for a good workout. Afterwards we went to the mall and let Braden play at the arcade. Can you tell that Brody is sleepy?

We had an uneventful afternoon, which was fine because we had an eventful evening. The George family invited us over to celebrate with them. We are so blessed to have such great friends. The night started out with a delicious dinner and conversation.

Followed by chimes. Blake's family used to do this, so he was a master.
For those who have never done this, let me explain. We were handed numbered chimes.

Merilee, the conductor, pointed to the numbers that were to play.

The point was to have the right timing. We did pretty well. We couldn't accompany MoTab or anything, but we enjoyed ourselves.

Next up, a wonderful story told by Drew. The two little ones got to jump around with bells on.

There was some singing and then the left/right game. Calvin led this wonderful game in which everyone got a present and got to know each other a little more.

Brody was as happy as could be just eating the toys. He LOVES the George family. I can't blame him, I love them too. Calvin (the dad) has decided to adopt the boys until he can get grandchildren of his own. That's just fine with us.

I was 1 of 3 people who got to watch the Nativity be acted out. Everyone did a great job. I only recorded it, so no pictures. Braden was a handsome little wise man who never left his Shepperd father.

After that, it was time for dessert. It is George family tradition to have a snowball contest. Braden just enjoyed the ice cream.

Everyone gets and ice cream in the shape of a snowball. A candle is placed on top and lit. You try and light them as close together as you can. The person's candle who lasts the longest wins. You can eat as much or as little as you would like, but when your wick goes out, you lose.

You are not allowed to touch the candle with your hands, however, you can use your spoon. It came down to Blake and Drew. Blake gave him a good run for his money, but ultimately lost. It was a lot of fun. We might take on this tradition too.

It was a great evening, but the kids were getting ready for bed and we have some of our own traditions. Everyone got to open 1 special present.

Brody had no clue what he was supposed to be doing, but Braden sure did.

I am not saying that every year you get pajamas, but new pajamas on Christmas Eve is great. Brody got matching p.j.'s, but his thighs were too chubby to fit in. Blake got new basketball shorts and I got new slippers. It was easy to get Braden down.

After getting the kids to bed, it was time for Blake and I to get things ready. My parents for the boys a play kitchen for Christmas. It took Blake 2 hours to assemble. Let's just say this sucker should be able to last through another 2 kids.

The Final Product

Brody's Special Gift

We went to bed around 11:30pm. It hit me that this is probably how we will be spending the next several years of Christmas Eve, at least getting the toys ready part. However, we would always spend it with the George's, if they let us.