Choices

I'm trying to be a good mom and give my boys choices whenever possible....

Mom: "Braden do you want carrots or green beans with your dinner?
Braden: "Why would you ask me that?" (asking as if I have never given him a choice in food?!?)
Mom: "To give you a choice in what you'd like to eat"
Braden: "Oh..."
Mom: "Truitt, do you want carrots or green beans with your dinner?"
Truitt: " Ummm, french fries"

NICE!

Points

In the car the boys play a game of "Points". Here's the daily conversation in the car...
Truitt: "Digger, my point"
Braden: "I zap your points" (making zapping sounds)

a few minutes later....

Braden: "Tractor, my point...my points are protected by fire"
(Following in his brothers footsteps doesn't mind this comment)
Truitt: "I zap you points Braden" (lots of silly noises follow)

It's funny until they begin to whine that "you can't zap points" even though they both continue to do it to one another. It's just one of the things I'll look back on and smile.

Bye Bye Training Wheels

On Sunday Kurt decided to take off Truitt's training wheels. At first he was excited, then apprehensive...then off he went. He did great, he has a bit of trouble starting off on his own but he'll get the hang of it with practice. Overall he's doing good, even going over the speed bumps :)

Truitt and Dad taking off the training wheels...

Crusin' along!

We came inside and Braden told Truitt "You did such a great job, we're so proud of you!"...

gives me a happy heart to hear him build his brother up :)

Artwork

Braden loves to draw...and I love his imagination. His favorite place to put his artwork - my bedroom wall. I have "my side" and Dad has "his side", it's sweet and I don't mind it (for now) since I really don't have much on the walls anyway!

Kurt's side

My side. My favorite? The tractor one right in the middle...

PawPaw

Today would have been my PawPaw's 85th birthday. I have been thinking about him today...missing him so very much. I found some fun photos from his 80th....

Decade in Review

A friend did a decade in review and I thought it was fun, so here goes....

2000
Graduated from Texas A&M
Started working for Landmark Graphics
Got engaged

2001
Married Kurt
Honeymoon in Hawaii
Bought and moved into our first (current) house.

2002
Travel to England (why didn't we do more of this before we had kids!!)

2003
Pregnant with Braden
Kurt joins Cypress Advisory - leaving IBanking behind
Braden born

2004
Travel to Italy

2005
Travel to France, Breckenridge and Chicago
Braden has surgery

2006
Pregnant with Truitt
10 year high school reunion :)
Braden Starts preschool
Travel to Czech Republic and Norway
Truitt born

2007
Quit working at Landmark after 7 years

2008
Pregnant with Blake
Travel to Seattle/Vancouver

2009
Blake born
First vacation as family of 5 - New Branfuls (baby steps!)
Truitt starts preschool
Braden starts Kindergarten

Looking forward to what 2010 holds for our family....

Happy Birthday Blake!

It is hard to believe a year has passed since my sweet little boy arrived! I am trying to 'soak up' this baby phase as it will be the last for our house. It makes me sad but at the same time I have lots to look forward to and that's exciting! Blake is all over the place, he'll take 5-7 steps before crashing, says 'dada', has 8 teeth and 2 more coming in, has terrible exzema (poor guy), loves to be around his brothers (he follows the noise), like trucks and particularly likes to spin their wheels, is very affectionate and loves to wrap his arms around my neck (I'm loving that!) and just generally is a happy baby. His 1 year stats are 21.2 pounds and 30.25 inches (66% - for now).



Last night we had family over for dinner and cake to celebrate his birthday. Blake was excited when all started singing...he was clapping his hands and laughing, very cute! He didn't want much to do with the cake...put his hands in it but wouldn't eat it.

Everyone but Blake wants to open the gift :)

the birthday boy...

Blake with his Aunties...

Fun with Friends

We went to the Bassett's and decorated cookies the other day - the kids had a great time! They all get along so well, it's nice to see them and be able to hang out with friends :)

Snow in Katy

Lots of fun, lots of photos!

Birthdays

I'm behind...we've had two birthdays recently.

Braden is 6 now, I can't believe it was six years ago our life changed and we became a family of 3. Wow - we welcomed our 5th family member this year, Braden is a great big brother. He would want to hold Blake (for a few minutes then he'd say "I'm done"), takes pride in helping me and also shares in the funny things Blake does - he's fun to laugh with. Braden has a great imagination, a tender heart, likes riding bikes, building and creating things with blocks, lincoln logs etc - you name it! We may have an engineer on our hands. He enjoys hiking and climbing rocks (we discovered at Enchanted rock), he is sweet to Blake, rough with Truitt, loves his Dad and can't wait for him to get home each night and still has a special place in his heart for his mom - not so much in public anymore :) That's ok though - I'll take the love when and where I can get it! Braden started Kindergarten this year and is doing great - I'm so thankful school isn't a chore - yet!

Truitt is now 3...and ever so busy! He follows Braden around and does what he does, says what he says. Truitt is brave and daring, not afraid of much at all (scary!). He started preschool this year and loves it, it makes him feel like a big boy since his brother is in school. He is in the stage where he says many memorable things. In the mornings he tells me "I waked up Mom" and I think how thankful I am he did. He loves to sing - some of his favorites are "This little light of mine", "Jesus loves me" and "Happy Birthday". He has a sweet smile that melts my heart and I look forward to what this year will bring.