Christmas Lights

This weekend Eric and I went with my family to look at christmas lights. Brayden loves lights and we knew we just had to take him this year. We decided to try something different this year than Zoo lights. We heard about St. Nick lights and like how some of the proceeds went to Phoenix Childrens Hospital, so we gave it a shot. I am definitely glad we went, but was a little disappointed. Online it said it was the biggest light display in the southwest and it really wasnt that big at all. But it was just enough for the kids and they were happy. The lights werent for me and I am glad we went :) They also had a little train that went around the display and the kids loved it. Brayden cried when he had to get off. Ahhhh my child and his love for moving things!!!!

Cali and Disneyland

This past weekend we went to california with Erics family. Brett got us all tickets to see The Princess and the Frog screening. It was really cute and I was so proud of Brayden for watching half of the movie before needing to leave. Mickey came to visit us before the movie began and all the disney princesses were waiting for all of us after the show. It was so cute to see all the little girls in their outfits meeting the princesses. It was so cute I cried. Can anyone say pregnancy hormones??!! They are out of control this time ;)Brayden even took part in meeting them and it was just as cute! He loved snow white :) and even got a kiss from her.... he then proceeded to go over to visit Bell. I think he enjoyed going up the steps more then wanting to see her because once we were ready to take a picture he wanted down so he could climb. My typical boy! (I wouldnt want it any other way though)



The next day we went to Disneyland. We went on some rides, but since we got there later and it was soooo busy we didnt go on many. When you have a little kid it is definitely necessary to spend 2 or 3 days there! But he loved the lights and its a small world. I have to say my favorite part was the fireworks display and snow at the end. It was so magical even I believed :)

Cabin and SNOW!!!

The day after Thanksgiving my family went up to the cabin for the 3 day weekend! It is always so relaxing and beautiful up there. The last day we were there we woke up to a snow storm. It was so beautiful (words cant describe) I have seen it snow before, but nothing like this. It was coming down hard and since it was the first snow fall we started to see everything turn white. This was Braydens first time seeing snow and he loved it. We didnt have snow boots for him yet so the next best thing were his elmo slippers over his footy pjs and socks. Eric carried him most of the time so his feet would get wet.





They ate snow together and Eric built brayden his first little snow man.

Trick or Treat

This year Brayden was our little puppy. He loves puppies and his only animal sound he knows is a puppy barking, so it fit him perfectly! During half-time of the football game we went trick or treating. Brayden wanted to hold all his candies instead of putting them in his bag. It was so cute.

Brayden is 16 months now and is becoming very independent. He wants to do everything himself. He loves to eat with a fork and is still trying to master a spoon. He loves to climb, play outside and does not slow down. He is a typical boy and I wouldnt want it any other way, although it can be exhausting at times. He is also such a love bug. He loves giving hugs and "Open mouth" kisses :) Recently little Addison came into the world and Brayden can not take his eyes off of her. He loves to kiss her and touch her. He thinks he can pick her up. We have been teaching him to be gentle and he is doing great. Seeing him next to a newborn makes me realize that he is not a little baby anymore but a big boy and it is so sad. It goes by so fast, but I am loving every second. Hope you all had a great Halloween!

Trip to OHIO

We are finally HOME!! Man I love vacation, but I also love getting to come home and sleep in my own bed. We visited Erics grandparents on their farm in Ohio. It is such a beautiful place and they own sooooo much land (640 acres!!!) it makes for great trails for quad riding thats all I have to say :) The Darke County Fair was also this week, which brought back many childhood memories for Eric. They used to go to this Fair every year. It is such a big part of the town they live in.
Brayden had a great time also and experienced many firsts:
*Flew first class *rode the quads *rode on a golf cart and tractor *got to go on a pony ride * go to a STYX concert *Swam in a pond *pet a cow *go to a horse race and tractor pull *eat fresh veggies from garden





He loved the farm life and the quad riding even better. He would cry if you didnt take him with you on the quad and would get so excited when he saw one. He figured out how to turn the quad on! Eric and I are having so much fun with him. He has blessed our lives so much I could not imagine my life without him. I am constantly amazed by his growth everyday. I know I say that A LOT, but it is so true. I love you Brayden Reece!

Sea World!

Last weekend Eric, Brayden and I went to San Diego! Eric surprised me for my birthday. So off to Sea World we went. We had so much fun and it was so nice to go on a trip with just the 3 of us. Brayden loved watching Shamu and the dolphins, although I know he will like it so much better in a couple years, it was fun to see his expressions.

just wouldnt fall asleep in his stroller! he was soooo tired

Fascinated with the sharks above his head!!

Waiting for the dolphin show- Brayden was a little hot and impatient :)

1st Birthday Party

Wow! Have I been slacking or what :) So much has happened since my last post it would take me forever to update it all, so we will jump ahead to Braydens 1st Birthday :) On July 16th my sweet, adorable baby boy turned 1!!! This was very fun,exciting and sad all at the same time. I have loved watching him grow and learn new things. He is becoming more independent everyday, although I still spoil him and cuddle with him during his milk time :)He is 100% off bottles and on to sippy cups!!! But I just love the cuddling during feeding times so I will hold onto that until he doesnt want to sit with me!
As many of you know Brayden got the swine flu and was pretty sick for almost 2 weeks. It was the hardest thing I had to watch so far as a mother. But God watched over our family and healed his body. So for his first birthday it was just the 3 of us since we were in quarantine ;)!!! I made him his first cake and he loved it! I think he liked playing in it more than eating it!!



Brayden and Anna's Royal Birthday Party!!!!
For the babies combined bithday party we celebrated at my parents cabin. The weather was so nice allowed for people to be outside. Brayden loved all the attention on him. He loved eating the cake so much more this time around, and cried when I took it away. I felt bad for a second, but I just didnt want him to throw up or have a belly ache for presents :)

Cakes we made: one for our Prince and Princess


Decorations...

more....

The Handsome Prince!

The Beautiful Princess!

Easter

2nd cousins

Goofy kid :)
This easter was very special because it was our first spent with Brayden. He is such a little blessing and I thank God for him everyday. WE first spent the day going to Erics side since it started a little earlier than my side. We were very lucky this year because we got to spend it with both grandparents too. Erics, moms parents moved here this year. So that means we got some 4th generation pictures that are priceless :) As Brayden gets older he just gets more of a personality. It is so fun to see. By looking at the pictures you can see what a goof he is. Although it is sad that my baby is almost 9 months old I love seeing him grow and discover new things.


Fraley 4th Generation


4th generation & first born boys! wow

Hough 4th generation


The second half of the day was spent with my side. Our family is growing once again with babies! I love it. The end of the day was spent at the fire station with my dad. He had to work on Easter and had to see the babies. So lets just say it was one fun filled day. :)



cousins (only anna/brayden were planned to match and then Hudson/Preston... but then we find out we all had the same taste... so they all did!!! i love it)



nana


papa

My sick baby....

Brayden is on his first antibotic. :( He has been sick for 2 weeks now with congestion that has turned into a sinus infection and ear infection. After going to the doctor I was happy we finally had medicine to help him feel better, but instead of getting better he has been getting worse. His temp. shot up to 103 and he started throwing up anything he ate. With tylenol his temp is anywhere from 101.5 to 102. He is a little heat box. To keep his fever down he needs to stay in just his diaper, get baths and keep his hair wet. Even with all this going on he is still being such a good baby, just not moving around as much. (which has been easier on me :) ) I am praying this goes away soon. We will see the doctor again tomorrow if his fever is not gone. And on top of all this the doctor said he will be cutting 4 teeth anyday now!!!

Hawaii

Yeah for vacation! Last week Eric, Brayden and I went to Hawaii with Erics side of the family. There were a total of 20 of us. It was a lot of fun and the weather was beautiful. I hung out at the beach with the kids and girls, while all the guys went golfing almost everyday. Brayden would hang out in his stroller or on the towel in the shade while I was able to lay out and get some sun! I know, I cant believe he would stay on the towel either, but the first couple days he didnt like the sand so he would only crawl on the towel. This didnt last long though cause he found out the sand wasnt so bad after all, so I brought his pack n play down.




Brayden wasnt a big fan of the ocean it was a little cold and the waves scared him but he loved the pool! It was his first time in the pool and he did great.

Brayden and Makay (2nd cousin)



Brayden and Makay

Brayden on top of Daddy's sandcastle