Christmas Eve

I haven't posted anything since Thanksgiving so I figured I should update now while I have a chance. Christmas Eve we spent with Josh's family.

Branson caught on to the whole opening presents thing right away.

Between his grandparents, uncles and aunts B is a spoiled boy.

He is in heaven with all of his new trucks.

Uncle Joel got a remote control helicopter. Branson isn't quite sure about it, but he felt safe hiding behind Uncle Jason

B was wound up by the time that we got home, we finally put him in bed hoping he would just fall asleep. After a while I went to check to see if he had fallen asleep and this is what I found. He was sound asleep, still holding onto one of his new trucks.

Thanksgiving

I haven't been very good at the whole taking pictures thing lately, but here are a few from our Thanksgiving.

Josh and I rotate holidays between my family and his. This year it was Thanksgiving at my parents house. Snow at their place is rare, especially on Thanksgiving, but it didn't stop us from attending the first annual Oly Trot and playing our traditional football game.

Joel joined us this year. Branson was happy about that since his Uncle Joel is one of his favorite people. He even learned a new word. Joel. It sounds more like "Goal," but I think Uncle Joel is proud of B's expanding vocabulary.

Here is B and another one of his favorite people, his daddy. They are watching a DVD about an offense that Josh is using for his team. Branson loved watching "ball" with his daddy. He just crawled right up and perched on Josh's arm. Doesn't he look cute in his Christmas pajamas from Grandma?!

Branson's Fleet

This is what we spend the majority of our day doing; playing with trucks. B is a true boy and loves all things with wheels. He is getting pretty good at telling us the difference between cars and trucks. but tractors are still "trucks"

This picture was taken last week, when B was outside playing with Daddy. That was the last of our fall weather. The snow hit a few days later and I think it is here to stay. We have gotten out and played in it some, and B loves it, but with highs in the single digits I am trying to come up with fun indoor activities to keep us occupied.

November Already?!

October ended with a visit from Holly. We loved having her with us for over a week and we are already counting down the days until we get to see her at Thanksgiving.

I didn't get very many pictures of her visit, but here are a few.

Bundled up to go to the high school homecoming game

Branson loved getting spoiled by his Auntie. It was freezing at the game and this was the best smile Branson could muster with his frozen face

Sunday morning

Checking out his new shoes

Branson loves eating apples. and they are great for keeping him entertained as well

Leavenworth Marathon

The only picture I got all day was our team picture at the Oktoberfest Marathon. Uncle Steve and Lucas ended up not being able to make it, thanks to Justin for filling in at the last minute. With only five runners Joel did an awesome job stepping up and running the last two legs.

Looking at the results of the relay our chip must not have worked, but we would placed somewhere between 5th and 10th with a time between 3:45 and 3:50.

If anyone is considering it at all I highly recommend the Leavenworth Marathon. The website says "You may not PR on this course, but it will likely be the most beautiful and scenic marathon course you have ever run" about the course and I completely agree. I got to run the leg that went down through the park and on a trail next to the river. It was beautiful.

Cats and Dawgs

A few months ago my Uncle Steve organized a team to participate in the Super Jock & Jill half marathon. Our team name was Cats and Dawgs. We all wore "uniforms" to show who we supported the UW or WSU. Dad, Mom and myself thankfully opted out of the rivalry and chose to show our support for our Alma Matter and went as CWU Wildcats.

Poor Joel was the only one representing the Cougs. Good thing he can hold his own with the heckling that came from my family.
My dad is awesome! The oldest in our group and he was the only one who ran the entire half marathon.

Camilla and Mom. Aren't they the cutest!?

Meredith and Auntie Patty. They are pretty cute too!
Me and my running partner.

Luke, Joel and I participated in the 4 mile run

Next up for The Cats and Dawgs is the Leavenworth Marathon. We were all fired up after Monday to put together a team relay. This time Josh gets to participate while Grandma pulls babysitting duty. Can't wait.

Also fitting for the Cats and Dawgs post. Here is B with his new Cat Forklift. He is quite the little boy and is loving the collection of Cat equipment that he is getting.

ONE

Baby B isn't a baby anymore! Last week he turned one. Grandma T and Holly came over to see him for his Birthday. Of course we convinced Grandma to bring a cake.

Dane was visiting Joel and his birthday was last weekend, Branson was nice enough to share his cake with him.

Best buddies, Dakota and Branson, admire the cake.

I won't bore you with a million pictures of B opening his presents, but you can tell he loved everything he got.

Needless to say, He is not lacking in toys or attention!

I was working at the fair Saturday morning, B got some quality time with Grandma and Auntie Holly. Big thanks to them for also doing all the prep for the party too.


Friday morning I was working at Pam's Booth at the fair. Thankfully Auntie Sue came to rescue Branson (and Me!) and took him to play with the Sandersons. Here is a picture Sue sent of B in the wheat box. Needless to say I am still finding wheat all over the house, but he loved it.He also loved the tractors...

and the animals...

and covering his mama in spit!

This past week Branson has learned a new word...Ball. He says it at least 500 times a day! We give credit to Uncle Jason and Auntie Sue who got him this ball set.

August Birthdays

My birthday is in August, Josh's birthday is in August. After we got married in August Josh told me we should have our kids in August. I didn't think that was a good idea, but last year Branson was born in August.

So far we have celebrated the first two. For my birthday Sarah came to visit and we spent the morning in Chelan, then went out to Manson to pick Blueberries.

For Josh's birthday Ben, Bethany and Charlie were in town, and we headed up to Chelan to hang out with the Sandersons.

Branson thought the sand was more fun to eat than his dinner.

Sarah made Josh some birthday brownies and B thought daddy needed to share

Charlie laying on the beach

and another just cause he is so cute

It was a fun night, so much fun to hang out with the adorable Sanderson boys. Here they are taking turns holding baby Charlie.

Charlie

Charlie finally decided to make his appearance. Isn't he cute?! Dad, Mom, B and I were so anxious to meet him we hopped in the car and drove from Washington to Minnesota. On the way we stopped by Mount Rushmore

Branson's first look at his cousin.

B taking a break from playing with Grandpa. Note their matching outfits.

Charlie with Auntie Holly. I am SO jealous that she gets to cuddle this little munchkin whenever she wants.

B and I stayed with Holly, while Dad and Mom stayed at Ben and Bethany's. There is a park by Holly's place with this pool. B loves the water so it was perfect place to spend some time while Holly was at work.

I am in love!

Grandpa and his boys. Who would have thought that there would more boys than girls in our family?!

On the way home we went through Jamestown, ND. This is where Kati went to school and I never got the chance to visit. It was fun to see where she lived for a while.

Also, on the way home we went through Theodore Roosevelt National Park. This Bison was sitting on the side of the road as we drove past.

Over 3,000 miles but it was well worth it. Being an Auntie is the best.