Holy Snow!

The weekend before Christmas, the DC area was hit by a blizzard and we got 30"! I can't remember having so much snow since I was a kid living in the midwest. It was beautiful! Here are some of the pictures I took. I have misplaced or lost my camera charger, so these are from my iphone.
9:30am


12:30pm



After it was all said and done.




Here is our Santa...a little under the weather, literally. ha ha!

I felt bad because Braeden was sick and not fully over his cold, so I couldn't take him out in this. Plus, we don't have a sled, so I guess it wouldn't have been that much fun. We are waiting for our next snow, so I can bundle him all up in his snowsuit and play!

**Alana**

Disney, Round 3

The Saturday after Thanksgiving, we flew to Orlando. Rob has a conference there every year, and what better time than Christmas to go! If this doesn't get you in the Holiday Spirit, nothing will! This year, my mother-in-law went with us. Rob and I were a little nervous about the trip as we all stayed in the same room, and Braeden has hit the 'terrible 2's'. Even though he really IS a good kid, he still has his moments.
First stop...Cinderella's castle! We made reservations to have dinner with the Fairy GodMother and the mice. We got our picture taken with Cinderella.

We all had a great time! We spent all day Sunday at the Animal Kingdom. And, the next days, we went to the Magic Kingdom (3 total times), Epcot, and Hollywood Studios. Braeden had a blast seeing all the parades, characters, fireworks, and the rides-Dumbo, Magic Carpet Ride, tea cups, It's a Small World, and Pooh.

Again, I took over 350 pics, so here are just a few.

























Happy Holidays!
**Alana**

Jamaica Mon

Braeden's God Parents united as one in Jamaica. We were down there for 7 nights, 8 days at the Beaches Resort in Negril. They are partnered with Sesame Street. The whole resort is geared towards children. Everyday, we would see or hang out with some or all of the characters. Braeden was in heaven!

We met this little girl and her mom on the beach. The two were instantly attached. They walked down the beach together and Braeden shared his character toys with her. It was the sweetest thing, ...and I didn't have my camera! Darn it!

Is this not the most precious picture ever?




We bought Braeden these character toys that they had in the gift shop. He carried them around everywhere, everyday. He LOVED them! This pic was in our room.

The night before the wedding, all the guests went to the Rock House restaurant for dinner. It was a beautiful setting and alot of fun!




Beaches offers some pretty fun excusions. We took a ride on a glass bottom boat to see some fish. This was his first boat ride.


He enjoyed it, as you can tell.:)

Beaches has a free nursery/babysitting program with certified professionals. We were not planning on using the service, but after talking to some of the parents that were on the resort and meeting the staff, we were okay with it. We didn't use it but once or twice, but that gave Rob and I an opportunity to snorkle. It was a good time!

One of the guys that drove the boat caught a blowfish, and I got to hold him!

HAPPY 2ND BIRTHDAY!

This is a day we will never forget. Braeden, you have blessed our lives with so much happiness I can not even explain. We love you with all we have. You make us so proud and keep us laughing daily.
In the morning, we went over to their sister property, another Beaches resort. It was bigger with a lazy river (which he loved!), and slides.





This night, Beaches had a Sesame Street Parade with a marching band. It was PERFECT for his birthday!


We took a Catamaran ride out in the ocean. This boat was amazing! It seemed as if everyone was getting sea sick, but us! It was fun!





I took over 350 photos, and these are just some of my favorites. It was such a wonderful trip, with no cell phones, no internet; just paradise!

**Alana

Happy HaLLoWeeN!

This year, we thought Braeden would be more interested in the pumpkin carving. I tried putting his hands in the pumpkin 'guts'. But, he can't stand anything dirty on his hands and wanted nothing to do with it. :( Here are some pics of the carving and decorations.



I started telling him "Cheese" so he will smile. He is SUCH a ham!




Rob picked out Braeden's outfit, Spongebob SquarePants, one of his favorites. Last year, Braeden didn't want anything on his head, so this outfit was perfect--so we thought. He didn't really want it on long. I didn't get very many pictures, because he was 'on the move' and wouldn't sit still. This is Kirsten and Austin, 2 of Rob's cousins.


I was pleasantly surprised that Braeden caught on to the saying, "trick or treat!" so well. Since he's not even 2 yet, he doesn't understand the concept of Halloween. We took him 'tick oh teat'ing with Kirsten, Austin, and Marley. He climbed up all the stairs and said, "Tick oh teat! BYE!" And then he left. He didn't get the candy! FUNNY! Then, there were several houses where the neighbors were sitting outside b/c it was 70 degrees out. And, Braeden would be running down the sidewalk and you would hear, "Come back, Spongebob!" It was so fun! Next year, will be a different story!
Linda came over and fixed her Chili. But, she also brought sushi, spiced shrimp, hummus, and so after the chili was done, we were all full. But, later on that night, we had some and it was so good. It was a very fun night!

**Alana**

The 'Mote'

I think 23 months is too young for 'remote control', as in controlling the remote. Don't you? Braeden has been saying 'mote' for a few weeks now. So, when the credits come up after his cartoons, he'll say 'MOTE MOTE MOTE"-meaning: "change the channel, mom! The show is over!"

For his naps and bedtime, we have gone through several changes. At first, I never had on the TV in bed while I'm trying for him to go to sleep. About a couple of months ago, he was bored of that, I guess. So, I turned on his favorite, Spongebob Squarepants and after a short while, he would fall asleep. So, we have been in that routine since.

I started hiding the remote when he wasn't looking under the covers. Of course, if he wanted me to change the channel, I would. :) High maintenance child, I know. Anyways, every night when we go to bed, it's just him and I. Rob is doing school work, or working on the fish tank, or something.

So, last night, Rob was actually was with us when I was trying to get Braeden to sleep. We had on his cartoons. Braeden is in the middle of us. Braeden picks up the remote, and throws it under the covers!-and so nonchalantly! I about fell off the bed in laughter because I have been thinking all this time that he never saw me! I told Rob about me always covering it up, and we both just laughed and laughed! OH BOY, do little ones catch on...even if you don't realize it!

**Alana**

Busy, Busy October

It seems I had a pretty open month this month, but it hasn't turned out that way, which is good. I would rather have things to do, go, and places to see. First of all, after all the sweat, time, and tears, the fish tank is LIVE! I believe Rob and our neighbor started this in March time frame. With work, Rob's school he recently started, family, and other engagements, it is complete as of this week. Here is a picture of the live rock Rob picked up. It's from Fiji.




Last night, we went and got 7 fish and 2 more live rock: 2 are from Florida, and the other one from Fiji. We have alot more to get, but it's a slow process in 'seeding' the tank. But, it looks gorgeous and we are enjoying it. I'm very proud of Rob!

After becoming a mommy, I have really realized how important it is to make sure Rob, Braeden and myself are all on top of physicals, regular Dr. appointments, etc. This year, I decided I am starting the annual mammogram routine. This was my first one. I didn't really know what to expect. It wasn't a bad experience beside it being a little uncomfortable. But, the tech who took my images, said that the images were "text book" and the best she has ever done! I thought, 'wow, that's cool, I guess?! I'm sure she's photographed alot of boobs (ha ha)! The radiologist shouldn't have any issues."
Well, I received a letter in the mail from the hospital needing "additional imaging studies". You can imagine my thought process...UH OH! I called Rob and told him about it. He blew it off like, "it's nothing. It will be okay." My mom had breast cancer, so I didn't take it so lightly. All that was going through my mind, was, "it could be cancer". And, "what if...".
I immediately called and scheduled the appointment. I had to get an ultra-sound on my right breast. I asked the tech how long it would take to get the results and she said "today." So, afterwards, she said she would be back in 10 minutes. And, she did. The results: benign lymph node. THANK YOU, LORD! I immediately called Rob and he said, "THANK GOD!" You could hear in his voice the huge relief he had. When he got home from work, he turned me around, hugged me, and said, "I was really worried. I didn't realize how worried I was. I'm so glad it's not cancer. I don't want you to die." Isn't that sweet?
*******
I took Braeden to Arista's work where they painted pumpkins. He loved it. He made a very...colorful one. See? The different color of paints were all brown by the time he was done. ha ha!


We took Braeden to the Pumpkin Patch. We took him last year and it was a really good experience...this year, not so much! He didn't want to be in his stroller. He didn't want his back pack on. We first took him to see the goats. He got so mad to leave there. He threw himself down and cried on the ground. We took him to see the train. He LOVES choo-choo's. He had a great time playing around in it. Well, it was time to move on to another location. He was not a happy camper. So, we ended up leaving with him on Rob's shoulders pulling his hair and scratching his forehead. Naptime is a MUST with him. If he doesn't have one, he is a crab apple.:) We did not get our pumpkin. And, I forgot the camera in the car, so we had to use the iphone camera. They aren't the best pictures, but it's something. :)




I decided that I am going to make Christmas gifts this year, I think. As I am typing this, I am wondering if I am going to have much time? Anyways, I made a friend of mine a replica of something I have on my wall with my last name. I had a good time doing it. AND, I actually got to go to the store all by myself!!!! (it's the little things in life, right?). Well, here it is. I think it turned out pretty good! She loved it.

Rob took me to the Chiefs vs. Redskins Game! We got tickets from one of Rob's friends he used to work with. He is over seas and has season tickets. We had alot of fun! CHIEFS WON!!!--their first win of the season! I'll always be a fan!



I'll leave this long post with 3 cute pics. For some reason, he's just does not care to have socks and shoes on. So, he has to take them off in the car. When he does this, we always, say "PEEEE UUUUU!" He loves it when we do that. He switches feet to our nose and this goes on for a few minutes. CUTE!

Braeden got in my 'disaster cabinet' which is full of plastic ware. I dread having to go in this cabinet. As you can see, you will appreciate why. :)

Lastly, I left Braeden upstairs for a short bit. I thought he was playing in his room.... Note to self: Do NOT leave a toddler unattended--ever. LOL


**Alana**

Gifts from the other side...

We all sure wish Ron was here on earth with us. Linda always tells us how much he would enjoy and love Braeden as much as she does. Truth is, he is here, watching over us. He saw Braeden in the womb before we ever met our precious baby.

When Rob was little, he used to collect rocks out of the rock beds when they would go out of town or to a restaurant. Linda told me about this last summer. I remember it clearly. We were going into Outback for dinner. Linda pulled me aside and whispered this story to me. I thought it was so cute! Of course, I had to give him a hard time about it and asked him if he wanted to pick up a rock outside of Outback. We all laughed. Every once in a while, I would still ask him if he wanted to pick one out.

Rob brought home his dad's toolbox from Linda's a few weeks ago. Since he has been so busy with work and school, he hadn't had time to go through it. On Saturday, he was out in the garage and was sorting through it all. In the bottom of the toolbox, there was a sack....a sack of all the rocks he had collected when he was little. Ron had saved them all of these years.


Rob didn't tell me about it until the next day. He brought in the sack, and showed them to me. He remembered a couple of them and what he thought they were when he was little. Braeden started playing with them. I had Rob call and tell his mom. We had her on speaker and the joy in her voice was just priceless. She didn't know Ron had kept them. I'm so glad Rob found these. It just reassures us all that Ron IS watching us. He IS here.

On another note, Rob has a picture of me in a frame on his nightstand. Linda had given Rob Ron's driver's licence and Rob put it on the corner of the picture frame. Braeden has been going over to the picture frame, getting it down, and looking at the picture of Ron. It's like he knows who he is and wants to see him. I quickly got my phone and snapped a picture of it. It's simply ...amazing and made us smile.

We can't wait until Braeden gets a little older so Linda and Rob can tell him stories of his grandpa.

We love you, Ron!

**Alana**