Wordless Wednesday - Sick Day

So Big!

I know this video is not the best (I took it with my camera and I was holding it the wrong way...does anyone know how I can flip it?) but it is just too cute not to share. I was trying to capture Cami making "farting" noises with her mouth on the leather ottoman but ended up taping her newest trick instead.

My Not-So Knight In Shining Armour

The other night we were playing a family game of tackle on the floor. Ben tackled and held me down, while Brayden tried to save me. We had been playing for a while when Ben tackled me and held me down. I said "Brayden, Brayden...come save Mommy. Mommy needs help. Help me." Brayden stood right in front of me and said "I can't. I'm busy."

Honestly, I don't think I've laughed so hard in such a long time. I have never told Brayden that I am "too busy"...I do say, quite frequently, "give me two minutes." Well I guess I can't count on my little man to come to my rescue quite yet...maybe he needs another couple of years, and he'll be more available when I am need!

Wordless Wednesday - Tackle Me

Snow Day

We got about 3 inches of snow on Monday! Unfortunately, Brayden and Cami were both feeling a bit under the weather, as were Mommy and Daddy, and couldn't enjoy the snow as it fell.

We went out to play in the snow today. I got the kids all bundled up, we went outside and we were back in no more than 15 minutes later! Cami really didn't appreciate being dressed like the State Puff Marshmallow man...although she did look pretty darn cute if you ask me! But Cami wasn't the reason for the short stay outside, Brayden asked to come in. I guess he just wasn't feelin' the whole play in the snow the day after thing.

Oh well, maybe next time and maybe when Daddy is home...because Daddy's are just more fun than Mommy's when it comes to playing in the snow!

Book Worms

Brayden and Cami love being in each other's crib. After Cami's morning nap, Brayden and I went up to get her when she woke up and Brayden asked if he could sit with her in her crib. I put him in and Cami was so delighted. Brayden then asked for two of Cami's books and his Taggie, which for those of you who do not know, Taggie is Brayden's number one lovey. He has Taggie since he was 8 months old. Brayden took his Taggie and a book and gave a book to Cami...she already had her Floppy, which is the same brand as Taggie and Cami's lovey. The two of them read their books with their lovey's at their feet and laughed at each other for a good ten minutes. It's so cute to see them really developing a strong sibling bond.

Engrossed in their books"Hey, what are you reading?"And of course, a smile for Mommy...and the camera

"Mommy made a big mess!!!"

As if I don't have enough to do around this house, I am now creating more work for myself with my own stupidity!

This morning while Cami was napping and Brayden was watching his shows, I decided to empty the dishwasher. I had almost everything unloaded when Brayden asked if he could help. Of course I said yes and asked him to hand me one of the coffee mugs from the dishwasher. He said, "What about this mug mommy?" Brayden was pointing to a mug on the kitchen island. I usually unload the dishwasher to the kitchen island and then move from there so I grabbed the mug and flipped it over to put it away...coffee went flying everywhere!

It was my coffee I had been drinking all morning and I just refilled it, so it was FULL...not too hot though, thank goodness. As I am surveying the scene with horror, Brayden kindly says "Mommy, you made a big mess, huh?" It just made me laugh...my stupidity and Brayden's timing with words! So I cleaned and cleaned and cleaned some more because the coffee literally went everywhere...and we have white cabinets and a white kitchen island.

Is it the lack of sleep I have been getting? Cami was sleeping until 7:30 but now gets up at 6:30...I guess one hour makes a load of difference for this mommy. Hopefully I can catch up on sleep this weekend so I can continue to clean up the kiddos messes and stop creating messes of my own!

This Kitchen Will Be the End of Me!

Santa was so nice and brought Brayden the play kitchen that he has been dreaming off. Brayden has loved playing kitchen for what seems like ever but Ben wouldn't hear of any kitchen purchases until we had a daughter...very stupid, I know.

I was so excited for Brayden to have his kitchen and he does love it but....I HATE it!!! It is a messy disaster and my Type A personality is having a hard time just leaving the mess for clean up at the end of the day so I end up cleaning the kitchen up five times a day and as soon I clean it up, Brayden wrecks it again. Why must every piece of food be on the floor? Brayden just is not happy unless every single thing is cleared off the kitchen and on the floor. I hope he grows out of this stage because if not, I think I will lose my mind!

Here are some before and after pics so you know what I am talking about!

Before Hurricane Brayden

After Hurricane Brayden

Wordless Wednesday - Strange Habits

A couple days ago, I was cleaning the kitchen while Brayden was watching his show before nap and this is what I saw when I walked into the family room to check on him. He had set himself up on the ottoman with all the pillow from the sofa and the blanket. Brayden also had his shirt pulled up so he could rub his belly while he watched his show...what a goofball!

Happy New Year!

We had a low key celebration this year. Amy, Randy and their kiddos, Owen and Bryn came over to help us ring in 2009! We had a yummy dinner, the kiddos played until they passed out and then the adults played wii (and drank wine!!!) until it was 2009! We had a great time. Here are some pics that Amy passed along to me. Happy New Year from us to you!!!

Brayden and Owen "helping" at dinner

Playing trains is serious business for these boys

The men thought a little Toddler WWF would be a good idea

The boys finally calmed down to watch a Thomas movie before bed

No more smiles...now in serious Thomas watching mode

Ben singing American Idol Karaoke on the wii

Amy and I

A December to Remember

December was a truly crazy month for us! Not only did we have all our regular holiday activities, but Ben and I went on a kid-free vacation to Mexico for a week! We have been busy, busy, busy to say the least but it has slowed down now and I can't wait to share with everyone some of the pictures from our December to Remember!

Cutting down the Christmas Tree:

We went to a local tree farm at the beginning of December to cut down our Christmas tree. This has been a tradition now for just about 5 years. We did skip the year I was pregnant with Brayden because it was snowing and I didn't feel like walking my big butt around to cut down a stupid tree!...but I did walk me even bigger butt around the farm last year when I was pregnant with Cami so I have redeemed myself in the eyes of St. Nick!

It was a nice day and Brayden had a great time riding the train, picking the tree and watching Daddy cut it down. Cami was her usual pleasant self and we all (well maybe just Mommy) enjoyed some hot cocoa afterwards...but not cookies as I promised Brayden. I guess the free cookies got the cut when the economy tanked this year...once again, Mommy makes promises she can't keep!

Daddy and Brayden on the train

Cami and Mommy riding the train

We found our tree!

Daddy and his special helper cutting the tree down Cami watching the madness of the Christmas tree experience from the comforts of her stroller

The Big Trip to Mexico:

Ben and I escaped to Playa del Carmen, Mexico for a whole week! It was glorious to say the least. The hotel was beautiful, the room was great, the food was good and the drinks were a plenty...maybe too plenty at times! We went with a large group of people which included Tyler (Ben's brother), Lauren (Tyler's wife), Bill (Ben's brother), Sandra (Bill's girlfriend) and lots of Sandra's family members.

It was so much fun but I did miss my kiddos so much. They got to spend the week with their Mum and Papa (my parent's) and I know they had a great time. We were so happy to see the kids when we got home and I know that Mum and Papa were so excited to see us! It's been a long time since they had to care for an infant and toddler...I guess we have exhausted our babysitters for awhile.

This was our beautiful room

The view from our third floor room

Ben and I at our favorite spot at the pool

The swim-up bar and waterfall at the pool

Posing on the steps of the French restaurant
A very relaxed Ben floating in the pool
A view of the pool from my chair

The very windy beach, which is why we spend our time at the pool

Another milestone for Cami:

When we returned from vacation, Cami reached another milestone...she pulled to standing all by herself! I was talking on the phone to Ben and I rounded the corner into the family room and found her standing at her activity table playing. I snapped a quick pic, which I love because she just looks so darn proud of herself! What a cutie pie! I can't believe that she will soon be a year old...time sure has flown.

Christmas Eve:

On Christmas Eve, we all put on are best outfits and headed out to meet my parent's and Chip for a fancy schmancy dinner. This year we were fortunate enough to get a private room with a private waiting area and bathroom, which was not only great for us but everyone else at the restaurant too! The kids had room to move and we didn't disturb anyone with the banging and throwing of toys. Brayden and Cami each got to open a present, just like my parent's used to do with Chip and I. Brayden didn't eat any dinner because he couldn't put down his new Mack and Lightning McQueen cars!

It was a fun night and when we got home, we put out milk and cookies for Santa and sprinkled special reindeer food (oats and green sprinkles) on the lawn. The kids went to bed and Santa came with all his special goodies.

Brayden and Cami in their Christmas outfits

My handsome little man and his taggie...we don't leave home without it!My lovely princess

Cami opening her first Christmas presentBrayden was so excited about his Cars present

Mum and Papa pose with CamiCami and Mommy
Papa, Brayden and Mack from the movie Cars

Christmas Day:

Santa was so generous this year and dropped off many, many gifts for the kids. Our tree looked like it threw up Christmas presents! Mum, Papa and Uncle Chip came over early Christmas morning and we opened presents for at least two hours!

Brayden was so excited to come downstairs and see what Santa had brought him. It was so much fun to experience Christmas through his eyes! He played with almost every toy that day. He truly had a great Christmas...in fact, he stills says every day "Today will be the best Christmas ever!"

Cami got lots of big girl toys from Santa. Santa knew that we needed some girly toys in the house and he delivered. She even got her very own Cabbage Patch Newborn...just like her Mommy had so many years ago. I can't wait for Christmas next year when she will be walking and talking away...just like her brother.

The tree after Santa came

The tree after Mum, Papa and Uncle Chip came

Santa's big present to the kids
Brayden immediately came down stairs and played with the kitchen
Cami loved opening gifts
Brayden ripping into his present from Mum and Papa...a new Thomas set!Uncle Chip carrying Brayden in his new duffel bag

Cami is truly one of the best presents we have ever received!