Christmas-tingle

Braden, Kelan and I went to the the park across the street from our house today. What a little time in nature, even if it's the local, city park, can remind us of- the simple things:

The sun was shining; not a cloud to be seen.

There was a gentle, winter breeze in the air.

Relishing silent alone time, just the three of us, at a public park.

Appreciating pushing both my happy and content boys in swings, side by side.

That magical, Christmas-tingle, feeling that only comes a few days before Santa's arrival.

Peace and happiness ARE states of mind and to be present during the little moments in life.

It's Santa!

Daddy and Braden spot Santa Claus outside the train window.

Santa, Daddy & Braden
Braden was actually pleased to see Santa,
he looked away from the camera at the last moment.

Santa Claus giving Braden,
THE 1ST GIFT OF CHRISTMAS!
-it's a silver sleigh bell

Polar Express 2009

Allllll Aboooooard!
Next Stop... North Pole!!!
Santa's on his way.
All the food and festivities are from the Christmas holiday classic,
The Polar Express.

Mmmmmm, chocolate chip cookie

Hot Chocolate

Clapping for the tap dancing waiters.

I LOVE this picture of Braden.
It's a face I've never seen him make until this moment,
when the train began to move,
his joy shone all over his darling face.
The TRUE meaning of Christmas!

First Train Stop

Before we boarded the Polar Express,
Braden couldn't wait and had to climb aboard a "diesel" train.
As the pictures show, he was all smiles.

A big moment for a Thomas the Train fan!

Daddy and Braden

Toot! Toooooot!

Mirror Buddy

Kelan gets a kick out of seeing himself in the mirror.

Braden & Kelan's Playroom

More quickly than I anticipated, the boys are now playing, side by side, in their playroom. Braden loves pulling out all the toys and Kelan likes practicing his new skill, pulling himself to his knees to explore.

One of Braden's favorite things to do:
play with his Thomas trains!

Cow Encounter

The boys and I went to a local park on Wednesday;
all of its play structures are farm themed.
Braden is having a closer look at the giant concrete cow.
He loved climbing it.

Side By Side

Today I'm thankful for the sound of Kelan's laughter.
I love the excitement mixed with uncertainty.
He's 7 months old. Braden is 2 1/2.

Mmmmmm, Sand

Kelan sat in the sandbox and savored his first fistful of sand.
Despite Mommy's efforts to dissuade him,
he went back for seconds.

Braden preparing to dismount the slide.
Mommy rated it a PERFECT TEN!
(as always)

Swing Time!

Kelan enjoyed his first experience swinging yesterday at the park
side by side his big brother

Do you think he liked swinging?

Braden next to little brother

Weeeeeeeeeeeee!

The next Ringling Bros?

Preschool Feast

Mommy and Kelan helped celebrate Braden's preschool Thanksgiving Day feast last Friday. There were lots of parents, plenty of good food and much to be thankful for at this special party. Besides, who couldn't resist a roomful of two year olds running around in hand-made Pilgrim hats?

Braden (center) and his friends preparing to eat
by welcoming the visitors with a song.

Gobble Gobble!

Pilgrim Braden with his favorite teacher, Miss Tika

Frosty Farmers' Market

November has proven to be a busy month. So I'll start from the beginning. Here are Braden and Kelan bundled up for the Sacramento Farmers' Market. There was lots to observe and plenty of good food to eat. Who knew tomatoes could actually be red, ripe and delicious?

This Is Halloween!

The Fletcher family celebrated Halloween at our good friends',
the Clemens, home.
There were lots of little kids dressed up as
lions and skunks and engineers.
Oh my!

With all the moving about Kelan's doing,
his cute little Thomas the Train costume only stayed on
long enough for us to get through the door.
He managed to keep his hat on though.
Kelan can be seen in his costume in the last blog entry.

Thomas the Train Engineer, Braden, pulling out all the toy cars

The trick 'r treaters getting ready to trick 'r treat
starting from bottom left
Tinkerbell, Slamson, Rock Star, Skunk
Horse Princess, Bat Girl and Train Engineer

Carson and Braden being pulled in their wagon by Batman
(the Michael Keaton incarnation)

Our final stop
Rock Star's Grandma's house!
Happy Hallween!

Thomas & The Train Engineer

Kelan starring as the cheeky Thomas the Tank Engine

Braden the energetic engineer

Taking in all the spooky festivities

Together for one brief moment!

Trick 'r Trunk!

Braden's preschool celebrated Halloween by holding their annual "Trick 'r Trunking" festivities. Parents decorated their car trunks with the Halloween spirit, parked in the school's lot, and handed out candy to all the children, while dressed in spooky and fun costumes. It was absolutely adorable. I must admit, I was a little misty-eyed, as I took in all the love and and excitement shared by parents, teachers, and kids alike. What a special day for Braden and Kelan!

Braden (middle) and good buddy, Carson (bottom left) are getting ready to go!

Trick or Treat!

Braden's Spooky Class

Thomas the Train Engineer, Braden!

Braden even had a Thomas the Train Whistle! Toot, toot!

Crawl Kelan Crawl!

Kelan officially began army crawling. For quite a while now he's rolled and cajoled himself from one end of our family room to the other. But as of yesterday, he can alternate his arms and legs to reach a toy of his desire... usually his brother's. We'll see how this lovely new skill changes the rules around the house. Luckily, Braden is a good sharer- most of the time.

Nothing makes my day like watching my two boys interact with each other. Oh the places they'll go!

Elle Sophia Turns 1!

Our niece, Elle, celebrated her first birthday
with friends and family on Saturday.
It's been a memorable and lovely year for our families.

Kelan and Braden

Nana and Daddy with the kids: Elle, Kelan and Braden

Sweet Dreams

Braden, until recently, has been a boy of few words. So when he speaks, it holds great meaning, particularly for me. Over the last several weeks, he's started using 3+ word sentences. He's proud; Mommy and Daddy are proud; it's a genuine feeling of accomplishment. You know you're a parent when you're reading The Very Hungry Caterpillar for the millionth time and your child, in the sweetest, little voice possible, says "Swiss Cheese" and it melts your heart. Who knew that Swiss Cheese could now hold loving connotations? I'm not a fan in its traditional form.

Last night, Braden and I were reading his usual array of bedtime stories atop his Big Boy Bed: Danny Duck Takes a Dive, Polar Bear Polar Bear, Corduroy and Harry the Dirty Dog. I kissed him goodnight, gave him a big squeeze, and per our routine, wished him "sweet dreams". Catching me totally off guard, as I turned off the light and went to close Braden's bedroom door I heard him say, "sweet dreams" in response, for the first time. What a little love and I did, indeed, have sweet dreams.

Kelan Stats

For all you faithful followers of our own little reality blog we have going here...
here are Kelan Patrick's growth stats from today's 6 month old pediatrician visit:

Height: 28 in. (90th %)

Weight: 19 lbs. 10 oz. (75th %)

Good growing, son!
And yet another round of vaccinations over with. Phew!

Our Two Lil' Punkins!

It's a Perfect Pair!
Can You Tell Who's Who?

Mission Accomplished!

Little brother and big brother enjoying the satisfaction
that comes with a cart ride back to the car with
three personally picked pumpkins.

Our little Punkin'

Our scary Halloween Mummy
Nothing scarier than a 2 year old past nap time

Pumpkin Patch: Part III

While Mommy and Braden were running around
the pumpkin patch,
Daddy and Kelan were relaxing in the shade,
taking in the all the Halloween holiday festivities.