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.

Pumpkin Patch: Part II

We packed up the family and headed to
Fog Willow Pumpkin Patch.
Braden hunted for the perfect pumpkin again,
but was side-tracked by the giant Halloween hay mountain
that called to him to be climbed first.

Braden getting a little sustenance before his trek uphill.

Preparing for the great ascent

Life is sweet at the top

Taking in the sites atop the hay hill

Basking in the reward of a hill well-climbed

It's A Dog's Life

Can't a dog get any love?

Our beloved and high energy dog, Indy, has been relegated to a small corner of carpet between all the various baby and toddler paraphernalia at our house. Where he once ruled the roost as a cute, but rambunctious puppy, he now must squeeze in between toys and boys. I keep reminding him that in a couple of years he'll be able to play with "his boys" in the backyard to his heart's content. Until then, Indy....

It's the Great Pumpkin, Braden Robert!

Braden and I went to Grandpa's Pumpkin Patch in Davis.
We met up with our old friends, and fellow former Davisites, Jeff and Grace.

Braden finding his way out of the hay tunnel

Pickin' Punkins'

Halloween Hay Hill

Hunting for the perfect pumpkin

Camera Crazy 4 Kelan

Kelan Action Photos

He's working on crawling and sitting up.
His favorite move is the laid back elbow pose

A Few of My Favorite Things

My favorite things about Braden and Kelan right now...

Braden has always been a "softy". I was reminded of that by my dear friend, Cindy, when I shared this thought with her. Every time, and I mean EVERY time, Braden hurts himself, from the smallest misstep, collision with the sofa, tumble on the carpet, or run-in with the dog, he finds me quite urgently and asks for "love, love, love... love". It's the kind of "boo boo" only a GIANT BEAR HUG from Mommy can fix. It makes my day, and minute, every time.

Kelan and I have been working on getting him to sleep through the night. He's so close, but can't quite break the sleep cycle of waking at 1:00 a.m.-ish. Each night I go in his room, feed him a 10 minute bottle, and quite dreamily, he slips back to sleep. The magic happens when, while drinking his bottle, he gently strokes my face with his little 6 month old open palm. I melt into a big puddle in our glider chair every time. So when I'm bleary-eyed, tired and hoping that maybe this will be the night Kelan sleeps all the way through, I'm lovingly lured back in by the gentle caress of my little boy's hand on my face.

More Six Month Old Kelan Pictures

Kelan is such a love bug. He, much the same way his brother was at this age, is easy going. He loves to watch Braden do anything and everything. His husky little giggle is enough to get anyone going; it's such a contagious laugh. I am humbled by his presence in my life each and every day. I am grateful to have two happy, healthy little boys.

Practicing his sitting skills

Cheeeeeeeeeeeese!

Guy Smiley

Showing off his boiler

Kelan's Six Months Old

Kelan turned 6 months old on Wednesday.

Kelan's working on crawling; meanwhile, he rolls all over the floor.

Mr. Smiley

He's a happy, enthusiastic boy.

Micke Grove Zoo

Cousin Zoo Trip

12 month old Elle taking in the scenery.

Braden & Kelan
Kelan celebrating his 6 month old milestone
at the zoo.

We enjoyed spending the morning with Auntie M too.
Thanks for spending part of your busy off-track time with us!
We love seeing you girls!

Hodge Podge

It's been a busy month. So I'll simply post some pictures of the boys with a few captions. Time keeps a rollin' along. Nothing like kids to keep one on her toes. And visiting the Drs. office for xrays....

Kelan enjoying a morning at the park
He'll be 6 months old on the 7th.

Braden playing Hide and Go Seek
Almost 2 1/2 yrs old

Braden enjoying a special treat, an M&M McFlurry

Kelan mugging for the camera
5 months old