Merry Christmas

What a great Christmas we had this year, everyone came to us. We usually make the trek down to Houston but this time we only went to Lissie and everyone else came here. Cooking and cleaning so beat packing up two kids, all their stuff and presents for 21 in the car, then unpacking the car and re-packing it again to go home. I even looked at Bill at one point and said I was bored. It was MUCH less stressful and MUCH quieter. I am sure I will be ready for the loud version again next year but it was nice while it lasted.

Brayden ripping them open.Stick 'em upI'm too little to open presents, but I like watching. Santa brought a remote control train.And his favorite toy - Buzz Lightyear

Mimi came to visit

Well my mom and I were going to go to Houston to visit Mimi before Christmas and so she could meet Cody, but we couldn't make it work with two kids and all there was to do. Mimi prevailed and came to visit us. Although it was brief, it was GREAT to see her and she was so wonderful with Cody. He is in love with her already and just met her, I think the feeling is mutual.

Ginerbread house again.

We went to the Austin Children's museum again this year for the annual gingerbread house creation. Brayden was finished decorating his house before they finished giving the directions. We hadn't been to the museum in awhile and I think he was more interested in running and playing. Although I can't believe he didn't scarf down all the candy before he left. Nanny had a great time playing with him too!

Santa Baby

"He had a broad face, and a little round belly, that shook, when he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly."

The Boys

We went and got Brayden and Cody's pictures taken professionally and they turned out so well despite the behavior of one of the boys :) Here is the link to her blog where you can see 4 of the shots.
http://www.masonphoto.net/

Cody is 3 months!

Can you believe it? I never thought it would go this fast. Cody has spent the entire 3 months asleep. When he is not sleeping he is smiling and laughing. We are all so in love with him.

Cody's party

Some of our friends threw us a party to welcome Cody to our family. Chelsea and KK came in from out of town and we saw some great friends we haven't seen in forever. We had such a great time, I didn't get too many photos cause I was chasing two kids around but here are a couple.Kari , Dave and CodyMiss Chelsea and CodyMissy and Cody

Christmas monkey pjs

It seems like I am always trying to get a good shot of both boys together. Since Cody can't sit up yet and Brayden is too squirmy to hold him we just have to settle for mediocre. These are the best I can do, there are a couple of cute ones.Cody getting ready for the photo shoot. I think this was the first picture and the best one, we took 30 more but shouldn't have.Cody is ALWAYS laughing at Brayden - it's nice to have built in entertainment for your newborn.Cody smiling - something he does so often we sometimes take it for granted. But that right side dimple is so cute is it irresistible.

The ATM game

Well the outcome of the game sucked but we had a good time watching it at Mikey and Vance's. Brayden loved playing with his cousins, I think he slept the entire night when we got home.Chance, Cole, Brayden and Cody.Brayden and Cody on the trampoline

Thanksgiving Day

We spent Thanksgiving day at Nani and PiPaw's. The food was great and we had a good time visiting. I experienced my first black Friday at 5am at wal-mart - pretty scary and hilarious at the same time.It finally got cold in Texas. Brayden's first ski cap of the season.Cody with a turkey :) the famous smile with dimpleIt is amazing just how much he sleepsBrayden, PiPaw and Zoey feeding the horse next door.

Thanksgiving at the McDaniel's

We did Thanksgiving with Bill's family this year and had a blast seeing everyone and meeting Cody and Brayden's newest cousin Lilly. She was born two days later and is just as sweet as Cody, I would say it must run in the family but it doesn't work for the rest of us.So cute together, at one point they were even holding hands. So cute!Mary Beth (the cutest H.S. cheerleader I know) and CodyGrandma and Cody all snuggled up, Cody loved always being held, it is something he wasn't used to before this trip.Paw Paw and CodyBrayden "riding" Zoey (the pony). He had such a blast playing with her.

Austin Zoo

So we took Brayden to the zoo and it was Cody's first trip. I was a little nervous about all the animal germs with Cody but he seems to have held up well. Brayden of course loves the zoo and all the animals.Brayden feeding the goats - it seems like we feed a lot of goats, at least a couple times a year - we are probably responsible for much of the goat happiness in Austin.

Cody yawning and bored with the train already.

Nanny and Cody on the train.

Cody's first tailgate

I brought the kids to the Texas vs. Texas Tech tailgate this weekend. Brayden had a blast playing around and Cody slept the entire time. Here are some pictures.

Halloween

Brayden was Spiderman this year for Halloween and Cody was tigger. Bray had a blast collecting candy - his favorite thing in the whole world, which makes Halloween his favorite holiday. We spent the evening in the cul-de-sac playing with all of our neighbors and friends. We ordered pizza and then set out to trick or treat. Brayden filled his entire batman candy basket and was all smiles all night.

I put up all the decorations today and he asked me "Mom, where did all the scary monsters go?" He loves monsters and all things scary, including bugs and spiders, the phrase "All boy" really does apply here. before the big candy event

kicked back and relaxed (in a princess chair)

kicked back and relaxed - as always. I know I say it a lot but, what a great baby!! The little devil phrase is a joke because Cody is the perfect angel.

ready to go!!

Brayden and Patrick just back from trick or treating

All the little kids from our street, they multiply by the day, 3 new ones in the last 2 months.

The loot.
Brayden wanted to get a better view of all his goodies so he dumped them on the ground and then began to pick and choose and eat and eat. A couple of big boys with scary masks came by while he had his candy out and he scooped it up real quick so the "monsters" couldn't get it. Then he said to me "mom are those monsters coming back?" I didn't know what he meant until he asked me a couple of times and when I said no, he dumped it all out again and started eating again.