We Miss Her....

Just wanted to do a quick shout out to my mom to let her know how much we miss her here in Austin!! It was INCREDIBLE to have her here this summer helping out with the boys, and keeping Brant while he was at home for the first 6 months. She was not only a tremendous helper with the boys in every form and fashion...but she was also so amazing when it came to just helping us with things around the house, and helping us to keep our sanity in general. We so appreciated that and we owe her huge for that piece! :)

It was a very sad day when Mom and Dad pulled out to head back home the day after Braden's bday party. I think we might have all cried a little bit. I mean she was was here ALL summer.....how do you say goodbye after that? Braden was lost for a few days wondering why Mimi was not "in her room", etc. Many things in our house are still named after her like "Mimi's bathtub", "Mimi's books", and "Mimi's bed", etc. It is safe to say that she left a lasting legacy in our home. :)

We miss you tons Mom and want you to come back soon to play and hang out!! Now that you are retired you need to come back A LOT to visit. Oh..and bring Dad too when you can!! Hee hee! :) Hopefully when he retires he will be able to come and play a lot more as well.

We love you guys and thank you again sooooo much for all that you did for us! :)

Lots of Cousin Love....

There was just so much cousin fun going on the weekend of Braden's birthday......and it is ridiculously awesome how much the boys love their cousins!! We were sad that Cousin Riley had to head home early after the party, so she was not able to be here to take part in all of the crazy pics. We will take some of her with the boys and her new brother Jace when he arrives! :)

I had a blast making these shirts for the kids so they could all match...and then we dressed them and just started shooting. We got some hilarious shots...and they were all such good sports. I have posted a few of my favs on here. :) Cousins rock!! :)

Braden and Lainey getting ready for some photos... I love you!! It took us just a little while to get everyone warmed up and ready... :) Still warming up and have not figured out quite yet that they all need to look at the camera. :)Brother/sister love...YAY!!! Good job guys!! :) You all look so precious! :) (Although Brant does look a little bit scared!! LOL!)
In this photo Graeme is 9 months, Lainey is 3 1/2, Braden is 2, and Brant is 6 months).
Getting rowdy and silly.. :)
Sweet boy...
Another another sweet boy....
Lainey-you are so cute and you crack me up! :)Awwww...........
Go G!! You are about to be an early walker!! :) What a stud!Graeme decided he was done with photos and he was heading for the door. :)

Present Fun....

Braden had so much fun opening his presents this year for his bday. :) He really thought it was cool and he was much more into it than he even was at Christmas. :) He got so many great things that were not only useful but also aligned to his fun 2 year old interests. :) Just a couple of pics below of some of the present opening. They went so fast through the opening that it was hard for me to keep up with the picture taking-LOL! :)

Time to open presents...YAY!! :) I am overwhelmed by my presents....and not sure where to start. :) I like to hold my new Lightning McQueen while I open them. :)
I love to read my cards. :)Lainey was a great helper...and she and Braden together opened all of his gifts much more quickly. :) I love trains! :)
I am going to learn how to play the guitar! :)I got a BBQ grill...hooray!! :)
The cousins all playing on Braden's new car mat. :)SUPER FUN TIMES! :)

Safety Goggles Rock!!

How funny are these two?

Love Braden and his sweet cousin Lainey together. They are TOO much fun! :) They had such a blast together when my bro and sis in law stayed with us over Braden's birthday weekend! :)

Braden's Bouncy Ball Birthday Party-Part Two!!

So many fun people came out to celebrate our little man! Thank you all! :)

Here are Part Two of the pics b.c there were too many for one blog post. :) I hate that I did not get to take pics of everyone but I guess it must have been b.c they were running around chasing their kids all over the place. :)

Sweet sister in law Jennifer and my precious nephew Graeme. :) Kelly, Weston, and Caroline...My mom, sis in law Katie, and mother in law Jan....and baby Jace is in the pic too! He will be joining us in late Oct/early November! :)
Lynnae and Jenn....and baby Matthew making his debut very soon! :) Caleb loved the train table.... Gretchen and Melissa....and Baby Tyner #2 arriving at Christmas! :) All smiles from Michele. :) Kim and Anjali....
Joe and Cass......Lots of fun with the balls....
The Tater Family! Looks like Brant's little buddy Barrett was snoozing. :)
Sweet Caroline....The Case Family...... The Markum Family! Caris checking out the fish.... The Rama Family....Kristen and Selah... The Ericson Family.....sorry that I took this pic right when everyone's eyes were closing. :(My cute little neice Riley watching the balls...Dori and Jenn.....and Baby Boy Flores joining us in February!! (Are you noticing a trend here? Do not drink the water!!) HA! :)Gretchen and Miranda....
Braden is in a daze over his bday party. HA! :) The Hamm Family....
Caden up in the air looking for the train....
Philip and Joshua......
David and Chris..... The Tyner Family....
It's fun to lay on the beach balls....Selah loves cupcakes too... :) Harrison hanging out..... David and Hannah.... Mr. Jon.... Doug and Luke.... David and Kelly.....Gotta eat! :) Ripley and Nixon..... Desten and Jack..... Dori and Haylee....Kyle and Amy.....and I have to put in a plug for Kyle here as he is an awesome TV and movie writer, and we love his work!! He wrote the TV series "Lone Star" on FOX, as well as the movie "The Beaver" with Jodi Foster and Mel Gibson. Check out his new midseason drama on NBC this fall called "Awake". We are excited to watch it Kyle!! You know we will be tuned in! :) Sweet little Emery.... Mimi Jan taking care of Brant...who was obviously too tired to partake in his brother's party! :)
The cousins playing together.... Papa Bugs and the birthday boy... How about I put on this hard hat? :) YMCA!Does my party have to be over? :( Can I at least sit on this cow before we head home? :) Happy 2nd birthday Braden!! I hope you had a WONDERFUL time at your birthday party!! We love you precious little man! :)