Merry Christmas!

We hope that everyone had a wonderful Christmas filled with fun, food, friends, and family. Ours was certainly all of those things plus so much more. We spent Christmas with Jo's family then headed to have a fabulous lunch at Grammy Vo's house. Brenner was all out of his schedule so we headed home today in hopes of slipping him back into his regular sleep routine! There were so many presents for the little guy - it was unbelievable - we had to leave some with Grandma Val because they wouldn't all fit in the outback. Good thing we see her almost every day! It is so much fun to have family and friends around this time of year - makes us truly appreciate all the love around us. Christmas traditions are fun too. My family opens presents one by one so everyone sees the reaction when their gift is opened - this takes about 1.5 hours. Matt's family has everyone tearing paper at one time and people running around - but this only takes about 20 minutes. We enjoy both very much but they are so very different!
Brenner eating a gingerbread man - of course it is "Jomade"! He really liked it. I had the rest on the counter to ice and he kept wanting more.

Papa got the big guy his first camp chair. All was well until he fell over backwards in it - but no tears were shed!

Brenner really got into handing out presents. We would tell them who it went to and he did really well getting it the correct person - most of the time :)

Slam dunk! Fun gift from Grammy and PawPaw Vo.

Grandpa Bob, Aunt Janet, BHP, and Papa. Aunt Janet gave some great gifts - one was a little pig that oinks - she even got Brenner to say "pig"! He was also quite vocal while we ate - he really loved Grammy's stuffing made with mushroom, sausage, and celery - it is the best! I was told that Brenner looks exactly like Matt when he was a little one - I suppose I can't deny it since everyone says he looks like his papa. But my sweeties will be proud to know he can already give the "look"!

Handsome guy - this is from Christmas night - no naps and still going strong! He is so wonderful!

Let the fun begin

Matt and I are off work the next couple of weeks and are looking forward to some time with the little guy. Several family outings are planned and of course jaunts to the various Christmas dinners. Let's hope the weather gets better than today (10 degrees with 30 mph winds) - BRRR! BHP has a magnetic fishing game with a pole, fish, and bucket. He has finally learned enough patience to pick up the fish! He had a lot of fun this night.

Brenner with Papa's game ears - it picks up sounds in other rooms - he was quite amazed.

Here is a story much to mama's dismay. Papa has taught Brenner to say "boom" when around the gun safe or when he sees a round (if Matt is heading out to go hunting). Brenner walks up to it going "boom, boom, boom". Wonder what Matt will do if Brenner isn't into hunting......

I shouldn't post this picture or tell the story but it is so sad and sweet. Brenner had a flu bug which resulted in some serious diaper rash. The best thing is to let everything air out - so this is what we are doing. Now - doing that exposure has some serious complications - although we will not tell these stories in detail and no pictures of the damage were taken. The funniest thing about this picture is we didn't take his socks off - not sure why - but then we went to calling him "black foot". Things are better now thank goodness.

Family picture at a restaurant we always went to with Jo's maternal grandparents - we are keeping the tradition alive even though they are not with us anymore. However, we did have some Tom Collins in honor of Grandpa. When Brenner is bigger he can have a Roy Rogers, Shirley Temple, or a Shirley Rogers (that is on Grandma Val made up after drinking her TC!). (Sorry for the flash - it is hard to get photojournalism skills in your waitress. To get Brenner to look at the camera, we told him to "knock, knock" on Krystee's head - she was a good sport about it. It was a great evening - we sure love all of you guys!

Growing boy with a funny personality

Brenner has grown a half an inch since his birthday - thus the sleepless nights we have been having! He is also doing well around others when we are at holiday parties and church. He is usually pretty partial to you if you have food in your hand. And he is ALL boy - ramming toys into walls, beating walls with food, throwing himself onto piles of pillows (thanks Colten!). Brenner is also very protective of momma - he won't let Papa give her a hug or kiss without crying and trying to separate them!
The other morning he tried giving his bottle to Emi. You have to watch the little stinker because he likes pouring it out onto the floor.

Brenner in Grandma's shoes. He is a shoe kid - he got into these himself. The other day we went to get him some new shoes. He walked around the store, picked up a pair of men's shoes on display, stuck his head in them, scrunched up his nose, looked at us, and said "pew, pew". The sales clerk busted up laughing!

Eating one of his favorite breakfast items - oatmeal pancakes - yum, yum!

Matt is teaching Brenner early on about hunting! I don't know if BHP believes what Papa has just told him!

I surprised him in the bath by spraying water on him - it was funny!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving was great this year - we spent it with family and friends. Brenner are turkey, turnips, sweet potato pie, German style dressing, fruit, and pickles. I am not for sure how pickles are Thanksgiving related - but we ate them nonetheless! We are so thankful for our family and friends that make life very special.
We met up with our friends Itati and Jerry. Many of you know Itati is the reason Matt and Jo are married so it is always a treat to see her. And Jerry just always happens to be there too - just kidding Jerry - we love you too!

We had Thanksgiving dinner at Grandma Val's house, but Grammy and PawPaw Vo joined us. We are thankful and happy that our families get along so well!

The infamous PawPaw H. - he does exists! BHP loved PawPaw chasing him around the house. We had to run off pie, you see......

Jo's grandpa had Jo's dad build a duck lake on some his property in the 1980s. We have bought 28 acres which includes the duck lake - Brenner will have plenty of room to hunt and fish - things his Papa also loved growing up. Gramps would be proud (and is - we know he is watching over us)!

Lewis and Clark with Sacajawea - oh no - wait that is Grammy, BHP, and PawPaw Vo. Notice the beavers have been at work. Sit lightly, Grammy.

A visit to Grandma's house wouldn't be complete without some fun with Cousin Krystee - we can't decide which one is the bigger goofball!

Play time

We have been very busy and haven't had a chance to update the blog! Brenner is growing everyday. He weighed 19 lbs 10 oz and was 28.5 inches long at his one year checkup. He was an old pro with the shots. Brenner can say several words now including momma (mama), Papa (puh), Emi (me), Grandma (maa), Krystee (key), ball (ba), and car (ca).
Matt calls these his Romanian gymnast pants!

Cutie pie - so calm (as I type this he is screaming behind me)!

Getting on the pony Grandpa Bob got him for his birthday - he loves riding it!

BHP's magnetic board in the playroom - still a bit young for it but he loves the colors. Mama and Papa like to spell out words.....yes - easily entertained!

The serious walk - he does things on his own terms.

Brenner's first birthday bash!

We celebrated BHP's first birthday on Sunday (one day early but hey it was the weekend!) at our house. It was a wonderful day with family and friends. We can hardly believe that a whole year has passed and our little boy has grown so much. It seems like just yesterday we were bringing him home from the hospital. BHP had a great time - so many toys - it is nuts. For those of you reading this -seriously no more stuffed animals :) He had a big day - thank you to everyone for making it a special one!
Pre-bash - Momma got him to go down for a nap using Grandma Val's standby - singing Jacob's Ladder.

Brenner playing with Charlee and Remi.

Brenner's birthday buddy! Aunt Lynnie and BHP share a birthday. He is helping unwrap her birthday gift.

Fun with Grammy Vo!

Hey Grandpa Bob - thanks for all the toys!!!! Bob brought a van load of toys and Brenner loved them all. It was fun watching them together.

A Radio Flyer wagon from Aunt Susie and Uncle Vince - wow - he LOVES it! But it is rather noisy rolling down our road. Brenner go "ahahahah" when riding in it at the vibration makes his voice funny!

Opening presents with Papa.

Post bash - one worn out little boy!

Let him eat cake!

Momma made a carrot cake with cream cheese icing for Papa's 35th birthday and Brenner's first birthday! (It is Papa's favorite). It was so hilarious - Brenner ate the entire cupcake - making little mess. Either he takes after his Papa (he's a little piggy) or Momma (he's a neat freak). Check out the play by play.

Hmmm...what is that - I have never seen one of those before. I never get the contra ban food - momma is mean that way - or at least that is what Grandma tells me :)

Well it is coming closer - let's reach out and grab it.

Why is momma clapping -she usually is trying to get me to use a fork.....and why are there twenty people watching me do this?

Wow - this is pretty good. I am not sure about the top part with gooey stuff. I will just set that aside for now.

That is a big cup cake - I need to help my one hand out with the other...this is a lot of work!

But I can still shove with one hand. That gooey top thing is still there...

Better have momma try it first. Aren't I a good boy for sharing?

Yeah - all done. My tray is dirty but I am pretty much clean! Can I have another?

Papa's boy

Brenner actually fell asleep while Papa changed his diaper. This NEVER happens - BHP hates having his diaper changed - he must have been really tired!
Riding on the 4-wheeler with Papa - had to make a quick stop at the persimmon tree.

Goof balls - not for sure what Papa and BHP are doing here!

Brenner helping Papa sweep up the Emi hairs - I mean "sprinkles of love"!

Weekend at Grandma Val's house

Brenner had a fun time at Grandma Val's house over the weekend with plenty of attention from the whole family! Papa took some time to go hunting - so everyone was making the most of the weekend. It turned a bit cool but we were prepared. Brenner continues to go full throttle - he has even taken to throwing himself onto pillows - I remind everyone that we don't need new bruises as pictures are on Saturday!

Colten - do you ever think I will get as big as you?

Uh-oh - Uncle Chris is giving driving lessons (Brenner, he gets a lot of speeding tickets so watch out!). BHP loves "driving" - serious mode kicks in and he only looks out the windshield.

Brenner and good ol' Emi Lou Lou. She is so good with him - I know we say that over and over but it is so true. Brenner's new thing is grabbing her tail and walking around the house with her.

Brenner loves his new Radio Flyer Turtle Scooter (an early birthday gift from Grandma Val). It took him just a few minutes to learn how to get on and off it - it is so neat - wheels that will go 360! Aunt Lynnie looks on in the background.