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!