A busy Memorial Day Weekend

We has another busy weekend visiting family and friends - and spending most of the day outdoors. Brenner HATES getting sunscreen applied - he shouts "no, no, no" - but we tell him the alternative sunburn would be much worse. His vocabulary is advancing at a rapid pace - he has started putting two words together to make phrases. BHP enjoys looking through a photo album and identifying people. The best is when he sees Dr. Swofford - Brenner calls her "foferd" and points to his arm and says hurt. Too funny - can't wait to tell her about that in a couple of weeks.
Brenner loves chasing bubbles. Apparently you can make your own with corn syrup that results in extra big bubbles.

Brenner loved the mist as I was watering my hanging baskets. He ended up soaked and super cute. He even rubbed his head and pretended to wash his hair!

First trip to a swimming pool! He has such a good time and wasn't afraid of the water. No "little swimmer" diapers for him as it was a spur of the moment thing - so the regular diaper got HUGE. Who knew the diaper could hold so much water? Brenner got out and was shivering but all he wanted to do is go back into the water.

Brenner loves his new muck boots. On this day, he decided he needed to chase Emi who chasing a cat at Grandma Val's house.

We had a family reunion on Sunday at the city park. Brenner was playing so hard he didn't want to stop to eat. He enjoyed the slide (which he could do all by himself after a time or two), swings, teeter-totter, and any dirt he could find :)

From momma to mommy

Brenner switched from calling me momma to mommy while I was in Portland this week. I don't know why but now I am mommy and very glad to be back home. I missed him bunches and bunches. We have been having storms and BHP is a bit afraid of thunder. He hears it and says "hurt". We tell him no that the noise is tator wagon going down the road. He is becoming very tricky. When he doesn't want something he makes up a story. For food, Brenner says "hot" and shakes his head - even when it is something at room temperature. For his hat, he says "tight" and takes it off. We remind him that he has to have a hat on outside because he is blessed/cursed with his mother's complexion.
Having some fun in the sun. The family chin is really noticeable in this picture.

Emi watching us do some yard work. Poor pooch hurt her paw later this day and is still limping.

BHP with his sidewalk chalk. Of course, we can't carry one at a time - we must pick them all up!

Brenner loves to help unload the dishwasher. He doesn't stick the clean ones in his mouth...most of the time anyway!

Brenner went to Colten baseball game with Uncle Chris and Papa while mommy and gals were at the Royals Ladies Night. BHP had a good time watching Colten pitch - go Colten!

Brenner turned a bucket upside down for an improvised jam session while Papa was grilling the other night. BHP knows that certain things are "hot" - oven, grills, etc....oh yeah - and the occasional food that he doesn't want to eat!

Happy Mother's Day

We had a wonderful, full Mother's Day weekend. Brenner did great with lots of car time balanced with a ton of family time. One of the funniest things Brenner did this week......I put jammies with dump truck and dozer on BHP - I asked him what it was. His response was dozer and then "Ink-le". I couldn't stop laughing. He was referring to my dad (whose last name is Hinck) and who Cousin Krystee refers to as "Hinckle". It was too funny - Brenner is one sharp little dude!
Papa and Brenner got momma a dogwood and bing cherry tree for Mother's Day - she loved them! Brenner even helped Papa with the planting. He thought it was hilarious when you filled the bucket up with water - we will have to get him a sprinkler to run through this summer!

It rained a lot this week but BHP didn't mind - in fact he loved the mud. He was playing in his new muck boots in a mud puddle then wiped his hands across his face. Too cute! He loves the dirt - it seems we never see Brenner without dirt on him somewhere.

BHP's reach has definitely expanded! His new favorite thing to do at dinner is say "done" so he can get out of his chair. He will then go between me and papa and push us out of our chairs. He will then climb up and "sit" like a big boy and then reach for our plates.

Big sweet kiss for momma! I gave him a haircut this week and it didn't turn out too bad. To distract him, I put him in his booster outside while Matt was mowing (to keep him distracted)! It worked pretty well - although there are a few "divots" in his hair above the ear!

Fun bath time. Notice the big red spot on his forehead. He was playing with Grandma Val's keys and stepped off the front porch steps - Brenner hit his nose and forehead - which have now turned into big scabs!

Colten (CoCo) sleeping in the car with Brenner - who also has heavy eyes. They were enjoying a "guy day" with Matt and Uncle Chris. Stops included a couple of gun shops, home improvement stores, and Mexican food.

I absolutely love this picture. Krystee and Brenner blowing a feather found in Grandma Val's yard. They were cute to watch.

Is it me, or so I see two similar smiles? Brenner had a ball with Grammy Vo (who is recovering wonderfully from her knee replacement). He picked flowers, saw the boat, and looked at an old covered wagon - Grammy's house is fun!

Grammy was determined to have Brenner fish today (much to PawPaw Floyd's dismay). It was Brenner's first fishing experience and he loved it! We all had a good time as Brenner practiced reeling in the big one!

1.5.....

....or 18 months old - how the time flies! Brenner is obsessed with lawn mowers - if he hears one that is all he says - "mower, mower, papa, mower" - he associates everything with papa these days! He definitely thinks he rules the house - and has been testing many boundaries these days. The best way we have learned to combat these antics is ignoring them - it works most of the time. At night when he is falling asleep, he wants to hold your hand and flick your fingernail - weird, right?! I wonder if he used to do that with his pacifier?
Isn't this picture hilarious?! BHP was digging in the gravel with a stick but he looks like an old man! We played outside this day until he wouldn't stop throwing rocks.

Brenner, Mama, and Dr. S at his 18 month checkup. We love Dr. S - she is so good with all of us! She even sat down on the floor at his checkup to play with him and check out his skills. He weighed 23 lbs 4 oz and was 31 inches long. Dr. S was impressed with all the animals he could name in the book without being prompted - he loves his animals. His favorite book right now is "My first animal board book" that Cousin Colten gave him. He also like the Jolly Barnyard (Golden Book) which I find hilarious. It is about Farmer Brown feeding extra to his animals because it is his birthday. To thank him, the animals want to give something back. The duck offers duck eggs and the turkey say he will grace Farmer Brown's Thanksgiving table - disturbing - yes!!!!

Neat picture of Brenner and Emi watching a car on the road.

Belly rolling before "night-nights".

Brenner's first meal at the "kid's table"! Krystee, Colten, Brenner, Remi, and Charlee all had a fun time. Nice tongue Charlee - I bet your dad taught you that!