Most Gifted

We decided to scale down the gifts this year and focus more on what's important at Christmas.  Somehow, Braden still managed to score way too much stuff.  Guess Santa didn't get the memo...

 

The remote controlled helicopter was one of Braden's faves.

Star Wars Legos are always a welcome present.

Braden spoiled Bentley with a bunch of toys he bought at the Christmas store at school. He was so excited to surprise her and she was thrilled to get the gifts.

Just when I thought he was over Beyblades....the expression on his face tells me otherwise.



 

Braden was just as excited to give us gifts as he was to receive them.  He surprised us with items he purchased at the school Christmas store.  I got candy and a Starbucks gift card, while Matt scored some tools.  Nice selections, Braden!  His teacher commented that he was the best shopper and took the most time choosing gifts for family members...that's code for, 'He spent the most money so the school was appreciative.'



Braden acquainted Bentley with all her new toys.

Gramma and Papa couldn't resist seeing their favorite grandson on Christmas.  Gramma volunteered to explore this new toy that involved slime and plenty of grossness.

Papa helped Braden navigate his new helicopter and remote controlled dune buggy.

Festivities with Family and Friends

The holidays seemed to fly by, but we managed to enjoy time with family and friends.  We try to pause and focus in on what is really important during the Christmas season.

 

Bentley assumes that the perfect family photo involves her...just a quick licking attack on Miles first though.

As usual, Bentley jumped into the photo.  She probably just wanted to help Braden feel better.  He spent the day in bed with a horrible headache.

Braden was so excited to spend time with Uncle Billy, Aunt Maria, and Journee.  They need to come back soon for a rain check!

Somehow Bentley missed this photo opp!

Braden came down for a quick visit before everyone had to leave.  Good timing...a few presents had his name on them!

Poor Braden even mustered up a smile after he opened the Legos Grandma Judy got for him.

Matt needed to beat down Charley and Miles.  After all, Charley was wearing shoes on the couch and Miles was pouring tea all over the furniture.

Journee is so sheltered.  She was mesmerized by the Otter Pop Braden was eating.  She sweetly attempted to cheer Braden up and it definitely helped!

Christmas eve called for some time with friends.  The Beanses had us over for a nice dinner to celebrate.  Cornell, Tyler, Braden and Tripp took a peek outside for evidence of Santa's sleigh.

The adults enjoyed a delicious pasta dinner while the kids indulged in pizza. 

Can't really expect Braden to act serious as he eagerly anticipated Christmas.

Terri made a ton of cookies and provided way too many toppings for the kids to decorate them.

Does this even resemble a cookie?!  This pile of sugar yumminess provided hours of energy.

It was almost midnight by the time we returned from the party, but it is never too late to pray.  Every night during advent, Braden diligently removed a link from the chain he made at school.  He then prayed a different classmate, 24 in all.  Then he was off to sleep to dream about sugarplums....

At Least One of Us Will Be Prepared....

Once you've had a baby, having two more should be second nature, right?  Those maternal instincts will kick in and it should be no problem remembering how to feed, swaddle, and diaper them....or so we hope!  Saddleback Hospital offered a sibling preparation class and Braden thought it sounded interesting to attend.  Hey, I even picked up on a tip or two as well!

 

 

 

Braden borrowed a doll from our neighbor Preston.  He looks like he'll be a pro at giving his siblings bottles, while carefully supporting their necks.

Oh yeah, forgot babies like to burp and spit up after they are fed.  Braden handled this task with ease.

 Braden made it perfectly clear that he will not be changing any real diapers.  He did a great job on the doll, so we may be able to bribe him.

 He burritotized the baby like a champ.  This may be his official job with the babies.

  Big brother extraordinaire!

 Nurse Carrie agreed that Braden is going to be an awesome big brother!

 He made cards for the babies and has them in his desk with this certificate...you know, just to prove to them that he is experienced in this whole big brother thing.

Prim and Proper

 Even though he Braden has to dress up every Wednesday for chapel at school, I still can't get used to seeing him in a tie!

 For some strange reason, Braden likes dressing up for school.  He leaves for school looking so clean-cut and preppy, but manages to come home with stains and scuffs on his clothes.  Such a boy!

Countdown to Christmas

The neighborhood Christmas party always gets us in the holiday spirit.  Santa and Mrs. Claus made an appearance and brought gifts, of course!

How did they know Braden loves motorcross and boardgames?!

Hard to resist the opportunity to pose with Santa and Mrs. Claus.  They wanted a photo with the pregnant belly and made me promise I'd be back next year with the little ones.

 We got home really late, so it made sense that we'd get out our decorations and start trimming the tree.  Bentley got decorated first though.

 Bentley puts up with a lot, but by the looks of this photo, she didn't seem to mind the ridiculous get-up Braden insisted she wore.

 Hard to tell what's going on here...

 and here....

 After the tree fell over twice, Braden managed to top it with a star successfully.

 Generally, I am so anti-dress-your-dog-in-clothes, but really, this is irresistible.

Wowwwww!

Braden's teacher made it clear to the parents that wow sticks are a big deal.  They can be earned for a variety of reasons.  Essentially, when students wow their teacher with exceptional behavior, they get wow sticks as a reward.  When 50 are collected, their sticker card fills up and they get to pick a prize from the treasure box.  Braden was the first in the class to fill his card!

 Braden proudly displayed his sticker card...

We asked him where he wanted to go to dinner to celebrate and of course he chose to have sushi at his favorite restaurant.

After all his great behavior, we figured he deserved some sashimi!

Saying Thanks in our Sandbox

We've made it a family tradition to spend Thanksgiving in Glamis.  As we spent time together, we were reminded of the countless blessings we have to be grateful for.

 

Looks like someone got an early Christmas present....Braden loved racing around the track on his new, bigger, more powerful quad.

 Even Bentley liked the new quad!

 Bentley seemed to even enjoy the sandrail ride.  She just goes along with anything Braden wants her to do.

 I made my boys take a break from playing in the sand to eat Thanksgiving dinner.  We enjoyed turkey and all the fixings.  Who says you can't have a traditional meal while camping in the middle of nowhere?!

Braden reallllly loved the turkey and gravy!

 Bentley liked to just chill on the quad....

 She didn't budge even after Braden got up.  She looks like she belongs in a purse, not in Glamis.

Flaming Tigers, Raging Bulls

When the fall soccer season rolled around, Matt decided to try his skills at coaching the team.  While he certainly has experience playing soccer and coaching older kids, taking on the role of coaching 6-year-olds could definitely be a major test of patience.  Turns out Matt pulled off coaching these kids like a champ.  The boys chose the name Flaming Tigers for the team name.  Braden really disliked that name.  He knew he was part of a winning team and wanted a more intimidating name like the Raging Bulls.  He didn't win that battle, but the boys did win almost every game.

 Getting ready to score.....

 This season offered an opportunity to play a variety of positions, including goalie.

Whenever Braden played goalie, it added a whole new level of stress for his mom and dad! 

Familiar faces Landin and Cornell were on Braden's team.  Holden became a new friend this season.

 Keegan, Brady and Owen were three other teammates.

 While Braden was a strong defender, he really enjoyed playing goalie.

 We played against Braden's old friend from preschool, Bradey.

 Braden and Cornell hung on the sidelines while cheering on the Tigers.

 How did this adorable crew turn into such a creepy bunch?!

 Uncle CJ took a break from his life that is entrenched in soccer to cheer on Braden's team.

Cornell, Brady, Owen G., Keegan, Holden, Owen F., Nick, Braden and Landin made up the Flaming Tigers.  The team was led by Coach Matt and Assistant Coach Doug.

After a very successful season, a big celebration was an order.  The boys enjoyed a pizza party and lots of arcade games.

An end-of-the-season party wouldn't be the same without trophies of course!