Finding the Perfect Christmas Tree

We have the tradition of cutting down our Christmas tree each year at a local Christmas tree farm.  It is so much fun to hunt for the perfect tree.

Brandt was running from tree to tree

He found one "Brandt Size"

Great family picture!  And this is the best out of 8 we took.  Brandt was acting silly on purpose.

Daddy and Brandt cutting down our tree together

We LOVED the whole experience!

Pumpkin Patch!

 Our annual trip to the pumpkin patch was a big success!  We had such a great time going and picking out our pumpkin, running through the field and riding a pony. 

2 year olds!

We went to a flag football game of my nephews, which was so much fun. Brandt loved watching his cousins play.  I thought it was cute how he was watching them and I wanted to get a picture.  You know, a cute picture of him sitting in his camp chair with his shades on.  Here is an example of what it is like trying to get a picture of Brandt, who is very TWO.  But I gotta say, his faces sure do make me laugh! This is what it takes to get that one good picture.

This one works, I'll take it!

Just Keep Swimming!

At the beginning of the summer Brandt took a few swim lessons.  Thanks Miss Samantha!

 

He LOVED it and it made him more confident at the pool. 

By the end of the summer he is jumping in like a pro!  This is his Buzz Lightyear jump!

The underwater view...I love that he is smiling as he jumps in!

Throughout the summer we were able to go swimming most days, we love having a pool!

It's been a great summer in the pool, and we can't wait until next year!

Baking Cookies

 Today Brandt helped mommy bake some cookies!  He is such a good helper.  His favorite part was "testing" the cookie dough.

And now to test the final product...

That is one happy boy!

Last Bit of Summer FUN!

We were excited to have Jessica (Brandt's birth mom) come and visit us at the end of the summer. We tried to fit in as much as we could and had a great time. Andrew was around too, but most of the pictures were during the day while he was at work. We went ice skating, to the zoo, the science center, the splash pad, and the little lake near our house. We all love to cook, and we had several new recipes that we tried, and lots of yummy treats! SO MUCH FUN!!!!

Jessica, Brandt, and cousin Rachel getting ready for an adventure...can you tell we are from Alabama with all those layers. Jessica is from Michigan and was not cold even in just a t-shirt.

At the science center, Brandt and Jessica's faces and hands.

It is Jessica's Birthday at the end of the month, so we got her and Brandt matching t-shirts...they both love Dr. Seuss.

Andrew smoked some tasty ribs, he is becoming an expert!

Jessica teaching Rheanna how to make chimichangas.Reading bedtime stories

Zoo sand dig...this boy loves sand!

Ice cream stop, yummy!

Visit to the lake to feed the duck and turtles.

My other favorite of Brandt and his Jessi.

Camping in Michigan!

This summer ended with an awesome camping trip in Michigan. We have an open adoption, and this means that we maintain contact with Brandt's birth family. We love them and love the relationship we have with each of them. Brandt's birth mom, Jessica, invited us to join her family for their annual camping trip. We were so excited to go and had so many neat experiences! We take tons of pictures, and it is really hard to decide which ones to put up....but here are some of my favorites!

There were some awesome water falls we all got to play in.

Christine, Me, and Jessica

Brandt thought those deer looked nice...

Nose to nose with a baby deer.

Learning to cook bread with his Jessi.

Reading a book with Grandma Christine.

Getting a ride from Grandpa Patrick while we were shopping.


Jessi and me...I really can't tell you how much I love this girl! Best friends....not just birthmom and adoptive mom.

We went on little adventure and did some rock climbing, and a zip line.

My all time favorite picture!!! Brandt and his Jessi!