The boys

So we had Branson's last basketball game last weekend. It was a good little season of 6 games - pretty much just pure craziness with kids just running at random, but it was fun. It actually got better as their games went on, so it gives me hope for the future. Now Tee-ball starts up this week... And so my life with boys and their sports begins. Here's a video of Branson making his first basket in a game. I pulled my camera out too late, so I pretty much just got him making the shot.

Here's a picture of Branson's little team   

 They went out to celebrate afterwards with frozen yogurt. It was so cute to listen to the little boys conversation, "I have 5 trophies at home", "well I have 100 trophies". Oh, competitive boys!

 This picture is random, but I loved it. Brett pulled the boys around on a blanket for so long the other night. Branson held tightly onto Spence while they giggled and squeeled as Brett whipped them around.

Dentist

 So two posts in one day... but I completely forgot about Branson's first Dentist appointment! I may be getting a little excited about this blogging thing, but I seriously have to take pictures of EVERYTHING! And really, who doesn't want to see Branson in a dentist chair... Exactly! No cavities! He was so good in there and came out with so many prizes, he'll definitely want to go back again! 

Dr. Hill - Almost!

So today was Brett's first day of clinic. He said it was mostly just orientation and really nothing exciting (thinking I'm a wee bit ridiculous for wanting to post about it), but I'm so proud of him! 6 years of school down, no more classrooms, 1 year left in clinic. It's been a long road, but we're SO close!

You better watch out...

We had a PERFECT Christmas! So much fun with the kids, we loved the whole day. We were lucky enough to get 2 Christmas dinners this year, Christmas Eve at the Jenkins (Parker friends) and Christmas day with Brueckners (friends from our ward). We're so blessed to have friends that have become our family here. We never have to worry about celebrating a holiday on our own! So Christmas...we got up in the morning, opened stockings, then went to church - which was such a nice Christmas program, then came home and opened gifts. Of course I had to change my kids back into their pyjamas for picture purposes, but it was nice to have makeup on while opening gifts for a change! Spence was having so much fun and the first time I pulled out the camera, he looked up at me with a big grin and said, "Eeeese". This would be the picture below.

He hammed it up for the camera for quite a while after that so I took as many pictures as possible. Usually this kid runs as soon as I pull it out!  

I just have to post a few of my favorites...

I have so few pictures of Branson looking at the camera. He was so annoyed that I was always like, "Branson, look up and smile". He was way too into the gifts for pictures! 

I managed to get a few pictures of the boys in their Christmas ties, this was the best I could get since Spence doesn't stop moving! 

Brett is really the most thoughtful gift giver. This is one of the gifts that he got me, it's on Canvas and looks amazing. I love it!! 

So I have to add few other highlights over our Christmas break. I'm so glad that I have a digital camera, I seriously take like 50 pictures a day! 

I came home from picking up a few last minute Christmas things, to this special little treat. A Christmas book on the couch beside them. I don't know what it is about my children sleeping, but I always need to take pictures of them. I think I love them most when they're sleeping...

 Our little Santa helped Daddy deliver Christmas gifts to our Neighbors. We gave them caramel popcorn and the Joy to the World DVD. Hopefully they enjoyed it, Branson LOVED taking them gifts! 

With Brett home, I decided to take advantage of some one on one time and take Branson out on our first date. I thought we'd see Happy Feet 2, but he wanted to see the "Chickmunks". This was his first time to the theater and he had so much fun. Of course when it was over and we were walking out he said, "mom, I want to see the penguins". He was so good and such a fun little date! 

Christmas is Coming!

So I always get kinda sad just before Christmas. It means all the excitement will soon be coming to an end. Looking at Christmas lights, cuddled up on the couch watching Christmas movies, Christmas music, just enjoying everything Christmas! Branson's been so much fun this year, everything is exciting to him and I don't know if Spence is just excited because Branson is or what, but I don't remember Branson being this animated at his age. We've had lots of fun the past few weeks, and plan to do as much Christmasy stuff that we can in the upcoming week.

We went to the Galleria to check a few things out, the boys LOVED the giant tree. Branson wanted to go skating so badly, but we figure he'll have plenty of time for that when we move back to Canada and have ice for 8 months out of the year!

 We took the boys to the Temple to walk around the grounds. Someday I'll get a picture where both boys are looking at the camera and smiling... right? They loved it. I'm pretty sure it was just because they got to run around but we'll pretend they knew it was a sacred place and that was why they were so happy! 

Branson loves Nativities. He talks about Jesus Christ being laid in a manger and everytime he sees one he yells, "it's baby Jesus". We ask him why we celebrate Christmas and he says, "It's Jesus' birthday" and usually sings Happy Birthday. He's such a good little boy! 

So I'm probably the least crafty person around, but I like the thought of doing crafts with the kids. I found this one and figured I could handle it and the kids were so happy! Branson's not much for coloring, but give this kid some glue and scissors and he could go all day. Actually, we did make paper snowflakes one day and he sat at the table for over 2 hours cutting paper. I'll take the mess for 2 hours of him being occupied anyday! 

Spence was happy to just sit and throw the pompoms   

Branson wore his antlers with pride. He's crazy about that thing. Spence on the other hand... 

Well, this is how he was in every picture. He was great about letting me trace his hands though, so we'll take what we can get!

Lastly, the boys got to see Santa. This is the first year Branson's been excited to see Santa and actually wanted to sit on his lap.

And Spencey not so much. I love this picture 

   though, I have the same one with Branson at that age.

Busy Weekend

We've had a lot of excitement the last couple of days! We finally put Spence in a forward facing carseat - or I should say he's finally big enough! He looks so little in it after having Branson in there! Our first trip he just pointed out the window going "whoa", it was adorable!

They just sat and read books the rest of the way to the store

It has rained so much the last couple days, Branson went out to puddle jump and of course, Spence wanted to join in. I had problems loading the video of it on here, but I posted it on Facebook. He's so cute, he can't actually jump, but he tries to copy Brett! 

Lastly, Brett and I did our first official 5K yesterday. He signed us up for it about a month ago, so it was good to have the commitment and actually have to train for it. It felt amazing to complete. I was so glad we did it and I can't wait for the next. Luckily for us, it was a chilly morning, so it was runable. I can't imagine running here in the summer! 

Mini Trip

So we went on a little vacation last weekend that was MUCH needed. I feel like I complain that school's so long, but in reality, Brett has way more time off now than he will for a long time! So we went to Corpus Christi for the Thanksgiving weekend, which we've been wanting to do since we've been here and finally it worked out! Some friends from our ward at home have a condo there, so they invited us to come. Brett got to go fishing both days which he LOVED and the boys and I hung out with Liz and just enjoyed the ocean and super nice weather. 

Spence loved having his feet in the sand

Not so much in the water though! 

Branson could have been there all day! 

Branson not only got to ride in the boat, but he also got to drive it! 

To say he was in heaven would be an understatement!

Am I weird that I thought this was so cute? I loved seeing Spence sitting up 

like a big boy with no highchair. These boys are getting too big too fast! 

 Such a fun weekend! Thanks Audenarts!