A few random Brady pictures.

His yellow glasses. Yes, they belong to Mr. Potato Head. But don't tell Brady that! He put them on like that one day without any assistance. We just busted up!

Improvised football helmet.

Wearing goggles at his cousin's swim party. He didn't want to take them off!

Christmas Morning 2009

We had a great Christmas! Carl scored with a beef stick, sunglasses, a new shirt and his personal favorite, new underwear! I received a spa set, violin book, new pants, book about toddlers and more. Brady got lots of new toys and two new Signing Time DVDs (including the sports one that he asks to watch at least once a day.) Santa also brought us a surprise new TV. I think he shopped on Black Friday and got an irresistible deal. We headed over to the LaVetters after opening gifts at home. They had us for the family gift this year. Brady got a fun car and we got some fun games. My favorite part was being with family.

Smarty Pants

Carl: (to stephanie) I'm not sure I got the lid [of the sippy cup] closed all the way.

Brady: (after taking a good long swig) No, Daddy, you closed it.

His brain is working.

Hanehyouyah

Conducting and performing Handel's Messiah and tire one out.

Christmas Cookies

We made some cookies this year. I probably wouldn't have done it if Carl didn't suggest it. I'm glad we did though because they were delicious.

Oh I'm so far behind!!!

Carl's mom came to our neck of the woods earlier this month. Oh, I mean, last month. She was able to be here for Tyrza's baptism. She also did some Christmas celebrating with us. This year we got a wonderful book called "The Quiltmaker's Gift." Our ornament was a handcrafted little square quilt with a heart and our first initial on it. I really enjoyed this book. I even more enjoyed the ornament. It's something that I will be able to look back on and tell Brady "Your grandma made that special for you."

Carl has collected quite a few ornaments over the years as this has been a tradition in his family. Some of them are fancy and store bought; some of them are clever; others are handcrafted and unique; some are memories of a little boy who made the ornament himself, like an old fashioned clothes pin painted blue (or red?) with wire around the top for a hook. I've also made a contribution from my childhood. Well, I think my mom made them. I have little pillows with teddy bears printed on the fabric to put on the tree.

I don't think our Christmas tree will ever be co-ordinated or themed. I like the hodge-podge look of various ornaments. It's a tree full of memories, a tree of love. It will never look the same year after year. The ornaments get put in new spots and new ones are added each year. I hope my kids learn to enjoy this type of tree. If not, I will probably indulge their fancies to an extent until the tree is under parental control again.

I had a picture in mind when I started this post:

Brady and Grandma took some time to stop and smell the flowers.

While we were at the library Santa stopped by for a visit.

What just happened?

Scene: 9:05 p.m. on a Wenesday night. Brady has been in bed for 1/2 an hour. Carl is watching TV and Stephanie is chatting on the computer.

Brady's Door: Creeeek

Carl and Stephanie look at each other to make sure they both heard the door. They await the emergence of a short-little bobble headed child. Stephanie goes to see what is happening. She and Brady meet in the hall. Brady holds up a lotion bottle emptied earlier that evening.

Brady: "Say Thank you, you're welcome." Signs "thank you" then heads back to bed. Looking back as he gets in.

Stephanie: Look flabbergasted at what has just happened.

Carl: "Has he been awake this whole time? Or is he sleep-walking?"

Stephanie: Still look flabbergasted as she tries to process the whole thing.