Brayden is 8 months!

My sweet boy is 8 months old today! He is such a joy and I am so thankful that I get to be his mommy!

He is not crawling yet, but he is always up on his hands and knees. I am SO ok with him not crawling yet. I don't know that I am ready to chase him around yet...I do need to start baby proofing soon...round 2!

Brayden got to experience the pool for the first time this past week!

He liked being held, but did not like sitting by himself...obviously!

time for paint

I'm loving this warmer weather! It is making me want to be outside everyday! Today, while Brayden was napping, Brooke and I went outside for a little art time! She got to finger paint (and paint with her feet too)! She loved it. I am trying to get better about doing special things with Brooke. She is at such a fun, inquisitive age and I want to give her opportunities that help her grow...even if that means I don't get any housework done that day. Here are some pictures of her painting!

It made for quite an interesting clean up, but PTL for washable paint!

Happy Easter

The day before Easter we went to the Easter "Eggstravaganza" at our church The kids got to hunt for eggs and take pictures with live bunnies and chicks I love this picture! This was right after she kissed him, but I think it looks like she is yelling at him and he is crying! Easter day Brayden didn't quite get the concept of his first Easter basket Brooke clearly had no issues... The only family picture we got! I sang in the Easter praise choir and Tim was serving in all different areas for all 3 services! It was a long morning for us, but it was so awesome to worship our risen Savior with our church body, knowing believers all over the world were doing the same thing!

My girl

I had been looking forward to this day since I heard the words, "It's a girl!"

Pedis with my girl!

She loves when I paint her nails at home, so I took her with me and she LOVED it!!

It was so fun and she felt like such a big girl!

unfortunately I forgot my camera, so these are all from my phone!

Brayden is 7 months!

This little cutie is 7 months old today! He adores his mommy, lights up when he sees his daddy, and loves when his sister sings to him. He loves to eat, drool, and most recently, play in his bouncer (which is awesome, because we bought it for Brooke and she did NOT like it!) He is still such a sweet boy and we are so thankful for him!

We fall in love with him more and more each day!

SNOW!

When we were in Washington, I think the high was 34! It was soooo cold! It was 17 degrees the day that we left...I am so not a fan of the cold. Give me the sun and the beach ANY day! The only (and I mean ONLY) good thing about how cold it was, was the snow. Brooke had never been to the snow beforeso we bundled her up and let her play in the snow for a little bit. The first thing Tim showed her when she touched the snow was how to eat it! So that's all she wanted to do...

Yum!

Papa Salamone

This past December, my Grandpa (my dad's dad) got really sick. He was in and out of the hospital, so the kids and I went up to Washinton with my family to see him in the beginning of January. Papa had just turned 93 and had worked hard his whole life to provide for his wife and 5 children. He loved Big Band music and Western movies. He loved my Grandma! When she started to get sick, he would help her around the house and would wash the dishes every night. He was always so active (even in his nineties!) so it was tough to see him so sick, and even though it was tough, it was good to be with him and spend time all together. He went to be with the Lord a little over a month later and so it meant that much more to have spent that time with him.

We went up in February for the funeral and although it was sad to say goodbye, it was such a wonderful celebration of his life. We were able to have a really special time to sit around and tell our favorite memories about him. And of course we ate...a lot! Grandma and Papa left a legacy...and a love for really good food! We will miss our Papa Salamone, but we find comfort in knowing he is in a place where there is no more pain and suffering! We know we see him again.

Brooke wearing Papa's hat