It's about time Layna had a post all to herself -- enough of this "sharing" with the big brother! So then, my princess, here you are. There were so many great pictures of Layna from the graduation/birthday weekend that I couldn't pick just one... so here are six!
And finally, some great quick-pics. Layna is cracking up at Nama's silly faces!
Friday, May 30, 2008
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Goodbye NOVA -- We're moving!
Tomorrow is moving day, and that means a fond farewell to Alexandria and the DC area. It's been real... but the sun has set for us here.
We're thrilled to be on our way to our new home and new-ish jobs. (Nicole and I are both returning to work in the same offices where we worked when we lived in Birmingham 2 years ago... but with new responsibilities!)
Thankfully, we are being moved this time. That means I can't wreck the huge moving truck (...did you hear that story??) or throw out my back.
Nicole will be driving with Layna while I take Brayden (and we'll flip a coin for Zoey). But never fear... the posts will continue!! Thanks to Blogger's fun "scheduling" feature, there will be posts published without me while we're on the road. So stay tuned for some new posts... and think of us (or even call and entertain us!) while we're on the road. Next stop -- Birmingham!
We're thrilled to be on our way to our new home and new-ish jobs. (Nicole and I are both returning to work in the same offices where we worked when we lived in Birmingham 2 years ago... but with new responsibilities!)
Thankfully, we are being moved this time. That means I can't wreck the huge moving truck (...did you hear that story??) or throw out my back.
Nicole will be driving with Layna while I take Brayden (and we'll flip a coin for Zoey). But never fear... the posts will continue!! Thanks to Blogger's fun "scheduling" feature, there will be posts published without me while we're on the road. So stay tuned for some new posts... and think of us (or even call and entertain us!) while we're on the road. Next stop -- Birmingham!
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
VTS Graduation
In addition to Brayden's birthday, last Thursday was my graduation from Virginia Theological Seminary. It was a beautiful day for a graduation -- and things went very well.
We were out bright and early so that we could drive "close" to campus... we only received one campus parking pass that Nicole used later with the kiddos.
The ceremony was very nice, with all the regular bits. BUT, one exciting (and surprising) piece was that I received an award! The seminary presents a handful of awards to the graduates, all different kinds, and I won the St. George's College Prize which is a all-expenses-paid trip to study in Jerusalem (yes, Jerusalem!!) for two weeks! How great is that?! I was thrilled!
...and, of course, received my degree.
Here are some more pictures after the ceremony:
We were out bright and early so that we could drive "close" to campus... we only received one campus parking pass that Nicole used later with the kiddos.
The ceremony was very nice, with all the regular bits. BUT, one exciting (and surprising) piece was that I received an award! The seminary presents a handful of awards to the graduates, all different kinds, and I won the St. George's College Prize which is a all-expenses-paid trip to study in Jerusalem (yes, Jerusalem!!) for two weeks! How great is that?! I was thrilled!
...and, of course, received my degree.
Here are some more pictures after the ceremony:
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Days (and days) of gifts
Before we get to (all) the gifts, I wanted to give a shout out to Nicole's fabulous cupcakes -- everything was made by hand, including cutting out the little stars for the tops of the cupcakes (thanks to the Playdoh star cutter!!).
As you may have guessed from the title of this post, Brayden opened gifts over many days -- three, in fact. It hadn't occurred to us, but as Brayden opened a gift, he wanted to play with it! (of course!) So all of that slowed... the process... down. Watch as B's clothes morph through the pictures:
Day One
Day Two
Day Three (he finally got to our gifts!)
Brayden had a fantastic 2nd Birthday! Thanks to all of you for your love and support -- Brayden will have plenty of great gifts to take to the new house!
As you may have guessed from the title of this post, Brayden opened gifts over many days -- three, in fact. It hadn't occurred to us, but as Brayden opened a gift, he wanted to play with it! (of course!) So all of that slowed... the process... down. Watch as B's clothes morph through the pictures:
Day One
Day Two
Day Three (he finally got to our gifts!)
Brayden had a fantastic 2nd Birthday! Thanks to all of you for your love and support -- Brayden will have plenty of great gifts to take to the new house!
Friday, May 23, 2008
Brayden's Birthday
This is the first in what appears to be shaping up as a series of posts. I sifted through all the pictures from the past few days (from multiple cameras--my Mom was here and snapping away!) and there are just too many great ones! So, let's begin with Brayden's birthday night: dinner and cake!
We went to one of our favorite (kid friendly!) places to eat, Generous George's. It's a must-eat here in Alexandria!
After encouraging our Big Boy to eat his dinner...
...we were entertained with some rousing songs, sung for the whole restaurant to hear!
We returned home to an explosion of Mickey Mouse all over the place!
Brayden walked in and freaked out at all the Mickey stuff everywhere. He began saying "Hi" to all his friends... especially Mickey, himself!
As you can see, he was a very happy boy:
And, of course, there was cake. As you likely saw in the previous video post, he sung away in his highchair... high on sugar. Here's the still-shot evidence:
(forgive my indulgence, but my son is gorgeous!)
Hit it, maestro! On with the singing!
We went to one of our favorite (kid friendly!) places to eat, Generous George's. It's a must-eat here in Alexandria!
After encouraging our Big Boy to eat his dinner...
...we were entertained with some rousing songs, sung for the whole restaurant to hear!
We returned home to an explosion of Mickey Mouse all over the place!
Brayden walked in and freaked out at all the Mickey stuff everywhere. He began saying "Hi" to all his friends... especially Mickey, himself!
As you can see, he was a very happy boy:
And, of course, there was cake. As you likely saw in the previous video post, he sung away in his highchair... high on sugar. Here's the still-shot evidence:
(forgive my indulgence, but my son is gorgeous!)
Hit it, maestro! On with the singing!
A very happy birthday
Brayden was VERY excited about his birthday surprise last night. We all went out to dinner and returned to the apartment decorated with... MICKEY!! After I asked Brayden if he'd like some cake, he came running into the apartment saying, "Yummy! Yummy!" Smart boy. When he came through the door he stopped in his tracks and screamed "Mickey!" After saying HI to all his Clubhouse friends... and then saying HI some more... we coaxed him into his highchair with the promise of cake! This is where the video picks up. It's a long one... but stay tuned to hear Brayden sing his special song (a few times) for the very first time...
Pictures to follow...
Pictures to follow...
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Happy Birthday Brayden!!
Where does the time go? It seems like only a few months ago that we brought Brayden home from the hospital... and now he is TWO!! What an old boy already!! We will have plenty of birthday pictures very soon... but until then, here is a look back at Brayden, just a few weeks old.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Graduation
So here's my brief (and shameless) graduation plug. This week brings my seminary graduation -- yahoo!! -- but since it's the same day as Brayden's 2nd birthday, the day is his. However, in case you're interested (and more bored than you care to admit) you can watch the graduation live online.Graduation is Thursday at 10AM and you can watch it HERE (just click on that link Thursday morning to view the ceremony in its entirety online).
Grad-plug over. Thank you.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Mother's Day (part duex)
Since Mother's Day fell on a Sunday (my last one working at the church here in DC) and it was rainy/cold/nasty outside, we decided to postpone our MD activity until later in the week. The one thing Nicole wanted to do for MD was to visit Wheaton Regional Park to ride the carousel and train. It's a great park -- a HUGE park in the middle of suburban Maryland just north of DC -- and a place where Nicole's parents went when they were kids. SO, off we went!
The park is heavily wooded in parts, and that's where the little train goes. Brayden was thrilled to ride the ("choo-choo") train and ran right for it.
Brayden was hopping-up-and-down excited to be on the train... and then the engine started!
...but that didn't stop him from loving the ride! I have a bunch of pictures during the ride, but they're blurry. No matter, it was great fun. After the ride finished, we sneaked around the barrier (what good parents!) to take a quick picture with the engine:
After the train, it was on to the carousel. Brayden has ridden quite a few carousels lo these two years, and he's developed a real love (especially for riding the zebras!). He wants to ride them over and over again, and thrills every time. For this particular spin, he sat with Nicole. After all, variety is the spice of life!
If you were wondering where Layna was through all this, no worries -- she got in on the action, too! Here's our self-portrait on the bench during another spin on the carousel:
After finishing all the rides, we headed up the hill to a gigantic playground. Brayden ran straight away for the jungle gym (always his favorite part). He began hunting for the ultimate treasure: rocks.
...and then tried out his balance (and did a very good job, all by himself!).
It was a wonderful Mother's Day party at the park. AND, MD wouldn't have been complete without a picture of Mama and the kids!
The park is heavily wooded in parts, and that's where the little train goes. Brayden was thrilled to ride the ("choo-choo") train and ran right for it.
Brayden was hopping-up-and-down excited to be on the train... and then the engine started!
...but that didn't stop him from loving the ride! I have a bunch of pictures during the ride, but they're blurry. No matter, it was great fun. After the ride finished, we sneaked around the barrier (what good parents!) to take a quick picture with the engine:
After the train, it was on to the carousel. Brayden has ridden quite a few carousels lo these two years, and he's developed a real love (especially for riding the zebras!). He wants to ride them over and over again, and thrills every time. For this particular spin, he sat with Nicole. After all, variety is the spice of life!
If you were wondering where Layna was through all this, no worries -- she got in on the action, too! Here's our self-portrait on the bench during another spin on the carousel:
After finishing all the rides, we headed up the hill to a gigantic playground. Brayden ran straight away for the jungle gym (always his favorite part). He began hunting for the ultimate treasure: rocks.
...and then tried out his balance (and did a very good job, all by himself!).
It was a wonderful Mother's Day party at the park. AND, MD wouldn't have been complete without a picture of Mama and the kids!
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Siblings
Brayden and Layna have been bonding very well. Brayden has definitely welcomed her into the family without any issue. He's very sweet whenever he sees her, often simply screaming with joy and running to her to hug of kiss her. Too funny.
Occasionally, they wake up at the same time in the morning...
...and when they do, we've been placing Layna in Brayden's crib with him -- and then the cuteness is a bit overwhelming!
Occasionally, they wake up at the same time in the morning...
...and when they do, we've been placing Layna in Brayden's crib with him -- and then the cuteness is a bit overwhelming!
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Fiesta!
Last weekend, the seminary hosted its end of the year party for the community -- Fiesta de Mayo! As my last duty as student body VP, I co-planned the party with the new VP-elect (but he did most of the work!). No matter, the kids had a fantastic time!
Brayden suited up for the party, which included his Tevas (the first time the weather's been good enough for sandals!).
I tried to get some head-to-toe pictures, but he wouldn't stand still and smile. So here are some that are close enough:
Even Layna got in on the party. She decided to wear a simple outfit with a cute sun hat:
...but ended up sleeping the whole time. The weather was beautiful!
When we got to the party, Brayden had a blast. He quickly found our very authentic decorations (read: Party City specials!) and knew exactly how to use them!
After eating his fill of fruit and quesadilla, he was off to play in all the kids activities -- including a castle moon bounce!! This was Brayden's first time in a moon bounce and he loved it! Unfortunately, we don't have any pictures of it. BUT, we do have some pictures of chalk art! Ole!
Brayden suited up for the party, which included his Tevas (the first time the weather's been good enough for sandals!).
I tried to get some head-to-toe pictures, but he wouldn't stand still and smile. So here are some that are close enough:
Even Layna got in on the party. She decided to wear a simple outfit with a cute sun hat:
...but ended up sleeping the whole time. The weather was beautiful!
When we got to the party, Brayden had a blast. He quickly found our very authentic decorations (read: Party City specials!) and knew exactly how to use them!
After eating his fill of fruit and quesadilla, he was off to play in all the kids activities -- including a castle moon bounce!! This was Brayden's first time in a moon bounce and he loved it! Unfortunately, we don't have any pictures of it. BUT, we do have some pictures of chalk art! Ole!
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