Braden the Brute

People have joked that Braden lifts weights during his naps. Never have I been more inclined to believe that than yesterday, when I checked on him taking a nap and found he had put his fist thru the wall. For a fraction of a second I was upset with him and wanted to tell lhim to be more careful. But then the absurdity of a 2 year old being able to punch thru the wall hit me. Even stranger was the truth - that our sprinklers had wet the bricks which had sucked the water into the house and moistened his drywall to the point that it would cave in if pushed. Aaron has been busily adjusting our sprinklers and when the bricks dry completely we will fix the gaping hole in the wall that is next to Braden's bed. In the meantime it is covered with plastic and posterboard and Braden has been asked not to hit it very hard :)..

A Room with a View

Like most everyone else, we need more room in our house. We are addressing this a few different ways. First we have been busily dejunking lately which has been great. Aaron sold his old air hockey table, projector, etc and has even taken some loads to the DI of his own volition. In fact, I can't keep up with him!

Second, we have had a contractor come look at our house who will give us some options for adding onto it. When? - we have no idea. He was really prompt to come over and look at the house but that was a few weeks ago and we haven't heard anything since.

Third, we have looked at a few houses to get an idea of what we could get in our price range if we moved. So far nothing is perfect. We saw one with the most amazingly large back yard that backed a nature preserve forest with a stream in it but the house was about as bad as it could get. Then there is the house I am currently in love with. It would meet all of our needs. It has huge windows, a nice backyard (that you can see from the huge kitchen windows). It has a playhouse in the back, a laundry chute, two sinks int he kitchen, a double door entry with no stairs which would be great in case I fall and break my leg again. :) (After all, it is probably just a matter of time ...) It has a covered patio, a deck with hot tub that is just outside the Master Bedroom via french doors. It is also two blocks from a park with a playbround and tennis court. BUT it has a few tragic flasws: a busier street than we like and sloped driveway (very unrealistic in Utah winters). Oh well. I just had to talk about it so you can share my momentary mourning. I will get over it and find another home. But I just have to revel in the heartbreack for a little while :).

Destruction of Tip Tip Dig Dig

Mike and Becca sent Braden the book Tip Tip Dig Dig for his birthday last year. He really loved it and I really liked the artwork. In fact it's cure artwork ended up being the cause of its untimely demise. As I contemplated how to change the wall decor in Braden's room, and saw how expensive anything I could buy would be ... the simple yet fun paintings of that poor little book drifted into my head. And since it was an oversized book, it was large enough to cut down to fit in every frame I had. Sorry Auntie Becca. I hope you take htis as the compliment it truly is! And if you aren't sure what to get Braden for his next birthday, there is a certain book Braden seems to be missing ... :)

Braden's First Sleepover

On Friday, September 12, Braden and Tyler had their first sleepover. Of course it wasn't their idea - we offered to take Tyler so that Sarah and Brandon could have a night off and plan to make this a monthly trade. They played together all night and then actually fell asleep in the same room (though it took about 45 minutes of constant reminders that they were supposed to be quiet and fall asleep). The next day we took them to the Zoo and had Tyler back with Sarah by about noon. (only about 4 hours after she was ready to have him back I think!)

Tyler Tyranasaurus and Braden Brontosaurus on the leopards at the Hogle Zoo Wild Animal Carousel.

Big Boy Bed

It appears that Aaron and I tend to resist change a tini bit. It took us 12 years to get married, 5 more years to have Braden and 2 to take away his "ba-ba." Well, after much delay, we transitioned Braden to a "big boy bed" a few weeks ago and are LOVING it. Our fears that he would roll out in the night never materialized - even without a railing. And he has only tried to get himself "up" when he was supposed to be sleeping once so far.

Decoraing his new room has been a challenge (mostly because I am design-inept) but after ordering the quilt set he chose, it feels like we are going in a fun direction. (Yes - he chose it. I did only offer him two options, both of which I approved of, but he DID choose this one.)

Braden's new captains bed.

Christensen Family Vacation at Bear Lake

In August we camped at Bear Lake for another Christensen family vacation. We got to bring Simba and Thor and had a great time eating shakes, floating in the lake, and roasitng marshmellows over our portable firepit (aka a little barbeque that we put some logs in for our fire). As usual we forgot to take any good pictures (I guess we are always just having so much fun with the Christensens that we forget to get the camer a out) but Aaron did supply us with this one of Cheryll, Karen, Braden and I floating on the lake.

Balloon Festival

The morning after the fair, Aaron let me sleep in while he took Braden to the Sandy Balloon Festival. When they arrived, the balloons were just launching and before they left a few balloons had landed. They had fun looking a a fire truck and Braden even got to eat a muffin after refusing every other option Aaron offered. (Tastly - as Braden would say!) Braden still talks about how much he loved it (and I still remember how nice it was to lay in bed.) What a great day for everyone!

Braden at the Sandy Balloon Festival.