June updates

Oh wow, so I am really bad about getting these pictures up! Sorry!! It's been a nice month to be home and not have too many plans, although that never seems to be the case. Nights and days get filled non-the-less.

Avery is getting so big, she's 7 1/2 months. She's got 2 teeth on the bottom. She's pulling herself up onto her knees. Hasn't figure out to pull her whole body up yet. She's trying so hard to crawl. She'll get on her knees and rock back and forth and lunge to her tummy. She's got such a cute little personality always happy and smiling. She beems every time Brayden is around and just giggles at him. She is doing So Big and clapping. We are working on waving right now. It's so much fun to go through all these milestones again!

Brayden's growing so fast too. He's really become a real good sharer and helper. At school he knows all the rules and shares with everyone so well. He starting to tell me how he's feeling too. We were at the park the other day and he asked this girl to play with him as he held out a Monster truck for her....she screamed at him, he looked at me with the saddest eyes told me that the girl was mean to him. I explained that it was OK and that we'll find another friend who would like to play with him, not everyone will want to play and that's OK. Shortly after a little boy came along and Brayden asked him if he wanted to play with him and again offered his Monster truck. The little boy happily played with Brayden. Sometimes the rejection is harder on the parent than the child. I guess the lesson for a parent to learn is to explain things to your children but let them go on their own to experience these things. Do not shelter them and coddle them through life, give them the wings and let them fly!

Here are a bunch of pictures from the last month:

The first weekend in June we went to the Denver Zoo with Lisa & Joel and her family. Her parents, sister, and nephew, along with Joel's friend Tristen and his 3 little girls all joined. We had a lot of fun!

Daddy and Avery at the Zoo

Brayden hanging out with the girls, Terran and Reagan.

Laura & Bryce Heitkamp and Mommy and Avery

Brayden's loving Reagan!

Super Brayden!!

Such a happy little girl!

Just too cute!

I love popsicles, Mom!!

Brayden's flexin' his muscles

Playing in the sandbox with Dad

Head west little Sister

Brayden's hanging out with his friend Nicholas down the cul-de-sac. They were on the slip-n-slide all afternoon.

I love making pizza with Daddy!
Playing so nice together
I found Avery rolled under the coffee table one morning. She was having so much fun!
SO BIG!
Look Mom, I can stand!!
Brayden and Katie Lindig over at Tom and Mitch's in the water fountain....they found where it was cool!
We went to see Lisa & Joel's new place and went for a walk. Brayden loved Max and wanted to ride him.
My first sippy cup!
Happy Father's Day! Brayden made this plaque for Joel at school and couldn't wait to give it to him. It was so precious!
Ok, I am on all fours.....now what do I do??
Sitting so pretty in her new jammies and robe
Just having a drink and relaxing... I had a rough day at pre-school.
Bradyen made Daddy another gift at Lakeshore Learning.
Just lounging eating some food.
Climbing up to see Elmo
I can almost pull myself up, Mommy!!

On Sunday, Mother's Day, the kids and I took off for ND caravaning along with Mary, Jamie & Angie while Grandma Moni help me along the way. We stopped over night in Kearney, NE and then in Sioux Falls, SD. My girlfriend from college, Stacy and her family live there. Brooke and Brayden are the same age (she was born a week after Brayden) an they played together like they were best friends. It was so cute! It was so much fun catching up with them. Thanks for having us!!!

"Reunited and it feels so good!"- you know your are singing the song now

We arrived in ND on Tuesday around noon. I could tell that something was wrong with my little man. He didn't want to go outside and see the cows, tractor, nothing....just wanted to watch cartoons. That whole week he had a stuffy nose and a temp. So Sunday afternoon I took him to Fargo to the walk in clinic. It ended up that Brayden got a double ear infection and then to top that off Avery got her first cold (nasty) and was teething at the same time. My poor babies. Especially, Brayden who couldn't stop talking about going to the farm. We still did manage to have some fun in the mean time. The meds really did help, fast! We got to stay with Shanna, Ted, Sheyenne and Taylor for a night. Then Brayden got to stay with Grandma Moni and Pappa Paul and spend the afternoon in the Hankinson area with Pappa. They saw Uncle Mark's farm and Great Grandpa Allen's place.

Nana is teaching me how to play the piano

It feels great to be outside!

Brayden loved this singing Packer doll. It played the "Monday Night" song....it got a little old after the millionth time but he LOVED IT!
Outside again watching the horses and cows!
Love this picture! He would take the wagon around the farm to see the cows, tractors, to play in the sandbox, everywhere.
Me and Uncle B
My first bath sitting up on my own.....Mom you could have done this a long time ago!!
Brother thought he would join me!
Brayden and Sheyenne jumping on the trampoline. He was in heaven over this thing!
He loves Sheyenne! He was telling her that she looked so beautiful!! Romeo??!!
Taylor's got me, Mom!
Mom and Avery at Bryce's awards ceremony
Mom and her "not so little" brother!
Brayden wanted to snuggle his sissy
Am I looking Hot or What?!Auntie and Brayden with their sunnies.
We all had to get the sunnies on!

That Thursday night, 22nd, Joel flew into Fargo from Denver. He went right thru the Tornadic weather that affected us here in CO......and of course, on a prop plane. He didn't think they'd make it. His plane was late and he was in desperation for a drink! I don't blame him!
Friday we went back to Milnor and watched my brother's graduating class get spanked by the Milnor High faculty in a friendly game of softball. It was quiet fun to watch! My grandparents (Downs') came from Langdon for the night. They had 3 grandkids all graduating on the same day & same time! We all got to meet Bryce's girlfriend Lexi (Wahpeton) that night as well. Saturday we had big plans to have a bon fire but the weather wasn't so nice. We helped Mom and Dad get the school ready for the big Graduation.

What's going on, Nana and Papa?

The ladies; Me, Jen, Nana and Great Grandma Muggzy (and Little B is getting inthe shot too), enjoying some vino!

Loved this picture of Grandpa Ron and Avery, the same facial expression!
Going out to ride in "Crusty" and help Papa with chores, Mom!
Crusty is Dad's old silver pickup that he and Brayden named.
Avery and Auntie snuggling

Sunday-CONGRATULATIONS little Brother!! You finally did it & we are so proud of you! It seems like only yesterday we were going to Wapheton to the hospital to see our little New Years baby! 18 years flies by so fast....especially now once you have your own kids. The party went well and everyone had a good time. That evening my parents had their possy of friends over to the house. It was fun to see everyone. My sister, Nate and I ended up going to the graduation party. All I can say is that it was close to my parents' house and that I thought we'd be the oldest ones there..........no we were not. Thank goodness! Oh my, did that bring back memories of HS. We didn't stay too long b/c we were leaving for back home the next day.

Sweet Siblings, so proud of their little bro!

Randy Johnson (classmate of mine) and his daughter Cecila. The girls are exactly a week apart.The crew; Taylor & Avery, Brayden and Sheyenne and Bryce

We made it back in 1 day! We got to Valentine and tought we could handle another 4 hours in the car, it was late and the kids slept the whole way. It was a fun trip, tiring, but fun! Thanks to everyone!

A little man in a tux......melt my heart!

This past week was a lot of fun. Thursday 5/8 our friends Brian and Ginny from MPL came to visit us. They were in town for a graduation up in Boulder. We had so much fun catching up and visiting with them. The next morning, all of Joel's family came over. We had Andy and Heather's BIG Wedding over the weekend. Jamie, Angie, Moni and Mary all drove down while Paul flew in Friday morning and Mark, Tammy and Jerry all flew in on Saturday. The rehearsal and dinner went fabulous. Brayden and the flower girls, Lauren and Erika (Heather's nieces) all got a long so awesome. Saturday was a little long, Brayden was so excited for the wedding that he didn't nap nor did he want to eat. He did such a great job, they started to walk up the aisle a little early but they all made it down. I think Brayden started skipping ahead of the girls and then little Erika took a while because she didn't want to step on the flowers. The ceremony was beautiful, I think... it was a little hard to catch it when I was trying to contain Brayden. He was walking all over, telling me to leave him alone, and just being a toddler. He was quiet the dancing machine as well! He wanted to dance before it even started. Congratulations Andy and Heather!

All getting to know each other! Lauren (oldest), Erika, and Brayden bonding over Avery.

Hanging out by the alter, aren't we cute....wait until tomorrow!

Yeah! We did it!

At rehearsal dinner

Brayden just put on his tux and was so proud of how handsome he looked!

You lookin' at me?

Getting to see Andy for the first time.
Here we go!I don't want to step on the pretty flowers!

I'm not waiting for you guys.

All up there!

Will you dance with me miss?