POTTY TIME!

Bears, McDonalds, and Swimming

Today was a beautiful day, so Shelby, Braven, and I went off to Kalispell. We went to a bear park, where your CAR is the CAGE! I've been there before, but love to always go back. Its so nice to be able to watch the bears up close. Shelby really wanted to go, but was very scared once we got in. She reminded me that the bears where to be 10 feet away from our car! And that we couldn't talk loud. It was so much fun seeing their excitment. From there we went on to McDonalds for dinner and to play alittle at the fun center. We've never done that before, because Braven is still a little young. But, sure was nice to have Shelby along, she took him through the whole thing, and he really didn't want to go. Then we ended our day with the swimming park. It was very nice. They had a baby pool, with lots of things that had water shooting every where. Braven wasn't sure about it at first, but by the end of the day, he was enjoying it. He didn't go too far into the pool but it was nice seeing him have fun. Then there was a lazy River lap, Shelb went on the inner tube, and we just walked with her and Braven was so relaxed he almost fell asleep. It had some currents in it, it was great. Then we had some ice cream treats, and headed home. We just had our subway dinner in the living room, that was fun too.

Playing at the Park

Braven and I went to a rummage sale today, then we were asked to go play at the park. This is Braven little friend Luke. We met last summer at a Customs/Border Patrol party, his daddy is BP. Luke is almost 3 and he is also going to be a big brother this fall. The boys had so much fun running around the park and playing. While Julie and i got a chance to chat. We then came home and ate lunch. And it was naptime, and Braven was exhausted.

1 1/2 years ago

Braven 6/12/09

Braven 6/08

Time goes by so fast! I can't believe Braven is 1 1/2 years old today. Yesterday he had his 18 month check up. He weighs 28.5 lbs and is 33 inches long. Everything check out perfect. And he got his last round of shots until he enters kindergarden. I remember when we found out that we were expecting this little miracle. Ryan and I really weren't ready to be parents, but now wouldn't change it for ANYTHING. While i was pregnant with Braven, Ryan and I were working all the time, and opposite shifts, never seeing eachother, even though we were newlyweds, that was ok with us, because we were so into making money. I was so into being a nurse. Thats all i wanted to be was a nurse, not a MOMMY! When Braven was born, it was decided that i would stay at home with him. Wasn't too sure how i felt about that, but 1 1/2 years later i'm still doing it, and hope i can continue to do it until our boys reach school age. It is the best job in the world. I can't imagine anything else. And now Ryan and I get to see each other more. We shortly realized that working and making lots of money really is nothing compared to having a child. I know Braven changed my life for the better. Braven has learned so much in his short 1 1/2 years of life. He has learned to roll over, eat real foods, crawl, walk, stomp his feet, climb stairs or chairs, give kisses and hugs, and blow kisses. He has also learned certain animals and their sounds, he has learned certain foods, and of course how to say, "Ma-Ma, Da-Da, and Dakota". He has learned some shapes and so much more. I could go on forever. And for the most part, Ryan and I have taught him all that. I am so excited for the years to go on, and to see what he becomes later in life. I know he will make us proud.

One baby boy!

Its a boy!

I was so very shocked to find out we're having another baby boy. I've been telling myself and feeling like this time around its a girl. I was very wowed by another boy in the family. I'm really going to be out numbered, but i did remember on the way home, that Dakota is a girl! Least i have her. Braven loved watching the baby on the screen. He sat on daddy's lap and looked at the baby. So now Ryan will have two boys to go hunting, fishing, working out in the garage, cutting up dear, elk, and bear meat. We are just very happy and feel very blessed to be having another boy in our family and a healthy one at that. We are so blessed with the life we have with Braven and now his little brother.

Busy weekend

We've had a very busy weekend, since Ryan's been on a 4 day weekend. Friday afternoon we built Braven a sandbox. Well, i sat in a chair, Braven helped alittle, but mostly chased Dakota around the year, and Ryan built the sandbox. Braven did hammer in a few nails. Today we went to church, and Braven was great. We stayed after for treats, and everyone was telling us what a good boy we have. Keep it up Braven! We then came home and we took a nap, while daddy put some plastic under the sandbox. After nap time we decided we would go to a lake area to get some sand. That was an experience! We drove for a while trying to find a spot with decide sand. We ended up going down a road we shoudn't have drive down. And to my knowledge Ryan never packed his gun, so i was really scared. It reminded me of my many journeys with Randy and Ryan, always getting stuck. But, getting stuck out in the middle of know where in North Dakota is funny. In Montana, its scary, and with a toddler. We did have Dakota with us. Anyways, Ryan decided the only chance we had was if he floored it, so Braven, Dakota, and I got out, and Ryan took a run at it. Thank GOD he made it. Well, he did end up putting a hole in his radiator, so to save alittle money on Sand and get it ourselves, we will be spending about $200 on the pickup. OOPS! After all this, we did make it to get some sand. Which again was hard work, i did actually help alittle, while Braven fake drove the pickup, and Ryan did most of the work. I played with Dakota by through sticks in the water and she went swimming after them. She is now passed out for the night. We then made it home tonight at 7p, and i did actually due a huge amount of shoveling the sand in the sandbox, while Braven continued to drive the pickup. We over filled the sandbox, and still have alot of sand left in the pickup, oops! Then we played in the sandbox, and grilled out for supper. I finally had to tell the boys they could only play til 9 tonight. They were having so much fun. Then we came in for bathtime and bedtime. Braven should sleep good tonight.

One baby or Two: 17 Weeks

I had my second midwife appt. on Friday. A good note was that my blood pressure was 120/70, PERFECT! So i bought myself another month without thinking about blood pressure medicine. On a crazy note, my midwife found that i'm measuring rather large for 17 weeks, so she ordered an ultrasound for Thursday at 12:00 to check on the due date, and measurment of baby. As some of you know, while we were home we got on the topic of twins. Both Ryan's parents have twins on their families, and on my mother's side there are twins. I'm praying that this baby is just going to be big, instead of two babies! YIKES! I can't imagine having 3 carseats, having to get another crib, and lots of diapers! OMG! Braven knows where the baby is, and kisses the baby often throughout the day.

Family Vacation

We were able to take a familly trip to Calgary and Banff National Park this last week. The zoo was great. The boys got to go swimming in the hotel pool. Braven loved it. Now he swims in the bath tub. Banff was amazing. It was so beautiful, words can't describe the beauty we saw. We went sightseeing, did a few hikes, and went looking for animals. As we got closer to the Canadian border, i wanted to jump out, and start walking backwards. I guess i'm alittle weird. I didn't want to come back to our life here, its always more fun on vacation. Enjoy the pictures!