Getting Organized--Fun Snapshots

Ok, so before I share what we have been up to, I think I am going to "organize" my blog. I would like to start a few designated days... such as "Memory Mondays" and "Silly Saturdays." I haven't decided for sure, but I thought it would be fun. A friend of mine has a fun blog. She does "Wordless Wednesdays" "Fatherhood Fridays" etc. I'm still thinking about it, so it's not finalized yet. I just know that we are not THAT interesting to actually write paragraphs and paragraphs on a daily basis. :) If you have any ideas, let me know!!

What a RAINY week! Blah! My slowpitch softball was cancelled on Thursday. Even with all the rain, we were able to get two wagon rides in!! Brayden loved it!

Friday night we went over to Sarah and Lance's to play with friends Ella and Ava. We had a blast. Brayden LOVES climbing stairs and they have some perfect carpeted ones going down to their basement. Brayden decided to climb 4 or 5 of them and then jump--yes, JUMP-- down them. I can just imagine what my face looked like! I was terrified. Brayden wiggled out of my arms and darted back to the stairs! He was laughing and excited to do it again!

Saturday we did some cleaning (like always) around the house. After Brayden's nap, we headed to Cedar Rapids for Jackson Murphy's 1st Birthday party! It was really fun! There were lots of kids there and Brayden had so much fun playing with all of them! I will post pictures soon. Blogger is having technical difficulties....

Weekend in Waterloo

Brayden, Jon and I headed up to Waterloo Friday afternoon. We went to the Columbus High School football scrimmage. The football team did a dedication to Jon's dad, Rick Schoeberl. It was a nice dedication. We also were able to see the brick that Brad, Kathy, and Ethan got in memory of Rick.

We saw several friends and even some family members which always makes for a great weekend. We got to meet the newest member of the family... Bailey. Bailey is a brown and white cocker spaniel. She is a little sweetie and everyone loved her, except Rosco. Brayden definitely didn't like when Rosco barked at Bailey. It scared him.

When we got home, we rested and played and Daddy went golfing.

I heard a crash in the kitchen and this is what I found:

Busy, Fun (Fast) Week

Jon finished up his slowpitch softball season on Monday. Now our Monday nights can be spent grocery shopping, going for wagon rides, doing laundry, or playing outside!!!

Jon's birthday was on Wednesday, and I have a really great story about it!! Tuesday night, I made him cookies to take to work for his birthday completely forgetting that I had a food day on Wednesday. When I got to work, I realized I had forgotten to bring something for food day. I decided to get some soda since I didn't make any food. I went to Target "to save a couple bucks" and that I did until I headed back to work and got a speeding ticket! (hence the FAST weekend)

Thursday, Penny (our daycare provider) was sick. She finally got the flu that all the kids had. It was my turn to stay home with Brayden. I had such a great time hanging out with my little man!! We went to the Iowa State Fair from 9am-11am to see Daddy. He was working at his employer's booth. We shared some of those amazing chocolate chip cookies and then headed home. Brayden and I had a picnic lunch on the deck. We took a nap together and headed to the swimming pool. Brayden wanted NOTHING to do with the water this time, but still had a great time.

Above: Brayden at the Iowa State Fair for the first time... eating a warm chocolate chip cookie! Below: All tuckered out from a long day: Fair, Pool, and a lot of playing!

Friday, I pampered myself with two chick flicks. :)

Saturday, we went to Josh's for a cookout/hangout. It was fun to see all the kids and friends. We went to church Sunday morning and out to brunch to celebrate Jon's birthday.

Here we are tonight, sitting around. Jon got a Flip video recorder (pocket sized video recorder). We have been testing it out. Once we have some good videos, I'll be sure to post them.

And it's AUGUST already

Daddy, Josh, Brayden, and I went to the zoo on Sunday Aug 2. It had been a while since Mommy had actually walked around at the Blank Park Zoo. Brayden loved the animals! (So did Uncle Josh and Daddy!) Brayden (with Daddy's help) got to feed the giraffe a cracker. He loved it.

Brayden and Daddy feeding the Giraffe. (below) Mommy and Brayden looking at the lion (above)

Wednesday night after work Jon, Brayden and I went to the ARL to look at puppies for Nana. Wednesday night, Brayden got sick so Daddy stayed home with him Thursday and Friday. Jon ended up getting sick too, and then it was my turn. Now, we are all better (Thank God!) and took a little trip to the mall to get Brayden some shoes! We went to Stride Rite. $69 later, we have a pair of shoes that Brayden actually likes!

Brayden's 12 Month Stats

12 Month Update: 31.25 Height 90%, 28lbs 10oz Weight 98%, 19 5/8 Head 100%
July 18th Brayden turned 1!

End of July ALREADY

Nana's Birthday!!! We met up with Nana at Granite City on the 31st to celebrate her birthday!! Uncle Josh, Great Aunt Connie, Great Aunt Jane, and Great Grandma Mary were all there to help celebrate. Brayden showed everyone how he can walk.

Jon, Brayden, and I headed up to Ogden for Ogden Fun Days. We watched the tail end of the parade with the McConnell's and then walked around at the park. It was not what I remembered at all. There weren't any carnival rides or anything! SO, we headed out to my grandma's house and talked to her and my Great Aunt Marilyn and Great Uncle KayDon from NC. We headed home so Brayden could nap, which he didn't do. We had an early cook out with family and headed back to Des Moines. Uncle Josh watched Brayden so Jon and I could go to the Farrell's Party where they announced the winners! I watched my team do final testing at Farrell's. All of them finished!! One of my girls was in the top 6!!! One of my guys won the $1000 grand prize! It was really exciting!