California in October

Back in August we decided we needed a family vacation to see Grandma and Grandpa in California. Joe happened to have a couple days off for fall break, so we added a few more days on, and went for a week of relaxing family time.

Grandma took us to the mall to shop for some Sunday clothes for Brek. We also got him some REAL shoes. 3 pairs actually - a black church pair, a pair of Sketchers, and a cute pair of cowboy boots. He gets very excited when we put his shoes on.

Grandma also treated Brek to a ride on the carousal. Another kid took the tiger, so Brek hopped on the cool looking dragon. He was very excited about it moving up and down this time around.

 

On Saturday we got to go and watch our nieces Heather and Katie play in their soccer games. I should have taken more pictures, especially since I apparently didn't take a single one of Heather. She plays on a really good team, and the team they were playing was finally some decent competition. It was a lot of fun to cheer her on!

On the sidelines, Brek was hanging out and hugging Annalies and Katie. Grandpa even got lucky and snuck a hug in there too.

Sweet Annalies

Brek hugged Katie over and over again.

Giving loves to Grandpa!

lBetween Heather's and Katie's games, we went and had brunch at IHOP. Here are the 2 little ones drinking their orange juice.

I love this picture of me and Anna!

Monday my nieces came over after school and we hung out and played all afternoon and evening. And then on Tuesdays, my mom watches Anna. I love this picture too!

Cousins!

My mom made Brek his Halloween costume. Here he is trying it on before we packed it away for the plane ride.

He knows he's hot stuff!

Showing off his tail.

Thank goodness Grandma can sew so many awesome things!

 We had an awesome time in California. It was very relaxing and low-key, but filled with what is most important - time with our family! Of course I could have enjoyed another day or 2, but we had to come back to reality and real life. Well, Joe had to come back to work. :) But we'll be back for Christmas, and that isn't too far away.

We love you Grandma and Grandpa!!!

August thru October

I've realized that I've been REALLY bad at taking pictures these past few months. Not that there was a whole lot to document and remember, but even the day-to-day moments, I've just missed out on capturing on the camera. For example, I didn't take a single picture at my Biggs Family Reunion in August. It sure was fun to be surrounded by so many aunts, uncles, and cousins, along with my brothers, nieces, and my parents. 

Joe had a birthday in August. It was a busy week and he was back to work, so we celebrated a little differently. Instead of cake, we made homemade maple bars. At least I put a candle on one, we sang, and I got a picture.

Then, Joe and I used a gift card we've had a for a couple years, and went to lunch at Market Street Grill. We had a delicious spinach dip for an appetizer. Joe had some steak medallions that were melt in your mouth. I had a halibut crab cake thing that with every bite I felt like I was in heaven. I finally remembered to pull out my camera to document our desserts. They even put a candle on Joe's strawberry shortcake.

I had a delicious key lime pie. Yum! We'll definitely be SAVING up so we can go again. (I've never had a meal - and mind you, it was lunch - cost that much. But totally worth it!) I'm determined that food in heaven is going to be catered by these guys because it was. that. good.

Brek got a hold of a sucker. Something tells me that he enjoyed it.

Love that face!

Brek and I finally got to go up the mountain with Joe for his last day of polka. It was quite the adventure of a day. A half hour in, everyone at the resort had to be evacuated to the parking lot due to a bomb threat. We were out in the snow and cold for 2 1/2 hours. Considering the situation, Brek did pretty well. The unfortunate part was that the first thing he did was find a freezing cold puddle and start playing. He didn't have any idea how cold and wet he was, and was more upset that I wouldn't let him keep playing in the water. I'm glad I brought a change of clothes for him, but that was all up in the green room, along with his diaper bag, because of course, he also had a poopy diaper and had to sit in it for an hour or so. By the end of it, he was quite miserable. But we survived. And we enjoyed listening to Joe play some polka.

Joe has been getting to play some alp horn quite regularly on his polka days. He really enjoys it and wishes and hopes that some day we can afford to buy him one.

Joe is the farthest one back in the sweater.

Brek enjoyed playing and running around while Joe played.

 

 

 

 

A couple weeks ago Brek was playing around with our laundry basket. And then he got stuck.

It's hard to see, but he eventually thought it was pretty funny.

And then I helped him get out, and he was REALLY EXCITED!!!

Brek had his first day of high school.

I've been subbing occasionally at Joe's school. Usually, Joe's mom watches Brek in the morning, and then around lunch time he goes to our friend's house so he can play with other kids. He loves it.
But on this particular day, Joe's mom was out of town, and we were flying to California that night anyway, and we didn't want to do a bunch of driving back and forth, so we just brought Brek with us.

He enjoyed most of it.

Brek's favorite part of the day was conducting the orchestra with his own baton while sitting on Joe's lap. I wish I had gotten a picture of it, but I was sitting in the wrong place. Most of the kids were able to still focus despite such an adorable distraction. A couple periods he came and hung out with me in the English class I was teaching. He generally thought that was boring but did enjoy drawing on the white board and throwing paper airplanes and my library cards.

All in all, not a bad day for the little guy. But I am pretty glad I've got a FEW more years before he goes off to high school for real. And the best part of the day was flying to see Grandma and Grandpa.

Stay tuned...

Family Bike Rides

I recently had a doctors appointment where I was told I needed to get back to exercising. I've been on a sort of strike for about 2 years because I was working so hard at it at the time, and there were NO results. So I gave up. At first, the medical request was quite daunting, but Joe and I put our heads together and did our best to come up with some good activities for us to do together.

Luckily, since then, a good friend has amazingly stepped in and volunteered to be my walking partner in the morning. Yes, I am waking up early and going and exercising. For an hour. I am well aware of the miracle of this fact. And yes, I have been enjoying it A LOT!

Anyway, the point then, is that Joe's need to consistently be "encouraging" (aka forcing) me in exercising has turned into more of a supporting role, or filling in as a substitute as needed when said walking partner is out of town.

Anyway, the point of this post is to share some cute pictures. One of the activities we picked to do as a family was bike riding. We were able to borrow a bike from our nephew Nick. We bought an AWESOME kid seat. And we all got helmets.The first time we put Brek's helmet on, he was so top heavy. He kept falling over. But he thought it was a lot of fun.

See that smile?!?!

And I know the picture doesn't show it, but he does love bike rides. (Well, he loves being outside in any fashion so I don't think it matters much, but he enjoys it.) See how cool his seat is? It puts him in front of the adult instead of behind. We think it's awesome!

Here's hoping we go for another ride soon!

Brek's Birthday Party

So, the day after Brek's actual birthday, we decided to hold a little party for him; it included all of the things that he loves: balloons, water, suckers, and family. 

Here he is showing off his age. :)

This is one of Brek's birthday gifts, courtesy of his cousin Madison who left it for him at Grandma Jensen's house last year.

Our balloon decorations

We have a squirt bottle that we use for Brek's hair. He loves playing with it, and loves when we squirt him or give him a drink with it. So we thought it would be fun to have them at the party. Each guest got one to take home, and we used them for games during the party.

Joe had fun.

Squirt Bottle Freeze Tag

Balloon Races using the squirt bottles

A summer water party wouldn't be complete with out a water balloon fight.

Brek loved being in the middle of the action

We had the kiddie pool out, which is where D'Anna and Brek spent a lot of their time

Aunt Janelle brought their "car wash" for us to play in.

Here are just a bunch of pictures from the party, mostly of Brek playing in the water. I'll add the cake pictures last.

Brek loved the "car wash"

This is one of my absolute favorite pictures of Brek from his party

With cousin Sabrina

With cousin Kate

Playing in the water

With cousin D'Anna

Up close and personal with the camera

Brek's Red Velvet Birthday Cake. He got that whole center part

Here comes the cake. He looks suspicious.

He tried to eat the candle

First taste

I think he likes it. Love that smile!

I think he's liking all the attention

It squishes well

Here Ryan, try some. It's yummy!

Sorry; there are lots of pictures. I just love all his different faces and expressions.

And this one just makes me laugh.

Wonder if it tastes different with a fork?

That's what I'm talking about!

Attack!

Somebody is looking tired. And messy.

 

All done eating cake and ready to get washed off.

Thank goodness we had a "car wash" to put him through!

 

He looks like one happy birthday boy!

 We felt it was a fun and successful birthday party. We're glad Brek's friends (our family) could come and play and join in all the things he loves most.