Conner's 2nd Birthday

Tuesday was Conner's 2nd Birthday. Memay and Papa watched Jack while Jay and I took Conner to P.F. Chang's for dinner. We had a wonderful time and he was awesome. He loves stabbing all his food with chop sticks.

He woke up at 4:45am which worked out great. Jay is leaving at 5am for (its a shut down in Othello) so we were able to give Conner his birthday present before Jay left for the day. This is his reaction to his present. (You will see the present in pictures further down- its a picnic table set)

Jack will be 5 months on Monday. He enjoyed watching Conner open gifts.

Any present that was a truck or Thomas the train got this reaction. It was classic! He was a blast to watch open presents!

P.F. Chang's with Mommy and Daddy!

When we arrived home Conner was asleep. We knew he would cry when he woke up so we immediately put him on the four wheeler. Presto - Happy again!

We did a very simple birthday party with cakes, cupcakes, family, and close friends. I kept it pretty low key this year. Two kids is alot more work than I anticipated. Jay and I both thought it was a wonderful party. We all had a GREAT time!

Happy Birthday to Ryan too!!! We were very glad Jessica, Ryan, and Kylie made it to the party. We wish they lived closer!

Conner was overwhelmed with all the presents. He got great stuff!

We practiced blowing out candles so he was very excited when that part came. But when everyone started singing he started to cry! It was hilarious.

Kylie is just a couple of weeks younger than Conner. We are excited to go to her birthday soon! Conner and Kylie ended up swimming at 9pm it was hilarious. Jess and I sat outside and cracked up watching the two of them.

Working hard with Uncle Brock.

Thank you to everyone who made this such an enjoyable and fun birthday for Conner. We had a blast and it was great to see everyone. I can't believe Conner is 2. Life is flying by so fast with the boys! Mommy loves you lots Conner!!

New Hair Cut

I almost cried last night after Lyndsay cut Jay & Conner's hair. Our little man doesn't look so little anymore. I am looking forward to the low maintenance and less hair to wash. Conner' hair is like mine - grows fast and thick! I can't believe he will be two on Tuesday!

His Poor Head

I am starting to think that Conner has a magnet in his bed and so do all the door frames in our house. I can't tell you how many times he hits his head on the door frames each week. Today's was probably the second bad looking injury Conner has had to his head.

The good thing is that it doesn't stop him for long!! He was outside swimming shortly after this photo!

Country Mercantile

Last Monday, Jay took the day off since the had worked a long hard nine day shut down. Jay and Conner took a morning nap together so we went out to the Country Mercantile for lunch after their nap. Since Conner was on his best behavior we got him a "treat" before we left. He sure did enjoy his chocolate covered Oreo and quality time with Daddy!

This summer has been difficult for Conner because Jay has been working alot of hours. And by alot I truly mean it, three months straight before a day off!!! I have to keep Conner busy so he isn't constantly crying for Daddy. This fall the new shop should be complete and will give Jay more free time. I think we are all ready for this phase to be over. Later Monday night Jay and I went to dinner with Jay's good high school friends Kyle & Jen. They were here visiting from Maine. We had a wonderful time and wished they lived closer!!!

Conner has spending most of the day swimming lately. He is our little fish! It makes me think back to the days when Erin and I would swim all day, I miss those times!

And of course, another speedo from Brazil! He is quite the show off when he wears these!

Bedtime Fun

I am trying to slow things down in our house and have more quality time outside the living room and more one-on-one with the boys. Before bedtime the other night I decided to wrestle around on the bed with both boys and take "self-portraits" and this is what we came up with!

This is what I came into the room looking at. I had stepped out in the hall to get the camera out and Conner was talking to Jack when I came in. Over the past couple of weeks Conner had gotten very protective of Jack. When Jack cries he is very concerned and sometimes cries if Jack is crying very loud. He also asks if he can pet Jack. Its pretty cute!!

We got Jay in on the action at the very end so shortly after this picture Jack was done. This is only our second family picture taken since Jack was born in March. I am hoping someone can take a better more complete one at Conner's Birthday.

And here is our Jay look alike!!! My sister said she creeped herself out the other day because she kissed Jack and felt like it was Jay since they look so much alike!!! You can definitely tell these boys are Brantingham's!!! Hopefully the next will be a girl and look more like and Alderman!

God has truly blessed me with two gorgeous, precious, and loving little boys!!! Everyday is a new experience with them.

Highlights for Conner: Conner will be 2 on the 27th, he is into "Big Trucks" (his coin phrase), everyday is a new phrase or word, he loves riding his four wheeler (finally!), and swimming is all he wants to do lately.

Highlights for Jack: Jack had his four month checkup and weights 16 pounds 10 ounces (following right in his brothers footsteps, Conner was 5 ounces heavier at 4 months), Jack is talking to us alot and just started a high pitch squeal this week, we finally have a giggle/laugh from Jack.

Both boys are growing up so fast!!! I love them with all my heart!

Visit to Ellensburg

The boys and I spent all last week in Ellensburg at my parents. Jay worked a shut down in Boardman so we took the opportunity to go spend some time with Memay and Papa!

Jack's first popsicle. In alot of his pictures he is flipping us the bird so the peace sign is a nice change!

He was very concentrated on Conner while eating. Conner was standing in front of Jack eating a Dixie cup! A favorite when we go to Memay's.

Lucky boy gets a lot of "hot dogs" and "cookies" at Memay's. (Conner calls Popsicles hot dogs and the cookies Memay gives him are whole wheat crackers but they taste like a cookie!)

Conner played baseball with Uncle Brock. He was so excited to get to sit in Uncle "Boc's" van! He informed Brock that it needs to be fixed!

Our boys look like giants when Memay holds them!

My Aunt Jane came to visit us one day we were there. Conner and I had just got back from the grocery store where we found Wonder Pet fruit snacks. He had to show everyone.

Our little man is getting so big. Jack is 19 weeks today!

We had a play date at my parents house on Thursday. We had a great time. It was nice to catch up and see every ones kids.

This is where Conner spends 50% of the time at Memay and Papa's. He plays with Brocks old Fisher Price farm and town. He loves playing in this area because he can see everyone who goes outside or who is coming in from the windows.

I brought my Fisher Price kitchen out of storage while we were there and Conner cooked up a storm.

Everyone say's Jack looks even more like Jay then Conner. In the bottom picture I totally agree!! Jay Jr.!!!

I am very lucky to have awesome parents that are AMAZING grandparents to Conner and Jack. They love their Memay and Papa so much! It's hard to want to come home from their house. I am very blessed to have such amazingly cute and adorable little boys. They are my world!!