Merry Christmas!

Thanks to all of you who spoiled the boys! We hardley had to buy them anything. We hope all of you had a wonderful Christmas as well.

Thanks for the cute matching pajamas and the Transformers Grandpa Nate & Grandma Cindy!

The Team GeoTrax airport was a huge hit. Thanks Grandpa Dan & Grandma Sheri!

Merry Christmas (almost) from the hospital

On the 23rd I took Beckett to the pediatrician because his breathing was really fast and hard and he hadn't been eating or drinking much. The doctor declared that he was in respiratory distress, was dehydrated and could have RSV. After 3 hours in the doctor's office they sent us straight to the hospital to get Beckett some fluids through IV. After way too much poking and digging they couldn't find veins in his arms or feet so they put the IV through a vein in his head (gross!) and made a little cap out of a styrofoam cup so he wouldn't pull it out. They took some chest x-rays and discovered he also had some pneumonia in his lungs and need to spend the night to get some antibiotics in him. He was pretty lethargic that day, but the next day he was up playing and ready to go. We were so happy to be able to take him home in time for Christmas!

Happy Birthday Luke!

For those of you who don't know, Luke is Brandon's stuffed animal dog and best friend. Brandon woke up the other day and was determined that it was Luke's birthday. He insisted on making a cake and singing to him.

Failed attempts at a picture Christmas card

For three days straight I tried to take the boys' picture in front of the Christmas tree to send out some photo cards, but after about 50 tries I decided to give up hope that they would both sit still, look at the camera, and smile at the same time. Sorry no cards this year! Maybe next year...

Brandon's Christmas Program

Brandon's preschool had their Christmas program this morning. They've been practicing songs for the past few weeks. Brandon sang pretty well. Most of the kids were waving and yelling hi to their parents, but Brandon was Mr. Serious. The kids were super cute. Brandon was happy Dad took time off work to come and see him.

School Pictures

No smiles for Brandon, but Beckett likes to pose for the camera. These are just scans of the proofs so sorry about the quality!

Pumpkin carving time!

Brandon helped Dad carve our pumpkin. Beckett was more interested in the candy. He was eating both ends of a sucker. He doesn't like his new helmet so much. We need to get it decorated!

Costume Dilemma

Brandon was having a tough time deciding which costume to wear to the ward trunk-or-treat party, but he finally decided on the tool man.

Ouch!

Last weekend while fishing with some buddies from the ward, Trav got hooked in the thumb with a three-pronged fish hook. Rather than take him to the emergency room, the guys decided to have Jon (a dental student) operate. Jon had just brought home some local anesthetics the day before - totally inspired! They cut off the other prongs with some pliers before I could get a picture but I wish you could have seen it because it was wicked looking. Once Trav's thumb was numb the two guys started trying to yank the hook out. They were pulling as hard as they could, but the hook was stuck on some old scar tissue. We were all a little worried that they were having to tug so hard, but we were trying not to let Trav know they were having problems. After some serious sweating they got it out. A few hours later when the medicine wore off the throbbing started. Poor Trav! Brandon said a prayer for him but then gave him a lecture that he needed to be more careful next time.

New Best Friend

Brandon got invited to birthday parties at Chuckee Cheeses two weeks in a row. He's getting really good at cheating on the skee ball game to win tickets (he climbs up the ramp and tosses the balls into the holes). Here's Brandon and his new best friend from preschool - Gage.

Pictures!

Friends From The Start

The only way we could get him to get his picture taken was to let him play with Luke.

Too tired for cake

Again, big brother helped make the little cake and blow out the candles. (He also insisted on putting three candles in it instead of one). Beckett was too tired to taste it and wasn't all that happy about the frosting he got on himself. Happy Birthday Beckett!

Beckett's 1st Birthday

Brandon was a big help opening Beckett's presents for him and playing with them all day. Sometimes he lets Beckett have a brief turn with his toys.

Birthday fun at the zoo

For his 3rd birthday Grandma Cindy took Brandon to the zoo. He loved it. Thanks Grandma Cindy!

Don't even try to take away that hose!

Ridin' tuff on the Big Wheels

Beckett likes Brandon's new ride as much as his big brother does.

Surprise!

The first time the phone rang this morning, Brandon and his little friend Kate decided to give Beckett an Oreo cookie. He loved it. Time for bath #2 of the day.

The second time I got caught on the phone, Brandon found a blue crayon and colored the entire couch, including the back side and the pillows. It took about 45 minutes of scrubbing and a full bottle of Shout to get it out. Sometimes I feel like all I do is clean up one mess after another!

Keeping cool in the pool

Now instead of asking if he can take a bath 5 times a day he asks if he can go swimming.