Blueridge Mountains

We had a great family vacation in the Shenandoah Valley...2 months ago...ya, I'm a bit behind!
I wasn't feeling fabulous, Brandon was awesome at carrying both the boys on our hikes

I have yet to see a bouldering rock Brandon can resist
I JUST took this load of laundry out of the dryer, but Tanzen and Makett had other plans
Tried miniature golfing...we'd been on the course for 30 seconds before both boys threw their golf balls in the stream that flowed through the course.

One of the hiking trails had tons of wild raspberries and blueberries, Tanzen loved them

Feeding and chasing ducks was a highly rated activity

It took a few days, but the boys warmed up to the water and started loving it just in time for us to leave!

We thought the boys might like throwing tennis balls around. Ketty spent his time putting balls in the container and putting the lid on, Tanny liked dragging the racket around and hitting things.They gave up on tennis and polished off the grapes

The majority of the trip was spent climbing rocks, throwing sticks and rocks in water, and getting muddy...
Brandon was determined to bike this hiking trail...noble effort?!

Ketty would tell us goodbye and then take off down the trail...his Daddy's boy...

It was cleaner to have the boys eat breakfast on the patio. Didn't take long for the ducks to figure out where to get breakfast. I counted fifty ducks, on average, every time the boys were eating outside.
Never had to pay the $0.50 for the ride, Tanzen was totally content to pretend to drive

We're working on it!

Our favorite activity these days is trying to dress ourselves, although we still need more practice.

We literally get dressed ten times a day...we resist, but it usually takes a little help from Mommy to get everything in the right place.

Good enough for Ket!

Almost bored...

Tanzen and Makett are so helpful nowadays, there's pretty much nothing left for me to do!

Unloading the dishwasher? Check!

(if I'm not careful, they'll unload it regardless of whether or not it's clean)

Shoe assistance? Check!

(they almost found me the right shoes for the gym)

Cleaning the floor? Check!

Buckling ourselves in the chair? Check!

(as long as Ketty is around)

Folding the laundry? Hmmm....

Anyone seen Makett?

Having fun? Check!!!!!

Daddy tricks...

Daddy teaches us so many great things...we watch him constantly and love to attempt everything he does.

P90X action...Watching Monster Truck rallies on YouTube, then having our own

Oh, and Brandon dear, I appreciate and support almost everything you teach them. However, I will draw the line at mountaineering, just a little fyi for the future.

Daddy's Day!

Dear Daddy,

Thank you for being a wonderful Daddy!

Thanks for getting on the floor and playing with us, for teaching us about trees, monster trucks and horsey rides. Thanks for taking us hiking and for trying to teach us to rock climb...in a few more years we'll be a lot better. Thanks for calling to see how we're doing and for hurrying home to spend time with us before bed. We get excited when we hear your ringer on the phone, because we love to talk to dada. Thanks for playing songs for us on the guitar, for teaching us how to play the drums, and for dancing around the living room with us. We especially love it when you jump high and dance fast! Thanks for creating a thoughtful yard for us to play in and for playing in it with us. Thanks for letting us sit on your lap while you study, and for working hard and making it possible for Mommy to stay home with us.

We love waiting on the porch to watch you drive home down the street, and waving out the window when you leave in the morning. You are a great example to us of a man and father, and we love you so much!

Love,

Tanny and Ketty


To celebrate our gratitude for the amazing Daddy Brandon is, we had a Father's Day picnic! Tanzen and Makett loved playing ball and running around in the grass.

Buds!

Ketty, Ket, Makett

Ketty is an easy-going, chill little guy. He often entertains himself, but likes playing with other kids too. He loves to laugh and be silly. He's very verbal and talks more every day. He's now saying phrases and is very intent when trying to get his point across. He naps well and is usually pretty content.

Ketty's hobbies?Bugs! Ketty loves finding bugs and watches in fascination as they crawl all over him.

Lining things up...he is very focused and stays intent on his task, kind of like his Daddy with studying. He wants to do things by himself, and will keep working till he's mastered it.

This boy is ALL about trains, trucks, tractors, cars, and aviation

Making watermelon trains

Ketty would spend all day outside if he could

Ketty has added two new animals to his nightly routine...in addition to his blanket he now requires a big and little monkey to be able to sleep

Ketty loves doing puzzles and will play with them for a long time

A trait from his Mom-- he likes talking on the phone, although he hasn't mastered multi-tasking yet...

Another focused Ketty task- he spent days practicing clipping his high chair buckle, and now does it like a champ!

This is our time out chair. Ketty spends a bit of time here, generally for crimes involving pushing, pinching or biting, which he's usually doing for a reaction. Apparently the pig had earned time out...