Happy New Year - While Aaron was flying into town, GG, Grampa, Braden and I enjoyed a toast. Braden cheered his chocolate milk with our Bailey on the rocks. Both were yummy!!

McKinley Presidential Library & Museum - While in Canton, we visited the McKinley museum. They had a great old time village set up for the holidays. One area included a large model train exhibit which Braden enjoyed.

Clemson Fans - Prior to watching the Gaylord Hotels bowl game, which Clemson played in, we played some games of our own. Braden had a blast and was knocking the ball all over the place.

It was fun to see everyone dressed in orange...especially our future Tigers, Braden and Reece. Quite adorable in their jerseys!

Choo Choo - Grampa put together his old childhood train for Braden. They decorated the Christmas tree and played with it often. Braden was the conductor and determined when the train stopped, loaded and unloaded the blocks and kept things moving. I think this will become a holiday tradition!

We enjoyed watching the train




Braden telling the train to "STOP"

Christmas in Ohio - we traveled to Ohio for Christmas this year to see my parents, GG (aka Grandma Gens) and Grampa. Uncle Robert, Uncle Brian and AnnMarie joined us as well. It was a wonderful time that went by too fast.

We departed Kansas and drove to Ohio. Aaron was the trooper and drove the entire way while Braden, Reece and I slept. Before arriving in Massillon, we stopped in Columbus and visited the house that Aaron grew up in and also went and saw his elementary school. It was fun to see Aaron's old stomping ground.

We finished our trip and arrived ready for the fun to begin. We did so much....played games, enjoyed each other's company, ate way too much, opened gifts, cheered on the Clemson Tigers, played with Grampa's Wii and so much more. I'm always amazed at how much we do!

Aaron flew back to Kansas to work but the boys and I stayed for the week with my parents. We did a little cooking, shopping, train playing, toured the McKinley museum and more. It was a nice time. Aaron joined us for New Year's and we rung that in by picking Aaron up on a late flight...at least he made it! We then drove back to Kansas the next night....it was a long trip...especially for Aaron who drove it all! Driving through the night is the only way to go with two little kids!!!

Santa Claus - The boys were very good this year so Santa arrived at our house a little bit early (we were traveling) with lots of goodies. Braden received many fun toys with his favorites being a talking dump truck and a play set where he can finally make "num num's" for us. He loves to play in the kitchen!! Braden also received his first baseball glove which he was excited about but can't play with until spring.

Reece enjoyed his 1st Christmas and watched his brother open up toys. He got into the action and learned how to quickly rip the paper off of the presents! He recieved some clothes and a baseball activity that he enjoys!

Aaron was surprised with a photo of the boys and his walleye which was mounted in Ohio so he received it a few days later. Kiersten was spoiled and received lots of goodies too which she is very thankful for!

We had a lot of fun opening presents and then enjoyed some pancakes which is a family favorite!
Christmas was very special!

Jingle Bells

Braden singing - Jingle Bells and Frosty are two of the Christmas songs that Braden has learned to sing at daycare. He's gotten quite good at this rendition of Jingle Bells. ENJOY!

All Smiles

Happy Boy - Reece is showing off how strong he is. He lifts his head up so high, rolls over reaches for everything and is the happiest baby I know!

Clemson Football

ACC Championship Game - We cheered on the Clemson Tigers during the ACC Championship game against Georgia Tech. Aaron surprised me with some fun Tigerpaw cookies. They were yummy! Unfortunately Clemson watched but it is always fun to cheer on the Tigers!

C-L-E-M-S-O-N

Becoming a Catholic

Baptism - Reece celebrated his Baptism on November 27th 2009. Thanks to all of our family who took part in this beautiful ceremony. A special thanks to Reece's Godparents...his Uncle Robert, Uncle Adam and Aunt Angela.

After the ceremony we took everyone to Paisano's for some good Italian. It was a lot of fun.

Thanksgiving

Family Photos - We had a nice time with the Wilmes side of the family. Dinner, hanging out and a few photos. Braden and Reece enjoyed seeing their cousins Kylee and Hunter.

Turkey - Pumpkin Pie - Fun - We had a lot of fun with my side of the family. Everyone was in town and we played a lot of euchre, did some Black Friday shopping and ate some turkey. Always a nice time hanging out.

Bedtime

Sleepy Head - Braden wouldn't go to sleep this night and instead brought all of his toys in bed with him. I then tried to rock him to sleep but as you can tell from the photo, I became the bed. He brought his pillow, blanket, "mo mo" and bear into Reece's room where I was. (it was dark in the room...the flash makes it appear the light was on)

Beautiful Fall Day

Topeka Zoo - we took advantage of the beautiful weather and I took the boys to the Zoo. It was a great day! Braden enjoyed playing in the leaves just as much as he enjoyed looking at the animals. We packed a picnic lunch and enjoyed the day before making it home in time for naps.

Eating with a spoon

Cereal - Reece is so hungry (and a spitter) that we thought we'd try some cereal just before he turns 4mos old. First try and he loved it! I think in one video I even heard him say "good" over and over! We're still perfecting the eating with a spoon process but so far he's learning really fast.

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Reece is eyeing the cereal - "What is that?" he must be thinking.

Mmmmmm...this is yummy!

Happy Halloween

Trick or Treat - Braden was a Fire Fighter this year for Halloween. He loves his fire trucks so was excited to wear the special jacket and helmet. We went trick or treating in downtown Lawrence and saw plenty of great costumes. Braden was in awe watching everyone. When we were all tired, we walked by the fire station which he thoroughly enjoyed....he talked about the Fire Truck the whole way home!

Pumpkin carving - Aaron did a great job carving this year's Halloween pumpkins. They turned out great and greeted all of our Trick-or-Treaters!

While Aaron carved the pumpkins, Braden collected the seeds for us to roast. He was such a good helper! Reece kept an eye on us and kept his mom busy because he wanted to be a part of the action.

Braden is telling us who the pumpkins belong to. He kept us organized while carving!

Iowa Trip

Pumpkin Patch - in October my mom, Grandma Gens, flew in and then we drove up to Iowa to see some family......my cousin Kelly and her two kids, Ben and Ashley plus my Aunt Lynn. It was a wonderful time!

We wore the kids out at the Pumpkin Patch and then got in a few games of euchre once the kids were fast asleep. The weekend went by fast!

Hanging out at the house -

Braden reading to Reece while I'm getting organized.

Ben and Braden washing their hands.....anything to "play" in the water!

Ben was driving Braden around in his fancy Escalade. Braden was holding on tight but loved every minute! Watch out Kelly....you have a race car driver on your hands!

Reece was having a blast!

Maple Leaf Festival

Choo Choo - Braden and I went to the Maple Leaf Festival this year in Baldwin, KS. We were joined by Grandma Wilmes, Aunt Angela, Kylee and Hunter. It was a brisk morning but what fun we had. The boys enjoyed the petting zoo.....we even saw a kangaroo!

It was then off to the main event after that....riding the train! Braden took his first train ride and enjoyed it. It was a fun day!

Play Date

Swimming in October - Braden and I met Chase, daycare buddy, and his mom at the Indoor Aquatic Center. The boys had a blast in the swimming pool together. They were splashing, jumping into the water, and just having fun!

My favorite photo of all is them "licking" the side of the pool. They were actually watching water flow beneath them. Boys will be boys!!

McDonalds - after the swimming pool, we took the boys to McDonalds. They had fun and Karen and I got to catch up. It was a great afternoon! After all of this, needless to say, Braden crashed when he got home and slept great!

Baking

Little Chef - Braden is my little chef and LOVES to help out in the kitchen. He was helping me make some pumpking bread and is great at dumping in the ingredients. He enjoys stirring but his favorite thing is to taste test. I had to watch those little fingers!

Once becoming bored, he then took all of the ingredients and stacked them up high. "Fall? Fall?" he then would tell me and over they would all go!

Twins?

Matching outfits - OK, so they aren't twins but they both look pretty cute in these matching outfits that Aaron's Aunt Joan gave them. THANKS!