Bryson Turned One!

I can't believe my little boy is already a year old! What a fun and exciting time for our family. Every day is a new adventure. On March 4 we had a small family birthday for Bryson. We celebrated by having Bryson eat his own cake. It was a lot of fun. Bryson loved sharing and smashing it in our faces and loved when we did it back. I'll see if I can post some of that video, his laugh is just so cute!

On the 14th we had a fun party which included family and friends, some of which we hadn't seen for a very long time! They all agree that Bryson is one of the happiest children you'll meet. He's always smiling, except when he's tired- for those of you that have seen him at church. It's crazy to think what this new year will bring.

Branden is working harder than ever for our family. I'm so blessed with such a wonderful strong man, who loves his family so much! I've also been blessed with being able to make cakes for my family and friends.

I've been busy with cakes a lot this past month, but I'm so grateful for the opportunities I've been given, I really feel that it's been a blessing in my life. I'm also taking a cake decorating class once a week, so I've felt extremely crazy these past few months. All I can say about my class is that I've learned a lot of skills that I know I don't want to do. However, there are a few things that I've used and am glad to have learned. If it weren't for my friend Katie (in the class) I think I would have a hard time going every week.

I hate leaving my family when I have so few hours with my husband as it is. I treasure that small amount of time I have with him. Bryson misses him just as much. When it's getting close to the time he's supposed to come home he'll stand by the garage door and say da? ... da? He is such a strict routine boy. Bryson goes to bed every night between 6:30 and 7:00. Branden and I love it most days because we have the evenings to ourselves, but at times it's hard when your out and about and have to go home early because of a cranky little boy.

I'm really excited because this week I'm going to redecorate Bryson's room! I've picked out my paint colors, and my design. I have it all planned out in my mind. I just hope it turns out the way I've envisioned it. I'll post pictures when it's all done. I'm very excited to transform his room! It's going to be great.

Bryson at his cutest, enjoy!

Joys to having a family!

I feel so blessed every day that I wake up and call my family my own. I have a wonderful hunk of a husband who isn't afraid to show me how much he loves and cares for me. He remembers everything that I would forget, he's thoughtful, kind, generous, caring, loving, and an all around great da-da-da to Bryson. We have been trying to paint and rearrange things in our house with the removal of our extravagant Christmas decorations. It's unbelievable how bare my house is without the extra decorative support. I can't wait for next year and do it all over again, no seriously! I really can't wait! This Christmas was Bryson's first Christmas and we spent the morning at home. He loved seeing all of his toys, and didn't know where to begin... however, now a days I think he'd rather just play with the 'real' things around the house like cell phones, and any cord he can get his sneeky little hands around. We had a fun Christmas Breakfast with the Williams, and the evening with my parents, and then we flew to Texas the next day to be with Branden's parents for a week and had a wonderful time. Bryson loved being with all his family & friends!
I just have to say, Bryson is so remarkable. I often wonder what I did in my last life to deserve such a percious little boy. He's very active and very much happy to be alive! He goes where ever the action is. He's been standing since October, and is starting to really walk. He's been taking steps for almost a month now, but he's really starting to warm up to the idea that his legs can move when he wants them to. He's always got a smile to give you, how do you discipline when you can't help but laugh at the cute situation of him throwing out every last item in your draws, swarmed in all the mess, putting things back in the draws just to be able to take it out again! So cute!
Well, love you all, hope I'll be on here more than every other month!

What we've been doing this fall!

Sorry it's been a while since I've written on my blog! Our family has really being enjoying this change in weather. It's so beautiful this time of year. The weather is just perfect for afternoon strolls, having steak BBQ's outside on a blanket =), watching the gorgeous sunsets that Tucson has, making yummy pumpkin bread and spending time with family and friends.

We went to Sandra Nixon's Halloween party and dressed him up as an Arizona fan, thanks to John and Kathy's gift. So if you're keeping count, he's been Spiderman, an Arizona fan, and Rambo... talk about indecision!

But the biggest changes have been occuring with our beautiful boy who just recently turned 8 months old. Bryson has been standing by himself for the past month or so. He is such a busy kid. If there is anything to do, or anyone to do it with he's right there for the action. (Usually the one making all the commotion) He is such a sweet heart and loves to love. He gives kisses to everyone which usually end up knocking the other child down, or he'll hold hands with the baby in the next car seat over. It's adorable. I have a feeling I'm going to have to keep a close watch on him! We dressed him up as rambo this year for Halloween, I have to get my picture of him from a friend so those posts will show up a little later. All I can say is that it fit his personality-- 100% boy!

Bryson's first Halloween

While I was out shopping I found this costume that I thought for sure was going to be too big for Bryson. I thought I better try it on him, just in case I needed to get something smaller before Halloween. And this is what it looked like when we tried it on him. So... just a little too small. I can't imagine what it would have looked like in another two weeks.

My Birthday!

I began the day with my friends taking me out to breakfast. I forgot to get pictures! Then we went shopping, one of my favorite things to do. We had a great time trying on every pair of sunglasses. And then we ran through McD's for their dollar menu. Delish! And then Branden came home early for my birthday so he could take me to Agua Caliente for a sunset picnic. It was a beautiful day, the weather couldn't have been more perfect. Bryson loved being outside as well. When we finished eating we took a walk by the lake. Bryson watched the ducks intently, and there were a lot of turtles everywhere! We took a walk in the back part, and that was a lot of fun. We saw some wildlife, and after the rattlesnake we decided it was time to go. When we got home Branden sent me on a treasure hunt, and I found my present with his clues hinting at what he had gotten me. The pearl necklace and earrings are so beautiful! I've never owned a real set of pearls before, and I really liked them. This was such a wonderful birthday!!

Rocky Point Trip Oct '08

We went to Rocky Point this last weekend with our dear friends Sarah and Sam Rogers. It's a Cook Family tradition to go twice a year. The last few times Branden and I have been fortunate to go. In June Bryson was only three months old, and had a hard time with the wind, so I wasn't sure how he was going to do this time. I've been taking him to swimming lessons, which he has loved, and I knew that he would do better this time with the water. He had a wonderful time! The wind didn't seem to bother him at all. He took long naps on the beach, the weather was humid, but the breeze on the beach was perfect napping weather. I think next year when Bryson is old enough to walk we're going to have our hands full. He loves to give kisses and loves to everyone, it's just hard when they're not big enough to take it. I hope we didn't scare any kids away. He would attack these other babies with kisses and hugs, and I think they'll need to be a little bigger next time... Thanks to everyone for your help and ideas, we brought this big jean blanket that we were able to lay out on the beach which gave him freedom to crawl about. Branden spent his time kyaking with Sam and Blake, the waves were really big on Saturday and I think that added to fun the fun for them. Branden and I tried to get past the waves together, unfortunately my arms would only take us so far, I had to give in and call it quits after a bit. We had a great time with our family and friends!!