Under the Tree

I think Romey's trying to remind me that I once did think of him as a gift...so he laid down under the Christmas tree. After the stunt he pulled on Saturday night, he needs to be reminding me that I do love him! (Remember Brett's not home, so it's just me, Brady, and Romey.) I let the dog outside just before we were going upstairs for Brady's bath. After 5 minutes, I went outside and called him and could not hear his collar. I bundled up Brady and we went for a walk calling Romey. No response. Brady was getting tired and wanted to be carried. We were getting further from the house and I couldn't carry him for too long. So we went back to the house, got the stroller and a flashlight, and started out again. After about 20 minutes of walking and calling, we gave up and headed home. Brady was getting cranky as it was after 8 PM at this point. We were just about home and who comes strolling up the sidewalk behind us but Mr. Born Free? I was too tired to even scold him. Yes Romey, I still think of you as a gift...but sometimes I seriously question your return policy! :p

Hokie Helper

Brady and I started the day with breakfast @ IHOP with Auntie Jen. She let Brady play all sorts of fun games on her iPhone. I'm not sure if he loved the games or the fact that someone was actually encouraging him to play with their iPhone. But nonetheless, we all had a great time!

This afternoon I had my Hokie helper in the kitchen. We made oatmeal raisin cookies (from the box since it was fast and easy). Brady loves to mix and also did a great job using his spoon to push the cookies off my spoon and on to the cookie sheet.

While the cookies baked, I let Brady eat his mac-n-cheese and watch the VT game on tv. (Daddy's at UVa today to watch the final Hokie game of the season live.) I'm sure this behavior (eating in front of the tv while watching football) will be something I wish I had discouraged one day. But today a full bellied content toddler (he LOVES watching football!) made for a pleasant and relaxing afternoon for this tired breeding mama.

Then he got to taste the fruits of his labor for snack. Yummy!

Later this evening, we went up the Safeway plaza in our neighborhood and saw Santa, Mrs. Claus, and a big Christmas tree. The line for rides in Santa's sleigh was already cut off by the time we got there, so we just watched Santa making the rounds with the horses that were pulling the carriage. When we first saw it, I said, "Oh look there's Santa! Say hi to Santa. Whoa, those horses are stinky!" So Every time we saw the procession (which was making rounds in the parking lot) Brady would say, "Hi Santa Claus! Horses are stinky." as if he was a looped recording. I was cracking up! None of the pictures came out because it was too dark. But it was a fun thing to do and Mrs. Claus gave Brady a cute little stuffed reindeer that he likes a lot.

Wee Wii

Brady loves sports and we have modified indoor versions of them all. He has stuffed (Nerf-like) versions of soccer balls, basketballs, and footballs. He uses my round grease splatter screens from the kitchen and a lighter ball to play tennis indoors. He found these himself and said, "Tennis!" a few months ago. Since I don't use them I thought, why not?

Tonight Daddy hooked the Wii up to the new tv and showed Brady another indoor variation of tennis. Brady thought it was a riot!

He Gets It...

...and will be Totally prepared for Halloween next year. :) Brady found a mini basket among the Christmas items. He comes up to me, holds the basket out, and says, "Trick or treat please." So funny! So Brett and I had him going between us and getting goldfish and Cheerios for his trick-or-treat basket.

Christmas Pictures

Before Grandma and Papa left this morning, we attempted our Christmas pictures in front of the tree. Brady definitely had opinions this year. "I don't want to do it." "I sit on Mommy's lap." "Want soccer ball!" Bribing him with ornaments and goldfish while watching Grandma make funny faces only went so far. *sigh* But we did get a few I can live with. Here are some of the other fun ones.

One of these very well may be the Senior Luhrings' Christmas card this year. Go figure- the boy was simply sweet when it came time for the grandparents' shoot. :p

Here we all are:
Here's a couple of our shoot's outtakes. Thank goodness for digital cameras! The "cheeese" smile will have to be on our card this year...it's toddler Brady at this point in time. ;p

As the Parade Goes By...

One of my favorite Thanksgiving memories growing up was watching the Macy's parade on tv. So it was fun for me to watch some of it with Brady this morning. Whenever he sees crowds on tv, he waves back to them. It's hilarious to watch Good Morning America or a football game with him. There were many folks waving at him today and he waved right back while eating his cereal in his jammies.

Look who we found in the Christmas box! Auntie Mo and Uncle 'Deep gave Brady this Mickey Mouse last year. This year with knowledge of who Mickey Mouse is, a partial understanding of Santa, and a complete LOVE of stuffed animals, Brady's enjoying him even more.

Didn't I say the "cheeese!" face was getting a little out of hand? ;p

Happy Thanksgiving!

Grandma and Papa are going back home to Denver tomorrow (Thanksgiving) afternoon so that they can make it to Great Gramma Barb's Thanksgiving celebration in Kansas on Saturday. So we had our big turkey meal today. To plan around Brady, we had an early (lunch) meal. Brady has been quite pleased that for the past few days "everybody eating," meaning we've had so many family meals all together instead of his usual table-for-one.

Brady divided his time this morning between assisting Papa and Daddy with the furniture assembly going on in his sister's room (they painted her room over the past 2 days- Love it!) and assisting Grandma and Mommy in the kitchen by doing the dishes.

We probably should have attempted a picture before Brady did the dishes and soaked his shirt...and although his "cheeese" smile matches that of the happy Pilgrim and Indian, it's getting a little out of hand! ;p

Our Little Turkey (and the head of our table) is ready

Despite the fact that he already has green beans in his mouth, Brady did "Thanks God for the lunch." :)

After nap, we set up the Christmas tree. Brady was giddy over the fact that there was a tree inside. The ladder simply put him over the edge...I don't think the kid could have been any more happy!

Brady and Papa

Sometimes Papa is like Mommy- we're great about documenting with pictures, but that means we're rarely in them. This morning I thought Brady and his Papa looked so cute sitting on the couch together. I loved Brady's hand placement and his eye contact. So sweet.

Hangin' Out with Friends

The Papa-razzi caught these cute picts of the grandson sharing his chair with all his friends this morning.

Kickin' Back

Grandma and Papa came with us to soccer this morning. Just one more week of this soccer season left! The first picture is blurry, but it's the only one I had with Papa in it.

For 23 months old, Brady's ability to dribble a soccer ball is remarkable. He definitely gets these skills from Daddy (both genetically and from Daddy's coaching).

Papa and Daddy's Helper

Papa and Grandma arrived from Denver for a Thanksgiving visit last night. Brady was thrilled to wake up this morning and find them here. Part of the reason is that Papa and Daddy are always doing some sort of project. Today it was mounting the tv on the wall and you know who was right there (with his own tools) to offer a little helping hand...
btw, his shirt is from his grandparents and says, "Dad Taught Me Everything I Know...So Blame Him!" :)

Of course, we also had some playtime earlier today too-