Grady's Big #2!

This saturday we had our families over for Grady's 2nd birthday party and everyone had a great time!  The twins and Grady ran around for 2 hours, ate a ton of food, and then all ate cupcakes, Grady couldn't have had a better time!

 A REALLY good game of chase that lasted for about 2 hours.  I have no idea how these kids have the energy, but if I could bottle it, I would make a fortune.

 Grady and his Grammy

 Grady in his giggle box moment with Papa. This may be the single best picture we have of Grady, he has the best laugh.

 Grady and his Nana pondering the total yummyness of cupcakes and his love of being shirtless.

 During the Happy Birthday song G laughed the whole time, he loved all of us singing to him.  

 Serious cupcake face.

The cousins enjoying their snack.  Brock already ate all of his cupcake frosting off.  

Thanks family for coming in and for making my son laugh for the 3 hours people were there.  G loves nothing more than to be surrounded by people he loves, and he got a ton of it saturday.  He also loves all of his presents from everyone!!  Dad and Mom are going to have to pack up of some of his younger toys to make room for his new favorites.

Deck the Halls with Tantrums

So - Grady is in full on 2s. He is talking up a storm, runs faster than a triathlete, and is incredibly upset if you give him raisins when he wanted applesauce or cheese!!  When he runs, he say I'm gonna get choo, because that is what I say when I chase him.  He also is very polite with thank you, he thanks people for everything.  He is still obsessed with trains, and plays with them a good part of the day, as you can see.

There is no counter that is out of his reach, and if he really wants something, he will get it!  Tonight he managed to get the chocolate chips twice, even after we moved them.

He is really good at naming animals, people he knows, and sounds animals make.  Next up - shapes and colors.  He also calls us Mommy and Daddy now, so if he wants me, he yells MOMMY. He will also say he is going nite nite and lay down with his woobie.

At night when we put him to sleep he asks both B and I for a hug and then a kiss, it is darling.  Sometimes it is the cherry that is needed when Grady spends all day whining or giving us sass, or throwing things when he doesn't get his way.

We have news, which already came out on the Barefoot blog, but the whole clan is moving to Fort Worth. We bought a lot one house away from the Barefeet and both of us are building.  We are hoping to be in sometime in the fall, so it should be interesting to sell a house with a toddler.  Somehow I doubt that Grady is going to help clean out my closet.

Yesterday we went to the Prestonwood Christmas show and he did a really good job! We made it through all of the first act and 1/2 of the second act.  There was so much music and dancing, he could barely even eat his pretzels.  Here are some pics.

It has been so cold here, we have all actually been wearing jackets, and Nana and Papa got Grady a snowsuit for his birthday.  Here he is, ski pants and all.

We have some movies as well, here is one of Grady rediscovering his karaoke machine again.

This is G playing at the park in the Galleria mall. It is by far his favorite park, and he spends all his time either running laps to climbing his heart out.  Here he is climbing.

Merry Christmas everyone!!  If we are seeing you, we can't wait and if we aren't we will miss you, but have have a great holiday! Now I have to go, because Grady is trying to stand on his tricycle and that can't be safe!

Thanksgiving...beginning of Christmas

Hey everybody.  I hope all of you who are reading this find that you had to let out your belt a notch, because you ate so much Thanksgiving feast.  I also hope that you are well, and all the people in your extended bunch are good as well. 

Sara, Grady, and I went to Odessa for the big feast.  We had a great time.  Eating, and spending time with with the Vincent, Goodman, and Brazelton clans was awesome.  Mom made all the holiday favorites, and Joni made my broccoli salad.    We were only in Odessa for a day.  The mighty Texas Tech Red Raiders had to lose a game on Saturday at Cowboys Stadium.  So we all flew back to Dallas together. 

On Saturday we went to the Gaylord Texan (Hotel Resort), to go see their huge christmas displays.  They were rather pricey so we only looked at the freebies, but its hard to complain about all the Holiday festivity on display.  I got a bunch of pics of grady, however they were all blurry.  Sorry. 

As you can see my lovely bride, and my little buddy. The tree behind them was HUGE.  Grady doesn't really smile for pictures so consider him looking at the camera at all a bonus. 

Here is my Mom and Dad with G.  Looking like any boy would who was being made to look to the camera instead of the fabulous trains behind him.  

Grady is really into trains right now, asking for Thomas (of Thomas the train fame), all the time.  Its tough to gauge the little guy in what he will like.  Sara and I are not fans only because we are going to have to spend some money on Train stuff now.  Thems the breaks though.  As most of you are aware Grady turns 2 on December 16, really hard to believe our little buddy is almost 2.  Hes alot of fun, very funny, and into EVERYTHING.  But we wouldn't trade him in for anything.

Lastly yesterday bringing Thanksgiving to an official end, Sara, my parents, & I put up the Christmas tree.  As always Sara and my mom did a wonderful job, and my dad and I served mostly supervisor positions (although we did set up the tree by ourselves). Still it looks wonderful. 

All in all a great, and safe Thanksgiving.  We really have a lot to be thankful for, and that includes every person reading this blog.  Christmas is here and its my favorite time of the year.  Singing, lights, food, freinds, and of course Santa Claus make this such a whimsical time of year.  If only I could relive Christmas as Grady is getting to, where every thing is new, instead I get to see his eyes when he looks at something and says WOOOWWW!  Cherish all the family you have, as the little ones wont be little for long, and be over before you know it.

Love to you all.

-B

All Hallows Eve

I realize we haven't posted in a very long time, however it is Halloween so we have pictures for sure. 

My little brother Blake, his wife Kasey, and my new beautiful niece Hallie, came in to town so my Grandfather could meet his newest Great Granddaughter.  Well newish shes almost 3 months old.  Blake and Kasey stayed with us, and Grady was really funny as he can say Blake, Kasey, and Hallie....constantly.  He was very sweet to Hallie sometimes kissing her and hugging her when asked.  He was so gentle with her as Sara and I constantly said gentle buddy.  Hes getting to where he will say Hug, and Kiss.  The first time it happened was right before Sara and I put him to bed.  He said Hug but sounded sort of like hawk.  Sara and I just looked at each other like what is he talking about.  Then he raised his arms and said Hug.  Its very sweet.  Anyway, the below pic is of the two cousins together, on Saturday morning. My mom said that Grady looks just like i did when I was little.  Hard to believe I was that freaking adorable...well not really.  HA!

So for Halloween Grady, Brock, & Christian are various Smurf characters.  Grady is Papa Smurf, Brock is Random Smurf, and Christian is Gargamel.  The funniest thing about Christians costume is the bald headed hat, and according to Sara came with a cat.  For those at home who don't know Gargamel had a cat named Azrael.  There is your Smurf education for the day.  You are welcome.  So below is the boys as close to full costume as we could get them. As usual they weren't very cooperative. Shockingly enough.

This next picture is of Grady wearing his full costume.  looking all Papa Smurfy. 

Here is a pic of Papa Smurf running away.  Love the little tail, on the back of Papa Smurf. So cute.

Well that's it everybody.  This free show is now over.  I want to wish you all a very Happy Halloween. Hope everyone gets a wonderful amount of Candy, and make sure you give to those freeloading children something delicious.

Our best to everyone.


Love

-BrazCrew

Behind The Scenes/Toddlerville

Here are some videos behind the scenes of Jenn and I's photoshoot at the arboretum.  Our plan was to have her go 150 feet in front of the strollers and then I would "release the hounds"!  It was an experiment in craziness.

This is the only time these guys sat down and it was to hoof down some snacks.  After this, Christian found a person to five him goldfish.  That kid can con anyone into giving him snacks.

Grady has really started to talk and he is in FULL on toddler mode now.  We got him a t-ball set after he had such a good time with the one at the Barefoot house.  B tried to teach him how to hit the bat and Grady kept holding the fat part of the bat and swinging. When we tried to reverse the bat, Grady collapsed into a huge temper tantrum.  This has continued on for a full 24 hours.  He had three time outs today, I hate doing it, but I also can't not do it.  The bummerness of being a Mom (or Dad!)

Weekend and Catch Up

Hello Everybody. I know we've been just awful lately about updating this, but we have been very busy, and fall isn't slowing down anytime soon.  The end of August saw us go over to Roger & Lo's to celebrate Rogers 60th Birthday.  He sorta snuck it in, and only admitted he was 60 when prodded with a cattle prod.  Still it was alot of fun. Then Foot, Roger, & I went and shot Clays at a Young Life Ft. Worth event which was a whole bunch of fun I must say.  That same weekend my parents came in and, me and my dad went to the Rangers game.  So its been busy.  Labor day came, and in usual fashion me and my crew went up to Norman OK to catch some OU Football. 

Yes that is the beautiful Owen Field in Norman.  We had a bunch of fun. Plus the Sooners triumphed.

This last Friday Jennifer and Sara took the Devils...err fellas to take some pics of the growing little weeds they have become.  Jennifer is quite talented as a photographer I have to say.  Her colors really pop, she has a great eye for centering, and composition.  I'm quite impressed with her ability. 



Then of course we have to get an obligatory pic of the three devils all in a row.  Or the Lineup as I refer to it.  They call A&M the wrecking crew, but those aggies don't have anything on these three.



I will say though they are a good looking bunch.

Lastly I took a pic of Grady on my day off the other week, as well as a pic of him swinging on the big boy swing at the park.  Yes he is wearing a steelers jersey. Its a nod to his Uncle Barefoot who's birthday was on Saturday.  Also he just looks good in Black. 

I hope everyone is doing well.  I also just wanted to take a second and thank everyone for their prayers for my mom.  Those who don't know she had a blood clot in her leg, but is well on her way to a full recovery.  Keep the prayers coming though, we need all we can get.

Have a great week.  Boomer Sooner beat FSU!

One last thing, going Dove hunting with Roger, and Brandon on Sat so say a prayer we don't accidentally shoot each other. HA! That would not be cool!

Proud Dad

Just a quick post to show a couple of photos I took of Grady last night right before bed.  They are going to make my Dad, Brother, Sister in Law (Kasey), and pretty much anyone else who isn't a OU fan want to turn me into social services.  But I don't care.  I'm a proud dad, and this is my boy.  HA!  I want to first give credit where credit is due.  The David Nix family in Odessa TX, sent this to us as a baby gift when old Gradster was born. I DID NOT BUY THIS.  Although I did have it in my Amazon shopping cart, just hadn't pulled the trigger on it.  So, thanks Nix's.  You are awesome.

yep that's my future sooner wearing his future helmet.  Like my dad said he has really strong legs.  So possibly a lineman?  I would hope for tight end, because he has soft hands.  Anyway, that's my cute little buddy, before bath time.  Feel free to throw up now, or call CPS. 

Hope everyone is well.  Take care. 

Such a Big Boy

Well - we are there.  Grady starts school this week.  I am equal parts excited to have a little more time in my week and also sad that he is such a big boy.  This morning we went to meet the teachers, Miss Julie and Miss Melissa, they seem really nice.

Grady managed to steal some crayons, run full out into another toddler, and cry for no reason at school and we were there for approximately 40 minutes.  He was crazy today!  I think the reason is that he had a ton of stuff this weekend.  On saturday Bryan took his hunting certification class (people, beware when you sneak up on our house, like the Childs' we are packing heat!) and so Grady and I went on a play date at the Barefoot house. There were 8 kids there!  Riley, Reese (too cute!), Mikey, Ella, Chloe, Brock, Christian and Grady, it was a contest to see who could make the biggest mess! Here is all the toddlers doing fast feet.

Then on saturday night the twins and Jenn came over since Brandon was out of town, here are the guys causing a ruckus in our recliner.  Notice the toy wasteland behind them.  How funny are they?

Because Grady is such a big boy - here is a video of him approximately a year ago.  He doesn't even look like this any more. How time flies!

So many grandparents!

Grady has really started to imitate us, he is quick to use one syllable for words like cookie, dinner and snack.  He calls snacks na, and a cookie is a coo coo.  He always wants coo coo peas (please).  He is also getting REALLY good at throwing the ball.  We think he is going to be right handed (Bryan is a leftie, so there was a chance he wasn't going to be a rightie). He can also rocket the ball to anyone who asks, but especially if you are a boy.  He still LOVES his da da, and I am only necessary for na (snacks) and when he gets hurt.

This past weekend we went to Fort Worth and spent the night with Nana and Papa, before heading out to Odessa to meet Blake and Kasey's little girl Hallie.

Hallie is a doll, so super cute and tiny!!  I always forget how little and delicate newborns are, since Grady is a monster!! He hangs off the changer and is almost to tall for his XL sleep sack (don't judge me, he loves it).

Grady and his Dan Dan on a walk.

The weekend before Nana and Papa watched Grady overnight.

 Grady and Papa reading before nite nite time.

 Eating a HUGE dinner!

Loving the ducks. He said bye bye duck when he left.  Its a good thing this pic is covered, our little man burns in a pretty short amount of time.  He has serious Linn family whiteatosis.

He just loves balls.  All sizes, all colors, loves to throw, or kick, or spin them.  Today I got out the golf club and it was going well, until he started using it as a wacking stick.  As usual.

Grady starts school on August 25th, so here is a preview of his new backpack.  Soo adorable, I can't believe he is such a big boy.  I will take more on his first day.

Super Dad!

Sorry - This was meant to be published in the end of July.  My bad.

Last weekend B kept Grady friday to sunday while I went with the girls to Austin for a much needed girls weekend.  Boy did I have fun and so did Grady.  The boys went over to the Barefeet house for a pool day with the twins and Grady's new favorite person, Lauren and Cliff's daughter Chloe.  Apparently, he followed her around for quite some time.

Then when I came home, the kitchen was clean and I had some beautiful blue hydrangeas, how lucky am I? It was nice to be home and see my super cute boys.

Here are some movies of the weekend.

My son is such a ham!  Look at him cracking his cuz up!

Also, check out these hot mamas! We clean up pretty nice.

The Horror!

There are times when you think...ohh this could never happen to me. Ive tried to raise my kid right, and they would never do such a thing.  But the truth is when they get older kids just disobey what you say.  Its sad really.  So I give you a picture of Grady Linn Brazelton and you can see what Im talking about

Thats right my son is a texting driver.  I can't believe it.  I just thought I raised him better than that.  HA!  Of course im kidding...sorta.  Texting and driving is very dangerous.  But you know whats more dangerous? Leaving me alone in a room with the individual that came up with the red and yellow car...because ive put together alot of toys for Grady and that was by far the hardest.  Still he seems to love it, so I guess I cant compalin to much.

Grady has been teeting, and isn't in the best of moods because of that, still hes doing good. As for Sara and I, all is well.  Life has been busy and its really hard to believe its almost the middle of July.  Summer will be gone before we know it, which isn't so bad in my eyes, because that means Oklahoma Football. Well I hope everyone who reads this is well.  I also want to say to my sister in law Kasey that Im very excited.  For those who don't know my brother and sis in law are getting ready to welcome the first Brazelton girl to our extended family.  We can't wait to meet her! 

Best wishes to all.

4th of July and Brit's Wedding

The Brazelton Clan, along with the Barefoot (?), Barefeet (?) Clan, packed up to go to fabulous Colorado Springs.  Yes that's right people.  Please be jealous, as we exchanged 100 degree heat days, with 90 degree heat days.  Take that! We left on Saturday afternoon, and all was not well from the get go.  After the plane took off, Grady wasn't alot of fun, Brock did sleep a bit, but Christian was the big plane winner, being the best of the 3.  We really should have gotten him a prize for that.  We landed loaded up, and left the Airport, and I would swear we hadn't even left the parking lot and Grady was asleep. We went on to the hotel and met up with the Linn and extended Linn Family.  Howard and Betty (Sara's grandparents), were celebrating 65 long years together.  I could only be so lucky to spend that much time with Sara.  Seeing as we were older when we got married Sara would be 96, and I 94 if we made it to 65 Years together.  Maybe the Robotic Willard Scott, and smuckers could congratulate us on that? The party was nice and the family was good. 

Sunday morning we decided to take the kids to this park up the street from the hotel.  Grady was not in the best of moods but he still enjoyed the park a bit.

The bat you see is one that was just left at the park, so Grady made sure that he carried it around with him. He needs a stick to beat off the little girls you know?

I couldn't even rise a smile out of my little buddy, but he still has the plastic bat. Its all about priorities really.

After the park we went over to Barbara's (Sara's Aunt) for lunch.  The boys were in better spirits after they ate. 

As you can see Brock was all smiles.  I sure wish Grady would learn to smile when looking at the camera, maybe one day.

Instead Grady would rather throw a handful of Barbara's rocks.  Which is fair.  Smiling or Rock throwing?  I mean its a little boy no brainer.

Monday I had to go back to Texas to work on Tuesday.  thankfully Brandon took this picture of my little boy doing a text book lunge.  Look at those powerful limbs. Also note the concentration.

Then at lunch the infamous (which as we all know is MORE than famous, thanks to the Three Amigos), Grady fish appeared.

Don't let that sweet exterior fool you.  He's a tough one to catch that's for sure.

Sadly I had to miss the wedding, but in the grand Brazelton tradition, Grady was there to make everyone else look bad.

Sippy, and ball in tow my little buddy is representing.  I mean look at that good looking fella. That's a very handsome little boy. Yeah I'm partial but he's my kid, and this is our blog, so professional journalism doesn't matter here.   Anyway the wedding as I'm told was quite beautiful, and the reception as well.  All in all a very successful weekend for everyone involved.  It was great seeing all the family!  I look forward to our next get together.  Also looking forward to a short work week, and picking up my family this afternoon. 

Weekend FUN!

My parents came in to town this weekend, for a little post fathers day/wedding enjoyment.  A close friend of my brother's got married in Denton this weekend, so they came in early on Friday and spent the day with little buddy.  Sara took Grady and the twins to a splash pad, and then on to lunch. 

As you can see Grady combined with water, and the Purple Cow = PunkRocker!  Hes so rock star.  Then on Sunday we went to Rudy's yet again with my grandad, to celebrate his 93rd Birthday, as well as fathers day.  As usual Grady loved his potato salad, and creamed corn.  The rest he is so so about.

Please note the piece of potato stuck to the top of his head.  He likes to eat it and wear it.  We had enough food for leftovers and I tried to get a pic of him after round two of potato salad, and creamed corn which was substantially more food everywhere.  However his momma had cleaned him off by the time I got to him with the iPhone.  I will say he was so dirty that at 5:30 I took him upstairs and bathed him.  He was pretty disgusting.  All in all though a great weekend, and it was great seeing the grandparents. 

Fathers Day Weekend

We had a very exciting and fun weekend in the Brazelton house.  It was the celebration of me...on Sunday.  Yep I'm pretty awesome, and I thank the good people that come up with days honoring someone for making sure I got my day.  I'm of course talking about Fathers Day.  We had a great weekend.  Spent Saturday with the Fowlers and their lovely twins Brooks and Charlotte (sorry if I misspelled).  Everyone went swimming and had a grand time.  Grady is quite the little fish.  He has this little floatie deal I bought at Target, and doesn't even want my help in the pool now.  He just floats and swims around.  Its amazing what they can learn in 18 months.  So yesterday we snapped a few pics of the little buddy, wish I would have gotten one of the swimming.  I'll try and get that next weekend.  Anyway, I hope everyone had a great fathers day! 

Took this of Grady in the morning, he was in a great mood. I have to say I really love how cute he is when he's just in his diaper.

This is a pic of the little buddy, wishing he was fishing with Papa Roger, and Dan Dan.  How can you not love that sweet little smile?

Of course mama dressed him in my favorite shirt of his...it is/was fathers day after all.  I will say I'm surprised he doesn't fit into that jersey better.  Its a 2t, and usually those are pretty snug, but I guess Nike is bigger than most.  I don't mind, at this rate he's going to get to wear that jersey through out the Sooner football season.  Boomer Sooner! The best thing about this outfit is the crimson streak you see run past you when he's wearing it.  Just ask the good people at Floyd's Barbershop, they got to see it first hand. 

Well as I said before, I hope everyone is well.  Take care, and have a wonderful week.