Sneak Peek

Last month, Kim Ginn at Sweet Portrayal, who is our favorite photographer, did a special Christmas session giveaway on her Facebook page. Guess who won?  ME! I dreaded the session for a whole week, just knowing the kids wouldn't cooperate. It was pretty crazy, but everyone did okay except Carley, who didn't want any part of it. Kim was still able to get some amazing pictures! If you live around here you should definitely try her out. She is great with the kids. I am only posting a few of the pictures because the best ones will be in a mailbox near you very soon; they are going to be our Christmas cards. Yay!

When I saw these pictures of the kids something very strange happened. All the crying, whining, fighting, hair-pulling, butt wiping, running, tantrums, back talking, bad attitudes, time-outs, climbing, and pooping in the bathtub suddenly didn't matter. I LOVE THESE KIDS. They are my heart and soul. And, boy, do we make some beautiful babies or what?

Becca is sitting at the computer with me right now. She just said, "Awww, I look so adorable!" And yes, she does. I love this picture of her on the bed.

When I saw this one of Evan, I almost lost it. What a gem! I tell him all the time that it's a good thing that he's so darn cute because there are so many days when I think I might just sit him out on the curb with the trash. Until I look at this face...

Kim took this one without us even knowing it. We were trying to calm Carley down during her fit. The kids were eating M & M cookies and getting crumbs and chocolate all over the white bedding! What a perfect picture of us (and Becca's little attitude).

New Pictures

Just a quick post to put up some new pictures today. We are  still  floating on Cloud 9 after the excitement of college football this weekend. We've got HOG FEVER around here, baby! Better than Bieber Fever, right? Hoping that next week I can post about us beating LSU and maybe (maybe?) going to the championship game!

Here's a sweet little pic of Carley waiting for her lunch one day last week. I love when Lee sends me these sweet little shots while I'm at work; it just makes my day so much better.

Evan wanted his lunch, too!

WOOOOOO PIG SOOIE! 

Guess what? We got to go to a Hog game for the first time in a couple of years.  Such a good one, too--the game vs TN, where we had a couple of amazing offensive plays.

Snacktime at the Bramell house.

More Halloween

Here are a few more pictures from our Halloween fun. Becca wore her costume to school, but the little ones just wore their holiday shirts instead. Much easier to get them around this way.

Carley and her crazy hair...I swear, the kid needs a haircut every 2 weeks!

I promised Becca that we'd make Halloween cookies. We tried last year, but they didn't turn out very good. Much better this time, and she enjoyed decorating them. What's funny is that I don't think she even ate one cookie! More for me and Lee...

Our 2 Jacks

My spooky skeleton boy--he was clearly not amused.

More Becca Cuteness

You know that Becca is always cracking us up around here. I've had many stories in my head that I've needed to blog about, but haven't had the time lately. She is so talkative now, and her imagination is going wild! She is constantly talking about Disney World, Princesses and her imaginary friends. Having a conversation with her is not easy because we never know what she's talking about!

* The other day she was watching cartoons in the living room. I left the room to start some laundry. When I came back in, she'd accidentally changed the channel to the Home Shopping Network. They were selling rugs. She was sitting in the floor, totally focused on the TV.
                 Me: "Becca, what are you doing?"
                 Her: (very excitedly) "Mom, I'm watching this show about rugs!"

* Lately, every time I take her somewhere and leave the little ones home with Lee she says the same thing to him.  "Dad, are you sure you can handle this?"

* Her imaginary friends are still hanging around. Last week, she even bought groceries for them when we were at Walmart getting our own food. We have lots of fun with Mouse, Squirrel and their mom Basagna (like lasagna). Funny girl!

Halloween Fun 2011

I am glad we made it to Halloween! Becca was so excited that I just didn't think she could stand waiting another day. After much costume debating, she decided on her favorite princess, Ariel. Just our luck, we had the dress in our dress up supply, so I only had to find the red wig. Isn't she lovely? 

The kids had their Halloween party at daycare with games, prizes, candy and a pizza party. I went for a little while then ended up bringing Carley home because she was super fussy and wouldn't let me put her down. Evan, on the other hand, didn't seem to even notice that I was there. He was too busy throwing things and climbing on tables and chairs. Becca did really well and wore her costume (wig included) for the entire party. Trick-or-treating was a different story...

The cutest mermaid under the sea.

We went to our old neighborhood so Becca could trick-or-treat with Madison. It was their 3rd Halloween  together! We sure miss living by them.

The girls were funny and not even shy about saying "trick or treat" this year.

Before I get fussed at, this is about all the pictures we got of the little ones. It is impossible to get them to stand still for even a second! Lee might have gotten a few with his phone, so I'll have to check on that. After much debating and stress (for me), we decided on Mickey and Minnie for the little ones. You may recognize the Mickey costume since Becca wore it when she was 2. I found the polka dot dress at the Goodwill store and worked a little mommy  magic on it to make it work for Carley. Add a tail and ears, and there you go!  

Becca drove us nuts for a couple of weeks about dressing up with her. I couldn't talk Lee into it, but I went ahead and threw something together. It was really fun; the first time I've dressed up in many years.

Sweet little Minnie Mouse, on the move = blurry photo.

One of our friends from the old neighborhood (Nancy) invited us over to eat dinner before trick or treating. She made a nice dinner for us and the kids. Her little boy just turned 9 and I remember when he was the twins' age! Crazy!

I just had to take a picture of the little mischievous ones in the wagon. They just rode around all evening and hit each other with their pumpkins. They screamed, giggled, fought and yelled. It was pretty funny. About halfway through the night, Evan figured out that he could drag his pumpkin on the ground and make noise. So, of course, Carley had to do the same. It's monkey-see, monkey-do for them!

Overall, it was a good Halloween. Lee and I learned that getting 3 kids dressed and herded around is not easy! They all behaved very good, until the end of the night when Becca was so exhausted that she threw a fit. She's already talking about what costume she'll wear next year!

It's Fall, Ya'll!

We woke up this morning to a brisk, sunny 35 degrees. Brrrr! I finally have some time to catch up on the blog. So much has happened, and again, I don't always take pictures. So you'll just have to read about the Bramell family adventures.

The first weekend in October, Grammy and Nanny came for a visit. The weather was perfect for an afternoon at the pumpkin patch! The kids all ran around, we took a hayride around the farm and picked our own pumpkins to bring home. We like the McGarrah's Farm in Pea Ridge; this was our second time there. We tried a different one last year but I didn't like it as well.

Here are my two littlest pumpkins checking it all out!

Becca loved riding on the mule train.


Funny pictures made us giggle.

All the kids loved playing in the hay tunnel. What a great, fun idea!

Evan & Carley weren't sure what to think about hay. They both touched it and looked confused.

What does a cow say?? MOOOO!

Two cool dudes. You can see the pumpkin patch behind them.

Carley on the hayride through the farm. We all enjoyed the ride and the stories about the haunted farm.

Big girl just wanted to climb, climb, climb. Such a warm day that her face was red like her shirt!

After wearing the kids out at the farm, we topped it off with a yummy dinner at Monte Ne Chicken. We don't go there often, but when we do, we wonder why we don't go more!

Crummy weekend, cute video

I guess it's never too early to learn the Hog Call, right? I came home from the store yesterday to find that Lee had been practicing with the babies. So cute! And this video is from a day later; they still remembered how to do it!

Crazy Weekend/Friday Night: We were planning to head to Silver Dollar City first thing on Saturday morning. Instead, Evan barfed right after dinner. Then Carley barfed in her bed about 10:00pm. Second baths and changes later, they seemed fine. Not sure what was going on, but there was a sick kid in daycare last week so we figure it's some little bug.

Saturday: We woke up to pouring rain and cool temps, to find that Branson weather wasn't any better. We decided with poor weather and possibly sick babies, we'd better just keep the Crazy Train at home. Decided to postpone the trip to Sunday, where frankly, the weather didn't look much better but we'd chance scattered storms. Lee's nephew, Shane, stopped by to see us since he was in town for the Razorback game. We took Carley for her second haircut and went to eat lunch out on the town. We topped off the afternoon with a Bramell Family Nap and Hogs on TV. Pretty good day, after all.

Sunday: We woke up to cloudy skies at home. Checked out the Branson forecast and decided to take a chance. Of course 60% chance of scattered storms meant trouble. It didn't rain a drop on us the whole way there--until we pulled into the parking spot at SDC! The bottom fell out, and it started to thunder and lightning! Thankfully, we hadn't made it out of the van yet (like the poor suckers parked beside us!). We waited there for a while, then went back into town for lunch and more waiting. The kids were TERRIBLE during lunch. It was still pouring down rain, so we went right back home! Ugh. By the way, Evan has started throwing food at the table; it's lovely. We may never eat at a restaurant again.

Enjoy the video. It's the highlight of our weekend. Good night.

Oh, they are growing up so fast!

Why didn't anyone warn me how hard it is to watch your kiddos grow up and change so fast? It's really pretty fascinating. Little Miss Becca has really found her personality this summer. She is starting to "get" humor. Her big thing at the moment is the ever-loved Knock-Knock Joke! God help us. We'll take turns; she tells us one, then we have to tell her one. Of course, her jokes never make any sense, but we all laugh like crazy hyenas anyway! Then, she will say: "Joke me!" when she wants us to tell her a joke. This goes on for hours until I could poke my eye out with an ice pick. Lee and I really need to step up our game because her jokes are usually funnier than ours.

Last week, she moved up to the 4-year-old class at daycare, which is technically preschool now. She has a new teacher (Ms. Leah) who I think will be awesome for her. Besides being the mother of twin boys, Ms. Leah is a real certified elementary teacher! This makes us so happy about what lies ahead this year; Becca is going to learn so much.

*Side Note: I just went to tuck her in bed and she's listening to her radio. "I only like Lady Antebellum and Lady Gaga, OK?" she says. Then I explain that I can't tell the radio what songs to play. *

Can't take pictures of the babies without taking some of the big girl, too. It was spaghetti night at the Bramell house. Yum!

I caught Carley & Evan playing footsie at the dinner table. Of course, they quit by the time I got the camera out. They have even starting holding hands in their high chairs, too. It's sweet.

We've had Becca's play tent and tunnel put up under the bed for a few months because our house was overrun with toys. So I took the tunnel out the other day for the little ones to play with. They loved it! You can almost see how hard they are thinking while trying to figure out what the tunnel is for. I guess Fergie told them what to do.

Carley and Evan are almost 15 months old now. Carley has finally started giving kisses--I thought she never would! They are starting to babble at each other a lot, but nothing is making sense yet. They also seem to fight with each other more; one taking toys from the other, etc. I can't figure out who is the bully; I think it's pretty even. However, I do think that Carley is the mastermind and Evan is the muscle in most of their schemes. They are starting to work together to do things--like open drawers, climb on things, dump over the trash, etc. You can just see Carley trying to show him what to do, then they both get it going together. It's hard to get mad when they are laughing like maniacs over pulling out all the tissues or unrolling an entire roll of toilet paper.

Oh yeah, and if you are visiting the Bramell house and something comes up missing--check the bathtub. Seriously. The tub is the new lost & found: shoes, binkys, toys, brushes, you name it. One guess who the culprit is? You're wrong....we caught HER in action this weekend.

And I have to tell a funny on Evan. I swear I am not even exaggerating about this. The boy will stand up to pee in the bathtub every night!! At least 3 nights of the last week he stood up, grabbed the towel bar with both hands for support and peed right into the tub. WTH? It's like he is totally doing it on purpose.

I'm tired.

Headbangers Ball?

Just in case you have been wondering about the difference in little girls and little boys, I will show you here. I have no words to describe this crazy little boy. Also notice how his sister is playing quietly in the background.

Ever wonder what we do at night?

Carley & Evan are officially walking!! Things just got a whole lot more nutty around here. It's always playtime right before bed. Probably another reason why someone is always getting a bloody lip.

Funny things to remember

I've had this post written in my head for a few days, so I need to just get it down before I forget. I'm doing a poor job keeping baby books or memory books for the kids, but so thankful for the blog to help document all the things I want to remember to pass on to them when they are bigger.

I took this picture of Carley the other day. She is our climber! We never had to worry about Becca climbing very much, but Carley is a whole other story. WOW. This was one morning while I was getting ready for work. I put them in the "cage" to play and walked back through the house to find her on top of the laundry basket.

Carley

Carley is just really quirky, I think. Besides climbing on the laundry basket, her favorite spot in the house is on top of the hearth. Now, it's really just about a 3" step...but she loves to sit up there. What's funny is that she can't figure out how to get down! She'll sit up there and play forever, then cry when she's ready for us to come get her down. It's hilarious!



She also has a lovey, which Becca never did. She loves to sleep with her blankie then drag it around the house all day.



The kids are usually sitting at the table eating dinner when I get home from work in the evenings. Becca and Fergie will run to me at the door, Evan will wave at me from his high chair, and Carley will scream bloody murder and cry until I pick her up for hugs. On the days when they aren't already eating, it's a dogpile on the floor when I come home. I love it! It's so sweet to be missed when I'm gone.

Evan

Talk about a busy-body! Evan is on the move and never, ever still. It's strange to already be able to see such a difference in having a baby boy vs. baby girl. He is so destructive; he tips over the trash can, flops around in the tub like a fish and throws things like crazy. His favorite activity is throwing the ball--and he's really good at it! He can throw right to where he's looking and he can stop a rolling ball with his hands and legs. YAY~~maybe we'll have a Major Leaguer!

Becca

The other day Lee and I went together to pick her up at school. She got into the van and asked us if we know Justin Bieber! Lordy, I am so not ready for that yet! I guess the kids talk about the Biebs, because we definitely do not at home.

We've been talking a lot lately about her growing up and getting big. She says that she doesn't want to get big, that she just wants to be a kid forever. I'm trying to convince her that getting big is fun! Ha! The other night, she was helping me fix dinner. Here's our conversation--



Her: When I get big, we can all work at at restaurant.


Me: Who?


Her: Me, You and Daddy. I'll be the cooker and you and daddy can be the bringers!


Me: What's a bringer?


Her: You know, you bring people the food!!



I guess it does make sense. : D

Carley's first haircut

Big girl Carley got her first haircut the day after her 1st birthday! She really had been needing one for a couple of months, but I wanted to wait. There is a new place in Fayetteville for kids called Pigtails & Crewcuts, so we gave them a try! The decor is so cute, with the fun chairs and TV's everywhere.



Carley surprised us for sure! I expected to have to hold her for the haircut, but check this out! She sat all by herself and never made even a little peep. She was perfectly still and quiet and the lady was finished in 5 minutes. I just couldn't believe it! It was a Saturday and the place was packed, so we ended up waiting a long time. I guess the waiting must have worn her out.

We went ahead and got Becca's hair cut, too. She really liked the toy room to wait in and she liked getting a sucker after her hair finished. She looks so big sitting in that car!

Our life in pictures

Here are a few more pictures that came off my phone.

Lee and Becca decided to have a backyard camp out over Memorial Day weekend. Can you tell who the boss is here? Poor Lee, got the tent all set up and hauled all the crap outside and they only stayed out for about 2 hours! Becca didn't want to settle down and go to sleep out there; but in her defense, it was pretty warm. Not too fun sleeping outside when it's 80 degrees! I know they will try again when it cools off; she was so excited about "going camping." Maybe we will even be brave enough to try the real thing with all the kids.

This picture actually came from Ashley's phone. She took Becca for her first big-girl pedicure on her birthday! I didn't get to go because I was getting everything ready for her party, but I think they had a good time. Doesn't she look like such a big girl?

Here is our awesome little garden! We have really been enjoying it this summer. Thank goodness I married a man with a green thumb. For as long as I can remember, Lee has always talked about planting a garden. I don't have the time or the patience for it, I guess.

Lee did every bit of the work to build and plant this thing. I just eat the goodies! We've had corn, peas, yellow squash and cucumbers. The green beans didn't ever grow. Becca has really liked watching the garden grow and helping to pick the veggies, too.

Wilson Park picnic and a rockin' good time with Becca

We loaded up the crew and had a fun day at Wilson Park to celebrate Memorial Day. We joined our friends Mike and Jessica, Jason and Misty, and James and Angie to cook out and play. It was a pretty hot day but we toughed it out. Becca got to play with Emma and dip her feet in the water at the castle. She got in lots of playground time, too! Carley and Evan just hung out and watched all the action.

Becca loved playing at the castle. It's one of Fayetteville's landmarks. This is the park that is right behind the Kappa Delta house, where I lived for 3 years in college. I spent lots of time walking and studying at this park.

Trying to keep the babies on the blanket was pretty funny.

They weren't crazy about the grass, but also didn't want to sit still!

Poor Becca was so red-faced and hot!!

The first week of June was the annual Walmart Shareholders meeting in Fayetteville. Each year, they bring in several big-time concerts that are free to the public. I've been to a few over the years; I usually only fight the crowds if I think it's really worth it (i.e., Will Smith). This year, we decided it was worth it again!! We got a sitter for the babies and took Becca to see her first live concert and she really liked it! She loves listening to Lady Antebellum in the van, and knows several of their songs. Poor girl was just tuckered out by the time they got to her favorite song Need You Now. Of course, they save the best/most popular song for last. By that time, she was nearly asleep in my lap!

Darius Rucker (from Hootie & the Blowfish) is now a solo country star and opened for them. He did a great show--I enjoyed it a lot! He was great with the crowd and sang his own songs and some of Hootie's.

You can see we had pretty good seats, though we were on the side of the stage instead of in front. The downside was that we had about 5 levels of speakers blaring in our faces. I was afraid Becca would fuss about it being loud, but nope!