Ahem! Testing, testing... 1, 2, 3

OH MY!!! I have not blogged in 9 months. What can I say?! I found out I was pregnant shortly after that last post, then I was sick for about 5 months, then I just got really busy, then I got huge and pregnant and tired, and by then I felt like catching up on the blog would just take too much energy. BUT...after settling into our new rhythm as a family of 4... I am re-committed! It is my goal over the next few days to start with Christmas and work my way to present day. I don't know if anyone out there still reads this, but that's not why I do it anyways! I do it because I am NOT a scrapbooker - so this is my way to scrapbook and keep track of our family memories. So, there will probably be mostly pictures on these posts, but I've learned to be content with "good enough" (not perfect). ;)

Thanksmas at Sea World

Yep - it was a certain 2.5 yr old's dream come true! For Thanksmas this year, we met my family in San Antonio for the celebration. It was great weather, good food with no cooking, lots of family time, no making the bed (oh wait - that's every day for us), no cleaning, or in other words...FUN! Nash skipped naps and was still happy-hearted most of the time (for those of you who know Nash - that is a REALLY big deal). I highly recommend Sea World for toddlers. And I highly recommend family experiences in lieu of gifts.

SHAMU!!!

Gracie Girl fell asleep while walking to the car after crazy Day 1 at Sea World

Some of my favorite peeps on the planet - Jake and Amy

Our little family

3 kids and an Orca

The McCathran family

My boys

The sea lions playing in their tank were very entertaining

Getting a picture this good (and I know it's not particularly good) required an insane amount of bribing

Daddy and Nash on "da big sishie" ride

AHHHHH!

Me and my little man

JoJo and her grandbabies

On the carousel

This kid LOVES pudding

Uncle Ty and Nash about to watch Polar Express

My new favorite picture of the twin cousins

Nash with the newest member of our family

I'm such a kid when it comes to dolphins!!! This was my favorite part of Sea World.

At the riverwalk

October Shenanigans

Phew!!! October has been crazy and oh so good...but I have to say, I'm looking forward to slowing down a bit. I think I'll just let the pictures speak for themselves!

First, we had a Hatch Green Chile Festival at our house - at which, a record amount of chile rellenos were consumed! We are trying to keep the party spirit alive and well here at the Brannonkamp Commune.

What's a good festival without a live band!??

Nash cuddling up with the ladies as the evening comes to an end.

We spent one evening with the fam watching the world series. Nash always has a blast with his sweet cousins. Here, they are indulging him in Ring Around the Rosie...one more time (yeah - I fall for that ALL the time, too, girls!).

Nash, Chloe and Catherine

Me and my beautiful niece, Catherine

Nash trying to lure Chloe away from Fruit Ninja

Wrestling with Uncle Steve 

Oh my!!!! The Marks. No - no alcohol involved here. Just good ole fashioned fun...I guess.

This was only the beginning of our weekend trip to Marshall/Shreveport for a Chris Tomlin concert with our good friends from church.

Jodi and Mark

Valisa and Aaron

 

Cary and Andria

Us

I seriously have THE most hospitable family on the planet! My brother let our friends stay at the lakehouse and my folks cooked and kept Nash for us while we were at the concert - all without batting an eye! Here is Aaron and Cary about to set out on their exploration of my favorite place on earth (Caddo Lake).

My greatest blessings

Jodi and Mark - watch out for those gators! 

Decorating a pumpkin with Nonnie 

It was a masterpiece.

Yes, of course, there was rhino time - LOTS of rhino time!

Saying hello to his favorite bovine, Molly Cow. She makes the prayer list, seriously - she's pretty important to him.

The cutest little dinosaur you've ever seen!

Church carnival with the Nelson kiddos

Not sure what to think about the duck in the petting zoo. This is just moments before he attacks her with the costume - cue EXIT!!!

Adorable Baby Ryan

Mrs. Melanie is hooking him up!

Dinner time with the buddies - Anna, Kate, Nash, and Braden

Mark and Steve at the World Series Game 5 - they were totally in Heaven! 

A milestone - washing hair without one single whine!!! =)