Visit from Uncle Perry

I really needed to get some time to update Brycn's blog and the car ride back to the farm is just the opportunity!  Two weekends ago, Brycen spent the weekend at Grandpa & Grandma Blanchard's house.  Brycen had quite the treat because Uncle Perry was back all weekend. They had some wonderful one on one bonding time that normally does not happen with the whole Blanchard clan around.  

Here are some fun pictures to share of their fun together. 

Maintader

Brycen has a love for truck, diggers, tractors and other maintenance vehicles. 

A while ago, he learned what a maintainer was. (It must be a Western Iowa term because Dad calls it a road grader.) We went for a bike ride and noticed it parked by the county shed before we left. As we rode down the road we heard it coming and Brycen so excited to watch it pass us on the road. He wondered where it was going, commented on how noisy it was, and asked all about what it does. 

Brycen calls it a "main-taider" instead of maintainer. It's pretty cute and its fun to watch him light up when he sees it. 

Grumpy Face

A few weeks ago, Brycen was at Jean's house and he had a dog barking while he was swinging. He was showing his grumpy face and Jean quickly snapped a picture. She said that he is such a character and he makes her day. :) We're so blessed to have such a wonderful

woman caring for him every day! He likes to show you his grumpy face sometimes to make everyone laugh.  

Brycen's new swimming gear

Brycen has liked swimming since he was a little baby.  We've done two years of swimming lessons so far and recently purchased a little "vest" for him to wear in the pool.  After just one time wearing the vest, his confidence has exploded to now he feels comfortable being on his own.

This video is from Sunday morning at a hotel in Des Moines.  The pool opened up at 7am and we were down at 7:01.  I snapped his vest on and before I could even grab my camera, he was over half way across the pool.  He was even jumping in the pool again and we let him touch the bottom, too.  I think it really took him by surprise and I'm not sure he really "liked" that part, but he didn't complain either.  I hope he continues to love swimming!

Skylar's birthday party

Brycen's adorable younger cousin, Skylar, had her first birthday party on Saturday. We traveled to Des Moines to meet the Fara and Nadderman family.

Brycen took a long time to warn up to everyone. He had just spent two days away from Mom & Dad so he was a little clingy. On top of that, he napped for about 45 minutes and just woke up prior to pulling up to the park.

After a little food, he turned the table.  He was playing with Logan, Katie, and others at the party.  The afternoon took a downward slide when he refused to nap when we checked into the hotel.  A short half hour swim in the pool lead to a meltdown in the hotel room and we almost skipped supper.  But after a few grapes he came around and we decided to go across the parking lot for supper.  He did alright for the first half hour, but it got to a point where he was crying and wanted to be held.  Brycen simply asked to go to bed.  Burke was finished with supper and decided to walk back to the room and he said that Brycen was asleep within a minute of his little body hitting the bed.

Steve, Logan, Leigh and the birthday girl, Skylar

Logan and Brycen showing off their blue tongues from candy

Katie sitting with Logan and Brycen  (they ADORE her!)

Another day at Grandpa & Grandma's

Brycen has so much fun while at Grandpa & Grandma Blanchard's house.  Here are a few fun pictures to share of him!  The weather was so beautiful last week when he was there and I'm sure that he spent every minute he could outside playing! 

Riding on his new hot wheels that Grandma scored at a garage sale!

Taking a break from mowing

Helping fill the bird feeder 

Time at Gramps and Grandma Blanchard's house

Brycen went to Grandpa and Grandma Blanchard's house last week in Thursday and Friday. Grandma had lots of plans and she was kind enough to even take pictures and write down some of their fun on Thursday: 

Such a gorgeous day to go to a splash pad! 

Brycen has mastered his new-to-him motorcycle!   (Only ran into the flower bed once!)

The apple trees are loaded with apples, and some are falling off.  Brycen picked up a lot off the ground and just before we were going to take a bath, the horses FINALLY came over to our end of their "pasture."   He had waited patiently all afternoon and evening and they finally showed up.  They gobbled the apples!

 

 

Pistachio hoarding

Giving the evil eye when I asked for a pistachio 

Once back home, Brycen was his usual clever and sassy self. He enjoyed his own bed and seeing his friends at daycare.  Here he is pictured hoarding his pistachio pile before supper one night. (He loves pistachios, almonds, peanuts, etc!) 

Colorado Vacation

For the 4th of July our family drive to Colorado to visit Uncle Ross & Aunt Sarah in Lakewood. We've been talking about the trip for months and Brycen was excited!

Brycen did extremely well in the car. We had purchased a few movies on the iPad to have as a back-up if he got cranky. His favorite (by a long shot) was the old Disney short movies of the 3 little pigs and Ferdinand the Bull. He probably watched each of them 5-6 times on the way there. 

When we got to their house, we were greeted by big hugs and friendly dogs. Brycen fell in love with Penny while we were there. He even warmed up to the thought that she could lick him. 

While we were there, Brycen experienced some altitude sickness on Friday and Saturday. It was his first time puking and he asked a few times what he did and what happened. 

While we were there, Brycen really enjoyed playing board games, pushing their treadmill, and digging in the garden. Despite his altitude sickness, we did venture up to Evergreen to visit the park by the lake before his high fever set in. We attempted to eat lunch but his fever spiked too high for our liking and took our food to go. 

Saturday night, Brycen had a babysitter named Kate and the adults enjoyed a night out at a concert in Red Rocks. 

He had a lot of fun, but unfortunately he wasn't really himself for most of the time.

Brycen & Ross relaxing by the pool

Brycen showing his excitement to drive to Colorado

Digging around in Sarah & Ross's garden

Bedtime stories

Getting ready for football... :)

Pointing out the geese

Playing chess... he's a natural!

Bobba Lou

Friday night we visited the lot in Walford.  There was a skid loader that was moving dirt around.  Brycen had fun walking around the deck of the house and wandering around in the to-be garage.  We also got to take an up-close look at a lift that was there for the construction crew. 

Afterwards, we stopped at Wild Hogs in Walford for supper and had a fun time listening to the 60's live band that was playing.  Brycen got to see all the couples dancing and even some line dancing.  We were singing "Go Johnny Go" and he picked up a new nickname "Bobba Lou."

Time at the Farm: Post 4

The trip to the farm was so fun for Brycen and I hope to continue going back for an extended stay every year.  Although we were there from Friday evening through Wednesday, we didn't get to see everything we wanted.  We never got over to the Monson's to see the Billy Goats, nor to Courtney's softball game.  :(  Brycen did get to experience Grandpa & Grandma's tree being cut down, seeing toads by the fish pond, riding on the four wheeler to the bridge and checking cows, feeding the kittens, riding in the tractor, and many other fun experiences. 
On the way home, he was sure pouting about having to leave their house.  He did settle down after realizing that he'd get to go back one week later to spend the night. 

Brycen feeding the cats at the Farm

One of the nights, we drove the four wheeler down to our neighbor, Rowley & Deb Burton's house to see the horses.  (One of Brycen's favorite things, ever!)  They had one of the horses outside on a lead rope so Brycen could pet her and sit on her.  Her name was Babe aka "Babers."  Brycen needed a few mintues to warm up, of course, but really liked petting her.  Even though I had to hold him the entire time, he thought the experience was neat. 

When we put Babers back in the barn to eat her supper, another horse named Noami came up looking for her.  Brycen heard Noami's very high-pitched loud neigh and was taken by surprise.  When he repeats the story, he tells people that he "got out of there" meaning the barn.  It always gives a few laughs.  One reason why I know he loved the experience was because a few days later while Brycen and I were on a long bike ride, he asked if we could go past Rowley & Deb's house and see the horses... not quite the bike ride I was looking to take.  :)

Sitting on "Babers"at Rowley & Deb's house

Driving around the Police Car

Checking out the window every morning to see the cows at the barn.  With Hoppy of course!

Bonding with Uncle Eric

Visiting the Daly's in Fort Madison

It's been a while since we've seen the Daly Family.  Brycen is only about 7 weeks younger than Mackenzie and he really likes being around 13 month old Addalie too.  We visited them last weekend and had a blast.  It took a few minutes for Brycen to warm up, but he sure remembered everything about being there in January. 

The kids had fun together and we went to Fun City in Burljngton to swim!

Brycen broke out with a rash from Tide detergent while we were there. We were glad it wasn't anything worse! Now we know!

Trip to the Omaha Zoo

Tuesday brought more rain at the farm, we were all happy because that meant that Grandpa Fara could come to the Omaha Zoo with Grandma Fara and Mom!  We drove Great Grandpa (it was his birthday!) & Grandma to Omaha to the University of Nebraska Medical Hospital, too.  Brycen had a great time bonding with Great Grandma again!  On the way to Omaha, Brycen was chatting up a storm in the car about the cows, turbines, and other sights.  As we entered the city, he began counting.  Then he started saying, "everybody count!"  But when Great Grandma Fara would join in, he'd say, "you can't count."  It gave everyone quite a laugh.

Once we got to the Zoo, Brycen grew very excited to see all of the animals and point out the small details of the large zoo.  The Zoo is enormous and even though we spent about 4 hours touring it, we didn't even see the lions/tigers, zebras, flamingos, or large elephants, rhinos, Jungle building, or the Dinosaur exhibit.  There is just too much to see! 

Brycen & Grandpa looking at the penguins.
Brycen noticed a penguin by itself in a corner and he said it was in "time out."  

The Monkeys!

Brycen fed the coy fish about four times and loved it!

We packed our lunch and brought it along in the zoo.  After leaving the Gorilla complex, we made our way toward the Desert Dome.  Along the way we had to go in a building to take an elevator up two stories.  As we exited the elevator, there were two empty tables for us to sit and eat.  We decided to sit there because it was lunchtime, it was air conditioned, and it had a very large window that overlooked the Orangutans.  While we ate, we had a friendly orangutan that watched us, waved his arm, and stared down Grandpa while he was eating his apple.  Brycen loved it!

We then went to the Underground Kingdom where Brycen could see snakes.  He had asked to see the zebras and the snakes multiple times that day.  We saw many snakes and even got to see the zoo keepers caring for some alligators while we were there.

Brycen waving in the "Underground Kingdom" where the bats, snakes, alligators, other reptiles lived.  

Brycen with Grandpa in front of one of the many snakes we saw.  He was very interested in all of them. 

We got to observe the zoo keepers handling and feeding one of the alligators.  

We saved our last stop for the Aquarium.  Immediately, we were all intrigued by the bright colors of the many, many fish there.  We saw many large fish and small fish.  He got to see different kinds of penguins.  We had just seen Happy Feet 2 on t.v. about a week before so he was interested in the penguins. 

Brycen watching the penguins

Brycen peaking at the jellyfish tank in the aquarium.

By far his favorite part was the Aquarium.  At one point, there was a tunnel where the fish, sharks and turtles were all around you.  Brycen was in awe.  He was constantly gasping and pointing in different directions on where to look.  The atmosphere was so neat that we could have spent about 20 minutes just sitting and watching all of the sea creatures.  Grandpa Fara got a great video of the experience and I hope to be able to share it. 

Exhausted after the trip!

After we left, Brycen was exhausted.  We picked Great Grandpa and Great Grandma up from the Hospital and after only a few quick moments of the car being stopped to wait for them, he was fast asleep.  It didn't last long because I think the "Fara" side of him woke up just as we pulled out of the Dairy Queen drive.  He has a craving for ice cream just like his Fara relatives.  :)  Great Grandma Fara shared her strawberry sundae with him on the way home and he entertained us the entire way back to the farm. 

 

It was such a fun trip and I know that Grandpa and Grandma had just as much fun (if not more) than he did.  They bought him a sea turtle that he's slept with every night since named "Tiny Tim" and a Dr. Seuss book named "Miles & Miles of Reptiles."  He likes looking at all the different kinds of snakes, turtles, and alligators in the book. 

Time at the Farm: Post 3

Monday morning at the farm brought rain.  While riding in the tractor with Grandpa Fara, a windy rain storm rolled through.  Brycen told me it rained so hard he couldn't see Rowley's house.  After the tractor was parked in the hay shed Brycen played in the basement with Grandpa and with the "new" horses and buffalo from Great Grandma's house.  (Probably toys Grandpa played with when he was young.)

Brycen & all of the horses... organized by size of course!

We hopped in the car and drove to Manning to visit with Great Grandpa and Grandma for the morning.  Brycen has been to their place many times and knew right away where the toys were in the basement.  He took out the buggy, shopping cart, babies, and farm animals to play with.  He even got out a few decks of cards to look at for a few minutes.

While at their house, he ate nearly all of the grapes and had a lot of fun with both Grandpa and Grandma... especially Great Grandma.  She gave him a few books and some "Land Before Times" Dinosaur figurines.  At our house, the dinosaurs live/sleep under the bed... he now has a collection of six dinosaurs under the bed!

Monday also brought Brycen's first visit to the Emergency Room.  Monday night's bedtime was delayed by over an hour and as Brycen was following Grandpa up to bed to read stories, he fell down and hit his forehead on the corner of the woodwork (door jam).  The smack was heard loud and clear and by the time I  made it upstairs to help, he had already had a dark blue and purple line on his head and a rapidly growing bump.  Grandpa went to fetch an ice pack and we fought him to keep it on his head and then decided to take him to Harlan.

He asked for Hoppy before we left and soo well at the ER with the waiting room, nurse, and doctor.  The ER Doctor on Duty was Dr. Bret Heileson.  He did so well with Brycen.  He let Brycen warm up to him, asked what happened and really understood kids.  While examining him, Dr. Heileson even told Brycen that he had porcupines in his ears.  Brycen has kept repeating that over and over since.  He asked if Hoppy was a Zebra and continued to joke around to make him feel comfortable.  We left the hospital knowing that the bone on the forehead is the strongest bone in the body.  Brycen did not have a concussion but would likely have quite the coloration on the head, eye, and drain down his face.  We quick bought some Ibuprofen and headed home, because Tuesday would be a big day for Brycen!!

A picture of Brycen (in his PJ's) while in the waiting room

Brycen being goofy while waiting for Dr. Heileson to come back

Time at the Farm: Post 2

On Sunday, we started out the day by stomping around on the mud with Grandpa. Brycen brought his rain boots just for that reason. Katie came over and after Grandpa and Eric started unloading hay, we played in the basement with all of Grandpa& Grandmas toys again. We even built a fort with blankets and chairs.

Just before lunch, Katie, Grandma, Mom, and Brycen spent some time playing outside with the kitties and visited the barn. We went into the barn to see the baby calf. The calf was in the first stall and Brycen stood in the doorway as Grandma went to walk in to coax it out.  The calf spooked a little and went trotting off past Brycen.  He started crying and wanted Mom to hold him. When I picked him up, his entire body was shaking! Every day after that, Brycen did not even step foot into the white barn.

Sunday afternoon Brycen, Grandpa, Grandma, Eric, Katie, and Mom all went to the Manning Recreation Center to go swimming.  We played basketball in the water as uncle Eric lifted him up to slam dunk the all in the hoop.  Brycen spent a lot of time with Grandpa traveling from the big pool inside, the kids pool outside, and the hot tub. Grandpa went off he diving board many times and dove down to the bottom in the deep end to fetch a ring that Brycen threw in the water.

Sunday night we had supper with Great Grandpa & Grandma Fara at Cliffs Place in Manning.  Brycen even got to enjoy some chocolate ice cream... his favorite!!  Afterwards we went to their home on May Street that they'd been working very hard on cleaning and preparing to sell.  Brycen had a great time running on the hardwood floors through the empty rooms and hiding in the closets.

Sunday night at bedtime he was bringing up every excuse to not fall asleep.  He wanted to go see the cows, read another book, to be told another story, have Mom sleep with him in bed... you get the point.  At one point he started pouting and "crying" that he didn't want to sleep.  He rolled over and said, "a grape will make me feel better."  I probably laughed a little but told him there was absolutely no food in bed and he just needed to go to sleep.  After a big fuss, I filled up his cup with cold water and got one grape for him.  He was happy and said good night.