Visiting Jean & Pa

We made an over due visit to see Jean and Pa Prevo. We spent most of the morning there and even though it was a new house, Brycen felt right at home... Immediately.  :) 

They had fun playing with the kitchen set, Leggos, dinosaurs, reading books, and many games of hide-and-seek. 

Brycen and Jean calling each other. 

Shopping... He missed that shopping cart I think. 

Lots of love for his Jeanie.

They gave both the boys gifts. Brycen got a John Deere gator with a snow blade on it. Jean also made a blanket with safari animals on it for Caden that is so soft, you don't want to put it down. 

Brycen is looking forward to a warmer day this summer to spend the day there and hopefully see his friends, too.  Were so happy to have these tow in our lives!!

Happy Birthday, Daddy!

Daddy turned 35 at the end of April and we celebrated by having one of his favorite meals and a birthday cake.  Hers a video of us singing happy birthday:http://youtu.be/BExaLJ9HDR8. 

Brycen helped make the cake that morning and decorate it that afternoon. We had a chocolate cake and what was meant to be red frosting...to say it turned out slightly pink is an understatement. 

We celebrated by giving Dad presents- two books and two shirts. 

This is Burke and his boys!

These pictures are taken when Brycen carried on after we told him he could only have one piece of cake... We laughed at first and then got sturn with him. 

3 year old pictures

Showing off Brycen's 3year pictures!! His personality really shows in these photos!

Easter 2014

Good Friday was an eventful day for

 Brycen! Not only did Grandma Blanchard come over for the day but she brought hard boiled eggs to dye and decorate!  Brycen also went to get his 3year pictures taken. He did great! 

This year again for Easter we traveled back to the farm. Brycen was looking forward to seeing the new baby calves, chores, tractors and everything else that goes on at the farm. 

It was Caden's first visit to the farm and I can't wait until he grows to love the experience as much as his big brother. 

On the drive over, Burke and I reminisced about the days when Brycen would sleep most of the drive. Now, he didn't sleep a wink, but both of us were barely hanging on by the time we drove in Shelby County. 

It was constant chatter about if he would be able to play with the tractors and combines when we got there, how long it would take, and talking about all the events of the weekend.  

Friday night we were able to get both boys to bed before we passed out ourselves. Luckily, the house was quiet so the task was a little easier.  When Brycen woke up Sarurday morning he was ready to go!  They got out the boxes of toys and Brycen started farming! 

They fed the cats, found some new baby kittens, then checked and fed the cows a and calves. Between all of that, he even found time to Skype with Leigh, Logan and Skylar.  

In the afternoon, we went to Alan & Laura's house in Manning to celebrate with the Fara side. Brycen sure enjoyed playing and wrestling with his second cousins. 

At one point after our meal, Carson, William and Brycen were wrestling uncle Eric and Brycen came into the gatage( where we had tables and chairs set up for supper) and asked if he could have any duct tape. We all looked at each other - I asked why- he said to tape Uncle Eric down. We all had a pretty good laugh. 

The kids had fun finding eggs around the house and Btycrn enjoyed opening up the eggs to find candy. 

On Easter Sunday morning, we all successfully made it to sunrise service at 7am on time. It was a full church and we had breakfast afterwards. 

We had more fun on the farm when we got home and the Easter bunny even visited the farm. Brycen was the lone hunter and had fun looking for eggs.

When we came back home, he found baskets for himself and Caden and more eggs!!

Cooking with aprons

This is a fun age for Brycen! He loves to be a big helper and really loves to help in the kitchen! Here are a few photos of us when prepping supper one night...

Dad's helper

Brycen is such a hands-on type of guy.  For his second birthday, Grandpa & Grandma Blanchard got him a tool bench with tools that he likes to play with.  With the construction of our house last summer, he had a lot of exposure to tools, construction machinery, and attention to details.  Recently, we got him a tool belt that came with a few more tools.  He has since found many reasons to look around and fix things.  

One night, he and Dad tightened all the screws on the dining room set. Brycen loved helping and getting down on the floor. 

This is Brycen helping Dad out in the garage the day we installed new cabinets. 

Below are some pictures on a beautiful Saturday morning when he and Dad were working on the lawn. (It rained so much the next day that it washed everything away!) 

I even caught them playing football and catch! 

Big brother

On March 31st we added Caden Michael Blanchard to our family.

Because I was being induced, Brycen and his "buddy" Otis spent a few days with Grandpa and Grandma Blanchard in Belle Plaine.  On Monday night, Grandpa, Grandma and Brycen were able to visit us in the hospital.  

To say that Brycen is. Proud big brother is definetely an understatement.  He has been talking for weeks/months about how he can be a big helper and teach his little brother so many things.  The first thing he is teaching Caden is to sleep all night... Ha! :)
 

Brycen loves giving hugs and kisses.  He is such a great big brother and can't wait until Caden grows up to play together.