Christmas!

Christmas has come and gone, yet I'm just getting this blog post up.

Brycen had a wonderful Christmas with family!  It went by way too quickly and I wish we would have more time with everyone to just relax and be together, but there always seems to be a rushed agenda to the holidays.

We went to the Farm on Friday night and spent the weekend with Grandpa Dave and Donna, Leigh, Logan, Skylar, Uncle Eric, and Grandpa & Grandma Fara.  It was a full house!  Brycen attempted to sleep in a separate room on Friday night but shortly after putting him to bed, he tried to come and find us and ended up in the walk-in closet.  He was screaming, crying, and scared to death.  He ended up sleeping on a mattress on the floor of the same room that Burke, myself, and Otis stayed.  Needless to say, no one got much sleep the first night.

On Saturday morning, Brycen was up early and ready to go out and do chores with Grandpa.  It was incredibly cold so he packed his boots and snow pants to stay warm.  Afterwards, Brycen played in the basement with all of the toys (mostly tractors) that were out and had a relaxing morning.

We went to Manning in the afternoon for the Fara side.  Brycen napped for a while and came in to the party a little shy but after some food in his belly, he warmed right up.  Alan and Laura had a big buffet of food set up in their garage and we had more than enough for everyone.  Brycen's never had food at his level for so long and we realized this quickly when he was indulging in too many sweets.  Someone had to take the M&M's off the table because he was taking handfuls of them.  At one point, I walked into the garage to see Brycen with fists full and a mouth chomping of fudge and Kendall asked me if he really liked to eat candy... I had to laugh and say that he's just never had this much before... ever!

He had the best time wrestling with Will and Carson in the living room!  They're older and bigger than he is but he could definitely hold his own.  Carson was even surprised that Brycen could take him down.  He had to do something to burn off all the sugar energy that he had.  He and Kendall also had a great time bonding.  They're about a year apart and had fun playing with toys and flashlights.  The dynamics of this Christmas will change next year because there will be a total of FIVE babies born in 2014.

He was sad when we had to leave but was excited to go back to the farm because Grandpa had to do chores and he needed to check on Otis.  By that time, Leigh, Logan and Skylar were at the farm and they had fun playing and ruling the house together.

The next morning, we opened Christmas presents together and Brycen later described the experience as "loud and messy." I'm pretty sure he was overwhelmed with all of the gifts but very happy for everything that he got.  He scored clothes, a few games, Hot Wheels, a combine, some Dinosaur books, and other toys that have now found their place in the basement.  I'm pretty sure he had more fun passing out the presents than opening them.

Logan, Skylar & Brycen having breakfast.

Opening presents - Brycen opens very carefully.  

Helping Grandma & Grandpa - dressed for Redneck Christmas

Later on Sunday, the McCarville side of the family came to the farm for a Redneck Christmas.  Again, this all seemed too short as we really only had a few hours together, but still a fun time with lots of food.  It was exciting to see all the kids play together, the boys are nearly the same age and Skylar and Rylan are very close in age as well.  

We ventured home to find five inches of fresh snow on the driveway.  Lucky for Brycen and I, we had the next two days off and could spend time at home.  On Monday, Ross & Sarah came over to the house to spend the day with us.  We had a relaxing time and Brycen was soo happy to see Penny Lane who made the trip back to Iowa with Ross & Sarah.  Otis and Penny played very well together and were both exhausted by the afternoon.

Cousins- Penny & Otis playing

That night we made our way back to Belle Plaine and stayed at Grandpa & Grandma's house through Wednesday afternoon.  Uncle Perry came back shortly after we arrived and Brycen loved being the center of attention in the Blanchard household.  He had lots of fun playing in his play kitchen, with family.

Uncle Perry & Brycen finding "Gold bug" 

Playing Don't Spill the Beans with Uncle Ross

Bonding with Uncle Ross - 

On Tuesday we stayed indoors because we had temperatures that got down to -12 at one point on Monday night.  Brycen wore his pajamas all day long... right up to the point before changing for church on Tuesday evening.  I'm sure he loved every minute of it!  Brycen looked very handsome for church and wore a tie and suit jacket.  He did pretty good and was excited that he got to hold his very own candle when we sang songs at the end of the service.

We opened presents after we got home and Brycen once again scored BIG.  He got some more books, games, a truck with a horse trailer, helicopter, more toys and Grandpa Blanchard put a lot of work into making a toy box for him.  It was difficult to get a little boy to bed that night and I think the clock struck 11 before his eyes were closed.

Posing after church on Christmas Eve with Penny Dog

Playing the new fishing game

Santa even came to our house this year.  After about three weeks of "Johnny" the Elf (Elf on the Shelf) visiting our home and making sure Brycen was being a good boy, he got some of the items he'd been asking for.  He's been wanting a toy gun for a while and had picked one out at Gander Mountain a few months ago.  It was Brycen's first tantrum in a store when we left without the gun.  Also, Brycen had fallen in love with the "Little Blue Truck" book that we bought for our Angel Tag gift this year and was sad to give it away.  He got some socks, new Spider Man underwear, a new dinosaur, an apple, and an orange around his stocking.

What Santa had laid out for Brycen

Down in the basement, Santa left him a John Deere Gator!  He was very excited and has really enjoyed driving it around.  It will be more fun when the weather improves and he can drive it in the back yard.

Taking his gun to see his new John Deere Gator

Driving the Gator- learning to back up.  

Overall, Brycen had a VERY successful Christmas holiday.  As much as we wanted to have the holiday be about Jesus and the reason for the season, it is difficult when every family get-together involves presents and food.  He went back to school on Thursday and Friday to see his friends and detox from being the center of attention.

Otis

Let's get one thing straight... Brycen loves his pupper-dog, Otis.  They just have a very unique "love-hate" relationship. When Brycen was a baby, Otis didn't pay much attention at all to Brycen.  There were plenty of times where Otis would sit next to Brycen or play with him.  Overall, Otis likes his own attention and went through some serious withdraws when a baby came along.

First picture of Otis when we picked him out of the litter

Otis getting some love from Dad

Otis will be 6 years old here in a few days and we've loved *nearly* every minute of it. I've put this post together for Otis and his evolving relationship with Brycen.

Otis begging for attention while Grandma Blanchard plays with baby Brycen

Ruf-fur-ee Dog

Burke & Otis cuddling on the couch - when Otis was still occasionally allowed on the couch

Engagement pictures with Otis

Bird Dog

One of the first pictures of Brycen & Otis

When Brycen was first born, he didn't enjoy much of the crying but always seemed to know where the baby was.  Otis sure went through a phase where he wanted more attention.  Up until March 2011, he was an only child.

Brycen & Otis "trapped" behind a baby gate

As Brycen began to become mobile, Otis would avoid him because he would often be subjected to poking, hair pulling, and torture.  Brycen never started out the relationship as a cuddly, brotherly love.  Instead it was a rough, tough, and sometimes mean relationship where each were jealous of each other often.

Spending time outside together and throwing sticks

Now Brycen yells at Otis and gives him more commands than Burke and I do.  They're beginning to love each other a little more.  Brycen sure has taken on some responsibility by feeding Otis when he's hungry, letting him outside to go potty, and putting him in his kennel before we leave the house.  He also likes to pester him with "trigger" words like: rooster, pheasant, turkey (I'm not sure if Otis knows what this word is), ice cube, and bone.

Brycen pestering Otis with his "whistle." 

It will be interesting to see how Otis and Brycen's relationship evolves when the new baby comes in March.  Otis already knows where he stands in line as he is often told to go lay down or get his bone.  

Otis camping out among the chaos of Brycen playing around in the basement.

Big Helper!

Brycen is most definitely a stereotypical 2 year old who loves to feel important and be a big helper.  He loves to do laundry (pictured below) and pulls his step stool up to the washer to put clothes in.  He then helps Mom move clothes from the washer to dryer, and after they're dry, he is in charge of taking them out.  (Mom puts away.)

Brycen also LOVES to help cook and bake. He has his "own" step stool that is the right size for the counter. 

Below Bryce is caught licking the bowl after making cake balls! 

Weekend with the Daly's

Opening weekend for Deer season is always a weekend where Beth Daly and I get together.  Now that we have kids, we enjoy getting our families together.  We met up at the Cedar Rapids Science Station for a few hours of fun.  They played with blocks, Lego's, dinosaurs, trains, and had so much fun running around it was very difficult to pry them away for lunchtime.  

Brycen and the girls digging for dinosaur bones (sorry the picture is blurry)

Mack, Brycen, and Addalie  eating the snacks we prepared on a bench at the Science Center.

Mack & Brycen sitting on a pulley swing

We had lunch at Panera bread where Addalie was nearly falling asleep at the table and both of the girls were sleeping within a few minutes being in the car.  Brycen, naturally, was awake and surprisingly went down for his nap well when we got home.  That afternoon we had fun playing around the house.

We had fun making home made pizza that night for supper.  We made the dough, put on pizza sauce and had fun sprinkling on pepperoni, Canadian bacon, peppers, and cheese.  Yum!  It was a hit!

Afterwards, they did really well and had fun in the bath together.  Real estate space was limited, but everyone played well.  We read books together afterwards and the kids settled in for bed.  The next morning, we played for a little bit, had breakfast, and then Beth, Mack, and Addalie took off.  Brycen and Mom spent the rest of the day together playing and decorating for Christmas!

All three in the tub!

Brycen & Mack brush, brush, brushing those teeth!

Can you ride a camel?

Thanksgiving weekend, Brycen and Grandpa talking about Uncle Steve and the fun happenings of the weekend.  Excuse the video as Brycen is eating lunch and has a full mouth of food at times.

Fara Thanksgiving

This year we hosted the Fara Thanksgiving at our new home.  It was convenient for Aunt Leigh, Logan, and Skylar because they have been visiting Papa Terry and Gran-B in Dubuque for a few weeks.  Grandpa and Grandma Fara came on Friday night late after Brycen was sleeping and everyone else came on Saturday.

The kids had so much fun playing, especially in the unfinished basement where it's toy central and nothing is really off limits.  They played a "sea monster" game quite a bit... which involved running around, screaming, something about putting them in "jail" on the couch, and hiding.  Needless to say, they had fun!

Grandpa Fara and the grand kids snuggled up on the couch watching "Super Why" before nap time.  Brycen is tired!

Playing around in super-hero capes!

Skylar with multiple capes on and a Bears helmet.  

We had our Thanksgiving meal on Saturday night with a smorgasbord of food.  Burke cooked a delicious turkey and we enjoyed some of the most amazing sweets made by Katie! YUM!

Layered red velvet cake with oreo and cream cheese between the layers and home made fudge and chocolate chips on top.  It was incredible!  Leave it to Katie to bring a fabulous dessert.

Everyone took off after lunch on Sunday when Brycen went down for his nap.  There were many plans to stop in Des Moines for Christmas shopping and we all enjoyed a little nap time ourselves.

Blanchard Thanksgiving

We were lucky to have Uncle Perry home for Thanksgiving this year! Brycen enjoyed spending time at Grandpa and Grandma Blanchard's house for two days with everyone.  We had a lot of delicious food made specially by Grandma Jo for every meal.

Brycen even enjoys "cooking" for us in the playschool kitchen at their house.  He spends so much time preparing cakes, desserts, cupcakes, cookies, and many other foods for us to eat.  He even has to put on his oven mitt to serve everything on a platter.  This is usually what Brycen gravitates to the minute we walk into the door at their house.

On Thanksgiving Day we were blessed to have Aunt Lu, Uncle Marc, and Andrea join us in Belle Plaine for more food.  Brycen enjoyed entertaining the group and had fun reading books with Uncle Marc.  Brycen

Brycen modeling Grandpa's reading glasses

On Black Friday, we came home to put up the Christmas tree and watched the Hawkeyes play a great game against Nebraska in Lincoln.  Uncle Perry came over and we had Chic Fillet (his favorite) for lunch.  Brycen enjoyed snuggling with "the boys" on the couch.  

Burke, Brycen & Perry cheering on the Hawkeys vs. Nebraska