Brandon's 1st camping trip

We took Brandon camping for the first time in the beginning of July when he was 19 months old at Silver Falls near Silverton.  We went with Brooke, Taylor, and Logan.  The boys had so much fun together.  They ran around the tents together and the campground.  It was exhausting keeping them out of trouble as they kept running away from the campground.  We had to trap them a few times in our cars and let them play in the car to get stuff done.

Brandon and Logan playing Ring-Around-the-Roses in the tent

Sitting by the campfire on his own camping chair 

Roasting marshmallows

Brandon enjoying his marshmellow 

Brandon and Daddy getting kisses by the campfire 

Playing in the tent

After we got the tent set up, Brooke and I took the boys to a nearby playground while Sean and Taylor made dinner.  We had a yummy dinner by the campfire of macaroni and cheese, bratwursts, and corn on the cob.  Brandon loved all of it.  We also roasted marshmallows and had smoores which Brandon liked as well.  It took Brandon a while to fall asleep and then Sean and I woke him up when we went to bed and it took him a long time to finally go back to sleep (he does not sleep well we found in between us). 

Brandon and Logan playing in the car together 

Brandon throwing rocks in a nearby creek at the campground

The next morning we had a yummy breakfast of eggs, pancakes, and bacon and then packed up.  We went hiking at the falls.  Brandon was tired and we did not get too many cute pictures because he was cranky but he enjoyed the scenery.  All in all it was a lot of work and exhausting but the camping trip was fun and Brandon got to have yet another pretty big experience before he was even two!

Brandon and mommy at Silver Falls 

Family shot at Silver Falls

Exploring a cave at the falls

Playing in the fountains after getting back from camping in Wilsonville

Corvallis trips in late June and July

Brandon and I went to Corvallis in late June to visit my parents.  We arrived Friday afternoon after Brandon fell asleep in the car for one hour.  Unfortunately, we have discovered that when Brandon naps in the car even it is only for about an hour he will not nap at all the rest of the day (which ultimately equals a very tired Brandon by the end of the day).  Brandon loves running around my parent’s huge house.  He explores each room and of course makes a mess wherever he goes!  He also loves our family Labrador Callie who is now 13 years old.  Callie is so good around Brandon and is patient with him even when he pulls her hair and tries to sit on her.  Brandon loved going on a walk with Callie in the neighborhood and proudly held her leash.

Brandon and Callie

Brandon, Callie, and Gramsie on a walk

Loving his swing!

Brandon loves taking Callie on a walk on the leash 

My sweet boy at Wild Cat Park in Corvallis

Brandon had so much fun at Wild Cat Park

Brandon is now so much more agile in climbing up on chairs and getting to things.  It is amazing how he can change so quickly with his gross motor skills.  Brandon also has been going down stairs standing up (not crawling down on his belly) and holding onto the hand rail.  It makes me really nervous because my parent’s stairs are pretty steep but Brandon is doing great with it on his own. 

Our trip in July was so much fun.  Brandon and I got to spend three nights in Corvallis and the weather was much warmer.  We went to parks and took Brandon to Otter Beach (a huge outdoor pool with slides and sprinklers).  Otter Beach was so much fun for Brandon.  It’s perfect for younger kids.  He is so good in the water and loves it.  He went down the two smaller slides over and over again and even did not mind getting his face wet.  My mom and I were exhausted though after just an hour and 15 minutes of watching him.

Brandon running around my parent's house with his bread

My sweet happy boy playing with Gramsie 

Brandon and Sean walking in downtown Corvallis

Family shot at Walnut Park

Brandon and mommy when Brandon was 19 1/2 monts

Swinging happily at Wild Cat Park

Sean came down to Corvallis for the weekend in July after he got done with work and we got to go golfing together at Trysting Tree in Corvallis while my mom watched Brandon.  It was really nice getting away together for a few hours.  I had not golfed for 2 years (since before  Brandon was born) and actually did pretty well!

Brandon has become so verbal now at 19 ½ months.  He is stringing two words together.  He kept saying “bye bye doggie” to Callie and “let’s go.”  Brandon can point now to almost all of his body parts.  He is really comprehending well and is trying to learn how to put his shoes on on his own.  Brandon has also began giving kisses (especially to Daddy who loves to request them).  It is really cute and he will kiss us on the lips.  He also loves to give kisses to baby doll and hugs.  

Fourth of July

We had Brooke, Taylor, and Logan over for the 4th of July for a BBQ and to light off fireworks in our neighborhood.  We also went to Tigard high school to watch the fireworks put on by the city (they were actually very good).  After weeks of crappy weather, the weather finally improved and it was a nice warm day.  Logan and Brandon played in Brandon's wading pool in our backyard and played with their cars.  They are playing so well together now.

Brandon on a walk in the neighborhood on 4th of July 

Brandon having so much fun on the 4th of July 

Bubble machine!

Having so much fun in the sprinklers

Bubbles every where!

Brandon and Logan playing in his bool

Playing in Logan's car together 

We allowed Brandon to play with some sparklers and he ran off with them (which really made me nervous).  Luckily he did not burn himself.  He enjoyed watching the fireworks in our neighborhood too and was not scared by them at all.  We walked from our house to Tigard High school to watch the fireworks.  It took a long time for the fireworks to start and Brandon got cranky but ended up staying up to 10:45 PM that night!

Brandon and Mommy playing with sparklers 

Brandon loves playing with sparklers 

And then he got kind of crazy with the sparklers 

My sweet little boy

Mommy and Brandon going down the street 

Mommy and Brandon with the sparklers

Brandon and Logan hugging 

Sean and Brandon watching the fireworks

Beautiful fireworks at Cook Park in Tigard 

Quick Trip to Seattle in June

In June we took a quick overnight trip to Seattle to see Sean’s sister Dawn and my Grandpa Baba.  We also got to see my Uncles Bill and Carl.  We ended up getting a later start than we wanted because Sean had an emergency he had to deal with at work on a Saturday afternoon.  Brandon did great in the car ride and napped almost the entire way (which was great!).  Sean and Dawn took Brandon swimming at the hotel pool while I got to go out to dinner with Baba.  It was really nice having one on one time with my grandfather and not to have to worry about wolfing my food down with a toddler in tow!  The next day we met my Grandpa and Uncles for breakfast before heading back to Portland.  It was a short trip with a lot of driving but worth it seeing our family!

Brandon and his Auntie Dawn in Seattle 

A big hug from his Auntie Dawn

Brandon hugging Dawn's boyfriend's son

Brandon and his great-Baba

Sean and Brandon at the Mexican restaurant in Kelso on the way back home