A Birthday Visit from the Godfather

That's right, arriving only one hour before midnight (the official end of Ander's 2nd Birthday) and a mere three hours after bedtime... drum roll please... it's Mr. Stretch Jenny Brown, aka, the Godfather.


It wasn't a pretty visit, as you can see in Alexander's photographic renderings of "A Breakfast with(out) Jenny Brown," but it filled a void at the kitchen table.



Yes, a rather tall void as it was, but nobody was fooling Mr. Alexander Denisovich. No, he knew where there was a Stretch, there should be a Jenny Brown also.

Next time, Godfather, bring us a Jenny Brown... or else! (Think Peanut Pee & freezing bedsheets...)

Happy 2nd Birthday Baby!

Happy Birthday Alexander Robert!

(aka., Ander, Zander, Zaney, Boris, "A," "Z...")

Our little guy turned 2 yesterday. He's brought us 730 days of happiness. More than 17,520 hours of sleep-deprived bliss. Our beautiful big boy turned 2 yesterday!


We were originally planning to spend Ander's 730th day traveling to Carlisle to spend his 17,520th hour celebrating with all four of his grandparents, four of his little cousins, one aunt, one uncle and a whole bunch of new friends. But instead, we ended up staying in wild & wonderful WV while Aunt Jenn nursed a house-full of sick kiddos & Uncle Mike shoveled snow outside. Boo, hiss.

After a quick trip to Walmart for a Birthday present, Kroger for a Pound Cake mix & some chocolate milk, and a half dozen calls from friends & family singing for the little guy, we were ready for a proper birthday dinner (of cake) for the little guy.

Although we had to cancel Ander's 2nd birthday party (just like his 1st last year), we had a wonderful, snowy birthday in West Virginia (just like his real 1st birthday in 2009). But, unlike his real 1st birthday, Alexander's big sister was here to serenade him.

Too Terrified to Skip the Commercials

I forogt to tell you all a few things... here's the catchup...

Winter Socks

So, winter's cold, right? You have to wear a nice warm coat...

A warm hand-me-down hat...

And, when all else fails to warm you up... socks. But not any random pair of store-bought socks, if you really want to warm up in Wild & Wonderful West Virginia, you need to put on some warm & cozy, Oklahoma-made, Jenny Brown socks.

Aren't they beautiful?

Jenny Brown even made Maia a pair, but she wasn't too interested in posing in her socks & big-boy gutchies for a picture.

Thanks Jenny Brown! We love our beautiful new socks; you are awesome! Now, get these things off!

(first) Snow Ball

"In God's Hands and Our Hearts."

In the last 2 years, every time we've traveled to or thru Johnstown for family or friend, we've always made sure to stop in to see Pappy & show off our growing boy. Last weekend's trip was no different.



At first we thought we'd leave little A. Robert in the car while we put some flowers on Grandma & Grandpa's grave, but he insisted to come along; he wanted to show off how much he's grown in the last 6 months!

A. Robert insisted I take his picture with grandpa, and even tossed his binkie to show grandpa what a big boy he is & give us a grin.

New Year's Eve was the perfect opportunity to re-introduce Alexander of the generous, loving and odd old man he was named after and to remind him of the kind shoes that are his to grow into.

We love, love, love you Grandpa! Happy New Year!