We're Back!

We had a blast in Orlando...except for all of the work I had to squeeze in :o) Here's a brief overview of the trip:

Tuesday: Departed for the airport at 3:30 am. Took off around 7:00 am. Brennan fell asleep before the plane pushed back from the terminal and didn't wake up until 30 minutes prior to landing in Orlando. Checked into the hotel around 10:00 am. Let B jump on the beds for a few minutes. Went to Sea World around 11:00 am. Pushed B around in the blazing sun for several hours, saw Shamu, etc. Went back to the hotel around 5:00 pm so that I could register for my conference.

Wednesday: I went to my conference around 7:30 am. Brennan and Josh went to Denny's (B's new favorite restaurant!) and then hit the pool for a few hours. After my conference sessions ended, we played a round of putt putt golf and then fed some baby alligators hot dogs from a fishing pole. Returned to the hotel and then went to Disney Quest (which I do not recommend for kids under the age of 10). After suffering through a couple hours of Disney Quest, we returned to the putt putt/alligator place just in time to watch some gator wrestling. We even had a chance to sit on the alligator - a memory I will not soon forget.

Thursday: More conference stuff for me. More Denny's, pool, and naps for Josh & B. We went to "Fun Spot" around 5:00 pm - which is basically a carnival type place with go karts. After Fun Spot, we went to Flipper's Pizzeria (courtesy of my cousin's husband, Ben) and then to my cousin's house for some kiddie play time.

Friday: Conference in the morning. Packed everything and checked out of the hotel, and then headed for the Magic Kingdom - which, by the way, is not as magical as I remembered it and Mickey was no where to be found. Apparently you have to schedule breakfast/lunch or stand in an hour long line in a gift shop to actually see the stupid mouse. Brennan did manage to ride a few rides before falling asleep for a couple hours. Just as Josh and I were arguing about when we should leave, we were chosen to march in the "Family Day Parade". Brennan liked that and even managed to hug Daisy Duck and Pluto afterwards. We left the park around 3:00 pm, headed straight to the airport, had an awesome meal at an Outback Steakhouse in the terminal, and flew back to Baltimore around 8:00 pm.

All in all, a very productive and exciting trip. I have way too many pictures to attach, but here is the link to view them on Shutterfly.

Off to sunny Orlando :o)

At least I hope it's sunny...but not too sunny, I kinda like it to be a little overcast! We'll leave the house around 3:30 am tomorrow morning to begin our adventure to Orlando, FL. I have a conference to attend for work so part of me will be there for business. The other part will be there for pleasure because I'm fortunate enough to be able to take Josh and Brennan with me. Brennan is SUPER excited and can't wait to go for an airplane ride and meet Mickey Mouse (who, by the way, Brennan informed me "does not bite"!). It always amazes me what comes out of the mouths of babes! I'll be sure to post and/or email the hundreds of pictures once we return. For now, I'll leave you with some pictures of B visiting his cousins in Arlington, VA last week:




Being "Linny" from the Wonderpets


At Momma's work - I'm glad one of us is happy to be there at 7:00 am!


The park by Kathryn's house




He loves his baby cousin Johnny...I mean Jonathan. Although, when Brennan says his name it sounds more like "Johnny"

Recent Photos

Kathryn and Brennan wading in the Breton Bay. I think B should be a Coppertone model :o)


Rock Throwing - B's favorite pastime


Brennan holding his new cousin Jonathan


Searching for Waldo - I love how serious we look!

New Nephew/Cousin!

Some exciting news for this week's update - my sister Lisa & her husband Mike welcomed a son into their family. Jonathan Michael Law arrived on Sunday, August 24th at 11:52 am. Full story here. Jonathan is absolutely adorable and Kathryn is thrilled to be a big sister. B is really excited to meet Baby Jonathan.

Here is a picture of Nana & Pops with their 3rd Grandchild - shortly after Jonathan's arrival:


And here is a picture of the super-proud Aunt Faithie & Jonathan:

For Kathryn

Kathryn requested a recent photo of her cousin and I can't say "no" to her sweet little face so this update goes out to her :o)

This picture was taken at my Great Aunt Goggie Breck's 80th birthday celebration this past Saturday. Brennan had a fun time playing with the numerous cousins he saw there. When I say "cousins" I'm referring to my cousins, my cousins kids, my 2nd and 3rd cousins and their kids, etc. Pretty much anyone in the Breck family will answer to "cousin"! Brennan was sure to give Goggie a big birthday hug and kiss...right before he stole her cane and tried to gallop away on it. It's ok though, Goggie lets him :o)

Swim for your life!

Here is a funny video of B swimming at Grandmommy's house a couple weeks ago. He is just floating along when he spots the vacuum cleaner (aka "R2D2") coming straight for him. Check out his reaction:

Water Baby

Well, I guess he's technically more of a "water big boy", but it doesn't sound as catchy as water baby!

Brennan had a great weekend, full of fun in the sun. We spent Saturday at my GrandMommy & GrandDaddy Bob's house with the Biffel family. Brennan had a blast swimming and playing in the dirt. We left there around 4:30 pm (with a child who was asleep in his car seat before we left the driveway!) and headed to Cobb Island to spend time with B's cousin Michaela who is visiting from Minot, ND. Brennan is absolutely smitten with her! Here's a couple pictures of B with his cousins Michaela ("McLaLa") and Wyatt.

B & His Girlfriends

Last Wednesday B and I went to Grandmommy's pool with our friend "Shell" (Michelle) and her two kiddos, Lexi (6) and Abby (3 - going on 13!). The kids had a blast and were pretty well behaved. Nobody drowned and they all shared the water toys, so we'll call it a successful outing!

B is starting to do very well in the water. He was quite timid in the water at the beginning of the summer, but now he loves the pool. He even did some jumps off the diving board at my cousin Charlie's house yesterday! (If anyone has a picture of that, be sure to send it to me).

Lexi, B, and Abby

Nobody tell his Daddy he was wearing a purple life jacket & pink goggles!

Busy, Busy, Busy!

It has definitely been a busy summer so far. Lots of fun in the sun and quality time with the family. Brennan has been enjoying every minute, well, every minute that we let him spend outside! Truthfully, he would live outside if we let him. Unfortunately, his Momma is more of a shade-dweller. I hate the heat! Even worse, if I spend more than 5 minutes outside I end up with about 20 mesquito bites (seriously). Apparently I'm very sweet :o) We even have a skeeter vac and I use Off - neither of which seem to help me.



Well, my son just woke up from his nap so I have to cut this post short. We will leave you with some pictures of our 5th of July party at the Kopel's house:




Brennan loves this scooter!


Any child who has ever been to Grandmommy's house knows about the Tootsie Pops!


Daddy & B


Going for a ride on Aunt Debbie's jet ski

My Apologies

Sorry for the lack of updates lately. I have tons of recent pictures to post, but I've just been a bad, lazy blogger!

Brennan continues to grow like a weed and he is learning new things and words every day. He is such a funny little guy with an awesome personality and we can't get enough of the silly things he does.

We are currently celebrating the 4th of July with Sammy & J-Pop (aka "Josh's parents") and we're really enjoying all of the fun in the sun. While I'm sure there will be plenty of pictures to post after the annual Hammett Family 4th of July BBQ tomorrow, I'll leave you with some pictures from our time in Cobb Island with the Hixson's...


B isn't scared of much - but he was terrified when he first got in the water...or the "big pool" as he calls it.


One of the back of his head for Nana!


I don't know...do you think he loves his J-Pop?!