Sweet Brothers

Two handsome brothers.  All dressed up for services for the Jewish New Year.  I could not love the relationship these two have any more.  I hope they are always as close as they are now. 

Brady's First Soccer Game

The hard part of being the younger sibling is waiting for your turn for a lot of things.  Brady sat on the sidelines for several seasons watching Blake play soccer, just waiting patiently for his turn.  And he finally got it!!  We were all so excited to watch Brady play!!

Brady's First Day of TK

Because of when Brady's birthday falls, he missed Kindergarten cut off by about a month.  So, Brady was in a preschool program called "TK", which stands for Transitional Kindergarten. I was glad though.  I like having the two year space gap between the boys in school, think it gives them more room to be their own person, and I don't think Brady would have been ready to start kinder either.  He really needed the extra year of preschool.  Brady's school had a three day a week option for TK or a five day a week option.  We decided on the five day a week to really get Brady kinder ready.  I was so nervous leading up to school thinking about how Brady would handle his new class.  Yet again, my stressing was for nothing.  We really really lucked out on a great group of kids that Brady made great friendships with and great teachers as well.

First Day of First Grade

Blake's first day of First Grade!!  First grade almost made me more sentimental than kinder did.  First grade just seems more grown up.  Sniff sniff...

This last picture melts my heart.  All day long Brady would ask if it was time to pick up Blake from school.  Brothers so happy to be reunited and walked to the car holding hands.  Love.

Brad's 2nd Knee Surgery

Yup, Brad tore his ACL yet again, except this time it was on the other knee and this time he tore it playing soccer.  At least he was playing soccer on a team with his boss after he recruited him to play.  I had joked with Brad after the first surgery that if he put me through this again, he should find a new wife.  Of course I was joking, but that first surgery was just horrible for me.  So selfish sounding right?!  But waiting on Brad hand and foot and taking care of the boys and the dog and keeping up with the housework was just so exhausting.  Thankfully, the second time around was not as bad.  The boys were older and more self sufficient which helped, and we all knew what to expect more and Brad's recovery wasn't as awful this time around.  But, it was still exhausting.  Sigh.  I told Brad after this surgery that if he does this again, we'll have to go back to being just friends.

Here are some pics to document the occasion:

Before they took him back.  I don't like seeing him in a hospital bed even just for knee surgery.

His leg after they shaved it prepping for surgery.  Don't worry, I made fun of him a lot. 

In recovery.  He had a really rough time in recovery this time around.  He was shaking violently and was just so upset because he couldn't get warm.  Was kind of scary.  The nurse wrapped him up like this to try and help and he reminded me of a Sith Lord from Star Wars.  

Now someone please convince this man to stop playing sports, thanks.

Cousins Reunited

My brother and his family came to visit and we had the best time.  I hate that we live so far from each other so when we have chances to visit its always super special.  I love that our boys are around the same age because they have the best time and I love watching them together!  It also happened to be my parents wedding anniversary, so we decided to make the visit even more special and we all checked into the Four Seasons for a few days.  It was so much fun and the boys loved getting to order smoothies by the pool and have been begging to go back ever since.  They got a taste of the good life and want more!  

We tried showing the boys where we were married and wanted a special moment but they were more interested in being silly. 

The whole gang at my parents anniversary dinner celebration

Washington

Growing up during the summer I used to fly by myself to Washington D.C. to visit my favorite Aunt :) and spend about two weeks.  We would fit as much touristy (is that a word?) stuff in to our visit as possible and it was always really great bonding time with each other.  I will always cherish those memories!  So, I was beyond excited that I got to take the trip again, but this time with my family!!  Not only was it great to spend time with my Aunt, and fit in as much touristy stuff as possible, but we also got to visit and spend time with my Nana, which meant a lot to us all.  

The boys did so well on the plane

Reading the morning paper on the way into the city :)

They loved riding the metro

We loved recreating this picture, me in 1984 and Brady in 2014 riding the carousel in the National Mall

National Night out block party at my Aunt's and boys had a blast

My Nana!

We had the absolute best trip!  Thank you Aunt Rhonda so much for making this happen and letting my crazies stay with you!!