Some Pictures from Brayden's Birthday(s)

On the weekend of Brayden's actual birthday, we celebrated in Strasburg with the Miller Fam. Derek had a 1/2 marathon race (fittingly called the "Amishman") where he actually placed 3rd in his age group (GO Derek!).

Then we had a little party back at the house for Brayden's birthday... Auntie got Brayden tickets to see Disney's Toy Story on Ice in Hershey! Brayden choose to take Mommy & Daddy as his date, and we had SO much fun!

The weekend before Thanksgiving, Chuck and Denise were supposed to come visit to celebrate Brayden's birthday and Thanksgiving, but they couldn't make the trip. So, Denise came out to visit by herself this weekend and here are a few pics of Brayden's other "birthday" party.

Reaching for the balloons!

Bryce opening his early birthday presents:






Brayden getting his "Happy-to-you Cake" :)

Bryce's first try at cake- now we have a preview of how messy he'll be at HIS birthday party just a few weeks away!

...And finally, Brayden opening some presents:

"Cars" book for his V.Reader-

Toy Story floor puzzle-

Bryce helping Brayden open his "clothes" box-

WE ARE! PENN STATE!

2010 xmas card

With Love Blue Christmas 5x7 folded card

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Shutterfly cards

Hi Everyone!
I'm doing a quick review of some of Shutterfly's Holiday products for a chance to win 50 free christmas cards! Here's what I think (if you're interested):


I'm pulling from some past experiences on this first Christmas gift idea... The photobooks are amazing! I've NEVER been disapointed. I made my first one about a year ago when Natalie was preggy as a gift. The quality was GREAT! I was able to edit my photos, resize, and move photos around very easily. I've also done the "pre-made" easy version where shutterfly arranges your pictures for you. It's great to be able to personalize like a scrapbook, but lets be honest, without all the time and glue!!

As for a holiday card, I might try THIS cute card called "Seasonal Chic." I love that it's a folded card and thus I can write a personal message inside AND that there are multiple images on the front (with the 2 boys, I can never have too many shots!)

THIS card also tickles my fancy (I'm into the blue/red/brown combo!). It has a great set up of vertical and horizontaly aligned photos for all the family/individual shots you could ask for!


If you're checking out Shutterfly, look around at some of their other products like the Address Labels, Notepads, and Christmas Gift Tags! I might even try these pewter ornaments as a quick "stocking stuffer" this year for grandparents! Photos ALWAYS win when you don't know what to that person that is impossible to buy for!

Enjoy!!

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yummy goodness 2

I don't have time to post all my weekend pictures yet, but here is the answer to the question from the last post:

SALTED PEANUT SHOES (or "chews")

its a yellow cake base, melted marshmallows in the middle and combo of peanut butter chips, peanuts and rice crispies on top! MAJOR hit at the party Saturday! I'll post the whole recipe soon so you can try it too!

quick video

...if it downloads. I always have trouble with blogger downloading my vids!

Brayden has been CONSUMED to say the least with going to my parents! I started taping too late, but he was just throwing his hands up in the air with excitement.

Yummy goodness... yeah, just for my brodda!

So we're preparing for our trip to Lancaster for Labor Day weekend and my brother's Welcome Home Party! (Cole returned from his tour of duty overseas with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit on August 12th and is FINALLY receiving leave to come home to PA!)

Brayden reminds me on an hourly basis that we're going to "Go bye-byes in da caaa to Mimi-Pop-pop-doodas-Unco-Co." TRANSLATION: We're going to my parents house (which requires us to drive past the Strasburg Railroad where he once saw "doodas" (AKA Thomas) to see Uncle Cole! Did you get all that? =) He actually thinks my parents last name is "Thomas" instead of Miller, which is comical for many reasons....

ANYway, other than packing the car with necessary items for traveling with my "high matainence" family (food, toys, clothes, food....) I've also been working on some other things. Here are a few teasers before the party Saturday!!

This is the first layer of my Ice cream cake- ice cream sandwiches... (YES, you may take notice of the ice cream sandwich at the bottom of the picture with a bite out of it. I HAD TO! Honestly! If you count across, there is an odd number, so when cutting them in 1/2 to fit the dish, there was 1/2 left over! darn...)

The second layer of yummy goodness (caramel)

1/2 a jar, THATS IT! hehe

Then a layer of Cool Whip... Then start the layering all over again!! (I'm currently awaiting Derek's arrival home with more ice cream sandwiches since this pack was unusually small!)

And just a note... I'm going to top the next layer with chocolate syrup instead of the caramel, and after the Cool Whip- strawberries & blue berries depicting an American Flag!!)

Check out the layer action on THAT! ;)

And here is my last surprise sneak peak:

Can YOU guess what it is??? (Bonus points for anyone who guesses correctly-other than my mom!)

new teether!

Denise wanted to see the new teether in use! Here is Bryce chomping away (that is, while he can before Brayden takes it away... what's his is his and what's bryce's is his...)

Some new pics of the boys

ATTENTION!! My little brother Cole is home from his 7 month deployment overseas!! His mission started out in Haiti as disaster relief right after the earthquake in January. He then spent most of his time doing training missions in the Mediterranean Sea area, hitting Djbouti, Kuwait, United Arab Emerits, Greece and MANY other nations. If you get a chance, say hello or a quick thank you on facebook or email! =)

I'm really having trouble downloading videos to our new computer for some reason, so get your "brayden & bryce fix." I'll keep fooling around to see if I can get a video of bryce crawling for you all!

Ok, here are some pictures from the last few days. Bryce is eatting baby cereal and some fruits twice a day. He LOVES it, but isn't showing any signs of letting go of nursing quite yet (and I'm totally fine with that!) These meal times are VERY messy though...

Brayden looks pretty pooped (and maybe annoyed with me taking pictures?) after playing the park all morning.

Bryce- ALWAYS with something in his mouth! He's got 3 teeth (2 middle bottom & 1 on top with the other center top one coming soon!)

They have been playing together nicely! (unless you count brayden sitting on bryce or knocking him over as "not nice...."

We are potty training Brayden...

New things in Gearhart Land

Howdy from Derek, Leslie, Brayden, Bryce and our "pet" frog! Actually, this guy just likes hanging out on our front steps when it gets hot out! Brayden kept saying, "Mommy touch!" ....sooooo...... I did. And he was surprisingly dry and hard... ew. He was definitely alive though! =)

The bib says it all (Warning: this could get messy) Doesn't he look like such an innocent angel here?


There's the little devil with 2 teeth! =)

He quickly went from rocking on all fours, to crawling and now pulling to stand!!! I know, it's only a matter of time!

He's so HAPPY to be mobile! .....Not so sure that I'm as happy about that!!

Here is our first big harvest from the garden! =)

But there are PLENTY MORE where those came from!

My Butterflies -and visit with Natalie-

I LOVE my butterfly bushes! Look at these beautiful butterflies that frequent my bushes!

Aww, my little Angel boy... (what ISNT there to LOVE about a baby's booty?)

On Monday I took the boys to Natalie, Todd & Avery's house!

It looks like Brayden is getting ready to take a bite out of Avery's cheek, but just got done saying "MUUUUUU-AH!" He's a lover!

What EVERY new mom looks like (Happy, rested, thin, and for some reason... THIRSTY!) hehe

Here's another pretty girl! Molly ;)

YES. Bryce is 5 months OLDER than Avery. =)

Bryce LOVES Avery!


LOOK AT THOSE 2 TEETH!! =)


Aww... Brothers.... <3