Hilarious

The Bradford's at Christmas time

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1116489707

Thanksgivng/Bradford Christmas

We had a great week in Louisiana this past week with Brian's parents and sister. Halle loved every moment and was a good girl on the plane!

The Bradford 3



Some family pics







Halle was also dedicated by Brian's dad on Sunday

Giggles

Here's our cutie playing in her bed. Her giggles make me smile all the time!

Almost 6 months...

I popped in on Halle in the nursery and someone was holding her while she was asleep. I almost didn't recognize her- she looked huge!!! She is getting so big!! And some people say her looks are changing. I still see her daddy written all over her, but here is a pic of me and Halle- see what you think!

ME


HALLE


And some more cute moments!!

Notre Dame

Brian and I went to the Notre Dame/Air Force game yesterday. I grew up a huge fan of the Irish- and yes unfortunately this year they are having a rough time. But the experience of being on the campus and at the game is so amazing! I have always wanted to take Brian, and yesterday we were able to go with some friends from Michigan. We had a great time!! Thanks to my brother for coming to spend the day with Halle. It was our first time leaving her all day- but she was in good hands!!!

Here we are in front of "Touchdown Jesus"


The gold dome


The parade





The game




This pretty much described how we all felt


And a few of the cutie

Halloween

For some reason, this Halloween has made me reminisce a lot about my childhood. I'm guessing it's because I have a child now and I'm thinking about how I want to celebrate it with her. Some of my favorite Halloween memories are...

1. Trick-or-treating in absolute freezing weather- rain, snow, or sleet- my dad was taking us.

2. Trick-or-treating with a pillowcase for myself and my brother bc he was sick- yes I got him candy even though he didn't put in the hard work!

3. Mom always made something warm for dinner, like chili or soup that we could get when we came back in.

4. Sorting- we gave all the peanut candy to dad.

5. Pumpkins- we always carved pumpkins with dad- I've been trying to get Brian do it all month and still no pumpkins.

6. Being a dice in 5th grade- my favorite costume ever I think, made of a huge box I wore. Super easy- but stood out in our school parade.

I know people differ on opinions on such a holiday, but for me Halloween was always just fun. We knew that the meaning behind it was wrong and I think that was good for us. We could never dress as anything scary- not that we wanted to- but we knew that was a rule. Mom didn't even like to decorate the house because she never liked the holiday. There are so many alternatives to Halloween that churches do and I think they are a great idea and choice for many families. But for me, I say, why not? Go have fun, get some candy and have fun being dressed up. Here's our little Halle as a pumpkin as we took her trick-or-treating! She didn't manage to give me a good smile all night- she was very tired, but she still looked cute as a button!

5 months old!

Halle is now 5 months old!! I can't believe it, she's getting bigger every day! She is now in her booster seat when I feed her rice cereal and we tried carrots yesterday. No good has come from the carrots- they are messy and she doesn't like them. Plus they smell and are getting all over her clothes. I know, I know, it's just the beginning. I can't wait to see her in her Halloween costume this week!

Watching football with daddy



Squealing while playing



CARROT FACE!!!

Weekend

We just spent the weekend with my brother and parents. It was great to have them here on such a beautiful weekend. We enjoyed being outside and of course they loved playing with Halle. They loved seeing her eat her rice cereal- or wear it! She makes a yucky face when she eats it, but she's getting the hang of it. She also showed them how she rolls over and lays on her tummy more, and of course how she puts everything in her mouth. She reaches for everything in her way to try and put it in her mouth- even your face!! She loves her exersaucer and spends most of her days bouncing around in that. She even went shopping with us and on an excursion with Nana while mom and dad got to do some shopping alone. We tried to get some good outside pictures, but Halle wansn't cooperating too well! Come again soon, Gervels!

Halle's sad face in the leaves


A cute family pic


Halle trying to eat her cereal



Halle with her grandpa


Playtime


Halle got lots of lovin!


Best Uncle Ever!!!


Nana Time

My random thoughts

No pictures for now, just thoughts- some very much not pertaining to others...

1. On Sunday as our church put closure to our church building and looks ahead to our new building that we're moving into, I started to think about our legacy. It was a great service which gave tribute to the generations that have built our church and have laid it's foundation. I started to think about how the lives before us have affected our lives, and how our lives will affect those that come after us. I'm so blessed that my parents started the legacy of living for Christ and how they've passed it down to me. There were no other Christians in our family, and I'm just so grateful to them, that it started with them.

2. Josh Buck spoke on Sunday night about pain and suffering. He has been through more than many of us and we can't possibly imagine what thoughts have gone through the heads of him and Shelly these past few years. He made the point that God is more concerned with shaping us to be more like him, than with our pain. So the pain and suffering we feel, does not go un-noticed, and it doesn't make God happy- but because he loves us, he's concerned with how we're being shaped through it all.

3. I kind of panicked this week as I began feeding Halle rice cereal and I realized- I have no clue what I'm doing!! How much do I give her? How often? When do I give her food? Do I keep feeding her the same amount of formula? On and on- there's no manual that tells you perfectly how things should be done and when. Everyone's experiences are so different. But I got some wise counsel- so I'm ok now!! :)

I think that's about it for now!

IWU Homecoming

This past weekend was the Homecoming extravaganza where many of Brian's friends came to visit with their kids. We had a lot of fun having friends here and seeing their families. We were able to capture a few moments with the kids...





And the adults...



Our little girl is getting so big!





Halle's first time wearing shoes...