Hanging with Daddy

Natalie "helped" Allen while he watered the back yard. This was too cute not to post.

Is that a goatee?

Check out Natalie's sweet prune goatee. Pure awesomeness.

Fun with Baxter

Natalie thinks Baxter is downright hilarious. It's fun to see her interact with him more and more. If only Baxter would enjoy the "interaction" as much as Natalie obviously does...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iV87KDssQkU&feature=channel


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okLBJdxVII0

Jumperoo

We've been putting Natalie in her doorway jumper for months now, but it was only recently that she really started to appreciate its full potential. Lord knows we needed something to keep her happily occupied since she officially hates the exersaucer now.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmMVn5aP9og&feature=channel

Dinnertime Antics

Natalie never fails to keep us entertained during dinner. Look how much she enjoys getting a reaction out of us! She's quite proud of herself.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQ7VTgDtpR8&feature=channel

2010 Country Music Marathon

Well folks, road trip #2 is in the books for the Bray family, and overall I would consider it a success. The weekend before last we drove to Nashville so that Allen could run in the 2010 Country Music Marathon. I had the bright idea to leave home around Natalie's bed time so that she would sleep during the drive. Then the plan was to check into the hotel and try to transfer her up to the room, maybe even without waking her up. We thought we were so smart, calling ahead to have them set up a crib in our room. Boy am I laughing at my naivete now! Natalie woke up as we entered Nashville and was not happy. Then the unloading/valet parking of the car took forever and a day. By the time we got up to the room, Natalie thought it was party time. This did not make for a restful night to say the least.

Despite a couple of nights of rough sleep and some inclement weather on race day, Allen had a great race. His chip time was 3:23:51, a personal best by more than three minutes. Natalie and I stayed busy during the race, walking all over downtown Nashville to cheer Allen on at various places along the course. Just as Allen was finishing the race, a nasty storm hit the area and we hurried back to the hotel in the rain. Allen was one of only 700-something marathoners to complete the entire 26.2 miles. They ended up cutting the course short for a whole lot of people due to the storm. We were definitely having flashbacks to the 2007 Chicago Marathon fiasco.

We decided to try the night-driving again on the way home and luckily it worked out much more in our favor the second time around. Natalie and I will be heading to Charlotte next weekend with my folks and we'll have to drive during the day. Keep your fingers crossed everyone - we're gonna need some luck with that! Either luck or earplugs.

Killing time in the hotel room. She climbed into this drawer all by herself!

Relaxing with Daddy on the day before the race.

Honk!!

Spectating in the wee hours on race day. I wish I could have stayed in my jammies too.

Allen looking strong at mile 10.5. He even ran over to say hello! (Show-off.)

We found a dry spot under a bridge to watch Allen come in at mile 26. He didn't run over to say hello this time. Do ya blame him?

Silly Faces, Part Deux

Natalie still makes lots of silly faces that make us laugh. Some of them are similar to the faces she was making a few months ago, but she has come up with some new ones as well. Thanks to Aunt Rachel for taking these great pics!

Serious teeth-gritting going on here.

I'll huff and I'll puff....

Oh boy, I really wish this one was in focus. It's going in the baby book anyway for all future suitors to see.

Who, me? Sweet, innocent, little ol' me?

Smirk. Rachel thinks this is Allen's smirk. What do y'all think?