Christmas Letter 2010

Dear Friends and Family,

Merry Christmas! We have been so blessed this year and want to share a little of what is going on in our lives with you!

BJ turned two in October and continues to amaze us with everything he does and says. He is growing up quickly and loves to help Mommy and Daddy with cooking and working on the cars. He is loves of everything that is trains, cars, and trucks. His vocabulary grows daily, and he is putting multiple words together in phrases in English (and some Spanish). His health continues to be a prayer of ours, but has dramatically improved this year after moving him into a home daycare Nov. 2009.

Cassi graduated from residency in July and was so relieved to be finished with her training. She was so fortunate to take a job with an amazing clinic in Highlands Ranch, CO and loves the relaxed schedule and time to be a mom (plus no overnights at work!) She also volunteers twice a month at a clinic for those who have no insurance, and uses her Spanish skills there. She continues to love to run (completing many 5K’s and a half marathon this fall), read, work out and spend time with her boys. She loves being a mom!

Brandon has continued to work at C.H. Robinson in logistics (transportation). There have been some changes in the office, and Brandon is now in charge of the flatbed division at work. He absolutely adores his little boy and the two of them look forward to “Daddy night” every Thursday night. They of them hang out and often go out to dinner together while Mommy works late. Although there are times when BJ clearly prefers Mom- Dad is his best bud! Brandon continues to work on multiple projects around the house- building a deck this summer and working on his new project car- a 1967 Nova.

We continue to love living in Colorado, and sometimes wish we had more time to savor all it has to offer! God has blessed us immensely this year, and we are taking time in this crazy season to thank him for all he has done, including blessing us with you, great friends and family. Feel free to come by and visit anytime- we have a great guestroom!

Merry Christmas!

Brandon, Cassi, and BJ Workman

I am officially not fun!

So tonight BJ was in a bit of a funk, that may be an understatement. I came home around 6:20 p.m. to find Brandon and BJ cuddling in the dark in his rocking chair. We're not exactly sure what was wrong with BJ- no fever, but crabby and didn't want to eat, so Brandon decided to cuddle with him. BJ decided after a while to cuddle with mom, so I sat and rocked in the dark. After a little while, he starts whispering to me about what is fun.

BJ: "Fun Kirina"

Me: "Yes Kirina is fun."

BJ: Fun Kirina, fun Papa (Kirina's and thus BJ's name for her dad)

Me: Yes Kirina and Papa are fun, what about Stefanie (our sitter)?

BJ: Fun Kirina, fun Papa, fun Stefanie

. . .

It continues:

We did get to-

Fun Kirina, fun Papa, fun Stefanie, fun Bella, fun Wolfgang, fun Bella, fun Kirina (meaning Katarina his cousin), fun Matt, fun Maria, fun Nicholas, fun Grammy, fun Papa, Grandpa, Grandma, fun church, fun milk, fun water, fun trains

Me: Is Daddy fun?

BJ: no

Me: Is Mommy fun?

BJ: no

And just so you don't think it is a fluke, I asked about other people, who eventually made the list, but even after asking 3 times, Mommy and Daddy are not fun.

I guess it's official, it starts so young, your parents are not fun. :)

P.S. Congrats if you made the list!

What to post. . .

Isn't it funny that sometimes when you have been so busy, you aren't even sure what to post about. . . not that there is too much, but that your mind is a whirlwind and nothing seems post-worthy. Funny. I guess the news. . . we recently had family pictures- which I absolutely love!! We met a photographer friend of mine at a park and went to town and they came out great! (You can see some in the photos in the margin).

BJ has hit the age where he can be hysterical in one breath and oh so exasperating in the next. It is a fun time seeing all he is learning, but can be challenging as a parent since he has strong opinions and wants to do it all himself. Cute things he has done lately:

At Thanksgiving Brandon's sister Jenny came out with her family and her golden retriever Barney. BJ loves dogs and always asks to "touch" the dogs, but doesn't want them to touch him. Sad actually since he was with Pedro for 7 months of his life, but that was a lifetime ago. Anyway, he finally warmed up to Barney but would put his hand out and tell Barney "no" if he got closed to him. So the other day Brandon was talking with BJ about visiting "Bella's house" Brandon's niece's house- which BJ loves. BJ went through everyone in the house- Matt, Maria, Wolfgang, Katarina (whom he calls Kirina), and Bella, and . . . doggie. Brandon tried to tell BJ that the doggie was gone- he went night- night, so BJ said night, night Barney. We hadn't said his name or anything but he remembered clearly.

I'm sure I've mentioned BJ's love for oreos/cookies recently. I am still quite against sugar on a regular basis- I know call me narrow minded- but Brandon has shared his chocolately goodness with BJ on Daddy night. Recently, BJ made cookies for Daddy at his sitter's house and wanted to share them with Daddy. Since they are not BJ friendly, Brandon said he could have an oreo instead. At the end of dinner. So BJ climbed into his chair, ate one bite and asked, "cookie?". To which we replied "No you have to eat your dinner." We spent half the night telling him to eat more after asking after every bite if he could have his cookie. But man, bring the cookie out and tell him he needs to finish his x food- he double fists it into his mouth in order to get the cookie. I'm sure he gets this from me!

Also, BJ has recently learned the word "touchdown" and the moves that go with it, too bad it wasn't enough for his team to win the other night :) But we still have random "Go Big Red" shout outs from the little man- a true fan!

Anyway, that's enough from me for now. Hopefully I'll get on our Christmas letter soon, although I'm sure it won't be news to anyone who faithfully reads our blog- thanks friends!

P.S. Our photographer can be found at www.brynmarae.com- she's amazing!