Naughty or Nice?

We went to visit Santa tonight. Evan was more interested in the Barney stuffed animal that jingled than he was with Santa. Oh well, at least he didn't cry!

He also got to take a ride in an airplane at the mall. Well... it ate our quarters, so he didn't actually get to move. But he's new to this stuff so he doesn't know that he missed out on anything.

I put our tree up this weekend with a little help from a tiny elf. 

I think he's going to be a big 'helper' all season!  ;)

Someday we'll get a bigger house AND a bigger Christmas tree, 

but for now we'll have to keep borrowing Charlie Brown's. 

ON ANOTHER NOTE:

Evan tries to copy what we do a lot. I came downstairs to find this scene yesterday...

I was spoiled with all those days off and I'm tired now!

xoxo

Momma B

Black Friday!!

My favorite day of the whole year is coming to a close. My mom and I stood in line at Target to try and get her a flat screen. WE DID IT! She drove by at 6:30 last night and there was a line... so she got in it!!!! I came squealing in about 10 minutes later and at Midnight we were with the first group to go in!! We had great company for the five and a half hours we waited outside and got some great deals once we were let loose! Besides the TV, we scored a few Christmas gifts for Evan and I managed to wrangle 19 DVDs! We also went to Carter's, Old Navy and Babies R Us. We called it a night around 3 AM and went back at it this afternoon. I love the quality time I got to spend with my mom and can't wait for NEXT YEAR!

The line was still wrapped around the side of the building at 12:30 when my mom and I came out from shopping!

I've also been working on Evan's birthday party. I'm loving it! And I've had some help:

We had a nice Thanksgiving and I started putting our holiday decorations up tonight. 

The rest will have to wait until tomorrow. I'm exhausted. 

xoxo

Momma B

A lot to be thankful for...

Seriously. I have it made.

A perfect little boy to call me mom. (Well.... mum mum!)

A  handsome man to call my husband. 

The love and support from my wonderful family. 

A great career that I love.

A place to call home.

I really could go on and on...


P.S. Evan got his third tooth and is walking (he's a little sloppy)! I have a video to post later.

Happy Thanksgiving!
xoxo
The Berndt's

Sleepy Heads

I came home from my workout class to find my boys like this:

It brought a smile to my face and I hope it brought one to yours too!  :)

xoxo

Momma B

Random Stuff

I have ditched the owl idea for Evan's first birthday. Those of you who follow me on Pinterest have maybe seen the new theme. Otherwise, I'm keeping it under wraps... just so I don't jinx myself. I think this idea will stick. My plan is to order, yes ORDER, the invitations this week. 

Pinterest has the potential to make time disappear. Seriously. And all of a sudden I'm 'following' people I've never heard of. I must have clicked a button by mistake. How do I un-follow?!


LifeTouch was back at Evan's daycare for fall pictures a few weeks ago. I wasn't impressed with the pictures, but then I felt better when I saw the class picture and all the kids look like they were woken up!

We got a cool packet of projects that Evan has done with some pictures from daycare. This picture was in it and I couldn't help but laugh. 

This little boy makes my whole life worth it. 

xoxo

Momma B

Oh, Monday.

First things first......

My work organized an 'Adopt a Soldier' type drive last week and the Berndt's decided we would fill a box ourselves rather than bring in miscellaneous items. One of the attorneys that I work with really liked the initiative and pitched in on our box. I've been wanting to send soldiers something for a long time, but am a little skeptical of the random 'Adopt a Soldier' websites. 

Here's our box (the boring necessities are at the bottom), I hope we made a soldier happy for the Holidays!  :)

We went to the usual birthday spot for my birthday last week. It was Evan's first time! Benihana was fantastic as usual.

We were up north hunting this weekend. While it's always nice to get away for the weekend, I really do belong in the suburbs. We live within five miles of five, yes FIVE, different Targets. And I work a block from the headquarters. I appreciate suburbia all the more after weekends away. Anyways, Nick and my dad  both took down deer this weekend. That's my boy(s)!!

Evan loves being outside and he's really interested in deer! My dad taught him how to shoot with his finger and thumb and make a shooting sound. It's hilarious to watch him copy!

He's also getting good at remembering what package/container/etc. belong to his favorite things. The kid doesn't miss a beat and he knows where I hide stuff. He went into my diaper bag this weekend, pulled out his bag of graham crackers and then handed them to me. He wouldn't leave me alone until I opened the bag and gave him one. Stinker!

Oh yeah! And make sure you vote for Evan!!

Scroll all the way to the bottom, type in your info and then leave Evan's name in the comments.

http://katiebrockphotography.com/blog/?p=241

and then go to https://www.facebook.com/katiebrockphotography

Make sure to 'Like' the page in the upper right corner and then leave a comment that Evan sent you!

Yes, both votes will count. Now get voting!!!

Twenty three for 23

It's my birthday, so this post is going to be just about ME!

Here are 23 things that you may, or may not, have known about me:

1. I love to cook and bake. I received a hand-made recipe box from my wickedly crafty aunt at my bridal shower in 2009 and have had a daily (almost) quest to add to it. If our house was on fire that box is one of the few things that I would try my hardest to save.

2. I have a NEED to take pictures of everything. I think it's important to capture life's precious moments. And I hope/think it will be important to my kids, grandkids, etc. someday to see where they came from.

3. I'm horrible at saving money, but almost a professional at spending it.

4. I like owning nice vehicles, but I don't like to drive. I also don't like traffic. If a chauffeur was in our budget, I would hire one.

5. I love doing craft projects.

6. I'm a champion grudge holder.

7. I love my job! For those of you who don't know -- I am a legal assistant at a very large law firm in Downtown. I work with the greatest people!

8. Chipotle is my favorite place to eat. Acapulco is a close second. Oh, and Benihana, too!

9. I am obsessed with blogs and have high hopes for this one some day! I love to read about other people and their lives. I know ya'll are too... I can see that in my page views!

10. I can't dance.

11. I listen to country music. Jason Aldean rocks my world.

12. My favorite shows to watch are Sons of Anarchy, Dexter and Criminal Minds.

13. I love (times infinity) movie theater popcorn.

14. I think being a mom is the coolest thing on the planet. I also don't think everyone deserves that gift. I know some pretty shitty ones and wouldn't mind giving them a good face punch.

15. I decorate my house for each holiday. We're festive, what can I say?! Holidays give us (kids especially) something to look forward to.

16. I looooooove to read!

17. I have so many hopes/goals/dreams that I don't know what to do with myself. I also have more hobbies than time.

18. I don't like to talk about religion or politics. That's fine if you do, just do it somewhere else.

19. I will not eat raw cookie/brownie/cake.

20. I don't like coffee. Hot or cold.

21. I switch my purse (and wallet) out for whatever outfit I wear that day. My favorite bags are made by Coach. Don't even bother asking how many I own.

22. I am really sensitive to the 'nails on chalkboard' sound. Q-tips and cotton balls are a huge problem.

23. I wish I would have started blogging sooner. I missed out on my wedding and my first pregnancy.


**Today is bitter-sweet for me. Obviously I think birthdays are grand, but 18 years ago my birthday present was my beloved dog. This will be my very first birthday since then without her. On the bright side, this is my first birthday I get to share with Evan.**

My most treasured picture in the whole world.

Happy Birthday to me!
 :)


Oh, and all I want for my birthday is for you to vote for Evan. Vote here by liking Katie's page and then writing Evan's name on the wall AND by clicking here and voting for him at the very bottom.
If he doesn't win, it's all your fault!