Brian’s grandmother is in town, so we finally got to introduce her to Braden on Friday. After being a little shy at first, he eventually walked a bunch for her and even gave her a kiss. That night, Braden ate more for dinner than Brian did! Unbelievable.

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This morning Braden took about 15 steps. In case we didn’t previously mention, he also likes to say “uh-oh” a lot, and he frequently points (and grunts) when he wants something.

Journal four generations, talking, walking

Yesterday we went to Kristin’s paternal grandparents’ condo in Fitchburg for a family get-together. All of her dad’s siblings and their kids were there (shout out to Marcie, Gretchen, Katie, Andrew, Rachel, Erin, Bryce and Taylor, plus spouses Josh, Todd and Scott). In addition, Gretchen and Todd brought their 10-month-old, Bennett, and Katie is 74 days away from her expected due date.

We just can’t believe how all of us “kids” have grown up. When Brian was invited to go with Kristin’s family to their cabin in 1999, some of her cousins were infants and some were still in high school. Now two of us have our own kids with another on the way. Thanksgiving will be decidely different this year.

In this picture is Kristin’s dad, Chip, and her grandfather, William.

Journal family, four generations

Last Saturday we went to Kristin’s maternal grandparents’ condo so that Braden could visit his great-grandparents. As we always do, we waited until he was hungry (almost all the time anyway), fed him, then zipped over to Monona.

With the snowfall, the roads were a bit slippery, and en route we encountered a two car fender-bender and a car that lost control on the on-ramp. Brian joked that he wanted Kristin to take her car and drive ahead as the “scout car.”

Amazingly, Braden slept the entire time we were there (or, at least 90 percent unconscious). All in all, it was quite the moment for four generations to be together at once.

Journal family, four generations