Bruce's first teeth

Well, after about 3 months of "excessive drooling", Mr Bruce, finally cut his first teeth! Bruce's first two front, bottom teeth emerged on September 14th. That day and the day before we noticed he kept sticking his tongue out at us, and figured it was just something new he was trying out. Turns out it was because there was something new in the way. He fought through the pain, like a real champ (as usual), taking shorter naps and a couple bouts of fussiness and a couple doses of tylenol, but he made it through (and so did we). They haven't fully emerged, but you can see the tips. Best picture we could get is below (might need to zoom in).

UNL Campus

After our trip to the fair, we went to walk around the University of Nebraska campus where Dada, Uncle Kevin, and Aunt Rhonda went to college.

Grandpa Heier and Pop Pop Green strolling on the UNL campus.

Bruce feels the love.


We walked all around the stadium:


Saw the statue of Tom Osborne and Brook Berringer:


And somebody left the gate open:


Bruce is pumped:


Wake up, boy! This doesn't happen everyday!



Bruce practicing his 2030 Heisman pose.


One of the greatest moments of Dada's life: standing on the Cornhusker's field with his little boy.

Nebraska and all its wonder

We had such a great time on our trip to Nebraska, visiting Grandma, Grandpa and all our Heier family. We also had some time to see all that is Nebraska. And while I can't believe we did not get a single picture of Bruce in a cornfield (which frankly would be like a picture of Bruce in front of a Starbucks in Northern Virginia), we did get a lot of fun photos of other fun Nebraska landscapes, including pics from the Nebraska State Fair. Enjoy!

Deanna's cement chicken!

Ok, this one needs some explanation. Wayne, Nebraska (Robb's hometown) is the site of the "internationally famous" Wayne Chicken Show (http://www.chickenshow.com). We even saw it on the CNN Bottom line before. The Chicken Show is famous for its Cluck Off competition, where contestants compete for the best Chicken impersonation, and the winner of which used to go on the Johnny Carson Show (Carson himself being from Norfolk, Nebraska). The Chicken Show also includes a Cement Chicken Auction, which I have wanted to partake in for the past couple years, but could not figure out how to get a 50 lb chicken on the plane ride home. Well, this year Uncle Darrel and Aunt Betty made a bid and bought me my very own cement chichken, whohoo! Pictured below. Despite Robb's protesting, I've got a prominent spot picked out in our living room. Can't wait to get it home!

Bruce wants a Runza!

Runza (http://www.runza.com/about) is a restaurant that started in Lincoln, Nebraska (with franchises in Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado, and Iowa). They have their own unique "sandwich" called a Runza that consists of ground beef, cabbage, and spices wrapped completely in a dough bun. Pictured here is Bruce reaching for his first Runza.

Let's go to the Fair!

During our trip we went to The Nebraska State Fair in Lincoln, Nebraska (possibly the last time it will be held in Lincoln as it moves to Grand Island next year). We took a lot of photos at the Fair, mainly because Deanna had the camera and had never been to a real State Fair. I learned so much!

Lena, Brett, Robb and Bruce at the Fair

Bruce and Lena at the Fair

Bruce sees his first tractor!

Bruce (and Deanna's) first Combine

($250K, at least, for one of these puppies; it was huge!)

Prize-winning Vegetables

Bruce with a giant pumpkin

Oh, and did I mention The Fair Food...

Pop Pop and his hot beef Sundae

What is a hot beef sundae you ask? Well, you take a scoop of mashed potatoes covered in hot brown gravy with yummy roast beef, and sprinkle it with cheese and a cherry tomato on top

Robb couldn't resist the Fried Twinkie (none for Bruce yet)

Bruce's first encounter with farm life

Bruce sees his first cow

First baby goat

First baby piglet (just 1 day old)

And so many side shows....

The Frog Jumping Show

The racing pigs (Deanna's favorite)

Brett with the Budweiser Clydesdale horses

(this one was named Duke)

High School band on parade

and Carnival rides

(pictured: Grandpa Heier and Uncle Kevin holding Brett)

All in all, a great adventure of a day!

Can't wait to go back :)

Thinking of you Grandma Angel

Today is 4 years since Bruce's Grandma Angel (Deanna's mom) passed away of an agressive cancer that went undiagnosed. Looking at my beautiful baby boy I'm reminded of something my mom had said to me before she died, that she always felt that my brother and I turned out so well because we had a Guardian Angel in my Grandmom Green always watching over us (one of my grandmothers had passed away before I was born too). Bruce is lucky to have Grandma Angel as his Guardian Angel and we are lucky that she was up there to pick out our precious little boy. We are so blessed.

We love you mom and know that you are always with us!

Maritza Green (Grandma Angel)

1952 - 2005

The Wilsons!

During our trip to Nebraska we were excited to get the chance to visit with our good friends Sam and Sarah Wilson and their new addition, Leo!

Bruce and Leo had the same due date, but the boys ended up being born about 3 weeks apart, due to Bruce's early arrival and Leo's later arrival. I can still remember our last trip to Nebraska, last August, when Sarah and I both "surprised" each other with our big news that we were both pregnant. And then to find out we had the same due date, still can't believe it. Knowing Robb and Sam, they timed it purposefully, weirdos. It's been really fun to share the experience with Sam and Sarah as our boys enter each new stage at the same time.

Some fun photos from our visit below. It's tough to get two little boys to look and smile at the camera at the same time! It was such a nice visit, we really miss you guys. Kisses to Leo!

Introducing Mr. Leo Wilson

The boyz!

(Bruce on left, Leo on right)

Bruce and Leo on the playmat

(why are the other kid's toys always cooler)

Leo practicing standing

(He's really sturdy on his legs, Go Leo!)

Sarah and Leo

Sam preparing for twins next time ;)

Robb, Bruce, Sam, Sarah and Leo

Uncle Kevin, Aunt Rhonda, Lena and Brett in NE too

Luckily it worked out where Uncle Kevin (Robb's brother), Aunt Rhonda, Lena and Brett were out in Nebraska while we were visiting too. So Bruce got to spend time with all his Heier aunts, uncles, and cousins. It had been a couple years since we were all together, so we took advantage of the chance to take some Heier Family Photos. Thanks to Grandma and Grandpa Heier for hosting us all.

Bruce wearing Uncle Kevin's hat (too cute!)

Bruce with Uncle Kevin

Bruce watch out, Uncle Kevin turns into...

THE TICKLE MONSTER!!

Aunt Rhonda with Bruce and Brett

(double trouble)

Lena playing peek-a-boo with Bruce

Robb and Brett

(future's so bright!)

Deanna and her nieces, Lena and Cassie

(I just love my nieces to pieces)

Bruce Meets Aunt Becky, Uncle Chris and the 5 C's!

While in Nebraska we got to spend some time with Bruce's Aunt Becky (Robb's sister), Uncle Chris, and cousins (the 5 C's) Chris Jr, Cassie, Christian, Cody, and Corey. We really enjoyed seeing you all. Some highlights from the trip included:

• Uncle Chris's tour of Grandma and Grandpa's front room (with the Husker altar, and lots of fun things to break, uh oh).
  
• Ladies lunch out with Becky, Cassie, Rhonda, Lena, Barb and I (Deanna). I was excited to hear about Cassie's great achievements with clarinet, volleyball, and in school.
  
• Christian's football practice, boy was he fast! Every play called seemed to be the "hand off to Christian" play.
  
• Hearing about Chris Jr's great high school football game (go Wayne Blue Devils!). You're both going to play for Nebraska right guys :)
  
• And Cody's babysitting night. Thanks Cody, Bruce had a lot of fun with you!

We miss you guys and can't wait to see you again soon!

Aunt Becky, Christian, Cassie and Bruce

Bruce, Deanna and Uncle Chris

Bruce and Cassie

(Cassie was impressed by Bruce's flexibility)

Bruce and Christian

(dude, they let you where that jacket in Nebraska? Notice Bruce's disapproval)

Bruce and Cody (the babysitter)

Corey, Cassie, Cody, and Christian with Bruce

Bruce's cousins: Chris Jr, Christian, Brett, and Cody