Memorial Weekend Activities

We had we a great memorial weekend here in Colorado. We took the family up to Vail, CO, made a stop in Breckenridge and enjoyed the nice mountain weather. it was a great little get away for us and the kids.

Emma also finished her first year of preschool this past week. She learned so much and looks forward to going back next year to learn even more. Along the way she made some friends that we hope to stay in touch with.

Now it is off to the summer activities.... For dad it consists of working on my deck and putting a fence up in the back yeard between us and our neighbors. That ought to keep the busy all summer. For mom and the kids it will consist of going to the pool plenty of days and just taking in the great Colorado weather.

Check out all of our pictures from Emma's last day of school and our trip to Vail, CO.

Emma with Breckenridge Ski Resort in the background


Son, That's the Blue River. (Blue River - Breckenridge, CO) This river flows right through the middle of breck. Great flyfishing!

Emma going down the slide in Breck

Mom and Jackson in Breckenridge

Mom and the kids in Breck

Emma, Me, and William Shakespeare (Vail,CO)

Emma, Me, and Einstien (Vail, CO)

Jaime in the heart of the Vail Village. Vail has a heavy German Influence. If you ever get a chance to go they have great beer, great brats, and one of the best Oktoberfests around. Call me if you are in Colorado and we will go together.

Emma and friends on the last day of Pre-school. It was ice cream social day!! That is not an illusion, she is taller than everyone else. Hard to believe she weighed 1lb. 15oz. at birth!!

Jackson in a drawer in the hotel in Vail, CO

In closing.....I am starting her young at the golf game. This is Emma at home working on the putting skills.

HE WALKS!!!!

It has been a little over two weeks since I have posted. I apologize because I was out of town for work a couple of weeks ago and then everything after that has just been total chaos.

Onto the good stuff. ..... Jackson started walking about 1 1/2 weeks ago. He is now going all the way across the room and coming when we call him. in my eyes this is when it gets to be a real fun time with the little ones.

Emma is doing well, she is almost done with pre-school for the school year and I must say she learned a lot for her first year in school. Her reviews from the teacher are all excellent and she is going to be just fine. Who would have thought for a second that this little miracle was born at 28 weeks, weighed only 1lb 15oz. and just simply beat the odds. She is awesome!!

Across the Room!

This walking thing is easy!

For Jaime and I things are pretty normal. We are going through our life and enjoying the kids and trying to make the right decisions as parents. This parenting thing is definetly tough but by far the best most rewarding adventure we have both embarked upon. Enjoy the pictures of the watch, Jackson walking, and just some general shots we have taken in the past couple of weeks.

Emma and Alyssa

Emma in her princess pajamas

Nothing like taking a bath in the sink

This place is a ZOO!!

Before I get started on our zoo adventure today let me first say that Jackson's surgery went well and he getting around as if nothing happened. We have learned that he will need another surgery in approximately 6 months to finish up. The doctor has decided to do a two step process to help fix Jackson's hypospadeous. For this surgery thye took a skin graph out of the inside of Jackson's cheek to help create a surface that will eventually become a tube. On the next surgery they will pull together all of the extra skin and create a fully enclosed and fully operational penis. I am just glad he is okay and like we all say it is better this is all done now instead of when he is a teenager.

Onto the zoo......

Today we went to the zoo and it was a zoo in more ways than one. This is really the first nice weekend we have had here in Colorado and we decided to hit the zoo with the kids. IT WAS A ZOO!!! A lot of people at the zoo today and I can say it was the first time I have been to the Denver zoo and had such a hard time finding a parking spot. We had a great time with the almost 80 degree weather!! Here are some pictures from our trip today......

My two beautiful children all packed up and ready to go to the zoo

Emma and Jackson in front of the elephant display

Emma in front of the entrance to the great apes!!

Jackson thinking about the great apes!!

Mama and Jackson

Orangutang (I think that is how it is spelled)

Brown Bear

Miniature Monkeys

And finally, Emma's favorite..... The Giraffe

Surgery Next Week. Please Say a Prayer for Jackson

Soccer is now in full swing and Emma is getting better and better each and every game. It is just amazing how much these kids improve after just 3 weeks of doing some simple drills and playing a couple of games. We went ahead and signed up Emma for Tee Ball this coming season. I think Emma will be pretty good at tee ball but you know it goes as a parent all you have to do is provide them with the opportunities and see how they take to those opportunities.

Jackson is just getting over his little chest congestion problem and he goes in for his second surgery to fix his hypospadeous because the first go around they didn't get it quite right. I think the doctor said it best when he said "It is like dealing with plumbing, sometimes you fix a pipe and when you turn the water on there is still a leak." Jackson still has a small leak. It is a minor surgery but Jaime and I are not bigs fans of him having to go under for surgery. It is scary to me. Everyone please say a prayer to keep our little guy safe this coming Wednesday.

Jaime and I are just rolling along and trying to keep up with the kids and life in general. All in all it is going very well. I don't know if any of you out there watch the show Intervention on A&E but it is a show about addiction and disease and how people go through family interventions and ultimately to recovery. Between that show and watching the "Idol Gives Back" show last night we have absolutely nothing to complain about in our lives. There are people out there who have some terrbile problems and need a lot of help. Sad....

Anyway.. Below are some pictures of Emma with her preschool class mascot "Tres". (It was her week to bring Tres home). We also had soccer team pictures tonight and we decided it was appropriate to have her in her soccer garb with the soccer ball in the first shot. The other picture is of Jaime and the kids taken yesterday.... They grow up way to fast!!!! If I could afford it I would have a whole litter of kids running around. Who knows... Maybe we are not done yet. We only get one shot at this parent gig and we plan on making the most of it.

Soccer Begins!!

It is now 4 weeks and going strong of sickness for the Brenner household. It started off with the kids both having a fever. Then Jaime and I both had scratchy throats and now the past two weeks have been filled with a runny nose for me and Jaime and now Jackson is pushing the fever again..... HEEEEEEEEEEEEE HAWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!! Is anyone else going through this sickness crap with their families?

Some good news...Emma started organized soccer this week which is just a hoot to watch. Picture a group of kids running around in a really tight group chasing down a soccer ball, it is almost like a dust cloud. Emma's main issue with soccer is using the hands.....She has a tendency to want to just grab the ball instead of kicking it. She will get it one of these days. I really think long term Emma is going to be either a swimmer or fall in love with gymnastics. She loves both and she can't get enough of either sport.

One other interest Emma may have could be equestrian.... As some of you know Jaime did this when she was younger and she was really good. Emma loves horses and I can already see the checking account getting smaller while paying for a horse, lessons, etc.... In the famous words on my father in law (and former horse owner). "Don't ever buy anything that eats while you are sleeping!" I am afraid.......

Anyway....Below are a bunch of pictures from Emma's first soccer practice and soccer game that took place last night... Enjoy!

Coach John going over the rules...I like John..His only rule to the kids is HAVE FUN!!

Emma working on her striking skills!

Emma takes a break for a photo opportunity

Emma and her team getting ready to take the field for their first game

We played the green team this week. They were fast but we have more skill!! It was a hard fought battle and we do not keep score but it was defninetly it was a good time had by all. This dad learned that Coach John's rule is the only rule to live by. HAVE FUN!!!

Did I mention I think we won 4-3. GO ORANGE TEAM!!!!!

SICK HOUSE!!!!

This weeks Brenner Life entry will be short and sweet simply because we have a house of sick people. Last night was rough with Emma holding a fever almost all night. I got about 2 hours of sleep but we will do whatever it takes to make sure our kids are okay. I don't think people can realize the feeling a parent gets when they see their own child suffering, even when it is just a flu bug it just tears me up. If you don't have kids and you are reading this you someday will realize how much you can love something. it is pretty amazing.


I think Jackson is the only on in the whole family that is feeling somewhat normal. He isn't really showing any signs of being sick. Everyone cross their fingers!


I did manage to get some pictures last week of a healthy Emma pushing her brother around in one of this birthday presents.

Last night Jackson fell asleep in Jaime's arms with our newest addition, Lilly. I got this picture.

Have a good weekend everyone!

The Jack London Story

To many of you I have relayed information that I am a relative of the great author Jack London, famous author of "Call of the Wild", "The Sea Wolf", and about 55 other novels and a variety of short stories and poetry. Over the years I have collected about 70 books that London wrote including numerous 1st editions. Many of you also know that my family has taken the Jack London name and our relation to him pretty seriously as my dad is named "Jack London Brenner", my name is "Corey London Brenner", and now my son's name is "Jackson London Brenner".

Recently I have refueled my efforts to trace family history, look through family trees, and really start researching again how I am exactly related to this great author. This week I have found some very interesting information that puts Jack London's father, John London, living in Moscow, IA which is only a few miles from where I grew up. See the link below for the article explaining his prescence in Iowa and his time spent there working on bridges over the Cedar River. This is all pretty excited for me that I can actually trace his father to being that close to where I live. I will be in touch with more information as if progresses. If any of you ever have a chance to read the works of Jack London you will enjoy his books that really chronicle the adventures of his life.

Link to the story of John London, Jack London's Father: http://london.sonoma.edu/Family/Johnlondon.html

In about 3 weeks I will be going to San Jose, CA and I hope to visit the ranch and gravesite where Jack London lived and was ultimately buried. I hope to find out some answers to my questions while I am there. The search for information continues, sometimes I feel like I hit the end of the road in the search with no answers but the further I dig I always happen to find another bit of information that keeps the search going.

I leave you this week with a famous Jack London quote....

“The proper function of man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them. I shall use my time.”

Jackson Turns 1!!

This weeks installment into "Brenner Life" revolves around my son. The reason being is that today is Jackson's 1st birthday. I know everyone says this but the time just goes by so fast. I can't believe that he is already 1 year old!! Jackson's 1st was extra special because Grandma and Grandpa Brenner from Iowa came into town take part in the festivities.

Emma was a little jealous having presents around and realizing that for the first time they were not for her. All in all she did really well and was satisfied because she got help brother open some of his gifts.

Enjoy the pictures of Jackson's 1st birthday... We can wait to celebrate many more!!!

I give you Lilly!!!

For this installment into Brenner Life I wanted to introduce you all to the newest member of our family, Lilly!! Lilly is a 7 month old black Pug that we rescued from the Boulder Valley Humane Society in Boulder, CO. It would have been to much to take on a brand new puppy but Lilly is potty trained and also gives some good company to Zoey our other Pug. If anyone out there is looking for a good dog that gets along with kids and is pretty much happy go lucky all the time I would suggest getting a pug, they are great dogs.

Emma starts soccer class next week. That ought to be a hoot. She is pretty darn good at kicking the ball but I have the feeling she will just want to pick it up and throw it. It is going to be a good time. Speaking of good times below is a picture of where I will be this weekend. Keystone Mountain....Ohhhhh Yeahhhhh. I plan on skiing the bowls just like the guy in this shot. Can't wait.... I know you are all jealous! That's all I have for this week. Until next time.... Point them straight down the mountain and GO!

KEYSTONE MOUNTAIN - SWEET COLORADO POWDER!!!!

Week Ending 2/1/08

PIKES PEAK FROM MY OFFICE WINDOW

Well this has been a bit of a crazy week with the balance of work and my personal life. For those of you that don't know I am a mechanical engineer for a company called Quantum. We design and manufacture data storage systems. I am the only mechanical guy on our group for a number of different products. Let's just say it can be hectic at times but I am managing well I think. It gets crazy at times butI enjoy how busy it can get in a sick way. I am one of those people that really enjoys my job. Maybe I am lucky but I really like going to work everyday. Check out the product I primarily work on in the link. http://www.quantum.com/Products/Disk-BasedBackup/DXi7500/Index.aspx

Jackson climbs the steps now. .. Yeah he somehow manages to get under the parent radar and scoots his way over to the steps and before you know it he is part of the way up the steps. You know how it is, once they figure something out it is all over.

Emma's letter for show and tell this week was "N". What do you take for show and tell that starts with the letter "N"? I have to look on the internet to find a good answer, nickel, nut, and we settled on "Nemo". She is doing so good in school and the best part is she love it! She is so excited to tell us what she did each and every day that she get out. Emma has also taken a liking to books. She really likes being read to and I think it is paying off. ABC's are a breeze and she can count in english and spanish to ten with no problem. She also can speak a number of spanish words, probably more than me.

Jaime is the one that keeps it all rolling during the week. Monday is preschool, tuesday is work, wednesday is preschool, thursday is just hang out day, friday is basketball and swimming day, saturday is gymnastics day, and sunday is work day again. The woman is freaking amazing!! I keep telling her to relax a little but she can't sit still for more than 5 minutes.

That's is all I have for now, stay tuned as I am working on getting more pics together to post.

Day One

Okay so it isn't really "Day One" but is t my first post on my blog "Brenner Life." Why create the blog Brenner Life you might ask.... Well now that I am 33 years old and my life is progressing along I couldn't think of a better way to document my life. An online diary if you will, a place where people can see how crazy life in general can be and also how great it can be, a place where I can get my general thoughts of life as it happens and you can all follow along if you so choose. So here we go...........

Family:

First let's talk about the most important people in my life, my family. Below is a photo of those people Jaime(my wife), Emma (4) and Jackson (1), the pride of our lives. Like most parents these are the people that keep me going everyday of my life. I can't imagine my life without a single one of them.

For those of you who have not met my wife she is a pretty amazing woman. She works at Denver Health as Registered nurse on the mom baby floor and also the NICU area. The things she does to help people and hte stories she brings home are, well.... let's just say we have a good life considering some of stories I have heard. Jaime is a great mother who always puts her kids first and is fortunate to stay at home most of the time and take care of them.

Emma is our little miracle because she was born 3 months pre-mature, and weighed 1 lb 15oz. To give you an idea I could hold her in the palm of my hand. She has been given many names such as, miracle baby, million dollar baby, goose, sweetie pie, angel, etc.... Those were trying times but today Emma is 4 and you wouldn't know she was born in the condition she was. I always say that Emma is the reason I believe in God because when she was born I prayed daily hoping that she and Jaime would be okay and all of prayers have been answered, every single one of them. Emma was put on this earth for a special purpose, she is going to do great things.

Jackson is the little ball of fire and if I had to guess what I was like when I was a baby I would have to say that I was just like him. Outgoing, tough, and just down right crazy, in a good way. I remember the day that Jaime told me we were having a son, I started crying immediately out of sheer joy and again I prayed almost daily that he would not have to go through the same beginning that my daughter did. Jackson was also born premature but his situation was much better than Emma's . I guess the prayer paid off again.

That is my family in a nutshell and you will all learn more about them as this blog progresses.