What We Do

This is what we do and I wouldn't trade it for anything!

Going in (50 times a day)...

Coming Out (50 times a day)!

So cute!

PJ Party!

Yesterday we had a PJ party with our cousins, Maggie and Kennedy. It was very relaxing and fun. The kids were playing so hard that Kennedy was even sweating! Brooks loves it when his cousins come to play. He works so hard to be "big" and has learned to climb up the slide! Brooks' cousins love him so much and "drag" him around everywhere they go. Once we got done playing we had Life cereal for lunch to finish off our PJ party right.

Brooks at the top of his slide. Notice the very old "Hickory, Dickory, Dock" clock? That was mine when I was little. He loves it!

Maggie is 3 and is 100% Diva! I guess she also love the "old" clock. We were inside all day, but she still needed her sunglasses!

Kennedy is Brooks' second Mom. She is almost five and takes very good care of Brooks. She was showing off the balls from "The Boss" that Brooks got for his birthday from his cousins, Auntie and Uncle. If you don't know what "The Boss" is, Google search it to find out. It is an amazing toy, but requires LOTS of pick up time (it comes with over 50 balls). I still think every little boy should have one...or is it just my little boy who is OBSESSED with "balls"?

We had a really fun day and having a PJ party made it go by quickly. Tuesdays are sometimes long because it is "Boys Night" and the boys go on a group run right after work, so I am on "Mommy Patrol" all day and night. I always look forward to Thursday's when in return we get to have "Girls Night".

Easter and NO good pictures!

We celebrated Easter yesterday and thought we had just about the cutest little boy on Earth! He even had a tie and blue argyle socks to wear. We went to church for the 10:30 service and had an awesome time singing our praises to the Lord. Brooks went into the nursery and actually did pretty well. He usually cries and has to be held most of the time. We had to skip naps (until 3:00) yesterday, and we are amazed at how well Brooks held up. He had a melt down at lunch but Oma took him to a quiet place and got him to fall asleep in her arms. Ahhh~so sweet! In all of the hustle and bustle we didn't get a good picture of Brooks in his Easter outfit. We also didn't get a good family shot which would have been nice because we were all so dressed up (you can see Greg's shirt and tie in the top picture though!)

Brooks ate like a champ again. He loved his fruit, cheese, potatoes and crackers! It is crazy to think that last year at Easter he was like 3 or 4 weeks old. He was tiny and I was not! Hee, hee!

He loved his glittery purple Easter egg. He kept calling it a "ball". EVERYTHING is a ball, seriously.

Here is shot of Brooks during our church service. He sat with us until the music was over and then left during the sermon. Sorry Pastor Rolf, you are interesting, but just can't keep the attention of a one year old! When we got home, Brooks slept for three hours, woke up for two and went back to sleep for twelve more hours! Oh, to be a child again. I would love to sleep half as much as Brooks does.

First trip to the Dentist!

Brooks went to the dentist last week! He has had eight teeth for about 3 months now, so we decided to get them checked. The dentist is great. His name is Dr. Rami (Rami is his first name) and he specializes in children only. He doesn't even see adults! His wife sees the adults at the same building. The dentist's office is equipped with lots of kids toys, a game station, Lego's and TVs with cartoons playing. Brooks waiting in the lobby and played with Lego's until it was his turn. His actual appointment lasted approximately 120 seconds and "everything looks good". The dentist told Greg that we should brush and FLOSS Brooks' teeth every night. I was wondering if Dr. Rami would like to come over to our house each night to sedate Brooks' while we floss! Just kidding! I am not sure we will be able to floss as Brooks loves to bite with his little chompers!

Brooks waited for Dr. Rami. He cried when Dr. Rami looked in his mouth!

Waiting in the kids waiting area like a big boy.

The weather has been really nice here. We got a little bit of snow a couple of nights ago, but nothing too major. We are blessed enough to be able to walk to the end of our street and get on some snowmobile trails that connect to the Superior Hiking Trail. We took Brooks and Scout (the dog) out last week. Brooks did great and Daddy got a great workout hauling 28 pounds on his back.

Such a cutie! We have so much fun with you, Brooks. We love you!

Florida 2008--Better Late Than Never!

We went on vacation to Disneyland in early March. It was really fun to go on a trip like this and have a child. We went a couple of years ago, and didn't have Brooks, so it didn't mean as much. Brooks had a blast playing in the water at our hotel (Nickelodeon studios). They had an area that was great for babies his size. He is such a water baby!

At first Brooks had a really tough time adjusting to everything (time change, airplane rides, late nights) but by the 2nd day he did great. We had a chance to have lots of time in the sun. One night, my parents took Brooks and his cousins so that the adults could all go out and have a nice dinner. It was really relaxing. We were also able to visit SeaWorld (Shamu! Shamu!), Disneyland, a great Outlet Mall, and much more!

Me and my buddy. I must say I am proud of myself because Brooks didn't get a sunburn at all and neither did I! Yeah for SPF 50!

Just Driving!

Brooks loves the water! He would sit on top of these fountains and get soaked! Thanks Oma and Opa for a great trip. You are always so generous! We loved our time as a family.

Brooks' 1 year Info

Here are 20 things about about Brooks:

1.) Brooks calls everything "ba" or "ball"

2.) Brooks claps his hands on cue

3.) Brooks moves his lower jaw and says "gaaa, gaaa, gaaa"

4.) Brooks point to his ears and his belly button

5.) Brooks eats everything in sight. Some of his favorites are: mandarin oranges, peas, turkey, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, bananas, mac and cheese, imitation crab, ravioli, noodles, pears and lemons!

6.) Brooks cruises along our furniture and has stood on his own for a few seconds at a time

7.) Brooks sits facing forward in his car seat

8.) Brooks sleeps about 12 hours every night

9.) Brooks smiles constantly

10.) Brooks has distinct facial expressions

11.) Brooks LOVES the water

12.) Brooks loves books

13.) Brooks understands "No"

14.) Brooks loves being outside

15.) Brooks talks on his Elmo cell phone

16.) Brooks has been on six airplane rides and loves to travel

17.) Brooks understands "toothbrush" and brushes his teeth

18.) Brooks has his first dentist appointment tomorrow

19.) Brooks has had two haircuts and is due for his third

20.) Brooks has a mole on the back of his right arm

Brooks' Birthday Bash

WE CAN'T GET THE PICTURES TO SHOW UP! WE WILL WORK ON IT! SORRY!

Here are some pictures from Brooks' 1st birthday party. We had a family party at our house to honor Brooks. We served chili (which was a near disaster--thanks Mom for helping!) and had cake from the Exchange (a local bakery that cannot be topped!) Brooks was a champ and made it through opening all his presents and eating his cake before he needed a nap. He loved his presents. He got lots of trucks, sandbox toys and books. Thanks to everyone for making his day so special.

What a sweetie who loves his cake! He loved that he could get his birthday outfit full of cake!

Brooks got a bath (check out the new outfit) at his party and then promptly went to take a nap. I love how his eyes match his daddy's! They are so pretty.

Brooks clapped for his audience while he ate his cake. He didn't know what to think of it all. This year has flown by and has been the best year of our lives. Thank you, Brooks! We love you.

Family Photo

It is very rare for us to have a family photo taken. We always seem to be running around in different places when people have thier cameras out. We are so thankful that we were finally able to capture our little family on Brooks' birthday.

One Year Ago TODAY!

Brooks was born one year ago today. My, how he has changed. Huh? See below for his Birthday Blog. We love you Brooks!


Even though Brooks was born via C-section (after two days of labor) he had a MAJOR cone head. While I was still on the operating table I cried to Greg, "Please put a hat on him before you bring him upstairs!" I am so vain.

I still think that Brooks was the most beautiful baby boy. He had a full head of dark black hair. He had a comb-over less than one minute after he was born.

I am surprised he is crying in this picture. Since day one, Brooks' favorite thing seems to be the water. He loves to "splash, splash, splash!"

Our beautiful baby boy. We are blessed.

Happy 1st Birthday Brooks!

One year ago today we welcomed Brooks Hartley into our lives. We knew our lives would forever be changed but never in a million years would have guessed what a blessing Brooks would be to us. Brooks has changed our lives in so many ways and has helped us really understand true love (not that we don't "truly love" each other). Brooks is the most content, "easy" (so we hear) baby that we could have asked for. His full body smile warms our hearts and fills us with complete joy. We thank the LORD for Brooks and can't believe that the year has passed so quickly. We love you sweetheart. XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

Brooks enjoyed ice cream at Mc Donald's for lunch today. Spoiled rotten!

Too cool for school!

Breakfast in bed!