Christmas 2009

Despite my best efforts to get these pictures to post in the right order I have failed, so I'll caption them the best I can. This first one isn't from Christmas, it's our first morning back home after all the festivities (including New Year's) were over. Brody and Brooke were snuggled together in our bed watching a morning cartoon.

A Martha Stewart triple layer chocolate cake I made for Christmas day. It was good!

Brooke after her Christmas bath.

This was the Housewright side cousin gift exchange.

Santa brought Brody this new John Deere tractor. He just had to try it out even though it was frigid and snowing.

Brooke in her new Christmas pj's from Adam's mom.

Christmas Eve at Grandma and Grandpa Housewright's in their new Christmas jammies.

Me and Brooke just before she went to bed on Christmas Eve. Too bad she didn't know what was going on yet -- maybe next year.

Coming down the stairs on Christmas morning.

Santa couldn't fit Brody's tractor in the living room with all the other gifts so he had to go find it in the storage room. He opened the door and just froze there. Brooke's new kitchen was in there too.

Brooke in her Christmas outfit for church.

Two kids ready for church in their Christmas clothes.

This isn't a Christmas picture -- it's just a classic Brooke picture. Bow in her hair, paci in her mouth, playing under the kitchen table.

Christmas Eve all the cousins were getting their stockings ready -- they thought it was funny to wear them.

Getting ready to open Christmas jammies -- tradition.

Brody's 3rd Birthday Party

Brody wanted a cow birthday party, so that's what he got!

The birthday boy!

Even though it was cold we had a hay ride with his friends.

All of the party guests with their animal party hats on.

We had cupcakes with farm candles on them. Each of the kids got to blow out the candle on their own cupcake. It was a fun party.

Thanksgiving in Dallas

We drove to Dallas, TX for Thanksgiving this year to visit Adam's two sisters and their families. We enjoyed our trip so much, even though it was short. Brody is showing the marshmellow he picked off his jello.

Brooke's first taste of pumkin pie -- she LOVED it!

Brody and cousin Justin (7 months apart) watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse together on Uncle John's computer -- the both got to stay up later than all the other kids because they took late naps!

Making gingerbread houses on Saturday morning.

Brooke enjoyed eating the graham crackers while the other kids used them to make gingerbread houses.

Farm Kids

Brooke in her overalls driving a tractor (even a farm girl needs a bow!)

Brody and Brooke on an old John Deere (it's not ours).

Brooke and Grandma Bev (Adam's mom).

Brody and Grandpa (Adam's Dad).

Happy Halloween 2009

Brooke the pink leopard.

At the bank with our friend, Amy.

Brody the bull wanted Brooke to ride the bucking bull.

The loot from our chuch trunk-or-treat.

Catching up ........

Brooke's mohawk

Brody having fun in the bath

Brooke is trying really hard to crawl (this picture is from a while ago -- she's still trying!)

Another bath picutre

The kids and I went home to Virginia for a visit because all my family was in town -- this is a picture of me with all of my siblings (Tim, Anna, Tony, me, Steve, Janine, and Roland)

Brooke at Cox's Farm (the most awesome pumpkin patch ever!)

Brody loved the pigs (there was a mom and about 14 babies) and he kept saying "I need to climb over that fence and wake up those baby pigs!"

Brody wanted to catch each of his cousins as they came down this frog slide.

We tried to do a cousin line-up on this slide, but it didn't work out too well (there's 5 of the 9)

Brody was in his element with the calves.

The goats were cool too.

Me and my boy

All 9 grandkids (ranging in age from 4 1/2 yrs to 2 months)

Me and my girl (on the hayride at Cox's)

My gorgeous little sister, Anna, with my Brookie girl.

Brody driving the train with passengers cousins Katie, Marie, and Spencer

Brody thought it was fun to slide down the slide backwards.

Brooke liked cousin Sophie's wand (very princess-ish)

My sister, Janine, and Sophie put on a great "tea party" for the cousins. Even the boys were invited!

Brody and Katie loved playing together!

Neither of the kids were in the mood for a picture but I bribed Brody with M&M's -- Brooke on the other hand wouldn't be bribed.

Brody and Katie shared M&M's

Back at Home:

I finished a sign for Brody's room (above the head of his bed) so his "cowboy room" looks a little more complete.

First Tutu

This is the cutest little tutu outfit from Adam's sister, Jen. Brooke loved the tutu.

(About to tip over ...... she thinks it's fun!)

What's with the thumb?

I can't figure out why Brooke has to suck her thumb after every bite of baby food, but we think it's kind of funny. She only does it when it's something she likes, otherwise she just gets really mad! Has anyone every seen a baby do this?

Rodeo and more

Brody at the rodeo last weekend.

He picked an ice cream cone with chocolate ice cream for his treat at the rodeo.

One of Brody's favorite buddies, Grandma Bev, let him watch the rodeo up close.

Family photo from the rodeo (minus Brooke who was sleeping in her carseat next to me - as shown in the next picture). Brody making a funny face -- I think he had candy in his teeth.

The rodeo started at 8:00pm so Brooke slept in her carseat the whole time. Maybe next year she'll be old enough to enjoy it.

The parade Saturday afternoon. This was the constant candy scramble -- Brody and his cousins, Abby and Nick.

Brooke and I watched from a shaddy spot just behind the rest of the family.

The many moods of Brooke......

There's a smile!

Just chillin'.

Brody put his old cowboy hat on Brooke. The toilet paper in the background was about to be used as bales of hay to feed his cows and horses.

Little cowgirl.

Brody was walking around with a pressure gauge that he stuck in the back of his undies. He's such a little fix-it man.

Brooke mastered sitting up by herself this week. She is SO much happier now that she can sit up and play and see the world instead of laying down all the time.

Yea for a happy, sock-eating baby girl!

Stats

Brooke's 6 month stats:

Weight: 16 lbs. 6 oz. -- 60%
Height: 26 inches -- 60%
Head: 17 1/4 -- ?? (don't know what %)