Scuba Santa

We had breakfast with Yia Yia at the Aquarium and got to see Santa swimming with the fishes.

Rainy Day Disney

Our last day in Disney, we got rained on. We ended up buying ponchos to walk around the park in. We finally made it to Epcot only to be rained out.

Monsters Inc

I think that Mike & Sully were one of Brooke's favorite characters that she got to meet. She was so excited to give them both a hug.

Storytime with Belle

Right before we left the park for the day, we went to hear storytime with Belle on the recommendation of another park patron. Good thing we did...Brooke was asked to play Chip in the story. She got to go up on stage with Belle and she saved the day.

Pretty Princesses

Aurora, Belle and Cinderella were all too excited to meet Brooke, but I don't think they were half as excited as Brooke. She was very excited to meet the princesses in the flesh.

Meeting the Mouse

Brooke couldn't have been more excited to meet Mickey and Minnie. This was of course after she got to tour their houses.

Spinning around

Since for some reason I can no longer handle spinning rides, Joe took Brooke on the teacups. She kept wanting to go faster and faster.

I'm scared

Brooke was very scared walking thru the Haunted Mansion. She decided to ride with Poppy and Daddy, but cried thru the whole ride.

through the eyes of a child

Watching the parade coming down Main Street.

The castle

Brooke's first sight of the Magic Kingdom. Magical is truly the right description.

T-I-double G- ER

This was Brooke's first day at Disney World. We started the day having breakfast with Tigger, Pooh, Mary Poppins and Alice in Wonderland.

Princess and the Honey Pot

Brooke and Jack loved going trick or treating for Halloween. They each got tons of candy

The Great Pumpkin

It's always a fun event to go to the pumpkin patch and this year was no different. If only I could keep them out of the mud.

What a couple of monkeys

Brooke and Ben were giving me their best monkey impressions.

Zooballoo

This was Jack's first visit to the zoo where he got to run around all over. I know that he thought it was more fun than being contained in his stoller. It just makes it more difficult to keep track of them. Mom's really should have at least 2 sets of eyes.

veggie visitor

It's amazing what can be done with a little imagination. Brooke's homework assignment was to create a veggie visitor to bring to class. She chose an eggplant because we couldn't come up with a pink vegetable for her to use. She has to take it into class tomorrow and talk about all the veggies. In case you can't tell in the picture, he has a broccoli hat, a radish nose, red pepper lips, carrot arms and legs and carrot eyes. His name is Eggbert.

he's just so darn cute...

...I just had to upload this pic.

another book lover in the house

Jack loves to bring me books to read him when he isn't pulling them out to look at them himself.

All aboard the Yia-Yia train

Brooke and Jack loved bouncing on Yia-Yia's lap.

My little helper

Brooke has started doing chores all over the house. She loves to help me with laundry. Her favorite part is sorting the clothes into piles.

The shark's first game

I'm ready to play!!

A little coaching from Daddy!! Brooke's favorite part was being goalie.

Nice save!!

More coaching from Daddy and Coach Amy

Halftime break...water and grapes!!

Kick that ball!!

cheering section

Don't leave me out

Poppy and Yia Yia renewed their wedding vows and Jack just didn't want to sit still. He had to go check out what was going on.

rubber ducky

Jack loves bathtime!

pjs and pancakes

Brooke and Emily went to Latte Tots for pjs and pancakes. They decorated their pancakes with gummi bears and made a build a bear with a robe and slippers. They were most excited about having their fingernails and toenails painted.

Brooke's first soccer practice

As you can see...she's a natural!!

soccer anyone?

Brooke had her first soccer practice and she loved it. Their team name is the Sharks (Daddy is really excited about the name). O will be interested to see how her first game goes when everyone doesn't have their own ball to kick.

the first of many

Jack fell and hit his eye right on the corner of the coffee table. As you can see, he has a big shiner!! I'm sure it won't be the last

playing together

Slowly but surely, Brooke and Jack are learning to play together. It's mostly Brooke entertaining Jack, but it keeps them out of my hair when I am cooking dinner. Uncle Jim gave Jack an airplane for his birthday and Brooke was pushing him all around the house while he squealed with delight the whole time.

we've got homework

Brooke got her first homework project from preschool. They were building a matchbox town and we had to provide the buildings. Brooke decided that she wanted to build the downtown Aquarium as one of her favorite places to go. Some of the other students in her class built Chuck E Cheese, WalMart, the beach, and a firestation. We have an open house in a few weeks, so I can't wait to see the whole town.

it's all about licking the bowl

Brooke loves to help me cook in the kitchen...what that really means is licking the bowl and spoons when I am done. We made brownies for Joe's fantasy football draft and I think that Brooke would prefer the uncooked dough. Like father, like daughter.

to infinity and beyond

We spent the afternoon at Space Center Houston with the Mulhollands. The kids had a great time, but really I think that Joe had the best time. I couldn't pull him away from the space shuttle simulator. He kept wanting to land the shuttle.

First Day of PreSchool

Brooke was so excited about going to school today. When I dropped her off, there were no tears, just a "See ya later Mom!" When I picked her up, she told me that school was great and she couldn't wait to go back. I have to say I was a little teary-eyed when dropping my big girl off. She is growing up too fast.

like father, like daughter

Brooke had so much fun playing with Brock at Aunt Gina's that she didn't take a nap. I guess Daddy needed a nap too.

getting started early

you're under arrest Daddy

Brooke got a policeman costume for her birthday and decided that she needed to arrest Daddy.

I can write my name

Since Brooke saw that Reagan wrote her name in her birthday card, she wanted to practice writing her name. She did pretty good.

Happy Birthday Brooke and Jack

Thank you for everyone who came to celebrate
Brooke and Jack's party at the zoo. I know they both had a great time.