Mickey and Me

My first airplane ride!

I was a pro...reading like Daddy, watching movies, coloring, eating, etc.

I had a blast!

Pops Blackmore rented this cool beach house in Ft. Myers and invited us to stay!

I really liked the beach (BEFORE the hurricane hit!)

Don't worry....I didn't get in the way of these sting rays.  Mommy was scared to go out in the water after seeing them the first day.

Thanks Pops for all my Cardinals gear!

We did lots of fun things.  We went to play putt putt.  I got a REAL hole in one!

We went to a really cool park.  The shape of the jungle gym was  a big choo choo train!

All Aboard!

We got to ride this small train around the park.  It was SO cool.

We got to go to DISNEY WORLD!  We braved the hurricane rain and ended up having a great day!

I rode 13 rides!  I'm on the People Mover here.  I loved the Goofy roller coaster, Dumbo, train, and Small World. I was scared of Buzz Light year.

Nothing wrong with a little pink on a boy....

I ate one of these Mickey Mouse ice cream ears for Papa McCarroll.  He told me all about them before I left home.

Not bad.... :)

Dumbo Ride

 

Hanging out with Pops and my Mickey Mouse.  I really loved seeing Mickey in the parade.

I was exhausted after a full day of fun.  Disney World truly is a magical place.

We got to hang out at the pool after the hurricane hit.  The beach was so windy with lots of waves.  I was not too sure about it.

I still managed to make a few sand castles with Daddy....

And then knock them down of course!

Mommy and I had fun hunting for shells.  I learned a few things from her.

We got to see a few beautiful sunsets

Thanks Mommy, Daddy and Pops for creating such wonderful memories!  I had so much fun.

-We had the wonderful opportunity to stay 10 days with Josh's dad in Ft. Myers a few weeks ago.  The vacation had many "firsts".  Brooks had his first airplane ride, first time to Disney, first hole in one playing Putt Putt, and first family vacation to name a few.  It was such a relaxing vacation, despite a mandatory evacuation of Ft. Myers beach during the hurricane.  We packed up our stuff and headed for Orlando.  Despite heavy rain in the morning, we braved Disney World.  With a few ponchos, we were ready to hit the rides.  After about an hour or so, the rain cleared up and it was a great day!  Overcast and cooler, but the best part was that the rain scared away the crowds.  The longest wait we had was about 15 minutes!  It could not have been more perfect.  I know Brooks will not actually remember Disney on this trip, but we hope to keep the magic alive in him.  There really is no place like Disney.

-We were able to fit in some more fun things for Brooks. Besides swimming, building sand castles, playing in the waves, we went to play putt putt, ride a small train, play at a cool park, and eat YUMMY food.  We could not have gone on this nice vacation without Pops inviting us to stay with him.  Thank you so much and what a great time we had!!!

All Aboard!!

Waiting for the State Fair Train

Wow...This is cool!

I loved watching the trees, cars and houses fly by

(If you listen closely...that is Brooks saying chooo-choooooo)

Just hanging out on the train.  I loved it!

Digging a hole to plant my seeds at the State Fair

Riding the tractor to the market

Watch out for Giant Pigs!!

My first Roller Coaster with Daddy.  I sat in the back 

and held my hands up in the air on the drops.  I loved it!

I liked the Truck Ride too!

I even rode a motorcycle...don't tell my Papa McCarroll!!

-Last weekend we took Brooks to the Indiana State Fair on the Fair Train.  It was so much fun.  Brooks had a blast!!  He LOVES trains and couldn't believe he was riding a "BIG" train.  What fun times!  He loved the State Fair too and cried when having to leave.  He got to ride on the rides, play a few games, eat yummy food, check out the animals, and go through the family interactive area.  We didn't even hit all the attractions.  What great memories.

-On a side note..I have not been as good with keeping up with my blog and I don't know if I mentioned that Brooks was diagnosed with asthma.  We were pretty sure he had it, but after visiting a pulmonologist, it was confirmed.  I feel bad for him..but it could be worse.  He just has to take inhaled steroids every night to help keep his lungs healthy.  We are hoping he will outgrow it. He also had an annual checkup with the allergist. He has outgrown his soy allergies, but not yet eggs.  The weird thing is that he has appeared to have outgrown a few of his tree nut allergies too.  The doctor was shocked about that one, as only 10% of kids outgrown them.  So...we are keeping our fingers crossed that each year it only gets better!

-Brooks is quite the character these days.  He says the FUNNIEST things and always keeps me on my toes.  He is challenging us with tantrums at times, but for the most part is such a good kid.  He has a mind of his own, but loves to learn from us.  He steals my heart with unexpected kisses and hugs.  He will randomly kiss me then say, "Mommy's heart happy?" or "Mommy happy now?".  It really is the sweetest thing. When I tell him..."I love you Brooksy", he responds with "Yeah Mom, I love you moon and back"  (his version of I love you to the moon and back).  He has a great memory and loves to help out around the house.  Brooks is still really interested in basketball and practices everyday.  Thanks to Papa McCarroll we hear, "Guard me" every evening or "Let's play basketball".  My dad has been playing with him and teaching him how to shoot, pass, dribble and guard.  It is so cute to see them together. I've seen a side of my Dad that I have never seen before.  It is so special to me.  We have been working on potty training...but UGH...we hit a wall.  I was so encouraged before with pee pee in the potty...but now he is refusing to go and needs bribes.  We still have never gotten any poop in the potty. Sometimes I wonder if it will ever happen.  I guess it will when he is ready.  Everyone tells me boys are harder to potty train (especially if they are the first born) and not to expect it until closer to 3 or later.  I guess time will tell.  School starts up again after Labor Day and he is so excited!  I can't believe summer is coming to a close for us.  It was a wonderful and active summer!

Videos

I have had a blast learning how to swim this summer with my Puddle Jumper.  I had fun hanging out with Cousin Cameron this summer!

I love going down big slides...I think Mommy was a little scared.

I got to hang out at Aunt Tara's soccer camp one day!

I love watching gymnastics on t.v. and had to try out some of my own Olympic moves

Love Bug

Young love

Helping Mommy babysit my Cousin Oliver

I was a little jealous of Oliver at first and wanted to be a baby too.

-Brooks has had a fun summer hanging out with his school friends during playdates.  When asked who his girlfriend is, he always says, "Georgia".  The photo above couldn't be staged and is just the cutest thing!  It is Georgia and him this summer at the Kids Concert Series.  It was one of the only times he actually was standing still and not running all over the park!

-We had the joy of watching my baby nephew, Oliver, or "Ober" as Brooks calls him.  Brooks was really jealous at first and would not share any of his toys.  He wanted all the attention.  He has gotten a little better at sharing and being nice to Baby Oliver.  It is an eye opening experience and a glimpse into what life might be like if we are able to have another baby ;)  There is something to say about spreading out the ages of your children!  Oliver is getting so big and so cute.  He is smiling and cooing all the time.  It is so fun to watch him grow up and I can't wait until Brooks and Oliver can run around chasing each other!

Yes...were are still here!

OK...So we are alive and enjoying our summer.  We have been pretty busy and I have not had time to blog...sorry!  We have been through a lot these past few months and I honestly have not felt like blogging lately.  But....I promise to catch up.  Here are a bunch of photos of our fun so far this summer.  I'll add captions and videos later...I'm pooped. Time for bed.  I'll update you on all the fun soon! (I updated the captions below)

I have had so much fun swimming in Grandma and PaPa's pool this summer!

I am obsessed with jumping on trampolines.  I now can go over to my cousin Cassidy's trampoline to burn off some energy!

My Uncle Tyler loves to jump with me too!

Ok..so I didn't know Mommy snapped this picutre.  She keeps saying this is "wedding photo" material.  What does she mean? I was just peeing onto the chair after mom took my swim suit off.  I have been working on potty training.

A few times I have even gone through the day wearing big boy pants and no accidents.  However, then I like to hold my poop. "Poopy" is now my favorite word.

Last month I visited my Grandparents in St. Louis.  Here I am "cheesing" with Daddy, Grammy and PawPaw "V".  I had fun spraying them with a hose!

Drying off with Mommy after running through the sprinklers at Pops Blackmores home

I got to ride a train at the St. Louis City Museum.

Daddy and I walked acoss the pond

And climbed to the top of this thing that over looks
the city there too

I got to hang out with my friend Nicholas

He makes the best silly faces!

Why does Mommy insist of taking these pix of me?

I've been enjoying the splash parks with mommy, daddy and sometimes my school friends!

I got to watch my first Fourth of July Parade with my family.
(Cousin Cassidy, Cousin Oliver and Aunt Tara shown)

They pass out candy! How can that get any better?  My friend Davis was there too!

Happy Fourth of July...without any firecracker.  I was a little sad, but maybe next year!

Baby Oliver

Aunt Tammy and Cousin Oliver

Can I see?

What's he doing?

Uncle Brian and his new son.  Don't they look alike?

I'm going to have to get used to sharing my Gamma

Huh...this kido may be ok in a few years.  Right now
all he does is sleep.

peek-a-boo

-My little sister Tammy and Brian had their baby.....it's a BOY!  Oliver James was born on 4/21/12 via C-section.  He was 8 lb 5 oz and 21 inches long.  Both Mom and baby are doing great.  He has been such a good baby so far.  He likes to eat, sleep and poop....can life get any better?  ha.  He has dark brown hair, beautiful skin tone, and a sweet face.  He is adorable.  Everyone says he looks like his Daddy's side of the family.  Everytime I seen him, I can't believe how much that is true!  Brooks has been really good with him and has not gotten too jealous yet.  He does not seem to notice him too much....except when he breast feeds.  He was really confused about that at first.  I think he now gets it...but boy was that a funny conversation!  I think he will really appreciate how cool it is to have a boy cousin close in age as Oliver starts interacting more.  Congrats Tammy and Brian....we are so happy for you both!  

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Helping Daddy open his presents

Helping Daddy water our trees

"Pops" Blackmore came in for Daddy's birthday weekend and I would not let him go home!

-Josh's birthday was on 4/20 and his dad came in for the weekend.  It was jammed backed with fun, good food, presents, and the birth of my new nephew!  Yep....I have a new nephew and will post all about him on the next post!  Brooks enjoyed singing Happy Birthday all weekend long to Josh and helped open the presents.  He of course helped blow out the candles as well.  He was so good all weekend and I think that was Daddy's best gift of all!  Pops was sad to leave, but I think Brooks was even sadder.  He kept saying, "No home Pops".  He really enjoys his time with his Pops.  Brooks just has this infectious love and happiness.  He has this unbelievable talent for making you feel like the most important person in the world.