Training him early...

Having fun at the Butler Bulldog Beauty Contest

They had BALLOONS there!

I got this football and helmet there too!

(too bad they didn't give the Colts some luck!)

I'm learning early how to be a Cardinal's fan

(with the help of "Pops" of course!)

-This past weekend was packed with fun and family time. Josh's dad, "Pops", came in town to see the new house with his bully, Kap'em. It was also Butler's homecoming where we go to the Bulldog Beauty Contest each year. Brooks thought it was cool to see so many bullies in one place...but had more fun running around and finding balloons.

-We spent Saturday night watching the Cardinals in the World Series. Brooks is getting trained early on how to cheer on the Cardinals. Anytime he sees redbirds on a bat, he says "Go cardinals" in the best way he knows how. He had a blast with "Pops" and was sad to see him go.

22 months and Happy Birthday Papa McCarroll!

Happy Birthday Papa!!

-Brooks is now 22 months old (sigh)....almost the big 2! He still makes us laugh everyday and melts our hearts with his sweet side. He is so polite and always says, "tank tou mama" or "tank tou dada"...etc. He is also taking after me (good or bad) by cleaning up after himself. For example....I took off his pants to change his diaper the other night. Since it was close to bedtime I left them on the floor. He (without being asked) got up, picked them up, walked over to the laundry room and put them on the floor. He also picked up a used paper towel (I had not yet thrown away) and marched over to the trash to throw away. He also knows exactly where his toys go and puts them away (majority of time). Ok...Ok...so maybe a little OCD like his mom when it comes to putting things in their place, but I LOVE it! hehehehe

-He is really enjoying school and seems to be doing well there. He gets excited when driving there in the morning and always asks for his "uh, oh, oh" song (aka "Put a Ring on it" by Beyonce). He is learning his colors (most things are yellow) and numbers (most are two). He is recognizing when we are close to home (he says "bru bru, seesee" for Brutus and Sweet Pea) and says "mamaw, papa" when going to my parents home. He surprised me the other day when we went to the grocery store (he did not know we were headed there) and said "balloon?" when we turned into the shopping area. He always gets a free Kroger balloon when going to the store.

-The past 22 months have been so much fun and I just want to freeze this time. Wonder what he'll do next.....

Another Week of Fun

Wednesday:

Watching Uncle Ty Ty's IU soccer game

with Cousin Cassidy against Butler

Thursday:

Lining up at school to go outside to....

A pumpkin patch!

(Hey..I wanted that one)

Friday:

Hanging out with Dada at the Children's Museum

Now THIS is a train table!

I got to crawl thru tunnels...

Play in the sand...

Splash around in the water...

And drive an Indy race car

(RIP Dan Wheldon...our thoughts

are with his family)

-Brooks had a week filled with fun! I took Brooks to Butler on Wednesday night to watch his Uncle TyTy's IU soccer team. He had more fun running around and chasing after the (older) girls. My best friends' daughters were there to keep him entertained. Of course his Cousin Cassidy always makes him smile.

-Thursday Brooks went to the pumpkin patch at school (it was really just outside the church) and parents were invited to join in on the fun. It was my first time getting to see Brooks interact with his friends and teachers. I was SO impressed that all the kids held onto the rope and followed the teachers so well! In the video you can hear Brooks saying "Hi mama". It took him a few glances to realize....Mama was at school!!!

-Since Josh was unable to make the pumpkin patch...he decided to take Friday off work...YEAH! We had some family fun at the Children's Museum. There was so much to do and Brooks really enjoyed himself. He saw trains, rode a carousel, played in the sand/water, planted flowers, crawled through tunnels, saw dinosaurs, walked through a mirror maze, gaze at ceiling of colored glass....to name a few!

-Saturday was a day to hang out and play.....then Sunday we had a birthday dinner to celebrate PaPa McCarroll's birthday a little early.

-On a side note.....Happy 3rd Birthday for Kap'em ("Pops" Blackmore's bulldog). See you soon!

Whew! What a fun week it was! As well as a weekend of work for me.....

Before

After: Done with wood work!!!

Now for painting of walls and baseboards/window trim/pillars!

(only 2 months later...ugh!)

Pumpkins and.....Rainbows??

Check out this shot from our backyard.

I got to see my first rainbow.

Look closely and you can see a second rainbow!

Think I will find a pot of gold behind my swing set?

Sitting "pretty"

Always giving mama a hard time

(I was actually a little nervous on the hayride)

What about this pumpkin?

Maybe this one is more my size

We got 3 nice BIG pumpkins totaling 71 lbs!!

-We took advantage of this beautiful fall day and headed to the pumpkin patch! Brooks was really excited to pick out a pumpkin....that was until he realized he had to take a hayride to the patch. It is so funny...he is ALL about tractors, but when encountering a big, loud tractor that he was actually going to RIDE behind....he got scared. He was not too sure about the hayride. But, with some reassurance and other kids to distract him.....he did great. We found 3 "perfect" pumpkins. Josh always looks for the biggest and roundest pumpkin and I always look for the more unique shaped or stemmed pumpkin. I am all about the stems for some reason. ---Brooks also got to see Cousin Cassidy play soccer later in the day. He really enjoyed running around, kicking the ball, and cheering on Cassidy. He even got to hear a real LOUD choo-choo train passing right by the fields. After getting over some nervousness, he was super excited to hear it pass by another 4 times! What a day.....pumpkins, soccer, tractors and trains...oh my!

-On a side note...the first posted picture was taken last Sunday from our back porch. The double rainbow is so beautiful and looks like it ends just on the other side of the neighbor's yard. Some things are just so breath-taking no matter how many times you see it.

Sweet Music

Practicing my piano ;)

WOW....Look what I found in my playroom

when coming home on Monday

A PIANO from Grammy Videmschek

Thank You!!

-Grammy sent Brooks this cool piano the other day. It only took a minute and he was pounding away. Music to my ears....hee hee. Not quite, but I think it is a great idea for Brooks to have another interests rather than tractors and balls. It is fun to randomly hear him in his playroom making music. Thanks for thinking of him!!!

GO CARDINALS!

I got his COOL fire truck from "Pops"

(I don't think you are really supposed to ride it)

I love hanging out with Great Grandpa

Grammy even stopped by to see me again!

I never sit still when taking pictures with mama

Headed to my first Cards game with dada and "Pops"

Where's Fredbird?

Thanks "Pops" for the awesome seats....

only if I actually sat in it!

Blackmore Crew

Trying to say "GO Cardinals" in prep for the big game

(we were hanging out at Great GPa's house for dinner)

-Last weekend was long in waiting for Josh and "Pops" Blackmore.....they got to take Brooks to his first Cardinals Baseball game!!! I of course tagged along to help chase after the wild man. He really thought the stadium was cool and liked looking for "Fred bird" (cardinals mascot). He liked looking for him so much, that he only wanted to roam the halls. He did not actually watch the game, but really enjoyed running up and down the ramps. The game started right when he would be going down for a nap...so he crashed at the 5th inning and we left early. I know Josh can't wait until Brooks is a little older so he can take him to more games. We enjoyed our weekend away in St. Louis with "Pops". He got to visit with Great Grandpa, eat good food, and play hard all weekend long. "Pops" spoiled Brooks as usual with cool firetruck and new Cardinals gear....he has such wonderful Grandparents. We feel blessed. Thanks for a wonderful weekend!!

21 months old and full of fun

My first BIG WHEEL

(thanks Grandma McCarroll)

Grammy go higher!

I love Choo Choo Trains!

My first time inside Connor Prairie

Hanging out at the Apple Store in Connor Prairie

Learning how to ride the Big Wheel

-Brooks had a great weekend! Grammy and "PawPaw" came to visit from St. Louis and we took advantage of the beautiful weather. We went to Connor Prairie to explore the wilderness ;) and to get some yummy treats at the Apple Store. We lucked out and found a playground as well. Brooks also enjoyed playing inside at the Discovery Zone. He gravitated to the train table and off course to the big hot air balloon. He loved going on walks, skipping, swinging, and riding his big wheel with Grammy. He was very sad to see them leave.

-Brooks is 21 months old now!! So close to 2....sigh. I just want to bottle him up so I will never forget these moments. He is so much fun and such a happy boy. He loves to ride his big wheel fast down the driveway, go high "up up up" in the swing, and go flying down the slide. He's all boy....balls, trains, cars, trucks, tractors, etc. He is also such a mama's boy....loves to cuddle, hug and give me kisses. He loves his snuggle time with Daddy on the couch and rough and tumble play on the floor. He is such a joy and makes my day. What did we do with ourselves before life with Brooksy??

-On a side note...I want to congratulate my sister Tammy and brother in law Brian....they are prego! It was a bit of a surprise, but a welcome blessing. After a year of marriage, their lives are about to change....but for the better :) Congrats!

What matters most...

Check out that Walrus!

No you feed him Mommy

Hi Elephant!

-I wanted to first say how sadden we are that 10 years ago The United States was forever changed. Our hearts go out to those who lost family members in the World Trade Centers. We decided to spend the weekend together...as a family. That is what matters most to me, family time. We never know when life will be taken from us...so I want to create as many memories for Brooks as I can. We decided to go to the Zoo Saturday morning when we woke up. Brooks really enjoyed himself. He got to feed a giraffe, pet an elephant, and "talk" with the monkeys. He learned to say "cheetah" and "porcupine". We then went to Aunt Tammy and Uncle Brian's house for a cookout. We hung out on Sunday reliving all the 9/11 stories on t.v. It is amazing how it feels like it happened yesterday. Time might heal all....but a heart never forgets.

My first day of "skool"

Why is mom taking all these pictures so early in am?

On my way to school!

Almost there!

My classroom

I'm in the "butterfly" group

Mom? Who is she? I got CARS!

This is what Brooks looked like 10 seconds after I said bye to him on his first day of "school"....Did not even phase him!!! Not sure if I should be happy or sad ;)

-Well...today was the day I have been dreading since January. Brooks started an early preschool (mother's day out) program. I've had such anxiety about leaving Brooks with "strangers" for 4 whole hours!!! But, Brooks was such a big boy. He strutted into class wearing his backpack and saying "hi" to everyone. He looked a little unsure when we got to the classroom, but gave me a kiss and said bye. He went right in and started playing with the cars. I don' t even think he looked back to see where I went! I was so proud of him, but so sad to see my little man all "grown up". I think this will be a great social experience for him to make new friends. He appeared to have enjoyed himself and the teachers said he did great. Day 1 done! Day 2 should be much easier for mommy ;)

Labor Day Fun

Sporting my Uncle Tyler soccer button

Waiting to catch my soccer ball

I got it!

-We had a wonderful Labor Day weekend. Josh cooked up some yummy ribs on Saturday and we enjoyed hanging out at the house. Sunday we headed to IU to see Uncle Tyler play soccer. Brooks was so good and had SO much fun. He got another soccer ball and even got the team to sign it this time. So cool! We met Grandma, PaPa, Uncle Brian and Aunt Tammy at the game. Brooks enjoyed running around, playing ball and screaming "goal!!!!". Monday was laid back and very easy. I love days then everything just works. Brooks was happy, naps were easy, weather was beautiful, food was yummy and life was good....until the attack of the bumble bees!!! We were eating dinner outside and two pesky bees were wanting our food. One got stuck in Brooks's sweatshirt and stung him...ouch! He of course starting to break out in hives and face started swelling. Ugh....benedryl time. After about 15 minutes the hives started to lessen and the medicine started to take its affect. Good thing it was close to bed time because Brooks was feeling loopy. Poor Kid....what else is he going to be allergic to? It was almost a perfect day ;)

Fireplace update:

-I forgot to mention I got to the painting stage...finally!

After 2 coats of primer

One coat gray (bad lighting...sorry!)

(Plan to do back of cabinets in gray and rest of the woodwork in a creamy white color)

6 Years of Love...

Honk Honk!!

Tractor, Tractor!!

Can you see me?

Hee hee....

(I got these glasses at the truck exhibit)

-Last weekend Josh and I celebrated our 6 year anniversary (Aug 27). We spent the morning hanging out with Brooks at the "Things-that-go Rodeo". It had lots of different trucks, tractors, cars, and a bubble truck! Brooks was in heaven. He then spent the night at the Lindley's (my sister Tara) house. He went to his first Carmel High School Girls soccer game and had a blast hanging out with his cousins. Josh and I had a rare evening to ourselves. We went to a wine bar and then out to eat. It was a nice change of pace for the two of us and we had a wonderful evening!! We had planned not to get each other anything because we are focusing on the home, but Josh did not listen. He bought me beautiful flowers and tickets for us to see the Bad Boys of Dance at the new Palladium. I can't wait!!!! What a wonderful surprise...even though I felt awful because I did not get him anything. I can't believe Josh and I have been married for 6 years. So much has changed in just 6 years that I can not even imagine what the next 6 years will bring!