Pumpkin Patch (times 2)

We went to the Pumpkin Patch in Clanton this past Sunday with some good friends from Montgomery. We had an awesome time. Madelyn and I rode the little tractor ride with Klay and Kaden and then we rode behind the big tractor in a wagon to pick a pumpkin.

Kaden and Madelyn

Sweet little Brooks always smiling

Our sweet friends (Klay, Laura Leigh, and Kaden) and us on the wagon headed to pick a pumpkin

Madelyn and Brooks picking the perfect pumpkin

We also went two weeks ago to the pumpkin patch with our church friends. The big difference in the trips was that on the first trip it was only me trying to keep up with two kiddos (and it was very hard because they were fussy that day). But, we still had fun! It was six mommies and seven kids (me being the only one with two).

Brooks driving the tractor!All the kids, except Brooks (all of them are looking different directions-I guess it is impossible to get them to look at the camera)

Tag --- I'm it (again)!!

This time it's a photo tag. I normally get tired of these "Tag your it" things but I liked this one because it was different. The rules are to go to your photo files and post the 6th photo in the 6th file. So, here ya go: The second picture of Madelyn at the park in 2007 is the 6th photo in the 6th file.

The first picture of little man was the the 6th photo in the 6th folder from the bottom of my files. The photos are backwards from how they needed to be posted because after 7 months of blogging I still post pictures wrong (ex. the last two posts I have done). I guess I still need blogging 101!!! Tag! Now you are it,

The Molls

The Collins

The Lawlers

The Brantleys

The McMakins

The Woodalls

Okay. So that's my six. I hope yall enjoy! :)

Samford Homecoming

Today, we went to Samford's Homecoming with my Brother's family, Sister's family, and my parents. My brother, sister, brother-in-law, and sister-in-law all went to Samford. The above picture is my sister, Wendy, my brother, Chris, and myself (it's rare we get a picture together). We had fun doing all kinds of activities. Note: again the pictures are a little out of order - Sorry!

Madelyn and Pepaw

Aunt Allison and Brooks

The Coats Family

All the kids except Brooks

We rode in a hot air balloon while on campus. It was a so much fun!

This is us up in the air!

Ashlyn, Andrew, Carter, Graham, and Wyatt with Spike the mascot

Roll Tide (the was taken after the UA beat TN)!!!

Pepaw and Nana watching the game tonight

Madelyn is having fun at the game. This was her first college football game.

Chris and Allison

Patrick and Leslie

Brooks' First Birthday Party

Yesterday, we had Brooks' first birthday party at the park. Everything was perfect, including the weather. Brooks had a ball playing with all his friends and eating lunch. The part he enjoyed the most was his cake. As soon as it was placed in front of him, he dug in and was probably thinking why have I not had cake before now, this is yummy! He was pretty much a smurf after he was done. Surprisely it all came out of his clothes. One of my good friends, Deborah, helped me all day Friday decorate the cake. I really enjoyed doing it but was glad to be done late Friday afternoon. Thanks so much Deborah! Thank you to all of our family and friends who came to celebrate with us. We love you, the Harwell's!

Quackers Visits Our Family

Quackers, one of Madelyn's preschool class friends, came home to visit with us last Thursday to this Tuesday. He had so much fun with us, but stayed extremely busy. He was very tired by Tuesday. Madelyn, Quackers, Brooks, and mommy went to the zoo on Friday with some friends. Quackers enjoyed strolling around with his new friends.
"I love posing for pictures" says Quackers.
Quackers ate a lot of pancakes on Saturday morning when we went there for Brooks' Birthday breakfast. He was very very full when he left.
He wanted to get a picture in front of the fountain while he waited to get a table at the pancake house. "Say Cheese," Madelyn told Quackers.
Sorry, it's fuzzy! Quackers and Madelyn rode a little ride while at the science center on Saturday. Quackers thought that place was really cool.

Quackers went to church on Sunday morning and was a visitor in Madelyn's Sunday School class. He learned about how much God loved him.
After church, Quackers took a short nap and then he was off to carve a pumpkin with Madelyn and her mommy at a friend's house. Then he had supper with Madelyn's mommy's life group. He was exhausted at the end of the day!
On Monday, Quackers went to workout at the gym and then went to a new friends house to play and watch Madelyn and Brooks get their hand and foot prints pressed in clay.

Well, we had a great time with Quackers and we were sad to see him return to Madelyn's school Tuesday morning. We miss you Quackers!

Madelyn wrote (well, actually mommy wrote) a report on what Quackers did at our house (that was part of the project). They have circle time each week to discuss what Quackers did the week before. I mean really, does homework start at 2 years old now? :)

UPDATE ON BROOKS:

We went for Brooks' 1 year checkup today and the doctor said that he looked great. His ear infection from 3 weeks ago is gone (thank goodness). He weighs 19 lbs 5 1/2 ozs (5th to 10th percentile for boys) and his height is 30 1/2 inches (75th percentile for boys). So right now he is basically tall and skinny. We were shocked that he was 75th percentile in height. He had to get 5 shots and that is never good for him or mommy. But, he did great. The doctor said that we could not turn him around in his car seat yet because of his weight. :( He also said, which I thought was odd, that some doctors recommend you dont do it until 22 pounds (I think that is a new thing). Has anyone heard of that?

Happy Birthday Brooks

Happy Birthday to our Little Man!!!!! Where has our year gone? Brooks has blessed us in so many ways. I praise God everyday for our amazing children and for the opportunity to raise them. My prayer is that one day my children will be one of God's children - "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." Matthew 19:14

The four of us celebrated Brooks' actual birthday today. (Sorry: The pictures are way out of order because of how I loaded them.) We gave him his first firetruck and his new car seat (we will see this week if he weighs enough to use it turned around).

This is him eating a little cake bite (right before bed - are we a little crazy or what?). Hope he sleeps well!

We started the day by eating pancakes at a local pancake house. Brooks loves pancakes!!!!!!
After eating pancakes, we went to a science center here in town. Madelyn and Brooks had fun playing there.

Mommy and Madelyn's hands
This is when Brooks was opening his gift tonight! He enjoyed tearing into the paper.

Mommy and Madelyn made sugar cookies to take to Brooks' class last Thursday to celebrate his birthday with them.

The four of us at breakfast. Well, we had a great day spending time with our little guy! We are looking forward to celebrating his birthday next Saturday with friends and family at the park. Happy Birthday Brooks! We love you, Daddy, Mommy, and Madelyn

Good Friends

Some of our good friends from Montgomery came up today to spend time with us. Dawson is 10 months and Jaycie is 4. I have been good friends with their mom for a long time and we were in each others wedding in 2001. We had a great time playing in the front yard and then in the back yard. I thank God every day for all of our friends!