Precious Smiles

Brooks is all smiles 95% of the time! We like to call him Smiley. He is content and will just hang out anywhere. What a trooper! He is getting all around our house and pulls up on everything. I am sure walking is soon. He now has 6 teeth (with the top 4 all coming around the same time). Ouch :( I can't believe that he will be one in 6 1/2 weeks. We love you little booger!!!
Madelyn is a little ham now when the camera comes out. She always wants her picture taken and then wants to see it on the screen. She can now count to 10 and can say most of her ABC's. It is so fun to see her little personality developing. She is a bossy big sister to Brooks and Hunter. For instance, she will say, "Hunter, get outside now!!!" It is quite amusing. We love you baby girl!!!

Decked out and ready for the pool!
One day last week, when Patrick was responsible for changing Brooks' diaper, this is what I found. Looks changed to me, doesn't it to you?

All Firsts....

Madelyn, Brooks, and I went to the Galleria last week with some friends. This was Madelyn and Brooks first time to ride the carousel. They both did great and seemed to like it. We will have to try it again soon.

Yesterday, Madelyn and I went to Kate's first birthday party. It was loads of fun and the birthday girl was so cute!!! Kate is on the left with her cute little 1st birthday swimsuit and on the right is one of her friends, Claire!
Madelyn loves playing in the pool.
Catelyn and Madelyn playing together (well, as much as you play together at that age).
Caroline having fun in the water!
Graham, with her cute little birthday wish hat! Happy 1st birthday Kate on Tuesday! We love you, Madelyn and Brooks

Madelyn's first pig tails! Dont you love how they stick straight out!
Brooks first time to actually not cry when we sat him in the grass! What a cutie!
This is the first time that they have sat together (without wiggling) and posed for a picture. And the funny thing is that Madelyn ask Brooks to sit next to her and "say cheese"!
Last night, we went to my friend Kaylin's Surprise 30th birthday party in Wetumpka. She was definitely surprised!!! To keep with the "firsts" theme - of course, 1st time to be 30. To bad we cant go backwards after turning 30!
Brooks and Kaylin's son, Dawson, playing with spongebob! They are exactly two months apart (Brooks being older).

Family Vacation

We had an awesome time on vacation with our family. We went to my brother's in-laws lake place in Saluda, NC last week. It is beautiful up there and so relaxing. We had fun hanging out, fishing, canoeing, swimming, swinging, playing games, eating (of course), shopping, and so on. My brother, Chris, and his wife, Allison, have 4 boys: Andrew and Carter (9 years old), Graham (7 years old) and Wyatt (turning 4 years old this week) and My sister, Wendy, and her husband, Bobby, have two children: Christopher (13 years old) and Ashlyn (11 years old).Madelyn and her cousin, Wyatt posing for a picture!Pepaw, my dad, and Brooks watching the girls play cards!Nana, my mom, and Wendy in front of this waterfall we went to see!Graham underneath the waterfall!
We went to this place called sliding rock. A place where you can slide down this big rock into freezing cold water (48 to 50 degrees). Above is the boys about to slide together.
Us waiting in line to slide. It took Wendy and I a little while to decide to do it because of the water temp.

Chris fishing!
Madelyn testing the water!
Us just chilling out!
Uncle Bobby and Brooks hanging out!

Me, Wendy, Harley, and Allison
Having fun floating!
The kids playing king of the trampoline!
Carter feeding Brooks (we had great help all week with him). Thanks so much!

Brooks' Baptism

Today, we had the privilege of having Brooks baptised at Oak Mountain Presbyterian Church. We are truly blessed to be apart of what God is doing at Oak Mountain. Thanks to all of you who have poured out so much love for us. Thank you for all the support and prayers. Please continue to pray as we strive to raise Madelyn and Brooks in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

Update on Mr. Brooks

Hey, I hope everyone is having a great summer. We are having a good time doing different activities with Madelyn and Brooks. Although, it is extremely hot outside. Last Thursday we went for Brooks' 9 month checkup and the doctor said that he looked great (except for a little ear infection in his left ear). :( He weighs 17 pounds 6 ounces (10th percentile for boys) and he was 27 3/4 inches tall (35th percentile). The doctor didn't have a problem with those percentages, so I guess I want worry. We just have little children.

The picture above is a cute picture I wanted to share of my wonderful children playing together.

Happy July 4th

As you can see from the slide show, we had a wonderful time at the lake for the long holiday weekend. It was great getting to spend time with family and friends. Welcome back Andrew and Elizabeth (we missed you)!

Happy Anniversary to my wonderful husband today! 7 awesome years and I pray for many more with him. I love you Patrick!!!

Fun Girls Night

Last night, the girls in our life group surprised Kristen and took her to Sips N Strokes for her 30th birthday (the 30's are great :) ). We all had a blast. My non-artist abilities showed up on my painting last night, but I will say that I did a better job than I thought I would have done before I arrived. Kristen, Happy Birthday and We love you!!!Fun Times!!! Look forward to doing this again! We missed you Veronique!!!