Brooks 1st day of Kinder & Meet the Teacher

Today, my sweet little boy started Kindergarten.  He had a great day and was happy as could be when we picked him up this afternoon.  I was a nervous wreck all day and a little teary.  I taught school for five years before we started a family and knew what to expect.  BUT, when it is your child, it's a whole different ballgame.  I have prayed about his teacher, the friends Brooks will chose, and this day for many months.  I know that God placed him where he needs to be and I trust Him!!

A few pics from Meet The Teacher last week...thanks J for the collage tip!!

First Day of School Pics:

He was so excited about his new Star Wars lunch box/backpack and new shoes that light up!!



On our way...



We parked and walked in today.   He led the way. :)

*Little brothers chubby little leg in the background*

Probably my favorite pic of the morning...Daddy giving him a pep talk before I took him into the school!!

Pirate coloring sheet waiting on his desk...perfect!!

He was a little nervous and seemed to be holding back a few tears when we first got into the classroom.  Mama held it together until we got back home.  I missed him today!!

Putting his name on his first paper in Kinder

A few of his table-mates

This happy fella was waiting on me outside.  He was in a happy/silly mood today which helped A LOT!!

Brooks' 5th Birthday Party...Let's Play Ball!!

I truly cannot believe my sweet, little boy is 5!!  We celebrated in a big way this year.  On Saturday, January 29th we headed to Minute Maid Stadium for some baseball fun.  Brooks has been talking about this party for almost a year.  Would tell everyone who mentioned his next birthday that his party would be at the baseball stadium.  This little boy loves "EVERYTHING" sports.  I was a little surprised at the red tape involved with having a party at a major league baseball stadium.  I was required to send a list of every guest attending the party, we were not allowed to leave the party at any time unless the staff were notified, etc.  The party began with a tour of the stadium and then the best part...heading out onto the field.  The boys ran the bases, got in the Astros dugout, and played in the visitors bullpen.  Every little boys dream!!  Then, we had a lesson on how baseball and bats are made.  Finally, time for cake in one of the suites overlooking the field.

Warning, lots of pictures.  I still need to add a picture of the invites and party favors. 

On the door of our birthday suite

Our group at the beginning of the tour

Headed down to the field

Anxiously waiting to go on the field

Sweet little brother

Listening to the rules before running the bases

And, off he goes...

Bennett sitting on home plate(how cool will this picture be at his senior banquet!!)

Birthday boy standing on 1st base...love this one!!

Sweet boys...Brooks & his buddy Ethan

Our family on the Astros field

Just hanging out in the dugout

Some of the boys in the Astros dugout

The cutest cheerleader ever...my sweet Evie May

Sisters

Some of the boys standing in front of the manual scoreboard

Bennett boy in the dugout with his Baba & Poppa

Great picture of Bennett with MeMe & Pop'O

Mom, Mimi, Uncle Dale & Uncle Mitch

Corbin hanging out in the bullpen

Learning about how bats are made

Cuteness...

Our friend, Drew Stubbs, is the starting centerfielder for the Cincinnati Reds(#6)
Brooks and I are wearing his shirt at the party.  We gave his baseball card in the party favors.

Can we say someone is excited to have cake?

Bennett & Evie fighting over cheerios...

YUM

Sweet baby girl is sleepy

One last picture in the suite before leaving the stadium

Holidays 2009: Part 3 Christmas with Bryan's family

This year, we decided to spend Christmas at our home.  Bryan and I were both fortunate enough to grow up near our grandparents, so we were always home Christmas morning.  Unfortunately, we don't live near our parents and usually switch out spending the holidays with them.  Brooks was about to turn four and it was the first year he really "understood".  So, we celebrated with Bryan's family one weekend in December and then with my family after Christmas. 

Our very first gingerbread house

Wanted to include a picture of our front door...I made the garland & was really pleased with how it turned out!!

Early Christmas Weekend in Abilene:

We always enjoy our visits to West Texas.  Bryan grew up in Abilene and we lived there two years after we got married.  We hit up our fav restaurants: Rosa's, Abuelos, & Joe Allen's BBQ.  Bryan has a big family and we got together with them one night at his grandmother's house(hate I didn't take any pics there).  We also took Corbin and Brooks to have their pic made with Santa.  Fun weekend with family!!

Brooks & MeMe watching How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Linsey, Corbin, Brooks, & Bryan before opening gifts

Brooks dancing to the Sunday Night Football theme song by Faith Hill, you can see her on the TV.  He did this with Bryan every Sunday and it was hilarious. 

Modeling his new Thomas the Train backpack

Brooks & Corbin have the best time playing together.

MeMe pushing the boys around the kitchen...fun times!!

Holidays 2009 Part 2: Thanksgiving & Brooks' 1st time "hunting"

Fall is such a fun and busy time of year for our family. Each October we go home so Bryan can help my dad get the farm ready for hunting season.  Hunting season is a big deal in our family and I know Bryan looks forward to the day he can take Brooks & Bennett with him.  Brooks decided he wanted to go hunting.  So, we all dressed in camo and headed to the farm.  My family's farm is out in the country and such a peaceful, beautiful place.  I love to spend time there.  It is a tree farm(no horses, cows, etc) about 30 minutes from my parents house.  My parents are putting in a hunting cabin.  So this year the guys will have a place to go,after the morning hunt, to have breakfast, watch football, and hang out.  Mom, the boys, and I will go down a few times I'm sure. 

Brooks in the deer blind

Fun day with my boys

Baba and our little hunter

Brooks and Poppa on the tractor

We spent Thanksgiving 2009 with my family.  It was the last holiday I got to be with my Papa.  He was living at my parents house while taking dialysis.  He was really sick, but I got to spend quality time with him that I will treasure forever.  Each night, after we put Brooks to bed, I would go into his room to watch TV and talk to him.  I thought it was so sweet that Brooks would go into Papa's room throughout the day to check on him.  He loved his Papa so much!!

Brooksie and his Papa

My mom and her parents

A treausered photo, my family praying and giving thanks for our many blessings.

Thanksgiving 2009 family photo