Back to the Braunf

Last weekend we headed to New Braunfels to celebrate Mom's birthday and Father's Day a little early. We always really enjoy ourselves, and this time was no exception. BIG bonus-I got to spend time with my friends Jennifer and Karene, two of my best buds in the world. Jennifer was in town for one of her rare trips home from Colorado where she now lives. I'm sure she's back there now enjoying some awesome weather. Here we are in front of the very tasty and unique Huisache restaurant. After lunch we headed to DQ for some ice cream, then to Landa Park where Brooke experienced her first train ride ever. Mom & Dad used to take us on this very train when we were little. Apparently back then it cost a quarter for a ticket. Surprise, surprise-the cost has skyrocketed to $2.25! Still pretty cheap entertainment though :-)
Brooke also enjoyed some quality time with Grammy. David and I went out to TWO MOVIES! We've only been to maybe one movie together since becoming parents, and this weekend we saw two! Yes, one of them was Kung Fu Panda that we only went to because my nephew needed someone to take him, but still we felt like rebels for all the nightlife. 

I thought I would take this opportunity to break some pretty alarming news to all you readers out there that think I have the happiest baby in town. Yes, even Brooke has her moments, more so now than ever. Little Miss Independent has picked up a strategy for getting what she wants-throwing completely horrible fits! See proof below. I just didn't want you to be shocked if you saw it happen in real life.

And she's back to her sweet self for the trip home. 

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Tagged by Hattie...

Rules are as follows: Link to the person who tagged you. Post the rules on your blog. Write six random things about yourself. Tag six random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs. Let each person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment at their blog. Let your tagger know when your entry is up.

1. I have the word "SUZUKI" burned into my knee... well really it just says "ZUKI".  I was 15 and 4wheeling at my family's ranch in New Mexico.  I thought I had made it through another wild riding adventure unscathed when suddenly my knee touched something really hot on the engine. Ouch. Now it just looks like a faded freckly birthmark.

2. I grew up working in the yard, building fences, fixing cars, and playing lots of sports. I never thought anything of it until I was all grown up and began to notice that not all girls do this. It was a great bonding time for me and Dad, and I hope Brooke grows up doing the same things with her daddy. Thank you Dad! 

3. I didn't really like David after our first date. He was late to pick me up and he talked the entire time. The only reason we went on a 2nd date was because he asked and I couldn't be rude. Good thing I gave him another chance! Turns out incessant talking is something he does when he's nervous. 

4. I do not know how to dive. I blame this solely on Miss Mary, my malevolent swim instructor. She pushed me, a five year-old terrified little girl, off the diving board into the deep end of the pool. My mom "had words" with the lady and we never went back for another lesson with her.

5. I want to move back to the Hill Country someday. It is home to me.

6. Among my top favorite material possessions is my down comforter. If I were to go on Survivor, that would be my one item. Also, I cannot sleep without covers.

I tag Dawn, Robin, Erin, Lori, Paige, & Emily

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Cameron Park

Saturday was a special day. We met our good friends Emily & Mark in Waco for some food, shopping, & fun. Emily and I have been friends since we were little, and I am so thankful for our lifetime friendship. We have also enjoyed getting to know and love her awesome husband Mark. We were all married within a month of each other. We even used the same bridesmaid dresses.

After lunch, we headed over to Cameron Park for some trail hiking. It was a beautiful day. Brooke enjoyed the hike from her front carrier. 

We ended up taking some "advanced" hiking trails. Just had to add that. (Advanced trails found totally by accident)

Had to put this one in there because Brooke was smiling in the breeze.

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In Good Hands

The plan today was to fill in for Lori and babysit Amy's sweet daughter Rachel. I decided I was actually running early so I should treat myself to some breakfast. Well as I was planning my turn to the McDonald's, some courteous drivers stopped and waved me through to the parking lot. I proceeded to turn when, CRASH!!! We were jolted violently and tilted with the impact of another car smashing into the passenger side of ours. Then in panicked slow motion, I got out of the car and opened the back seat door to find my little precious baby in tears, wailing but safe and secure in her car seat. I dialed 911. I looked over to see the woman in the other car disoriented but talking on the phone. Her airbags had deployed. The tears came. Soon enough the police and fire truck arrived. I remember thinking, Why is there a fire truck here? I called Amy to apologize and tell her what happened. She immediately offered to come pick us up. I left a message with David's school, and before I knew it he was on his way too. The paramedics quickly examined Brooke and said she looked fine. 

Wait a minute...my baby was fine? I was fine? Turns out the other woman was fine too. What a miracle! We were safe and unharmed. 

From this point time went a lot faster. Everyone else took care of things from here. Amy took Brooke and watched her in her car. Meanwhile she found another friend to babysit Rachel for the day. The policemen called the wrecker. The wrecker called the service place. David came with a big hug and cleared out our bags and car seat from the car. Then he said, "Let's get some breakfast." So the three of us finally had that breakfast I had set out to enjoy. 

When we got home I knew I had a call to make other than the insurance claims. You see, my selfless and generous parents are lending me their car. Oops. I was afraid to call Dad, so I called Mom first. She assured me that all they cared about was mine and Brooke's safety, she loved us soo much, and she would call Dad. Dad called a few minutes later and said about the same thing. Don't worry. Everything will be fine. 

God showed us love and protection today, just like every day but I really noticed it this day. He showed me just how much everyone around us cares. I am enjoying every minute of being home with Brooke today. I need to remember just how blessed we are, and that we are always in good hands. 

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Strollin' & Swingin'

One highlight of being a stay-at-home mom for me is walking with friends. Brooke likes getting out of the house too. And she looooves her other baby friends. Here are Brooke and her buddy Grace getting their stroll on. 

Grace was nice enough to share her front yard swing with Brooke. Obviously this girl likes to swing. You would think she had never swung before.

Yay!

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Gracey's party and poor, poor Pablo

Saturday was our friend Gracey's 2nd birthday party! I can't believe she is already two years old. She was adorable opening her presents and eating cake. She was more interested in picking up the trash than playing with her new toys.

Brooke had tons of fun too. She took full advantage and donned a Backyardigans party hat, sampled cupcake, and watched pinata festivities from the sidelines. 

"Mmmmm...sprinkles!"

Gracey enjoying birthday cake

The pinata was Pablo from the Backyardigans. Well, after a few swats, Pablo's body fell off and his head was left swinging in the wind. Gracey's eyes got big, her hands went up, and she said, "Fix Pablo?" So with some quick thinking, some duct tape, and some plastic zip ties, her daddy Davey "fixed" the pinata. The kids didn't seem to mind and the party went on. 

Gracey taking the 1st swing while Pablo is still in one piece.

Poor Pablo!

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Gotta Have a Big Red Bow

teBoth of David's teams won last night in very exciting games! Perhaps thanks in part to some extra support. We invited our small group to watch the game. The Eagles' #1 Fan

The weather was really weird. I would describe it as foggy & clammy... and muddy of course.

Our fabulous group!

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Friends and Firsts

Last weekend was supposed to be a "relaxing" weekend since we have a ton of activities scheduled through mid--no make that through the end of November. The thing is, when you're in town and don't have much planned, things start getting scheduled for those days. So we had a not so relaxing but way more fun than expected weekend full of friends and firsts.

Friday night David attended the high school game with his cousin Mark. Meanwhile, I took Brooke to a Stampin' Up Party at Kimberlee's. Brooke, of course, was so great while Mommy stamped. Saturday morning I woke up bright and early and got my flu shot. When I got home we packed up the car and headed to Colleyville to visit our dear friends Davey, Lacey, and their baby Gracey at their new house! Let me just say that Mapquest is not always so clear, so we ended up turning around about seven times before we found their house. Davey & Lacey were also hosting some out of town friends from Harding, so it was a fun little group. Little Gracey was soo sweet with baby Brooke. She needs the practice, as her mommy will be having another baby in March. Every time we asked Gracey, "Do you want a new baby sister?" She said, "No." It was really funny.

We left at around 4:00 because we had to be at Justin & Allison's house at 6:30 for Dinner for 8. We swung by home and got some new bottles prepared and made a quick stop at Tom Thumb to buy a chocolate cake, as I had volunteered to make dessert. Well someone made it anyway. It ended up being a pretty good cake. I was relieved when we got to their house and saw that I was not the only one bringing store bought things to the dinner. Brooke was really awesome considering she had had a very busy day. Our friends were so sweet with her and very understanding. We were the only ones in the group with a baby, so she had lots of willing hands to hold her.

We got home that night and I cooked up some food for potluck the next morning. We actually made it to early service for the first time as parents, only about 5 minutes late. Brooke was making happy noises during Sunday School, but noises just the same, so we went out into the hallway and played with sweet little Ava. This is their first picture together.

After church and before the Cowboy game, we decided to drive around and look at houses. We needed to stop and feed Brooke, and we ended up finding this cute little park. Brooke tried out a playground swing and slide for the first time. Our little girl is getting so big!

We made it home shortly after the Cowboy game started, and left for evening service at church right after halftime. I was really proud of David for pulling himself away from the game to go to church. What a great leader of our family! It turned out to be a great thing, because watching the outcome of the game would have been pretty painful.

We decided that we can't just pick up and do a bunch of stuff like we did pre-baby. It's rather exhausting for us and for her. We are learning as we go I guess, and we're having so much fun!

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Strollerskating

Yesterday we tried Strollerskating at the local roller rink with our friends Jill & her baby Mason. This was really fun and I have to admit I am a little sore today. I think I will get better with practice. I didn't grow up around much concrete so I'm not exactly the skating expert. In fact, the only bone I've ever broken was done so while rollerblading down a hill in college. I was careful this time, probably going much slower than our friends were used to, and I stuck close to the wall. I think we'll try it again soon!After skating, we headed over for a playdate with our friends Emily & her baby Grace. The girls are pretty funny because they are beginning to notice each other. We're so thankful we have such wonderful friends that hang out with us during the day!

Grace has a beautiful nursery. I didn't really capture much of it with this picture, but it is decked out in brown and pink. So girly!

And here are some fun pictures we've taken lately...

"Does this diaper make my butt look big?" (From some of David's coworkers)

Brooke has found her feet and loves to hold them. Thankfully they haven't made it to her mouth yet.

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Canton & Cowboy Fever Weekend

12 hours: My new longest record for being away from my Brookie Baby. What an eventful 12 hours though! I went with a few friends to Canton and we shopped til we dropped. I only went $12 over my limit! I got 2 Circle E candles (made in Fredericksburg--close to home), one other candle, a beyond cute diaper bag with a bright pink "B" embroidered on it, and a sign for Brooke's room. It was great for me to get out of the house. I really enjoyed getting closer with the girls on the trip.



Well football season is starting to get a little exciting... Cowboys are 4-0 so far this season. I have to say I'm a fair-weather fan, while David is and will always be a true blue Cowboy fan. Daddy & Baby watched the game together today. Brooke sported her Cowboys onesie from Aunt Diana.



Speaking of football, David coached his first game of the season last week. They won and are excited to play again this Tuesday. Brooke did really well at both "Red" (A team) and "Blue" (B team) games. I went to a resale shop and found a couple long sleeved onesies and ironed on some lettering so we can cheer Daddy on at the games. I realized holding a baby at the games may require me getting one of those stadium seat dealies with a back on it, so I'm shopping around for one.
The white one says "eagles" in rhinestones (of course).


With the start of school I am thankful again that David teaches and coaches middle school. I'm reminded of our first year of marriage when we hardly ever saw each other in the daytime because he was a high school coach. This schedule is so much better for a family, plus he really loves his job. God is good!





We're looking forward to another busy week!

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