Parker and Brooks

Then...
Brooks was almost one and Parker was only a couple of weeks old:

Now...
Brooks will proudly tell you that he's 2 1/2 and Parker is 19 months:

It was great fun watching the boys interact, share toys (most of the time), and chase each other around the house. The last time Cari and Parker came to visit Parker was just crawling around...things have changed a lot since then!


It was special, too, because Aunt Cari got to meet Laney for the first time. Just some extra practice for her baby coming in April.

While Daddy is away...

I don't want to forget...

I feel like if I don't write this stuff down I'll never remember all the cute things Brooks is saying these days:

"Mommy. Mommy. Mom. Maaamaa! Mommy. MOM! Mommyyyyy!" He had to have said my name at least 100 times on our way home from church the other day.

The other day we were just hanging out in his room. He looked at me and in the cutest voice said, "You're my best friend mom!" Oh, I just melted.

Me: "Brooks don't you want to go teetee on the big boy potty?"
Brooks: "Naaa!"

Brooks' new favorite game is to tell us to lay down and sleep (a pretty good game if you ask me). The other day he was playing this game with Chad. Chad was trying to get up and Brooks kept saying, "No Dad! I tell you to lay down!" He's quite demanding.

When we wrestle with Brooks it's obvious when he's had enough: "No! Stop everybody!"

Chad: "What are you doing, bud?"
Brooks: "I'm doing stuff."

Brooks was acting silly at the dinner table and Chad called him a dork. Brooks said, "No, Dad. I not a dork! I a big boy!"

I've mentioned that he loves to sing songs, but he has gotten better at making up random songs for everything. He kind of reminds me of a walking musical. The other night he was singing, "I want an olive please, mom. I want an olive please, mom, please."


My little boy...such a great combination of silliness and sweetness.

Oh girl!

I love to nuzzle my face up against her cheeks. They may be small...but they are so adorable.

I love putting bows in her hair...everyday. Okay, so this bow was just for fun, and just for this picture. It's so big on her little head - it cracks me up!

I love that over Christmas she wore her first little dress with tights. I've been waiting to see her in tights. In my opinion there's nothing cuter than a little girl with tights and a dress.

I love how she holds her head up to look around. Her adorable little tongue sticking out is pretty darn cute, too. And check out those BRIGHT blue eyes.
Man - she's so stinking cute!

I love her smile. She is smiling more everyday and completely loves interacting with us. She has this funny smile where she opens her whole mouth.

And then she has this funny smile out of the side of her mouth.

I have to say...I love the pink! I never thought I would. I guess as long as it's not on me it's okay.

No White Christmas Here!

After spending Christmas Day in Austin, we traveled down South to Corpus to be with The Hoffman Crew.
Brooks had 4 cousins, 2 grandparents, 2 aunts, 2 uncles, mom, dad, and sister to play with all under one roof.
Brooks (2 1/2), Brodie (4 1/2), Megan (almost 5), Delaney (2 months), Dawson (7 1/2), Bryan (7 1/2)

Delaney loved hanging out with her Aunt Jill.

This was a popular nighttime activity.

And this was a popular daytime activity.

And on the last day...some mini golf with Brodie!

Christmas Memories 2010

All ready for Christmas Eve service.


Christmas Eve service and Brooks was super excited to hold the candle.

Hanging out on Christmas Eve with our precious little girl.


Santa was here!

The best present under the tree this year was definitely our little peanut.

Brooks on his bike for the first time. Okay, so he can't reach the pedals, but he'll grow into it.

Opening presents was so fun this year. Brooks was totally into it. He loved his dump truck!

Christmas in the Kitchen

Between cooking meals, baking cookies for Santa, and making a birthday cake for Jesus - we were in the kitchen a lot. Brooks had a great time helping out!

Our family cookie tradition is making cookies with the cookie press. We make all sorts of shapes, color the dough and add sprinkles. In my opinion - they are the BEST cookies!

Brooks and Gammy were getting pretty excited to eat some cookies!

Can you tell which cookie Brooks sprinkled all by himself?

Making a birthday cake for Jesus on Christmas Day.

And like every good baker...Brooks licked the batter off the beaters.


P.S. Brooks got that hat in the last box of his advent calendar. I knew he'd love it. He wore it all day.