a much needed vacation

We returned last weekend from an incredible week in florida sailing with my mom and phil. the weather was beautiful - 90 and sunny almost every day. it took us a few days to get used to the heat, but it was a welcome change from the 19 degrees and sleet we left behind in denver! while we spent most of our time relaxing by the pool, we also managed to stay busy with a lot of fishing, taking the boat out four days, an afternoon of golf, and a few games of cards. Brooks loved being on the boat and especially loved to nap when we took the boat out of the marina. the rocking was perfect! he also loved his first feel of the sand, eating dinner on the dock, swimming and splashing in the pool, and a lot of good time with nana and grandpa phil.

we were also lucky enough to have Brooke and Lee join us for the last few days of vacation. the weather turned a little cooler for their arrival, but we still enjoyed cocktails at sunset on the isla docks and late night dinners aboard Infinity.

Hoping for another Roctober

As we near the end of the regular season, Denver is alive with Rockies fever, and just as in 2007, the fuquays are totally hooked! Even the newest Denver Fuquay is a big fan of the hometown team!
With only six more games to go in the regular season and a wild card bid at stake, every game is do or die. So, on Saturday night, we decided at the last minute to head downtown to catch a big came against St. Louis. After Brooks' first attempt to scalp tickets, we gave in and bought real tickets up in left field (some of the "worst" in the park). It was a sell out crowd and once Brooks got used to all the noise, he had a great time.
Brooks loved his first major league baseball game and stayed awake until we were heading home at 9:30! He didn't want to miss a play or a chance to wave at all the people sitting around us. Although the Rockies didn't pull it out that night, we had a great time - it was definitely a night to remember!

8 is great

Here we go again...maybe the fastest month to fly by yet! I can hardly keep up or keep each month straight at this point!

Highlights and milestones...
- first boat ride and life jacket experience. (not on the sailboat, but on a cold and windy day on Lake Dillon in Colorado!)
- first two teeth came in with little fuss or fanfare
- first meals in the big boy highchair
- first trip to Atlanta
At eight months, Brooks loves "waving" his hands, clapping and playing peek-a-boo. I'm not sure where he learned the peek-a-boo, but he loves to play with napkins, clothes, dishtowels and blankets! it's pretty cute.
He is eating well, but had his first alergic reaction this month...to formula! We have since found a kind that he will tolerate (he's not alergic to milk thank goodness) and just in time for his eight month birthday he finally decided that he would take a bottle again after a three week bottle boycott! At the doctor, Brooks weighed in at 18 lbs 15 oz - still the 50th % despite everyone who meets him saying that he is "a big baby!"
This month, Brooks also got his first "cold" and his first viral rash. Luckily for Brooks and me, Richard knows how to handle all the medical mysteries that are thrown at us, keeping me calm and Brooks healthy.

Happy 2/3 birthday little bear - we love you so much! You are really becoming more of a little boy everyday and we can't wait for all the adventures to come.

Georgia on my mind

Last weekend, Brooks and I made his first trip to Atlanta (and our first flight without daddy). While the weather was terrible at least the house didn't flood until after we left (sorry mom and phil). We enjoyed a great weekend staying in, playing lots of cards, watching football and visiting old friends. Some of the Atlanta girls were able to make it home the same weekend, and we enjoyed a night out (without kids for some).

On Saturday, we planned a pool party for family and friends to meet Brooks. While we didn't step outside, it was still great to see everyone! Brooks especially enjoyed playing with his new buddy, Andrew Martin.

Other highlights included banging on an old computer and "working" with Nana, meeting Aunt Kathleen and Grandpa (aka. "boompa"/Peter)(my dad is now going to kill me!), and playing on all the carpet and rolling from one end of the house to the other.

Not your typical cooking blog

So, a few weekends ago, our husbands were out of town/working and Emily and I decided to have a girls night in. We put the little guys to bed and tried out a new cookie recipe that promised to make better chocolate chip cookies in our high altitude. Success!

For other denver bakers...here are the tips!

1. crisco instead of butter

2. less brown sugar

3. less baking soda

4. no electric mixer - just a big spoon

ps. Richard came home to find us giddy in the kitchen, and yes, we were wearing completely matching outfits - totally unplanned!

Checking things off

I'm sure everyone has their list of places to see once in a lifetime. In august, I got to check off quite a few of these places after 30 years, while Brooks checked them off after only 7 months! We took an amazing road trip with Nana Paula and Grandpa Phil to the Black Hills, Mount Rushmore, Devil's Tower, Yellowstone National Park, Old Faithful, Grand Teton National Park and Jackson Hole. (all in just 6 days!)

Brooks was a superstar on his first roadtrip, and as you can see from the picture below, he brought the most luggage for the trip! (only one small bag was Phil's!)

Thanks Paula & Phil for a great adventure!

Brooks thought it was funny that we had to carry all his stuff!

The Black Hills and Mount Rushmore

Rushmore isn't stroller friendly for the whole tour (good to know if you're planning a trip), but Brooks loves the snuggli and enjoyed the tour.

Devil's Tower National Monument

Yellowstone National Park

Mammoth Hot Springs

Geysers at Yellowstone

Such beautiful colors! and a geyser just for Brooks - the "Infant Geyser"

Old Faithful

Grand Teton National Park

Jackson Hole, Wyoming