5 months...a little late!

We were in Breckenridge for Brooks' 5 month birthday (also the same day as our 3rd anniversary) so the pictures were a little late...

This stage of his little life sure is fun - he is really growing and showing so much personality.

I love...

- when we kiss your belly and you make a real laugh

- watching you roll from side to side on the floor, grabbing a toys and being so proud of yourself

- the rolls on your legs that are getting thicker every week

- your cheeks, and how they are the first thing people notice when we go out in public!

- that your hair is coming in more and more and staying just as red as the day you were born

- how you smile at daddy when he comes home from work - like, "where did you come from? i'm sure happy to see you!"

- that 99% of the time you are such a happy little boy - especially when you wake up from a good night sleep and are just smiling in your crib when i come it to get you up.

more vacation fun!

A few more pics from Brooks' summer travels...he has really been busy!

Visiting with friends Heather & Henry and their daughter, Karla, in Toronto. Brooks made quite an entrance - this picture was taken just seconds before a terrible blow-out and a very public diaper change in the Maag's living room! Nice job Brooks - way to make a good first impression!

Karla has been working on her knitting skills and made this cute hat for Brooks. we had a few good laughs at the shape, but it's still adorable!

Then on to Breckenridge with the Fuquays for a week! Richard celebrated his first father's day with his dad too.

I just love this one of Brooks with his new monkey as his cheeks look like the monkey! this is a new favorite toy at the moment - just his size!

Brooks on his first hike with the whole fam - he slept through most of it in the snuggli.

chillin' with daddy in the mountains - this is the life!

Water Baby

"Hello, i'm ready to go for my first swim. Check out my cute trunks!"

"And my awesome beach towel!"

Don't worry, the "hot tub" wasn't hot when we took Brooks for his first swim! Brooks loved being in the water and "jumping" off the side into the pool. I think we might have a little swimmer on our hands!

O Canada

Last week Brooks made his first trip to Canada to visit family and friends in the north country! He even used his passport and got his first stamp! He was a great traveler on the plane rides, but spent the first day in canada without any naps as he was "on vacation"!

Brooks visiting his Great Grandmother (great gram) in Toronto.

Great Gram just turned 95 in May, and although she doesn't say much these days, we could tell she really enjoyed meeting Brooks. It was so special to have 4 generations of the Doyle family together.

The next day, we drove to Gananoque, home of the Brooks family, and took a boat ride with Brooks' Great Grandpa Charles and Great Aunt Nancy. Brooks slept through most of the trip and the weather wasn't great, but we enjoyed spending the day with Grandpa Charles nonetheless.

On the boat, Brooks held his own bottle for the first time! What a big boy and a great traveler.

Back in Toronto, Brooks got to meet his Great Aunt Terena, "aunt" Johanna" and "uncle" Andrew. He was a bit hit with the Canada family.

The Big D

we spent a wonderful memorial day weekend back in the Big D with friends and family. it was a jam-packed fun weekend with family parties, a wedding, and my 6th annual "wake girls" weekend all in the mix. most of all, it was a weekend for Brooks to meet and greet in texas - he was a superstar!

Richard, Stefan & Brad at David Murrell's wedding.

Richard & Mimi Kathryn at a Memorial Day BBQ

Brooks & Mary

Baby George & Baby Brooks hanging out at the park

George, Xander, Ruby and Brooks all together for the first time

Brooks & his "aunt" Brooke

Brooks with Grandad and Mimi relaxing in the backyard

1st Mother's Day

we celebrated a wonderful weekend with both nana and mimi visiting.

first, we celebrated Richard's 30th birthday on Friday. we had a wondeful dinner at Solera www.solerarestaurant.com.

then for mother's day, brooks managed to get out an go shopping for a sweet gift for mommy. i don't know where he finds the time! he wanted to give it to me himself, so he was keeping it in his crib and then carried it out to breakfast!
it was a very special 1st mother's day

our first real family photo...


and lunch on a patio with nana on monday...

what a great long weekend!

kids read this?

i just finished book 7 of the Harry Potter series, and i was scared out of my wits one night reading late! i can't believe kids are reading this stuff!

richard walked in on me reading and for a quick second i thought he was Lord Voldemort! YIKES!!!