Forster Visit

My Aunt, Uncle, and cousin came to visit this past weekend. We did so much and had a blast while they were here! Friday night they babysat Brooke while Scott and I went to Charlotte, NC for his work party. Thanks again for helping us out!! Saturday we made a big breakfast and then headed downtown to do some shopping. We got lots of goodies for the kiddos and then just us ladies (minus Brooke- Scott and Uncle Kurt took her back home to nap) went to the mall and shopped the rest of the day! SO much fun..I don't remember the last time I just shopped for hours and hours. What a great weekend... Jill, Aunt Judy, and Uncle Kurt having fun with B!

Brooke cracking Aunt Judy up!

Pictures with Santa...

One of our neighbors (Vicki and Jim) down the street hosted an open house today with Santa for children to take pictures with. It was great to avoid the long lines at the mall to see him and especially because Brooke was TERRIFIED of him!! Every time I would come near him while holding her, she would start to shake. Poor thing... we tried but no luck. :) Hopefully next year she'll love ole Santa. My little angel...

Candace and I trying to get the girls to like him... we were laughing so hard... couldn't help it!

Daddy's girl.

Candace and I with the girls!

I don't think she knew Santa was behind us... otherwise, the lower lip would've been quivering!

Pop Pop and Mom Mom's Visit

Dad and Edie came in town on Thursday to celebrate an early Christmas. We appreciate them driving such a long way (from Ohio) to come and see us. They left here on Saturday morning to go visit with Lisa and Devin in Georgia. We loved having them in town! They gave Brooke an Eagles jersey for Christmas..it is so cute!

Dad, Edie, and Brooke...

The jersey they gave Brooke happened to be the same player that Scott and I both have! Had to get a pic of all of us...

Go Westbrook!

Playing with Brooke on Saturday morning.

Brooke and Edie having fun...

Dad and Brooke playing.

There's always a reason...

I truly believe that God puts people in our lives for different reasons. For example, my new wonderful friend, Candace. She and her husband live about 10 houses down the street and it is such a blessing to have them in our lives. Candace stays home as well and we have such a good time together. Her beautiful daughter, Melaina, is a month older than Brooke and they play so well together. Candace and I have now started a weekly routine that is going to be a life saver and just so good for all of us. Here's an example of the new plan:

Mondays- Music Mondays at Candace's house (she and Tom are both musicians/singers so it is AWESOME to have her play the guitar and keyboard as we sing with the kiddos)
Tuesdays- I watch both kids while Candace gets out on her own for a while...
Wednesdays- Arts and crafts at my house
Thursdays- Candace watches both kids and I run out on my own...

We think it is a WIN WIN for all... I am so thankful for their wonderful family. Ahh. Life is good. This was taken yesterday when they were over. I think Brooke was crying because Melaina was playing with something she wanted. (Sharing is something being taught at the moment!) :)

Adorable Melaina!

Melaina chilling in the chair while Brooke was playing with her purse...

Today we had music day at Candace's...so fun!! The girls were loving the keyboard.

Thanksgiving

I wish everyday was Thanksgiving. What is better than hanging out with family, eating LOTS of food, and having the excuse to just relax all day. We were supposed to go to my sister's house for T-giving but they were all getting over being sick so we all decided it would be best if we stayed home. My Mom was still in town and so we made EVERY dish she would normally do for the big day. It was so much fun getting to learn how to make all of my families recipes. I normally would've done the hashbrown casserole and that would've been it...not this year!! I'd loved every minute of this day. Just hanging with the fam... Family photo before going for a walk...Nana gave this wagon to Brooke for Christmas! (so...it's a little early?!!)

Daddy got Brooke bundled that morning to go for a walk. From what people here are saying...it is unusually cold here. Of course, we move away from cold.. and it follows!! :)

Loving on Nana ... we miss you, Nana!!

Brooke Clapping for her birthday!

Enjoy the video! Thanks for uploading this, Jill!

Brooke's 1st Birthday!!

Memorable and comical. Two words that describe Brooke's birthday weekend!

Party goers-
Mimi (Scott's Mom)
Aunt Katie (Scott's sis)
Nana (My Mom)
Aunt Judy (My Aunt)
Uncle Kurt (My Uncle)
Jill (my cousin)
Aunt Lisa (my sis)
Candace (my new wonderful friend here)

Scheduled party day plans: Scott and I host BIG breakfast, lunch, and party to start around 4pm. Hang out at the house most of the day and play... and bond.

Actual day events: Woke up to NO electricity (300 houses in the area were out of power). Went out to breakfast instead (yum). Went back to house... STILL no power. It was freezing outside so house was cold too. 5 of us had not showered (no hot water) and we proceeded to go wander around the mall (SO not what I had planned). Went back to house and power came back on at 3:30pm. Went out to pick up cake and BBQ with Lisa and Aunt Judy..while on our way home the designer cake I had made (looked like a BIG cupcake) FELL over in the car. Ruined. BUT, tasted just the same. I don't think I have ever laughed as hard as I did this weekend. As crazy as the day went...having our families here made it ALL BETTER. We love you all and thank you so much for traveling here to celebrate with us. It wouldn't have been the same without you. Brooke on her actual birthday (Friday). We still cannot believe she is 1!

Sorry these pics are a little out of order... hanging out during the festivities at the house.

My side of the family...

Mimi and Aunt Katie snuggling with Brooke at Falls Park...

BURRRRR!!

The YUMMY ruined cake! UGH...

The beautiful Grandma's!

Mimi helping Brooke with her birthday hat!

Proud parents!

YUMMY CAKE!

Nana called me upstairs to take this pic of Brooke looking at her bible. I love this.

Aunt Judy having wild fun!

Candace gave Brooke this toy..SHE LOVES IT! She kept putting her feet up to ride more.. we were laughing so hard.

Admiring Uncle Kurt...

Loving the clapping for her during the singing of "Happy Birthday"! Every time we would stop clapping... she wanted more!

Florida State Weekend

Scott and I had a great weekend in Tallahassee for the Florida State/Clemson game! It was so much fun being back and seeing my college friends. I couldn't get over how much they have added to the campus... it was so great to be there. While we were down in FL, Lisa and Devin, were SOOOOO sweet to watch Brooke for us. THANKS AGAIN!! They said everything went great and that Brooke had such a great time!! I have been trying to upload the pics they sent from their weekend but I am having trouble. (Will keep working on it and get them up asap!).... I just LOVE seeing Seminole flags flying everywhere!

Having fun at the game!

Scott and Justin (husband of my best friend, Brooke)

Me, Cori, and Brooke before heading to the game!

Greenville Zoo

Brooke was so amazed by the giraffe's yesterday... I forget how much fun the zoo is!

Trick or Treat

This was Brooke's 1st Halloween and it was a great night. Our neighborhood has a parade (really everyone just walks with their children down the main street...no real spectators!) but a fire truck leads the parade! We went over to Candace and Tom's house beforehand. They are neighbors that we have met and they have a 1 year old daughter, Melaina. She and Brooke play great together! Our little cat and Melaina was a lady bug! So cute..

MEOW...

The parade started at the end of the cul-de-sac... Here goes the fire truck!

Me and my kitty. :)

Candace with the girls...

The parade starting to walk!

I have to re-post this picture for pure entertainment. I love this guy.

I normally don't get mushy on this website but I have to write a little love letter about my wonderful husband. Last night I overheard Scott and Brooke laughing upstairs after he got home from work and it struck me at that moment that it was the most emotional sound I think I have ever heard (other than hearing Brooke cry right after she was born). Hearing the 2 most important people in my life having such a great time...there is no better sound. It got me thinking about how I am constantly amazed at Scott. He has juggled so much over the past couple of months and still walks in the door everyday with a smile on his face and ready to spend time with us. Our life over the past couple of months has been adventurous and exciting...but at times, a little uncertain. He has always made me feel at home by constantly telling me that the only thing that matters is that we are together as a family. He is such a kind and honest person, who only wants the best for people. I feel like the luckiest woman in the world to be married to such a strong, hard working, fun loving, interesting, easy going, family loving man.

Scott, I love you with all of my heart. You make me smile everyday.