the little red chair

Brooks and I took a visit to my grandparent's the other day. While we were there he got to sit in my grandma's red chair the she got for Christmas when she was 3. I'd tell the whole story but I always end up crying because it's really a story of how a little orphan girl found a family and knew she was loved forever. This chair's got a lot of history and it was fun to have Brooks enjoy it too.

Sunny Southern California

We got some cheap flights and headed down to Ventura, CA a couple weeks ago. Totally loved it. It was in the low 70s while we were there. I think I want to move to California now. Brooks loved being outside, so did I.

We stayed with Chris' awesome aunt Lauri and Uncle Jamie while we were there. They are great hosts and were super fun to hang out with. We really miss them and are planning our next trip out already.

Brooks loved the beach. It was super relaxing. He took a nap when we got there so Chris and I were able to soak up some sun. He loved the sand and didn't get mad when he got a handful in his mouth. He went for seconds.



He really liked the waves and kept getting mad when we'd take him out. The water was pretty chilly so we didn't play in it for too long.


Chris was inspired by all the surf bums out there and is now going to grow his hair out till it hits his shoulders. We'll see if he can handle the awkward stages.
Brooks liked the grass too.
We headed up to a place called Solvang. It's a Danish community in the hills above Santa Barbara. There's some random super rich guy who collects vintage motorcycles and Chris had to check them out. He was in heaven and took more pics of motorcycles than we did of Brooks on the whole trip. You can't tell but Brooks is totally cheesing it up in this picture.
This was the best Éclair I've ever had. Chris and I split it, it was way too much.
Brooks has been posing for the camera for a while now, but really stepped up his cheesy face poses while we were down there. I think it was the vicinity to Hollywood. Brooks loved this random clog on the sidewalk.


Good-bye California, we'll be back soon.

Christmas

We had a great Christmas and were super spoiled this year. We spent Christmas Eve with the Hardys and slept over for Christmas morning. Then we headed to my mom's for Christmas evening. When we showed up to my mom's it was pure CHAOS. The Butterfields were there, ten adults and thirteen grandchildren all with lots of presents and energy. We were glad to see them on Christmas. Things calmed down when they left and the rest of my sibs showed up. We ate a yummy yummy prime rib and opened lots of fun presents. Brooks and his cousin Beck seriously got WAY too many toys. My mom said that she couldn't help herself.


We couldn't keep Brooks out of the presents at the Hardy's. He was just learning the army crawl the week of Christmas. He also got his two front teeth.

It was fun to see Chris with his Brothers. They're good buds. I'm amazed at how long they can watch you tube videos or play video games. Boys.
Chris loves reading and is into history, hence, 1776.


Brooks (and mom and dad) LOVE the highchair (yes it looks a little girly, but I think it's fancy and coordinates better than a whinnie the pooh chair). We also can't go anywhere without his new book.

Beck and Brooks having a good 'ole time. Brooks was pretty ornery at my mom's house. Super fun when he doesn't nap.


They were both very tired and hungry.
And a few more that don't need commentary.




Next post: our CALIFORNIA vacation. Yep folks, we had a blast (and were warm breathing clean air).

Guan Xi

I was going to tell you the long story of how Jia Chen (a Chinese housekeeper at the hospital, and a very smart woman who just passed her test to become a Phlebotomist) and I met, but it's really long and would be boring to most of you. Basically, we have become good friends and she was super cute and bought Brooks a traditional Chinese outfit for Christmas. This is something the Chinese usually do for their new year.
I put Brooks in it on Christmas Eve and he had a ball being photographed. He would look at whoever had the camera and give us the biggest cheesy grin ever. Thanks Jia Chen.

Brooks and Molly

Yes, it has been a while. As always, a lot has been going on. To make things easier on all of us, I'm just going to do lots of small posts rather than one ridiculously long one. As I was looking though pictures to post, I couldn't help but notice all of the pictures of Brooks and his cousin Molly who is a month younger than him. As you'll see in the following pictures, Brooks likes her a heck of a lot more than she likes him. I couldn't help posting all of these (I know there are a lot). She was always so weary of him. Maybe because as you will see, he liked to pull on her ear, poke her in the eye etc. We had a lot of fun hanging out with her and her family when they were here. We sure miss them.

Brooks finally stopped attacking her and they decided to get along and share. Super Cute. Allie- sorry I posted to many sad pics of Molly, but I just thought it was too cute.

Chris' Idea of Babysitting

Chris is a great Dad, but not always the best babysitter :) This first picture I took was when I was cooking dinner, I called his name a few times and he didn't answer. I peeked around the corner and found Brooks chewing on a dirty diaper and Chris asleep on the floor.