Happy Halloween!

The big night finally arrived for Trick or Treating! Brooke's dressed up, has her pumpkin, and is ready to go!"Come on Mom! Dad, you stay here and man the door."

Off we go! We went to 4 neighbor houses as other moms wanted to see my little one dressed up. She got some candy, but I think Maddie (or er, Mom and Dad) might've eaten it, as her gums (no molars yet), can't quite eat candy (nor would mean Mom let her).

Swim Classes

Brooke has been taking swim lessons this fall with Dad. It's been good to get us in the pool with her, getting her used to splashing, putting her face in the water, "jumping" off the endge of the wall. Here she gets ready to "jump" into Dad's arms. Going for a swim on her back (not one of her favorite positions). Ta da, the conclusion of swim classes. We'll do it again in another year or two. In the meantime, we'll just swim in the pool as a family and have fun!

17 Months Old

Here's our darling Brooke at 17 Months Old.

She was wearing her pumpkin dress, in honor of Halloween!

Neighborhood Halloween Party

Halloween week was a busy one for Brooke's social calendar. We also went to a Halloween party in the neighborhood. Here my little dalamatian is "dancing and clapping" with her friend Lauren (in tutu).
Mom captures her for a quick picture.

And it's off to playing with other costumed friends at the party. We decorated a cookie, made a collage with stickers and colored a kitty face, as well as played with some games and ran around in circles down the halls.

Halloween Outing to Nursing Home

Brooke went out a Halloween outing to a nursing home (part of Mom's "mom group"). We had about 6-8 kids that went, all dressed up in their costumes. Brooke was a dalmatian (she's not talking yet, only barking, so that seemed an appropriate outfit...perhaps she spends too much time with Maddie).
Here she was terrorizing the fireplace - pulling all the decorations down as Mom hastily replaced them after she went by.After handing out candy to the residents we quickly attempted to get all the kids sitting for a group shot before we left. Brooke didn't really jive with that idea.

Brooke's New Shirt!

Brooke has some great news to share!

She's a Big Sister in Training!

Yep, we're expecting a sibling for Brooke on April 27, 2010.

Here's a shot of the little one, at 13 weeks:

Kathleen & Matt's Wedding Weekend

Mid-October brought the wedding of Aunt Kathleen!!! Kathleen and her fiance Matt were married in Sea Island, Georgia. It was a beautiful event. We headed down on Wednesday to enjoy the long celebratory weekend with the family. Here is Brooke and Dad during a layover in the Baltimore airport.
Dad and Brooke enjoying some snuggle time on the balcony.

Kathleen, Brooke and Scott on the cocktail cruise.

Brooke and Dad at the rehearsal dinner. (Brooke kept running away across the golf course...)

Congratulations Kathleen and Matt!

Best Wishes for a Lifetime of Happiness!

Pumpkin Patch

One sunny Sunday, we treked to the local pumpkin patch/farm, which also had other fun animals and things/foods to buy. While it was a bit crowded (which was surprising as the Steelers were about to play in 30 minutes), we found some pumpkins, checked out the rides and other "events" for future years' visits, and were on our way.

"Brooke, we're here to pick our pumpkins. Do you see one you like?""Dad, these will work."

"Mom, I think I can dance on them."
"This big dog has a funny nose!"

"No, Brooke, this is a horse -- they're just as great as dogs!"

Brooke positions her pumpkins on the front steps. One for Dad, one for Mom, one for her.

First Official Haircut

In preparation for Kathleen and Matt's wedding, and just because I think it was finally time, Brooke received her first official haircut. We found a hairsalon that offered children services, including a great aquarium for them to look at, toys and fun cars to ride in! Brooke's checking out her car before the cut begins -- a huge hit!

The stylist determines out the "cutting plan."And we begin! The cut took all of 2 minutes, and she really only trimmed the back to make it straight (it was sort of V shaped). We'll be back in a year when our hair grows a little more!

ND vs Washington and Visiting St Joe

The first weekend of October had us heading west to South Bend and St Joseph Michigan. We stayed at Uncle John and Aunt Lindy's condo in St Joe, with Grandma coming up from Chicago to watch Brooke while Mom and Dad went to the ND/Washington game with our good friends the Kindy's. Here's Scott grilling up some burgers at the tailgate.
Smiles from the Kindy's who flew up from Nashville, TN. As Washington fans, they were disappointed with the loss, but I think had a great time anyway.

Unfortunately, no pictures to share of Brooke terrorizing John & Lindy's pad (no, really, she didn't break too much stuff). But she had fun nonetheless (especially from 1am -5am Saturday night, keeping Mom and Dad up...).

16 Months Old

Brooke at 16 Months Old!