Happy 3rd Birthday Brooke!

To celebrate Brooke's 3rd birthday, Grandpa and Mimi came into town to share lots of hugs and kisses.  Hank came too, so Brooke helped Grandpa with his walks.

 She got lots of lap time and attention as well!

She was feeling a little under the weather, so she snuggled up to Mimi for some comfort.

But alas, she began feeling well enough to blow out her birthday candle!  Never too sick for cake!

William, Jackson and Thomas helped her enjoy the cake!

She ended the evening with some Dad time by the fire pit!

To cap off the birthday celebration, she danced in front of her personalized birthday greeting on the neighborhood sign!

 Happy Birthday Sweet Pea!  We love you very very much!

Brooke's OAC "Graduation"

Graduating from 2 Year Old "preschool"? Come on!  I know I know, but it was really cute!  Brooke did a weekly "class" at our gym and at the end of the "school year" they had a graduation party.

  

Her teachers, Miss Penny and Miss Vicki.

Apparently the singing section of the ceremony was too long for Brooke and she needed to sit...

Miss Penny and Brooke all smiles afterwards.

Brooke "cheesyily" smiling with Miss Vicki.  She was a great great teacher and truly cared about all the kids!

 Her "class"!

Conall's baptism

We headed to Chicago to celebrate Conall's baptism.  It was a great time and a wonderful chance to see extended family who we don't see often enough.  Scott was the godfather and Heather's sister was the godmother.

Kelly entertained Keira of us.

While Brooke stuck to Grandma's side.

Chief also worked some soothing magic on Keira.

At Grandma and Chief's house, the cousins were presented their own chairs.  Quite a delight!  Being the month of May, the house was also adorned with balloons for Keira and Brooke's 1st and 3rd birthdays, respectively.

Since Grandma and Chief helped Keira celebrate her first birthday a few weeks previously, and would not be with Brooke on her actual birthday, we had an early birthday celebration for Brooke.  She has learned to love cake and happily welcomed the celebration.

While also visiting Grandma and Chief, there was a "community day" in the neighborhood, with fire trucks for the kids to see.  Chief concentrates on holding Conall and Keira, while Brooke smiles on with her balloon. Then Brooke showed us a few dance moves in the front "bumper" of the fire truck. But alas, duty called and the trucks quickly packed up and rushed off to answer a call.

With nice weather, we enjoyed some time on the patio, as Keira snuggled up to Chief, and Brooke blew bubbles after she expertly lined up the chairs and footstool (Puppy participated too - see him sitting on the right chair!).

Off to the Races!

Dad and Mom enjoyed a weekend away, as a delayed Christmas present to Mom, with a trip to Churchill Downs! Yep, we went to the Kentucky Derby! The day before the Derby (Friday) is the Kentucky Oaks, a race for fillies, and is all about being pink!  The entire grounds is decked out in pink, as are all the racegoers! 

 Jen and Scott on Friday, entering the track.

The famous "Twin Spires"

It's Derby Day!  The 137th running of the Kentucky Derby.

 It's all about the roses! 

Oh, and the mint juleps, hats and fashion!

  

  

It was so much fun, and hopefully a trip we repeat some day!

Happy Birthday Keira! She's 1 Year Old!

Happy Birthday to Keira!  I can't believe our little pumpkin is One Year Old!  Boy, the year went by so fast in so many ways (and slow in many ways, especially at 2am many nights!).  We've loved watching Keira growing and the bond developing between her and her older sister.

Keira now weighs 18lbs 8oz (12%) and 28 3/4" tall (38%). 

To celebrate her birthday, Chief and Grandma came in bearing birthday wishes and balloons!  We know Brooke loves balloons and she tried to teach Keira about the joy of balloons.

Keira's catching on, as she laughs while holding them, and wearing her "i'm the birthday girl" cupcake shirt.

"Ah, this is what I've been waiting for these past 365 days!  Chocolate cake!"

"Hmm, not so bad!"

Happy 1st Birthday to Keira!  We love you very very much!