Lions and Tigers and Bears...oh my!

We were so excited to have the whole family back together last Sunday that we just wanted to get out and do something fun together, so we headed to the zoo.  We checked the weather before we left and it said that the high was going to be 78 which sounded perfect.  Little did we know, that was the high up here in Magnolia because a front had moved through...that front had not hit downtown Houston so it was more like 88 and humid!  Oh well, it was still a lot of fun.  Emerson loved it for about the first hour and a half or so and then was pretty much over it!  The best part was the children's zoo because the exhibits have windows down at their level so that they can walk around and see on their own.  This area also had a petting zoo which Em LOVED!

 I'm Ready!  Where are the monkeys?!

 She really liked the fish.

 So much for the stroller.  Daddy had to hold her so she could see most of the animals.

 The 4th member of the Brooks family is definitely growing!

 These exhibits were great -she loved not having to be held or having to be in the stroller.

 She was not in the least bit scared at the petting zoo.  The gate opened and she ran full speed to all the animals!

Let the Spoilin' Begin!

Last week I had to go to Orlando for a meeting and Shawn is in the midst of baseball season so Em got to go spend the week on the farm.  From the looks of the pictures it looks like she had a blast and got spoiled rotten by everybody!

 I think you need some lipstick Nate!

 How many 17 year old boys do you know that would spend their afternoon letting a 2 year old play beauty shop?!

 More bubbles please, Patsy!

 Totally worn out...Emerson too!  ha ha

 Sidewalk chalk with Aunt Janet

 C'mon GranSan, let's color!

 Faster Dondi!

 Playing in the yard with Jon

 Cuddling with Missy

 I am pretty sure this was when I asked her if she was ready to come home and she told me "No Mom!"

 Wait for me Missy!

 In her new tent with GranSan

 A Day at the Park

 A rare time that a book has captured her attention!

 Making music with Uncle Jerry

 Visiting the bunnies at Jaf and Shell's house

 Jenna, Jordan, and Jamie came down to play

 Kisses from Jaf

Getting the car seat out of GranSan's car can be quite a task!  Good thing Em is lending a helping hand!

Spring Break

This week was Spring Break here and while for most teachers that means a week off, for coaches is means a day off!  Wednesday was the only day that Shawn didn't have practice or a game so I took the day off too so we could spend the day as a family.  We had thought we would go to the zoo but you know it is a very bad sign when even the zoo website warns you about how crowded it is during spring break.  Instead we spent the first part of the day out in the yard playing and planting.  Then after a nap(and the lunch rush) we went to Chuck E. Cheese for pizza and games.  All in all it was a great day together.

 It is impossible to get a normal smile now for a picture...it is always "CHEESE!".

 Getting good and dirty is better than the zoo any day, right?!

 Playing with Maggie

 Cleaning up the stakes and pots for Mommy and Daddy while they were busy planting.

 "CHEESE!" at Chuck E. Cheese!

 She would have spent every last token riding the horsey!

 Winning tickets with Daddy

 She was not a big fan of any of the rides except the horsey

 Checking out the purchases she made with her tickets-bracelet, stickers, and Sweet Tarts

I love the stickers!

Operation Baby Sister: Phase 1

Operation Baby Sister's room is underway!!!!  Weekend before last Shawn had a tournament out of town so Emerson and I went to work in the nursery.  Thanks to GranSan, Aunt Janet, and Uncle Jerry, we added the bedding today!  I LOVE it!!!!!  I still have a lot of work to do decorating but I couldn't wait to post what we have done so far.

Big Sister ran a tight ship making sure all was perfect for her baby sister!

She took breaks from her toys to put "stickers"(painters tape) on the walls!

The bedding just completes it all!

 Big Sister making sure the rocker feels just right for her sister!

 Time for Phase 2!