Brooklyn's Blessing

It was so wonderful for Abe's parents and my dad to come into town to bless Brooklyn on October 27th.  We had such a wonderful weekend and the kids were thrilled to have plenty of grandparents to go around.

On Saturday we took a hike at Enchanted Rock.  On the way we had a great bbq lunch in Fredricksburg.  The weather couldn't have been nicer.  We hit some rain on the way there but luckily this is Texas so five miles down the road it was clear and sunny.  Even Taylor made it to the top on her own this time and Brooklyn slept through most of it.

Ethan helped lead the way as we headed down so everyone took the hard path.  There is nothing like crawling down rocks on your butt with a newborn in a carrier to give you a real workout.  Good thing I had been working out before I had the baby because after 6 weeks of not doing anything this hike might have killed me otherwise.  Hopefully everyone had as much fun as the kids and I did.  Taylor didn't want to let go of her Grandpa Singletary's hand the whole way down.  And Ethan wanted to hear about everything his Grandpa Fish pointed out to him along the trail.

Here is Miss Brooklyn after her first hike.  The poor thing got so sweaty in that carrier.

On Sunday we rushed around to get a picture of everyone before church and I was pretty amazed when we got one of everyone looking at the camera with the timer.  Brooklyn has been trying to ruin her blessing dress since the first time she put it on.  I tried it on her a few weeks ago to make sure it would fit since we blessed Taylor when she was a little younger and Brooklyn is a little bigger than Taylor.  Even though she had not eaten in FOREVER she still managed to spit up on the dress during the 5 minutes she had it on.  I made sure on Sunday to wait until the last minute to get her dressed and sure enough she spit up a A LOT all over me after I fed her.  I about needed a new outfit it was so bad.  So we put her in the dress just before the picture and while Taylor was holding her Taylor said "She is poopy."  Taylor has a very sensitive nose to these things so I thought she was just exaggerating.  So we drive the 2 minutes to church and once we get into the chapel I realize that she has pooped and it has leaked out onto her dress in the back.  Thankfully such a poofy dress has a lot of folds to hide it but there is nothing like knowing your beautiful baby has on a poopy dress.  Brooklyn was very fussy when we sat down at church but luckily Abe was able to get her to calm down and she was a perfect angel for the blessing.  It is such a sweet time to see the wonderful men in her life circle around her and give her a blessing.  She is one lucky girl.

Taylor had to wear her white dress (although slightly too small) to match her sister.

Granny and Papa Fish

Grandpa Singletary

My talented mother-in-law always makes two beautiful quilts for each of the grandchildren.  These are the two that she made for Brooklyn and they are ADORABLE.  The patterns and colors are just gorgeous.  We love them!  We had such a wonderful weekend with lots of walks, good food, and wonderful company.  We can't wait to see everyone back again.

Great Wolf Lodge Round 2

 Abe was able to move around his schedule to take his paternity leave over a weekend when the kids had off school on Monday so we decided we had to do something fun.  We decided we weren't brave enough to take a one month old camping so we decided to go to Dallas and enjoy the Great Wolf Lodge.  It was also a great excuse to visit our wonderful family up in Dallas.  The kids loved the last trip we had to the Great Wolf Lodge with all their cousins so they were a little disappointed that all the cousins couldn't come this time too.

We didn't know that they do lots of Halloween events at the Great Wolf Lodge during October but luckily we read about it before we left and made sure to bring the costumes along.  Batman and Batgirl were a big hit.  Oh how Taylor loves to hold Brooklyn.  She is getting a little better at it all the time and Brooklyn rarely makes this face any more.

 Brooklyn got to wear her bathing suit for the first time (even though she never got in the water).  It was really hot just hanging out watching the kids so she was happy to have it on.

I wish I had gotten some pictures when we went to see Leah and Zeb and their family.  All the girls were so sweet holding Brooklyn.  It was so great to have a little visit with them and the kids enjoyed playing with them all so much.  We can't wait to get to go up again soon.

It's Corn Maze Season Again

Once again we were able to make it out to the Corn Maze for their free military weekend and take some great friends with us.  Even though it never feels like fall it is a fun fall tradition.  And of course we had to left Brooklyn enjoy her first fall (although she didn't make it into any of the pictures). This year they had some pig races that the kids enjoyed watching.

Maybe we just paid more attention this year but the maze seemed a little easier.

 

 Taylor loved to pose throughout the farm for her picture to be taken.

 What kid doesn't like a hayride.

 The kids got these lovely pig noses from the pig races and couldn't wait to show them off.

I can't wait to see if where we move to next has some real pumpkin patches and real fall weather.  After 3 years we are really starting to miss those fall colors.