Brooke and Jeff's Photos

Happy Four Months to Silas!

Hope everyone had a Merry and Blessed Christmas! I know that we did AND I got so wrapped up in the festivities that I forgot to wish Silas a Happy Four Month birthday and post a few milestone pics. I really want to keep this up since the first year has SO many changes and I know if I don't post or document them all, well - I'll just forget. Jeff and I really enjoy going back to old posts and mark progress and remember how fast and precious life truly is. And let's be honest - after the other Friday's events in Conneticut, who doesn't want to just squeeze your kids and never let them go?

So here are a few bedtime iphone pics from right around the 23rd mark. Some of the most precious moments with Silas are putting him to bed and changing him b/c he gives so many big smiles around that time (unless the cranky time hits due to overtiredness / overstimulation). But if things are going right, he likes to stay up for storytime and snuggle with some puppets and his big sister and I can get a few renegade shots of them in. Silas used to hate being changed when he was first born - it was the only times he really got upset and screamed - I'm guessing b/c it was cold but NOW - let me tell ya - this boy is proud to have his pants taken off! Talk about big naked smiles! So cute. Boys really aren't that complicated even from the beginning are they? haha.

Back to Biltmore

Being in NC means being able to go to one of my favorite cheesy tourist destinations....the Biltmore House! I love this place so much and I can't even tell you how many times I've been and I never get tired of it. Plus, it's a civil engineering wonder (just love all the technology they thought to incorporate before 1900)! It had been a few years though so it was good to go back. Jeff has been watching a lot of the "Men Who Made America" lately on the History Channel and the Vanderbilts were one of the big families like the Rockerfellers that have a big place in history, so he was interested to get back up there too. Tyndell's school unexpectantly closed on Friday, so we decided to take a family day and show Tyndell the "NC Castle." Engineering, Power, Castles...mass appeal for us all in this family. We didn't really want/need to take a day off work (these things are never convenient), but it was beautiful weather, and the time together was much needed. Any excuse to sit in the car and listen to Christmas music for several hours is always a bonus too (who can get enough of the Elf Soundtrack?)! We even took a special tour called the Friends and Family of Biltmore where we got to see some extra rooms, clothing, and exerpts from letters....it was super interesting and really painted a vivid picture of what life was like back then. It also unfortunately pointed out the lost art of letter writing. My Mom and I used to visit Biltmore a lot back when I was in college and we loved to walk around and pretend it was our second home...haha...but really, the tour we took did similar. Most fascinating was the references made to the children eating dinner at 5pm and then being sent to bed with nannies and the adults dressing for formal dinner at 8 o'clock sharp. I don't think even if I had the option to send the kids off to bed that early I would...dang, I'd never see them! Anyway, it was a fun history lesson and beautiful seeing all the decorations...I even got a renegade shot of the BIG Christmas tree in the dining room (I did get caught but they let me go). Unfortunately, we didn't make it to the gardens, but that's ok, we'll just have to go back in the spring when it's more beautiful anyway. Win - Win.

***This post is especially dedicated to the Baby Ergo carrier, without which, we may not have gotten through the entire house tour with both children alive.

Santa Field Trip

Tyndell had her first class field trip today - her class took the city bus to the mall to visit Santa! They sent home some pictures and this one was just too funny not to share. I love that Santa wanted to get in on the silly faces action.

Happy 4th Birthday to Tyndell!

Oh Toodles! Well - our little Tyndell monster has turned FOUR! We had a party this past weekend on Saturday afternoon with mostly family and classmates and their families. Even Brennan and Beth and Declan came over from Atlanta to celebrate which was super cool. Tyndell wanted a Mickey and Minnie themed party, so we did our best to make that happen....oh the things we do as parents! We had a blast hanging out, jumping on the bounce house, wearing/decorating Mickey hats, doing a pinata, eating pizza and cake, and playing lots. Some of the kids even did the Hot Dog Dance! It was also nice to have some of the families over from school to get to know them better - such nice people! Even Tyndell's two teachers came which I know made her feel awesome. Great times! Happy Birthday to our sweet girl! Love you Tyndell! Cheers!

Maria's Princess Party

The other weekend, Tyndell was invited to one of her classmates, Maria's, princess-themed birthday party...at the local kids salon! It was a really cute idea for a party - all the girls wore their princess outfits and came to get their nails and hair done and eat cupcakes. So cute and everyone had a blast! Thanks to Maria for including Tyndell!