Merry Christmas!

Our Christmas wasn't quite what we had planned due to the weather. We had a very nice weekend planned in Stanberry with the Nickell family, but apparently mother nature had a different plan. We still had a very nice, quiet, relaxing Christmas filled with food, movie watching, a lot of book reading, and even more Candyland playing. Brooke was very excited about Santa this year and loved getting all her presents. We are still sad we didn't get to be with the rest of the family but are enjoying some, "forced relaxation!" Meanwhile, these are the best Christmas pictures I have for now!

Leaving cookies and milk for Santa (and carrots for the reindeer)

Helping daddy write a note to Santa

Excited with her stocking presents

Posing in her new pajamas (not a great picture but the best I could do!)

Drawing Snowmen

A few weeks ago our Parents as Teachers teacher came over and taught Brooke how to draw a snowman. She has enjoyed drawing them since. Below is the one she drew on her easel yesterday. (Hers is in purple, in case you can't tell!) Please ignore mine...I was keeping it simple to show her the steps..and I'm not an artist!

Baker Brooke

Brooke got this adorable apron and baker's hat from her G. Aunt Mae and G. Uncle Alan. She was very enthusiastic to wear it while helping me bake cut-out cookies. She was a big help and looked adorable while helping!

It was very helpful to have the apron on...she was covered in flour!

Happy Hanukkah!

Brooke had a great time celebrating Hanukkah with everyone!


She also had a great time dancing to the Hanukkah music she got as a present. See the video below! (It is a compilation of a few videos)

just some good pictures...

How to make Hanukkah cookies....

First you smash the dough...

Then you roll it...

Next you cut out the cookies...

Then decorate them with sprinkles...

Finally, put on a cookie sheet and bake!

Brooke had a great time making cookies (and eating them) with Grandma Barb!

Happy Birthday Grandpa!

Today is Grandpa Stuart's birthday! We were in St. Louis last weekend to celebrate his birthday and Hanukkah (Hanukkah post coming soon!) According to Brooke, he turned 5 today! I'm sure he will agree with that. The logic was: she is going to be 3 on her birthday, so mommy must be 4 so Grandpa must be 5! I like that thinking! Brooke had a fun weekend celebrating. We went to dinner Saturday night and when dinner was over, out of no where, Brooke looked up and announced, "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GRANDPA!!!!!!" It was adorable!



Hope you had a great birthday, Grandpa, We love you!!!

Snow days...

We got about 8-10" of snow over the last 2 days so Brooke was very excited to get out in play in it! It was about 12 degrees when we went out to play so we didn't stay out long but she had fun! It was a very pretty, fluffy snow so we couldn't make a snowman. We couldn't even really make a snow ball!

The dogs had fun too and Brooke had fun throwing snow at them!

More stories...

Addendum to the best friend story:
Brooke continues to talk about how I am her friend or best friend. When we ask her, what about daddy? her response is, "He's just my daddy!" "Mommy's my friend, but daddy's just my daddy!"

Bananas:
Brooke LOVES bananas. She would probably eat 2 a day if we let her. Grandma and Grandpa Nickell know this so always have bananas for her at their house. One time Grandpa said, "I think there's a banana here with your name on it". He proceeded to show her a banana with her name actually written on it. This has happened a few times. The other night at dinner (here) Brooke was eating a banana. She said to Jason:
"Grandma and Grandpa Nickell always have bananas with my name on them....
I wonder if they write it on there?!?!"

Really???? She figured THAT out? Great! We're never going to get anything by her!!!

You make me laugh!!

It seems like everything that comes out of Brooke's mouth these days is funny or adorable! She is constantly talking about something, but the things she says never cease to surprise us. Here are just a few examples! It always sounds funnier/cuter when you hear her 2 year old voice say it, but I had to at least try to share some of them. Sorry, I've been bad about pictures (didn't take a single one on Thanksgiving!) but hopefully these stories will make up for it!

Scene: Brooke has her new t-shirt on that has a picture of a dog and says "my best friend"
Brooke: What do these letters say, Mommy?" (this is her new question whenever she sees writing on things)
Mommy: It says my best friend. Are Macie and Bo your best friends?
Brooke: No, Mommy, YOU are my best friend!
(She is so sweet, I about cried when she said this!)

Scene: driving home from daycare
- Brooke was very excited to show me their new blocks when I picked her up and how they had rearranged the classroom
Mommy: I like your new classroom, its very nice.
Brooke: Sooo...What do you think of our new blocks?
(It sounded like a question an adult would ask!)

Scene: In the kitchen, getting ready to go play after dinner
Brooke: I'm going to be a vet, daddy!
(she was referring to her dress up vet stuff, but it was still funny (scary?) to hear her say it!)

...and my favorite....
Scene: the three of us in the family room, one of the dogs made a weird noise in the kitchen...
Jason: What was that??? (referring to the noise the dog made)
Brooke: That was me tooting!