Fall 2012

What's going on in the world today? A little bird told me that tomorrow is election day. And everyone is numb from all the political ads between Romney & President Obama. While we have watched all the debates and tried to keep up with some of the drama occurring in the political arena, I must admit (without undermining its importance) that other priorities have taken precedence.  My dad made me feel a lot better about my political ignorance when I asked him how he's able to find the time to become so educated in politics, among other responsibilities, like balancing full-time work and the farm. His response: "You're too busy being a mom!" While I wasn't looking for an excuse, it did feel nice to hear. There's not a lot of down time when you have two kids eager to play and learn and experience the firsts of life.  While you will definitely find us exercising our right to vote at the polls tomorrow morning (and I promise we ARE educated voters!), that won't be our biggest moment of the day.  So, what have we been up to?

Well, about a month or so ago, we realized just how cautious Bryson was. He'd plop his diaper-padded bottom to the floor twenty feet out from the first stair in preparation for the upcoming staircase. Even if the staircase only consisted of two stairs:

You can imagine how long it took to exit school every day...

Thank goodness those days have come and gone! :)

Now he just wants to be like sister: Walk down the stairs all by himself. Eat at the "big kid table" with sister:

 

Wear pink shoes like sister (makin Daddy proud):

Oh, and he loves ice cream!

(Don't mind all those un-eaten veggies on the tray!)

Brooklyn's friend taught her how to do the "super woman swing"

We celebrated the marriage of Jackson's cousin. Everybody got all dressed up, and the only picture of the kids that I could find was this one, where Bryson displayed impeccable table manners:

And this one of Jax between his two beautiful sisters:

 

I especially love this one of the sisters' happy, beautiful selves:

 

And a fam shot:

What else? Brooklyn had her first school field trip! To the pumpkin patch! Of all the friends I asked her who she wanted to ride with us, and she declared without hesitation: "Luke!!" So Brooklyn & Luke sang songs the whole way to the pumpkin patch. My heart melted.

 

We welcomed a new baby boy to the extended family! Jackson's cousin Micheal and his beautiful wife Meagan welcomed baby Mason to the world. Upon hearing the news and seeing baby pictures, Brooklyn shoved her monkey up her shirt and said, "oh, it's baby Mason! Look, Mommy!"

Of course, Bryson had to be involved in this weird display of excitement...

 

We visited Aunt Diana at the aquarium, where she volunteers and dives with the fish every week. Brooklyn was intrigued, confused, excited, and concerned...

Bryson, on the other hand, only shared in the 'concerned' emotion...he didn't know what to think about her on the other side of the glass.

Oh, and the cat...some days she's loved, some days she's tortured, but every day she's a part of their lives. This day in particular, Brooklyn was playing doctor and Bryson was consoling her, as she recieved a "shot in the ear" (with a crayon of course!).

Mommy & Daddy got all dressed up to congratulate a friend's wedding,

and then quickly changed into Fred and Wilma for a Halloween party:

 

All in all, we've been busy juggling and enjoying the small things in life. Tomorrow, though, is not a small day in our world. Not because it's election day. But because our baby girl will be three years old. And while she can't wait to be "a grown up", I'm trying to figure out how to juggle this life, because no matter where I am physically, my heart is at home wishing the clock would stop. I love you, baby Brooklyn. I love you This.Big.Much.!