Rodeo Star

This morning our little cowboy competed in mutton busting at the Reality Ranch Rodeo. This was his first time riding a sheep, although he has been talking about it for a really long time! He was the second child to go so Brooker didn't get to see other kids doing it first. When Jared helped him on the sheep's back he didn't seem too sure about it. Then he said to Jared, "I don't think I wanna daddy." By then it was too late and they opened the gate and out he went. It all happened so fast...2.8 seconds to be exact! He fell off the sheep but got up and dusted off. He seemed a little down about it but as soon as they handed him his medal his face lit up and he was so happy!

Starting Young!

This is pretty scary...Mary Kate already has a thing for her daddy's wallet! It's her favorite toy right now!

Christmas Tree Shopping

Not the best pictures BUT we did find our Christmas tree yesterday! Brooker wasn't too interested in picking out a tree...rather, he found some string and created some sort of ball with it. That kept him occupied the whole time. Mary Kate just took it all in...like she usually does :)

Jack is Back!

This morning "Jack", our elf on the shelf, rang the doorbell! When Brooker opened it up he found a basket with Jack and goodies for breakfast...snow-covered doughnuts and hot chocolate. Jack also left two handwritten notes...one for Brooker and other other for Mary Kate. Daddy read the Elf on the Shelf book during breakfast. Mary Kate was a huge fan of the snow-covered doughnuts and Brooker chugged his hot-chocolate! We started the Elf on the Shelf tradition last year and it's going to be so fun to watch Jack and see what he is up to in our house until Christmas!

Happy Thanksgiving from Our Family

 Today we joined Jared's side of the family for a Thanksgiving lunch at his Aunt Celia's in Wauchula. As usual, we had a HUGE spread of delicious home-cooked food. Brooker tried some of the turkey and mac-n-cheese but little Miss Mary Kate tried it all and LOVED it all! Her favorite was Granny's deviled eggs (just like her daddy)! She ate a good meal and her tummy was stuffed :) The weather was beautiful and the company was good. Such a great day!

Love my family!

Brooker with Big Papa...I'm sure we could probably dig out a picture of Jared and Papa that would look much like this one!

Big Papa and Mary Kate. He kept saying how much he loved her dress...so sweet!

Mary Kate was infatuated with all the cats and cows...she's quite the animal lover!

Going to town on those deviled eggs!

Turkey Trot Time

This morning I ran the annual Turkey Trot! Kari and I stayed together the entire time and ended up doing it in just over 29 minutes...woo hoo! I was so proud of Kari because it was her first 5k ever and she did so well :) 

Amy, Kari, and I right after we finished. 

Mom and I

A House Divided

Tonight was our November Bunco night and we had a "Favorite Team" theme. The Gators and Seminoles were both represented but the Noles were definitely outnumbered....Go Gators!

Ball Pit

We got Brooker's old ball pit (a gift from Bear and Laci when he turned one) out of the attic today and set it up for Mary Kate. She was just as excited about it as Brooker was 4 1/2 years ago (looking at the pictures you can tell which child had more personality at that age)! 

Mary Kate at 1 year

Brooker at 1 year

Playdate at Kelly's

Today Kelly hosted a "Breakfasty Brunch" for the mommies and kiddos! She prepared some delicious food...pumpkin spice french toast, frittata, hash browns, blueberry pancake wrapped sausage, fruit dip, and more! The mommies made hair bows and the kiddos decorated cookies, played with homemade playdough, ate caramel apples, and stirred up lots of fun and adventure outside. Thank you Kelly for a fun morning!