22 Months Old!

Since the boys were away, the girls decided to PLAY! I took Mary Kate to the pet store first so she could look at the kittens, fish, snakes, birds, mice, and more. She loves walking around the store and seeing everything. Brooker was the EXACT same way at her age and still loves it today! Afterwards we HAD to go to Marshalls since we were so close :) When we were in Marshall's, Mary Kate kept saying she was hungry and wanted "soup." As I pulled into the Panera parking lot she started getting all giddy and excited...she wanted her favorite, Broccoli and Cheddar Soup! I ordered for us and found a table. She sat in her highchair very nicely while I got our drinks and food. Then she and I had a little date...she dipped her bread in her soup and used her spoon too. She LOVES soup! As I was sitting there enjoying her company I realized that she is already 22 months old and where oh where has the time gone?? She's such a joy to our family and makes all of us laugh...Brooker gets a kick out of her! She is so sweet to other and sure knows how to make you feel good and loved :) Her latest thing is that she almost always says, "thank you" when you do something for her. When someone sneezes, coughs, or yawns she is sure to say, "Bless You!" If she burps she says, "Scuse Me."There are so many things to love about Mary Kate. I can't believe we'll be celebrating her 2nd birthday in just two short months!

Swamp Time!

Football season is back in full swing...I LOVE this time of year! Jared and Brooker went to the game today with Mammy and Pappy. Brooker was so excited! They sent me picture of the day so I didn't have to miss out on ALL the fun!

1st stop...Jack's BBQ...can't go to Gainesville without a pit stop at Jack's on the way up!

My boys at the Swamp

GO GATORS!

Steak & Shake after the game...can't go to Gainesville without a pit-stop here on the way home...especially if you're with Pappy!

                                               

Pigtail Braids

Her hair is getting long enough to do all sorts of fun stuff with...today's creation...pigtail braids!

Just like Mommy...

She can be clean as a whistle and fresh out of the bathtub, but if Mommy is taking a shower, so is Mary Kate! This morning she took a shower with me, watched me shaved my legs then pretended to do it. We got out and she saw me put in my contacts. She wanted solution in her hand and then proceeded to put it up to her eye like she was putting in her own contacts. She wanted deodorant, lotion, face moisturizer, toe nail polish...the works! Finally, she saw me put a towel in my hair and wanted to do the same. I have a little hair turban that worked perfect for her!

Winston Thomas Zwayer

We got to meet a very special little boy tonight...Mr. Winston Thomas Zwayer made his entrance into the world this morning. He weighed in at 10 lbs. 11 oz and was 23 1/4 inches long! This was Amy's biggest baby yet...She's one amazing woman! He's oh so sweet and looks to be a good mix of his brother and sister. I can't wait to watch this boy grow, grow, grow! Congrats Amy and Eric!

Gatorama & Caladium Festival

Our family had a FUN day today! We started this morning at Gatorama with Mammy. She has been bringing Brooker down to hatch an alligator for the past two years and invited us all to join her this year. This was my first trip to Gatorama and I was quite impressed! There were SO many alligators of all shapes and sizes. There were also a ton of people there to take part in the alligator hatching experience. We weren't able to make a reservation this year so we had to be on stand-by. Unfortunately, they never got to our number so we couldn't let Brooker hatch an egg in his hand. He didn't let that get him down though...he watched lots of alligators hatch in other kid's hands and still thought it was great! He did get to pick up a baby alligator from a water trough and get his picture taken with it! Mary Kate loved throwing bread to the alligators. She was also in a posing mood and wanted to "cheese" (as she would say) a lot! That was fine with this picture taking momma :) After Gatorama we stopped at the Caladium Festival in Lake Placid on our way home. We ate a yummy lunch and got animal balloons from the clowns. It was a FUN filled family day...my kinda day!

He really thinks he is one of the Gator Boys!

This is when she told momma that she wanted to "cheese."

Brooker brought along his $5 from his first tooth he lost and used it to make an alligator tooth necklace..."A tooth for a tooth" we would say!

Brooker, Mary Kate, and Luca on the train at the Caladium Festival

He really is a clown sometimes!

Mary Kate loved the clowns. I think the feeling was mutual :)

Playdate with Mar Mar

This morning I took Mary Kate up to her cousin Marlee's house to play on her inflatable slide! I just knew she would love it! Well, not so much...one slide down was enough for her. She just enjoyed playing in the pool at the bottom of the slide with Marlee's baby dolls. After sliding/swimming they wanted to play on the swing set. Finally we went inside the house and made a big mess of of all Marlee's fun toys. We had a great morning...thanks for having us over Laci & Marlee!

Mrs. Bowers

Today was Brooker's first day in his new classroom. He was tested earlier this week and qualifed for the HAART program - Highlands Advanced Academics Rising Together. After getting approval from Jared and I, he was placed in Mrs. Bowers class. We are thrilled that he will have Mrs. Bowers as I have heard GREAT things about her! The first week of Kindergarten proved to be wonderful for Brooker and I know it will just keep getting better from here. I feel like his Kindergarten year has officially begun now...Let the fun begin :)

Happy Birthday Pappy!

We love birthdays around here! Getting together with family over good food and conversation (and eating Publix cake) is the best! So glad Pappy is here to celebrate his 66th birthday with us :) Here's to many more...

All the kids helping blow out the candles on the cake. 

Mary Kate helping Pappy open his gifts.

Marlee with the Calvin Dog statue that she carried around most of the night!

Rah Rah! Gooooo Gators!!

They wanted to lay in the crib...Mar looks frightened...ha!

Mammy & Pappy with a few of their grandbabies :)

Hat's off to Pepa!

Today we stopped by Nene and Pepa's house for a little visit before getting Brooker from school. Mary Kate saw a picture of a hat and Nene immediately said, "Pepa will you go get those two hats out of my closet for Mary Kate." Of course Pepa did as he was told and brought back two white hats...a bonnet and a sunhat. Mary Kate and Pepa spent at least 20 minutes playing with those hats. She kept putting them on his head and laughing and also got a kick out of him putting them on her head. This went on and on and it was too cute!