What to Do When Mommy and Daddy Aren't Looking

While I was in the shower and Troy was at his morning meeting for church Brooke decided to do this

And while I was getting dressed she did this

Brooke has also become out little Houdini. She has somehow figured how to open our screen door. We have never seen her do it but when we finally notice she's usually already out the door and on the deck. Luckily Lexie has decided not to follow suit. I think she's just waiting to see if Brooke will get in trouble. I've tried to get her escape on video but alas after several attempts I got absolutely nothing. Except for a picture of her out on the deck enjoying her newfound freedom. Hopefully this isn't a foreshadow of her teenage years.

In other news our garden are starting to produce some produce. We have one green pepper and a few tomatoes. Our snow peas are looking pretty good as well as our cantelope and zucchini. Our green beans have seen better years but I guess this is to be expected since our seeds are 2 years old. Our strawberries are done supplying us with strawberries. Either that or the robins have been having a field day eating all of them.

Here's a pic of a pretty columbine that's in our new flowerbed.

I finally finished a project that I've been working on FOREVER. Ifound the instructions to making a tote bag off of a JoAnn's Fabric's newsletter and thought it would be fun to make a pool bag. The instructions noted that this project was for someone that had some sewing experience and it would take approximately 3 hours to make. My friend, Stacie, so graciously agreed to help me make this bag and after many, many (definitely more than 3 hours, maybe 9) hours of cutting, pinning, and sewing, here is the final product. Thanks Stacie for all your help!!!!!!!! We also got to visit Aaron, Robyn, and Taylor. It had been a good month since we last saw them and little Taylor has chubbed up. Robyn even made the comment that she thinks little Taylor's thighs are bigger than Brooke's. I just told her it's because Brooke can exercise now. Brooke had fun with Taylor's toys. We're working on teaching her how to share but luckily Taylor didn't mind.

I kind of miss the days where I could feed Brooke and she would hold still the whole time. It's been a great week and an even better day today seeing as it's Father's Day. Brooke and I made Troy some breakfast and got him some fun presents including a new Rand McNally Atlas, BBQ scrubber, a pair of Crocs for Brooke that Troy is really excited to see her in, and a little screwdriver set. Happy Father's Day Troy. Thanks for being so great.

All Work and Some Play

So, between study days, business trips, and vacation days, this was my first full week at work since early February! Needless to say, it was a productive week. I accidentally deleted the few pictures we took this week, so in order to make it a little less boring, I'm going to a bullet format.

So here are the highlights of the week.

• Weather: Nothing says late spring/ early summer in Colorado quite like crazy weather. Hail storms, thunderstorms and rain here in Castle Rock. Funnel clouds and tornadoes relatively close.
• Strawberries: We picked a lot, we ate a lot, more to come.
• Brooke's mobility: She has started to 'cruise', meaning she is pulling herself up and moving around couches, coffee tables, etc. She is also comfortable moving up and down the stairs, and likes to sneak up to the landing when Mom isn't looking.
• Flower bed: We finished the second one on the other side of the deck.
• Chinese food: We went to our favorite Chinese restaurant in Denver to satisfy Tracie's week long craving for Chinese ever since she flipped through a noodle recipe book that she checked out from the library.
• Visitors: Dave and Bri stopped by on Saturday on their way to Kentucky for ortho school. Their stay was short, but eventful. Without too much gory details, let's just say that the evening included someone peeing on the deck, dumping Lexie's food into her water, and some projectile vomiting! Despite all that, it was fun having them stop by, and we'll see them again in a couple of years!

All Play and Some Work

We were blessed this past weekend to have Troy's mom and little bros come and visit. They arrived Wednesday and we were all ready to put them to work. Just kidding. We waiting until Thursday. :) Thursday morning we headed off to downtown Denver to take a tour of the U.S. Mint. This is the second time I've gone in 4 months and I think I may take a break for a while although this time we got to see some of the machines doing stuff. That afternoon the boys helped put in the other flower garden. We may have had to "borrow" some dirt from an empty lot but there was plenty for the taking. The plants are in and we just need to get some mulch and we'll be good. One project done in the yard...now to the next one.
Brooke loved having her uncles and Grandma around. She always had to be were the action was.Wishing she could go outside and throw the football too.
Staring at some bunnies with Uncle Brett.Friday Troy, Taylor, and I went to see Angels and Demons. Troy and I had read the book 4 years ago and there was little that I remembered but we all enjoyed the movie. We finished off the day with making some smores over our new firepit. Saturday we put the boys to work again and put in our garden. No pictures of this one since I was helping too! We planted snow peas, green beans, cherry tomatoes, tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, cantelope, and pumpkin. We learned from last year so instead of planting 3 mounds with 5 zucchini seeds each we planted 2 mounds with 3 seeds. I'm already excited to harvest but I'll have to wait until probably the end of the July before we get anything. Hopefully next year I'll be able to start some seeds indoors so we'll be able to harvest earlier. Saturday afternoon my cousin, Jonathan, and his mom, Auntie Houng came to visit. Jonathan will be going to the pharmacy school at UC-Denver so they came to check out the area and look for apartments. They also came back Sunday for a BBQ and to watch the Lakers vs. Magic game. Jonathan was really happy with the outcome of the game. I think everyone else wanted to see a different ending. Today Brooke and I had to say goodbye to Troy's mom and little bros. It's been a little quiet and boring around the house but we're looking forward to August when the whole Ware family will be back together again. Thanks for a great weekend everyone!!!!!!!

P-A-R-T-Y

It's been a short week since coming back from Utah. Despite that fact, we managed to fit in two parties this weekend. Unfortunately there are no pictures from either. :( On Friday night, Pat from work threw his annual Spring BBQ at his house. It is always a lot of fun to interact with my co-workers and their family. Brooke was happily passed among the ladies, who were equally joyous to hold her. Brooke lasted until about 8:30, and then it was time to head home. We're hoping that we can add at least another 30 minutes to out night!

Saturday night we finally made good on our resolution to throw a party at our house. Lexie helped out by getting the lemonade ready. (Don't worry, we washed it afterwards.) We made fajitas, and had some excellent desserts. Lemon bars, a frozen lemonade pie, and the dulce de leche cupcakes. It was a fun evening and we're grateful for everyone that showed up. Hopefully the next time it won't rain and we can stay outside with our BBQ.

Taylor, Brett and my mom are coming this week, so we promise at least 3 pictures from our weekend exploits!

Memorial Day Weekend!!!

This past weekend we decided to make a road trip over to Utah. The drive through the Rocky Mountains was gorgeous. I wish we would have taken pictures but it was sprinkling and drizzling throughout the drive. Brooke did fantastic the whole 8 hour drive. I think she may have made one little peep but besides that she kept herself busy with all the toys and books we brought for her.

I think her favorite part was our "picnic" inside the car in Glenwood Springs.

We arrived at Shane and Heather's in time for dinner with Grandpa and Grandma Burt and cousin Bryce. Unfortunately we forgot to take out the camera during that time. Poor Ellie had to spend most of the weekend with socks on her hands since she just learned that she could yank her earrings out. I think she lost only 1 pair but definitely yanked out her earrings more than once.

Saturday morning the whole gang headed over to Magelby's Fresh for all-you-can-eat French Toast. Although we all only got one helping of French toast we were stuffed. We met up with Will and Kristin in the early afternoon at the Quiksilver Outlet and walked out with a ton of goodies for a great deal. I got 4 shirts for $5 each. Not too shabby. Afterwards Heather and I went to go get pedicures. I believe this is the third time ever getting one and it was wonderful. I think we may have to make that a tradition whenever the womenfolk get together. The kids got a bath later on that evening. I don't think Brooke has ever had that much fun.

Sunday we met up with Will and Kristin again and hung out with them for a little bit. In the evening we took a nice walk around the neighborhood and luckily made it back to the house before the downpour came. We ended the night with a fun game of Ticket to Ride with Heather winning the game. Jackson even got to rock out to Guitar Hero.

Brooke loved all the new toys that she had free reign to play with.

Monday, Troy and I took the gang to the Chinese restaurant that's up in Salt Lake. The girls (meaning the kiddies) got there hair done before we left. Even Brooke had enough hair to put into a little pony tail. If you look closely you can see the little piggies on the twins.

I think everyone enjoyed the food especially Kate. Normally Ellie finishes up her food before Kate is even halfway done but this time Kate completely cleared her tray before Ellie was done. Heather and I did a little bit of shopping that afternoon and then enjoyed the boys spoiling us by making dinner.

We got to meet up with Jenna at BYU before we left and also hit up the bookstore. Luckily, we still get a discount there for being alumni.

The trip back to Colorado was uneventful. We hit rain pretty much all through the mountains but made it back in decent time. Thanks Shane, Heather, Jackson, Ellie, and Kate for a fantabulous weekend. As I write this blog Brooke is going through withdrawals since there's no one to entertain her in her room. Boo.

Spring Time

The weather is now right to start planting. This week our goal was to make a flower bed next to our deck. This is what the other side of the deck looks like, which we will do next.

We built a small retaining wall on the one side, then back filled with a lot of dirt from our garden. We planted some flowers, and will add a couple of ornamental grasses in the next week or so. We are making our yard pretty one step at a time.

We also planted a small box of herbs that we will make use of over the summer. The rest of the garden should be planted by next weekend.

Brooke is as cute as ever and finally allowed us to capture a picture of her two teeth.

Any Guesses on What We Had for Dinner?

Before:

After:

Week Of Fun

Last week, Shane and Heather came to visit us. It was great timing because we had pretty nice weather the whole time they were here. They arrived Wednesday and we were able to meet up with Troy downtown for a bite to eat. We ate at a place called BD's Mongolian BBQ. It was delicious and we were definitely full afterwards. Troy took the rest of the day off so we headed home and hung out for the rest of the afternoon. Shane and Troy put together our deck furnituer and new firepit. We're excited to put it to use. That evening was spent playing the Wii. Thursday, the adults went to the temple while Brooke got to hang out with a lady from the ward. We spent the afternoon at the Outlets. All I have to say is that it's very dangerous to have a Carter's outlet store less than 2 miles away from us. We got some pretty good deals though. Friday, we headed up to Boulder for a picnic lunch then made our way to Estes Park. It was a bit windy and chilly but all in all I think Brooke enjoyed her very first picnic lunch. Estes Park was fun and we always enjoy heading up there. On the way back, we just had to make a stop at Cinzetti's, the best Italian food buffet EVER. If you ever come on by to visit, we'll have to introduce you to Cinzetti's. You will not be dissappointed.

Brooke loved the Berries n' CreamSaturday, we just chilled out in the morning until it was time to take Shane and Heather to the airport. It was great to spend so much time with them and I know Brooke loved the extra company in the backseat. Can't wait to see you guys again in a couple of weeks. Thanks for coming out, Shane and Heather!!!!!

Brooke pooped from all the fun.

The End

School's Out for the Summer!!!

I took my exam on Friday, and hopefully there will only be one more! Results in about two months. So between me studying all week, and Tracie feeling under the weather most of the week, there wasn't much excitement this week. Good thing we have Brooke to liven the place up! She is eating more 'real' food, and loves to suggest that you share with her.

She's crawling all over the place, and will scoot around chasing balls (and Lexie) around the kitchen and living room.
She got her first tooth. Can you see it? I promise you it is there, but not suprisingly it is still small and Brooke is less than willing to allow the papparrazi in for a close-up.

She's learned from Lexie how to harrass Mom while she reads the Sunday paper. The most interesting section is always the one that you are currently reading.
Lastly, she's discovered her nose, and laughs hysterically when she shoves her finger in up to the first knuckle.