Ware Reunion 2009

This week we went to Heber City, UT for a nice Ware Family Reunion. It was a fun few days. Here are the highlights.
Our picnic on the way in lovely Rawlins, WY.
Aunt Heather, Aunt Kenz, and the constantly happy Cousin Scarlett.
The downstairs playroom that included foosball, ping pong, pool, and the kids favorite treadmill. No pictures, but I really enjoyed Samara 'working out' on the treadmill in just a diaper.
Brooke sometimes had a hard time being the smallest of the active cousins. She got stepped on, run over, etc. Luckily there were lots of adults to keep her company, especially her Aunt Kenz.
Brooke took her first stab at coloring. She managed to make a few marks on the bag, and did not eat a single crayon!
Heading out for the family hike. It was a very strenuous quarter of a mile!
Brooke really enjoyed the sunflowers along the way.
The best from a few rousing games of dunk ball.
Brooke loved the balls.
Bubbles!!

The fishing game was a hit.

Behind the scenes. The fishing poles came in handy the rest of the week, especially for Channing. He managed to get 2 or 3 stuck in the most random places!

To the victor go the spoils. A princess wand and animal crackers. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa!

The kids getting ready for finding Nemo.Tracie getting ready for the alpine slide

Wild, Wild Weather

Some of you know that Denver has been having some wacky weather this summer. This past week a cold front moved in from the northwest. For 3 days straight we were in the 60s while on the other side of the Rocky Mountains Grand Junction was hitting the high 90s. I believe on Wednesday (or Thursday) Denver set a record for having the lowest high for the day at a whopping 63. I don't even think the tempurature fluctuated more than 10 degrees that day. But no worries the summer heat is back again this week with highs in the 90s. Great. I've actually really enjoyed the cooler, wet weather and not having to go out and water the garden every day.

Speaking of the garden we've got produce!!!! We've picked our snow peas several times and just picked our first zucchinis. Our green beans and tomatoes are coming in nicely and we got another green bell pepper growing. Our other bell pepper got picked and destroyed accidentally by our neighbor's little boy.

Because it has been so nice in the early afternoons, Brooke and I headed to the park one day. She was a little unsure of the swings this time but loved the little play areas where she could make some noise.

I wish I could say it was a windy day but it wasn't. Brooke just woke up with her hair like that and it stayed like that the whole day.

Lastly, a funny story about Brooke. Troy, Brooke, and I went for a walk the other night to the mail box. It was still sunny outside so I stuck a hat on her. When we got up to the mailbox I noticed that her hat was gone. (Side note - this is not her first time "accidentally" dropping her hat). Normally I can look back at the steps I've taken and see her hat but this time it was not in view. At least this wasn't done on one of my long walks that I like to take in the mornings. When we got close the house again we spotted the hat including Brooke. The first thing Brooke said was "uh oh." Aren't you supposed to say it right after the fact and not wait until we've made it to and from the mailbox? Silly kid.

All Growed Up (Beware, Lots of Syrup. Maybe even some powdered sugar)

A year ago today Brooke had her first doctor's visit. At that time her stats were:

Head: 13 1/4 in. (sorry, no percentiles were given)

Height: 19 in.

Weight: 6 lbs. 8 oz.

Now a year later here she is just as cute but slightly bigger.

Head: 18 1/2 in. (90-95%)

Height: 30 1/2 in. (75-90%)

Weight: 19 lbs. (10-25%)

For some reason I was not surprised to see that Brooke was at the top of the chart for head circumference. She did great while getting her 3 shots and the doc even seemed more impressed that Brooke is as social as she is. He said that kids her age normally don't interact as much as she did with him. Way to go, Brooke!!!!

Now a "quick" review at what Brooke has accomplished in the past year:

Crying really loud

Learning to enjoy bathtime

Smiling

Learning to play well with cousins Hanging out with Lexie
Putting up with mom and dad's craziness Mastering tummy time... but not always liking it

Learn to laugh (one of the best sounds in my opinion)

Rolling over

Being a great sleeper since 3 months.Taking after dad's goofinessLoving other peopleSitting upCrawlingFeeding herself.

Anywho, after a trip down memory lane I'm sure you all get the idea that Troy and I have had a fantastic, fun-filled year of Brooke. We love her to pieces and are so blessed to have her in the family.

Party

Ed and Joanna came out on Tuesday to visit Tracie and I, and coincidentally they were here for Brooke's birthday as well! :) We all enjoyed being spoiled to some degree during their visit, be it the extra pair of hands to take care of Brooke, the wondeful meals cooked for by Joanna, or the chance to eat Dim Sum and Cinzetti's in the same weekend. It was a fun and fast few days, and of course, it was Brooke who missed them most, since it was lonely in the back seat without them.

It took some coaxing, some advance ripping, and some placing of the paper right into her hands, but otherwise Brooke was a natural at opening her gifts.

The walker was a big hit.

Thanks for the book!

Wow, even more gifts, when will this all end!

Is this all for me?

All these gifts are great, but I think I'd really just like a nap!




The Birthday cupcake chronicles.

The pristine beginning.

So what do you do with this thing, poke holes in it and smash it to pieces?!?!?!

Oh, I see where you're going with this...


That's what I'm talking about!

These things aren't so bad after all!

Thanks Grandma and Grandpa for a great birthday!

It was great to see Brooke's face when she saw her new gifts, and we got to see that same face that afternoon after her nap, and again the next morning. I think she forgets about them every time she goes to sleep. Once again, Happy Birthday Brooke.

Happy Birthday Brooke!!

Thanks for a fun first year together. You've grown up so much. We love you lots and ots and ts and s!!! - Mom and Dad