October Trip to Tennessee

Carson had a few days off for Fall Break so we packed up and headed to Tennessee to visit Grandpa and Grandma Schluep. Brian's brother, Uncle D, and his wonderful girlfriend Nicky, came to spend the long weekend, too! We had a fun trip to the Smoky Mountains to see the fall leaves. Carson loved hiking in the woods and the scenery was amazing. The leaves are gorgeous but there is no way the camera captured the true beauty.

The original Schluep family!

Darin and Nicky - aren't they so cute together?!?!

Carson is such a good car-rider!

At this point, Brooke was really starting to cruise around.

We carved pumpkins one rainy afternoon.

Uncle D's pumpkin is on the left and Carson and Brian's pumpkin is on the right - it has a beard!

Flash Back Part I - Our Summer Staycation

We stayed home for our Vacation this year and took 4 days to just play, relax and have fun. It was wonderful. On one day, we visited the Zoo....and Brooke slept through nearly half of it!

Carson took a pony ride for the first time and had a great time!

Carson and Brian touched a snake - I took pictures (what a great excuse!!).

We also visited the Children's Museum - and of course, had big ice cream cones, that Carson insisted on sharing with Brooke!

They had a Star Wars The Clone Wars exhibit that Carson enjoyed.

Brooke LOVES playing peek-a-boo!

We spent hours at a park, enjoying a picnic and playing on a great playground.

Brooke's 10 Month Birthday and the Pumpkin Patch

Brooke turned 10 months old on Sunday. She is getting so big and grown up - she has given up baby food and really enjoys big-girl food. I cannot believe she will start drinking milk in 1 month and in 2 months, she will be 1! Just the other day one of her teachers said she is becoming more like a toddler, and she is right. No matter how old she is, she'll always be our baby girl! After church, we made our annual trip to the pumpkin patch!

We took a few self-portraits and I'm so pleased with how they turned out!


Carson LOVES the pumpkin patch! Brooke was so curious - she said ooh about a million times and was in complete awe of everything around her!

My boys with their pumpkin selections. Carson also picked a very small one (about the size of a baseball) for his sister.

Best buddies.

I always sneak a photo of them walking away....it is amazing to see how tall Carson has gotten!

Our monthly photo shoot took a bit longer than normal, but was worth every moment to get the two of them in fits of laughter in the chair!

Don't be fooled by this innocent look - it is all an act. Prime example: Brooke has been in 3 different crib locations at daycare - the first time, she was unloading papers off the table; just last week, she discovered the light switch and clapped for herself. Third time's a charm :).

Brooke is getting brave and standing on her own for a few moments every once in a while.

I saved the best for last with these two! When I look at my miracle babies, my heart swells with joy.

Pumpkin Painting

It's been a while - a long while....so I'm starting with last night. Carson attends before and after school care at his school through the YMCA. Every month they have family night and last night was a pumpkin party. Since the kids were in some of their Halloween gear (they have several orange and black outfits that we wear all through October!), I decided to take pictures. These are the first ones where you can see Brooke's front teeth! I cannot decide which of the first two is my favorite, so you can enjoy both of them.

For Carson's first Christmas, Papa and Nana bought him this hippo. He loved it and now Brooke is enjoying it, too. She gets stuck on the wall and just yells until someone helps her. We quickly come to her aid!

Carson is the best big brother. Brooke is so blessed to have him.

Here they are at the party. Carson did a great job painting his pumpkin!

Brooke ate Cheerios and chewed on her toys the entire time so I could help Carson focus on his painting!

Balloon Fest

Wow, have we ever been busy this past month, August flew by!
Carson started Kindergarten and really loves his teacher Mrs. Hanson.
Brooke is mobile and crawling all over, trying her hardest to get to the cat food before she gets caught. Here is one post about the past weekend... More to come in the near future!

We spend last weekend back in Illinois to celebrate Aunt Teese turning 27, and Aunt Katy turning 23.On Saturday, Crissy, Nana, and Therese went to the Art Fair with the kids while Brian, Papa, and Katy went fishing. That night we went to the balloon glow at the Lincoln Balloon Fest.

Mommy & Brooke checking out the artwork.

Carson & Nana working hard on Carson's masterpiece!

Carson was very excited to see all the balloons!

During the balloon glow... So pretty!

A family favorite, the beaver!

Family picture while at the Balloon Fest.