Birthday weekend

This past weekend was Mateo's second birthday!! I can't believe how quickly he's growing. We were lucky enough to have Amy, Luke and Cash come to MN (Cash-man's first visit) late, late Thursday night and then Nana and Papa came up Friday night. I'm going through nephew withdrawal still - I miss my little marshmallow.

Saturday was Mateo's party and our house was filled with family and friends. Mateo had his own personal present opener thanks to Auntie Anna.

A big thank you to all of our family and friends that helped celebrate Mateo's day! Here are some pictures from the weekend:

Joe and I camped out in the living room Friday night and

were awoken by this precious face very early Saturday morning

Trouble and more trouble

Cars chairs and table from Nana and Papa

Cousin Anthony holding Taye back from the cake

Family pic!

Mateo - Two years!

Two years ago today this little guy change our lives forever! Joe and I can't get over how he's transitioned from baby to little boy especially within the past few months. He's talking up a storm and he's actually playing with toys - its amazing to watch this transition. He's just a happy an outgoing kid and has absolutely no fear, which tends to give me heart attacks on almost a weekly basis.

We're so blessed to have this little guy in our lives...Mateo, we love you more than you'll ever know!!

Birthday party WI style

We couldn't celebrate the BIG 1 without a party at Nana and Papa's!! It was a wonderful time and many thanks to everyone that showed up and celebrated with us.

Here are some pictures and video of the day and the cake smashing!

And here is the video of the cake smashing...they only turn 1 once right?



Mateo - Twelve Months

Happy Birthday!!

I cannot believe how time flies. It seems like just yesterday that we brought home a little 6lb 9oz bundle of joy and we were trying to figure out how this parenting thing should work.

Well that 6lb 9oz bundle of joy is now about 20lbs of pure sassy energy (many think he gets that from me) and we've entered the world of tantrums and timeouts, for which I blame his ped. We had his one year appointment and she said to not be surprised if he starts to throw himself on the floor or hold his breath or bang his head...um excuse me? About two days later, the throwing himself on the floor and banging his head had started.

Thankfully, his "bad" days are some kids "good" days so we really can't complain too much. He is such a little boy now...and it's a bit surreal.

We celebrated his birthday with brunch at Todd and Anna's on their deck and some wonderful cake:

Lordy, Lordy...Look who's 40!!!

Joe turned 40 and in honor of the big day, his bro and bbf's threw a surprise party. All I had to do was provide the garage for the party and get Joe out of the house...which actually my dad did because Joe wanted to "look at guns...I'm not gonna buy one Brooke, I just wanna look. It's my birthday." So who better than to go with to look than my dad.

Here are some from the celebration:

July 10-12

Friday, July 10th
Our dvd player decided it didn't want to work anymore. Joe and I drove all over trying to find the dvd player he found online. Did we find it? Nope. So we settled on one at Best Buy, brought it home and it didn't work!

Saturday, July 11th
Saturday and Joe took me to Como Zoo as a pre-birthday celebration. We got there right when it opened so we managed to get a parking space (get there any later and good luck!) and it was a beautiful day. Como Zoo is a free (they ask for a $2 donation per person if you can spare) and it's nice, but small. Here are some of the animals we saw:

That evening Joe took me to Jax Cafe which was fantastic! I think we were there for two hours and had a nice leisurely dinner. The crab stuffed mushrooms were fabulous, Joe's rib eye was fabulous, my scallops were fabulous and the banana split at the end was to die for. Our waitress, Claire, was the best - she reminded me of Joe's Aunt Paige who is super sweet. It was a great evening and it's been a long time since Joe and I had a "date."

10 pounds heavier, we left the restaurant and met Travis and Stephanie at the bowling alley by our house. I totally suck but managed to break 100 twice. I thought maybe my bowling practice on the wii would carry over to real bowling but no such luck.

Sunday, July 12

Happy Birthday to me - I turned 29. I celebrated by relaxing and not doing a darn thing. How did I take 29? Surprisngly well, it didn't bother me. I had a hard time with 25 but 29 - piece of cake. We'll see how next year goes.

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday...

Amy Lou - June 4th

Uncle Mike - June 19th

Joe - June 25th

Savana - June 28th

Hope your days are fabulous!!

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to...

Samantha on May 28th!!

Happy Birthday to Kari!!

Kari and I have been friends since we were 12 years old - that's 17 years - 17 YEARS!! Wow, that just doesn't seem right - 29-12= 17. Nope that is right, 17 years!

Happy birthday my dear - enjoy the last year of your twenties!

To celebrate - here are some pictures of us through the years...

Mitchell Corn Palace - 1996 (I think)

Griffith Park Observatory - 2002

Tijuana, Mexico - 2002

Malibu, CA 2003

My wedding - 2007

Griffith Park Observatory - 2008

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday everyone!!

Kari - March 1st

Grandma Sal - March 7th

Melissa - March 13th

Derek - March 23rd

Uncle Scott - March 27th

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday Liz and Aunt Susie!!!

Aunt Susie - February 3rd

Liz - February 29th (this year it will have to be the 28th)

Happy Belated Birthdays

Ok - We feel awful!! So, so awful! Happy Birthday Godfather/Uncle Lynn (1/6) and Uncle Artie (1/11)!

Because we forgot, here are some great pictures of the two handsome men. We hope your birthdays were fabulous (just like you) and that you can forgive us!!

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday DAD!! (or POP as Joe would say!)

We wish we could be there to celebrate with you! Next time you're

up, we'll buy you a birthday burger and beer at the 5 -8.

Love you lots and hope you have a fabulous birthday!!!

Happy Belated Birthday Luke

It was my soon to be baby brother's birthday on Monday. Isn't he handsome?

Happy Belated Birthday Lukie!!

Your gift is going in the mail tomorrow morning

Love you!

September Birthdays

In order not to forget anyone's birthday here are the September Birthdays:

Draiman - September 6th

Josh - September 18th

Troy - September 19th

I hope everyone gets some great presents and Troy - don't have too much fun on your birthday (it's on a Friday so watch out East Troy!)

Happy Belated Birthday

Happy Belated Birthday to all of the August Birthdays -

Uncle Keith - August 28th
Aunt Ginger - August 30th
Stephanie - August 31st

I know I called 2 of the 3...my bad...sorry Stephie - so this post is really for her.

Happy Birthday to Stephanie, Happy Birthday to Stephanie
Happy Birthday dear Stephanie, Happy Birthday to you!! :)

Stephie - Please forgive your absent minded cousin - I feel even worse about it now that I know you have "the pool on order."

Hope everyone's birthday was great!