So Much To Catch Up On!!!!

It has been over 2 weeks!! In addition to Brian's baseball and cutting yards and my never-ending "stuff", we have been so busy lately that I haven't been able to keep updated. Here are some of the things that we have been up to...

New Things Each Day!

It really amazes me how each day brings something new with Brooks! He is so mobile now and not afraid of anything!!! I'm the overprotective mommy following him around to make sure that he doesn't fall down or bump his head. He loves to be on his feet, so he pulls up on everything. He is working on cruising the furniture, too. He loves to talk and talk (poor thing...got that honest from Mommy and Daddy!). He also loves anything that he can bang and make noise. Coming home from daycare each day, we look forward to a small snack of banana puffs and juice. It is the sweetest thing watching him pick up those little snacks with those little fingers and put them in his mouth. My little guy is growing up too fast!!!!

Tomato Festival

Being from Crystal Springs (once known as Tomatopolis of the World), you just have to experience the Tomato Festival each year! It would most likely be a completely boring event to you if you weren't from there, but it is just a great time to get to see those that you only get to see about once a year. This year was especially nice because I got to show off my little man! Friday night was BBQ and Blue Jeans, a charitable event sponsored by the Junior Auxillary. Anna, who chaired it once again this year, did a great job! Saturday morning started off with the kid's parade. Kelli and I "pimped out" Kaylin and Brooks' strollers with tomato paraphenalia. We brought up the caboose of the parade with the Herringtons...we got several laughs out of the morning! Then, we cruised around the flea market, which never appeals to me all that much!

Brooks' First Vacation

At 4 a.m. on June 21st, we hit the road for Brooks' first vacation. We headed up to the Ozarks in Missouri to visit my family and do some good ole' rainbow trout fishing. I was surprised that it didn't take much longer than the average 6 hours to make the trip. Brooks was the best little traveler! The two carloads carried Mimi, Dondaddy, Brian, me and Brooks, Brent, Eileen, Jack, and our good family friend Matt. We stopped by Mammoth Springs, AR on the way up to see the ducks and take some pictures. We hit the Eleven Point River early Sunday morning and fished and played in the water and on the sandbar all day. That night, Uncle Randy (the best fishing guide in the world!) fried and baked our catches from the day! It was the best! When we weren't fishing, we were visiting with Grandmama and the rest of the crew. It is such a gorgeous part of the country and is very dear to my family's heart! It was a wonderful trip! Del, Ann, G'ma, Randy, and Wendy...thanks for the great hospitality!

Brooks and Lily's Playdate!

On Friday, June 20th, we had a great visit from the Allens. Ethan was playing in the state tennis tournament here in Jackson, so Jennifer and Lily spent the afternoon at our house. This was the first time that Brooks and Lily could really play together since they are both mobile now. And boy, did they have fun! They were being sweet with one another one minute and bonking the other on the head the next. Lily was so funny all day...we kept making her make faces. We just laughed and laughed. It was a great visit! We can't wait to see them again.

Brooks Starts at a New School!

Monday, June 16th was Brooks' first day at his new daycare. We have really been happy with everything and are looking forward to him enjoying many days ahead there. He has already found a little girlfriend there. She is such a cutie! His teachers say that he just chases her around and they play and giggle with one another. It's adorable!

Father's Day

Brian had a great first Father's Day! Brooks decided to wake up at 5 a.m. that morning, so he and I decided to do a little art project for Daddy's present. We got him a book on the L.A. Dodgers, so Brooks "signed" the inside cover with his sweet little handprint. The instructions simply said, "wash hands with a mild soap and water when finished with ink"...yeah, not so much. Poor little thing...I probably scrubbed his hands 5 times that morning. It was well worth it to see Daddy's face, though! Then, we went to church and came home to hang out all day. I had to do some serious cleaning since Brooks is all over the place, so Brooks and Daddy had some great special boy time. Nana, Pop, Uncle Jon, and Brandi came by to visit for a while. The boys took a good nap after that.

Mommy's Day Off

I have reduced my hours at work and am only working 4 days a week now. Today was my second week with my new schedule. It was wonderful to be able to actually get through my long list of things to do. After all my errands, I picked Brooks up and we went to Wal-Mart. He LOVES Wal-Mart!!! It gives him the chance to people watch, which is one of his favorite things to do. We dropped off the groceries and headed over to Kelli's. Kaylin was going to try rice cereal out for the first time. She did great...made a few funny faces, but ate it all (well, what didn't end up on her face). Brooks is so funny with Kaylin. He wants to get to her every chance he can get. He already has several girlfriends, so I hope all his other sweet baby girls don't get jealous about his date today. He loves you all!

Kayin after cereal...look at those gorgeous blue eyes!

Looks like he is giving her some advice!Oh, how sweet...kissing her hand!

He's moving now!!!

People have been telling me these past few days...pack up all your nice things! He is crawling all over the place and pulling up on the furniture now. As excited as we are, this overprotective mommy won't be letting him leave her sight anytime soon. Guess it is time to do some serious baby proofing.

Getting To Know the Dogs

Brooks has really become interested in the dogs the last few times he has been to Nana and Pop's. He just watches and watches them. Sometimes, he looks at them and just laughs. Here are a couple of picture of him with Dodger.

Dodger giving him kisses

He isn't scared of them at all
Such a sweet boy!

He Crawled!

He crawled for the first time last Friday night! He has been working on it so hard and actually took two "steps". He can already scoot all over the place, so we were really excited to see him move on all fours. He only takes a few "steps", but we are surely proud of his progress. He gets really frustrated and rocks back and forth when he is trying.

Here I Go! You are watching, aren't you?
Whoa! That was hard work!

Jack's 5th Birthday Party

Jack (my nephew and Godson) turned 5 on June 5th. He had a really cool party with a huge water slide! Since Brooks couldn't exactly go down the slide, we got a "just his size" pool that he just loved. Everyone had a great time! Jack was the sweetest little thing...taking the time to thank everyone as he opened his gifts. It's hard to believe that he is going to school this Fall.

Brooks' First 7 Months

Since I started this blog 7 months after Brooks was born, I'll catch you up on some of our favorite pictures from these last 7 months. He has been such a good baby! He is the happiest child and such a flirt! I can't believe how quickly time flies...

Robert Brooks Hardy

Robert Brooks Hardy was born November 8, 2007 at 12:20 p.m. measuring 7 pounds 1 ounce and 20 inches long. He was good to his mommy by making her endure a very short labor. It was an amazing day!!!! We are so blessed!!!!

One day old

Just a couple hours old!

Coming to see Mommy for the 1st time

Here Goes...

Okay, I've decided to start a blog...it is just such a great way for everyone to keep up with what is going on with us. I hate that I didn't get this started earlier when Brooks was born...better late than never. Here goes!