Hallie

Hallie really is such a sweet girl! She can play and get along with anyone. She is so smart and has an incredible memory, even other people comment on how well she can remember things. I just love my girl to pieces!

Playing superheros with cousin, Xander

 Hallie almost never naps anymore. But sometimes, during quite time, I find her asleep. And, of course, I have to take pictures of it because there is nothing sweeter than an asleep kid!

She made a fort in the couch and after searching the house for her, I found her asleep under her fort cushions.

Piano

So, last month, I walked into work and my boss approached me and casually asked if I would like a piano. I said yes but then questioned how he knew that I played the piano. He said that he didn't but he is getting rid of his piano and would love for someone he knew to take it. I asked how much for the piano and he said, "$1.00," to which I rolled my eyes at and he said, "Yeah, you're right. That's too steep. How about 0.50 cents!" 

I called Russ telling him what was offered to me. We both weren't sure where we would put the piano but we felt like we couldn't refuse a free piano either! I'm definitely no expert at the piano but I dabble a little and this expense is probably something we would have never bought on our own. So, a few weeks later, my boss paid to have the piano delivered to our house! After some rearranging of furniture, we decided to put it in our front room.

It's definitely old, with old, chipped ivory keys, but it also has an old "charm" about it too. The wood color, unfortunately, doesn't match the decor of our home. So, after some thought, I decided to paint it. I know that probably offends some people to have painted an old piano like this but I'm happy with the way it turned out!

Before

 After

The keys need to be replaced as well and the piano needs to be tuned! I haven't gotten Russ on board with replacing all the keys yet, however. It is pretty expensive to do but, hey, it was a free piano after all! Hopefully soon we can pay to get the keys replaced. It will look so nice when that is done!

Sibling Love

I know I've said this before but I LOVE watching Hallie's and Brooks' relationship grow. I love watching them play together. I love watching them bond. I love witnessing them love each other. I love watching them make each other laugh. I love that they make each other comfortable. I just love my kids!!

Watching sibling relationships develop is one of my favorite things of parenthood. I would have 100 kids just to watch them love each other. Although I am still trying to convince Russ that there is one more kid for us, so maybe we should just start with that. ;) Haha!

Playing the "drums" together

 The are the cutest! I could just kiss their faces off!

15 Months!

Brooksie is 15 months old and is SO busy!! He is into everything all the time. He is an expert at making messes and is obsessed with throwing things in the garbage can, usually things that aren't garbage and don't belong in the garbage can (cell phone, cups, channel changer, etc.)!! He loves balls, food, his binky and burp bloth, snuggles with mama and recently has loved his new summer hat we got him! He is starting to follow commands and loves to throw his diaper away in the garbage. He gives the best snuggles! He is the perfect combo of sweet and sassy. He's got some anger issues when he doesn't get what he wants. I hope that this is just because he can't talk all that much right now and when his language skills develop, he will become less frustrated. He has a biting problem, but it's only really an issue with Hallie. The doctor said I can start initiating time outs for him and so that is what we will do when he bites. He can say Mama, Dadda and Nana (for banana). He uses his left hand for pretty much everything and I know it's early to say but he appears to be a lefty. I love watching him walk and watch his little bum shake as he moves. He looks exactly like his dad and I couldn't love this kid anymore! He is the cutest toddler around and I love being his mama!!

15 Month Stats:
-Weight: 25.1 lbs. (59th percentile)
-Height: 32.25 in. (83rd percentile)
-Head Circumference: 19 in. (80th percentile)

I love my snuggly boy! He fits so perfectly in my arms!

 Doing what he does best...making messes!

 Destroying the table paper at the doctor's office

 Holding onto me as he falls asleep. This boy melts my heart!

 If we are upstairs, you can bet that he will first go into his room and grab his binky and burp cloth and then go back to playing.

 Shooting hoops

Dumping out all the drawers in my bathroom 

 Now Hallie contributed to this movie mess but still

 Gosh he's perfect!

 Loving his new summer hat. One Sunday, he grabbed it out of the diaper bag and wore it during the remainder of Relief Society. Ha!

Soccer

Hallie's first soccer game was today and she KILLED it!!! She not only loved being out on the field but she was the best on her team! She was aggressive and was attacking and stealing the ball! She scored 3 goals and has been asking when she gets to play soccer again ever since! It is so fun to watch her confidence grow and watch her succeed and thrive in an environment that frightened her just 1 year ago! Way to go sweet girl! We love you!!

 Go Hallie go!

 Steal that ball, Hallie-o!

Muddy!

Brooks is SO busy!! He is into everything all the time! He makes a mess of everything he touches! He loves getting dirty and puts everything and anything in his mouth, even dirt! Today, he wanted to play in the mud and I just let it happen. He was a disgusting mess but he loved every minute of it!!

 Yummy dirt!

Preschool Pics

Preschool picture time! I'm so glad Hallie has LOVED preschool! Her teacher is so sweet with her and the kids in her class are generally really great too!

Miss Rachel, Sammie, Katie, Ty, Navy, Beckham, Hallie
Penelope, Goldie, Avarie and Melanie