What's Down With The Browns?

Monday, December 7, 2009

Miles' Holiday Program

Miles holiday program was a-d-o-r-a-b-l-e. He'd mentioned a couple of times before the night of the program that he was "feeling a little nervous" about standing up in front of so many people --- which made it even cuter when he lit up and was incredibly animated during the program. He and some of his buddies ran around before the concert. When it was time to report to their classrooms, they marched ahead -- clearly a pack of boys that didn't need any adult supervision on their 1st grade hallway/turf.

The program included: Winter Makes Me Sing, Shalom, Jingle Jive, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, Blitzen's Boggie (clearly a secular school :).

Dana joined us, which was awesome. Noah sat on her lap while Griffin sat on mine. Thanks for coming, Dana B!

Saturday, December 5, 2009

James Island Festival of Lights

One of my favorite holiday traditions is the James Island Festival of Lights. It is an amazing display of lights (you drive through for about 30 minutes in your car) and also includes 'Santa's Village' which includes Santa (you can take your own pictures!), open fires to roast marshmallows, a carousel, a train ride, enormous sand sculptures, and so much more. It is top notch. The boys LOVED it. As we were driving through the light display, Miles screamed out, 'this is almost as fun as playing Wii!' All three boys were yelling and pointing out their favorite displays.

Lindsey, Dana, Jason and my mom were in the car in front of us. They said that they could hear the boys SCREAMING all the way from our car.

The boys asked for nerf guns. Parents have different opinions on guns. We've decided that since everything turns into a gun anyway (finger, stick, toilet paper roll) that "nerf" is the lesser of the gun toy evils. At least no one can shoot an eye out. :)

Me and my sisters. So lucky to have them as best friends, too.

Colonial Dorchester State Park

On Friday while Dana and my mom were wedding planning, the rest of us hit up Colonial Dorchester State Park, which is a few miles from my parents' house. Its an historic site that dates back to the 1700s. Intact remains include a brick bell tower of a church, a fort used in the revolutionary war (in the begining by the Americans and in the end by the British), and a cemetery. I loved the history -- the dogs and the boys loved the open space to run around.

Miles had fun playing photographer. Was glad that my dad was there to capture it!

As always, Uncle Jason provided serious entertainment. From shooting cannons (with tennis balls) to sword fighting (with sticks) to creating his own Swamp Monster, they boys were delighted. Noah even let Jason deck him out (photo of Noah by my dad).

It was a fun spot -- look forward to running around there again!

Thanksgiving Day

We had a great Thanksgiving weekend! Thanksgiving day was great. The food was delicious and the company - perfect. Yet again, so much to be thankful for this year.

The boys and I hung out at my parent's neighborhood playground in the morning. The boys love playing there and I love knowing that Lindsey played in the same spot when she was Miles' age.

Griffin actually said, "mommy, take my picture!" and then posed on this little piece of equipment. Love it.

We walked back to my parents' house through the greenway. It was a beautiful day.

Love the face you can see in my dad's old birdhouse.

Lindsey and Jason were home. They just got a Nikon D3000 and a 35mm 1.8 lens. We were taking similar pictures with similar settings and then comparing photos. It was fun. If you guys move closer to Charlotte we can do stuff like this more often! :)

While we were busy snapping pictures, Dana whipped up an amazing pie crust from scratch. Talk about rock star. (Photo credit to the Schuberts)

Dana is also in the double-digits of her wedding countdown so there was definitely a bunch of wedding chatter. (Photo credit to my dad)

(Lindsey and Dana are smiling, but are they really thinking - "stop being so bossy, Brooke?" I have sort of a know-it-all face here and am I really slightly pointing my finger?? I think its one of the curses of the the eldest-child-DNA... :)

More wedding surfing. Mom with her tea...getting sleepy...but hanging on.... (Seriously, how were weddings planned before the internet? :)

The boys LOVED playing Wii. I have many more pictures of the fun -- but most are full of pjs and bed-head. :)

Here is some of my favorite artwork from the season. Noah's turkey said that he was thankful for "my dad; my baby; my jammies; my lovies; my mommy" (I'm sure he just ran out of feathers for Miles!). Miles' turkey said that he was thankful for "pop and gram because they have lots of toys; my mom and dad because my dad wrestles with me and my mom snuggles with me; and my brothers Noah and Griffin. I am thankful for Noah because I play with him and I am thankful for Griffin because he hugs me." Griffin didn't have anything listed on his turkey but I'm sure he'll be full of lists next Thanksgiving. This year we ate up his multi-colored hand imprint modified to be a turkey. Its the cutest.

Friday, December 4, 2009

Busy Browns

I'm not sure what happened, but life as has gotten insanely busy. Mike's been in Boston all week; I've been to Miles' school several times to volunteer; we've had play dates, after-school activities, Miles' school holiday program; my car battery died for 20 hours (my amazing friend Shawne figured out the jumper cables and saved the day -- which unfortunately didn't save me from an hour+ wait in the dealership with 2 kiddos this morning...just to learn that the battery is fine now, but will probably die again...but they can't replace it under the warranty unless its currently not working), and I got my first mammogram (I know, too much information -- but, dude, it was a big deal and thankfully much easier than I thought it was going to be).

Tomorrow I head off for on an annual dinner club weekend in the mountains. I cannot wait. I long for time with these precious girlfriends and soak up every moment that I get with them. Heading back on Sunday to help host a wedding shower for Dana. Can't wait to celebrate her hitching up with Brad! Love them both!

Who knows how long it will be until I begin to blog about Thanksgiving and everything else I'm snapping pictures of?! Until then.....

Here is one of the pictures that Hope Bray took of our family. Will post more next week.