Dear Brooks,

You probably don't remember when this picture was taken...but it'll always be a sweet memory of mine.

It was the first family walk we took with you :) It was a beautiful sunday evening...you were such a good boy...so tiny in your [what seemed like extra large] car seat/stroller. As Daddy pushed you in the stroller, I had his strong arm...we walked around the corner, down Main Street, and up a hill into a lovely neighbor with gorgeous homes. We had fun looking at the houses and sharing what parts we loved most...what we want for our future dream home one day. But when we got back to our home, it was absolutely our dream home because YOU were in it :)

You were right around 2 weeks old...and it still boggles my mind to think that in just 2 weeks from today you'll be 1 year old!!

{another picture of you just a few weeks old...Home sweet home. Nothing better than being with you and Daddy}

Well sweet boy, lately you have been to cutest little guy when you wake up (in the morning or after naps). Ready to eat, and then play your little heart out :)

You're also SO close to walking! You actually took your first 3 1/2 baby steps on Saturday!!! :) And the night before we let you be our little naked jay bird and Daddy helped you walk as you held onto a wooden spoon...some day soon we'll let go of that spoon and you'll keep walking...we're so proud of you as you learn more & more every day :)

Later Friday night, Grandma & Grandpa Kjar took us out for a fun birthday dinner for me and Daddy. Burgers were on the brain, so we headed to 5 Guys Burgers and Fries...when you get old enough to have your own burger we'll be going there! It was soooooooooooooooo good. They have a fun message board...can you tell which note was ours? :)

After, we headed to Nielsen's Frozen Custard...Dad gave you a few little bites of his malted-oreo-almond frozen yogurt and you loved it! Guess you've got mommy's sweet tooth ;) We had a lot of fun with Grandma & Grandpa...they sure love you :)

Here are a couple cute pictures of you playing with Daddy's birthday balloons...you're just too adorable :)

And the other day I gave you a paint brush to play with and you started to "paint" the ground. :) So I immediately filled up a couple cups with water, dropped in some food coloring, and let you get your paint on!! It only lasted for about 30 seconds...haha...but I can tell you're going to like to draw and color...and I love to doodle! We're going to have some fun :)

Look at your first piece of artwork!! I'll be framing it, that's for sure :)

And last, but definitely not least, the picture below makes me smile just thinking about it!! This morning you weren't wanting your high chair, so I sat on the couch and you stood by me as I fed you your oatmeal and bananas :) I was trying to do the airplane to get the hearty breakfast into your mouth, and as you opened your mouth you took a BIG breath in and squinted your eyes shut...I quickly flew the "airplane" of oatmeal in your mouth, only to have it FLY back out as you sneezed!! AHHahaHAahAHhaAH! I was laughing, and you started to laugh with me! it was awesome :)

{you can see the bits of your oatmeal on the couch...heehee! Clean up on isle 5!}

I love you sweet boy and I'm excited for when you wake up from your nap cause you're coming visiting teaching with me (visit with some lady friends that go to church with us:) and then we'll be getting our exercise on! I found some sweet work out videos on hulu.com and we're going to try one out together...we'll see how it goes ;)

Love you forever and always,

Mom