A New Drawing Board

Aaron and I merely contemplated moving one evening and then, it happened! We thought about it and decided it couldn't hurt to speak with a realtor about their thoughts on our current house. We met with a lady that just recently sold a friend's home and were blown away by the equity she suggested we had in our house. However, I was not willing to give up my recently beautifully self renovated house for the junk we had seen available online in the last few days. So we looked at some model homes and within just a week had found a builder with an inventory home (in the final phases of building) that won us over with the floor plan. 

The one thing that has been a major downfall to our house now is the fact that the bedrooms all share walls, making sounds easily transferred and heard throughout the rooms. Late at night too....fun!

Well, we went back and forth about things and lifted up the decisions in prayer. The Lord took this whole process in his hands and has made it work VERY quickly and perfectly. 

We put our house on the market on a Friday and had an offer on it on Tuesday! The very first people to walk through our house loved it and are now buying it. Once the paperwork was underway, the inventory home that we liked so much was still available! Yay! We placed earnest money down and the rest is history. This all started at the end of August and we are scheduled to close on both homes on Wednesday and Thursday of next week! I think we are still in shock about the entire thing. 

It has been nothing but a crazy whirlwind of hosting a birthday party to insane packing in the last 2 weeks. We are just beyond grateful and excited to enjoy more elbow room in our next new home. And as with the last two homes, we will begin to customize and remodel into our very own!!

4 Year Check-up

Brooklyn had her 4 year well visit today with the pediatrician. She continues to stay in the high percentage with both height and weight; the 75th percentile. Her pediatrician spoke almost exclusively to Brooklyn about things she is able to do and know. He had her draw shapes and write her name and such and said she is right on target. We are so thankful that she is healthy, both physically and mentally thus far.

She did, however, know shots were coming (4!!!! What?!?) and knew they were going to hurt :(
So, first a nasal mist for the flu and then 4 quick shots in both thighs. It was NO fun. She calmed down faster than I anticipated and only complained a couple of times throughout the rest of the day about her left leg being sore. We headed for ice cream afterwards to make everything feel better, of course!

B's First Riding Lessons

Brooklyn adores horses and has always enjoyed riding them so for her birthday, we decided to get her riding lessons. There is a ranch not too far from the house that offers lessons for a great price and I was totally impressed!!

Her instructor started off by having Brooklyn walk Star, the horse, back to where she taught her how to brush the horse, walk around it correctly, clean it's hooves, and properly saddle up the horse.

Then, they headed over to the arena where she taught Brooklyn how to stop, go and turn Star properly with the reins and verbal commands. She also had B practice her balance and confidence on the saddle by making her turn, bend and place her feet back in the stirrups (in case they come out, she would know how to do it without the fear of falling off the horse). It was awesome and B did great! I loved the fact that the instructor emphasized the techniques and care of the horse rather than it just being "riding around."

Our little cowgirl, for sure!!

The instructor was very complimentary of B and how quickly she learned the skills and could handle Star. She said if her arms were just a bit longer, Brooklyn wouldn't even need her to lead! She goes again the last Tuesday of this month and I'm pretty sure we will continue for future months!

B was in heaven......she just loved every second of it :)

Cowgirl Birthday Party

Brooklyn has wanted a cowgirl birthday party ever since her princess birthday party last year! She was so very excited waiting for today to come, so she could not wait celebrate with all her friends and family.

It was such a wonderful party and I am still overwhelmed just thinking about how truly blessed our family is to have the most loving and supportive family and friends. It was quite the crowded house with 20 adults and 11 kiddos under the age of 5!!

Daddy made the WANTED and BROOKLYN'S SALOON boards as props for cute pictures!
(Sending individual pictures of kids in the thank you cards as a memorabilia!)

Classmate, Lyv

Friend, Charleigh

Cousin Remi

Friend, Connor

Cousin Claire

Friends, Jack and Addison

Cousin Sydney

Mommy made pulled pork for sandwiches, BBQ sausage slices, deviled eggs, and lots of finger foods. Nana de Wolfe made macaroni salad, boot and hat-shaped cookies and iced brownies. Yum! Gamma made Brooklyn's cowgirl dress and vest. It was so cute!

Daddy and I made Brooklyn's individual boot cake and the girls helped Mommy put together and decorate the goodie bags full of trail mix and boot cookies for our friends. B made out with tons of amazing gifts!!  It was another great celebration!

Happy Birthday Cowgirl!!!

Nana, Brooklyn and Papa de Wolfe

Gamma, Brooklyn, Cayleigh and Gampa Hein

Preschool 2013

Brooklyn started her first day of her 2013-2014 preschool year this morning. She was very excited and ready to be in school again. Last Friday, we met her new teachers and got to see her new classroom.

Just like last year, she kissed me goodbye and walked right in without a glance back! She certainly comes by her independence naturally! She raved about her day and told me about several things they did and how much fun she had!

"Alright already Mom, let's go!!"

Birthday B!

Our sweet, smart and meticulous Brooklyn Grace turned 4 today! It has been such a journey with her so far and watching her grow and mature into a beautiful girl continues to make all of our hearts smile :)

This morning Brooklyn requested hotdogs, corn on the cob and macaroni and cheese for her birthday dinner. Well, alright, that's super easy for Mommy! She also said she did not want a birthday cupcake, she wanted to make "chocolate covered strawberries without the leaves" as her dessert! So we bought all the food, I cut the strawberries and we dipped them this afternoon before heading to her new gymnastics class. She has moved up to the advanced preschool class which started today and she did great.

New leotard from Nana 

Dinner request

Happy Birthday Princess