Result of Shutterfly House Party

So, with a promo code for 15 free cards, and 40% off all Christmas cards (through tomorrow), Matthew and I completed our design for our Christmas cards! You can check it out below. We're sending out a small number this year and emailing everybody else, but this way you can all see it.

We took the photos in red clothing on Labor Day. If this is an actual end to a blogging drought, I will post more pics from that and some from Halloween and other activities soon. Don't hold your breath, but right now I'm feeling inspired. We'll see!

The most exciting thing in my life as a mom right now is having Naomi almost perfectly potty trained. I'm sorry if you read this in 10 years and get embarrassed, Sweetie, but it's been a long time coming and I'm thrilled! Naomi and I have also been doing preschool together and that has been really positive for both of us.

Matthew just finished his soccer season as a coach for the city. He already knew three of the kids on his team, and right now is looking forward to doing it again next year.

Eli is still cheery as ever and is climbing up and down stairs, busting through a 7th tooth, starting to cruise, and letting go of things for half a second before falling down. Today at the park he was squealing as I pushed him in the swing - he likes to go almost as high as his big sister!

Other than the above, I've been working on new recipes and new crafts and finishing old crafts. It's been fun and I just wish I had twice as much patience with the kiddos and housekeeping! But I'm getting plenty of opportunities to develop it. :-)

Good night until next time, whenever that might be!

5x7 Folded Card

Gift Wrapped Christmas Card

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Eli's Birth Announcement

Mod Marquee Blue Baby Announcements

To see Shutterfly's birth announcement designs, click here.

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Eli's 1st Week

Here are a few pictures from Eli's first week at home.

Our family of four out for a walk with our fancy (new to us) stroller

Eli hated being naked, like here when he got his first sponge bath.

But mom can make it all better.

Dad and Eli watching the Super Bowl

Squishy face.

Dad and Eli relaxing.

Eli had lots of visitors his first week.

Grandpa Keith holding Naomi and Eli.

Hanging out with Grandma Beth

Auntie Krista got a turn too

Grandma Kathy showing off her newest grandkid.

Grandpa Tim and Eli.

Naomi's Visit

Our friend Merrilee who Naomi is staying with while we're at the hospital made the long drive to Paradise so that Naomi could meet her little brother the evening of his birth. Here are a few pictures.

Eli James Brooks

A few pictures from his first few minutes.

Camping at Lake Tahoe

Auntie Krista shared her tent with Naomi quite a bit. It was nice for Naomi to have a clean place to play.

Pinecones make the best natural toys.

So proud of herself!

We hiked up to the Lily Pond for a picnic lunch.

Matthew got to carry Naomi for our hike. She enjoyed shaking the canopy to add a little more challenge to his walking.
The last night we went out for dinner and stopped by this park/public beach in Tahoe City afterwards.


Naomi really liked grabbing handfuls of dirt and letting them flow down her arms and shirt.
A first S'mores experience - the sticky marshmallow didn't go over very well, though she mentioned the crackers and chocolate as yummy.
I promise we didn't do this to her hair! After getting her head sprayed with mosquito repellent three days in a row and sleeping with a beanie on, this is the result.

After a picnic at D.L. Bliss on our way out of town, we went down to the beach to say hi to the local geese.
During the last days of our vacation we stayed in Roseville. Naomi got this Dora helmet at a garage sale some friends of ours were having. She was excited to have both her new hat and her forggie pajamas on at the same time.