Tea Party

A few months' before Brooke's 4th birthday, I had the idea to have a just girls tea party at a tea room. After a little Google and calling around, I found the perfect place just a few minutes from my house! I'm not sure who was more excited--me or her! :)

All dressed up!

 With some friends and grandma who were there early before we went inside...forgot to get pictures with everyone else!

 They had it decorated SO cute for the girls. The started with peach/strawberry tea...

 ...and then got a scone and fruit cup and after that, chicken salad, egg salad, crackers and quiche.

 Having a Blast!

 SO lady-like!

 Lastly, they got strawberry shortcake for dessert, which I did not expect. It was so nice!

 More friends :)

 Getting Ready to Open Presents

 Before we left, I got a picture with all the girls. They are such sweet friends/cousins to Brookie and she had so much fun! Afterwards we all came back and went swimming--icing on the cake. :)

 A picture right before swimming, because I forgot to get one before! Me and My precious little 4 year old who is growing up SO fast.

Walk-A-Thon 2011

Every year, our church host's a walk-a-thon for younger kids and bike rally for the older ones to raise money for their clubs program throughout the year, activities, camping trips, youth camp, missions trips, etc. They go out for a few weeks before to get sponsorship. It's a lot of hard work but it's a great way for the kids to help pay for some of the many expenses it takes to run the programs.

 Brookie did so good asking for sponsorship--I was SO proud of her! She is very shy, but she looked each person in the eye and explained what she was doing and who could resist? :)

The morning of her walk

I planned on Joey walking as well...Brookie did it when she was 2 I figured he could too :)

We filled them up with lots of carbs and protein (and chemicals, saturated fat and grease--but oh well, it was a special day!)

That belly on the left? That's why little brother was walking too ;)

We were blessed with a beautiful day! It was partly cloudy, didn't get much above the 90's and there was a beautiful breeze! 

Love their little shadows

Walking can be very distracting for little boys...so many trees, and rocks and grass!

Come to find out, a mile is a little long for a 1.5 year old to walk (without it taking hours). More than anything he was way too distracted! He walked half a mile and daddy rescued him while Brookie and I finished

So excited to be nearing the finish line! She did a great job!

Later, Nate and I took advantage of the beautiful trail and rode our bikes 6 miles. He was pulling the kids in the trailer on the back.

All that riding wore him out :)

I'm so proud of my little girl! She raised several hundred dollars for her walk-a-thon and was a real trooper!

Next year he'll be walking the whole mile too!

On the way home, the kids were rewarded with a special treat--a cream slush from sonic. Of course it was grape because purple is Brooklynne's favorite color!

When we came home, we ate lunch, took naps and then went swimming. It was such a fun day!