Holiday Visits with Family and Friends...

"Great Grandpa, I sure do love that Santa Claus you have!"

Big hugs for Uncle Bob!

Too Many Women!!!

Mom's friends, (Shannon, Leah, Lora, and Katie), were all together for their annual Christmas dinner out.

Ryan and Sarah Lillis came all the way from Sacramento, California for a visit!

Paul had a wonderful first Christmas. On Christmas Eve, we visited Great Grandpa Grasby. He liked to listen to and watch Great Grandpa's dancing Santa Claus!

We then went to Christmas Eve Mass at St. John's at 4:00 pm. Paul enjoyed watching the other kids, listening to the music, and looking at the pictures in his Silent Night book while Father Schrader read to the other kids on the altar (some day he'll be big enough to join them!)

We then went to dinner at Great Aunt Sylvia's...it was delicious! Paul loved his time with Grandpa Brooker, Uncle Bob, Cousins Tim, Janice, and Andrew, and Great Uncle Jim and Great Aunt Donna. Paul really liked the lights and ornaments on Aunt Sylvia's tree, and loved to sit on her lap and play with his new "See and Say!"

On Christmas Day, we opened presents from Aunt Mindy, Uncle Ben, and Cousin Owen- Paul loves to read his tree frog book (that goes with his ornament), and likes to "sing" along with his new boom box!

We then headed out to Livonia to share the rest of the day with Grandpa and Grandma Palmer, Mrs. Gagliardy, and Miss Lawida.

Needless to say, Paul took a 3-hour morning nap on December 26!

Santa Claus visits Paul's school each year. This year, he came on December 19. Paul was excited to see him again after Grandpa's work party- especially since Santa is very busy preparing for his big trip on Christmas Eve!

Paul's first Christmas tree...it only tipped over once!

Three Generations of PJB:

We visited Grandpa Brooker's work this weekend for the annual Garlock Christmas Party. Paul was so excited to see Grandpa's office and meet the people he works with.

"Santa, I have tried really hard to be a good boy this year. Please remember to stop by for a visit on Christmas Eve!"

One of the houses in our neighborhood is famous for its Christmas decorations. The owner was on the news recently, and said that this would be the last year for his extraordinary light display. We decided to pay a daytime visit to avoid the crowds.

Alright! Let's get going with the Christmas decorations!

No, this is not officially the "North Pole," although it felt like it! We visited Wilbert's Tree Farm early Saturday morning to pick our Christmas Tree!

"Check out these slippers Grandma bought for me at the School 46 Craft Bazaar...I love to grab the pom-poms!"

Grandpa and Paul on Thanksgiving. It doesn't look like Paul's new tooth is bothering him in this snapshot.

Grandma and Paul on Thanksgiving. Next year Paul wants to try Pumpkin Pie.

Paul is sitting up by himself now. Check out his Thanksgiving outfit.

Press "PLAY" to see me enjoying my new toy!

Reading about Jesus with "Stretch the Dog" before Sunday Mass...

Mmmm....butternut squash!

(The stuff on my chin I'm saving for later...)

Which tastes better...the right or the left?

Click "Play" to find out!

Happy Halloween!

Grandma and Grandpa Palmer rarely have trick-or-treaters at their house, so they were able to come and visit for Paul's first Halloween. Paul invited them to his school party, introduced them to his friends, and showed off his costume.

Clara and Paul...

I'm glad to see that someone else's parents dressed them strangely today...

Zander and Paul...

They told me this costume was a designer original...

We're not sure where the genes for 3 eyeballs came from...

Paul enjoys his time with his great Aunt Mary Kay- she came all the way from Georgia to visit!

Paul and Dad do some light reading in preparation for the upcoming presidential election.

Dad's birthday gift...Paul rolled over! Click the PLAY button to watch!

"Dad, it's your birthday weekend. Let me read a book to YOU for a change."

Enjoying Dad and Uncle Bob's birthday party with Grandma and Grandpa Palmer. "Can't wait for the ice cream cake!"

We went to Power's Farm Market this weekend to pick out Paul's first Halloween pumpkin. While we were there, we saw all of their animals (hens, deer, rabbits, lambs...), their corn husk tee-pees, a big red hay wagon, and of course, pumpkins! Paul bought a pumpkin for himself, and treated Mom and Dad to some delicious cookies from their baked-good area. Yum!

So many pumpkins, so little time!

What a day!

Feet are Fun! Paul just noticed the appendages at the South end of his body- now whenever he is getting his diaper changed, he likes to show them off!

Easily the "Main Event" at the Brooker household this weekend...a stray dog in the neighborhood frightened our neighbor's cat up into our tree. The poor thing sat up there for 4 hours before one of our daring neighbors could grab an extension ladder to retrieve it. (Believe it or not, the fire department doesn't do these rescues any more!)

Paul's "Skittles" Class:

Samantha, Luca, Sophia, Liam

Jenely, Robert, Mary, and Paul

His teachers are Miss Martha (far left) and Miss Christa (far right).

Paul's friend Brady and his cousin Erin had a party at Mendon Ponds Park to celebrate their first birthdays. What fun...pin the nose on Elmo!

Neighborhood Block Party...the three newest "June Babies" make their appearance!

Paul brought his puppy for the Pet Parade!

The firemen stopped by, and Paul had a chance to see a fire truck up close!

Paul received a Nazareth bib in the mail this week. This photo will appear in an upcoming edition of the alumni magazine, Connections. They have a special page for "new arrivals!"

These Yankees are starting to disappoint me...I think I'll go "West Coast" for awhile.

What a busy week...we are really enjoying our sleepy Saturday morning!

Paul wanted to be sure his backpack was ready for the first day of school...

Cuddle time with Mom.

Practicing multiplication tables with Grandpa Brooker...they got all the way up to 25 x 25!

Yikes! There's an alligator in the kitchen!

"Splish Splash, Paul was taking a bath..." Click on the play button to watch the video (rated PG).

"Shhh...don't tell Dad I stole his hat. Do you think he'll notice?"

Cracking jokes with Uncle Bob :)

Paul, Mom, Dad, and Uncle Bob went to St. Mary's annual carnival in Canandaigua this weekend.









"Crazy swings and a beer tent...it can't get much better than this!"

Paul and his buddy, Murcer...chillin' in the Bumpo.