I can read!!!

Brooklynn has known her alphabet since before she was 2 years old and soon after that she learned the accompanying sounds. Just this past year we've been working on her writing but I wasn't going to start into reading until she was better at writing. But being the curious little thing that she is, she's always asking what certain words are and how they're spelled, etc...so I guess we inadvertently taught her how to sound things out. She came to me last night holding a Christmas card with pictures of my friend's family on the front and, as usual, was asking who all these people were. She was spelling out all their names and then just started sounding them out and saying all of their names. At first, I thought maybe I had told her their names on a previous occasion, so I picked up her "Friend" magazine and started asking her to read other short words. She sounded them all out and was able to tell me all of the words!!! I beamed with delight and made such a fuss...so you can guess she wanted to do the REST of the evening! We read all the words we could find around the house (as long as they weren't too complicated). I know that many kids read at this age, but I am just particularly impressed with the fact that we haven't really even started working on it. I know, I know...EVERY mother thinks their kid is a genius, right? Even so...I was VERY PROUD of my little Shnooky!!!

Merry Christmas

Isabelle enjoyed some rockin'-chair-time with

Great Grandma after a nice long nap.

This year we had family dinner on Christmas Eve down at Buster and Lorna's house and then got together with the whole family (aunts, uncles, cousins, etc...) on Christmas day at Grandma's house for leftovers. Brooklynn was especially cute this year. She wrote Santa a letter and and left him cookies and juice and also left carrots for his reindeer. On Christmas morning, she slept in (thankfully, since I was up until 1:00 am wrapping and aranging a "thank you" from Santa) but around 7:30ish she came running down the hall to our room where I was changing Isabelle's diaper and Brooklynn said, "Is it morning time? Is it Christmas yet?" I replied that it was indeed Christmas morning to which she said "I know. I already looked!" I guess she stole a glance into the living room before venturing down the hall to us.

A couple of days before Christmas, I was trying to tease her a bit and said, " Oh no, Brooklynn! We don't have a fireplace so how is Santa going to get your presents in our house??!!" A worried look crossed her face for only a split second before you could see the wheels a turnin'. She tapped her finger on her chin a few times as she tried her best to think of a solution to this unfortunate predicament and then Viola!! "Don't worry Mommy, Santa is magic! He'll find a way". Then she was off on her merry way without another word.

Jingle Bells

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!

While the adults were passed out in a turkey-induced stupor, the "youngins" showed their appreciation for the delectable meal by using their seemingly endless energy to burn off those pesky calories by raking, jumping into and throwing Grandma's leaves in every direction.
How cute are they???!!!
Okay, DAD!!!! You've been chastising me for months now because I never have any pictures of myself on here. I'm sorry, but I just HATE having pictures taken of myself so I included Isabelle to sweeten it up. So this is for you, Poppa.

Aunt Erica's Wedding

Here are some pictures from Erica's wedding. Did I or didn't I marry into a family of super-models??? Not only are these sisters gorgeous, but they are kind, talented and humble. Me...intimidated? Nah! Here is Brooklynn and Isabelle with their cousins, Garret and Michael, being so patient while we moms try and capture "the perfect picture". Trust me folks...it doesn't exist. :~)
After an hour of picture taking in the sun and long sleeves, Brooklynn just broke down and started crying. I'm glad I was patient with her (for once) since we found out later that the poor, little thing had a virus and had a tempereature of 102.9!!! Needless to say, she got to eat alot of popsicles and watch alot of TV on the couch for the next few days.

Fun Times!

You are so funny, Grandma!

Good morning, Sissy!!

Yes, I know...it looks like Isabelle is wearing either a beehive hairdo or a chocolate ice cream on her head!!!

Trick or Treat!!!

The sweetest little witch ever...and every witch needs a black cat!!!

Dr. Brooklynn R. Williams

Dr. Brooklynn giving the patient an exam prior to the operation...
Now she is administering the anesthesia...
The first incision is made to the right thigh...
The good doctor is now conducting a post-op check on the patients vital signs.

Luckily, the patient pulled through just fine!

Fun at the Pumkin Patch

We went to the "Pumpkin Patch" today after story-time at the Library. We went last year and had soooo much fun that we decided to go again this year, although it was less "green" due to the bad drought we had. Isabelle was content to hang-out in the "Snugli" and even took a nap while we rode around on the truck bed. Brooklynn, Michael, and Garret all picked out pumpkins and had fun running around the corn-maze.

This is Brooklynn's pumpkin "Maliesha". Ummmm...this pumpkin is seriously in need of a Fairy Godmother!!!

FUN at the Bounce House

We went to the Bounce House with Michael, Garret and Aunt Tara today and had a BLAST! Brooklynn loved the slides but we had to TRICK her into trying the bounce-house. I lured her over to the opening and then Aunt Tara grabbed her and pulled her in, kicking and screaming. Once inside, of course, she LOVED it! Brooklynn is so funny! She is our little "safety patrol". She is very cautious and apprehensive about anything that might be remotely dangerous. (Probably because Russ and I were neurotic, first-time parents) She's very logical so we can usually reason with her, but sometimes we take more drastic measures...like trickery! :)


Squeeeeeze, run, climb and slide through the obstacle course!

Warning!! Isabelle Williams is addicting! Luckily, there is only one known antidote... more!!! I've accepted the fact that, outside of nursing and diaper changes, I get to hold my new baby very little whenever we are in the company of other people. Isabelle has charmed her way into the hearts of her family and friends. Even my mother-in-law has had to learn how to "fight off" her own friends at church, so that she can have some "nanna time" with her. When you belong to the Gibson-Williams family, you automatically are given a barrage of nicknames...whether you want them or not. Here are some of her loving nicknames so far: Izzy, Izzard, Belle, Busy-belle, Isabelly, Belle-Belle, Belzy, Isababy, Beller and many more that have escaped my mind. Isabelle is a very affectionate, loving, cuddly baby who is extremely easy-going and content. Thank Heavens!!! She has now learned to appreciate her mobile and smiles and coos at the smiley-face stars that hang from it, but for the most part, all the fancy gadgetry and toys dont amuse her nearly as much as a human face. She loves people! She loves being talked to and/or smiled at. She is fascinated by her older sister. She just watches with wide-eyes and astonishment as her sister yells, sings and dances her way around the house. Isabelle rarely cries unless something really startles her or if she's overly tired. She is an added joy to my life. My favorite thing to do with Isabelle is just cuddle face-to-face with her and smell her and feel her soft cheek on my cheek. I have often said to people that I feel like I must have done something exceptional in heaven to deserve such blessings...and they just keep coming!

Mom, are we done yet?
Bbbbpppptt!

I was trying to save $$ by taking some pictures myself, but I'm not that impressed with my camera skill...so we may be heading to Walmart soon after all. :(

Poor Isabelle just wasn't quite in the mood, but she humored me for a while. Brooklynn, however, was all for it!

Now this is extreme dress-up! Sometimes Brooklynn likes to wear all her dress up clothes at once. Russell has named this look the Phantom of the Gypsy-Hula-Pirates.

Say what?!

Mommy, you're so crazy...

...but I still love you!

I love this! It goes to show how quickly baby's demeanors can change!