Lion Attack #2

Just when I thought it was safe, the lion came back!
But don't worry -- this lion wasn't here to attack. He was only interested in being cute.

And brushing his teeth.

Lion Attack!

I know you won't believe me when I say it, but the other night I was attacked by a lion.
First he roared at me.

Then he pounced on my head.

Although it looks bad, I am happy to report that no mommies were hurt in the making of this blog.

Eric and Annie's Wedding

We stayed at Eric's mom's house the night before the wedding so we were there for all the pre-wedding fun.

I'm sure Annie really appreciated all Rock's help while getting ready.

Who's showing who how to put on their tie?

Annie being the very definition of a 'blushing bride.'

Eric's mom Judith and her husband Wayne went above and beyond the call of duty to host the reception in their home.

But first we had to get to the church and get these two married!

At the church, Annie got her first look at her gorgeous flowers...

And Ted got his first chance to play with fire.
After a few formal shots...

The wedding commenced. Fix officiated the ceremony while I hung out in a little glass room just outside.

I was busy watching this cute boy who refused to take off his winter hat inside.

After it was all over, Fix filled out the forms to make it official. I love how giddy Eric and Annie look in this shot.

Did I mention how gorgeous the flowers were?

Back at Judith and Wayne's house, Annie took a picture of me taking a picture of Annie taking a picture of me taking a picture of Annie taking a picture of me.

Annie brought some traditional wedding cookies from Taiwan. They were delicious.

Jenny was really excited that Eric and Annie are now man and wife. Actually, we all are. Congrats again!

Eric and Annie's Rehearsal Dinner

The night before Eric and Annie's wedding, we had a small 'Rehearsal Dinner' at a yummy restaurant in Spotsylvania, VA. The reason I put Rehearsal Dinner in quotes is because the dinner took place before we rehearsed the wedding.

Eric and his sister Jenny show off their peace-signing talent and family resemblance.
The lovely couple!

The lovely sister of the groom!

Elena and Ben, Eric's niece and father, respectively.

This was right before Rock made friends with the waitress and bartender and tried to steal their cell phones.

Annie taking a picture of me taking a picture of Annie taking a picture of me taking a picture of Annie taking a picture of me.

Karaoke with Eric and Annie!

Now Eric (our friend from Seminary) and Annie were planning on getting married on January 17th. We had never met Annie before they got engaged and in order for Megan and I to give Annie our approval, we had just one question. Can she karaoke?

The answer is YES! Okay so we would have approved of Annie regardless because she is a lovely girl who loves the Lord and loves Eric a lot. But we were extra excited to hear that she can sing a mean version of "Survivor." Beyonce watch out.
Megan was leaving. On a midnight train to Georgia.
Eric rocked out to some song that I forget now.
We feel passionately about singing Karaoke...
And about taking creepy (notice Fix's eyebrows and my eyeball that's falling off my face) extra-close-up pictures.

Fix really likes Eric and Annie.
Ted makes his selection.
Can you guess which song he picked based on the lyrics on the screen?

Ted and Megan's version of "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now" always brings down the house. And by 'house' I mean our table. We were one of three tables that were full that night and the only one that was there solely for the singing...as secret agent men...

No comment.

My New Favorite Picture of Rock

Yeah, I know it's blurry but check out the glee on his face!

Happy Birthday Joseph!

Although we don't have a picture of them together, Rock certainly loves his Uncle Joseph and wants to wish him a very Happy Birthday too!

In Honor of Susanna and Becky's Birthdays...

A dance video.

Happy Birthday Susanna!

Rock also loves Susanna and wants to wish her a Happy Birthday today!

Happy Birthday Becky!

Rock loves Becky and wants to wish her a very Happy Birthday!

15 Month Appointment

And once again we were back at the doctor's office for a well check-up. This time Rock was 28.6 lbs. and 31.5 in.

The best part of the doctor's office is the paper.

And the fact that Daddy is there.

Please Sir...

Sometimes I can't help but think of Oliver Twist when Rock asks for "More."

Actually it's more like "More more more more more more more more more."

Silly Boy

Rock loves being silly.

The other morning, he came up with a brilliant idea to stuff his fork in his drink.

He thought it was pretty funny.

WE think it's pretty funny when he stuffs bananas in his mouth.

NIKON D40 BABY!!!

Finally our new Nikon D40 arrived!

I took the first shot while Fix read up on the features. Susi had given me a tutorial before she left on her trip so I've got to teach Fix what I know.

Thus far we haven't ventured too far out of the automatic setting, but the pictures are already drastically improved! Look at the clarity on that banana!

Look at the depth of field! (And listen to me saying "depth of field!)

Look at the eyebrows raised in delight!

Look at the laying-on-the-floor-sweeping-technique! No, we don't understand it either.

Aunt Susi

Rock is very sad that his Aunt Susi is leaving for Seattle. We will ALL miss you while you are gone for a few months!

Traveling Salesman

Last week, a travelling salesman came to visit us.

He was selling Peter Rabbit books.

At first it wasn't going so well...

But eventually he got some customers (by 'customers' I mean his parents) to buy (by 'buy' I mean read) a book from him. This video also shows off one of Rock's best talents. Shaking hands.

NYD

On New Years Day, we headed to my parents annual Open House.

Fix made yet another 2009 cheeseball. Delicious.

Annie read the boys some books.
Which gave us the idea to do a compare-the-boys-photo-shoot.
They assumed their usual deer-in-the-headlights-faces as we caught them in a crossfire of two flashes.

When Aiden joined the party, Rock was out of there.

See any family resemblance?

We love the Hathaways.

NYE

Drewby came into town, so we had all his old Grove City College buds over for a low key New Years Eve celebration.

Fix made the obligatory Fix cheeseball. And you thought I was the only one with cheese shaping talent!

Apparently, in Spain they eat 12 grapes at midnight as a (silly) prediction of the year ahead. Each sweet grape represents a sweet month. Each sour grape represents a less-than-sweet month.

We copied Martha Stewart Living's idea and put them in our midnight champagne glasses.

Looks like everyone is going to have a sweet year...

...Except this kid.

This night marked 6 years of wedded bliss for me and the hubby. Happy Anniversary to us!

Allison and Marcus

The weekend after Christmas, I went to the wedding of my good friend Allison.

She (and her new hubby Marcus) put together a truly beautiful wedding. I wanted to take home all the decorations and stare at them for hours. But I didn't.

I think I snapped this just as Allison said "Could everyone who isn't in the wedding party please stay out of this room while we take pictures?" Oops. Sorry.

So I went and took a picture of the cake. It was beautiful AND delicious.

I was so happy that Dave and Bridget were there so we could catch up and Bridget and I could remind Dave how our high school (ERHS) was far superior to his (Bowie).

Oh and Allison's dress was FABULOUS!

The first dance and another shot of the beautiful decor. Did I mention that it was beautiful?

Sorry Marcus. This is the clearest picture I got. If only you had gotten married after my new camera arrived.

Here Allison and I demonstrated our crazy-eyed-pirate Raider cheer. See her closed fingers? Allison's technique has always been better than mine. Congrats again Marcus and Allison - I'm so thrilled for you both!

Brockman Christmas

The day after Christmas, we went to my parents house for dinner and gift-opening.

Rock got a toothbrush in his stocking from Rocket. It's a Brockman tradition.

He also got some awesome new balls to play with outside.

Not sure what this face means.

The only clear picture I got was of my two new pairs of shoes. But the good news is...
MY PARENTS GOT ME A NEW CAMERA (not pictured)!!!!!!!!!! WAHOO! Look for MUCH BETTER pictures in future posts.

Christmas Camo

It's a Brockman tradition to wear matching Christmas pajamas. So last January my mom bought us some matching pajamas on super sale. I was pumped to wear these Crazy Christmas Camos with my two favorite boys.

Fix proved that he is a fabulous husband by indulging me in wearing these all morning. But he quickly learned the enduring principle that the family that wears matching pjs together, stays together.

I consider myself the queen of awkward shots. Fix and Rock are my proteges.

Belated Merry Christmas!

First pic of the day and Rock already knew something special was going down.

It is a Fix tradition to still be wrapping your gifts when it's time to open them. While we waited for the gift wrapping to be completed, Rock spent some time snuggling with Nana Kerry...

And laughing with Uncle Jason.
Because he loves my oven mitts so much, I made Rock a pair of his own and wrapped them individually. Despite the fact that he had been in the room when I sewed them, Rock really flipped when he opened the first one. Then he wiped the dust off the coffee table. Opening presents can get really messy.

This video shows him opening the second one... the reaction's not quite as strong, but you'll get the idea.
Fix loves Mentos. The ones without corn syrup that is. So I picked up a few of them at Giant for one of his gifts.

Rock also got some KICKIN' new puppets from Nana Kerry and Papa John.

All this present fun wore the boy out.

So we put him to bed and played with his toys while we opened more gifts.

John is 'sick of being his wife's arm candy.'
Merry Christmas!

Trains at Homestead

Although we love Homestead Gardens, we had never been there at Christmastime.

Lynn organized a group of ladies from church and after a delicious breakfast, we went to Homestead so we could check out the awesome decorations.

The train display is ridiculously cool.

And the boy was mesmerized.

After he got over the initial amazement, Rock pointed at the different trains.

Adeline introduced Rock to a man made of snow.
They were fast friends.

Design Fix Update

Go to Design Fix to check out the projects I've been working on!