Joy's...er, Brooklynn's Calico Critters

During Christmas and her birthday, Brooklynn has started collecting Calico Critters, which just so happened to be Joy's favorite toy growing up as well. She got a big house for them for her birthday and she's constantly acting out little Calico Critter moments inside it. If you're in our home at just the right time, you might even catch Joy sitting in the corner playing with the little critters herself.

Happy Birthday - Day 2!

On the night of Brooklynn's birthday, we had a special little party for her with our good friends Bill and Sabina. Joy set the table like only she can, and she made a huge cupcake...a cake that was in the shape of a cupcake. Brooklynn couldn't quite blow out the two candles, but it was still fun watching her try. She got quite a few gifts and took her sweet time opening them. Each and every little bit of paper had to come off before she opened her next one. We'll definitely need to use a little less tape next year! It was such a big couple days for her and she really loved every bit of it. I think she'll be in birthday mode for a couple more weeks.

Brooklynn turns 2!

I really can't believe Brooklynn turns 2 today. How quick she has grown up! Last night we threw a small party at Chuck-e-Cheeses with Anna Kate, Lauren, Aunt Becky, Uncle Shane, Uncle Tim and Aunt Sara. I've never seen Brooklynn so wound up in all my life. She really was in her element as she ran around the entire place checking out all the games and rides. One of the cutest moments was when Chuck-e actually made an appearance and Brooklynn didn't want to leave his side, insisting on dancing with and holding his hand until we literally had to drag her away to have our party. She really has no fear at all.

Snow!?! Are you kidding me?

We woke up on February 1st with about 2 inches of snow on the ground. Of course, the city of Greenville shuts down when this happens, so Joy got to stay home with Brooklynn all day. We put her in her warm little bear suit and ran her outside to see her first snow. She was really timid at first, but she finally got enough courage to take a few steps in the new pretty white stuff.

Who says I can't read?

I peeked into Brooklynn's room the other day and it was such a great sight! She was sitting in her chair with stuffed animals and a big blanket, and she was "reading" to her animals. It's so fun to listen to her create words on the fly as she shows her animals all the pictures.

"Peek-a-boo Backer!"

Our good friends Traig and Megganne came to visit this past weekend, and this time they had a third with them...their 8-month-old son Baxter. Brooklynn played her shy game for the first couple days, but by the end of the weekend she was playing peek-a-boo with Baxter while scaring him to death as she screamed each time. We had a really good time, and even made it to the zoo as the weather was unusually warm! Brooklynn loves the zoo, you know.

Our little stinker!

This past weekend Brooklynn wore her new pink dress that had quite the appropriate animal on it...three little skunks. She was also so excited about her new magic turtle that grows when you put it in water. She's showing her impatience though because she always wants to hold the turtle. It's never going to come out of its shell.

(Washable) watercolors.

Brooklynn got some pretty cool art supplies for Christmas including a little easel that we haven't quite broke out yet. But we did get out some of her watercolor paints and she just had a ball! It's so cool to see her really concentrate as she creates her work of art.

Christmas in Gatlinburg - Day 3

Our final day in Gatlinburg began with Mimi cooking a wonderful breakfast and then Brooklynn got to open up her gifts from Mimi and Papa. We also finally got that good family picture. It's so hard to do with three little girls, but the front of our cabin served as a great backdrop, even if Micah had barefeet!

Christmas in Gatlinburg - Day 2

We spent the entire Christmas eve inside the cabin. Brooklynn got to swing some more, this time with Papa. She also hung out with Anna Kate quite a bit playing with toys, dancing around the front room, and coloring together. In the evening she got to open up quite a few gifts. She got some really cool animals from her uncle Tim that she still hasn't put down.

Christmas in Gatlinburg - Day 1

Mimi and Papa rent a cabin in Gatlinburg each Christmas so the Cutter family can all be together during the holidays. We arrived Saturday afternoon and Brooklynn immediately noticed that there was a porch swing. Seeing that she loves to swing, this guaranteed us that she would constantly ask to swing for the rest of the weekend. Luckily, Mimi loves to swing too and spent many moments out there with Brooklynn and her cousins Anna Kate and Lauren. That night we all took a trolley ride in downtown Gatlinburg to see all the lights. A little long, too many bad jokes, and not enough lights...that was the consensus. You win some, you lose some. Still good times!

Cutter Kids 2006

We wanted to get a photo taken of all the kids and grandkids to give to my parents for Christmas. A really great photographer in town squeezed us in at the last minute and we really captured a great shot. First row (L-R): Brooklynn Cutter, Anna Kate Highsmith, Lauren Highsmith. Middle row (L-R) Joy Cutter, Sara Cutter, Becky Highsmith. Back row (L-R): Rich Cutter, Tim Cutter, Micah Cutter, Shane Highsmith.

I like this opening presents thing.

Brooklynn got to open her first gift of this Christmas Monday night as our friends Bill and Sabina came over to exchange gifts. She really got into opening up the present and as soon as she saw what was wrapped up, she squealed "Horsey!" She hasn't let the huge stuffed horse out of her sight ever since. Thank you very much "Bull and Bine" for the awesome gift!

Our little ladybug!

Brooklynn loves ladybugs...in fact, she loves them so much she calls every bug she sees a ladybug. Well, now she can be a ladybug as well as we got her a new ladybug bath towel. She loves wrapping up in it after her bath and looking at herself in the mirror with a smile.

Wound up tight...her hair, that is!

Joy put some little curlers in Brooklynn's hair for the first time and she really thought she was big stuff! She also had a huge time playing with all the extra curlers. We'll probably need a couple more attempts before we get the curls just right, but it was fun none the less.

Downtown Christmas

Friday night we braved the 30 degree weather and took a trip downtown with Becky, Shane, Anna Kate and Lauren. Even though it was pretty cold, the trees and lights were awesome to see. There was even a merry-go-round that all the girls loved riding. Brooklynn had to ride the zebra. Cold night...but fun none the less.

O Christmas Tree

For the last couple days I've been trying to get pictures of Brooklynn in front of our tree, but she just won't hold still. I must have taken over a hundred...here's a couple. I still hope to get better ones of our little wiggly worm.

Loving this warm weather!

This past weekend we took advantage of the no-tax, post Thanksgiving shopping and finally got a new camera. With the weather being so nice as well, I just had to take Brooklynn outside and try out my new toy. Here's a couple shots.

Go to sleep!

As we were watching the Panther game on Sunday, Brooklynn went down for her nap. She didn't sleep for long, and we started to hear her talking and playing up in her crib. We wanted her to go back to sleep and finish her nap but apparently she was just way too busy. When we went upstairs and opened her door, we just had to laugh. She was right in the middle of organizing all her stuffed animals, lining them all up between the wall and her crib.

Christmas already?

Yes, it's Christmas time already and with that comes a big ol' tree. We went and picked out a tree over the weekend and Brooklynn really got excited about having a real live tree inside her house. She was really helpful in hanging the ornaments...and then taking them off. It's going to be really fun to watch her get into the Christmas thing this year!