THE REAL MCCOY

By the way..............

2008-01-26T21:23:00.000-08:00

It has been awhile since the last post and much has happened. Mainly, McCoy has become a big brother. Behold Miss Finley Hazel Ann Brooks......

Stay tuned for more exciting updates! And more pictures!

Summer Fun 2007

2007-11-18T07:36:00.001-08:00

First of all, I have no idea how I got two of the same picture up on the blog. More importantly, I have no idea how to "remove" either one of them. Chalk it up to me only knowing how to play solitaire on the computer. Now onto other, more pertinent details. McCoy spent his last summer as an only child doing all kinds of fun stuff. Below are just a sampling of his activities........... Camping at the "Dosey" with his cousins Issac and Gavin. Mom, Dad, Grandma Linda, Aunt Becca and Claire also were there but mostly in just a supervisory capacity. You know, trying not to let them drown in the river and stuff.

The three master builders working together on a new super highway which will be connecting the West and East coasts in the near future.

Bratuwurst monitoring responsibilities are not to be taken lightly as McCoy shows here he is more that up to the task. Mmmmmm, hot dogs!!

McCoy and Luna preparing their campfire story for the close of the evening. You gotta believe me when I tell ya, when these two get together to spin a yarn, it is one truly unbelievable tall tale!!!

McCoy's first big slide at the King County Fairgrounds. He might look like he is not sure what is happening but in actuallity he is already trying to jump off so we can begin to head back up for another go!!

"Airplane" was one of his first words (and still is one of his favorites!) so he and Mama decided to take good ol' Thunderbolt out for a little spin.

Seriously, who hasn't wanted to work his or her way through a wall of cake??!!? Good news, he made it all the way to the end.

When visiting the San Juans for a friends wedding McCoys pheremones seemed to attract all kinds of different species. Case in point, a camel came by to visit. You heard me, a camel on the San Juan Islands...................

Hot tubbing with Daddy. Pure joy on these faces!!

McCoy and his girlfriend Adriah enjoying a nice frosty beverage together. He is already learning a very important life lesson on how to properly utilize the phrase "Yes Dear".

A trip to the zoo and the shark tank. Nice shirt!!!

While at the zoo, he was very interested in the flora and fauna all around him. He wanted to truly be a part of the entire zoo experience so Rachael let him crawl into the elephant habitat and just hang out a bit. I do believe he learned much this day!!

Halloween with McCoy

2007-11-03T21:07:00.000-07:00

McCoy was not sure what he wanted to be for Halloween this year. With some advice and fashion tips from his mother he decided he would go as Borat. As you will surely agree, a very wise choice!!

With poses like this he could also claim to be dressed as a Olympic Russian weightlifter from the 1970's. This of course is the world famous "Watermelon" pose.

Proof!!!

2007-07-29T19:38:00.000-07:00

Like I said in the previous posting, this picture should come as no surprise to anyone. Luckily for all of us, Rachael has begun seeking treatment and has been venturing out of the house a couple of times per day. Everyday, I wake up and look at this picture and say to myself, "Self, this is your family!" I am so blessed!!

Our 18 month old perfect little monster!!!!

2007-07-19T11:52:00.001-07:00

Mccoy was so excited to see his Uncle Matt and Aunt Jett when they came back to Washington for a visit. He just loves to show off for everyone.
For those who might have been wondering, Uncle Matt has been pursuing a career in "balloon animal art" these past few years in Steamboat Springs. Here he is wowing his nephew with his extraordinary skills. "Look, it's a worm!!!"
Grandpa Dave, even with McCoy's persuasive manner, decided against joining us for the boys inaguaral boat voyage.
McCoy's first boat ride. Aunt Jett, Aunt Becca and cousin Isaac decided to come along for the ride. Uncle "Captain" Matt is pushing us off from land.
This is an expample of what happens when a 6 1/2 month pregnant mother to be is left at home with her willing 18 month old son. Not that this will come as much of a surprise to anyone, but there are pictures of Rachael's nose taped like this also!!!

McCoy riding his noble steed Luna. She is amazing!!! He can do anything to her with her and she doesn't mind a bit-mostly. Lately they have been running around like crazy monkeys through the house making each other laugh....or that's what I think. I know McCoy is laughing and Luna's tail goes nuts. It's neat to see how an 18 months old boy and 10 month old pup can become so close.
This is McCoy and the neighbor boy Saeed. Saeed is 4 but is great with McCoy. They have a trampoline that McCoy loves to run around on....yes dangerous but he absolutely loves it.
Here's daddy's little helper. Overalls and all(from his grandpa). Mike and his pal Justin did work around the house one day and McCoy loved to help where he could. Here they are buliding our new gate....it's great. But I think McCoy liked laying cement better!!
I love this shot sooo much. He is the cutest little girl ever. If the next one is a girl, I'll pretty much guarantee she will look like this. His grandma also likes to dress him in girls clothing...huh mom???!!!!!
Just loungin' with my two favorite things.....my dog and balloons!!

Ocean Shores & Around the house

2007-06-15T21:37:00.000-07:00

Michael teaching McCoy how to fly a kite. He loved it. This is at Ocean Shores, Wa. It was really cold, windy, and rainy, but we like the elements and made the best of it. McCoy loved the waves!
Look closely as this picture.......the kite looks like it is about to slam right into McCoy's face. It's sooo close to him and coming fast. It didn't hit him, somehow, but he looks like he's about to give the kite a big ole kiss. I think it's so funny! But that's me.
He found a spot to sit, the perfect piece of driftwood. As you can see he is not the happiest camper, by this point we were all getting a little cold.
Family photo taken just before Momma Brooks dropped the camera...which caused the lens to jam, and cost us a pretty penny to get fixed. Don't really know how it happened but it did, and as my brother Trent reminded me "you have to have the wrist strap on at all times." A little late for that.
McCoy wasn't able to use his new pool toy in the pool, it was outdoors and too cold, so we tried it out in the shower...worked pretty good. :)

As you can see he likes to climb on his car garage from his Grandpa instead of play with it. He was so proud of himself when he finally got up, we were pretty shocked too, as it's made of plastic and is wobbely. He stopped climing on it after he fell a few times. Live and learn is definitely McCoy motto....scary for a mom at times, but he is ALL boy!!!
For some reason he loved it when Mike would pull up on the sleeves of his shirt until he was about to be lifted off the counter by his neck. Pretty funny!!
I just loved this shot. So serious in his hawaiian shirt. When he and his father both have Hawaiian shirts on they look even more alike.....it's so uncanny how much. But, just the other day, two people said that McCoy was starting to look more like his momma, I was happy!
Eating the spatula from a batch of brownies. The boy loves his chocolate, just like his mommy!!!

These photos are all 1 to 2 months old, that's how long the camera has been under construction, so they're not the most recent. But since these we have been to Las Vegas(hot but fun), Zion Nat. Park(awesome), and the zoo for mothers day. Some of those pics(from a disposible camera) will be posted as soon as I download the discs. Enjoy the rest of your June, take care and keep in touch.

Brooks Family Update

2007-03-31T21:18:00.000-07:00

I know, I know it has been quite awhile since we published anything in McCoy's blog. He is growing (and walking/running!!!) so fast it is taking alot to keep up with him. But we also have discovered something new on the horizon for the Brooks clan. If you take a look at the following pictures, perhaps you can help the boy figure out what this new and exciting news just might be. Any guesses?
I think he might have an idea. He still might need a little explanation so he can fully understand what is in store for him and his Mommy & Daddy.

And for the parenting challenged, this should make the news hopefully quite clear. That's right, the Brooks are expecting another little bambino. Girl or boy? Who knows. We should know for sure about the middle of October 2007. If demand exists, perhaps even another "Baby Brooks Birth Pool" might come into existence...............One can only hope.

It's been awhile and alot has happened......

2007-01-30T08:05:00.000-08:00

like walking at about 11 months, terrorizing luna, 1st christmas, 1st birthday, and his first 'real' cold-which we are still getting over. Right now he is tearring around the house screaming and flailing his arms and laughing the whole time. He is just sooo funny!! He also enjoys running into the street to play with the blue reflectors in the middle of the road. Fun times!!! His personality if really coming out..he is such an intense handful at times and really sensitive and attentive at others, we never have a dull day that's for sure. We've had an incredible winter here in the NW. With plenty of snow in the mountains and some down here too. McCoy loves to play in it now that he can stomp around. He's not really interested in doing those cute baby things like waving bye-bye, or playing peek-a-boo with his hands, etc. When I try to teach him those things he just looks at me, thinking, "what do I look like a baby, I don't need to learn that stuff." One of this favorite things to do is find the heaviest object around the house and lug it around with him, he just loves heavy awkward things! He's still a massive boy with a head of stone, which he knocks around all day and most of the time it doesn't even phase him. He's a tuffy. We laugh a lot!!!! The sun has been shining the last few days so we spend as much time outside as we can. He just loves it, like his mom and dad. But yesterday we had our first encounter with dog poop. Luna had just pooped(i scoop it up every day) and McCoy went over to see what she had produced. I caught it early so none was consumed, but i think he liked the warm mushy feeling of it.
McCoy eating is birthday cake made by his grandpa! Rich dark chocolate..so good. His favorite those was licking the whip cream beaters!! He looks pretty full here:)
Opening presents with mommy and daddy! He had a great birthday!!!
A visit from Scary Grandma at the beginning of Jan. It was great to have Ann with us for a few days, to celebrate McCoy's birthday and spend time with her.
At one of daddy's soccer practices! He loved this blue soccer ball, much more than the rest.
Playing in the snow out front. He was pretty good about keeping his mittens on.

Turkey, Snow, First Shiner, and Luna

2006-12-04T19:47:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving was wonderful, primarily due to a visit from Grandma and Grandpa Hart. McCoy truely brightens their day, it's incredible to see them interact. He is loved. Oh yeah, the food rocked and it was great to see family!!!
Our first snowfall at 1059 Rose Place. McCoy was amazed as he watched it fall, but was not a fan of playing in the cold wet stuff! Mike took this shot before he headed to the mountain one early morning. We love our cozy home!
There she is. McCoy's new puppy, Luna. A spur of the moment decision. She is the best. A terrific addition to our little family! Luna is half Lab and half Australian Shepard, she is all black except for a little bit of white on each paw and a star on her chest. She and McCoy have a love/hate relationship, they enjoy each others company but are constantly fighting over the same toys...it's pretty funny to watch McCoy get frustrated, but at least he's learning to share. They are destined to be best buds!
In the process of learning to stand and walk, we've had just a few tumbles, yeah right, more like a hundred. But this one connected with the recliner foot rest and TaDa! His first Shiner. He healed right up in a couple days. But we love how proud he looks to have it. And tough!!!!
The kids in the backyard. They both love to climb on the island and play in the dirt.

Beautiful Fall Days

2006-11-04T12:21:00.000-08:00

The pic on the right is of McCoy and his cousin Gavin on the neighbors teeter-totter! They both love it.
McCoy just loves to chew, naw, and suck on chicken bones!! And apparently likes to do it with no hands!!! So funny!

We went to Maris Farms the Saturday before Halloween, to go through the very large corn maze, get some pumpkins to carve and enjoy the fresh fall air. It was fun. McCoy loves to be in the pack where he can see everything! I sure do love my boys!! And their bright blue eyes!!
He just loves to swing! Also while proudly displaying his Seattle Mariners and Sonics pride! Check out his new shoes, they have soccer balls riding surf boards. As Michael said "they are beyond awesome."

Daddy's Little Helper

2006-10-22T21:50:00.000-07:00

We decided one Saturday afternoon to tackle Mommy's "honey do" list. On the top of that list was to finish off the edging of bricks around our apple trees in the front yard. McCoy was more than excited to help out.
He was suprisingly helpful when it came to guarding the bricks and the wheelbarrow from any oncoming wild animal attacks. They thought about attacking us but they just kept on walking by when they saw his "tough guy face".
We had to pack down the mud and to no one's surprise McCoy jumped right in with his assistance!! He just loved playing in the mud..........
Okay, maybe he loved the mud a bit too much!
We are always being told that McCoy and Daddy look alot alike.......but even from the back?!?!

DISNEYLAND!!! YIPPEE!!!

2006-10-14T13:22:00.000-07:00

McCoy (and Mommy's!!) first trip to Disneyland was a great success. Fun was had by all during the entire visit. And of course we had to get our picture in front of Sleeping Beauty's Castle.
Mommy and the boy getting ready to fly through the air on a ride in the "A Bugs Land" area in California Adventure. Not sure who was more excited and/or nervous!!
Usually the lines are long to get pictures with the characters but we timed this just right and caught up with Eeyore. Colin held McCoy because we were afraid he might have blocked most of Alysse out in the picture!!
McCoy was upset he could not go on the Grizzly Mountain water ride with Mommy so she promised him he could meet the giant rafting bear. He also moonlights as a guide on the Galatin for Geyser Whitewater.........
Just like Daddy, if there is water the boy will find it. Luckily he was in his surf/swim shorts!
Absolutely LOVED Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters. Neon lights and he could shoot stuff!! Mom was a little upset that he beat her score. After a long road trip down the coast, a 100 yd Diaper Dash, a 5k, a half marathon and 3 days at Disneyland, the trip comes to a close. We ALL had a great time and cannot wait until next trip......which hopefully will be very, very soon. (Look closely and you can see Alysse's beautiful smile poking out just past Rachael's shoulder.)

Inagural Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend

2006-09-17T23:34:00.000-07:00

Here we have Joyce and I at approximately 4 AM (!!) on the day of the race. Just before we headed off to the big run. This was Joyce's first half marathon. She was a little nervous about it but as her time at the end would show, she had no reason to be.
People ask why those who run half and full marathons do so and after looking at this medal, is there any question why............................?? Plus it's DISNEYLAND!!!!!!
After the finish of the race with the REAL reasons we run. Joyce's son Colin and daughter Alysse and the Mighty McCoy. Along with Rachael and Jeff, the best support team anyone could ask for.

McCoy had some difficulty getting to the starting line on time for the 100 yard Diaper Dash but he still hot his medal and had a great time. Notice his number!! Number 1 baby!

Rachael started out the Brooks family run weekend with a fantastic finish in her first 5K. Great job Mama!!

All in all, a great weekend had by all. Can't wait until next year.

ROAD TRIP!!!

2006-09-17T17:03:00.000-07:00

McCoy's first true road trip was on the way to Disneyland. Since he is now a big boy and likes to talk alot, he offered to find a way to help keep his backseat comments to himself. I think he did a pretty good job!!
He learned that one of the main benefits of road trips and not being a driver is you can nap anytime, anywhere and for however long you like!! Plus you can fall asleep with your newest and most favorite toy (Thanks Colin!) and it will still be there for you in your hand when you wake up..........unless Mommy puts it away.

He was ADAMANT about driving the truck so after much discussion and debate, we decided to let him drive through Central Oregon only. If you look closely you can see Rachael's hands working the accelerator and brakes!! He is looking over his shoulder to check that his blind spot is clear as well.

Fun at home!!

2006-09-17T16:03:00.000-07:00

McCoy is 8 months now! Crawling, babbling, pulling himself up, cruisin' and loving food more and more!!! He now likes to reach in our mouths as we are eating in hopes to get a little for himself! FYI....fingerpainting with an 8 month old is messy. He loves to sit in the kitchen sink and play, especially after an extra sloppy meal. More posts to come... we are on our roadtrip, and currently in Disneyland!!!

McCoy's just discovered "OTHER" love (with no prompting...I swear!!)

2006-08-30T20:58:00.000-07:00

Daddy here. Just thought I would share some words and photos about our little baby boy (aka: THE CHOSEN ONE) with everyone. McCoy has been very active these first few months making me take him to a bunch of different sporting events. Honestly, I do not know where he gets tickets to these games. We see him at his first opening day this past April at Safeco Field but he is loyally still sporting the orange and black. Next up was another trip to an M's game which was then followed by his first night game which just happened to also be his first visit to a suite. Mama definitely turned some eyes that night when McCoy decided he was hungry for some Noonies!! Then he schduled a trip to Cheny Field to watch the Tacoma Rainiers play. Here he is posing with Rhubarb the team mascot. While other children might show fear and loathing towards these spirit leaders, nary a concern on our boys face. Actually, he confided in me later that he had asked Rhubarb if he had had any contact with our old friend, the Crazy Crab and Rhubarb acted like he had no clue what he was talking about. McCoy just sighed deeply and turned away. Next up is his first trip to the mecca of stadiums--Pac Bell, I mean SBC, no wait AT&T Park in San Francisco. He is very excited. He can barely sleep. He is just bugging his mother about it constantly. I have no idea where he picked up this behavior.

Our trip up to Crystal Mountain with family and friends

2006-08-21T22:36:00.000-07:00

The second pic here is of McCoy with his friends Sayid and Luis, they are 3 and 6 and McCoy is only 7 months but he thought he was much older cruising around the neighborhood with the boys in their electric car. Mike and I were laughing so hard, McCoy just loved it. !!
We took the chair lift up to the top of Crystal Mountain the day after the PigRoast to visit Mike, see the beautiful views of Rainier, Adams, Baker and surrounding mountains, eat a hot dog and enjoy the afternoon with good people. McCoy loved the chair ride and seeing dad in his element. I've also included a pic of Jordan, Caitlin, and I up at the mtn too. We were able to get a table at the summit house where we enjoyed a wonderful meal! It was great to spend time with friends and eat some good food at the highest restaurant in Washington state. :) Tonight McCoy did not want to fall asleep, so we took a nice little walk enjoying the sunset. He finally passed out just a few mintues ago, he layed there squirming around on our bed until he was still, and all was silent. (Except of course for dad and his sportscenter)

Our son is spoiled, he has a blog?!

2006-08-17T19:40:00.000-07:00

Well we figured that since everyone in the world is pretty much internet savvy, that creating a blog would be the best way to keep everyone who loves 'the real McCoy' in the loop. He is now a little over 7 months and moving more every day, not yet crawling, but sure is moving! He's the best! To the left is a picture of the boy on his first camping trip with the family!! He loved it and as you can see loves his camping chair.