New Year's Eve

Well, it is New Year's Eve and I am home blogging at 10:15. The girls are in bed asleep and Joey is out of town with work so I am getting ready to ring in the new year along and asleep. These days it just seems like I don't get enough sleep. Our bed has been getting a little crowded every morning around 3ish since we have been home from Vegas. I guess getting back into our routine will take a little bit of time.
I do hope that everyone has a safe and happy New Year's. I am looking forward to the changes that will take place in our family this coming year. It will be exciting! I know that every single minute there will be something happening which makes me really tired thinking about, but it is times like this that pass by us so quickly. I want to be better at enjoying the moment with my family. I am so blessed!

Christmas in Vegas

Making cookies for Santa with Nana

Christmas Morning

Yes, I am a little behind, but I have not been in much of a blogging mood. Tonight I am making time to do it. We had a good time in Vegas. It was good to see Joey's family. We did a lot of eating out which is always a treat, because we just don't do it that much. We went to the Children's Museum and the kids had a blast. We also went to a place called Springs Preserve (I think that is the name) and it was pretty neat and we did the park a few times but it was pretty cold and windy and we has some sickly folks so our activities were a little limited. Over all we had a great Christmas, but there is nothing like being home after the holidays. However, we got in on Wednesday evening and Joey went to get a job ready and then left early Thursday morning and we did not see him until Friday night. That really stinks for him and us because you get back home and then he has to go to a motel. He will be working out of town for several more days.
Here are some pictures from out Christmas in Vegas. I have some video that I would like to put on, but that will just have to wait for another day.

Playing at the museum in the Supermarket

We leave tomorrow to fly out to see Joey's parents. I ask that you please keep us in your prayers that the trip is safe and uneventful. Josey woke up this morning with fever and has a double ear infection. So, it happens again - we head out of town with a sick kid. Oh, the joy! We appreciate your prayers and we wish everyone a Merry Christmas!

Spotted at the Park

While in Texas the park was having its annual Snow in the park thing. We went, but none of the girls wanted to do it. Besides it was 80 and we all know that it is just not the same sliding down snow in short sleeves. So the kids were "Spotted" and you can see the picture on the link if you would like.
Also, for some great pictures from the whole weekend you can visit Chad and Lesley's blog. Thanks Lesley for some great photos!

Christmas in Texas

We had a great time this past weekend. We were able to go have Christmas with my family. It has been I think two years since my siblings and our families have been able to all be together so it was a special treat. We always have fun when we get together. It is good to see the girls play so well together too.
The weather was not what I expected and did not go prepared very well for 80 degree weather in December, but we managed to make do. It was nice that we were able to take the kids to the park for an afternoon of fun.

It is a little heavy!

Santa

Hugging Cousins

My brothers whom I love dearly

Happy about some cake.

Opening her birthday gift.

The two birthday girls (Nov. & Sept.)

Christmas in Texas through Riley's eyes

Riley got a camera for Christmas and she and Josey both love it. So I thought I would share some of the pictures Riley took. I think that the captured it all very well.

Gingerbread House

I am a little behind on blogging. We made the Gingerbread House before we left for Texas to have Christmas with my family. The house looks nothing now like it does in the pictures. Josey has enjoyed it being on her level. The roof does not have much candy left on it. So here are a few pictures and hopefully I will get a few more posts done today.

Josey's Party

Josey really enjoyed her party. We had a good time and I want to thank everyone who came , sent a card, or called her. She felt very special. We look forward to seeing my family this coming weekend. I know that the kids will have a blast and I am sure us older kids will too. Here are a few pictures from the party.


The Cake

Josey helped herself to one of her gifts early to occupy her time.

Can't I just play with the presents I have already opened?

Eating the ice cream with her hands

A very tired birthday girl

Happy Birthday Josey!

Day of Birth

Today Josey turns two. This past year has flown by. It is hard to believe that she is already two. What a blessing she is in our lives. She has taught Riley so much about being a big sister and that siblings can be so much fun. She loves to play alone with the little people and call every little baby she sees "baby mosey" which can be translated baby moses. She is talking more everyday and always says "my self" She is very polite says please and thank you for everything. Josey loves to read books and have books read to her. She also loves going outside to pick up every rock, leaf and stick she can find. Trying to walk through a parking lot can take much longer than is should if you allow her to walk. Getting from the van to the church building can seem like an eternity, so if we are running late she just gets carried. Josey is very loving and is always giving hugs and kisses. She cannot go to bed until she has given Riley her good night hug and kiss. It is a very sweet scene every night. We treasure every moment we spend with our girls. We are looking forward to Saturday when we have friends and family coming to help us celebrate Josey's Birthday.

First day home from the hospital

One year birthday party

The cat is out of the bag

Yes, many of you already know that we are having a girl! Joey is such a great girl daddy, that God sees fit for him to have another. We are very excited. I have been going through old clothes. Number three is due just about one week after Riley was due so they will be in the same season if they grow at the same rate. As we know that is not a given considering Josey just skipped 3-6 month clothes. Anyway, I just wanted to share our news. I hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving.
Now we are gearing up for Josey's Birthday party!

Dr says...

that everything looks good. The baby is healthy and growing right on track. He did say that it would not hurt for me to drink ensure to get some extra calories because from this point forward the extra calories really will be needed. So I guess ensure will be my new drink of choice once a day. Just wanted everyone to know that the baby is GOOD!

Today is the day

Today we find out how the baby is doing. For some reason I am much more anxious about this than I have been before. I don't know why exactly and the only thing I can think of is this is most likely the last time we will ever do this. I am excited for Riley because she has not been with me to the Dr yet and she will get to hear the heart beat and she will really like that. She is so ready for the baby to come. This will make it that much more real for her. She tells me all the time that my "tummy is getting big". It is really cute. I will let everyone know how the appointment goes and if all is well.

18 1/2 weeks

I am 18 1/2 weeks along and the official weigh in is 111. At this point I am getting a little concerned that I am still so small. I am hoping that it is nothing and that soon I will be growing fast. It seems like since this is my third I would get bigger sooner. It is not a bad thing as long as all is well with the baby. We go on Tuesday to have out ultrasound to see the sex of the baby and see how things are going. So please pray that all is going well and right on track.
Also, just know that because we find out what we are having on Tuesday does not mean that you all will find out on the same day. We are trying to decide the best way to tell everyone and no it will not be posted on the blog first. I will post it on the blog eventually. So basically, don't call and ask you will find out! Just remember we were not supposed to find out until the 27th anyway.

Breaking the rules

Yes, today I began putting up the Christmas tree. It is up, but no decorations yet. This Christmas is going to be weird and I really didn't want to put the tree up, but for the kids I want it to feel like Christmas. You see we are breaking tradition this year and are not going to be home for Christmas. It is actually going to be somewhat crazy. We are having Josey's birthday party the first weekend in Dec., and the next we will be in Tyler having Christmas with my family. We will be home for a weekend and then leave on a Tuesday to spend Christmas in Vegas with Joey's family. So in order for the kids to feel like it is Christmas I am going ahead and putting up the tree. We will have to open gifts before we go to Vegas because extra baggage is not that much fun when you are almost 6 months pregnant with two little ones and all of the carry-ons they have. Getting through the airport can be difficult enough without having an extra suitcase for just gifts and then add another for everything to come back home in.
So, all of that to say I am breaking the don't put your Christmas tree up until after Thanksgiving rule. Oh well.

Delta Gamma Rho Birthday Dinner

Every month the sponsors do a birthday dinner for the girls that have a birthday that month. I was able to host November and June birthday last night and we had a good time. I had a disaster to start, but Joey helped me save the day. I made Potato Soup and I had to do the recipe six times to make sure we had enough. Well I had it all mixed and going and I turned around to wash some things in the sink and when I turned back around there was a FIRE. So the fire went out, but the whole thing of soup tasted burnt. So down the garbage disposal it went and Joey went running to the store to get more ingredients. We managed to get everything ready on time and it was wonderful. Oh, if you look close you can see the new color of the living room wall. I will post pictures later, the walls are just bare right now. Who knows those pictures may take months.

The new look

So I decided that I needed a change and I just did it. I really like it and so does Joey. Mom this picture is for you.

Dinosaur Date with Daddy

So Excited

Can't wait, but glad to be with Uncle Jared

Tired after the show

But not too tired to ask Uncle Jared if she could watch cartoons

The show they went to in LR. They all really enjoyed it. I stayed home to put Josey in bed.

Homecoming Activities

Josey in the jump house

Playing in the gravel at the game

Riley riding the pony.

Neither child was too fond of the little old cow

Josey caught herself a rabbit

Those little pigs are not easy to catch just ask Joey, but he did it.

What a cute puppy