Thanksgiving

I'm finally getting around to posting about Thanksgiving, and unfortunately, (as always) I didn't take many pictures at all! 

We spent the first half of our holiday with my family. My mom did a huge meal, complete with a Greenburg turkey (YUMMMM). It was so great and we were all super stuffed. I love being pregnant at Thanksgiving time! I've been pregnant at Thanksgiving for both my pregnancies and that just makes the food taste even better!! We were all sleepy after such a yummy meal.

One thing we tried at Granna's house was sidewalk chalk. Hannah has tried this before, but didn't really understand. Big Cousin, London, was there to help her this time.

The only problem is that Hannah thought that the chalk was also meant to color all over herself with. 

She was covered in chalk when she got done. I had to take her right to the bath. She loved it, though.  Wes came out and started drawing pictures of ducks and puppies and she would lay flat on her stomach and kiss the concrete to give all the animals kisses. Melted my heart!

Our last adventure at Granna and PawPaw's house was taking pictures for their Christmas card.  The more kids we add to the mix, the more difficult it becomes. I won't give away the picture, but here's one of the many out takes.

Getting 5 kids to be still and three of them being 18 months and younger is a challenge! 

After all our festivities at my parents house, we headed to Wesley's parents house. Can you believe that I didn't get my camera out one time the entire time we were there?! Probably because I was SO SICK. Oh, I was so miserable and felt like such a bum. 

I did happen to have my phone with me and was able to capture one picture. Hannah has learned so many animal noises lately.  She likes to act like a monkey, quack like a duck and most recently, moo like a cow.  Lucky us, Wesley's grandparents raise cows on their land, so we were able to show Hannah some REAL live cows.

While we were there we ate some yummy roast, brisket and ham that Wesley's dad smoked all day in his smoker. It was so yummmy! We got so spoiled on really good food.  We also enjoyed getting to see everyone. I think they were all happy to see Hannah, too!

We made some good Thanksgiving memories and are so thankful to have wonderful families. 

Playdoh!

I'm always looking for new activities to do with Hannah.  Sometimes I think I try things a little too soon. But, it's always a fun experience and even though it makes a mess sometimes, I have a happy girl! 

I love how she's sitting. 

Silly girl!

Because she's cute!

Birthday fun!

Saturday was my nieces 4th birthday! I can not believe how fast the past 4 years have gone!  Friday night she had a tinkerbell party at Piddlin' Pottery. She had so much fun!

All the kids loved painting and London really loved painting her princess!

Hannah painted a little Christmas ornament - it was a complete disaster! She loved it, but I think more paint ended up on her than it did on the actual ornament. Oh, what fun!

I sure love my London, girl!

Happy Birthday, Princess! 

A work in progress

Over the years of our marriage, Wes has collected a TON of....stuff. Lots of tools and little odd and end stuff. He doesn't throw things away. EVER!  This is so opposite of my personality. So where does this stuff end up? Our garage.  We aren't those people who can't open our garage because we're scared of what might fall out. FAR from it. Both of our cars fit nicely into our garage, but we have things hung on the walls, lined up against the walls and stuffed in cabinets.  So after lots of planning & saving, we've arrived to our solution!

Let the work begin!

Daddy's helper.

A HUGE, HUGE thank you to my dad and my father-in-law who came to help out. There's no way we could have completed so much without you two!

And to our awesome friends who came and helped!

And I have to say thanks to these jokers, too. Jason & Justin. This is the only time you'll see Mazingo with any type of tool in his hand, and Justin seems to disappear anytime we have a project going on. Just kidding! They were a huge help as well, but I always have to give these 2 a hard time.

And here's about what it looks like today.

So as I sit here and type this blog entry, the sound of the saw is ringing outside my window. I think I'll be hearing that sound for several weeks to come.

I'm so proud of all these boys. What talent they all have!! Thanks, everyone! 

A busy morning!

Hannah is at an age right now that mommy is no fun.  She seems so much happier when other people are around or if we're out and about.  So, when she woke up cranky this morning, we decided to head out for some fun.

Not to mention that ever since the time change, my little late sleeper that would usually sleep until 8:30 to 9:00 now wakes up at 6:00 or 6:30. WHAT?!

Our first stop was Barnes and Noble to read some books.

Then we headed to eat an early lunch with Mrs. Ashley. I was too busy eating to get any pictures of our fun. 

Then we headed to marble slab for some dessert. YUMM!!

Here we are waiting on the goodness.

Then we headed home for naps.  What a wonderful morning. Now if we can survive a trip to Wal-Mart this afternoon, we'll be in good shape! 

Pregnancy Highlights

I want to have this blog entry so I don't forget these things!

Day we found out: September 13, 2010

Due Date: May 23, 2011

How far along: 13 weeks

Day we first saw our little one: October 12, 2010 at 8 weeks

Day we shared with everyone: November 11, 2010

My first thoughts when we found out: shock, excitement, joy, nervousness

Names we are considering: Ethan for a boy, Sydney for a girl (Wes isn't sold on Sydney yet!)

Sickness: Not too bad. Feel blah until about 10:30 every day. Then feel good until about 2:00 when I get indigestion from lunch! Worst weeks have been 10-12.

What Hannah thinks:  She doesn't really understand, but she loves saying "big sister."

Things I miss: sleeping on my stomach above all, and cokes!

Biggest moment so far:  Seeing and hearing a sweet little heartbeat. 

We are thrilled to pieces and I'm so happy that our big secret is out.

God is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.
Eph. 3:20

I have a secret!

Hey everyone, from Shelly and Wes.

 We have a secret, and it's time to confess! 

Soon we will have a visitor at our front door.

 The stork will have a present -- baby makes four!!

Pray for us often and the baby on the way.

We're so excited to meet our new little one in May!

Fun Saturday!

On Saturday I hosted a baby shower for my best friend, Ashley! We had such a great time and Ashley was showered with a TON of pink, girly things. So fun!! I'm a little partial towards little girls! 

I was a busy bee all morning, so I didn't get to snap many photos. But Hannah sure loved the cupcakes we had left over from the shower!

Yummm!

Can't wait to meet baby Johnson in February! 

Halloween 2010

We made some sweet memories this Halloween and I am so excited to have this blog to record them! 

As usual, the Hayes family came over to eat dinner and then we hit the neighborhood to trick or treat. Aunt Jenn and Uncle James were able to join us this year, so that was extra fun!  All the kids looked so cute!

Hannah LOVED trick or treating. We had Marley & Hannah in the wagon and every time we stopped at a house Hannah would reach up her arms to me or Wes. She didn't want to get left behind! Then we would go up to the house and I would say: "say, trick or treat" and in Hannah's little sweet voice she would say "treat" and wait there with her cute little pumpkin. It was so precious.

Marley enjoyed herself, too. She kept wanting to bust into everyone's houses to check out their "doggies." It was so cute! I think the little girls really enjoyed their first "real" Halloween.  And of course, Carter & London had fun, as usual. They are the sweetest little kiddos. 

Checking out all our goodies.

Wes and I can't stop talking about how sweet she was when she would go up to people's doors. She loved it, and she melted our hearts! 

18 months!

Oh, my. Hannah, you are 18 months old! Wow, where has the last year and a half gone?  You have been so busy growing and learning new things. I feel like if I blink, I miss a chapter of your life. 

Some of your favorite activities are:

• Playing with baby dolls
• Sliding
• Swinging
• Playing with stickers and crayons
• Anything outdoors
• Climbing stairs
• Watching Micky Mouse
• Watching big kids play
• Watching videos of yourself on the computer 
• Brushing your teeth
• Reading books
• Bubble baths/water

At 18 months you:

• Are in size 3 diapers
• Wear a size 5 shoe
• Wear 18 month clothes, for the most part
• Weigh about 20 pounds
• Repeat everything we say and know about 40-50 words and what they mean
• Can follow commands
• Still don't like vegetables
• Are 100% a mommy's girl right now (I LOVE it!)

The things I love most about this age:

• Your huge personality

              A few weeks ago when daddy unloaded a slide from the back of the truck, you put your hands on your cheeks, opened your mouth so wide and ran right over to it.  

•  How you freely give out kisses and hugs to anyone who asks. 
• How you are so curious about everything.
• How you are so obedient and listen when we say no. You've always done that, and it's such a blessing!
• How when we say "I love you," you blow us kisses.
• How when we tell you to say "please," you sign it and say it. I'm trying to teach you that you no longer need the sign!
• How you so badly want to be friends with Jersey, and Jersey wants nothing to do with you. 
• How before you slide or rock on your horse you want us to count to 3.
• How you are way too big for your high chair these days and must sit at the table with us. 
• How I understand everything you say, but everyone else could only understand about 10 things you say.
• How you cuddle after naps and how we HAVE to get your blanket out of the bed with us.
• How you back up into our laps when we say it's time for a book or shoes and say "lap."

Oh, and there is so much more! Please don't grow up, Hannah. I'm loving every second of our lives together right now!