Gobble, Gobble... Eat 'Til You Wobble!

(Okay, I already "Wobble" so this is my lame attempt at including everyone else in the "wobbling"...)

Thankfulness.... Let's just start by saying I love teaching but a whole week off to spend with my boys is the very best Thanksgiving present a Mommy could ask for!!!  We enjoyed doing all the things Mommy has no energy for during the school year (especially while being 6 months pregnant). 

We colored, painted, played outside, stayed in jammies until at least 9 each day, baked and tried new recipes, went to the local park, had a play-date with the Vaughns, went out to eat, perused Target, saw the new Disney movie Tangled, ripped out the old flowers and put in a bed full of pansies, went to Oklahoma for a day trip,  and began Christmas shopping.  We also managed to get all caught up on laundry, clean the whole house and get the inside decorated for Christmas, including the tree!  Oh yeah, and did I forget have Richard's family over for Thanksgiving...  ?!?!

 Here is a cute picture of Grady dressing his stuffed animals up in his shoes... he was so proud.  I did this same thing, in college... with real animals... 

Another proud Mommy moment... he's writing!  I told him what letters to write but he did it all by himself!!!  "Daddy" and "Mom" are right there, clear as day... well, readable and they look perfect to me.  Not too bad for a 3 year old boy!  We'll keep working on "Grady" ...the letter "G" is somewhat of a challenge and keep in mind we have a perfectionist here...

 Here we are at the club for Thanksgiving Brunch.  It was delicious and required no cooking or cleaning up on my part.  It was the best gift Daddy could have ever suggested... we still managed to bake a full meal for family the night before and breakfast, desserts and snacks for later that night.   

 Our Family, all three plus one on the way!

 With Grammy

 Uncle Curt, Aunt Lana, Mommy, Grady, Daddy and Grammy Elaine

 We NEVER get Grady dressed up because, well... no excuses... I feel my best when I am comfortable and so I dress him the way I would always want to be dressed.  This would include sweats, hoodies, jeans, T-shirts, sweatshirts, tennis shoes or flip-flops, etc.

Well, he looked so stinkin handsome I had to take some pictures.  The backdrop isn't the best but you get the hint!  My little man... flashing those dimples!   

 Here we are decorating the tree.  He loves his new hat so on it was! 

 Your favorite ornaments to hang this year were:  Minnie and Mickey Mouse, Lightning McQueen and the ornament you made last year with Mrs. Stephie!  You also kept asking if they were "precious" and "should you be careful"!

 Doesn't Daddy look thrilled?  I always get him to hang at least one ornament.... and there it is, his UNT ornament!

There it is... our Christmas tree all done!  Enjoy it this year Grady because next year at this time we will have a 8 month old in the house which means the tree might be up on the table!!!

I'll end this post with a list of what I'm thankful for... there are so, so many this year.  We have a wonderful life and are truly very blessed.  (As I'm saying this I'm knocking on wood because I am a little superstitious....)  Anyway, here goes...

WHAT I'M MOST THANKFUL FOR...

(in no specific order)  :)

1.  My Husband and the last 8 years together

2.  A king size bed... enough said

3.  Skype  - to help keep in touch

4.  Family, old, new and friends who feel like "family"

5.  America -and the right to believe what we want

6.  Soldiers and Veteran's - who keep America protected

7.  Digital Cameras

8.  Ice Cream

9.  Seasons

10.  Sports - esp. the Rangers and Cowboys (winning or not...)

11.  Grady... my little love -- my heart grew 100 times when you made our family "three"...  And your laugh, smile and sayings that keep me laughing throughout the day!!!

12.  Little Boy #2 - you are so active little guy... I breath a sign of relief each day once I feel you twisting and turning inside of me

13.  Health

14.  Good Books, Movies and Music

15.  Date Nights!!!

16.  My Mom, Dad and Craig - what a wonderful childhood - I LOVE you guys!!!

17.  Pets - old and new

18.  Clean Sheets

19.  Flip-Flops, sweats, jeans and the color black...

20.  The Lord and his blessings over us... eternally grateful 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING 2010 TO ALL!!!

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A Beautiful Day

 So back to the Dallas Arboretum we went, and this time we were joined by the Vaughn Family!  We also ran into Jackson's family.  What a gorgeous day it was and bunches of fun was had by all.  All of these kiddos go to Mrs. Stephanie's house during the school year and have so much fun together doing anything and everything!  It's fun to get to see each other outside of "school" as well.   

 And here's Grady and Brody... always up to something! 

 You might be thinking to yourself.... wow, these pictures look great!  That is because they were taken by Michelle (A HUGE THANK YOU BY THE WAY!!!) with her fancy camera.  Not to worry, that is on my Christmas List this year and I have been very good...... just sayin!

 I have to say we made some time for lots of family pictures hoping for a good family Christmas picture for the card...  too bad I just look fat and not 5 1/2 months preggo in all of them.  Oh well, there are some great ones of the boys! 

(Baby Boy #2 -- there you are!) 

 In the hay maze...layin low

 Our yummy picnic lunch on the hill!

 Our day would not be complete without rolling down the big hill and getting muddy!

 I love the eyebrows in this one...

 "When do we get to stop taking pictures...?"

 Luckily Michelle had some suckers for bribery.... and no, I am not above that one bit!

 I LOVE this picture (probably because you can't see my big belly)... this is a contender for our Christmas card!!!

 Richard being silly...

 Playing house...

 Wrestling... boys will be boys!!!

Kate gives those boys a run for their money!

We had a marvelous time with the Vaughn Family, as usual!!! 

Beautiful place, beautiful weather, and great friends...

We are blessed!!!

Kids Say the Darndest Things!!!

So I know that children say funny things, but I especially think that 3 years old is hysterical.  Grady says and does the funniest, craziest and sometimes most puzzling things.  Tonight he asked me, "Can Daddy and I crawl in your mouth and down your throat so we can check on the baby?"  I really didn't know how to respond....  I think because he caught me off guard, or maybe it just surprised me that he was thinking that much about the science of it?  Either way, that kid is pretty darn clever!  Grady-Goose, Mommy loves you! 

Rugs, Hats and Fire?!?!

This post is so random, but random is real life so here goes! 

Isn't he just the cutest little guy?  The hat is precious.... Gap has got the most adorable hats.  There was a shark hat as well, but I showed some restraint!

Richard fixed our fireplace this weekend.  It is getting rather chilly so we replaced the gas log set and he got it all set up and working properly.... Way to go Richard!  This will feel really good come January and February!!!

My birthday rug... Don't you just love the colors!?!  I got some new throw pillows for my birthday from Richard and Grady and my mom and dad let me pick out a rug to match.  We found this one at Pier 1 and both of us loved it (well Richard didn't get real excited over a rug) but I did and still get excited each time I look at it. 

Grady, Molly, Sumo, and the beautiful new RUG!

Precious smile..... and adorable bear hat again...

Grady made me line up all his things and then take a picture of the group.  Sumo opted out of this one... not real sure where he went to?

You can also get a glimpse of the famous Pillow Pal "Panda"... Grady's very favorite lovey right now.

So this was randomness at it's best... until next time have a great week!!! 

Mimi, Pumpkin Patch, Halloween, Pumpkin Carving, Arboretum, Baby BOY, OH MY.....

Mimi, Pumpkin Patch, Halloween, Pumpkin Carving, Arboretum, Baby Boy, OH MY......

 

So that pretty much sums this post up..... whew, we had a VERY busy long Halloween weekend!  It started with a yummy dinner at Frilly's with the Vaughns on Friday evening and then we picked up Mimi at the airport later on that same night. 
We are always glad to see Mimi! 
Grady was so excited to give Mimi her birthday present. 

On Halloween morning we ventured out to the Flower Mound Pumpkin Patch for our annual fun!  I just love all the cut-outs and Grady loves the bounce houses, hay ride and bucket train rides.

 I'm this tall, this fall.... 
I think this is the only year we actually got a good picture because we seemed to pick the right time/day to come!   

 Face Painting... a ghost!

 A tractor ride!

 With Dora and Diego-- my old favorites!

Grady has become a bounce house expert... watch out is all I can say!  We might need to purchase one now that we have another boy on the way!

 I have to say I am so happy to have this picture.... no bribing, just a please and he sat for 3 seconds and let me take a picture.... friends, this is BIG picture-taking progress!!!

 Hay-Ride with Mimi

All 4 (well, actually 5 if you count #2) of us! 

 "I'm the highest of everyone, I win!" 
Mommy doesn't have the heart to tell him nobody cares and not everything is a contest...

 Getting so big....

After that we went home to carve our pumpkins and make jack-o-lanterns!  Grady could actually help this year... although he thought it was "gross and sticky"...

 Look at his face and furrowed brows.... priceless! 

 Daddy is such a sport!

 We're done!

Our cute little elephant almost ready to go...  He asked when we were going to go about 25 times that day and finally it was time to put on the costume and head out!  Notice here is a rare picture of me... I am protesting pictures due to the fact that my midsection is rapidly growing and already feels huge (20 weeks -- half way there)! 

Something must have been funny.... oh yes, I forgot that Daddy tells Grady right before each picture that "Papa poops in the woods."   This is disgusting but does create a genuine smile which is rare.  Oh the things parents will do.....

All ready!!! 

 First house...
Oh my goodness he was so cute!  He said, "trick-or-treat" and then, "Thank you and Happy Halloween" at each house.  He would come back from each door running and saying, "They were so nice..."  Too cute!!! 

 Holy cow.... look at all the candy.  It's funny, he likes to sort it, pour it out and talk about it but is not a huge fan of candy in general.  We'll cross our fingers it stays this way!   
Not good for Mommy's cravings -- 
The Halloween Candy Fairy needs to come to our house soon....

 On Monday I took a personal day and we went to the Dallas Arboretum.  It's one of my very favorite places to visit because it's just plain beautiful but most importantly has big open spaces for little ones to play, scream and run around -- and nobody cares! 

 The pumpkin houses this year were amazing! 
If you have never been during the fall it is a must!!!

 A Petting Zoo

 Free Face Painting... BATMAN!  A recent obsession...

 And thanks to Daddy, rolling down the big hill and getting grass in your underwear!

Playing in the old Texas houses

 Working in the fields...

 Giving other little children lessons on fish and ponds....

 And here is what Mimi and I saw 99% of the time while we were there.  The back of Grady running and having bunches of fun! 

What a WONDERFUL long weekend!  I love fall and Halloween, but mostly spending time with the people I LOVE!!!