Family Pictures

I was so excited for "Honey" to take some pictures of our new family of 4 !!! We went to the FTW Botanical Gardens on Friday, when it was 80 degrees!!! Reilly did really well... for a 4 year old boy. (Trying to keep him from climbing, jumping, and exploring in his nice clothes was at times a challenge!) Thanks very much Honey... you did a great job!

Here are just a few...

Happy Birthday Grandpa !!!

Happy Birthday Daddy!!! We hope you had a wonderful day... and we love you very much!!!

Mimi & Grandpa


Dad's favorite strawberry shortcake... YUM!







Reilly is so cute with whipped cream on his nose!







Reilly & Avery (aka: Grandpa's Little Cupcake)





Aunt Honey

She's Growin' !!

I thought I would share how much our happy baby girl has grown since she's been born!











Avery at birth 11-17-08: 7 lbs. 6 oz. 19 3/4 inches




Avery at 1 month 12-17-08: 8 lbs. 15 oz. 21 1/4 inches (I stole this picture idea from my friend, Missy!!)




Avery at 2 months 1-17-09: 11 lbs 13 oz. 23 3/4 inches






















Big Brother is always near















Our beautiful 2 month old Avery

The Sweetest Big Brother

Reluctantly, I took Avery to get her first round of immunizations today. I knew this experience would be rough- since I sobbed like a fool when Reilly got his first shots. I was holding Avery in my lap (with tissue in hand) as the kind nurse administered the first shot. As my poor defenseless baby girl began to emit the most painful cry, I kept my head down because I didn't want Reilly to see me upset and get scared himself. I only looked up when I heard another nurse say "Awww..." I glanced over at Reilly only to see him crying the saddest, sweetest tears for his baby sister. My heart just broke. He just had to come closer to look at her, to make sure she was really alright after it was all over.
I have been shocked over these past 2 months as I've watched Avery become such a huge part of Reilly's life. He is so protective, gentle, and affectionate, and he includes her in all his plans. He always just factors her in, no matter what he's doing. It absolutley THRILLS my heart to see how much he cares for her, and how he wants the best for her.... Just what I've always wanted.

Brrr Y'all

It's COLD!!! Unfortunately, we had to get out this morning in the 28 degree weather for a doctor's appointment, which made me realize that I don't handle the cold very well- by the way. But... it was kinda fun bundling up the kids. We're talking sweaters, hats, mittens, blankets- the works. As you can see, Avery didn't mind one bit! Reilly was just excited to wear his new "awesome camo coat" from Grandpa!

Girls' Night Out

I decided to take Avery with me to Bunco this month, my first time back since she's been born- to introduce her to all the girls. It was so great to get out of the house and have some girl time, and Avery enjoyed it too! Maybe she had a little too much fun, because she slept for 8 HOURS that night!!! YESSS! ;) It was great to see everyone, and thank you to Elizabeth for hosting and thanks especially for the great prizes!!! :)

Avery's First Dress !

Wow, have I been looking forward to putting Avery in her very first dress!! This one was a gift from my sweet friend, Neely! I haven't ever seen anything so perfectly girly and precious. YAY! Here's to many MANY more fun and dainty dresses :)





Reilly thought she looked so "precious"!

Smilin' Till My Cheeks Hurt!

Avery has really started smiling HARD at us every time she wakes up. So stinkin cute, I can't get over it! Even on those particular days when nothing seems to go right, she makes me smile and laugh until my cheeks are actually sore! Thanks for that, baby girl!

Longview Friends

For the final leg of our East Texas trip, we stopped to visit our good friends in Longview. Jeremy & Joey were college roommates, and Neely & I have become good friends as well! They have 2 sweet boys, Logan & Landon... with one more sweet boy due in February!!! Our boys always play so well together, and the boys were all so sweet and gentle with our girl! It is so great hanging out with you guys- We can't wait for your newest arrival!

Christmas @ Grandma's

Well here goes.... Christmas #4. I'm exhausted. ;) After we left Grand Saline, we headed to Grandma's house in Carthage. (EVERYONE else has always called her Nanna, but Reilly started calling her "Grandma" before he was 2, and now she calls herself Grandma!) Anyway, it was also her first time to meet Avery. It was fun seeing her snuggle and hold her! Everyone else fought over who got to hold her next!

We had our annual Mexican food lunch and "white elephant" gift exchange, which for some reason was very tame this year. (In previous years, it has been a little vicious!)

The kids had fun being outside, climbing trees and getting dirty! And Reilly got an awesome CARS sleeping bag and ended up with the gift he brought for the gift exchange: a Transformers shaving kit!!!

It was a great trip.... we love y'all!!!

Grandmother & Granddaddy

This was Avery's first visit to meet Joey's dear Grandmother & Granddaddy in Grand Saline! They were so very thrilled to meet her, and just enjoyed her so very much. Grandmother wasn't feeling too well the first evening, but the next morning she & Avery has some sweet time together. Grandmother was thrilled by Avery's big smiles! I just relish seeing them with our kids, especially when they're babies. All that wisdom and experience in one person, reflecting onto this brand new baby... something about that just affects me. Anyway, it was a good visit, it's been too long!

Happy New Year

We really didn't plan on doing anything on New Year's Eve this year, just a low-key relaxing night at the casa. But, leave it to Keri to talk me into it... "Just throw a hat on & get over here!!" Oh... alright. :) But we were really glad we went! Reilly had a blast with all the other kids, and the adults had fun too! The gals gabbed and fought over Avery and the guys played golf on the Wii. The kids performed puppet shows for us, then we played The Office boardgame- which was pretty funny. Avery did something pretty cool...she has only had a few bottles so far (since I'm nursing), but she had one that night and held it all by herself!!!! WOW! :) All the kids stayed up until the clock hit 12:00... must have been the sugar. ;) It was a really great night! Thanks Mark & Keri!!! :)