Blogging and Praying that I never forget these days . . . .

Our Christmas

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Maternity Photos

Decemeber 23, 2009

At 33 weeks (December 13th) our friend and photographer, Monique, did a maternity shoot for us. It was extremely nice of her to come to our house a photograph all 3 of us (sometimes all 4 of us when Kix refused to move). I enjoyed the time displaying my belly of Mary Kate for the camera. Max wasn't really into the the whole cooperating for pictures, but we did get a few with him. Overall we got some splendid photos of her pregnancy. Below are a few favs . .

Christmas Cookies

Decem ber 23, 2009

We had a wonderful time making Christmas cookies this year. On Christmas eve eve we invited Abby and Jack and our niece, Kayla, and nephew, Tristan over to bake cookies. Everyone had a blast as we mixed, rolled, sprinkled, and baked the cookies.Some of our sprinkling got a little heavy (like 1 inch thick of sprinkles) so Jay had to dump some.
Jack loved "spreading" the sugar on the counter. His spot looked like it had snowed in my kitchen when he was done. Abby and Jay were having a fit over the mess, but I was loving it!

mKate's Dinner Shower

December 17, 2009 I am very honored that several of my friends got together with me prior to Christmas for a shower for Mary Kate. Christmas is a very busy time of the year, but a group of my gals took extra time to celebrate her upcoming arrival. We enjoyed a fun evening of girl talk and food. She got some very much needed items like diapers, burp rags with her initials, wipes, and a diaper bag. Thanks everyone!

Reindeer Visit

December 17, 2009 We had a visit from some of Santa's reindeer at a local shopping area. A couple that lives north of here is attempting to start a reindeer farm and Santa's village for families to visit during the holidays. This year they are acquiring their reindeer. They brought this one, Snowflake, and Comet to meet children at the shopping center. We were told that Snowflake is a flight instructor. He doesn't fly with the sleigh, but trains the others on how to fly. They were both very pretty. Max was interested for a few minutes, but then wanted to go back to the train table in Barnes and Noble. Don't make fun, Erika, we aren't as privileged as you guys to have these fancy animals in our backyards. Ha Ha Ha. Yea, we have to see them in exhibitions like I mentioned. They were really beautiful.

"The Po-lar Ex-press"

December 13, 2009

Today Max got to go on a ride with the Polar Express thanks to his Big Daddy and Bebe. We all went last year and had a great trip. This year Jay and I were glad to bow out and let Big Daddy and Bebe take over. Max has talked about riding again ever since the Christmas season started. The Polar Express is his favorite Christmas movie and we watch it multiple times a day when we are home. Max told me how they got hot chocolate on the ride, but he said it was hot and he likes the cold chocolate. (Max and Jay drink a cold chocolate drink from Starbucks . . .) He also told me that the conductor punched their tickets just like the movie. He was so excited! He also talked about how Santa visited the train during the ride. Well, gotta go snuggle with my favorite 3 year old . . . .guess what's on ABC Family tonight . . . . the Po-lar Express!! I wonder if he will want to take Mary Kate next year . . . or will he want it to be just him and his Big Daddy and Bebe since he says he is not going to share them . . . another story for another time . . . commmericals are over . . .

"Update your Blog"

December 10, 2009

Alright, alright folks, sorry I've been away from blogger, but hopefully now I'm back. Let's take a quick run through the last several weeks.

After Halloween we took a trip to Gatlinburg for our annual shopping extravaganza. It was fabulous, but as Jay informed me, I couldn't keep up this year. I had as many cranky moments as Max because I needed a nap too. Max and I were in bed by 8ish the whole trip because we were exhausted. We left poor Jay in the living room alone watching TV. We did get alot accomplished and purchased the bulk of our Christmas presents. (Now I have to figure out how me and my belly are going to sit in the floor to wrap . . .another post.) In the mountains we had lots of fun on top of our shopping. Jay and Max rode the alpine slide . . . . lots of times . . . you see, Max is still free and Jay bought a unlimited wristband. So I sat at the bottom as the photographer and they rode and rode.

Another day we gave Max a chance to play in the arcade. He won lots of tickets and got some great junk when he cashed them in. What ever makes him smile, right? We stopped at the go-carts twice because we lucked up on some 2 for 1 tickets there too. Max is so proud that he can ride now. When they would pass me he would yell and lift up his hands, "No hands Mama!" It was great . . . and with Mary Kate in my belly I got to be the photographer here too. My fun came when we got to eat at the pancake house. Yummm! I can put away some maple syrup right now and my little chicka likes it too.On the way home from the mountains, we stopped and spent the day at the Knoxville Zoo. It was a beautiful day and actually a little hot. Below is a picture of Max riding a camel. He also got to feed it, he enjoys learning about all the animals.
After our trip it was almost Thanksgiving. We got to celebrate over 3 days . . . lots of good food. Thursday we spent the day at the Kelley's with Jay's family. Max spent the night and Jay and I got up to shop Black Friday. We left our house at 4:30am. We got some good deals on tennis shoes and some toys. We really didn't have to go shopping, but we are crazy and like the rush. I don't know there is just something about being there when a store opens. We don't stand in the cold like craziness, but we do get there early and wait until the mob starts moving to get our of the cozy warm car. I have such a great honey . . . he participates in alot just for me. Friday afternoon we went to the Boro to eat at JP and Holly's house. Her family was in town and we got to meet her uncles. One of her uncles is serving as the minister for the wedding, so it was nice to finally meet him. Saturday Thanksgiving was the Parsons at our house. All my cousins, aunt & uncle, grandparents, and lots of kid-os came over for the day. We enjoyed some more great food and time together. I felt like I cooked all weekend, but Max helped me each day. Here he is making our BTS cake for the Kelley's dessert. We also whipped up 2 caramel pies, "ricey krispie treats", candy carrots, mashed potatoes, and cornbread dressing. Jay took off a day of work during the Thanksgiving week. Being the wonderful wife I am . . . I left a honey do list when I went to work. Really, it was quite simple . . . I just wanted the Christmas lights put on the house so that we could turn them on Saturday of Thanksgiving. (You see, because we have a Thanksgiving dinner at our house on Saturday, Jay absolutely refuses to put up any Christmas decor until the dinner is done, so . . . I thought he could get them on the house and we just wouldn't turn them on until Saturday night . . . ) So. I went to work and Jay had his dad lined up to come help him with the lights. Well . . . . slight problem . . . our roof is apparently super steep and Jay could not stand up there to get all the new lights up. (That's another story . . we also shop early on Dec 26th to get any good Christmas decor sales . . . like I said fabulous hubby. Last year we bought lots of new lights for the house . . . so for a year I've been dying to get them up.) Back to the original story . . . . after multiple failed attempts with getting the lights to the top . . . . someone came up with the idea that Jay's brother could help with his Truck. I hate I missed it, but I am so glad they were so determined . . . because we I drove up on the Wednesday prior to Thanksgiving my terrific Jay had the lights ON and my house looked like a gingerbread house from a Christmas story. I love it . . . even though my babe had taken lip from his male buds about turning on the lights before Thanksgiving. Over the past several weeks, Mary Kate has continued to grow. This picture was taken on Sunday as we started our 32nd week. On Dec. 3rd, she measured to weigh 4 lbs and 5 oz . . . SO? I suppose she's racing her brother for the birth weight. Have to wait and see . . . only 8 weeks . . . or less. We are all anxiously awaiting her arrival. While I've been away from the blog, I have still been writing as I composed our Christmas Letter Oh-Nine. You should all be receiving that in the mail soon . . . if you don't usually get one . . . pass me your address and I will put one in the snail mail. Be back soon . . . . .

Sunset on my Little Guy

This weekend we also had the Servpro Family Picnic. I snapped this great photo of my one and only as the sun set. By the time he was done at the water's edge he was only wet up to his mid calves, no big deal right? Did I mention it was cold fall weather?

26 Weeks

October 25, 2009

26 weeks and counting . . . . .

Birthday Weekend

October 25, 2009

This weekend we celebrated three VIP birthdays: Jay, Josh, and Jon. We enjoyed Thursday night at BBWs for Jay's day. He was surprised with a Twilight DVD and tix for the new release "New Moon" in November. I love gifts that I also benefit from! Mom and Dad caught him off guard with Wii's Mario Cart. Max was excited to get home and play with that Daddy present. Friday night we traveled to see my brothers, Josh and Jon. Holly planned a surprise dinner at a local Mexican restaurant and then an evening of bowling. It was quality time well spent with the lil bros. Max now loves to bowl and then play in the arcade. (Especially when all the guys are giving him quarters and tickets!) We ended the weekend with birthday dinner at Mom and Dad's with Bull and Nanny and Pa and Nanny. Dad grilled up some awesome Terry's steaks and Mom made all the fixins with a homemade cake. It was YUM YUM!

Pumpkin Patch

October 18, 2009

Jay's Early Birthday

October 17, 2009

We started celebrating Jay's birthday a little early this year. No one in my house likes surprises or secrets, so we tend to give them early instead of keeping them. Max and I went birthday shopping for Daddy on Thursday morning. So by the time Jay went back to work from being home at lunch, he already knew 2 of his 5 presents. Aren't 3 yr olds wonderful! Max begged Thursday night to give Daddy his gift, but I held him off until Friday. Jay opened Max's remote control car that Max picked out on Friday. Max also got him a new DVD player for the bonus room. (Max broke that one and has been "needing" a new one. We thought Daddy's birthday was the perfect time!) Then Saturday the Kelley family all went to dinner and celebrated Jay's birthday at Red Lobster. He got some cold hard cash and then 2 more of mine and Max's gifts. We shocked him with the iTouch that I swore I wasn't buying. HA HA HA. I surprised Jay! I never do that and Max kept it a secret. Probably because he didn't know what it was, but that besides the point right? Now he has one gift left and has to wait until his birthday to get it. And I'm not telling . . . .

Joe's Fish Fry

October 10, 2009


After the birthday party, we headed out to Papa Joe's for a fish fry. (Josie's dad's house) We hung out there with friends and family until we were too tired to stay any longer. Max enjoyed hunting for acorns, playing with Joe's boxers (Daisy and Brutus) and Jon's Homer, and roasting marshmallows with me. Check out Joe's boyscout bond fire. It was really impressive!

Trace and Ashton's Birthdays

October 10, 2009

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Friday Night Bowling

October 9, 2009

Friday night the Kelley family adventured out to the bowling lanes with all 5 kidos. We got the bumpers set up in the gutters and the kids went wild. Max had never been bowling, so he was a real sight to see. The lightest ball we found was 7 lbs. He struggled to carry it up and literally drop it down the lane each time. He loved it and had lots of fun with his cousins. The adults also played a few fun rounds. I had to give it up after a few frames . . . the combination of my belly and my swing were not pretty. I was doing more work staying on my feet rather than bowling. We only had one fatality as Jay's Mom threw the ball backwards towards us instead of down the lane. That was a very funny moment. Max ended the night staying at Tristan and Kayla's house. Tristan is his "best friend cousin" as he calls him. He loves to go out there to spend the night.
October 7, 2009

Whew . . . the secrets are over . . . and now it is free knowledge about all the spring babies. I've been holding the precious news for too long and I am now excited to announce . . . .
Amanda and Clay are expecting #3! Yea! Carter and Emerson's little bro or sis is expected to arrive in late April. Amanda was here over the weekend for a wedding and got to tell the families of the good news. Max calls it as a Baby Coop with a hair bow! We will have to wait and see if he is right. Amanda is 12 weeks.
Gindy and Scott and also finally expecting their FIRST bundle of poop, spit up, and (oh I forgot JOY!). Just Kidding! I am thrilled that Ginnnndy (as Max says a very long n) is going to have a babe of her own, well and Scott's too. Little Woodward is due to show up the end of May. Gindy is 7 weeks. Max is calling that Sadie will have a sister. I don't know if he is just stuck on girls right now or what, but he says this little one is a girl too! Yea! Sounds like a cheer squad in the making . . . Baby Coop #3, Baby Woodward #1, Mary Kate . . . . Class of 2028! Yikes! More names to add to the Class roster of 2028 are Baby Clifton #2, Baby Grant Gillespie #1, Baby Freeman#3, Baby Hibbard #2, and most recently announced Baby Slusher #2. Let me know if I am not up to date on others for 2028!! Wow that date hurts . . . are we getting old?
Our most recent ultrasound done today! She measures to weigh 1 lb 5 oz as of now.

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