We said "I Do" in 2002

It's been a jam-packed 9 years.
5 addresses
4 kids
10 jobs
7 vehicles
and lots and lots of love.

9th Annual Christmas Costume Party

It's hard to believe that we've had 9 Christmas Costume Parties already! Even though planning a party with a 6-week-old isn't the smartest thing I've ever done, I'm glad we didn't forego the awesomeness!

Host and hostess... the first year that I took the easy way out and dressed in a sweater instead of in a costume. The sweater was super awesome though so I didn't feel too bad!

The Peng family, complete with their newly adopted daughter Lily!

Kirstie and Tony- man I wish this picture did Tony's sweater justice. It was THE UGLIEST THING I have ever seen!

The Dowd family as "4 Calling Birds"

How do you disguise a 8-month pregnant belly? Dress it up as a snowy hillside and call yourself Christmas Eve!

Sugerplum fairies were definitely a trend of the night!

3 Little Kittens who lost their mittens

In case you were wondering where I get my love for dressing up and having parties, look no further!

Arielle, Adrie, and the 2nd place winner, George!

Grand prize winner, Elijah the Shepherd!

Of course there were lots and lots more festively dressed people that I didn't take pictures of. Oh well. Thanks for coming everyone! And if you didn't come this year, you DEFINITELY should come next time for the 10th annual!

Thankful Today

Today I am thankful for:

1. a 15 year old niece who came to entertain my CRAZY children for 3 whole hours so that I could cook and do laundry in relative peace

2. clean sheets and a freshly made bed (see #1)

3. being finished with my 7-year-old maternity clothes and being able to refill my closet with my regular clothes (see #1). it's like getting a whole new wardrobe without spending any money!

4. fresh cranberry sauce (see #1)

5. a sister-in-law who brought me a latte

6. a healthy, chubby-faced, good-sleeper baby

7. a husband who is willing to run to the store for me so that I don't have to change out of my pajamas

8. a 6, 4, and 2-year-old who still take afternoon naps

Because all you really wanted was some pictures

After a quick 4.5 hr labor, she's OUT!!!!

Proud Daddy!

Relieved, exhausted, happy mommy!

What were we thinking?!

Perfection

Let's just pretend that Landon's face doesn't make us all afraid for Stella's safety...

Landon is actually very gentle with her and LOOOOOVES giving her kisses and hugs...

She finally opened her eyes...late at night when everyone else was sleeping... I don't really blame her!

Grady can literally sit with her for an hour straight, cuddling, singing... it's amazing to see how much he loves his baby sister!

Big News

Somebody lost a tooth tonight....
It had been loose for just over a week and she's been fretting over it, sleeping with a plastic baggie close by just in case it fell out when she's sleeping, wondering if it would hurt if she let her uncles pull it out for her.

Well tonight, while she was in bed, she pulled it out all by herself. She came out to show us, smiling from ear to ear with a mouth full of blood [are they really supposed to bleed that much?].

She is very excited and proud and said that she's not sleeping tonight because she's going to wait for the tooth fairy who she knows isn't real because there aren't real fairies but it's really just her parents pretending to be fairies.... yeah, yeah, yeah. Just try to enjoy the moment little girl!

ps. what are we supposed to do with her tooth? throw it away? keep it? save it for stem cell research?

A most wonderful surprise

Dylan was working on fixing our leaky, squeaky kitchen faucet this morning and he looked out the window and said to me,
"Oh look. Aunt Joy's here"

WHAT!!!!!!! How can this be? She lives far, far, far away in New Mexico. She's not coming home until Christmas......
Well, I guess her plans changed :)

Stella June

We are so happy to announce the arrival of Stella June!
Born November 3, 2011 at 6:53am
8lb 11oz, 21inches

Emma is ECSTATIC to have a baby sister. She said "Mom, God obeyed my prayers because I told him I wanted a baby sister and He gave me one."

Grady is a very proud big brother and glows when he gets to hold her- until she starts crying. Then he pushes her away fast!

Landon loves having a real live baby doll to hold and poke. He points out all of her features (none too softly) and keeps smothering her with hugs and kisses. Thank God he's healthy right now or we'd have a major problem on our hands!

Basically, Stella is one lucky baby girl to have so much sibling love surrounding her :)