Still trying to catch up.

I really have to be better at keeping up with this. We had so many fun events, not nearly as many as last year due to the bed rest but I don't think Ava will remember. WARNING: Lots of pictures!

School party up first. How cute are these kiddos? Ava loves to sing so this was fun to watch her in action. And, look....still sucking her fingers.
We had Christmas with the Tompkins bunch the weekend before since they were here for graduation. Ava got the coolest suitcase for dress up clothes! Not to mention boots that look like daddy's.

Aren't these baking diva's the cutest? What fun they had!

I just had to take pictures of my favorite snowgirl!

And somewhere in here Jarred and I celebrated 6 years of marriage. I am one lucky girl who is more in love everyday! We ran out for a quick dinner and then had to come straight home because the contrations were becoming timeable and we did not want to spend the rest of the night in the hospital. Arrg.....

So many fun memories that are made in December! Makes me miss it when it's gone!

SHSU Class of 2011

Proud. I am so proud. Jarred has worked so hard and this day meant so much to many of us.

We had fun trying to find him and cheer. Thanks to Aunt Ashley he heard us well. Love it!

Then it was a little party for the grad. Of course there were cute banners and a nice speech. (Speeches run in my family! ha) I just stated that I was so proud to be Jarred's wife. It really was one of my proudest days. I told Ava to top it she will have to go to medical school!



Congratulations Jarred, I really am so so proud to be your wife!

Christmas....what a JOY!

Joy to the World, the Lord has come!

What a great few days we have had. I love this time of spending it with the ones you love. I feel that my life is so full and blessed. Maybe it is the hormones but I just felt teary many times about how Jesus blesses this family. It really was the perfect week and to think that we will be adding another precious blessing in 2 weeks! Yes, 2 weeks! Eek.

A few pictures, beacause really what is a post without them?
(Note: I was horrible about takng pictures this year. I am so disappointed with myself ;-) I will blame it on being tired. Yes, tired.)

Someone was ready for Santa. Daddy tired to tell her that he believed he liked coke better. Yep, I am pretty sure he does!

We loved our 25 days of Christmas. It really was a great way of teaching Ava the true meaning of Christmas. It really surprised me how much she picked up from the books. I look forward to this again next year for sure.

Wow, what a fun morning we had. It started about 5:30, HUBS was the one who could not wait. We had a few minutes of quiet together fixing breakfast which was so nice. He commented that he really liked being able to have conversation with someone at 5:30, please don't think this is normal my sweet hubby. When went in to wake the girl and the fun began. I think this is the most fun we have had in awhile. She loved her pink gun, wheel barrow and leap pad. She was hyper all day, it was a hoot to watch. Could it have been those M&M's and coke? Probably.

Then we had a nice Christmas lunch. We started a tradtion last year of having tamales. Yummy lunch. My dad tickled me, we caught him helping put lipstick on Ava. He informed me I needed to buy better because it had no color. Dad, that was the idea!

I pray you all experienced the JOY of the season. Be thankful for the greastest gift given, Jesus!

Come back as I am trying to catch up from a few other december highlights!

Merry Christmas from Our Family to Yours

Less than 3 weeks to go.....

and the way things are going it very well could be sooner. Here we are at the end of the pregnancy. I am still trying to wrap my mind around having two sweet little girls.




We have been busy trying to get her room ready. I will post pictures soon. It is still a work in progress. We are sure ready to meet Miss Emma. And, by her movement I would say she is just about ready as well.

Happy 8 months and 2.8 years to my girls!

Santa Visit

This year we shared our visit with one of our favorite babies and then it was a nice dinner out. Our kiddos did great and Ava even gave Santa a little hug. It is nice nights like this that I will miss when my kids are grown.



I was completely dummed when they would not let me have my camera this year. I mean for 3 Santa visits and 2 bunny visits they have always let me snap a few pictures. We just may have to find a new spot next year!

Blessings for Emma

I had two wonderful baby showers to welcome sweet Emma.
Up first I had a lovely Pickles and Ice Cream themed shower. Ya'll, to say the shower was cute would be an understatement. It was amazing. Jarred and Ava are still enjoying the center pieces(giant jars of pickles).

We are so very lucky to have the best friends and family. I say this often but I hope they know how I love each of them.  You guys seriously rock!

The hostesses

Sweet Emma got some pretty great things. She is already spoiled, how is this possible?


Up next, my wonderful co-workers gave me a shower. I am suprised they even want to see me after I have bailed on them due to bed-rest! You guys make working more enjoyable, thanks for holding the fort down.

They had the cutest things for Emma's room. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the blocks and the picture frame. Thanks girls for making me feel special!

25 days of Christmas (Tompkins Family Style)

Don't you love 25 days of Christmas on the Family channel? This year we are starting our on tradtion. It does still involve 25 days and it starts December 1st. What you may ask? Let me show you:

We picked out 25 books on the real meaning of Christmas. I want my girls to know why we really celebrate Christmas. Yes, we still do santa but I want them to always cherish the best gift of all.

I wrapped each one and the basket is by the tree. Each night Ava will get to pick one and unwrap it for our story time.

We had a great first night of story time, I look forward to the next 24 nights! Christmas really does mean so much more and being 8 months pregnant really makes one appreicate it's true meaning.

Our first book was why each of the Veggie's like Christmas. It was perfect for her first pick since she loves those veggie's so much.

Thanksgiving recap....mainly in pictues!

Our family has so much to be thankful for. We had a lovely thanksgiving with the Tompkins' side. It was a great day filled with much laughter!

First up, Our little Turkey! Oh, how I am so thankful for this sweet girl!


The little turkey and the big turkey. My loves for sure!


We celebrated a special birthday too! Happy 4th birthday Nathan, my spider sense is tingling! I loved hearing him say this.....the boy sure loves him some spidey!

Thankful (Part 2)

“Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.” – 1 Chronicles 16:34

#5-My Family
When you were a kiddo did you ever have those thoughts, "Why did God chose to give me my family when some kids just plain have awful ones?" I had this thought a lot growing up. I am so thankful for my parents. How they have and still do bless my life. I stand firm in saying if not for them who knows where I would be. I sure do owe them and love them more than words could ever express.

Now for the rest of my family, They are like fudge - mostly sweet with a few nuts. (half kidding! ha) I sure do love them. Growing up and even still we have a great time together. Not to mention how they have bless me and now bless my kiddos.

Then I got married and God once again has surprised me with a big blessing. What fun I have had with these guys. Not to mention that I have two special boys that I love so much. Did you really ever think you could love nieces/nephews so much?

I think one of the most important things in my life is my family. I hope each one of you knows what you mean to me. Each memory is so special...I could list many but the first that come to mind is beauty pageants, tea parties, Schlitterbahn trips, hunting/fishing, shopping trips, and many dinners are so dear to my heart. I love each of you!

No pictures....gasp!

A month to be thankful.

Don't you love November? I love fall. The cooler temps that bring hot chocolate and hot tea. Pumpkins and the smell of cider. Not to mention getting to spend time with family for Thanksgiving or the 2 important birthdays we celebrate. I love it!
I have so much to be thankful for. I thought I would try to do a post once a week (not daily like some adventurous souls) on what I am thankful for the most. I will start with 4:

#1 For sure Jesus. I think I get it so much more than ever what it truly means to be saved. What a blessing to have such Grace that only he can provide. I am so thankful for all Jesus has blessed me with. Sometimes I am completely blown away.

#2 Hubs. Oh how I am one lucky girl! I mean really lucky that God made him for me to share my life with. I love Jarred more with each passing day. I love how he loves his girls. There is no one I would rather share my life with or be the daddy to my children. I am AMAZED at the father he is.

#3 My Sweet Pea. Sometimes I look at her and wonder what I did to deserve her! I mean the other day I was buckling her in her car seat and she said "Jesus, thank for for my mommy!" Really! Who taught her this? I stopped and looked at her with tears running down my face. Then I heard, "What's wrong Mommy? You sad?" No Ava, I am so extremely happy.

#4 Emma Ruth. I can't wait to meet you! I can't wait to see how special you will be and how you will bless this family. After 5 pregnanices I am thankful for you hanging out with mommy. Can you believe we are almost 30 weeks. All I can say is "You grow girl!"

The cutest Cupcake

Is she the cutest or what? I mean who does not love cupcakes?




We had dinner at our besties and then headed out trick-or-treating. Yall, Ava was into this year. I mean so into it. After walking and walking we would ask if she was ready to stop. Her reply, "No, not yet." Her cupcake bag did get a little heavy but daddy was so sweet to help. She was so pooped after the end of the night she slept until 9. Score for mommy! She has enjoyed going through "My Bag" and eating all her candy today. Let's just say the sharing with daddy days may just be over. (Jarred, there is still hope for you with Emma for a few years!)

What a fun day with my family.



And it was even better when shared with friends.


(James was there somewhere)