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.