sweet home alabama - thanksgiving 2012 {part 2}

Before leaving Alabama, we headed to a walking trail to take some quick pictures of the girls. These are some VERY photogenic little girls. I know I am totally biased, but sometimes they are just too cute for words!

KK, Brynlee and Hadlea

We tried to get them to do a jump picture, and H was just a little late to the game! Ha!

my sweet girl and I

We then headed to lunch and then to the Children's museum. Why in the world can we not have something like this in Oklahoma?! This place was so much fun!

riding the train

playing in the {fake} snow

They even had a zipline for the kids. I didn't really think H would do it, but she got in line with KK and B anyway. And to my surprise, she did! And LOVED it!

fishing!

making music with aunt shan and playing kitchen

the girls watching themselves on tv

this is one of those needle imprint things. we had alot of fun with it!

sliding!

checking out the sharks and sting rays. you could touch them all.

checking out the fish with daddy.

playing in the water.

climbing the ropes!

And then it was time to head home! :-(

As we were all hugging goodbye, the guys starting saying, "here come the water works" as Shannan and I are usually a mess to leave each other and the girls. But I was just SO very thankful for 5 days with their family, that I didn't shed one tear! We had such a great relaxing visit. Although I still wish they lived right next door, I am always thankful for the time I do get with them. I miss my very best friend on a daily basis. And since I totally suck at not getting my way, I often throw little temper tantrums that she is not here to do certain things with me. But, I would rather have her hours away and in my life than not in my life at all.... so here is to being more thankful this year. Thankful I have a very best friend that knows when I need a smile, an ear or a smack back into reality. :-)

And I am also VERY thankful for my little growing family, my sweet little furry boy, AMAZING parents and in-laws, the perfect brothers, SILs and BILs and close friends. Often when I reflect during prayer, I always wonder what in the world I have done to deserve my life. I am far from perfect. But the good Lord has blessed me far more than I could have ever imagined. I am so thankful for every aspect of my life.

sweet home alabama - thanksgiving 2012 {part 1}

This Thanksgiving we did things a little different. We normally go to Medford to be with my family, but this year, we hopped a plane to Alabama! My best friend and her family are living there while her husband does his orthopedics fellowship. Neither of their families could make it there, and I didn't want them to be alone, so we headed East! I could go on and on about Shannan and her family. They have given up alot to follow Michael's journey to become a doctor. They have spent many holidays alone or missed many family events because of work schedules. I have loved getting to be part of their journey... and the count down is on... about a half year left and they will finally get to settle down.

We started our Thanksgiving break on Monday by lighting a fire and roasting marshmallows. I think our little family was DYING to hop on the plane and head to Alabama! Hadlea is well on her way to becoming a pyro like her father! All she wanted to do was throw things in the fire. And because all of the men in our neighborhood baby her to death, they brought her all kinds of sticks to throw in. For a solid hour, that is all she did.

Wednesday, we were up bright and early and heading to catch our flight!

H was SO awesome on every single flight! I promised myself I would not get nervous or stressed. Although we flew AA, and I just don't have the best of luck with them. Thankfully, they came through this time. We did have a few delayed flights but nothing that caused us to miss anything!

This Dora backpack caused alot of drama in our house! I am not a 'theme' person! I don't care for Barbie, Princess or anything themed. But I think my days of getting to choose this stuff are coming to and end. {tear} I had bought H a little black bag to take on the plane, and she refused to take it because she wanted a backpack! Ugh! Can you guess what H is getting for Christmas?! Yes, a toddler monogrammed backpack!

My little traveler! Oh... she just looked so big sitting with her headphones on!

Just so you know I keep it real here... this is actually the first pic I took. Nose picking and all! ;-)

We made it! Aunt Shannan arrived to pick us up with a "welcome huskey's" sign from the girls!

Thursday was SUCH a beautiful day! We had a big breakfast and then spent the day playing at the park with the girls.

We then made an early Thanksgiving feast! Everything was homemade other than the turkey! Although I LOVED the kitchen time I got with Shanna, there will NOT be too many of these 'feasts' in the future. That stuff is alot of work! I will just save the time by going to my momma's house! :-)

and then some play time!

Later that evening, we headed to bowl!

My little turkey slept through two games. She got in on the last two frames!

Friday, we got up and did some shopping. And by shopping, I mean VERY LITTLE. It was crazy! We did make a stop at build a bear where the girls got bears and bunnies with matching clothes!

random playtime!

Hadlea obviously likes to play ring around the rosie!

Saturday was a day of NOTHING! It was so nice to relax, watch some football, play at the park and just enjoy hanging out! We don't get those days very often!

Sunday before heading home, we made a stop at the Children's museum. I guess I wasn't sure what to expect, but this place was AMAZING! I will share more pics on it tomorrow!!

Our silly sisters!

After the museum, we headed home with a couple of tough kids! :-)

Hadlea just kicked back and enjoyed the flight!

More to come in part 2!

Hope you all enjoyed your own Thanksgiving!

babies. babies.

Does it not seem like babies are everywhere?! When I was pregnant with H, I had 8 cousins have babies right around the same time. Now, I have 5 that are pregnant plus several friends!

Hadlea and I went back to my hometown this past weekend as I was helping host 2 baby showers. The first was for my friend Alea. Alea is pregnant with her first, a girl, Charlee Nicole. I LOVE the name Charlee for a girl... or boy. I just love the name! I cannot wait to see that sweet face! Thanks for letting me be apart of your special day, Alea! Love you!

The hosts: Me, Jennifer, Becky, Amanda, Alea, Catherin and Kristen

The prego girls!

My cousin Amanda, Alea and I

High school friends

Amanda, Alea, Me, Jennifer and Catherine

We went back and spent the afternoon at Gigi and Poppa. Then we got ready for church and dinner.

Gigi and her girl!

LOVE this!

My babies and me!

On Sunday, I helped host my SIL's baby shower. My niece, Kayman Alana, will be born in January. We are DYING to meet her!

My friend made these cupcakes. This picture does NOT do them justice! They were adorable!

Another friend made the banner and outfits!

She received a TON of amazing gifts!

Hadlea and her cousin Maddy

The hostesses

Cousin Shelly, Me, Aunt Lisa, SIL Amanda, Aunt Shelly, Aunt Rene, Joan and Aunt Brenda

My mom, my SIL, her mom

Amanda and her momma, Janelle.

Mom and Amanda

Me, Gigi, Had, Amanda and Janelle

The bumps!