Overwhelmed with Thanksgiving

"I feel overwhelmed with thankfulness with my whole life in general right now..." was one of my first thanksgiving text's this morning to a close friend. Overwhelmed is the only word I can think of to describe how blessed and thankful I feel. "My cup runneth over" might be another good way to say it.

This year we were able to travel out of state to visit my husband's grandparents who we haven't seen in over 4 years. It was a long 18 hour drive (during which, the kids were so good!! Another thing to be thankful about!) but it was something that my husband really wanted to do since they've never even met our kids. It's been wonderful spending time here and letting them get to know their other great grandparents, great aunts, uncles and 2nd cousins.

 This morning started with a trip to the grocery store to buy the ingredients for our famous, favorite stuffing that we make every year. Grandma P. was gracious enough to let me add it to her already long long list of delicious foods.

 Brooklynne has carried on the tradition of our favorite job at Thanksgiving--tearing the bread into small peices and putting it into the big bowl. This year was Joe's first year helping (he may have "helped" last year) but he was caught sneaking bites of bread so his job did not last long. ;)

 His sneaky little face with crumbs on it says it all!

(Above^^^) Working in the kitchen with my mother-in-law and grandmother-in-law was a special memory for me. I'm not sure if it will ever happen again so I enjoyed it today. :)

My cute little man while we were getting ready to take our Thanksgiving picture.

The table was set beautifully and the food was delicious. It's interesting to see what recipies other families come up with that we don't normally have! Smoked turkey, cranberry sauce, caramelized sweet potatoes (some of the best sweet potatoes I've ever had), "square potoatoes" (family name for a cheesy, creamy potato recipe), broccoli salad, garlic bread, stuffing and 2 sweet salads made with pudding, cookies, whipped cream, marshmallows, etc. I. Am. Stuffed.

The big, long, beautiful table. We don't often eat at such a long table with so many people on Thanksgiving so it was something different that I really enjoyed. :)

I hope your Thanksgiving was overhwhelming as well--in a good way!

Tomorrow Nate is taking me black Friday shopping-nothing too crazy early, just something I really enjoy the day after Thanksgiving. Bring on the Christmas season and all it's festivities!

Baby #3, Month 5 & 6!

Month 5 is always an exciting month for me--20 weeks is halfway and a big milestone! It's also the time that my belly really starts popping, I start wearing maternity almost full time and I actually LOOK pregnant! :)

20 Weeks

As you know from  this post, , we found out in a very fun way that we were having a boy! it was very unexpected as I thought for sure it was a girl--and had convinced everyone else of the same thing! :)

My whole family got to be here for it which was so special to me--and even though it took a little while, I am very excited about another little boy entering our family in a few months. :)

MONTH 6!

Now I am really starting to "feel" pregnant. My belly is getting in the way of everyday chores (like holding laundry baskets) :), it's harder to roll over in bed (although I'm still sleeping great!) and I have the "oh my word, I'm HUGE" days. However, I'm not complaining one bit! I love being pregnant, love feeling my baby move inside me, love fun maternity outfits and feel so blessed that God has chosen to give me yet another child to raise and nurture for his glory. Boys scare me, because I wonder how I'll know when I need to step out of my role as Mom and let them be men, but I'm thankful for a wonderful husband who is very wise. I have no doubt he'll be able to handle that when the time comes. :)

24.5 Weeks

Last week, Brookie really got to feel the baby move a lot. Usually she doesn't have the patience to sit and wait, but this time he was really moving a lot and she loved it. Joe is just way too impatient to try, although he does kiss my belly all the time. Sometimes I wonder how much the kids really grasp that there is really a baby in there, but soon it will be very real and they won't have to wonder any more!
 I'm 25 weeks tomorrow, so only 15 until my due date! I would, of course, love to go 2 weeks early again but I would never plan on it because you never know and I don't want to be disappointed. :) My Mom went anywhere from 8 days-3 weeks early, and one right on the due date, so all 9 of us were different and I'm sure I'll be the same way!
 Anyway, the weeks are just flying and I know it's going to get even faster with the holidays and how busy I'll be with photo shoots, travelling and shooting a wedding. So, until next time...!

A Re-Cap!

I am still alive and well...this blog has been neglected because I have had family here for almost 2 months and I have not taken the time to blog like normal! This post is a little re-cap of what has gone on around here for the past month or so. Enjoy!

We took the kids to the pumpkin patch and picked out little pumpkins...

 The kids spent time with their grandparents and cousin...

 My sisters and I laughed...and talked...and ate...and laughed...way too much...

 I soaked in every moment I could of my little nephew...

 We made memories sitting outside in the sun talking and playing...

 We rode the scooter around the neighborhood, making a scene and having a blast (with only minor injuries ;)...

 My babies were just too sweet to handle while they waited for a ride...

And in typical boy fashion, all he wants is to "GO FASTER"... 

 We went sledding...TX style...

 It provided literally hours of entertainment around here!

 I found my kids reading together..Mom's love moments like this...

 We squished in the car a lot...

 We took the kids to the children's museum...

 We made Fall sugar cookies...

 I cuddled when he needed it...

 We welcomed our first "cold day"...

 We had cheeto parties...

 Brooklynne dressed up for the annual missions dress up night and was a very cute little Indian...

 My dad made his amazing pizza...

 I swear you have never eaten anything like it...

 My little man got very, very sick but thankfully it was over in 3 days. On the third day he was feeling a little better and we took a walk to the mailbox...

 We did A LOT of shopping, and going with my little girl is the best...

 We had a sister day that started with going out for a huge breakfast...

 ... and shopping...

 We drank lots of Dunkin doughnuts pumpkin spice coffee... 

 had our first fire of the season...

 made more Fall sugar cookies...

 took pictures after grocery shopping... ;)

 Shared coffee with my kids--they love it for some reason...

 and lastly, said goodbye to my sweet little man that had to leave me yesterday :(

Shew. I can breathe now. I would have loved to do a few detailed post's in there, but I figured a re-cap is better than nothing. This next week is going to be absolutely insane--how is it so busy and it's not even Thanksgiving yet?! Anyway, I hope to post again soon. For now, have a great day and enjoy the start of the Christmas season! :)