A new addition to the family!

Sweet Caroline was born on November 18th! The proud parents are my big brother, Aaron, and his wife, Lara Marie. Caroline is lucky to have two caring big sisters, Connally and Cate! She is such a sweet angel and I loved getting to meet her and hold her over the Thanksgiving holidays!

What happened to November?

... IT FLEW BY!!! I haven't had the opportunity to blog lately, but I have been taking my pictures and have had grand visions of what my posts would look like. However, somehow November crept by without much attention. So, here is my "catch- up" post. (be prepared... it's going to be a long one!)

High School Reunion

Ok, So, my high school reunion was actually in late October... but I still haven't posted any pictures yet! I was unsure about what to expect from my reunion, and was hesitant of whether or not I should even go. But I figured that it only happens once so I went. I am glad I did! I had fun catching up with some old buddies and reliving old memories.

Visitors from Lubbock

My buddies from Lubbock came to visit us and we went to our favorite meeting spot, La Hacienda Ranch! Brooke and Joey left us (sniff, sniff) to pursue dreams in west Texas! Brooke is expecting a baby soon, and I can't wait to meet her little bundle! Eloise ADORES Joey... and Patrick and I truly miss having them around. It was a fun visit, and we look forward to going to see them in Lubbock soon.

Brooke and I

El and her buddy, Joey

I LOVE these red Adirondack chairs... I wonder if La Hacienda sells them?

Eloises' first movie

I took Eloise to see "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs" one Monday while Lucie was at MDO. UM.... I don't recommend the movie, unless you like silly and pointless, but Eloise enjoyed the "movie experience." We went and got Chick-fil-A at the mall food court and ate it in the theater. It was nice being the only people... because I could pull out the camera and document it! We can't wait for "The Princess and the Frog" to come out next!!

Although the photo doesn't show it... she loved it!

Lucie's using the walker

... and she's OBSESSED with it! I swear, if the child is awake, she wants to be pushing this thing around. Look at that grin! Can't you tell she's in heaven? It'll be no time before she looses the walker and takes off on her own!

The Cheerio debacle

I was getting some work done around the house and thought to myself "Lucie is being WAY too quiet.... Whats going on?" I went into the kitchen to find her like this...

the little stinker had pulled the cereal box off the table, and dumped it out. It was a full on FEAST! :) I couldn't get mad, though, look at that cute face!

Lucie's in MDO!

... And she has been for a while, but I am just now getting to blog about it! It seems a bit backwards... Like Eloise should be in pre-school and Lucie should be at home hanging with me. However, our church preschool is pretty hard to get into, and both kids were on the wait list. Lucie ended up getting in, and Eloise is still waiting. But we have fun!

Lucie's teachers are the best! She has so much fun. So far they have painted with red cool-whip, and orange pudding! (I wish I could have been a fly on the wall for that!) They also get to go for rides in the "bye bye buggy", which is pictured below and have music and movement class!! We always get fun "craft" projects (it usually involves some kind of handprint or thumbprint.) It has been a great experience for all of us!

(We'll keep our fingers crossed that Eloise doesn't have to wait much longer!)

From Left: Lucie playing, Lucie with one of her teachers, and Lucie in the "bye bye buggy"

Butterfly Exhibit

When we were in Houston for all of the festivities last week, I got the chance to go to the butterfly exhibit with the family. Eloise went with her Coco earlier this summer and has been talking about butterflies ever since. We decided to make an encore trip. It was a lot of fun going and seeing her reaction. Lucie loved watching all of the butterflies! We had a fun time hanging out with Aunt Shell, cousin Travis, and Coco, too!

Eloise posing on the GIANT caterpillar

They had dung beetles! Eloise watched the video clip and thought they were quite disguising, hence this photo!

A New Big Sister!!

It looks like I am going to need to start shopping for some new t-shirts for my girls! I have posted some ideas below!!

Patrick and I were VERY surprised to find out that the Lord is blessing us with another little one!! Lucie is going to be a BIG sister! Can you believe it!?!

Lucie's t-shirt.

I am about 12 weeks along and have been feeling a bit miserable due to crazy pregnancy symptoms. My due date will be May 21st, making Lucie and her new sibling 17 months apart!!!

(I guess I have a bit of an excuse for the lazy blogging lately... huh?)

Please keep our family in your prayers!

Halloween Havoc

Get ready for a LOT of pictures, because Halloween was quite an event for us this year! It all started the Sunday before at a pumpkin party at my sisters church. She is the Children's Sunday School Director, therefore in charge of the festivities! Great job sis!My friendly little witch, Eloise. Cousins, side by side.Remember all those firsts I mentioned before...jumping in a bounce house was another first for Eloise!! :)
Trunk or Treat! (eating candy.. another 1st.)

On Halloween morning we went over to my sisters house to celebrate cousin Travis' 1st birthday! His actual birthday is Oct. 30th, but we celebrated in Halloween style! It was such a special occasion!

"Super Man" in the mini bounce house
What an adorable (and delicious) cake!

The birthday boy digs in.
Mom (the cat) Dad (the cowboy) and birthday boy (superman!)
And don't forget Coco, who's sweet as cherry pie!
Lucie had fun playing in the living room. Here's the back of her pink poodle costume!

After the party the kiddos took naps and then we headed over to my brothers neighborhood. They have a big Halloween block party every year. The girls had a great time getting balloon animals, snacking and playing with their cousins!

Both of my precious pink poodles on the way to the block party!
Me, my girls, and my mom!
Papa and Superman!
Eloise and her "Catie bug"
Cousin Connally is a serious crafter! (kinda like her aunt Kelly!)

Finally, on the way back from the block party, the kiddos got to do some trick-or-treating. It was every ones first time and they really enjoyed it!

Pumpkin Farm

One of my favorite annual activities is heading out to the Big Orange Pumpkin Farm in Celina, TX! This pumpkin patch is out in the country about 15 minutes north of McKinney. They are the real deal with a petting zoo, pumpkin farm, hay ride, and much more! We took the girls out a few weekends ago to enjoy the awesome fall weather, and of course get some cute shots with all the pumpkins!

My two little "punkins!"
Eloise has tried a lot of new things this month that she has been to "scared" to do before! I am so proud of her for feeding these little goats this year!
Family photo
The sun's in my eyes!Searching for the perfect pumpkin in the patch.

Found it!

Brooke's Baby Shower!

My sweet friend, Brooke, and her hubby, Joey, are expecting their first baby this December! In early October I helped host a baby shower for them. I am so excited to see them experience this magical time. There is nothing else that can be compared to the thrill of having your first baby!! They will be such great parents to their new little girl, Camille Elizabeth. The party was such a fun day, everything went off without a hitch!

The mommy to be, Brooke

Mommy, and both Grandmothers!

The hostesses with the honoree... Too bad the centerpiece is in her face!!
The welcoming walkway with jar lanterns and vintage baby buggy.
The chocolate fountain! Yum, yum!
Vintage baby girl clothes in the coffee table display

Name swag to match the quilt.
Opening gifts... and the only picture I have of the quilt I made her (on the chair!)
Baby food jar candles for party favors!

Look at all of the goodies Brooke took home!