Tricky Mommy

Bwaaaa haaa haaa haaa !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(in my most convincing evil villain laugh)

Veggies disguised as cheese= Pure genius!

The Unsuspecting Victims:

Jackson Hole Wedding Time

The whole family just got back from a well deserved vacation to Jackson, Wyoming for a wedding! We decided to stay a week and soak in the sights of Jackson, Yellowstone National Park, and The Grand Teton National Park! We had so much fun with all the the extended family in a gorgeous house that my parents rented. After long days of sight seeing and wedding events we relaxed in the hot tub on the back patio! Although the absence of my dad was obvious, we made many memories that we will cherish forever. Here are some photos (Okay, LOTS of photos) from our Wyoming adventure!

The grand kitchen/dining/living area of the house

A view of the bonus room from the kids loft!

The double stroller saw good use this trip! Tessa enjoyed the average temperature of 70*!

The first day we went to the historic Jackson Square, and rode up the air tram to the top of the Teton Mountains.

Photos at the famous Elk Horn Arches Flanking the corner entrances to the Jackson, WY square.

Eloise enjoyed picking the flowers in the backyard!

Taking a ride up the mountain in the air tram

SNOW!

The view from the top

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The next Day we made the long drive out to Yellowstone National park to see Old Faithful, and the Geyser Basin. We also caught a glimpse of some cool wildlife!

The family in front of Old Faithful in Yellowstone

The inside of the historic Old Faithful Inn

Lunch at the Old Faithful Inn with the cousinsWe called it a deer, but it may be something else...

Geyser Basin bubbling geysers

A rare sighting of a GRIZZLY BEAR!

Don't worry... We weren't this close... I zoomed in.

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A trip to Jenny Lake in The Grand Teton National Park provided hiking and some beautiful photo ops.

On the way out we saw a mangy moose in need of some dinner.

Lucie on the hike

Eloise on the kike.

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Finally, it was wedding time! My cousin, Melanie, married Tim Grayson at the Jackson Golf and Tennis Club. It was a beautiful location overlooking the Tetons! It was such a fun evening and I was honored to be a bridesmaid by her side. I was apparently having so much fun that I forgot to take pictures. Thankfully there was a professional photographer, so we can get those later!

Patrick and I at the reception

The beautiful bride and my Aunt Debby, the mother of the bride.

Melanie and Tims first dance.

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On our last full day in Jackson we went back to Teton National Park for a picnic lunch overlooking Coulter Bay and an easy hike along the lakeside trail.

Picnic time with Eloise

Daddy and Tessa on the lakeside hike

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We had a hard time leaving Jackson; It was gorgeous! A fun time was had; a big congratulations to Melanie and Tim!

Pause.... REWIND!

The past month and a half has been a whirlwind! With all that is going on in my life I sometimes feel like my head is spinning!

At the end of May, about a week after Tessa was born, we celebrated the end of the school year at preschool! Lucie and Eloise both had parties with their class. Posted below are a few photos of the events

Lucie and her little friends had a "picnic." They all sat around some blankets on the floor and had some snacks while all of the mommies chatted.~~~

Eloise's class had a "beach party" where they had a sand and water table, bubbles, "car washing" and sprinklers. She had a great time.

Having fun in the sprinkler with her classmates

Eloise and her favorite teachers, Ms. Lisa and Ms. Debbie!

Prayers for my Daddy

10 days after Tessa was born my Daddy, Bill Thielhorn, suffered several small strokes following some complications during a routine surgical procedure. He has been in a coma since Sunday, May 23rd. Doctors say his brain needs time to heal the damage that was caused and are unsure when he will "wake up." Please pray for him to heal fully, his medical team to have the knowledge and compassion to work with my father and stregth, hope, and peace for me and my family. I am a strong believer in the power of prayer and I know that God hears us!

Welcome Baby Tessa!

On May 13th, 2010 at 5:29 pm I delivered my third baby girl! Tessa Rae Surratt weighed 8 Lbs. 12 Oz. and was 20 1/2 inches long! By far the largest baby I have ever had (as predicted.) The delivery was difficult. I had to push for over an hour! Whoever told me the more kids you have the easier it gets LIED to me. :) However, all of that work was worth it! Here are some photos from the hospital!

In the elevator on the way to L&D

Our first family photo post delivery. (Nothing like birthing a baby to make you look terrible.)

I love Lucie's expression in this photo. She was smitten from the beginning.

Eloise and Aunt Michelle watching Tessa get her first bath!

Tessa calmed right down when she felt the water!

The girls and Coco visiting our new addition!

Me and my girls!

Eloise holding her new sister! Daddy is watching with great pride!

Tick Tock... Tick Tock

38 weeks and counting... This is BY FAR the longest I have ever been pregnant. Eloise graced us with her presence 5 weeks early and Lucie made her arrival 3 weeks early. So, to me, this pregnancy seems to have lasted FOREVER! I have been going to the doctor weekly now for 3 weeks. I have been at a 3 and 50% for 2 weeks and today I had another doctors appointment and I am dilated to a 4, and 80%! So now, we wait...

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Reasons this pregnancy has been different:

1. Unplanned- so everything has been a surprise this far!

2. Baby is bigger, much bigger. Last week the doctor estimated 7Lbs, 5 oz. None of my kids have ever broken the 7 Lb. mark.

4. Don't know the gender and not telling names (it's made the preparation process VERY different.)

3. Carrying baby higher (or baby is longer)- I can feel Peanut moving behind my ribs. Sometimes Peanut literally takes my breath away after a sharp jab to the lungs.

4. I actually look pregnant. Previously my children would spread out (making me look wider.) This baby is all out front. It's new for strangers to come up to me and ask me "When are you due?" I am used to telling people I am pregnant, and having them act surprised after finding out!

4. I am uncomfortable... and when I used to hear this from others I would think that the mom's meant they felt big and bloated and miserable. NO- for me it means lots of PRESSURE... and the sensation that the baby is coming... NOW. Exerting any effort hurts (literally.)

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Things I am Most Looking Forward to:

1. I am looking forward to knowing the Peanuts gender the MOST.

2. I can't wait to see my Lucie be a big sister.

3. Eloise is going to be able to help me more this time around. She is already so independent!

I look forward to my next post about the baby's arrival! Pray for us!

Date Night With Eloise

I recently had the pleasure of going on a date with Eloise. I think she senses a change is on the way. She has been dying for attention lately and has been a little on the emotional side. So, I decided to treat her to a night out- just the two of us! We headed out to Stonebriar Mall in Frisco for some mommy and me fun!

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Our first stop was Build a Bear! Eloise picked out a brown puppy.

Here she is making a wish and placing the heart inside her new buddy. This is the "stuffing machine" where you add the cotton filling!
After her puppy was stuffed we headed to the "washing station" where you bathe the animals in high pressured air to fluff them up and brush the fur for a beautiful shiny coat! Lastly, Eloise dressed her new puppy, and received a birth certificate for her new dog named "Kitty."

Eloise insisted on carrying that big box all by her self!

After Build a Bear we went upstairs to have Chick-fil-a for dinner. Eloise wanted Kitty to have her own seat right next to her!

You can't take a kid to Stonebriar and NOT ride the carousel! So, finally, we ended the night with a spin on this beautiful pony!

Our night out is just what the doctor ordered! Eloise (and I) LOVED every minute of it!! I think we might just have to make a tradition of it!