Already?

4 weeks from today I'll be posting pics of my 1 year old with an icing covered face....

Just looked at the blog & the ticker says it is 4 weeks until my sweet baby girl turns 1. How can that be? The little flower girl might as well be sitting on the "1" she is so close. Seems like it was just yesterday I was holding that precious baby girl for the very 1st time. I've watched her grow & change so much over the past 11 months- what a joy! She is such a big girl these days & so full of personality, Seth & I just laugh at her! I never knew it was possible to love anything this much!

Baby It's Cold Outside!

It is only the middle of December & it has already snowed 3 times! Baby it's cold outside!

My Favorite Oreos!

Oreos are my weakness- have to dunk a few every night before bed! Hey- you have to get your calcium somehow! Love the seasonal ones & between holidays it is Double Stuffed. I have now found my absolute favorite Oreos of ALL time! I've only seen them at Target, but they are SOOOO good! I have eaten several packs already! Picked up 3 packs yesterday b/c I know time is running out. I hope Santa brings me a few packs & I even asked for them for my birthday!

I haven't even gotten a pack of the red Holiday/Winter Oreos if that tells you anything. The seasonal colored Oreos have always been my weakness. Halloween are #1, Spring #2, & Holiday #3, but the peppermint Oreos are so good I haven't even bothered with the colored ones! I highly recommend them. Don't get them confused with the Candy Cane Oreos, they are NOT the same! Just had to share- hope you enjoy!

Visit with Santa

Olivia met Santa & she did great! She snuggled up against him, rubbed the fur on his coat, & would look up at him with amazement! Just hoping she'll like him as much next year, though I fear she'll be crying in that pic!

Let it Snow!

Earlier this week it was 70 degrees & now our yard is white! Big pretty flakes for several hours this afternoon & into the evening.

Lots of Company & Lots of Love!

Olivia had lots of company in November & she loved all the love & attention!

Marni flew up from Florida for a long weekend. We had a great time catching up- it had been too long since our college days, but time hasn't changed a thing!

Uncle John & Aunt Lori came to visit

& more spoiling from Uncle Tyler who spent the night before he flew out. He LOVES to tickle her!She is blessed to be so loved!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving

God has given us so much that we sometimes take for granted. I'm thankful for all the blessings in our lives.

My wife who is the glue that holds our home together, my partner and encourager.

Our daughter who surprises, makes us laugh, shows us what love really is.

Our family who is there for the highs and lows.

Our friends who keep life exciting.

Have a special Thanksgiving and take a second to think about your blessings.

Uncle JA and Aunt Lori come for a visit

My bro and sis'n-law came down to visit Olivia. We had a great time. John and I hit up The Roast Grill in downtown Raleigh. It's a little place....very little (~10 seats) and they only serve hot dogs. Here's the kicker... only have three condiments (onions, chili, and mustard). We talked to a guy in line before entering and suggested trying a blackened plain dog. We enjoyed 3 each and a classic bottle coke in the vintage bottle.
Man vs Food visited here too and after he ate 17 dogs for a record..he was quickly outdone when a guy at 24 in Jan. 2010. We didn't do the challenge...maybe later :)

Trick or Treat!

A pink poodle for tick or treating with our friends.

Cutest little duck at TMBC's Fall Festival.
She's posing with her buddy Camden. They were too cute!

Our little ladybug

Cutest pumpkin in the patch!

SO many costumes, so little time! Just like a girl to need 4 wardrobe changes for 1 holiday! Several friends let Olivia borrow Halloween costumes & of course she had to wear them all! She was the cutest little duck at our church's fall festival, a pink poodle to trick or treat, & she enjoyed playing in her ladybug & pumpkin costumes. Her 1st Halloween was lots of fun!

October is officially over. You can see all the Halloween pics & many more if you click here.

Happy Halloween!

NC State Fair

Olivia had her 1st visit to the NC State Fair today!
We had a great day with the whole family. A little sprinkle, but it didn't last long & it helped keep the crowds down! Lots of fun watching the boys enjoy the rides & all the livestock. They were sad Olivia was too small to ride with them, but she'll catch up one day! Who knows how much food we ate between the 11 of us, but it was ALL so good! Not good for you of course, but it is the fair!

Foot long hotdogs (I ate 2 of those myself!), LOTS Al's famous fries, corn on the cob, homemade ice cream, apple dumplings, fried dough covered in powdered sugar & chocolate, chocolate covered banana, deep fried honeybun, philly cheese steaks, cotton candy, candy apples to take home.....& who knows what else?! I am getting hungry just thinking about it all again!

A great day & lots of great memories!

9 month check up today & she got a great report!
Weight 60%, length 90%, & head 95% =)

We love our pediatrician! Only thing is we don't get to see him often since she has never been sick. Guess we shouldn't complain! We were discussing her schedule, development, and routines & he was very proud of her! Then he says to us, "Good luck w/ your next one, b/c you'll never have another one this perfect!" Made a mommy & daddy proud!

9 months

Olivia is 9 months old today!

All snuggled up bright & early at our small group's yard sale.

Funny Faces!

They Grow Up Too Fast

Almost 9 months old & growing up tooooo fast! She pulls herself up on everything these days: the gate, the furniture, our legs, her crib.....there is no stopping her! She has 5 teeth now, 3 of which she cut in the last 7 days! Big girl is also drinking her milk out of a sippy cup at lunch & dinner too! She is loving the fall weather & time outside. Rusty & Audrey get attacked in the face often by those little hands & she loves for them to give her kisses! We play ball in the grass & she loves to watch the big kids next door! She is such a blessing & so much fun!

Nothing better than seeing this 1st thing in the morning! She is singing the good morning song, well she might not be singing it yet, but she is jumping up & down to it! Good morning to you, good morning to you, we're all in our places with bright shiny faces, good morning to you! We have to keep the tradition going!


Grandma always sang us the "Good Morning" song. As I got older I would always say "there is nothing good about the morning!" & she would just laugh & sing it louder with a great big smile! I think she especially enjoyed singing it to me because she knew it irritated this sleepy head! Now I sing it to Olivia- every morning is good when you wake up to this sweet face! It makes her smile & laugh when I sing it & it keeps Grandma right where she belongs- in our hearts!

Who's the Boss?

Olivia likes to call Uncle Matt "Uncle Chief." Uncle Chief better watch out- she is after his job! She said she's got you covered when you all head to Charlotte next week- she'll keep all those boys in line!

Grandma & Grandpa Visit!

Grandma & Grandpa stopped by on the way home from their visit with Great Grandma in Florida. It was so good to see them & spend time together. Olivia had lots of fun playing with them. We went to Fireman's Day for BBQ at lunch & headed to the Farmer's Market for sweet potatoes & apples. It was so good to see them & we miss them already!

Hmmmm.....Grandma, what kind of trouble can we get into?!

Twins! There is no denying they belong together!

She's Crawling!

Olivia has been taking 1-3 steps for about 3 weeks, but she just wouldn't go more than that. Well, today she decided she would go wherever she wanted! She is crawling ALL over the place now! & of course she loves to crawl to the places she isn't suppose to! She loves to crawl to the bookshelf & tv table & try to pull herself up.....& that is just 1 step closer to walking. My baby girl is growing up way too fast! Click on the picture below to see her in action.

Happy Birthday Jenson!

We had a great time celebrating Jenson's 1st birthday! & we actually got almost all of them in the picture! That is 110 fingers & 110 toes. Olivia loves her friends.

8 Months

8 months old today!
That ticker on the right is getting WAY to close to 1!

Living Outside of "My Own Little World"

This summer I've been challenged quite a bit. Our pastor is finishing up a series on the teachings of Jesus and they haven't been easy. Passages & stories we've heard & read many times, but the question is do we really follow them? They say some pretty bold things, He says some pretty bold things, but do we really listen & follow? He asked the disciples & His followers to do bold things, unheard of things, illogical things even, but He always provided. Are we willing to do bold things? Simple question, but is the answer really that simple? As we have gone through the passages this summer & really looked at what He preached & required/commanded the answers don't always come easy.

Is it easy to love your neighbor? Or course, we have the best neighbors- love the Lewis family! Strong Christians, friendly, 4 great kids we love to play w/ & who love Olivia, they even love our dogs who bark & howl! That one is easy right?! Yeah, they are our "neighbors," but we all know that isn't all He meant. Our neighbors- hmmmm.....does that mean the people I work with that I really don't like? What about the people who have hurt me & never asked for forgiveness, probably never will? Not quite as easy. What about the Al Qauda memebers who flew those planes on 9/11? Does He really want us to love "them?" Tough questions....He commands some tough things.....

I've also read Radical by David Platt this summer (highly recommend). From the back cover: "In Radical, David Platt challenges you to consider with an open heart how we have manipulated the gospel to fit our cultural preferences. He shows what Jesus actually said about being His disciple- then invites you to believe and obey what you have heard." Great book & a great challenge. Tough questions, but He never said following Him would be easy....

Tonight on the way home I heard a song that caught my attention, My Own Little World by Matthew West. Love the lyrics, click to read them. Our culture teaches us to live in "our own little world, population me", it even praises us for this, but is this what He teaches? I love how the song ends...."Start breaking my heart for what breaks Yours, give me open hands and open doors, put Your light in my eyes and let me see that my own little world is not about me" Found a great video that has the lyrics on it....listen here. Great song.....great challenge....

Its tough, every day is a challege, we all fall short & mess up, but we are called to follow. We are called to follow all His commands, even the tough ones. I don't know about you, but it is hard. The more you study, the harder it gets! Isn't it suppose to get easier?! I am encouraged that my God sets the bar high, that He believes in us & gives us the strength, endurace, and patience we need to reach it! & most of all that He gives us what we need to share it with others too. I pray He continues to open my eyes to those around me, that I will see outside 'my own little world,' & that I will have the strength to follow & obey.

Proud Parents

We are so blessed! Her "mama" & "dada" love her to pieces. There is nothing better than hearing those words or seeing those little arms reach out for you!

Count the Babies!

We had a great morning with all our friends. 8 mommies & 13 babies- what fun! Such a blessing to have great friends & for our children to grow up together. Lots of us went to preschool together, but we were all friends by middle school. Too many memories & too many stories for us all to share, & some we will never share!! Can't wait to get together again soon.

Love this Girl!

Look at this face- so cute. I could just eat her up! Such a silly girl these days & so much fun!

Willy Wonka Weekend

Our nephew Cameron was in Willy Wonka this weekend so we headed to Wilmington to show our support. He was Mr. Salt, you know sweet Veruca Salt's dad- the bad egg/nut who wanted it allllll! They did a great job! In Saturday's performance he also played an Oompa Loompa & looked great with purple hair! The cast of 75 worked hard all summer & did a great job. We enjoyed the show!

Saturday evening we headed out on the boat & found a great spot to swim and play. Olivia loved the water. We found a sand bar & she enjoyed playing & splashing. She found sand & really liked eating her salty fingers! Our little beach bum had a great time & we had a great weekend.
Pics posted here

A Little "Sunshine" on a Cloudy Day

"You are my sunshine" will always be our Grandma song. She sang it a million times & rocked us a million miles to that tune! Today is Grandma's birthday, 97 years. What an amazing woman & we are so thankful for ALL the memories. "No tears" she always told us, but sometimes it is hard. Just thought we needed a little sunshine on a cloudy day!

This picture was taken a few years ago on her 94th. So blessed to have her for so long- we were spoiled rotten & loved every minute of it, & she did too!

She is missed, more than we can even talk about still. She lives in our hearts & will always be with us. We are reminded of her in the little things that bring a smile & even tears. Look around today & see where you see her. Ask yourself, "what do you feel?" & know that the answer will always be, "I feel LOVE!" It might be a yellow lawn chair, a sniff of Vick's Vapor Rub, the theme song to Matlock, while you're eating a porkchop or watering your cucumber plants- she is there! We smile & we feel "LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!"

Fun in the Sun

Family Fun in Virginia

We enjoyed a great weekend in Williamsburg with all our family. This was the 1st time all 12 of us have been together & we were very excited. Olivia met her cousins Ayden & Ashley & enjoyed playing with them. She's so thankful there is another girl!!!! Grandma & Grandpa spoiled her & she loved every minute of it. Everyone's been saying she looks more & more like Grandpa- well, it has been confirmed for sure! They could pass as twins- just too (two rather!!) cute!

Ayden & Ashley helped me change Olivia's diaper & Ayden says, "OH, she really is a girl!" It was so cute! He then backed away & told me to let him know when I was done! Love the things kids say!

It was so good to all be together, play with all the kids, & enjoy some family fun. Miss you all & hope to see you soon.

All the family fun can be found in our July pics. (click underlined link)

6 months old!

I can hardly believe Olivia is 6 months old already- time flies! She is growing so fast & doing so well. We are blessed with a sweet baby girl! She is very happy & lots of fun. She's trying her best to learn to crawl & has 2 budding teeth working their way through. She weighed in right at 17 pounds (75%) and is 27.5 inches long (97%). She's going to be tall! She is such a joy & we are so blessed!

We're also celebrating the birth of Eva Claire today! Jaime & I have been friends since preschool & are very excited about our girls growing up together. They're exactly 6 months apart.


Happy BIRTHday Eva & Happy 1/2 birthday Olivia!

Olivia & Great Grandma

We had a great visit with Great Grandma! We picked her up from the airport & she was all smiles when she met Olivia! They hung out in their PJs in the morning & watched baseball together at night! We had a great visit with her & we're so glad she had some special time with Olivia. We miss her already & can't wait for her next visit. We've loaded her up with pictures to show off all her great grandkids to her friends at Shell Point- she is so proud!

Grandma Plume arrives

She arrives today from Fla....posting pictures when we get a chance...

Play Date!

So blessed to have so many friends for Olivia to grow up with. We had a Garner c/o '97 play date & I am not sure who had more fun- the babies or the mommies! We did get a group photo of the class of 2028! Big brother Cayden (left- will be c/o 2027), Jenson, Blake, Olivia, & little brother Linden will all follow in the class of 2028- crazy huh! A few other friends couldn't make it, but we are looking forward to the entire group getting together again soon. We all grew up together & now we get to see our kids grow up together- lots of fun!

Blake & Olivia have a special bond- they are the only girls until Eva joins in very soon! But most of all they are both trying VERY hard to grow some hair! How did these boys get all the hair???!