Sunday, November 30, 2008

Random November Happenings

We've been busy in November. Daniel had to work a lot and we've been preparing for the arrival of Baby Girl and the holidays.



The nursery is a work in progress, but coming along!

Josh is developing his communication skills these days...still no words, but lots of pointing, waving, and shaking of his head.  He's definitely got an opinion and expresses it clearly.  It's fun (for the most part)!  He loves music and starts dancing whenever he hears a beat.  He also learned to clap when we sing "If you're happy and you know it...".  He's still eating like a champ, as long as the food has lotsa flava!

  



Joshua is definitely VERY active right now, I'm pretty sure he's about to start running any day...scary for this pregnant mama!  I'm pretty freaked out about handling life with 2 kids, since lately it seems like Joshua is more than I can handle...I keep telling myself it's because I'm pregnant, awkward, and tired, but will it really be easier when I'm sleep-deprived and have two to take care of?  I know God won't give me more than I can handle (if I depend on Him), but sometimes it seems like it's just going to be a little too much.


Proud to park in the expectant mothers spot for the first time!

REDNECK THANKSGIVING 2008
As usual, we failed to get any good shots of the general idea of Redneck Thanksgiving...think cattle ranch, about 40 of the nicest people you'll ever meet, wild game fried over an open fire (no squirrel this year - just venison, dove, and turkey), dogs, horses, eating outside on hay bales, oak trees with spanish moss, family fun, southern style vegetables, mooing in the background, all the usual Thanksgiving fixins (minus mashed potatoes)!  (A very odd omission at least to me who comes from potato lovin' Iowa roots.  I can't remember them ever making an appearance in the 6 years I've been attending the festivities.  I took green bean casserole this  year, maybe next year I'll do potatoes - I'm sure Dan would like me to so he won't have to listen to me wonder about the lack of them any more!)

The only pictures we took were of Joshua and Daniel horseback riding.  He loved it!  



My little (and big) thrillseeker(s)!



Monday, November 03, 2008

Saturday, November 01, 2008

Come and get it...

Chillin' with his bottle and his feet propped up

You can register to get a free ice cream cone from Baskin Robbins on your birthday, so of course we signed up.  Josh got a few bites of his and the rest he shared with mom and dad.
Looks like he's another chocolate lover!

This is his "spoon trick" that he likes to do

I guess the theme of this post is EATING.  Joshua spends a lot of time in the high chair these days - and I spend a lot of time in the kitchen cleaning up!

Baby Shower for Baby Girls

Our church had a baby shower for me and Becky today.  Becky's having a girl too.  She's due around Thanksgiving. It will be fun to have the two girls growing up together and so close in age.  It was such a blessing to be loved and prayed for at the shower by our church family.
Me, Becky & Jenny

Amazing cake that Maria made

It's fun to get girly stuff this time!  
But, I have to get used to so much pink!




While daddy's away

Daniel was in Chicago last week for a work conference, so Josh and I had to get creative and entertain ourselves...


Rocker!


Yogurt makes a good hair product - who knew?!

Smoky Mountains Vacation

We took our first "real" family vacation a few weeks ago to Smoky Mountain National Park.  It was a different experience to vacation with a baby.  It took some adjusting of expectations, but looking back we're glad we went and look forward to future family vacation memories.
Lunch picnic by the river

Our first hike - Laurel Falls
Joshua liked being in the backpack, especially on populated trails where he could smile at all the people heading the opposite direction.  He seems to be quite an extrovert!
At the falls

Sunset view from our cabin

Cades Cove
Cades Cove is a valley area of the park known for having a lot of wildlife. We drove through it twice during our trip, but didn't get to see many animals.  Joshua did enjoy seeing these deer though.

I really wanted him to experience fall by crunching in some leaves!

Pumpkin Attack!  Supposedly these guys weigh 150-200 lbs!

Clingman's Dome - the highest point on the Appalachian Trail
(We drove to the top, didn't hike up it)

The start of Hike #2

Happily on the way to Gregory Bald

Taking a break from the backpack - maybe a mistake because Josh wasn't too happy to get back in!
Gregory Bald