Friday, November 20, 2009

Alyssa Rose

Welcome to the world, Alyssa Rose!
Friday, November 20th, 2009
8:16 a.m., 6 pounds, 13 ounces, 19.5 inches.

My beaming sister, Rebecca, with her daughter.


Keith, the excited big brother on his way to meet his little sister for the first time.


Daddy, Bryan, helping Keith hold and love on Alyssa.


I'm an aunt again! Oh, and I have major baby fever now. Good thing I have less than six weeks to wait before our son makes his debut!

Monday, November 2, 2009

First Date

10 years ago today, I went out on a date with my husband-to-be.

Who knew 10 years ago that we'd be happily married with a growing family of our own. I'm grateful God knew and brought us together when He did.


Craig, I love you with all my heart!

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Surprise!

Last Saturday, my dad and I threw a surprise party in the hut for Mom and Craig. We had family, some of whom drove more than four hours to attend, and many of Craig's closest friends, even a couple that flew in from other states to celebrate with him!

Craig used to celebrate his birthday with his mom because their birthdays were only one day apart. Now that his mom is with Jesus, he celebrates with my mom, whose birthday is only a week from his. Mom and Craig have always had a special relationship, and I'm so grateful for their bond.

Singing Happy Birthday to each other.


May all your wishes come true!


Later in the evening, some of the guys hung around to play poker together. Some great guy time! Around the table is Craig, the goofy photo-poser; his brother, Brian; friend and neighbor, Omar; brother-in-law, Bryan; uncle-in-law, Ray; brother-in-law, John; friend, Gary. Craig is such a home-body, and I really do appreciate when he has opportunities to have guy-time. He doesn't do it often, and I think it's important for us to maintain our individuality. They had a great time together!


These two crazy brothers playing air guitar. If only I could remember what song they were playing. Two peas in a pod, these two!


But today, November 1st, is my sweetie's special day.
If only I had written these words myself:
Just think,
you're here not by chance, but by God's choosing.
His hand formed you and made you the person you are.
He compares you to no one else - you are one of a kind.
You lack nothing that His grace can't give you.
He has allowed you to be here at this time in history to fulfill His special purpose for this generation.
---by Roy Lessin
Craig,
I'm grateful for this day, a day to celebrate you. You're a fantastic husband and daddy, and I thank God for you every day! I pray for many, many happy birthdays yet to come!

Trick-or-Treat '09

As is fitting, Nolan had to be a baseball player for Halloween this year. I'm not sure this is much of a costume for our baseball-loving son. Doesn't he make such a cute ball player? (This pic was taken before we got his black-out on.)



Ella the bumble bee. We couldn't get her to wear the antenna headband early on, but as you'll see, she finally warmed up to it.


This was their sweet ride down to the neighborhood block party. I only wish Daddy could have pulled a second wagon for this seven-month prego mama!


Nolan remembered Halloween last year and jumped in with the trick-or-treating like nothing else. He had no inhibitions and didn't have a shy bone in his body once he was warmed up!

Miss Ella caught on quite quickly. She wanted to eat each piece of candy instead of putting it in her bag and moving to the next house. She was as cute as could BEE!


The excitement was so high that I couldn't get both of them to look at me for a cute picture. Oh, well, the candid shots are the most true-to-life shots anyway!


I can't believe we'll have three kiddos to dress up and take around our neighborhood next year. So fun!