End of August?

So I haven't blogged at all in 2011....that's crazy! So much has been going on in our lives and things are about to change EVEN more in the next few weeks. We found out in January that we were expecting another baby in September. The news came with plenty of emotional ups and downs over the months to follow. Aside from it all, everything is going smoothly now and we are looking forward to meeting our baby girl.

My plan is to "back-up" blog some of the highlights of this past year. Charise is growing up so fast and has been such a joy in our lives. She has such a bright personality and her creativity and imagination fascinate us everyday. She loves to "pretend" play now as well as take care of all her babies. She loves to play kitchen, play with her friends, and her favorite this summer was definitely swimming. She is counting, saying her letters, spelling her name, singing, and all the other fun things that come when you're an active 2 year old. I'm loving every minute of being home with her and I'm sort of sad at the thought that our "alone" time is coming to an end. We're going to have to share now with a baby sister, but I think that will be okay too. What a blessing to have 2 girls to be home with. I love my role as mommy and I'm excited to meet my new precious girl.

Bun in the Oven, Smiles in Our Hearts

Stacy took some maternity/family pictures for us in July. She did such a good job!
We had a lot of fun and I can't choose my favorites!

Charise was so funny and entertaining and her personality really shines through in these. She's never been like this for pictures. I can't believe we're going to be blessed with another little girl in just a few short weeks. Charise is excited to be a big sister and we're busy getting the girls' rooms ready for little sister to arrive.

It's amazing how much difference a year can make in your life. A year ago this week we were mourning the loss of a child and preparing for medical tests and getting my heart fixed. This year we are preparing for the arrival of another precious girl. Life is so short and precious and we can't take anything for granted. In the good times and bad, our God is faithful and we are treasuring the moments He gives us as a family. We couldn't ask for anything more.

Aunt Trooey!

Charise had the best time with her Aunt Trudi...or should I say "Trooey," over Christmas! Trudi was able to visit us for about a week for warm weather, baking, play time, and relaxation. Charise was very entertained by poor Trudi's nose. She would say, "Trooey, tissue!" Then she would bring Trudi some tissues. Trudi is a little nervous that Charise will now always associate Trudi with tissues.  Charise also loved to point out any motorcycles she would see: "Trooey, moto-cycle!"  Trudi and Charise made up their own "upside-down" game and Charise would constantly ask to play it with her. They also had a fun time baking Christmas cookies. Trooey showed Charise how to roll the dough and cut out her own cookies.  When it was time to decorate, Trudi put the frosting on and then Charise covered them with sprinkles. The cookies were so beautiful!! Aunt Trudi is a great teacher! We really enjoyed our time together and hope for many more frequent visits in the future!!! We love you Aunt Trooey!!

The Sweetest Things

I have to share some of the sweet things Charise has been doing lately that bring me to tears as I watch her grow up right before my eyes. I know she is supposed to grow up, and don't get me wrong, I am enjoying every stage, but I have a hard time allowing it to happen. (Not that I can stop it!) I longed to have kids for such a long time, and I don't want a moment to pass me by.

Anyways, back to the sweet stuff!

Charise is a musical baby in that she likes music and likes to make music, but she has yet to really start attempted to sing in more than a speaking voice. Well, that is all changing....
On Sunday, she was singing "Happy Birthday Jesus" with daddy. She just started singing it by herself.  It's the sweetest sound to hear her little voice carrying a melody. 

Two nights ago, while we were "nuggling," I started singing "Away in a Manger" for her. (It's her favorite Baby Jesus song) and she started singing it with me! It's hard to convey in a blog how awesome it was, but it was so sweet.  Her little voice would go up high on the "Away" part and then she would sing most of the other words. She really knows the song! I was so surprised! It was a moment I hope I never forget.

Last night while playing in the living room, she asked me to do the "Little Piggies" on her feet. We have a "Little Piggies" book that changes the middle part to "This little piggy had cookies, this little piggy had fun," so we say it a little different. After I finished Little Piggy-ing both her feet, she started on mine. It was so cute! She touched each of my toes and said, "Piggy home," "Piggy cookie," "Piggy, wee wee wee!" And she tickled up my leg on the wee, wee, wee part. Jerry and I just looked at each other and grinned. She is really listening when we say things to her and really catching on to this crazy world!

Here she is diapering Big Duck. She loves to diaper and feed and care for all her babies, including animals. I caught her one night with Big Duck (Who she also kisses good-night every night) on the kitchen floor with one of her diapers. It was too funny!


It's an amazing thing to watch the "light bulbs" go on in her little head. She is such an amazing little girl and we are so blessed to call her our daughter!

Blazin Buffalo Challenge Champion!

On our Thanksgiving trip we stopped at Buffalo Wild Wings in Weatherford, TX, one of our favorite stops now as we are coming or going to the DFW area.  Jerry has been curious to try the Blazin Challenge, so we of course, encouraged him into doing it this time.  In this challenge you have 6 minutes to eat a dozen buffalo wings that have been marinated in their hottest buffalo sauce. You are allowed no sauces or drinks during the 6 minutes, and napkins are a waste of time. I knew Jerry could do it; spicy has never bothered him.

Needless to say, Jerry conquered the Challenge in 4 minutes! They posted his picture on the wall and he is supposed to get a t-shirt. (They were out, so promised to mail one)



 The cheering section

A Hiking We Will Go

Today we spent Veteran's Day hiking in McKittrick Canyon, part of the Guadalupe Mountains National Park.  We love to go hiking here in the fall because we get to see lots of pretty fall colors and its a fairly easy hike into and then back out of the canyon. No hills! We went with our friends, the Van Soests, and Reagan's little friend, Denise, joined in on the fun. The pictures pretty much share the story...I couldn't narrow down which ones to post, so I posted a lot. I had a lot of fun playing with my camera and editing the shots. I think some of them turned out really pretty. It was a good day with good friends!

Ready at the Visitor's Center

Stretching with daddy before the hike

Checking out the trail

Family shot before the hike

Charise, Brenna, Reagan, & Denise

Silly girls

The Van Soests & Denise

The Youngs

Tables are so much fun!

Brenna Boo

Did not want her nose wiped

The Beautiful Reagan

Outside Pratt Cabin

My favorite shot from the day...she wanted to hold my hand the whole way back

Our tired little sweet pea...she slept the whole way home