Holiday Happenings

Ho Ho Ho...Says Santa!

Today we were excited to have Daddy home now until the end of the year. He is on vacation until Jan. 5th. After going to Emma's school conference we made our way to the mall to visit Santa. Emma loved waiting in line to see Santa. She was so excited to see him. Emma was even more excited to ride the train. Mommy rode the train too. This I can say was a first for me. Even mommy's can ride the train. LOL

Tis' the Season

December is about half over...can't believe how fast it has gone. This past week I had something each night from Tuesday thru Friday. It was nice to have nothing going on this weekend. We are just about done shopping...a few more presents to wrap. Joe will work two days this week and be off till the end of the year. He had a few vacation days to spend. :) Emma is enjoying the sights and sounds of the season. She loves the lights and decorations. She has added a few new words to her vocabulary...lights, toys, ho ho ho, just a few to mention. Emma LOVES the movie The Polar Express. I have been feeling much better...still having a few issues with high blood pressure and frequent headaches. The baby has been checked many times and seems to be doing very well. We will be visiting Santa some time this week...will post pics soon. We are excited to continue the countdown till Santa arrives.

Catch up

The last few weeks have been pretty uneventful other than the fact I have not felt great. The all day sickness does seem to be getting better although I just want it to go away! This past weekend Joe and I were able to get out of town for a few days and enjoy some much needed together time. Emma had a wonderful time at Grandma and Grandpa Berry's with Carson. As you can see from the pictures we enjoyed a day at Lambeau Field watching the Bears - Packers Game. We won't talk about who won...but, we did have a great time tailgaiting before the game and of course sitting inside to watch the game. I had never been to a pro football game...this was Joe's 2nd game. It was definitely an experience we will never forget. So amazing!! :)

At the game each ticket holder received a foam stick...perfect for Emma! :) Unfortunately it advertises the wrong team. LOL

Here we are tailgating...it seemed like only a block away from the stadium. Such a treat.

Great friends Spike and Kecia.

Before the start of the game these three helicopters did a fly...over!

At halftime this flag was displayed. Such a beautiful spectacle.

Emma has discovered a new game (sorry for the diaper shot)...Emma has figured out that the pillows on the couch lift up. She has found it to be a fun game to hide under the pillows and have her baby and whoever else hide as well. Oh to be a 2 1/2 year old again.

Joe and I celebrated our 8th wedding anniversary on November 4...Joe surprised me with these beautiful flowers.

Grandma Spriggs birthday was November 3.

Have you heard...??

October 8th changed our lives...we found out we are expecting again!! :) I arranged for Aunt Tina to watch Emma so I could share the good news with Joe over dinner. We treated ourselves to Basta for the evening. Joe was thoroughly excited and was already planning. (Imagine that!). LOL Everything is going smoothly...with the exception of me experiencing morning sickness pretty much all day. Ugghh!! :) All good things come to those who wait...no pain, no gain. haha I didn't have morning sickness with Emma...so this has been a shock to the system. :) We are officially 8 1/2 weeks as of this post. The due date is June 12, 2009. (The same day Emma was due) CRAZY!! :) Joe refers to the baby as BOY...everyday! haha
We are excited for Emma to be a big sister...she will be such a great helper and share her kisses.

Happy Halloween 2008

Halloween was such a fun night. Emma had a blast trick-or-treating with her cousins & Daddy at Grandma and Grandpa's house. She was such a trooper carrying her pumpkin, lantern, and walking the whole way. We love spending Halloween at Grandma and Grandpa's house.

Emma was a tomato for Halloween. I made her costume from an idea out of a magazine...I was happy with how it turned out. :)



We have the joy of looking forward to watching the tree across the street change colors every fall. It is just beautiful.

Randomness

Last week Joe traveled to Charlotte, NC for a business trip. he was gone for a week. He gave a presentation at a conference.

While Joe was in NC, he took some time on Sunday afternoon to find the Lowe's Race Track.

Here is a neat picture showing the many row of seats.

After driving around the track he made his way to Hendrick Motorsports race shop and museum.


On one of the days we was able to enjoy a day of golf with other guys attending the conference. Here is a neat shot of the course very early in the morning. That specific morning they had experienced a hard frost and were unable to golf for about an hour.

Besides Joe traveling there really hasn't been too much going on. Not too many photo ops. LOL A couple of weeks ago Emma and I went to Grandma and Grandpa's for lunch. Here is Emma sitting on a little pumpkin stool. She is growing sooo fast.

Here is Grandpa and Grandma at our house outside with the pumpkins.

On a Friday that we didn't have MOPS, we met with my small group at Rainbow Play Systems. We were there for about an hour. Emma had an absolute ball. She LOVED running from slide to slide...swing to swing...climbing every ladder possible.


A couple of weeks ago Emma had her friend Cheridan over to play. The girls had a little breakfast and then it was play time. Of course we had to fit in snack time and a little TV time. LOL

Pumpkin Patch

This afternoon we took a ride with Grandma Berry and Grandma & Grandpa Spriggs to Ackerman Farms. Emma had a great time picking out the perfect pumpkin. She loved pulling the wagon...visiting the goats and chickens...and enjoying the warm sun. In her mind I am sure she thinks..."I can't get there fast enough mom!" :)

Emma pulling the wagon to pick out a pumpkin.

I think this one is the most perfect one mom.

Emma loved pulling hay from the bale and throwing it in her wagon.


Grandpa and Emma walking to see the animals.

Grandma Berry and Emma going up to pay for the pumpkins.

Emma says...this pumpkin picking business is hard work mom...let's go! :) LOL

Mr. & Mrs. Terry...Happily Married! :)

This past weekend was my sister's wedding...Aunt Kate got married to Uncle Phil at Grant Park in Galena. It was a magical setting...my sister was just stunning...all went off without a hitch. As you can see from the pictures Katy's gown was amazing...I know I have never seen a more beautiful bride than my sister. Phil and Katy (and my mom) worked very hard in planning such a wonderful weekend in Galena. The ceremony and reception were in Grant Park. We had a yummy dinner at Benjamin's on Main Street Friday night. Sunday wrapped up with a breakfast buffet and gifts. Emma was very good. We were blessed to have our good friends join us for the weekend with joining rooms at the hotel. Emma loved being able to spend time with Aunt Tina, Uncle John and Toni & Erin while mommy and daddy enjoyed the parties later in the evenings. :) Again...we are so thankful for such a wonderful weekend with many family and friends.

Mr. & Mrs. Terry being introduced at the reception.

The beautiful bride.

The back of Katy's gown.

Aunt Kate, Aunt Emily, and Emma. (Pre-dress picture!). LOL

Mom, Katy, & Dad

Sistas...Emily, Katy, & Alivia

Aunt Kate and the flower girl...Emma. :)

Emma making her way to the gazebo. Walking. (Yeah!).

Emma telling Uncle Phil it is ok to marry Aunt Kate. :)

Aunt Kate and Grandpa Berry walking down the aisle.

Aunt Kate, Grandpa Berry, Uncle Phil before heading up to the gazebo.

A view of the gazebo during the ceremony.

Uncle Phil and Emma gettin' down on the dance floor at the reception.

Emma shakin' it out on the dance floor.

At the rehearsal dinner Aunt Kate and Uncle Phil gave Emma a beautiful life like doll for being their flower girl. Emma has become quite the little mommy in caring for her new baby. As soon as we got home she put "Baby Emma" in the stroller and took her for a walk. Before I knew it...I saw Emma sitting on the kitchen floor reading books to her new baby. Sunday night we then set out a couple of blankets and tucked baby in for the night. As soon as Emma woke up Monday morning she had 15 books out on the floor and read each one to her new baby. Thank you Aunt Kate & Uncle Phil. :)