Enjoying the Ride

Monday, January 16, 2012

Wrapping Up 2011 and Welcoming 2012

Happy New Year!!!

Milla and Faith

Faith is now 5 months old.
At her 4 month check up she weighed 14# 10.5 oz
and 25 3/8 inches tall

Milla is 2 years, 5 months old.
She weighs 34#.....

(and of course wants to be carried while Faith is being carried!!)

We entered 2012 with a bunch of new baby friends!!! Lots of sweet little ones!!
Here is Milla holding Faith along with friend Elise and her new baby sister...
*Annabelle "Annie" Josephine Hershey* born Dec 11 to Adrienne and Derrick

* Brayden Jeremiah Weathers* born Dec 12, 6# 10oz

to Aja & Gabe....sibs Davis, Keris and Noah

*Grant Henry Spiva* born Dec. 19--8# 6oz

to Jill & Jonathan--and big brother Hudson

*Laney Jo Habeck* born Dec 21-- to Audrey & Ben and big brother Asher

*Hayden Patrick Allen* born Dec. 30--8# 8 oz to Carrie&John and big brother Houston

Goodbye to the pacifier--COLD TURKEY! Milla was a pacifier LOVER!!! Our Pediatrician gave us the OK to let her continue to use the pacifier only in her crib until the age of 2 years old. So, Milla turned 2 and then Faith was born 1 week later--so, in the craziness of things we didn't want to take it away. I was hesitant about going through the long process of weaning her from her pacifier...so, it was much to my surprise when I came home from work on a Sat. in early December and Brandon reported that Milla had stopped using her pacifier!! Brandon told Milla she was getting big and he asked her if she wanted to stop using it and she said YES and helped gather ALL (and she had a lot in her crib as seen in the picture!!) her pacifiers and put them up--and that was the end of the pacifier!! WOW!!! Every time I hear someone say "cold turkey" I think of one of my favorite Hank Williams Jr. songs "Old Habits"...one verse says "I chew lifesavers to help me get off cigarettes, but you know for your love I ain't found no lifesavers yet. and I've gone cold turkey, cause there's not even one kiss a day. Old habits like you are hard to break"

We got to spend time with all of our families around Christmastime. We went to Christmas Eve service with my Mom (Cappie got sick and couldn't come!!) at Church of the Apostles. The music was great! A highlight for all of us was Milla belting out "Oh Holy Night" along with the soloist during the service. She didn't know the words---but attempted all the high notes just the same! It was so sweet!

Cute Tree surrounded by gifts with fun surprises at my Mom and Cappie's house.

My Mom is such a good gift wrapper! She makes everything look pretty--always adds little touches that make for the perfect addition.

another cute package

My Dad and Grandma Dunnington came over on Christmas morning. Here is a picture of Grandma holding Faith. Grandma looks forward to any opportunity to have this little lady in her arms!

Brandon's family came over for dinner on Christmas evening.

Brandon and Me....had to include this one because we laugh that we never have pictures of the two of us together anymore--we are constantly taking pictures of the girls or one of us with the girls.

Brandon, Mr. Crim, Granddaddy, and Brian with Milla

We got to get together with my high school friends to celebrate Christmas and decorate gingerbread houses. Here is Milla really concentrating on her decorating!

Gracie icing the trees

Here is Max showing his personalized apron that Blakeley got for everyone!!

Blakeley, Brittany, Allison and Me
(Blakeley is pregnant with TWINS due in June and Allison is also pregnant due in June!!)

Here are the Grandmas with the Grand kids-
My Mom holding Milla, Mrs. Brook holding Max, Mrs. Biter holding Faith, Mrs. Davis holding Gracie

Made our 3rd annual trip to Bass Pro Shops to sit on Santa's lap!!! We drove an hour to get there and when we arrived they said "sorry, we are out of Bass Passes"...so we weren't going to be able to sit on Santa's lap!!!!! Milla was going to be heart broken! Somehow Brandon was able to sweet talk one of the elves and they gave us a Bass Pass!!! Thank Goodness! He saved the day!

Brandon and bright-eyed Milla as we waited in line for our turn.

can't resist those chubby cheeks!

Friday, November 4, 2011

Tomorrow! Tomorrow! I'll Love Ya Tomorrow

"Tomorrow, Tomorrow, I'll Love Ya Tomorrow"
"It's a Hard Knock Life"
"You're Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile"
"Maybe"
"We've Got Annie"...etc...
Bring back memories? Annie was one of my favorite movies growing up...as it was for many. We found an old VHS video tape at my mom's of "Annie" and Milla started watching it--- I was so pleased that she loves it too!!! She is starting to sing the songs and act out certain scenes! Of course Hank plays the part of Sandy!!!

So, when trying to figure out a Halloween costume it was only right that Milla dress up as Annie! She was grinning ear to ear! She was hilarious! We thought she would for sure take the wig off right when we put it on...but no---she kept it on for 3 straight hours!!!

Sweet Faith played the part as a bag of sugar perfectly!!

We went over to the Habeck's for Chili before Trick or Treating....here is Audrey and Asher and Baby Girl Habeck on the way!!!

Asher as Woody from Toy Story
Milla as Annie
Will as a Sock Monkey

A ride in the wagon around the neighborhood to trick or treat! These little cuties are growing...not as much room in the wagon as last year!!

Pumpkin Carving!

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

She's 90...She's Beautiful...and She's Mine

...My Grandma that is!...and I am Proud to say it! Happy 90th Birthday Grandma Rhodes! We were so happy that we got to drive to Indiana to be there to celebrate and go to Grandma's Birthday Party!!! It wasn't just a bday party...it was also a retirement party (yes-she is JUST retiring at age 90!--wow!) Grandma has written a column in the local paper for 65 years!!!! Her column is called "Dear Heart"...and before that it was called "Fringe & Frosting". Friends and family came from near and far to honor her at a morning party held at the church's fellowship hall.

WHAT A BLESSING!! Our baby girl in the arms of her GREAT GRANDMOTHER!
Grandma is SUCH an incredible lady...she has filled her 90 years with so many interesting things. She is positive and such a joy to be around. It is amazing how many people she keeps up with and corresponds with. She is caring, thoughtful, smart, and involved. She is one of a kind!

What a sweet shot! Grandma and Milla gazing into each others eyes...as if Milla is trying to soak up all of the wisdom that 90 years will teach you! Grandma was giving Milla a lesson on the organ. She knows all of the classics--Milla was requesting Baa Baa Black Sheep!

4 generations represented! Grandma, Aunt Connie, me, and my Mom holding Milla and Faith.
SO VERY THANKFUL for my family.

Festive Faith

Milla was so lucky to get the opportunity to ride a horse!!! Aunt Connie and Uncle Bob board horses at the farm. She loved it...when we tried to put a hand on her to hold her on--she said "self"! Very independent!

little horse back rider

look at those pearly whites!
funny picture of one of the horses that likes to nibble on the fence!!

corn fields cover most of the terrain in Indiana...so pretty!
Here is a picture of Brandon, Milla, and Faith on the golf cart--taking a ride on the trials.

Aunt Connie and Uncle Bob made a special spot...called Camp Jubilee"...for their grand kids and other people who come visit. It is a camp site in the woods by their house with a bonfire and lots of fun things to do!

There is a hole-in-the-wall restaurant that makes the best fried chicken on Tuesdays and Thursdays....we couldn't pass up a local favorite while we were there! YUM!

Milla and Faith lovin' on their Great Grandma Rhodes!

Grandma's party had displays of pictures everywhere---this is one of my favorites of Grandma and Grandpa! Little Love Birds!

Mom and Aunt Connie worked so hard to make it a fantastic party....they served coffee, cider, pumpkin donut bites, and melted mini ham and Swiss sandwiches. It was a Fall theme with leaves and chrysanthemums as the decor.

Love that look at Uncle Bob!

we got to play on the farm, ride 4 wheelers, and visit with some of our cousins while we were there....Mike, Barrett, Emerick, and Brittany
*It was a WONDERFUL trip*