Thanksgiving in pictures... Finally!

I am thankful for all of the following and so much more! This was a great Thanksgiving spent with my side of the family on Lake Buchanan. The kids love being with cousins and they can't get enough of being outside and chasing each other. It is preiceless!! Though I didn't get pictures of everyone in the family, I adore them all and feel so blessed to have been born a Brydson! I love you all and the times that we get to share! 

Tea Party at Nana's doll table. Doesn't it look like it was made for her?

Golf cart rides, or just a good place to sit and talk...

So serious. Of course when it comes to baseball, who isn't?

Precious cousins, Keelie and Emma Beth.

Someone had a little too much Turkey.

Can you tell that these girls love each other?

Love these two!! I think this is such a good picture out by the firepit.

I think the smore attacked Marlee but she isn't complaining!

Forever with the Horns. Really, Emma Beth, that could break my camera!!

Annabelle couldn't get enough!

Neno has a birthday

In mid-November, the 17th to be exact, we celebrated my sweet husband's birthday. Though it wasn't a milestone birthday, it is definitely one he won't forget.

I had searched for week's for a wood burning stove for our house. He had mentioned really wanting one since before we were sure we were buying this house. Anyway, I was on a mission - internet, Fireplaces, etc., Craigslist, Ebay. I was on a true hunt. I even told his mom to keep a look out at garage sales. Her response was, "Yeah, right!" Well, it was meant to be. The weekend before his birthday, I found one!! Exactly what we wanted on Craigslist. It was in Sherman, close to his parents, and his mom helped me with meeting the owner, getting it paid for and his sister helped us get it picked up. It was a true family effort and it was from all of us, so it worked out well. He was a happy man!

I couldn't let it stop there, though. On Wednesday, before his birthday on Thursday, I attended Holiday Happening's Sneak Peek event with a friend. Since last year, I knew what I wanted to get Neno for his birthday, this year. In fact, I was supposed to buy it last year and chickened out. We are now expecting baby number 4. For anyone unfamiliar with this story, the item was a Vasectomy, donated by a well-known physician, for the Junior League to use in the silent auction. I was a very deteremined lady. I kept my eye on the clipboard all night. I even bid a time or two, but when they announced 5 minutes remaining, I went to stand guard. Little did I know, there was a woman that wanted it as badly as I did. She placed a bid, I topped it, she topped mine and so on. Finally, I asked her what it would take for her to back off, what was her limit on bidding. She told me about her deductible and how it wasn't worth using insurance for the procedure, blah, blah, blah. To that, I responded with, "Really, I am pregnant with our 4th child, this will be my second by midwife (totally my choice, but also much cheaper) and we have NO insurance. Oh and did I mention that my husband was mad that I didn't buy this a year ago." She didn't have much to say after that and they called for 1 minute. I placed my bid and surprisingly, she didn't top it. She was off to the side texting. I am sure it was her husband or friend and they were hearing all about it. Little did I know, she was just trying to be sneaky. They called time and as they did, she tried to reach over the League member that was collecting the boards and trump my bid. I politely put my hand on her arm and let her know that she couldn't do that. Bidding was over!! I won!!!! The fun part was that I really could give it to Neno for his birthday. He knew I was going to bid on it this time, but I wanted to keep it a secret that I had won until the next day. It worked!! I put the certificate in his birthday card.

He isn't embarrassed to tell anyone about his gift. I think he is pretty proud of both of his presents. Happy Birthday, honey!! I am sure it will not soon be forgotten. I love you and I am thankful EVERYDAY that you were born.

We've got chicks

Well, quite obviously, we have chicks, we have three daughters, but I am not referring to them this time. I am talking about the feathered kind. We have had them a little over a month. We got them a day after they hatched and we have watched them grow from cute and fuzzy to feathered and funny-looking. They now have the bump on their beeks and aren't nearly as cuddly for the girls, but we still find them interesting.

 Here are all 32 that shipped to us in this tiny box. Sadly, we had a fatality and are down to 31. I still find that amazing with my children, our dog and 11 degree weather. Oh, did I mention they lived inside for the first few weeks. They were noisy and dirty little birds. I was glad to see them make the move outside.

 Ava Grace loved getting to hold them. They were fun when they were fuzzy and you could easily catch them. Now, they are fast and not so loveable.

This is them still in their 4 ft. x 4 ft. box that Neno made, but moved outside to the coupe. The box now has a hole for them to come and go and get under the heat lamp.

Anyway, you might be asking why on earth we have 31 chicks. Well, we are in the country and my husband is all about country living, including farm-fresh eggs. In April-May, these sweet gals will start laying. They are what you call Laying Hens. We are an egg family and go through tons of eggs in a short time. They will definitely pay for themselves. Plus, it just adds to the country charm. Don't you think?

No. 4

So I posted about it on Facebook in August and I am 29 weeks, so I have definitely talked about it, but sadly, I don't think I have posted a thing about expecting No. 4.

Yes, we really are having another kid! Yes, we know what causes it! And yes, we are crazy... about our kids! This one will be no different! We aren't finding out what this one is, but boy or girl, we will be just as crazy about him/her!

I have felt really good throughout this pregnancy, which is a blessing since for the first 3 weeks, we were living with Jeremy and Beth. Then, we moved into our house and started renovations. Plus, I am chasing 3 active girls. Maybe I felt great, because we were in denial for quite a while. So much for Taking Control of Your Own Fertility. I was not in control. God was and is!!

Anyway, I cannot believe how quickly this one has flown and how I really don't want to know until the delivery what this one is. Does that mean, subconciously, I know it is a girl and will adore her upon arrival no matter what or is it a boy and I want the grand surprise? Who knows.

At this point, I definitely feel pregnant, look pregnant (finally, I hate the transition where you just look like maybe and no one wants to ask), and feel this precious child move all of the time. In fact, this one is the most active of all. This one doesn't care if I am sitting, standing or walking (which is just a strange feeling).

I feel better now, I did so well at journaling about the other 3 pregnancies and doing some blogging (I think), but have totally dropped the ball on this one. Sorry, baby! I have a feeling I will be saying that or feeling that way a lot. I hope that means this one will be patient and layed back. I need that to be the case. I pray for that in this child.

February 2, will be here before I know it. That is crazy!!!!!

Oh, and to answer another question that might be looming in your brains... yes, I am using midwives again. We are having this one at home! Pray they make it this time. Though I love the thought of it just being Neno and I again, he would have a heart attack if it happened a second time. And since we have had the other three without family present, they are all hoping that they are here for this one's arrival. Here's hoping it all comes together, but we shall see.

Halloween 2011

So I confess that I was going to let Halloween just go by this year without dressing up or trick or treating with the girls. I am aweful!! Luckily, they have an aunt that wasn't going to let that happen. Aunt CJ and Taylor took Annabelle and Ava Grace shopping on Saturday. They saved the day! They bought costumes, tights, make-up, etc. The girls were covered! I even got these funny pics sent to my phone to document the outing...

 

 

Once the girls were excited, I jumped on oboard, too. I even made treats for their classes at school. I stole this fun idea from one of my BFFs - Kristen. She had posted these on Facebook last week and I loved them. So, the girls took candy corn rice krispies to their friends. I thought they were too fun and the girls loved them!

Round pan with colored sections of rice krispies. Then cut it like a pie.

Voala! Candy Corn!

After school and dinner, it was time to rock and roll. Aunt CJ came over to do make-up and we set out for town. We got a late start so we didn't tackle to much. We stopped on a few streets and rang some door bells and the girls had a blast. That is what it is all about! So here are the pictures of my beautiful girls in their costumes.

Annabelle the mermaid. The colored hair was her favorite thing, I think.

Ava Grace made a great fairy and loved all the make-up and glitter.

Have you ever seen a cuter puppy? She even let us put black make-up on her nose, but somehow I didn't get that picture on my camera.

 All in all, it was so fun! I am glad that Carrie took care of the costumes and that Taylor, Carrie and Beth were willing to set out with me to Trick or Treat. I like the ratio of 4 adults to 3 kiddos. I couldn't ask for greater Aunts/Uncles for my kids. Thanks again!

Best memories to take from the night:

• Annabelle trying to take all of the candy out of the bucket.
• Adalyn running full force from house to house - nevermind if there was a curb in the way.
• Ava Grace being so excited to find houses with lights on and ringing the bell. I also loved how concerned she was that her sisters got to the door and got candy too.
• Adalyn eating wrapper and all and being covered in chocolate.
• My tub turning blue at bath time
• The fact that my girls loved every bit and were ready to do it again the next day.

AB turns 3!

Yesterday was Annabelle's third birthday. I asked her if she would stay two forever for me and she said she promised. If only we could bottle some of the cutest things and times in their lives as children. We celebrated her for a second time with dinner and cake, with family.

Saturday, was the big celebration. I decided since we were out in the country and it was fair-time, we would have a fair of our own. We had Annabelle's County Fair.

This was my chance to go all out and have some fun with a theme. We had cotton candy for party favors, caramel popcorn, caramel with apples, frito pie and fresh, homeade corn dogs.

We also had lots of wonderful friends and family that helped us celebrate and play. Our day even included a hayride, horseback riding, shooting at balloon targets, jumping on the trampoline and getting really dirty (why is that so fun as a child?)

 

Looks like a happy girl to me. Party Success!!!!

We even managed a family picture before the day was done. Yay!!

Thanks Granna, Aunt Cheetah, Noah, Brynn, Caris, Camden and Uncle Bubba for making the trip to Lubbock and helping make the party special for Annabelle! We loved having all of you here! And to all that attended her party and helped celebrate her 3rd birthday...

These were the labels for AB's cotton candy favors. Are they not the cutest!!! Thanks Monica for such cute invites and favor labels!

A Front Row Seat

Can I just tell you how special this sweet child is...

Back in June, I tried to get tickets to Taylor Swift, with no luck. But this last week, her Aunt Bess came through in a big way and scored floor tickets to the concert.

We decided not to tell her where she was going and she would figure it out once she was at the Spirit Arena. We just told her that we had a big surprise planned just for her. On Friday, I told her she needed to take a shower and get all dressed up for a special date with Aunt Bess. She really had no clue. I think she thought it had something to do with volleyball. In fact, some others in the fam told her that is what it was. So I am pretty confused as to why it was such a big deal.

When they got to the arena, Beth gave her her ticket and asked if she could read it. She read Taylor Swift, but still had no real reaction. It wasn't until she came on stage that she lit up with excitement. Oh and by the way, those floor seats were FRONT ROW!!!

These pictures are Beth and Ava Grace's view of Taylor Swift. And this picture even has AG's head to show just how close she was. She even came home with a guitar pick that Taylor threw. What a lucky girl!!