October

I can't believe that today is the last day of October..... This month has been so much fun!


We headed to the beach early in the month. But.....the night before we left my lovely parents and lovely husband, and lovely entire extended family had a surprise 30th birthday party for me! It was so great seeing all of my friends and family in the same room. And, I did suspect something, but I kept trying to dismiss it. I kept thinking it was SO conceited of me to think that the pretend birthday for my aunt might be for me!!! I am not crazy about being 30, but I sure did feel special this birthday!!! Of course, I have NO pictures from that night!


We had a great time at the beach. October is a great month to go. Although, this time it was really hot! I've posted way to many pictures.... And, some of them I was wondering why I even thought they were blog worthy. I actually write down the picture numbers on a piece of paper and it makes uploading them so much faster! I wrote the numbers down a few weeks ago. Who knows what I was thinking then???

And, I wanted to clarify on the baby's sex..... A few have asked me if we looked in the envelope that said boy or gil. And, here's the answer- NO!!! The envelope is now locked in Jim's safe. Only he has a key. (that sounds so dramatic, doesn't it!) Neither of us have looked or even feel tempted to! So, didn't want anyone to think that we knew and weren't telling. I think things like that are so silly!!!

And, finally Halloween. I'll post pictures after I get a few more tonight. I'm always glad when November 1st is here. It means Thanksgiving and Christmas are on their way. And, not to mention that tonight will be the 4th time the girls get dressed up!!

Emery looking so old!

Jim's favorite part of the week....a golf cart!

Ready for a ride with aunt Laura and Bacon. Please notice how Jim is strapping in Emery. Thank goodness for Mr. Safety!!

Helping Aunt Laura watch Bacon while he's playing in the front yard

close up of merrill

studious uncle bud

the girls played so well together at the beach

attempt at a family photo

2nd attempt at a family shot

redneck baby- checkout that diapering job!

first time in a bikini- couldn't keep the bottoms up!

Daddy and the girls

I'll probably get in trouble for posting this one.... But, Jim has been so great lately! Not that he normally isn't!! Ha! He totally spoiled me on and around my birthday as well as working so hard around our house lately. Not sure when the man has gotten a break!!Thank you Daddy/Jim!!

sweet sisters on a VERY ugly couch after nap. We kept laughing at how bad these couches looked. The decor everywhere else was fine except here!!!

not so sweet little sister- she started kicking!

I loved that they got to wear their summer outfits another time!

em with aunt laura

getting too dark for anymore pictures....

diet coke stealer....

Thanks Kiki and Pop for a great trip!!!

Ladd Farm

A few weeks ago we went with some friends from our sunday school class to Lucky Ladd farm. It was so fun! This place had so much for the kids to do!! After they played for a couple of hours, we then had our own campfire. Did the whole hot dog and smores thing-yummy! Emery was feeling extra sassy that day... Here she's with Cara and Jacqueline! (And, for the record this is the first picture in 4 1/2 years that I can say she might resemble me as a girl. Might! She is a clone of Jim every other day!)

Merrill enjoyed the corn sandbox

They had a 40ft slide. I've never claimed that my children are OVERLY tough... Both of the girls cried on the slide! Here's Merrill

Here's Emery in the same position as her sister!

Merrill in the petting zoo with daddy

Now, can I get the beach pictures up before anyone wakes up from nap???

a 10 out of 10

Today has been one of those days..... Just a great day!!! Jim and I rate our days on a scale of 1-10. 10 being the highest. Well, today was a 10....

Not only is it because we are having excellent weather today, but, I got a pedicure with my mom and sister (which is a treat!), had lunch at Las Palmas, my LOST keys were FOUND, we have a fun night tonight, marked lots of things off my to-do list, and we are headed to the beach in the morning!!! I love days like this!!!

More random pictures.... Daddy and Emery singing happy birthday to Kiki( less her clothes + a pull-up....I mean, I don't get why she wants to sport a pull. They are NOT cool once you can wear panties!!!)

Kiki on her birthday!!!

my brother enjoys making all of us laugh. He grabbed one of the girls' sippy cups and started drinking....

Please excuse my unfinished kitchen... but, caught merrill in emery's panties (wish mine were that baggy, or do I?) and her hand in the peanut butter....

we got a halloween costume catalog in the mail.... the girls have loved looking through it!

We went to Disney on Ice last night with Ella & Misty. The girls had so much fun. Oh, and I did brush emery's hair. I might as well give up on the pony tail for now... we're just not there yet!

photo courtsey of Ella (Why won't see look happy and smile for the camera???)

courtesy of ella.... I just wanted you to see emery with a more pleasant look!

in awe....

This was the finale. But, the show actually had a christmas scene.... I'm getting in the mood!!!!

It's a....

healthy baby!!!! We had our big ultrasound this morning and the baby looked perfect! We didn't find out the sex of the baby....so sorry to disappoint all of you! I know of only one true supporter of us not finding out- thanks aunt Susan!!! We do have the 'answer' sealed in an envelope in Jim's truck, along with a picture of the "area". Please no break-ins!!! Not sure why, but Jim got cold feet while we were sitting in the waiting room! Started pulling that, "don't you want to do a nursery?" stuff.... So, we'll see how long he lasts before he peaks! And, for the record, there will be a nursery!

Next task, coming up with the name. Should. Be. Fun.


I am so sad that we don't have a scanner anymore! We got some great shots of the baby and have already compared to the girl's ultrasound pictures...right now, I think IT looks just like merrill's! But, how much can you really tell from an ultrasound picture!!!! I'll have to try to remember to scan some at my parents!



And here's some really random pictures from the last few weeks......

Merrill is OBSESSED with diapers, pull-ups, toilet paper, flushing, and anything in between! She has never gone in the potty, but knows exactly how it works! She was actually wiping Emery the other day.... too much info???? Here daddy is putting a diaper on her baby doll for her!

Jim has tried to have a date night with Emery ever so often. This was Merrill's first time to get to go too..... I actually asked to go eat with them, but Jim made it clear it was not my night!

We got to welcome a new baby cousin earlier this month! Conner Hall was born early September!

The Hall family of 5

Welcome Fall!!!

settling in....

So, the last few weeks have been a little wild for us. We have settled into the new house as good as we can for now. I am getting frustrated because there isn't one room that's "complete" But, I guess that will come with time! A have felt bad for the girls at times..... So, we've had several days where we have stayed put and just played around here. When I need to get some things done, I just put the girls in the dog kennel..... JUST TEASING!

We moved just 2 miles from where we were before, and look at the visitors we've had! There are deer in our yard all the time! Jim got this shot....

and this one...

Merrill and Nolan eating jellybeans like there is no tomorrow

sweet bennett

playing in the back yard

I love merrill's outfit.... it's a tutu she chose to wear as a tube top. So creative!

sidewalk chalk time

emery puts a hair clip in every morning.... in the same spot..... so lovely!

they love that we now have a fireplace. And, I love Emery's prop!

sweet sisters- this was not posed!

And, in baby news.... our BIG ultrasound is scheduled for the end of September. We are hoping and praying for a healthy baby!!! I slipped into my maternity jeans the other day, and "ahhhhh!" I think I am just going to wear them for the rest of my life! Jim got my little workout room set up and I hit the treadmill tonight for the first time in a LONG time and I'm already sore! I just haven't had the extra energy until today. Is that an excuse? I believe it is! And, in honor of hanging my regular clothes up.... I changed my blog layout to one titled 'anthropology.' I find it fitting because I won't be able to go in that store for months now!!!!