Thanksgiving Treats & Oma and Opa Love

 

{Oma & Aubrey}

This Thanksgiving we truly have so many things to be thankful for. As traveling for Ray's job is impossible during the Thanksgiving season, we are so thankful that my parents are able to travel to see us and to share these fall festivities with them. This Thanksgiving was truly memorable as we shared so many wonderful moments with Oma & Opa. Enjoy our Thanksgiving 2015 picture post with my loves.

My parents arrived on Tuesday night. With sweet hugs for her Oma & Opa, she quickly talked them into watching one of her nightly favorites. I loved watching the sweet cuddle time.

 

The next morning, Oma, Ray, Aubrey, and I made our way to Cinemark for Aubrey's first movie going experience to see The Good Dinosaur. With snacks packed, Penny and Fox (stuffed animals) in hand, an extra milk with a side of buttered movie popcorn, she did a fantastic job in the movie. She loved Arlo, the good dinosaur. As it was a matinee and filled with lots of children and a field trip, we were in better spirits and our worry went away as to how she might do. She did yell a few times "Mommy that's a dinosaur, that's a dinosaur!" It cracked me up. We did enjoy a few pictures to mark our first time experience. We were all smiles!

After a nap, we were a go for Play-doh fun. I have to say something I didn't know but my parents are pros at making different objects with Play-doh. Aubrey and I were super impressed.

 {Aubrey & Oma}

 {Dancing with Opa while walking in mommy's boots}

Our Thanksgiving morning began early as Aubrey was so excited to play with Oma & Opa and watch her Memo. As we began our day at 5:30AM it gave mommy and daddy a chance to make breakfast and to get some Thanksgiving treats pre made. After a few hours, the parentals joined us and we began our morning of hang out fun, Memo watching, game playing, and time spent with family.

 {Oma & Opa Love}

{Ray, Alicia (baby Liam), Aubrey, Oma, & Opa}

I am so thankful for my loves.

{Our Thanksgiving spread} 

This year our Thanksgiving meal consisted of the finest of paper materials so this mama would not be doing dishes. Our food was absolutely delicious. We ate Cornish game hen, my great grandmother's dressing, rolls, asparagus, twice baked sweet potatoes with marshmallows (yum!), fruit salad, and pie options.

 

 {My beautiful family of 4}

 

{We love you baby Liam- 22 weeks + 3 days}
I absolutely loved that Ray, Oma, & Opa were finally able to feel sweet Liam's kicks/moves.

 

Friday, the family enjoyed a morning of Christmas craft making. My mom found these adorable little crafts at the Dollar Store and Aubrey absolutely loved it.

 {Yay for Christmas trees, snowmen, and gingerbread men}

Her little voice cracked me up as she would yell, "I do crafts Oma!" After our morning of crafts, we decided it was time for a sweet treat. Together we made Christmas Rice Krispie treats. Aubrey's favorite part had to be adding the sprinkles.

I have to say, I love these two together. She surely has eyes for her daddy. With Ray's work schedule of Q4 mixes his work days around a bit, we were all so thankful for his two days off this Thanksgiving. We love our time with daddy.

While daddy was at work, the girls enjoyed more play time, craft time, game time, and snuggle time. With the weather being rainy and very cold, we stayed in our pjs with the heat on, eating delicious treats, watching Christmas movies, and loving our time together.

Another fun tradition that my family gets to celebrate during the Thanksgiving holiday is my mom's birthday. With it being on December 1st, it is so fun to have some special time to celebrate our Oma and her special day. Aubrey was all smiles as she loves her some cake.
 

 {"I eat cake Mama!"}

Thanksgiving is definitely a time to focus on all of God's miracles. To truly be grateful and thankful for those He puts in our lives. To family and friends near and far, I am so incredibly thankful for you! Thankful for each memory made and for each day we are able to spend it together. Here's to 2015 Thanksgiving Treats & Oma and Opa Love. It will be amazing to see what next year will look like when sweet little Liam joins our family.

Fall Funtivities 2015

This fall our days have been filled with busy running around and lots of to dos, lazy days at home, time with sweet friends, and making memorable moments together. We have had healthy days, sick days, silly days, and family days. I'm thankful for each one, as each one has made our life the amazing little moment in time that it is. So for this Fall Funtivities post, you will see these moments and all that makes my heart full this Thanksgiving season.

 {Duke dinner dates- Aubrey & Jacob}

 {ABF Annual Fall Chili Lunch}

 {We met Elsa & Anna at Kristin's Holiday Craft Fair}

 

{Dinosaur Puzzle Fun}

 {Ray, I am truly so thankful to have this amazing and crazy life with you. 13 amazing years together, 6 years married, parents for 2- a newborn on the way. God has truly blessed me with my best friend and husband. Happy six years to the man that still gives me butterflies and is my calm in any storm. All my love}

 {"I got mama!" she screamed! As she then thought it was hilarious to attempt putting her fingers up my nose and pulling on my earrings! I am so head over heels for this cutie!}

 {21 week of baby bump'n love}

This Thanksgiving season, I am reminded that God chose me to be this little girl's mom and soon to be sweet Liam's as well. While I will always hold a place in my heart for our lost little babe (due December 2015), I'm so thankful to know that God has such an amazing plan for this little family and one day we will all be together in heaven. So until then, I'm truly blessed with each day given and want to enjoy these sweet moments, the ups, the downs, and the ones in between, because each day makes this crazy and amazing thing we call life. I wouldn't have it any other way!

Sweet Liam's 20 Week Baby Bump'n Post

Sweet Liam,
Today (more like 2 weeks ago) you turned 20 weeks. You are absolutely perfect sweet boy. Mommy and daddy loved watching you move, raise your little hands, kick your little feet, and open and close your mouth. You already look so much like your big sister sweet boy. My heart melted as we heard your little heart beat. Again God made you perfect. Already your body is measuring a week early and your little legs two weeks early. Boy, do you take after your daddy already. We are so excited to see you again next month sweet boy. So until we see you again, grow, kick, and move. Sweet Liam, know you are so incredibly loved and mommy and daddy cannot wait to see you soon.

Number of weeks: 20

Measurement: Your body is measuring at 21 weeks and your head and legs at 22.
Baby Size: You are the length of a carrot.
Heartbeat: I will have to update at the next month appointment. I believe it was 149-152. I will need to confirm.
Pregnancy Clothes: I am in full maternity pants and leggings. I would be in full maternity shirts if I just wasn't lazy. This belly to me seems a lot bigger than my last pregnancy, but I'm definitely finding clothing that can be worn. I'm so excited to go shopping soon for more shirts. I tend to wear a lot of dresses, leggings, and my favorite Old Navy Maternity jeans where only the pockets have the stretch material. It is genius.
Sleep/How I'm Feeling: I have to say this pregnancy is very different from my first. I get up between 4-6 times in the middle of the night (no joke) to go to the bathroom. Much of this is due to the amount of water I drink, but due to dizziness and nauseousness, I am told more water, more water, more water. I am also still finding myself sick. I am told its a sugar and protein issue. I'm definitely increasing my protein food intake with humus, peanut butter, and meat that doesn't make me sick. I feel like I want to eat all the time, but then feel sick. So it's a work in progress for sure. My body is definitely beginning to make preparations as my hip flexors and body has started to feel uncomfortable.
Most Memorable Moment: I loved seeing your sweet face at our sono appointment this month.
Moving and Grooving: I absolutely feel you moving sweet boy. I can't wait until daddy can feel you.
Cravings: snacks and sweet tea

Gender Predictions: I miss sleep. God is very much preparing me for Liam's arrival in regards to lack of sleep.
What I look forward to: I am looking forward to watching this baby grow. I am so excited to see you little boy next month and to see how much you've grown in just a few short 4 weeks. I'm also very excited to celebrate Thanksgiving with our Waldrup family and make more plans toward your arrival.

Happy 20 Week Bump'n!

College Crew Friendship Feast 2015

On Saturday November 14th, we had the wonderful opportunity to host our annual College Crew Friendship Feast. With our sweet friends coming in from Colorado, we were so thankful to spend an afternoon together celebrating over a decade of friendships and enjoying a rather large play date. With 8 adults and 8 children, our little home was filled with lots of laughter, lots of love, and lots of delicious treats. So enjoy a fun picture post of our afternoon together. Oh how we are so thankful for these amazing friendships.

 {The adult table decor}

 {The kids table}

 {Bryson & Jacob played cars}

 {The twins love Elsa}

 {Sweet Haley}

 {Aubrey's silly self}

 {11 month old baby Elliott}

 {Sweet brotherly love, Elliott & Luis}

 {The sweet Fantlet twins loved on Elliott}

 

 {The ladies- Kaylan, Alicia, Stephanie, & Kristin}

 {The gents- Adam, Ray, James, baby Elliott, & Michael}

The babes loved their kids table and took full advantage of the butcher paper coloring table sheet.

After a morning of play and catch up, it was time to eat. The conversation was amazing and so was the food. After lunch, we enjoyed more catch up and conversation, delicious pie options, a boy's frisbee game, Aubrey picked up acorns, and lots of time together.

I am so incredibly thankful for these amazing friendships and time together. Happy Friendship Feast 2015.