Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween from the cutest little fairy you ever did see!

 And just for fun...here she is the past 2 Halloweens!

Bumblebee...

 
And a sweet little lamb!

Life

Life is crazy as usual!  Thankfully, football is now over so Don will be home more.  You have no idea how much this excites me!  I am taking an online course through my company so adjusting to being back in school has been challenging but I am kind of excited about it.  My busy time of year is still in full swing so I have been burning up the roads each week as well.

  Ellie is still doing great and keeping us in stitches.  I swear she does or says a million funny things a day that keep us laughing.  Don and I will just look at each other and shake our heads.  The girl is a MESS!  Just today, she told Minnie to "use her inside bark!"  Think she's heard to "use her inside voice" once or twice recently?  Ha!

As far as baby #2 goes, I'll be 11 weeks tomorrow!  Everything this time around has been SO different.  Having a busy 2 year old definitely makes it more challenging, but I also love how the weeks are flying by.  I don't have as much time to dwell on the pregnancy itself and I sometimes go a full day without really thinking about it.  I am also a lot more laid back this time, which I like.  Besides being extremely tired and having a few yucky days here and there, things are really good!  I had my first appointment last week and DeDe and Ellie came along while Don was at work.  I am so glad they were there!  We heard the heartbeat and met with the doctor and all of that fun stuff.  Ellie is pretty much 100% convinced that this baby is a boy.  Of course Don would LOVE a boy, but we aren't getting our hopes up either way.  It sure would be a shame to not be able to use all of our precious baby girl clothes again.  Lord knows we've got plenty!

We are getting very excited about a big family vacation we've got coming up in just a few short weeks.  We are headed to the Bahamas with Peeps, DeDe, Aunt Rachel and Uncle Matt!  This will be E's first time to fly.  Any tips or recommendations are welcome on flying with a toddler.  I know we will definitely be telling her to "use her inside voice!"

Our BIG News!

In case you haven't already heard...

Ellie is going to be a BIG SISTER!!!!!

We feel very excited and fortunate to be bringing another sweet baby into this world.  I have to admit, the thought of having TWO KIDS is starting to scare me a little, but we are up for the challenge and cannot wait for May 21st to get here.

Pumpkin Patch

We finally made it to the Pumpkin Patch today! Even though October is halfway over, we couldn't let the month pass and not attempt a quick trip to Green Acres.

Just like last year, Ellie had a big time and threw countless pumpkins into our wagon.  She obviously thinks they are free and has no idea they cost money!  We did get quite a few for our front porch and manage to snap a few pictures.  It was very windy and I had groceries in the car so we didn't stay long.
 

Busy Week

It has been a full week of events and activities.  I thought I would post a few phone pictures to keep everyone in the loop!

Most of my schools are on fall break this week so I have been working from home.  We had a PJ day on Monday to recover from our busy weekend.  Ellie has this little doodle book that she loves.  She was working on her stenciling skills!

 We did get out Tuesday to run a few errands.  It always feels good to get dressed and out of the house!  This sweet thing passed out so I just went for a drive.  I didn't want to risk waking her so we just sat in the driveway and let her finish her cat nap.

Tuesday night Don's school held a big Harvest Carnival.  We got to help with the Ring Toss game until he got out of practice.  We were excited to break out the fall outfits!  Ellie had a big time and came home on sugar overload.

 I ordered this bow from Love from Texas.  She did a great job and we've gotten tons of compliments!  She is still taking orders on her blog.

Wednesday morning were the fire truck rides at Mrs. Carla's.  That night, we went to eat a BBQ sandwich and let Ellie ride a few of the carnival rides they have set up.  It was chilly but she had a ball.   She kept saying "Mommy, I had great fun!"  The smiles were worth it all!

Ellie has figured out how to work my camera phone.  You should see all of the videos and pictures of random things she has taken.  This is one of her best works so far!  Ha!

Don's team played last night since they are on Fall Break today.  DeDe, Peeps and Matt came to the game!  Ellie was so excited they were there. They took her home with them for the weekend so Don and I are looking forward to dinner and a movie tonight!

This girl is wearing me out.  She doesn't really nap anymore and the 2-year old attitude has begun to rear its ugly head.  She still has plenty of sweet moments but her mouth is really getting her in trouble lately.  Lord, help me when the teen years get here.  

This was her last night 3 minutes before we were to leave for Don's game.  Proof she still needs that afternoon nap!

Fire Prevention Week

We had a fun morning yesterday!

Every year in October, Greenfield has their annual Fire Prevention Festival.  Mrs. Carla, Ellie's babysitter wanted to make the week more fun for the kids so she had the firetrucks come to her house!

We had shirts made for the kids and she ordered all kinds of fun crafts, treats and fire hats for them.  Everyone was so excited to see the fire truck pull up into the cove.

Going for a ride around town!

 They even brought Fire Pup along!

This picture makes me laugh out loud.  Eight kids, five moms, and a few nose pickers.  This was the best we got!  Hilarious!

Thanks for a fun day Mrs. Carla!!

Weekend in Oxford

When Don coached at Lambuth, he had the incredible opportunity to learn and coach under Hugh Freeze.  Coach Freeze left LU a few years back and went on to become the head coach at Arkansas State.  After 2 successful years at ASU, he was hired to be the new head coach at Ole Miss!  I know this is such a dream for him and his family and we are so happy for them.  You will not meet a more down to earth, generous, good Christian family than the Freeze's.  I am proud to say we know them and even prouder that they are now living their dream down in Oxford!

We both knew the minute he was hired that we wanted to attend at least one game this season.  This past weekend, we had to opportunity to go!  It also just so happened that this Saturday was Don's 31st birthday. I can't think of anything he would rather do than spend it watching one of his mentors coach in an SEC football game.  I have to admit, I was just as excited about being there as he was.  It was quite the experience!

I think one of the neatest parts about Freeze now being at Ole Miss is that he took quite a few of his Lambuth coaches with him down to Oxford.  We got to visit with all of the former LU coaches and their families.  It was such a treat!  None of them have changed one bit.  Their kids are a lot taller but just as sweet as ever.  They were so happy to see us and made our experience one to remember.

Thanks to the Team Chaplain, John Powell, we had all access passes pre and post game.  We were able to hang out in the "IPF" (indoor practice facility) before the game with many recruits, families and boosters.  We toured the facilities and talked with many of the coaches and their families (including Coach Freeze) before the game.  After the IPF, we were escorted down to the field to watch the team warm up. This was awesome!

 He was in heaven!  I was a little star struck.  Ha!

It was cold, wet and windy!  Thankfully we were moved to 3rd row seats with the coaches families during the second half.  It wasn't nearly as cold or windy down low.  We had a great time, despite the heartbreaking loss.

It was a great weekend away!  We wish we could go every week now.  We just might try, who knows!  Hotty Toddy!

I'm Back!

After a little scam scare from somebody who obviously has too much time on their hands...I am back!

The jury is still out as to whether or not I will go private forever...but if I do I will invite who ever would like to read!

Ellie is having the time of her life with Peeps and Dede.  They saved the day in a pinch and helped out big time this week!

Ellie is a little songbird.  If you catch her in a silent moment, she will usually break out into song.  She has such a great little memory!  (Excuse the "toddler tude" at the end of the video.)

She has really learned a lot at Awana on Sunday nights.  Have I mentioned she goes to Awana now?  Well if not, she does and she loves it.  She is in the youngest class "Puggles" and has the best time!  I am guessing this is where she learned the Pledge of Allegiance.  She left out a little chunk, but we are still very proud!

And just one more picture for good measure.

Happy Thursday!