Expecting AGAIN!

Number 4! Yes, we are fully aware what causes this to happen ;) Josh comes from a family with 4 siblings, we have one spare bedroom in our house, and I've always considered the possibility of four.  We stopped preventing in October and tada.. Number 4 is on it's way. Usually I get pregnant on the first try so when it didn't happen right away I actually told Josh if i wasn't pregnant by my birthday in April I was putting the mirena back in. I'm actually super nervous this time around. I feel that way each subsequent pregnancy. With Isaac I wasn't worried about anything but now I'm paranoid about everything. I am praying for a happy, healthy baby! Boy or girl I could care less. I've saved baby stuff for both sexes so there's not much we are going to need for this one! We found out I was pregnant on January 5th when I took a series of tests...one is never enough ;)

Amanda

 Kellie and I visited our childhood friend, Amanda who was spent Christmas in the hospital and 30 days afterwards. She was diagnosed with leukemia but Praise GOD chemo has worked and she is in remission. We were so happy to see her!

Pool in progress

Slowly but surely. We got the spa rocked!!

Christmas 2015

We had our Candlelight Christmas service at church... this is one of my favorite services of the entire year!

Eli and Olivia saw Santa. They were both a little in awe.

Christmas eve steak dinner at Nana and Papa's house. The Littles are ready for their presents. 

Christmas fun at Nana's

Christmas Day we had brunch at our house with my family and then went to Josh's parents. Josh found a maggot in a Mr. Goodbar.. if you are wondering what that picture is to the right. Olivia loves her Pawpaw.. she pets him so sweetly. 

A few Christmas pictures. I had to document our endless Christmas wardrobe. 

I couldn't decide which dress so she wore one for morning church service and the other for the candlelight service. 

Sampson the reindeer

We celebrated after Christmas with our friends the Ellis's. Jolly fun!

December 2015

I love decorating for Christmas. It's such a pain dragging all the boxes out but when it's finished... ahhh.

Christmas is coming!

Olivia warming herself on the heated tiles while I get ready. 

Josh and I took our Isaac and our niece, Kristin snowboarding. I snowboarded the first 5 hours and skied the last 3. I am so sore!

My big boy

He shaved his mustache.. FINALLY!

We hosted our Annual Christmas gathering while our friend, Jonathan was in town. It's always such fun seeing everyone 

Happy Anniversary 2014

Josh and I had a stay-cation this year for our anniversary. My mom kept all 3 kiddos and we had the house to our self. It was super relaxing and nice to sleep in without little people climbing on my face at 7am.  Friday night we went to dinner and a movie with friends. Saturday, we slept in, drove the Parkway, toured a winery, hiked to one of our favorite spots in Linville Gorge, shopped in Blowing Rock, ate dinner and came home. Our anniversary falls during peak leaf season and all accommodations quickly get filled this time of year. 

Beautiful creation

We saw one group of backpackers leaving as we were hiking in. Other than that it was just us the entire time which was nice!

Happy Anniversary Joshua

Peak leaf season on the Parkway

Empty woods

Frozen on Ice

We took Eli and Olivia to Greensboro to see Frozen on Ice. Isaac opted out and stayed with his cousin Gabe.  I must say it was marvelous! Just seeing the characters and song that we know by heart on ICE nonetheless. It was pretty amazing. The kids loved it. We picked up our niece Allie from UNCG and she went with us. Olivia was mesmerized.

Thanksgiving 2015

We celebrated Thanksgiving lunch with Josh's family and that evening had Thanksgiving at my sister's house. The kids love being together and get so wild and rambunctious! 

Carter, Eli and Camden- Shirtless because they were running around like crazy heads

My beautiful Mama

Isaac and Papa

Eli and Olivia 2014

THe littles- How they've grown!

Fall fun 2014

Fall is one of my most favorite seasons.. I know I've already said this... blah blah blah. We took our annual trip to the Mountain State Fair in Asheville this year. Eli had a blast.. he was tall enough to ride most all the kiddie rides. Olivia was not tall enough for much anything. She did get to ride a couple things and ride a pony which she loved. She loves horses.. takes after her Aunt Audra. 

Eli cracks me up with those glasses half way off his face

Carousel with my babes

Daddy and Olivia

Riding the pony

Fall fashion in Matilda Jane

Hike to Catawba falls after church

Eli in the freezing creek. He didn't seem to mind. 

My nephew Camden and Olivia shopping for a pumpkin

Olivia loves her new Well Dressed Wolf Boho. Daddy won her this first dress and we are hooked.

Eli taking one of the chickens for a ride

Pumpkin spiced waffles :)

Eli's field trip to the Apple Orchard with his Pre-school class. Olivia ran a fever several days before and I didn't know until we got home that she was covered with a rash. Poor tyke. 

Picking our pumpkins from the Pumpkin Patch

Carving Pumpkins

They liked getting the goo out

Isaac ready for his home JV football game- 

Josh carved  Minnie Mouse into our pumpkin. 

Eli starts Pre-School

Eli started his pre-school this week and did great. The first day he walked right into the classroom, sat down at the table and barely told us bye!

He is going Monday, Wednesday and Friday until 12:30. He gets to eat lunch at school in the cafeteria, go to the library and have Dragon Buddies (the AG 4th graders come and buddy up with the pre-schoolers). He seems very excited about school! From an educator standpoint I do think that a bit of pre-school before kindergarten is a good thing. I can always tell a difference in the kids that have exposure before their first day of school. From a parent standpoint.. I enjoy having him home so I'm glad it's not a full day or everyday!

We tried for our 'First Day ' pictures and of course those didn't happen so we tried again after he got home from school. Olivia Jane was a pistol and wanted Eli's sign! These made me laugh :)

Eli's first day.. all equipped with a handmade sign and he wrote his name. He can write a few letters of Allison as well. 

So big!

My sweet littles.. Olivia has worn this outfit since she was 12 months old.. The pants are now capris 

She said, "That's my sign Eli!"

He looks a bit intimidated