Thanksgiving 2011

We spent Thanksgiving in Fleming with Joe's side of the family. It seemed busy, but we had a great time. Wednesday night Mrs. Gayle, Mr. Ronald (Joe's grandparents), Lindsay, Sheri (Joe's aunt and uncle) and Logan and Layne (Joe's cousins) all arrived in town. Mrs. Gay had taco soup fixed and she and Mrs. Gayle began preparing for our Thanksgiving feast.
We spent Thursday lunch "In the Woods" (at the cabin under the pavilion) with a huge spread! The food was great and so was getting to visit with everyone. Thursday night we were able to rest and enjoy leftovers!
Friday, Joe hung out at the cabin with the guys while I decorated for Christmas, everything but the tree. Once I finished decorating we were able to visit with Joe's great-aunt, Aunt Florencie, Mr. Moe's cousins, Bea and Flo, and Bea's grandson, Worth. We love any excuse to see them, they remind me so much of my family it makes me laugh! Later in the afternoon we enjoyed a fire while the guys smoked dinner. I love being outside and the weather was perfect for all of our festivities.
We are so thankful for all God has blessed us with this year! Hope everyone had as wonderful of a Thanksgiving as we did!

Sweet Mister Tyson

It has been a hard week, for we had to let go and let our dear Mister Tyson head to heaven this week. It literally broke my heart, but I knew it was for the better. I'm so thankful for Tori because without her advice this task might have been impossible. I didn't want to hear such sad news from anyone else, but I knew Tori would guide us to make the right decision for Tyson.

I inherited Tyson 3 years ago. I had just moved into my house by myself and Tanner and Whitney were welcoming Chandler. Tyson, was given to Tanner by Whitney for Christmas 2000. He spend 8 years with them before making the move to live with me and Sigsbee. During his time with Tanner and Whitney he would go everywhere and do everything with them. He sat in the dugout when Tanner coached baseball and he was Whitney's front seat passenger when she would drive back and forth from Columbus. When Chandler was born Tyson came to stay with me and never went back home! He immediately became my protector which made me sleep better at night. I always said,"no one is crazy enough to come into my house with Tyson." He had the biggest bark and scared many people, but if you took the time to love on him he'd try and climb into your lap and snuggle!

Moving to Fleming was easy for Tyson, he loved the fact that Joe would pick him up and carry him on his hip when he came in the door from work and take him to ride on the Ranger!

When it came time for Tyson to go Joe made the comment, "he protected you for a long time, I guess he knows I will protect and take care of you from here on out." Joe was so right in saying this, ever since Tyson came to live with me he did just that, stuck by my side and made sure I was taken care of.

Snug under the covers on a lazy Saturday morning!

He enjoyed many visits to the lake!

Always sat so pretty for Christmas card pictures!

Most of the time he had his tongue out!

Looked big and bad and would have been if I ever needed him to be!

He loved being loved!

Manchester Baby Shower

We headed to Manchester last weekend for a couples baby shower for Grier hosted by our sweet friends. It is always so hard to get to see all of our friends when we are in Manchester on the weekends because we simply don't have enough time to make our rounds. The shower was perfect (I knew it would be) and we are so thankful for friends and family who love us and support us as we get ready to enter parenthood.

We had so much fun socializing and laughing with everyone.

Most of our Manchester friends I have grown up with ever since I can remember! Most of us have been friends since birth, we attended the same church, those of us that are the same age started 3 year-old playschool together, and graduated together. A few friends have been made along the way, all the same they are dear to our hearts!

Joe's parents even made the trip to Manchester for the shower. It's amazing how well our families get along. In fact, my family will be coming to Fleming the first weekend of December to visit!

We got some amazing gifts for Grier! She is already so loved by so many people!

Joe and I stayed the weekend at Tanner and Whitney's house. These notes were on our pillows when we got there Friday night! Lanier and Chandler were so excited we stayed at "their house" for the weekend and are already asking when we are going to come "spend the night" again!

SKA Nationals

Joe and I left early Tuesday morning and headed to Biloxi, Mississippi for the SKA Nationals Fishing Tournament. We were expecting it to take us about 9 hours, but surprisingly we only had to stop once. We decided we would use the restroom, fill up with gas, and eat all in one stop and that is exactly what we did! 8 hours later we were unpacking in Biloxi.

It ended up being very windy and cold so we weren't able to enjoy the beach, but I did get a picture.

Joe and I had the best time shopping, gambling, eating, and enjoying each others company. This will be our last trip before Grier arrives!

We ate at some really delicious restaurants. While on vacation I would much rather try local dining compared to chain restaurants. Half Shell Oyster House was one of our favorites!

SKA held an awards banquet to recognize the Division winners.

"Meant2B" receiving their Division 4 Open Class award!

Saturday's weigh in..."No Mercy" won 2nd at Nationals for Open Class! "No Mercy's Team" consist of Joe's Uncle Lindsay and some of Joe's good friends. We were so excited for them! Not only did they win 2nd for Open Class, but "No Mercy" also participates in the Pros where they placed 3rd!

Our good friends Catherine and Josh were also in Biloxi. We were so excited to get to hang out with them for a few days! Catherine and Josh fish with Catherine's dad on "Reel Buzz". "Reel Buzz" won Division 4 for the small boat class and won 9th at Nationals!

Ok, some of you may be wondering how Joe's team did...well, they caught lots of fish and had a blast while fishing, however; "Meant2B" had a mechanical problem and did not make it to weigh in. I know they were all disappointed, but I guess that's a risk you take while off-shore fishing. Even with the mechincal problem, we all agreed we were just glad that everyone made it in safe-and-sound and they had good fishing!

Joe has already started talking about fishing next year and has big plans for "Moe Money" and the 2012 fishing season!

Biloxi Bound

We are heading to Biloxi this week for SKA Nationals. Originally, Joe and I had decided to fly, but once we started thinking about me being pregnant on a plane I think we both changed our minds pretty quickly! I'd much rather be in my own car and be able to stop, get out, and walk around as much as possible compared to being stuck on an air plane. So I am spending the next few days preparing for our trip out to Mississippi. Thanks to Pinterest, which I am offically addicted to, I have found some fun, new recipes that I am going to try for us to snack on. For all of you who aren't Pinterest Pinners it is an online pinboard where members can organize, share, comment, repin and like things you love! It is so much fun and full of great ideas!

Chocolate Drizzled Trail Mix!

Cake Batter Blondies!

Pizza Puffs (no refrigeration needed!)

Pumpkin Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars (for me, not Joe!)

I have big plans for our car ride...I plan on finishing my Christmas card list, ordering my Christmas cards, ordering Grier's thank you notes, finishing up my online Christmas shopping, making a hospital list to help prepare for Grier's arrival, and spending some quality time with my husband! When we return home things will be hectic for sure...baby shower, Manchester, Thanksgiving, more baby showers, decorating for Christmas, my family coming to Fleming, Christmas, then Grier! Whew, where has my time gone?!?

Halloween 2011!!

I was really excited about Halloween this year, in fact, I was so excited I wanted us to go to a pumpkin patch. Needless to say, we didn't make it, but Mr. Moe did bring us this pretty pumpkin. I had asked Joe for days about carving our pumpkin, but Joe wasn't as enthusiastic about it as I was. Joe doesn't like pumpkins, not the taste, not the feel of the "guts", not the seeds, not even carving pumpkins...soooo...I figured if I wanted the pumpkin carved I'd have to do it myself. I did have a plan and started drawing the face right before Joe got home from work one day. Just as I got everything ready Joe pulled up in the driveway! Without me even asking for his help he asked, "where's my knife?" he never once complained and I actually think he had a good time doing it!!

This was a team effort for sure! I drew the face, Joe cut off the top, I cleaned out the pumpkin, Joe carved the eyes, nose, mouth, and eye brows, and afterwards I roasted the seeds! Here is our finished product! I thought about being creative and doing something different, but there is just something about a simple jack-o-lantern that I love! Joe, being the perfectionist he is, even took the time to smooth out the edges.

We wanted to hand out candy, but we also wanted to watch the kids of Fleming trick-or-treat, luckily we got to do both. We stayed at home and waited on the "Fleming Hay Ride" to make it to our house. The kids on the hay ride were able to trick-or-treat at our house, then Joe and I caught a ride and watched the kids have a blast going from door-to-door!

The hay ride is a Fleming tradition and we cannot wait to do it next year with Grier!

Even the Fleming Volunteer Fire Fighters get involved!

I did miss seeing all of the Manchester kids and their costumes! Check out these two silly pirates! What a handful!?!

And the sweet Rozell crew didn't get to go trick-or-treating, apparently, they have been passing around a cold and decided to stay at home. However, I know once they feel better their sweet "KK" and "Nan" will make sure they get to trick-or-treat at their houses. And no need to worry, their costumes won't go to waste, Sibley loves playing dress up right now, in fact, all of their costumes have probably already made it into her dress up box!