"Fall" Fun

I have been ready for fall for quite a while now and even though it is still not here we are trying to pretend like it is:) Belle and I had lots of fun making some pumpkin sugar cookies the other night and as you can see, she had a hard time waiting until AFTER they were baked to take a bite:)

Notice Blake's "carrot" cookie. Looks good doesn't it?


Blake has also been taking Belle running a lot lately in the mornings. It is definitely Belle's favorite time of day:) As you can see, Daddy's workout is pretty relaxing for Belle as she rides in style. She has her blanky, slippers, pajamas, cereal and milk... Maybe we need a running stroller that I can sit in:)


We have also been spending a lot more time outside playing since the weather has been a little cooler. Here is Belle during one of our trips outside.

5 Months!

Well, I am not 22 weeks pregnant (roughly 5 months) and planning and decorating and buying have kicked into high gear since we found out the baby is a boy. His room is painted, some furniture is on the way and he has a decent little wardrobe as well:) It seems like I have forever to go but I also am really feeling the time crunch on things to do!

Also, most of you have probably heard that Belle was originally referring to Cashe as "trash". Well, we thought that she was past that and were excited that she started pronouncing it correct... we were mistaken. The other day I was talking to her about his room and how we were getting ready for him to be here and she began motioning for me to follow her and was telling me "Cahse in here, Cashe in here". I followed her and she brought me to the pantry and pointed to the trash can. I don't think she gets it quite yet:)

Cashe's First Photo Shoot

Here he is! I know everyone will agree that he is absolutely the most adorable little boy ever:)

IT'S A BOY!!!!

Yep, we are finally bringing a boy into the family and we can hardly believe it. Poor little guy, I was absolutely 100% convinced that it was a girl and I about fell off the bed when the nurse doing my ultra-sound said otherwise. Blake and I had a bet and he won, but from the look on his face and the excited "REALLY??" that he let out I think he was as shocked as me. I was convinced it was a girl but I am soooo excited that we are having a little boy:) We are going to name him Cashe and his middle name is up for grabs as of yet.
Oh, and most importantly of course, he is very healthy and extremely active. He would not stay still to have his picture taken... I hope that is not indicative of the future because it has been hard enough to snap one or two pics of Belle without literally tying her to the chair, I can't imagine wrestling the two together in hopes of one good shot.
Anyway, thanks for all your prayers and I will have his pics up later:)

Nature Girl

We went on a stroll (photo shoot) at the park today and Belle was the perfect model as usual:) We thought she might be afraid of sitting in the trees but she was excited to be up there actually. In most of the pics Blake or I am standing behind her holding her but she did pretty well on her own too. I think we have a little girly tom-boy on our hands.

It's Official...

I really am pregnant:) Although I have been feeling pregnant for a long time and clothes haven't fit right in a LONG time, I am finally showing enough that I think people actually can tell I am pregnant and not that I just eat too many brownies:) So here are a few "belly shots" from when I was three months (top) and four months (bottom).
Please don't comment unless you have something nice to say (like how cute Belle is in the second pic:).

Is it Fall Yet?????

This year I have been DYING for fall to get here! Normally I am the one walking through Target saying "I can't believe they are ALREADY putting stuff out for fall!" This year is different though. I am now the one walking through Target saying "Why in the world are they taking SO LONG to put out the fall stuff???" I guess I am having withdrawals since I haven't been able to decorate for this fun season for TWO YEARS!

I originally told myself that I would wait until September 1 to start my fall decorating... but I couldn't wait that long even. I reasoned that we are the last house on the street and no one would see it but me and 3 days early was not a big deal because of the joy it would bring to my heart:) And it did bring lots of joy. After two LONG trips to Hobby Lobby and a productive trip to Canton my front porch has been transformed!
Here are a few pics of it all and since it is now after September 1 no one can say I am too early:)

See, don't you just want to come sit on my porch??


I just wrapped some berry sprays around the metal branches, hung some wood acorns and made some glittery black birds and tah-dah!

And of course, the best decoration of all...

No, I have not become a "longhorn fan" ok. But I can't deny that the burnt orange matches all of my fall decorations perfectly.

But I only had ONE donut...

Well, I am not sure what to say about this. I think the picture says it all:) I will tell you though, that we all shared this monster donut and still didn't touch half of it!

Happy 2nd Birthday Cutie!!

Yay! Belle turned 2 on Sunday and we had a great time celebrating with Kristin, Kevin and the girls:) Here are a few pics of the things we did and some of the presents Belle received.

She LOVED her new baby from her cousins:)

The car was a huge hit too!

Gran and Grandad got her this slide and it is the perfect size for inside or out!

Playin' in the Rain

As I am sure you are all aware, Belle is not exactly afraid of water. I have to admit though that I was a little shocked to see her not even flinch when it started pouring on her in the front yard the other day. She simply continued doing what she was doing and only stopped when she got mud on her hands. As much fun as it looked like she was having in the rain I also admit that I was too much of a wimp to join her myself... so I stood on the covered porch and took cute pics instead:)