Christmas Tree Hunt

Our little family went to Home Depot to get our Christmas Tree. (We usually go with Kate and Brent, but we couldn't coordinate times this year)

We found this tree. It's very "humble" this year :)

We got it home and put it up 2 days later... Still haven't taken pics of it decorated... maybe since it took us a while to get that task completed.


Then, last weekend, we went with Tom's parents to a Christmas tree farm to get their tree.
Thomas and Ella came along for the ride... as well as Tom's parent's dog, Link.
Did not realize that until I went to put something in the back of the car and I saw a dog looking back at me.

Getting all ready to go!

Thank goodness for DVD players.


We got there safely but-
OOO, it was cold and drizzly!

Ready to go look for the tree!

It was all fun and games until Henry fell in a puddle.

We left PatPat, PawPaw, and Link to finish their search and headed back to the barn to get warm and dry.

Ella and Thomas on the hay ride

Ella took our family photo

Wet feet and legs didn't stop this smile!

Back at the barn- enjoying cookies and popcorn

"Raw, raw" on the front porch of the barn

Securing the tree

(Well, they tried. We did have to stop on the highway when we noticed it slipping off- oops!)

Before we left, Tom, Henry, and I got all posed in front of the cute, red barn ready for a sweet family photo, when we noticed that my camera had died. Bummer.

We finished the day with a warm lunch at the local Mexican food restaurant and headed home.

Brinley's 1/2 Birthday

Every December, the McAdams family has us over for chili. This year, chili night landed on Brinley's "Half Birthday".

I have to admit that I forgot about the whole "half" theme going on and was quite confused why Brinley only had 1 baby legging on, a 1/2 of cupcake on her onesie, and why Amy's hair was 1/2 way up....brain's not working as well as it used to.

Henry's confused about where Miss Brinley's usual bow went- duh, we had to take it off to make her more 1/2 dressed.

After being stuck in traffic for an hour, Tom took the time to sit down to read to Henry. I love them so much!

Henry and Luke

Thanks, Amy, for the yummy food and good time!

It's just... a little crush...

I told Jenny that these pics would not make the blog due to Henry's and my inability to get dressed that day, but these pics of Henry and Bekah were too sweet!

Cousins come to Visit

Henry enjoyed having his cousins, Evie and Liam, come visit for a while

(before Margaret's shower).

Henry- don't fight the love.

MMM.. sharing crackers

Showing their great grandmother a book

Super sweet!

Liam spent the night with us a couple of nights

Having a leisurely breakfast


Liam got his first sink bath during his stay

Lagersen Cousin Christmas

Since Henry will not see his Lagersen cousins this Christmas, we made it a priority to get a "Christmas" picture of them after Margaret's shower.

They were supposed to have coordinating outfits, but the lady from Etsy.com did not come through with her shipment. Boo.

Well, the photos didn't come out that great, anyway.

Madeline, holding sister Sarah Grace, Liam, and Henry

Madeline and Henry were singing.

Henry's done.

And he's off!

I can't wait for next year's photo!!

Shower Time!

Last weekend, these sweet ladies hosted a wonderful shower for Margaret Gray and me.

Kristen, Elizabeth, Sarah, Jenny, Amy, Kate, Mary Pat, Liz, and Meagan

(we missed you Kristen B., Megan, and Alex!)

I was a little hesitant in having another shower, but I was glad these ladies talked me into it!

I had told them to keep it very simple, but they were not able to control themselves- so many sweet details!

Liz made this BEAUTIFUL cake! It tasted as good as it looked!

Thanks, Liz!

Diaper cake topped with a fleur de lis- paying respect to my home state :) Thanks, Amy! (Thank you also for hosting at your house:) )


Yummy food!

Each hostess made a onesie for Margaret Gray.

Here is a pic of some of them.

Then they added a Bible verse that "went along" with the design on the onesie.

For example:

The cupcake one- "Taste and see that the Lord is good" Pslam 34:8

and

The heart one- "We love because He first loved us" 1 John 4:9.

I could go on and on- Such a special gift for Margaret!!!


This is the only pic I have of the mantel.

The dress on the left (it would be a lie if I said I didn't type "right" first- will I ever learn!) was made for Margaret! So beautiful with her initials smocked into it! And the dress on the right was my dress when I was a baby.
My sister, Sarah Margaret, did the floral arrangements.


Gift time!
People were so generous! I really feel much better now that Margaret has all that she needs!
Thanks everyone!

So cute- a monogrammed changing pad cover!

My mother-in-law even "monogrammed" her gift bag!

I didn't get a pic with my hostess gift- so this photo off of Amazon will have to work.
Whoa- the double stroller I wanted! It's going to be a "bus" of a stroller, but will come in handy.
Thanks, hostesses!



So many special ladies were able to be at the shower.
Some of the party people:

My mom came over with my sister, Elizabeth, nieces Sarah Grace and Madeline, and BOTH of my grandmothers!
(Thanks, Elizabeth for driving!)

Meagan (and Luke- a gentleman)



Casey and Audrey


Friends from Tom's residency-
Lauren, Sara, with sweet little Leighton, and Casey

Michelle, Meagan, and Christy

Friends from my teaching days-

Amy, Charlotte, and Melanie

Kate and Mary Pat

My family:

Tom's family

Tom's grandmother was there, too. How special for Margaret to have 3 great-grandmothers there!

Thanks everyone for making this a memorable day for me and my precious baby-to-be!