So much to share!

Christmas 2008 is definately one we will remember. Blizzard, snowed-in for half the day, and the power out for over an hour. There was so much snow that the main road leaving our neighborhood was closed the whole day. We couldn't go anywhere even if we wanted to. Later in the day though we were able to go to Bonnie and Mike once the snow was plowed on the main roads.

All this snow from one storm!

Ususally snow doesn't even touch our front porch, but the winds were going crazy. Consistently between 25-30mph.

This was during the storm.

A couple of the things Santa brought for Christamas...tools and big boy underwear. Parker is not potty trained by any means, but this is a start. He loves his big boy underwear, he just doesn't love the potty.

GARRETT IS NOW 2 MONTHS OLD!!! Always smiling and always sleeping. He slept 8 hours last night! His hair is still long, his eyelashes are getting longer, his eyes are getting bluer and melting our hearts everyday.

Last year we started a tradition of making an igloo in our backyard. Here is our igloo for winter 2008-2009. The igloo before our Christmas Day blizzard/storm...

After...

A day in the life of a BIG brother

Once Garrett fell asleep in his swing these were the things that my little helper said Garrett "needed." Luckily Garrett slept through the whole thing.
Parker trying to stay out of the way of the swing to see the results of his big brother skills.

Snuggling on the couch with his "cowboys." Kim Hoke made him this blanket before he was born. This is is favorite. He can't snuggle or sleep with out it. p.s.--he piled both those pillows up so he could be more comfortable to watch his movie.

A day would not be complete with out a little rockin' out in the kitchen. Thanks Grammie and Grandpa for teaching him that the canisters can be drums.

Cheesy smile. But we love it. This boy needs a hair cut.

Garrett's Blessing Day

Trick or Treat

Garrett is already over a week old! Time sure does fly. I can't believe I forgot how much newborns sleep. Too bad it will only last a little longer.

We still don't know if he will keep his dark hair and dark blue eyes. We'll just have to wait and see.

Parker's first Halloween to go trick or treating. Our little lion was even excited to sit still so I could put on his make-up.

Garrett, we couldn't imagine our lives with out you. You are such a wonderful baby (if we don't count night time) and a cute little brother. And those CHEEKS.... I can't get enough!

On their way out Trick or Treating his bag was empty while holding Daddy's hand. When they came home Daddy was holding Parker in his arms with a loot of candy in his pumpkin bag. At each door Parker would say, "trick or treat" "thank you" and "Happy Halloween!" Seriously, do you see that little tail? So cute!

Carving pumpkins with Daddy.

Garrett Douglass Ball

Born at 12:18 am on October 24th, 2008.

7 lbs. 8oz.

21 inches long

(More details to come but I thought you might want to see some pictures. Can you tell Parker is a proud big brother?)

TOMORROW!!!

My Dad and I comparing "bellies." I think I win!

Tomorrow is the BIG day. I am scheduled to be induced in the morning but there is a chance it will be post-poned if the hospital is too busy. I am both SO nervous and SO excited all at the same time. I think everything is ready to go, so wish me LUCK!

Is it really that time of year already?

This is what we woke up to this morning. Compared to the storms we will have in the future this is nothing at all, but it is mid-October! The snow is fun now because we know in about a week it will be warmer again.



This is a summer blooming flower in our front yard....apparently it is a little confused.

Belly picture, as promised. Ignore my somber face. Brad waited for-ev-er in between each click while taking my picture so I didn't really know when to smile. This was taken about a week ago. I feel like my belly has grown even more since then. Have I mentioned I am ready to be done being pregnant? I am so grateful for the bond that pregnancy brings between me and my children (oh wow, that is the first time I have said "children" and not just "child") but I am ready to NOT have another human taking over my body anymore. I already love Garrett so much, I can't wait to hold him and kiss his little toes.

OK, I couldn't resist. Parker was having fun striking poses for me before church this morning.

Perfect Moment

I put Parker to bed tonight and like always he asked me to snuggle with him a little longer. I told him I would go get Daddy and he could snuggle with him instead. A few minutes later Brad and I got distracted and we heard him call out from his room.."Daddy.......Daddy......" So Brad went in as I had promised and he laid down in Parkers bed. Brad whispered to Parker asking him to hold his hand, which he then did. Parker then took his available hand to softly rub Daddy's hand. Thinking that the moment couldn't get any sweeter than this with his 2 year old son he asked "Parker, what is your favorite thing that Daddy does?" He thought about it for a minute and slowly said in his sweet little innocent voice "Daddy loves Parker's Mommy." Priceless.