Counting our blessings

As we approach the end of another year and the beginning of the holiday season, my heart if full of gratitude that God has always provided us with enough to live (a roof over our heads, food on the table, heat, clothes on our backs) and more than enough to love the life we live (generous family, healthy children, true friends, sweet pups and each other).

Derek and I are very blessed that we get to spend our Thanksgiving with both our families, altogether, under one roof. It's so nice to be surrounded by those you love.

It was a pretty calm Thanksgiving and mom even got to sit down and enjoy some wine with me while the boys were off playing. That never happens!

I got to spend part of the afternoon practicing with my camera but a lot of the pictures I took were too dark. I feel like I'm figuring it out a little bit. Sort of.

Sweet Baxter does not leave Van's side.

My handsome hubs

Pretty Rory

Papa Luke teaching Van how to use the "noculars" to look at birds.

Handsome Van (so proud of myself for getting this picture!)

the boys watching football

so much to be thankful for

two peas in a pod

love the plaid boys!

Van is obsessed with hugging and kissing his sister

sweetness

we all fit around one table this year!

Adorable Mason

Silly Cole (love that hair)

cousins playing

And I couldn't post this last Thanksgiving but here is a photo of Van. He wore this shirt to my parents house last year to tell everyone he was going to be a BIG BROTHER! I think it took almost an hour before someone read it and got excited. 

Van-isms

This kid cracks me up. I wish I carried around a notebook so I remembered to write down all the funny, sweet and out there things that come out of this child's mouth. 

Van has been very receptive to learning his manners and I think mostly learns from what he sees. When Derek and I started dating, Derek basically told me that I had poor manners so I am sort of OCD now about my please and thank you's (but if I owe you a thank you note right now please don't judge me - I promise to get one to you, hopefully before Christmas!)

Anywhoo, Van is such a sweet child. As we were leaving his Mimi's house last night he said, "thank you for having us over Mimi." Melted his Mimi's heart.

And today as he was playing in the backyard he asked for his wheel barrow. I told him I would get it for him and throw it down. It's this little plastic wheel barrow so I thought it could fall 12 feet and be fine. I dropped it over the side of the deck and the front wheel came off! I exclaimed, "OH NO!" And Van said, "Don't worry mommy, I fix it." No crying, no getting mad. Such.a.cool.kid. (He gets it from his daddy)

Then the other day as I was driving Van to school, Taylor Swift came on the radio. I turned up the volume and started singing along. i guess Van was not into my singing because over the radio I hear from the backseat, "IT'S TOO LOUD. I CAN'T HEAR MY CARTOONS!" Sooooooooooorrrrrrrrr-Y.

playing in his room = piling ALL his toys on his bed

riding his razor at mimi & papa's house

our little man

Belly Laughs

We got our first belly laugh out of Rory last night! Derek was changing her diaper and she spit up. When he went to wipe off her neck she let out the loudest, giggliest laugh. The look Derek turned to give me was priceless.

I can't wait to hear that sweet sound again.

3 months.......and growing

This last Saturday Rory turned 3 months. She continues to brighten our life everyday and amaze us with her gentle spirit.

Our 3 month wonder:

Rory, you sure know who we are. My favorite part of the day starts with picking you up, once you see me you squinch up your little button nose, inhale sharply in delight, giggle and flail your arms and legs!! It is the happiest greeting and you give the same hello to your daddy and big brother.

You are totally head-over-heels for Van. He does no wrong and seems to be your biggest source of entertainment. You look at him in wide eyed amazement and wonder. Don't worry sweets - you will be able to play with him in no time.

You are one lucky little girl to have a big brother who loves you so much. As soon as you wake up in the morning Van has to see you, hold you, hug and kiss you. And the first thing he does when he gets home from school is kiss your forehead and say, "hey Rory! How your day go?" He is very protective of you and it melts my heart seeing him with you.

You still sleep a lot during the day but I think you are going through a growth spurt because you are eating more often and not sleeping as long at night. 

Being hungry makes you hangry(hungry-angry) and this is the only time you really cry.

Staring at people is a favorite past-time of yours (when Van is not around). 

You love ESPN and watching cartoons with your brother.

I have no idea how much you are eating these days since you rarely take a bottle. But you are growing so you must be getting enough. Your clothes are size 6 months!

We need to do more tummy-time and you probably spend too much time in your car seat. Naps usually take place in the car seat but we're working on taking them in your bassinet.

You love to be held and we love to hold you. You won't be this little for long and we take full advantage of all the cuddles and sweet baby smell.

Your hand-eye coordination is on point and it's fun to watch you stare something down then grab onto it and pull.

Still no paci. Guess I should throw them all away. You prefer whatever fingers you can get into your mouth. (Van sees you doing this and pulls them out saying "don't suck on your fingers rory!")

When you are awake we spend a lot of time talking. You mimic my sounds pretty well and sometimes it sounds like you are saying, "Haaaaaaay!"

I need to get you a little mirror because you love to look at your reflection. As soon as you see that other baby your face lights up into the biggest smile. Strangers get the same reaction when they start talking to you.

We love you to the moon and back Smiley!

30 in 30

Derek is starting to train for an IronMan Triathlon (2.4mi swim, 122mi bike & 26.2mi run) by doing 30 runs in 30 days!

Inspiring right? Well, that's what I thought so I'm doing something similar - since I cannot run though I am doing at least 30 minutes of exercise for 30 days!

Right now I'm 2 for 2.

Wish us luck! Follow him on instagram to see his progress @derekutsey.

Eat, Drink & Be Scary!

I love Halloween. What's not to love, dressing in costume, knocking on neighbors' doors and getting treats!!

But this year I just did not get my stuff together. I happened to shower, do my hair and make-up so I could get a picture with my littles but did I? No, I did not.

I even brought our camera trick-or-treating and didn't take a single picture! What gives?

Dunno. But we had a spooktacular time!!

We met our closest neighbors (there are a group of us that get together often) loaded up with wagons, strollers and about 15 ghouls - we started our adventure. The kids enjoyed treats along the way while the adults enjoyed treats of their own - hot apple cider spiked with rum and marshmallow-caramel popcorn.

I think we should make that walk a monthly thing!

Van did not nap that afternoon. He is seriously trying hard to drop his naps. No nap = one tired little man so we were the first to drop out of the pack and head home. 

Wilson from Chuggington and A Pea in the Pod (Van picked out both costumes!)

bedtime stories with daddy

The best part of Halloween - eating candy before 8am!

And snuggles from little sis

Other fall photos:

watching football with daddy

jumping in the leaves

Hope everyone had a safe & happy Halloween. Can you believe it's already November???