Christmas Recap

We had a wonderful Christmas this year!  Lincoln definitely enjoyed it more than last year but not near as much as I think he will next year.  Everytime he opened a present he would say "Wow."  He enjoyed the act of opening them more than the actual toy at times.  He was definitely spoiled ROTTEN by all the love, attention and gifts during our 5 day trip.  Cory and I, of course, were not left out and were given way more than we deserve.  It was a joy to spend some with our families and to find out at the same time we would be having a girl!  Such a treat.  All that being said, here are the pics from Christmas!

Opening presents at Pop-pa Don's

Christmas morning at Papa and Gigi's

 Christmas at Mimi and Poppy's

Dragging Lincoln all over definitely started to be apparant towards the end of the trip.  He is a pretty good traveler but too many days out of his routine and not sleeping in his own bed really starts to catch up with him.  He slept extra long at night and took extra long naps the few days we were back home. 

And this is this is the only picture we took of our family at Chrstmas so I will post it again.

Spilling the beans

Just to back track a little bit, I have to tell the story of how I told Cory I was pregnant.

I took a pregnancy test the morning of Cory's birthday (August 16).  The test came back VERY FAINTLY positive but positive nonetheless.  I debated all day if I should tell Cory or just take another test the next morning and see if it was any darker.  By noon that day I had convinced myself to wait and tell him tomorrow.  However, once I got home and made his birthday dinner I decided to just go for it.  So, when he got home we had dinner and he opened presents.  After he opened all his wrapped gifts I told him he had one more gift in the kitchen.  He said "O, did you make me a cake?"  I just laughed it off.  So he looked around the kitchen a minute and then I said, "You have to look in the oven."  So when he opened the oven door this is what he saw...

It took him a good 5 or 6 seconds before he turned around while still hunched over and said "Are you for real?"  I busted out laughing.  {It is a "bun in the oven" in case you are confused}.  It is VERY rare that I can truly surprise Cory so this was a classic moment.  He was of course very excited and I was glad I was finally able to tell him after keeping it a secret all day!  I did explain to him that it was faintly positive but that I took the test WAY early so it could be wrong.  Although I felt like I was pregnant.  I took a test the next day and it was much darker.  I then had my blood drawn twice within 48 hours and all my levels were doubling like they should. 

Next, we were on to tell our parents.  We waited about 2 weeks later {Labor Day weekend} to tell our parents.  My parents were coming up for the weekend and I had been feeling pretty sick so I knew I would have to tell them or they would figure it out.  When we told them we were pregnant with Lincoln we gave them a heart-shaped box (since my due date was Valentine's Day) with Baby Ruth bars in them and the ultrasound pictures.  So this time we decided to again be creative with the delivery of our news.  We brainstormed ideas and decided we would go with an "umbrella" theme since the baby was due in April.  We also decided to keep "Baby Ruths" as part of it too since we did that last time.  So Cory came up with the idea of tying the Baby Ruth candy bars to the underneath side of the umbrella so they would dangle down when opened up. 

So, on Friday night after my parents arrived we chatted for a little bit and then Cory brought up to my dad (the weather buff) the topic of all the hurricanes hitting the East coast.  Then Cory walks in the dining room, opens the umbrella with dangling Baby Ruth bars and walks back in the living room.  He then says "Well I hear there is a big hurricane coming next April called Hurricane Babe".  My mom got it right away but not so much my dad.  It took him a little while to figure it out.  I was sitting the couch crying I was laughing so stinkin hard!  Here is a picture I took later of Cory with the umbrella.

Cory told his parents using the Hurricane Babe story too but over the phone.  His dad caught on pretty fast but his mom cracked us up.  She did not get it at first and told Cory there was no way that the weather people could predict this far out about hurricanes.  We were rolling on the floor.

We have definitely had fun with sharing our news!

Papa and Gigi's

Last week we spent a few days at my parent's house.  My SIL and nieces were staying there while my brother and nephew were in Wyoming on a mission trip.  Also, a bonus is that my cousin Jordan flew into town to visit as well.  I loved seeing so many fun girls at one time!  For the most part we lounged around Papa and Gigi's house.  One day, we (Heather, my two oldest nieces, Jordan and myself) went to Wild River Country for a few hours!  It was overcast so we were actually able to stay about 4 hours. We rode some rides with the girls and really had a lot of fun.  The babies (Story and Lincoln) stayed at home with Gigi. 

Summer and Tilly had fun putting barrettes and rollers in Jordan's hair!

 And Tilly dressed up in her new chef outfit from Cory, Juie and Lincoln.

And Jordan also managed to sqeeze in some time with Lincoln too.  He really liked Jordan although the pictures might lead you to believe otherwise!

And we were also able to celebrate Gigi's big news on her new job!  She has been without a job for three months and accepted a position at a new company on Wednesday.  Congrats mom!!

taken with my iphone

We had a great visit and always look forward to seeing these faces again! 

And just for a side note, this was the first time I took Lincoln by myself  on a road trip!  The trip there was slightly rough but on the way home he slept about 2 of the 3 hours! 

Beach Vaca: Day Four

On Wednesday morning, we headed back out to the beach!  Lincoln enjoyed the beach a little bit more this time.  He especially loved sitting on the shore and letting the water run up on his legs. 

Lincoln waving at everyone on the beach

Getting a drink with some help from Pa-Pa

That evening, my SIL arranged for us to have our pictures taken on the beach by Ken Rada Photography.  He took 361 pictures!  Here are just a few of my favorites.

Thanks, Heather for arranging the pictures for us.  They are definitely ones we will treasure for years to come.