Long Time No Blog

Sorry I've been too busy for words. Short summary since last blog:

Replaced this:

With this: (Thanks centsiblesawyer for the $500 Walmart GC)

Celebrated E and I's birthdays:

His Birthday (Maggiano's and the Symphony):

My Birthday (Park Cafe):

Got these for my b'day from the Hubbs:

Bought These From Marti & Liz: (unbelievable deals on 'em)

Started school and dissected this:

Left old job where paychecks didn't cash and started old-old job again where I get to re-work with these awesome people.

Spent some time with these people and more:



Thats All!

OKC Christmas with Bethany's family -UPDATE

UPDATE: The baby's name is "Calvin" NOT "Calving" as I have typed in several places! I think I'm used to typing "ing" together. I wouldn't want you to think Shawn and JIll named their baby something that strange :)

Our family is so spread out with Trav/Reba/Zion in Pittsburgh, us in Nashville, Mom/Dad/Jordan in New Mexico, and Shawn/Jill/Calvin in OKC. But, we usually congregate in Oklahoma City because Aunt Susan and Uncle Brent, and Grandma and Grandpa also live nearby. Unfortunately Travis, Reba, and Zion couldn't make it to OKC this year because they had just moved and we missed them a ton. But, we are planning on going where they can go next year. We had such a great time with everyone. I absolutely love having a huge family. It is so wonderful. I really want to have a big family of my own and the only thing that is keeping me from it is the fear of saddlebags and stretch marks :) Maybe I'll adopt :)


Anyway, everyone was so generous with their giving. We appreciate it so much. Thank you Aunt Susan and Uncle Brent, Grandma and Grandpa, and Shawn and Jill for housing everyone for a week.

(The gang minus Grandma, Grandpa, Calvin, Trav, Reba, Zion)

Seeing Calving was, of course, the highlight of the trip ;) Here he is in all his cuteness.

Here is a quick video of him during bathtime. I thought I was just taking a regular picture but I had accidently hit video on my camera. Sorry I couldn't get it turned upright.

Christmas at the McAtee's - Springfield, MO

We were so glad to be able to see Erin's parents this Christmas since we didn't think we would get to. We got to see them on Christmas Day, no less!

It was extra meaningful because E's sister, Jennifer, had just been a serious car accident were her brand new Pontiac Solstice sustained major injuries, but fortunately Jennifer did not! She did get a pretty narly black eye though. The whole experience reminded us to be thankful for our families and God's provision.

Sharon and I have found something that we both enjoy doing: sewing. It was fun to discover this commonality and we both spent almost all of Christmas Day making fun things. She made me a really great dish carrier and I will probably begin making them for wedding presents! E's parents and sister were very generous as always. We got way too many awesome things. Thank you so much!

Erin's family and my family have very different Christmas traditions and it has been fun to be involved in some new ones. Erin's family is very particular about their wrapping. They always have the most beautiful packages under their tree and they put a lot of thought into it. My family is NOT that way... some of our packages probably have duct tape on them :) Anway, I've enjoyed wrapping pretty packages.

Crafty Christmas

This year I made several gifts. It was fun being crafty and creative.

I made this coloring roll for Zion. Reba can carry it in her purse and pull it out when she needs Z to keep occupied (i.e. restaurants and church). It has pockets for crayons on the left, finished artwork in the middle, and fresh paper on the right. Sorry I could't get some of the photo's to turn.

I made bibs for Calvin....these are pics of some of the ones I made Amber because I forgot to take pics of Cal's. But, a few of them were similar so I posted those. (My favorite one for Cal was one with chili peppers all over it and it said "CALiente" :)

Tree Lighting Wrap Frock GIVEAWAY!!!!

Once again, trying to win something for Z. Keeping my fingers crossed.


Tree Lighting Wrap Frock GIVEAWAY!!!!

Dinner Party Frock GIVEAWAY!!!!

Dinner Party Frock GIVEAWAY!!!!

Dancing Family + Charlotte

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Date Nights

Erin and I decided last week that we need to consciously have a date night once a month. Somehow, in the midst of school, work, Dave Ramsey, and being just plain old busy, we have forgotten to do this. I cook almost every meal (although is very helpful and fends for himself when I'm working) and we usually eat in front of the TV with our laptops on our lap working. Really romantic :)

So, here is our deal:
- Date nights once a month
- A date cannot involve laptops and TV (unless of course we're watching lost/or a movie from our hard drive then it counts)
- If cooking is involved it is a team effort.
- A date does not have to involve money but does have to be something that involved a little extra effort in both appearance and activity.
- Bethany cannot wear her comfy ugly yellow p.j./lounge pants on date night.

Our first monthly date night was this past Wednesday. We went to macaroni grill for dinner, then did a bit of shopping at Opry Mills, and then looked at the Christmas decorations at Opryland Hotel. We couldn't find anyone to take our picture so this is all I've got.

Thanksgiving

A little late and anti-climactic now, but here ya go!

(We were past the tired phase and at the goofy phase)

We spent Thanksgiving in Springfield, MO with Erin's parents and had a nice time.

(Aren't we cute?)

We all took part in the cooking. It was a delicious meal. Erin made pineapple cheese casserole, and I made Mom's (Schenk) stuffing and an amazing homemade butterscotch pie.

We also went rollerskating which was lots o fun.
(Lookin' a little pale and matchy matchy)

(Beautiful pic of Jenn!)

(Sharon rollerskating)

Recital Frock GIVEAWAY!!!!

Recital Frock GIVEAWAY!!!!

Girls Weekend + 2 Guys.

update: Lindsey made me feel bad for putting up the bad pictures of my friends. so to show I'm not a horrible friend I took them down.

I've already been made fun of for my pageant pose...leave it alone :)

This weekend Jessica came into town. It had been 3 months since her last visit which is unacceptable but also unusual.

On Friday, Scott, Brittany, and Jennie came over to the house to hang out with Jessica, Erin, and me. We usually play games or something but it had been so long since we hung out that we just ordered pizza and talked. It was so awesome to see them! We suck at taking pics when we hang out so I was proud of the amount that I took this weekend....that is until I saw the pictures. At least they'll be useful for blackmail :)

Britt's Blackmail Pic

(taken down per Lindsey)

Jess's Blackmail Pic
(taken down per Lindsey)

My Pepto Blackmail Pic


Pregger's Brittany!



The group - No blackmail pic for Jennie - Bummer :)