she is here!

With hearts absolutely FULL of joy and gratefulness, we announce the arrival of our sweet miracle, Emily Grace. Born on 9/18, weighing 7 lbs 11 oz and measuring 19 1/2 in. We. are. smitten. :)

"someday" has come...a summer recap

So, it's been more than a year since I blogged. Good grief. What have I been doing? Well, a lot, just like most everyone else I know. I've thought about blogging so many times in the last year. Just haven't followed through. I've decided now is the time. There is much to catch up on, but I'll start with just our summer since that seems way less overwhelming than the past year or more. :) Then I'll try to catch up on other happenings in the coming days/months.

Here are some quick highlights of our summer happenings including a few snapshots along the way...

May: Celebrated Mother's Day with the Chipmans visiting. Took lots of belly pics. Got some sweet pics of Baby Chipman. Wrapped up Ab's first year of preschool with a field trip to Miller Park Zoo in Bloomington. Had dinner and a great visit with John's best friend from college and his family as they were traveling cross-country to land on the East coast again with the Navy. Took a short, but wonderful, family trip to Indy to visit the Zoo and Children's Museum. Enjoyed the first of our many trips to the pool. Celebrated my 35th birthday.

June: Planted our first garden...and what fun it has been! Took lots more belly pics. Celebrated our 10th anniversary with a trip (sans Abby) to St. Charles, MO. Such memorable trip, and one that was way overdue. Beyond grateful for my sweet hubby. Celebrated Father's Day at the Chipmans' and had a great visit with John's Aunt Nancy who was visiting from Nashville.  Spent lots of time at the pool...and watched Ab make huge strides in swimming. Yay! Took Ab to her first drive-in movie...Cars 2. Such fun!! Watched our garden grow. Watched the building progress of Ab's future school in our back yard.

July: Endured one HOT month by spending lots more time at the pool. Whew! I've never been so grateful for the pool. Watched Ab make even bigger strides in swimming. We call her "Nemo" now. :) Celebrated the 4th weekend with two different cookouts. Lots of fun! Enjoyed another fantastic VBS at FCC. What a (tiring, but) great week. Celebrated our niece, Holly's, 17th birthday in Springfield. Watched our garden flourish...with daily waterings. Watched my belly grow, grow, grow. :) Endured a computer crash. :/ Got a fantastic deal on a netbook. :) Yay! Enjoyed a trip to KY to visit my family and meet my sweet new nephew, Aven. So stinkin' cute!

Other than our day-to-day playing in the sprinkler, making cookies, having picnic lunches, visiting the park, napping because Mom is worn out...those were our summer highlights. It was another great one!

The summer really ends in July for us since August now equals school. Next up...the start to Ab's second year of preschool.