It's a BOY!

So unless you are a stalker who doesn't really know me or my family then you probably already know that we are expecting #2. If you don't know and you consider me a friend then maybe we should catch up via phone or email. Anywho, I thought I would make it official on our blog and share that we are pregnant and it's a baby boy. Emmy is going to be a big sister and has no idea how her world is going to be turned upside down. Baby Boy Carter is due to arrive at the end of March. We are super excited to meet him and for your viewing pleasure, here are a few pictures of my big ol' belly!

Making the Most of a Little Snow!

We went to bed Friday night with snow falling and woke up with enough to cover the ground and make a mini snowman for Emmy. This was the first "snow" Emmy has played in and really experienced. She hated getting on her snow gear but once was got out there and playing she warmed up to it all.

Happy Birthday to Me!

Most of you know that my birthday is in December and all of us know that December comes and goes quicker than a blink. So this year Joel and I picked a date in January (last night) and celebrated my 30th birthday! We put Emmy to bed and then had an AWESOME dinner - Filet Mignon, baked sweet potato, green beans and chocolate pie! Let me just say it was the best meal ever - he grills a kick butt steak. After dinner we settled in on the couch and watched a movie that I picked out (Crazy Stupid Love). It was a great night - Thanks Joel!

New Years

We drove to Philly to be with the Dixon crew for New Years Eve. We also did Christmas and Emmy loved pulling things out of her stocking from Nanet and Paul Paw. We had a great time playing games and of course eating lots of yummy food. I just realized I don't have very many pictures from New Years in Philly (sadface). But here are a few that I do have. Ooooo maybe I have more pictures on my phone...stay tuned!

Random Adventures in December

So December was full of new fun things for Emmy to do and explore. So I thought I would share random pictures from our adventures.

Emmy was very helpful in unpacking Christmas decorations and almost made me pee in my pants!

Emmy loves climbing on any and everything

Emmy's first candy cane ever! She enjoyed to say the least.

Emmy was a big help in picking out our Christmas Tree.

One of Emmy's favorite ways to help mommy in the kitchen is to empty off the "pantry" shelf on to the floor and climb up on the shelf!

Christmas Time

Christmas with the Carters. We had a great Christmas weekend with almost the whole Carter crew. Joel's mom and dad and sister arrived early Friday am. We had a restful day Friday and did a little shopping. Friday night we had a lovely dinner at Jim and Dottie's house with the Palmer Fam and Grandma Jean. Saturday (Christmas Eve) we ventured downtown and saw some sites, including the misshapen National Christmas tree, ice skating and hot chocolate made the day complete. That evening we all went separate ways and we the immediate Carter's had a yummy lasagna dinner and then went to church where Joel had a reading and did a fabulous job. Christmas we fun but busy. We started early with presents and stockings (Emmy had fun opening and sharing) Then off to church (I had nursery) then home to start the cooking. We hosted the whole crew (all 13) for a yummy Christmas Dinner. It was a great time with the family and we feel very blessed to have hosted some of the weekend!

Ice Skating in the sculpture garden

The National Christmas tree where we got to see Santa in his workshop

Christmas Eve service and family pictures!

Aunt Emily provided a warm coat and hat to match Emmy's Christmas Eve gown! Thanks Aunt Emily

Christmas morning opening presents

Loving on Grandpa

Thirteen people sitting down to eat Christmas Dinner!

Time with Grandma Jean

Dessert and PJs all day!

Patton (Aka Grandma) and Aunt Dorothy

One last visit with Grandma Jean

Thanksgiving 2011

So I am going to try and catch ourselves up on the blog. Lots to share and even more pictures! We will start with Thanksgiving. The Friday before Thanksgiving Kelly Ann, Charlotte, Emmy and I headed to New Bern, NC to stay with my mom and dad for a few days before heading to Sunset Beach for the McCurry Thanksgiving! It was great being able to see mom and dad's new house and neighborhood. We also had a few minutes to do some shopping at Hallmark and sit in Santa's Chair. The visit was visit was complete with shopping at Hallmark, chocolate chip pancakes and lots of cousin adventures!

Mom and Dad bought Emmy and Char matching PJs. Aren't they cute?

Sunday we headed down to Sunset Bch where the weather was BEAUTIFUL in the 70s. Where we had lots of girl time on the beach! Emmy also showed her Patriots spirit on Game Day!

Time with Aunt Kelly

Practicing her football stance!

Nanet is a big kid at heart and helped the girls get sandy and wet!

Because the whole Dixon crew was together we tried to take some family photos...I think we managed to get one good one of the group and a few of each individual family too!

The ride home wasn't too bad, especially cause we joined up with Mark, Kelly and Charlotte and shared the ride! Emmy was pooped and slept most of the way! Overall the trip was great and always good to see family. - Until Next Year Sunset Beach