Big Announcement!!!!

We had a big doctor's appointment today, and we were able to find out that our newest addition is.....another GIRL. She looked so sweet on the ultra sound screen. It was lots of fun to see her and to see how much she has changed the last few weeks. Lawson and Sara Grace were excited to hear the news. We showed up at the house with pink balloons. (Lawson was a bit more excited about the balloons than the announcement). We are thankful to have this gift and we look forward to meeting her in March.

Here is the video of the big announcement to SG and Lawson.

Thanksgiving Celebration

Logan, Sara Grace, and Ella

Lawson couldn't understand why this place card holder hat couldn't fit him.

All the table decorations were made by the girls.

Our family photo


Our little Monday group had a Thanksgiving celebration for all three families. The girls have been learning about Thanksgiving this month and made lots of crafts. We decided to have a Thanksgiving feast with the families so the girls could show what they learned. The little girls decorated place mats, name tags, center pieces, hats, and cookies for the big feast. Each family also brought food to share. We ended the evening with a song that the girls learned, "Five Fat Turkeys"--super cute.

DO NOT READ ANIMAL LOVERS!!!

I know that many of you love animals, so I apologize for this post on your behalf. However, this has been and is a big part of my life. My dad and brothers were huge hunters my whole life and then I married a hunter. I don't really get into it, nor do I understand the super excitement that surrounds it. But all the men in my life sure do, and so this is a typical weekend for us hunter widows.

We went to Murfreesboro, TN were my brother Peter and his wife Sunshine live. We had so much fun. I am so sad that I don't have more pictures to show of the weekend, but my battery died after I took these photos.
Basically the guys were up and out the door by 5 a.m or 5:30 a.m. They would come home for lunch and then go out again for another hunt until dark.
Sunshine, the kids, and myself had a great time going for walks, shopping, going to the playground, and just playing in the house.
Since moving here, Bronson hasn't been able to hunt as much. So, he was pretty pumped to get a deer. Here are some photos, as Sunshine said, "of our redneck family."

So excited!

We are raising such prim and proper girls. (Bright and Sara Grace, hold that antler higher.)

Family Photo!! Uncle Pete, Bright, Decker John(not pictured), Daddy Deer, Mommy Deer, Bronson, Sara Grace, and Lawson

Surgery Day

Well, poor little Lawson had to have surgery on Tuesday. Unfortunately, when he was born, the first circumcision did not work and he had to have it done again. Lawson was such a trooper. We left at 4:30 a.m. and drove to Indy. Surgery began at 6:55 a.m. All went well including the waking up part. There was no screaming or throwing up. We were so thankful. He has been in pain the past few days, but he is really doing great. The first day, he did not try walking at all. However the next morning, he took some steps and has done great walking since. Lawson had been up at since 4 a.m. In this picture he is in the waiting room it is only 6:15. Hospital gown on and waiting to be taken into surgery. This moment shocked us. He sweetly walked back with the nurses on his own. He didn't resist (poor baby didn't know what was about to happen). Surgery over! Monkey and Lawson did great. We were so proud of him. Home at last. No walking took place today. Only sleeping and movie watching took place the rest of the day.

The following is a video of Lawson the very next morning. These are his first steps after surgery. It cracked me up the way he was walking. (You'll need to pause the music below).

Happy Birthday, Bronson!!!

We had quite a birthday planned for Bronson. Thanks to our party planner, Sara Grace. She had an elaborate day planned for her daddy. We had quiche for breakfast, picked up Cracker Barrel to go and took it Bronson's work for lunch, and then we had an Iowa Football team party for him at dinner: roast, mashed potatoes, and biscuits. Finally for dessert we had football cake.



His biggest present was that they broke ground on our house on his birthday! so exciting.

Pumpkin Patch

Since Sara Grace is being home schooled this year, we rotate each Monday with two other girls for some interaction and fun learning. Sara Grace loves Monday afternoons and thinks these other two moms are just the greatest teachers. Last Monday we went on a field trip to an amazing Pumpkin Patch. The kids had a blast. I was quite impressed with all they had to offer for such a good price. We will have to do this again next year for sure.

What a Pumpkin!

King of the HUGE haystack

Pumpkins scattered around the Christmas tree farm.

Best hay ride EVER!

Sara Grace and Lawson enjoying the view.

A huge jumping pillow or blob-they had a blast on this.

Pumpkin Day 2009

This year Sara Grace was determined to be "Mary the Mother of Jesus." We tried to convince her to be many other things but her mind was made up. The funniest part was that she wanted Lawson to be a part of it. You might think she would choose for him to be Joseph or a wise man, but that was not the case. She thought he would make the perfect donkey. I would have to agree.
So here is Mary the Mother of Jesus and her donkey............


Lots of our friends and their cute costumes.

Playing the piano at one of the Taylor dorms.