Happy be-lated Thanksgiving!

Finally Thanksgiving weekend is over! I spent every moment I was not exhausted, or watching a movie with my kids and nephews cleaning the mess that came from Thanksgiving! But wow, it was such a wonderful time. We had a fantastic dinner, and fun as a family! Really was the best food we have had, and everyone was so nice and kind to each other. I was truly grateful for such a wonderful holiday.Hollee was the resident photographer as I was either cooking or resting, and thank goodness...she took a bunch! I had to sift through so many, I probably still have too many to post, but hey! I can do whatever I wanna do! Rex, Myles, Dad, and Lorelei AlexSamantha Some one pried my camera from Hollee!!! Me dishing up one of the boys the boys awaiting their dinner Mom, Jessica, and IDrinks for all! Pies! Timm made the punkin ones! the FIRST Cheese platter...We a cheesy family after all! Dressing the spread And Beans from Pioneer Woman! Chelle smooshing NicoleBraxton watching the kids play the Wii Annabelle trying to get to the dog food Peyton Zack being cheesy Ali holding Myles

Jack sneaking to the basement with crackers Myles

Andrew- holding Hollee hostage

Seems like I am always playing Catch up!

I am behind- again. But I am going to blame it on pregnancy. I can blame much on that these days right? My brain is so busy controlling the building of baby, the parts I actually USE seem pretty broken to me! I will blame my absentmindedness, my extreme irritation to everything around me, and my inability to shake the tired feelings on that..got it?

My baby girl turned 15 last week. To think that 15 years ago I spent that glorious November day waiting to become a mother, has flown by so fast, seems inconceivable. It seems like such a short time ago she was the most beautiful baby anyone had ever seen, only a few years ago...but no, its be 15 of them. Nicole is still the sweetest most beautiful girl I have ever seen, with a WHOLE ton of 15 year old attitude and obnoxious-ness thrown it. Sometimes I wonder how I arrived at a place where my daughter was a monster half of the time, and a dolly face the rest of it. I swear I did not do it on purpose, and I pray everyday that we will both survive her teen-age years, but I love her most none the less! I LOVE my Nicole! She is the best! (and at times..the hardest!) She is a hysterically funny girl, and ONCE in a while, she actually understands that we are playing around with her, and NOT picking on her! (its pretty rare though!)

Teresa made her a gorgeous birthday cake. It was so rich, I had like 3 bites...but again, blame that on pregnancy. I can't handle the sweets these days. They are icky! She loved her cake, though I think it was the only thing she loved that day. She told me that she was ABSOLUTELY not going to smile for her birthday picture, and this is really what she gave me. Yes, my 15 year old is a huge punk. Again blaming the pregnancy, I cried for an hour after she went to bed, because 1. she was a punk 2. I don't think she had a nice birthday and 3. I couldn't even get her a gift. (kinda happens when your income is reduced to zero.) The next day she apologized and said she had a great day and was being pretty selfish. But at least she can see the flaws...after the fact...seeing them before is a skill that has taken her mother many years to do...so I will not be too hard on her.

Dave set up the photo booth for her birthday party a few days later. Kira and her friends had to try it out. Its a funny thing to look through the photos that they take when they think no one is looking. I have to admit that she is a funny silly daughter.

Even more funny would have to be my son, and my grown brother. Do they not realize that I will find these blackmail material pictures, and make sure they are saved for our future posterity? If they have not figures that out...they do not know me at all. (THAT is not pregnancy related, I would do that anytime!)

Nicole said that her party was a blast, and I can tell that these kids are pretty much in their element. Acting idiotic is a talent honed and perfecting in their teen years.

Now we get to a fabulous Thanksgiving. But honestly, it was such a wonderful day, I will save the post for tomorrow, or the next day, just so I can savor this weekend for a FEW more moments.

Seeing our little cuteness pie.

Monday was a relief! 3 weeks ago the baby was in this breech position that made seeing most of its little body hard to see, and the tech was well, pretty worthless...after seconds she decided that we were not going to see anything and go home, come again...after printing up a picture of the baby's right arm. While I was REALLY glad the baby had a right arm- I couldn't help but think what a stupid worthless picture it was. Who wants to see a picture of our baby's right arm??? I am sure you are all lining up outside my house this very instant.

So Monday instantly I could see much much more! The tech ( a different one thankfully) was skilled at locating all sorts of things! Little feet, LEFT arms, kidneys, a bladder and so on, she was even suspecting of the correct gender, but was not quite sure. When she left to get the doctor, I thought he would be right in, but it took forever...much longer than it had ever taken before...and with the 8 ultrasounds I have had in the last 18 month ordeal, it was a bit worrisome. When he finally arrives, he says he is the HEAD of Maternal Fetal Medicine and he wants to take a look at our baby. Instead of the quick 5 minute glance that most doctors take, he proceeded to do another 25 minute ultrasound. I was starting to become really nervous! When I asked him if everything was alright, he said he was not seeing what he wanted to from our baby's heart. I tried to remain calm while he searched more, and I heard a sigh of relief- LITERALLY from the doctor when he says- "Oh there we go...there are the 2 ventricles, and I THOUGHT I saw 2 atriums...but I can only get one now...so I bet we are ok there..." I start to breathe again, and he says- just need two more things. After a moment of two he pointed out the baby's lip, "Which shows us that there is no cleft pallet," and I am feeling warm and fuzzy better. He looks at the notes and said the tech did not see a little diaphragm, but he said its quite clear for him and "If I do not stop this, your belly is going to be pretty sore, and so is my hand!"

He was all smiles at this point, and my terror subsided! What a scare! He ALMOST turned off the machine when my wits came back to me to remember to double check the gender of the baby, and again...this skilled guy could see everything the tech was not able to see- (its a teaching hospital...she will be great one day!) and he pulls up t he leg shot clear as day and pronounces our baby's gender. He was VERY sure- as are we. A great smile, and tears of joy, knowing that our little one is actually ok, after all that I have been through in the last 2 years settled upon me, and I have been unable to kick it yet!

Baby has been wild and crazy- and the kicks are almost painful since this morning. I can't believe we are actually here. that this little one is growing, and that I can actually buy it things. (And if you have not yet received your little scratch off card, you don't know what color I looking at!) But I can picture it now! I am so very excited!

I know some of you think I have been silly with my cards, but if you knew how hard it was for me to accept the promptings to even have this baby, and then the heartache the losses I had were, and the terror I felt for this little one for 20 weeks, you would know that doing something like this has helped me grow closer to this little baby, to help excite our family for its little arrival, and come to terms with the fact that this time, its actually going to happen. No more scary visits from Heads of Departments for me! too scary! We are keeping this baby!

Terrible time/ Awesome time- yes- that sums up this weekend. Sometimes the terrible stuff is so hard, I can't even talk about it. Tonight is one of those times.

I did have awesome times too. Lorelei bought her new lighting and did some beautiful pictures.
Michelle and Timm came and had fun with me. We ate very hot salsa.

Our baby dances away, and seems to be bigger and stronger everyday.

Much to be grateful for. And so I am.

fun- and 4 dollars

We have had a pretty great October. Dave has been doing well in school, I mostly have had a bit more energy, Jordan has really started getting Algebra, Nicole has been reconnected with much better friends, and Kira has ridden her bike more than she has all summer. We were so lucky to have our Lagoon Season passes this year. They really were so much fun for our family! If we would not have bought them, we probably would have had a pretty boring un-employed summer with very little to do. But as much fun as we had with them this summer- it was NOTHING compared to the fun of Lagoon in October! Frightmares was amazing! We have never really gone before, but it truly was wonderful! The weather was fabulous! The decor at lagoon this time of year is top notch, and they go all all out on the haunted houses!

Our favorite had to be the "The fun house of terror!" It was unlike most haunted houses we had ever seen- you know, the kinds with bloody ghouls, and icky lecherous scenes. This was decorated like a fun house! It was only filled with clowns, and strange rooms. As you enter you are handed a pair of 3-D glasses...and to be honest I thought- sure these are really going to make a difference.... But NO! It was like a trippy mind boggle-er. EVERYTHING stood off the walls, the clowns make up stood off of their faces, and rooms filled with seeming normal neon decor, were so confusing, you start getting really spooked! It was AWESOME! To anyone who has never been- Skip Lagoon in the summer- and save your pesos for Frightmares! Really really worth the trip!These doofy jackets were picture worthy. Mr. and Mrs. matchy matchy were behind us in the haunted house line... We hated these jackets so much I knew it was something to document for all time...they were the scariest thing we have ever seen!

There were these silly board cut outs every where, but we had a blast posing in them. At first the kids were party poopers- but I insisted they let me take pictures, and once they saw Dave and Alex being silly in them for me, they got into it. Thanks boys!

I really thought it was going to be a bummer not being able to ride anything all summer (although totally worth the sweet little baby I have kicking away right now,) but it was a blast watching the family have a great time! And I do have to say kudos to Dave and Kira who went on Rattlesnake rapids with me WAY too many times, because it was the only ride we felt I could go on. I know it got a little boring, but me being wet helped all of us! I am sure we will not be getting a season pass to Lagoon again this next year, probably the Zoo since it is so much cheaper, but we will do it again...another year!

All 3 kids carved their pumpkins free hand this year. Super great job- They put them out on the porch before I was even allowed to look. Nicole's Jordan's Kira's

We told the kids they would have to come up with costumes all on their own this year, seeing as though we could not buy anything. I told the kids, MAYBE 4 bucks a piece. Jordan was sweet enought to donate his 4 bucks to Nicole, and Kira gave Nicole half of hers. Jordan found the perfect costume out of what he already owned. Seriously- Great costume huh! Kira was pretty resourceful. He even painted his friends face who had nothing to wear.She borrowed one from a friend and only needed white hairspray. She ended up looking quite adorable...and a bit scary! Nicole wanted to be a bumblebee and made her own wings, while I made the yellow skirt. Dave took her old too small bra, and cut off the straps to hold the wings on. I think it turned out quite cute...a bunch more imaginative than her friends lady-bug costume, but I am allowed to be biased!

I am excited for November. I can't wait for the new year to get here! If I could will the holidays away quicker- we would have our baby that much faster!


I have more pictures I will add later- but this awful, horrible, evil, piece of garbage log-in on this crappy window based loser program is freezing up and dying. oh how I wish all my programs and cameras and everything else would run ok Linux or Ubuntu- I HATE windows. Rant out.