New York @ Christmas

We got to go again to NYC during Christmas time this year. I love just walking around and taking in all the sights and Christmas decor. It's one of my favorite places to be at my most favorite time of year. We met up with Clay and Cara Conly who were visiting from Northwest Arkansas and went and ate at Serendipity 3 and went to the Top of the Rock and I conquered my fear of heights... well, kinda. We also got to see the Rockettes and shop a lot!! Here are some pics from the weekend.

New Niece

The Wednesday before Thanksgiving Emily Catherine Mays was born in Little Rock. We got to spend some time with her over Thanksgiving and she is the sweetest, most perfect little baby ever. It made me even more ready to meet Finley!! I am so glad that both Brooke and I are having girls so close together so they can be best buds. Brooke and Tom are such a great parents and it's so nice to have someone that has just gone through what you are going and are about to go through for both Richard and I.

Christmas Decor

Since I've had my Christmas decorations up for a good month now I thought I would take some photos to share. I love decorating for Christmas and my hubby is so good about helping out. Last year we didn't get to put up a tree due to lack of room in our little apartment, so this year I went all out and put up all that would fit in our townhouse.

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Christmas, Christmas, Christmas! Can you believe that it's already almost here?? It's always been my most favorite time of year. I love to see kids get excited and I can't wait till next year when Finley will be here. They say that as you get older the excitement of Christmas tapers off but I don't think so. It's more than just the presents and decorations now... I love the way it makes you feel and just being together with the ones that you love.

Here are a few of my favorite Christmas things:

• Christmas Eve afternoon at Mamaw's and that night at Memaw's
  
• My dad reading the Christmas Story from Luke every Christmas morning.
  
• Christmas Eve candlelighting service at Church
• My family. All of them. The Hays' and the Vanhook's are the best people to spend holidays with.
• My little cousins anticipating Santa
  
• Martina McBride's "White Christmas"... the best Christmas CD ever, although last year Clay Aiken gave her a good run for her money
• Driving around and looking at Christmas lights
• Seeing a bunch of cars outside of a house because you know a family is celebrating
• Driving past Wal-mart on the way back from my Grandma's house and hearing my dad say, "Look now kids, you won't see that parking lot empty again till next year!!" (<--it's a tradition)
• Big fat colored lights
• Gaggers!
  
• Richard always having at least one surprise up his sleeve.
  
• Nativity Scenes
• Smells of Christmas... cinnamon, pine, apple cider, christmas cookies, etc.
• Jesus...

I know that it is so cliche to say that Jesus is the reason for the season- but it's true. I hope that during all the hustle and bustle of this time that we all remember why we celebrate. I hope everyone has wonderful holiday season!!!

Turkey Outreach

Richard and I along with our small group had the opportunity to help out with a Thanksgiving outreach with our church. We helped box up over 250 dry food boxes and delivered those with Turkey dinner boxes to families in inner city DC. It was really an amazing experience and we are so glad we had this opportunity to share Christ with others. We always say how blessed we are but never really realize it until you are put in a situation like that. All morning as we walked around and handed them out I thought to myself, "why am I so lucky ?" and "why isn't this me that someone is delivering to?" I don't know all the answers to the hard questions but I am so thankful for what I have and whose I am.

O Give thanks unto the Lord;
for he is good:
because his mercy endureth for ever.

Psalms 118:1

Farewell Good Friend!!




Oliver made is final flight last Tuesday to go and stay permanently with with his Grammy and Pops in Arkansas. Richard and I made this tough decision when we started thinking about Finley coming home and we decided that it wouldn't be fair for Oliver. My parents graciously opened their home so we will still get to see him when go home but it was still harder than we thought!! He will always be our first "child" and we love him, but we know it was the right decision. (Many of you probably think it's a good thing after see how he gets dressed up!!)

Williamsburg

Richard and I spent the weekend before Thanksgiving in Williamsburg, VA. It was fun just getting away from the city and Williamsburg is a really pretty old town. We went to Yorktown on Sunday but the weather was not cooperating so we cut it short. I am not really that in to all the history stuff but my hubby loves it so I go along and nod and pretend to know what he's talking about. We all know he puts up with me without complaining so it's really the least I could do.
Here are some pics from the weekend-

I finally popped!!

Halloween is over let's Hear it for Santa!

Halloween is over let's Hear it for Santa!

Holiday Edition of Getting to Know Your Friends
Welcome to the 2006 Holiday Edition of Getting to Know Your Friends! Enjoy!! Everyone has time for a few moments of fun! Don't be a scrooge!!!

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Hot Chocolate
2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? Wraps
3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? White lights
4. Do you hang mistletoe? kissing ball
5. When do you put your decorations up? I have already started!
6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? Sweet Potato Casserole with lots of brown sugar and butter!!
7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child: Santa bringing Princess, the most beautiful dog in the world, in 2nd Grade
8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? Very young.... that's what happens when you have a ruthless older brother
9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Only at Mamaw's and Memaw's house
10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? With red and apple green whimiscal ornaments!
11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? Love snow- not ice (especially with snow days!!)
12. Can you ice skate? No- I would break a limb
13. Do you remember your favorite gift? Can't remember 1 specific one
14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Being with all my family and continuing our traditions
15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? Hello Dollies
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Christmas Eve candlelighting service at church and big breakfasts on Christmas morning
17. What tops your tree? gold star
18. Which do you prefer giving or Receiving? The older I get the more I like giving than recieving
19. What is your favorite Christmas Song? O Holy Night and Holly Jolly Christmas and I'll be home for Christmas and..... can you really pick a favorite??
20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum? yum- (if it's the only thing sweet you got!)

Last Weekend

Last weekend we had some friends from Northwest Arkansas come visit us. We love having visitors and it's always nice to hear someone else with a Southern accent! We went to NYC for the weekend where fall was in the air.... here are a few pics from the weekend.

Central Park

Skating Rink- Is it winter yet??

My silly Husband

Beautiful Fall Colors

Mums in Central Park

Carmen and I in Little Italy

It's A....



Girl!! We found out Friday and as far as they can tell we're having a girl. I am so excited!! I always said that I wanted a boy first, mostly cause I have an older brother, but when I got pregnant for some reason I really wanted a girl! Her name will be Finley Grace Vanhook- no reason for the name we just both really like it and it's a little different.

We are mostly thankful that everything they could see on the ultrasound is normal and they said that she looked great!! She was being very active in there (maybe cause I had a carmel latte before going in there to help get her hyper!) which is weird cause I still don't feel like I feel her yet. She's pretty cute and I can't wait for all you to meet her.

OK... I've been sucked into the life of blogging. I have never understood the significance of blogging, but I think that it is more or less just journaling your life... so here I go. There have been so many times that I have thought, "I need to write this down!" Of course, I never do, and the precious memories are forgotten and I know it's only going to get worse with kids.

The next few months will be exciting for me and my family and living so far away this is a good way for everyone to keep up. Richard and I are expecting a baby at the end of March. We are very intimidated by this huge responsibility but are confident that the Lord does not give you anymore than you can handle. We are excited and we find out in 2 days whether or not it will be a boy or girl so it's about to get really real.

I hope all who read enjoy and please feel free to comment.