2009 a year in review

Our family at the beginning of 2009

As 2010 looms ahead, I feel the need to look back on 2009. This year started out so differently than it ended.

In February, Trevor and I started P90X. We were workout machines. We saw changes in our bodies we never thought possible, even in a short time.

In March, on day 38, I found out I was pregnant and things changed greatly.

In April, Trevor's family suffered the loss of his unborn niece, Chloe Grace. It was so very sad and truly impacted Trevor. We never took for granted what a blessing our children are, at any age or stage of our last pregnancy.

In June, Trevor was laid off from his job of ten years. It still seems weird. Thankfully he was pretty busy with his handyman business and almost without missing a beat, he has made that his full time gig. We have been blessed. He has worked everyday of 2009 and has jobs pending for 2010.

In July we had a great family vacation to San Francisco. We also found out we were having another boy! That makes FOUR!

At the Crab House in San Fran

In August, CJ moved to Belton and Kendrick officially moved here to attend his senior year at Elgin High. CJ not being here daily has been really hard for me, thankfully he is close and we see him often.

August marked another loss in Trevor's family. Travis was diagnosed with testicular cancer and after a short battle, passed away on August 26th. This was extremely hard for everyone. We still miss him greatly and our hearts are saddened by him not being here physically with us.

November couldn't come soon enough for me. Pregnancy was rough, especially near the end. We were slated for a delivery on November 16th, but our little guy had different ideas. Hamilton Shane arrived on November 10, 2009. He weighed 9lbs 13oz and completed our family. The past seven weeks have been amazing with him and I have never been more full of joy and happiness as I am with our whole family. Hollister has adjusted to big brotherhood so well and having Kendrick here has been an incredible help.

As we look toward 2010, I know more big things arrive. The year will be filled with "firsts" for Hamilton and come June, graduation for Kendrick. We'll continue to work our business and bind our family. I am excited about what lies ahead...

Our family at the end of 2009

Gingerbread Houses 2009

It's that time again. Our 5th year, let the fun begin!!!

Hollister is old enough to make his own house. I did give him a structure to start with though. He had a small Goldfish box to create his house from. He knew what to do and he was aware that candy was involved this year too. He loved his little house, until he saw the big houses.
Maybe next year...
CJ's house:

Kendrick's house turned into a sports complex. Can you tell we are a divided household?

Mom's house

Trevor's house: Check out the basketball goal on the shed.

Trevor mastered the roof, check out these supports. And, he actually used a real tool to spread his icing. I think he has a sickness, really.

Santa Claus is comin' to town....

And he has NEVER been cuter!

5 weeks old

Wow, having a newborn keeps me very busy, I feel like I never have time to update stuff, so here we go....

Hamilton is 5 weeks old today. He had his 1 month check up yesterday. It was a little late due to our spur of the moment trip to Dallas last week. Thank goodness Aunt Mandy was there to help us. She helped me stay organized and sane.

Last Tuesday, the boys and I had dentist appts. Trevor was in Dallas working. We were on the phone and Trevor missed us greatly. So, wild hair, I packed up the younger boys and headed to Dallas for the week. Kendrick stayed here and went to school. Fun for him, huh? Actually, he LOVED it. He was home alone for 4 days. He was quite the home maker. He did laundry, made muffins, cleaned his bathroom and did his laundry. He even washed his bed sheets!

Hamilton did great in the car. I was so glad. My kids HAVE TO BE car riders.... We did have to stop for a feeding, but then it was back to sleep.

We were very fortunate this trip. We were able to see a lot of family.

This is Peyton. She and Hollister are 5th cousins (we think). Peyton is the granddaughter of Trevor's second cousin, so if we lived in Arkansas, they could date. They live near Dallas and we were able to visit them and play. Peyton is almost 5 years old. They had a blast together. In this picture they are fishing. She had a kitchen with plastic food and it was HUGE hit with Hollister. He played for hours. Maybe he'll be a chef one day.

Aunt Kim
Coincidentally, Kim was in Dallas for a shopping trip. It was perfect timing!

We came home Saturday and had more family time. Trevor's youngest sister is in town from Colorado to visit.

Aunt Mandy

The whole family here in Elgin.... Uncle Josh and Aunt Nikki
We had game night with family and friends and dinner together one night as well.

In Dallas, the boys and I met up with one of my sisters and her youngest, John for some play time at the mall while Trevor worked. This way, we were not in his way or bored. At first John was asleep and Hollister wouldn't play on the toys. They both warmed up though and had a blast. The play area was all about Looney Tunes and loads of fun.

What's Up Doc?

He LOVED this tongue slide for some reason.

My little Stinker!

John, the daredevil. He is on top of Tweety's head.

These are the "tongue's" toes. I thought this was so cute!

And, last but not least, this is what Hamilton did the whole mall trip.

Just plain freaky!

It is just plain freaky how similar these two boys are! Check out the left arm and leg, both out to the side and the head pointed the exact same way. My husband can truly clone children!

Aren't they precious!

3 weeks old

Hamilton is 3 weeks old today. He is getting bigger and bigger everyday. He eats, sleeps and poops. That's about it right now.

He is starting to be awake a little more each day, but mostly, he is awake at night still and sleeps during the day.

Hollister is doing fantastic as a big brother. He wants to share everything with Hamilton and is always wanting to give him kisses and see his eyes. Becoming a big brother has been a very good thing for him.