Our little pumpkin patch is expanding!!

So again, out of order....but we got some very exciting news in October. 

What is growing in our pumpkin patch??

We're having another baby girl!  So excited to see sisters.  I've always treasured mine, so I hope Elizabeth is as lucky as me to have the same relationship.  Now we need to decide a name and get the nursery ready...we're running out of time!

Halloween

So a little out of order, but we had a wonderful Halloween.  First, we closed on the house.  That was wonderful.  But we also had dress up day at Kindermusik (I forgot my camera), a Halloween party at the library (lots of yummy treats), and then went trick or treating in downtown Kingsport with Aunt Melissa.  Elizabeth was a fairy at all events and seem to have a lot of fun.  She was in awe of all the other kids dressed up, particularly when she saw a few Disney Princesses.  We really enjoyed everything, but I think Elizabeth loved the Halloween party most of all, since not only did she get lots of treats, but they played party games. See the pics below.

Halloween Day- Trunk or Treating Downtown Kingsport

Mommy and Princess Elizabeth

I can have candy?

Trick or Treating with Daddy

Aunt Melissa Downtown Kingsport

Melissa and my pumpkin- Awesome

Elizabeth's pumpkin- She loved it!

The aftermath- Look at all that candy!

Library Party!

She LOVED the games!

The tree comes down

So those of you who saw the house before the tree came down, know this was a feat and deserving of its own post.  For those that don't, let me explain.  Apparently someone long ago planted their Blue Spruce Christmas tree out in front of the house.  Then they forgot about it, or decided nature should take it's course.  It was an industrious tree, and grew until it towered above the house.  It was so big, they had to cut the limbs off so it would fall correctly (it was too heavy!!). 

So Dad, Jerry, Paw, and Mark got to work on November day.  First both Jerry and Dad climbed into the tree and cut the limbs.  Paw made a joke about Dad cutting the limb the was standing on, then Dad did cut the limb he was standing on. That's when I went inside for a bit.  Anyway, after they cut off a bunch of the limbs, Jerry notched the tree in the middle and they pulled it (Mark in the truck with the wire attached) down.  Then they notched the bottom and brought down the rest.  It was a feat.  They have since cut it into pieces, and we have carried a bunch off.  However, it was so huge we still have a ton in the yard.  Limbs are everywhere...

By the way, anyone want any Pine?? ;)

New House

So last you heard we had bought a new house.  Well, we after a month of work we are in the house and have had our first Christmas here!  I cannot say enough about everyone who helped us.  We really appreciated all the hard work and thanks to you all we have a very comfortable home.  Most of all, my parents deserve the most praise.  Dad and Mom were over at the house every step of the way working.  I cannot tell you how much time and energy they have spent helping us.  It's more than we could ever repay or deserve!!

To let you know how much was done, we first started painted.  Every room except the master bath was painted.  In most cases, the rooms had to be primed (there was a lot of paneling) and then two coats added.  It was a LOT of work (understatement of the year).  Dad even painted my cabinets which are a pretty green (I think everyone was shocked with the color choice, but most agree it looks good).  All of this took most of the month, to emphasize how much work this was, out of the whole month I think Dad didn't paint two days.  Yikes!! We also had the floors refinished (they look great!!), and a lot of the electrical outlets have been changed over (thank you Jon!).  A kitty door was installed (thanks, Will!) and the doors were also installed (thanks, Mr. Crow).  I got new solid surface counter tops, microwave, range, and dishwasher.  It may be small, but I LOVE my new kitchen.

We finally moved in the first week of December.  It took awhile to get stuff settled, but we've done well, especially considering at the same time we were decorating for Christmas.  We still have stuff at Mom and Dad's, but hopefully we'll get all of it out soon. 

We still have several projects left.   Cleaning up the rest of our massive tree (see other post), organizing the basement, making/hanging curtains, hanging blinds, fixing a new backsplash in the kitchen, and finishing out a few trims etc.  But all in all, it looks pretty good, and I'm really proud of us!

The really scary part, I have to get out boxes to put away the Christmas stuff!!

Bad Blogger

So I haven't posted anything in months!! Ack!  But I'm going to try and do better.  First I'm going to update everyone on what has happened these past few months.  I'm going to do this in several posts.  It's easier for me to keep my thoughts organized this way.  Hope you enjoy!

The house hunt is over!

So more exciting news.  We have finally found a house!!  Located in Sullivan County near Colonial Heights, it is a 1940's ranch that has been added onto.  One floor living with the benefit of having a basement, attic, carport, and garage for storage etc.  Greatest of all, four acres of land for the Nut to run around on.  So we need to be on the lookout for a swingset, tiller (got to have a garden), and lawnmower.  Two of those things I'll probably have my Uncle Jerry help us out with.  It's also in a great school district (not the city, but the only county school that can compete with the city schools).

The house does need some work: refinishing floors, paint, new kitchen appliances, fencing, and a tree needs to come down.  But no major work that we know of...the house inspector hasn't done the inspection yet.  The loans are settled and we are in the process of getting everything rolling.  It looks like a close date of October 29th.  After that we'll have probably two weeks of work before moving in.  Anyone who wants to join in construction or moving is very welcome to come.  I'll supply food and lots of Nut time for anyone who comes.  Expect to receive a moving card in November with our new address, just in time for Christmas cards.  Ha, ha.

Doctor found!

So I was really disappointed with the recommendation our specialist gave us in Johnson City.  I had some other recommendations for Johnson City, but to be honest we were a little worried about the number of physicians in the practice.  We asked and questioned every source we had for more recommendations.  Thanks to a high school friend of mine, we came across our present doctor.  She has some great perks, including: good education, long practice, with Holston Valley (has a NICU), female, small practice (of only females), free 4D ultrasound (not my fav, I think they are a little creepy, but interested to see it work), listened to my worries (didn't dismiss me at all) and very friendly.  After weeks of searching, I'm very happy that we found her.  Most importantly, we finally set the date for the big ultrasound.  October 20th!!  So I've set up an expecting guessing game.  Part of it is to guess the gender.  Now I've removed the points for guessing the gender (in case people enter late), but I figured whoever got the closest to the weight and birth time could win a surprise.  Maybe a baked good??  You have up to the month before the due date to enter, but it's more fun if you guess now.  So please participate.