Annabelle + Minnie Mouse = Minniebelle

And who would've thought that Minnie Mouse could be this cute?? I mean really?? The decision to be Minnie Mouse took forever. I really wanted to let Annabelle decide what she wanted to be. She is getting to the age to where she has somewhat of an opinion on things. She told her Daddy she wanted to be a puppy early on in the month. Hmmm. Well, I knew I wanted to incorporate a tutu into her costume. All of the puppy tutu ideas weren't very cute nor creative. However, I was not going to be the tutu maker this year. I was leaving that up to one of my wonderful friends, Britny. So, I ruled out puppy (sorry, AB). However, without any hinting or help from Mommy, AB announces she wants to be Mickey Mouse. I tweaked that idea a bit by asking her if she meant Minnie, and she said, "Yes!" I could live with that. So, after searching some cute ideas, and talking to Britny, we had the cutest Minnie Mouse (tutu) costume put together! Seriously. Just check her out.



So sweet! I could've eaten this little mouse right up!!

A big thanks to Aunt Jill, too. She went on a mad hunt for her a long sleeve black shirt. I loved the one she found! She even helped with the tutu. That Aunt Jill...she's always there when you need her.

We headed to the church for Trunk or Treat. I'm so glad we did that this year instead of going around our boring neighborhood. AB had such a fun time walking around and seeing her friends. Miss Allison was one of them!

It took her a while to warm up to the busyness and commotion of it all. She wasn't too interested in the games...until she figured she'd get candy if she participated.

Oh, and the cutest cowboy in all the land was there. AB's future hubby...Brycen.

Cousin Stetson came to Trunk or Treat with us. He, of course, was most interested in the games. Especially any sports or ball related game!

We had such a blast hanging out with our friends on Halloween. This is by far the funnest Halloween I've had since I was a kid!

Hmm...I wonder what we'll be next year?

A Day at the Pumpkin Patch - 2011

Of course we knew we would be taking a trip to the pumpkin patch at some point, but this year Annabelle was the one who brought it to our attention. I think she got it from a Caillou episode, and that is all she could talk about. So the following weekend, we headed to the pumpkin patch.

We revisited the McKinney pumpkin patch that had bounce houses, pony rides, hay rides and a petting zoo. AB liked most of those things. Here's her and Daddy at the pumpkin patch.

The petting zoo was a hit. She loves animals - she gets it from her animal loving parents, especially her Daddy. I instantly fell in love with that side of him!

We waited in line for the pony rides...but were pretty sure it would be for nothing. AB isn't too adventurous these days. I figured getting her on a pony would be like pulling teeth. I was right. She just clung to her Daddy. It's ok. There's always next year.

We got some cute pictures waiting in line, though.

Again, where there's a dog, goat or a pig, count AB and Austin in. They stopped to pet someones horse of a dog that was tied to the fence. I guess this made up for the pony rides.

AB got to pick out her own little pumpkin. I love this sweet face. This is my little pumpkin!

We actually didn't buy a pumpkin from the McKinney pumpkin patch. They were outrageously expensive for mediocre pumpkins. So, on our way home we stopped at Murphy Road Baptist Church's pumpkin patch. We took the opportunity to snap a few more pictures.

Can I just tell you how much I love these two?

We ended up getting a few pumpkins for an awesome price! I even found some to decorate with, one white and one blue-ish gray. Love!

A Continuing Tradition - State Fair of Texas 2011

Since I was a little girl, the State Fair has always been a big deal to me. I have my own silly traditions that I stick to every year. From the order of our day to what I eat and the order I eat those things in! I'm weird, I know! I'm so excited for AB and her little sister/brother to love get to know the fair and hopefully love it the way her Daddy and I do.

We started our day off by going through the livestock (as we do every year). Except this year there was something very big on display...

...a very, very big pig. He weighed over 1,000 pounds. Check out those teeth. That's a lot of bacon!

Then we stopped to look at the little bunnies, chicks, ducks and puppies on display. AB was really into all the animals this year.

We made our first food stop at the tater twister stand. This is MY FAVORITE!!! AB enjoyed them, too!

After a nutty bar, we stopped in to see Texas' biggest cowboy. I can't say that AB enjoyed this very much at first. He was all she could talk about, but when she finally got up close to the big guy, it was a little scary for a two year old. Note the crying face...

...and at times it was hard to look.

But we got through it and were able to sit there and listen to him say, "Howdy, Folks!" I think she warmed up to the idea, but two months later we are still hearing about Big Tex and how he is a little scary and loud!

AB spotted a big sign of Bob the Builder. We had to go say, "hi."

There was actually a Bob the Builder exhibit where kids could do construction activities...but AB was perfectly happy with standing and talking to the sign for a while. She was fascinated.

We ended our day (like always) with the petting zoo. Of course, by the time we get there, the animals are full...except for those darn goats. AB really enjoyed this, though. This was the first year she was able to feed them herself.

On our way out we said, "hi" and "bye" to the baby pigs. We started our day out with the big one and ended it with the little ones.

AB loved the fair and talked about Bob the Builder and Big Tex until she finally crashed in the backseat. The Fair takes a lot out of a two year old (and a pregnant 28 year old, I might add). Looking back, I didn't get nearly as many pictures as I thought, but we have the memories!

Our Big Announcement

God is good. He gave us this gift to join our family in late April.

It was hard for me not to announce it sooner, but we waited until I was 12 weeks along to tell everyone our big news. FINALLY, AB was able to sport her big sister shirt I bought her back when we were pregnant the second time.

This time around she understands as much as a two year old can. She often points to my belly and speaks of the baby in there. Obviously, she doesn't understand to the extent of it...but she gets the gist. She will be such a wonderful big sister!!

This pregnancy has been really difficult. Nausea and fatigue have been at an all time high and at times I have a hard time functioning. Poor AB watches a lot of Caillou. We lay down together and chill in the afternoon. This mommy hasn't been the fun, playing one lately. I'm told that she won't remember and not to feel guilty...but I can't help it. I've developed hyperthyroidism, and am losing weight instead of gaining. I will have to go to an endocrinologist to have it monitored. They will check me after delivery to see if it goes away, or if it is something I have to deal with my whole life. I'm not look forward to that, but getting down to my pre-baby weight is nice.

We are thankful for our wonderful friends and family who have been so wonderful and supportive through this new and exciting time. Still, all prayers for our sweet Baby #3 would be appreciated until we are able to hold him/her in our arms in April.