Before and After

Marme came down for some gardening work and fun times with Maddy. We made at least 5 trips to either Lowe's or Home Depot within 2 days, but managed to accomplish a LOT of work. I can't tell you how excited I am when we drive up to our house now. I've never liked the color of our house, but now I can live with it since we have such a beautiful garden to distract from the pink-brown-peachish mess.

BEFORE...

AFTER!!

Most of the garden is in the shade so we had to pick out plants that would hold up without much sunlight. We planted begonias, Aztec grass, impatiens, and many others that I have now forgotten. The best part was hearing mom tell stories about her grandmother, Nano (Madeleine Cecilia Stanton), and all the gardening wisdom she gave mom. After hearing about her some more I want to make Maddy a book about her name about the fabulous women from which she is named.
Madeleiene - Nano - my great-grandmother
Louise - Mommie/Nana - Logan's grandmother and mother

A closeup

Now if only our grass will come in a little thicker. Mom already has ideas for the backyard...another battleground since Zeke has done some, but not that much damage. If you are planting anything this spring, I would encourage you to do so. Grab a friend, a parent, or anyone who will help you. I had so much fun with my mom doing this and I know you will create some fun memories of your own.

Baby #2!!

I wrapped up this little bundle of surprise a couple of days before Christmas for Logan to unwrap. He was half-asleep so I didn't get quite the response I was going for, but he was excited nonetheless.


We decided to keep it quiet for a few weeks and then sent the family an email with this picture. Again, they weren't quite sure why I was sending this picture, but Maddy's shirt (which was Lauren's shirt) says, "Worlds' Best Big Sister!"


And then we went for our first ultrasound this week. We weren't scheduled for a few more weeks to have a sonogram, but we rushed to the midwife's office early Thursday after some concerns. The baby was moving and is very healthy, but I found out I have a blood clot in my placenta This is just something we will have to watch and see how it moves or if it gets any larger. I go back in April for another ultrasound to see if there is any change in the clot. For now, our prayers are for it to get smaller or stay where it is in order to not take away anything from the baby.

We have two names picked out (Hudson Walker or Elsa Jane) for this little one. Please pray for our sweet nugget as we continue to grow and rely on the Lord for His perfect and beautiful plan to enfold for this precious life. As with any pregnancy, we trust in His plans completely, but now knowing there is an issue, we will continue to give over all of our fears and worries to our Heavenly Father, the creator of life!

Oh, and we are due September 2nd!

Christmas!

We spent Christmas in Mineral Wells with the Walker clan. Maddy got to see the cows and horses as she played with Marme and Jimbo while the big kids helped clean out Jimbo's shop.

Maddy's big gift was her new kitchen so it was sent to San Antonio, but she had some fun princess toys to open on Christmas morning in her new Christmas pj's from Aunt Mary and Uncle Andy.

I should have taken this picture before all of the presents were opened, but oh well!

Christmas day was at Bart and Cari's house where we got to see lots of our family. Maddy had fun playing with Lauren and Grant on the trampoline outside and seeing their dog, Lady.




Maddy had a lot of fun baking and cooking fun things for Christmas with Marme and Jimbo.

More December and New Year's

After Christmas the Fritts' and Wells' came down for some fun in San Antonio and then we all traveled together to Friendswood for Josh's surprise 40th birthday!

We took the girls to Incredible Pizza and they loved it!

We fed deer at Fort Sam's Quadriangle. Geese, ducks, deer, peacock, chickens, a few other creatures call this piece of of the fort their home. The best part is that it's free minus the carrots we brought for the deer. Note to self, bring bread for ducks and geese since they do NOT like carrots!


On New Year's Eve we traveled to Gruene Hall for dinner. The weather was beautiful and sitting outside was a delight.

Later we made our way to Friendswood, but I don't have any of those pictures. I need to get them from Vicki. We did manage to surprise Josh thoroughly and had a blast seeing ALL four of the Fritts boys together for the first time since 2006 (at our wedding!).

November 2010

Our November was fabulous. Jane and Scott came to visit and we went to Tennessee for Thanksgiving.

We even got to see Warren and Jill on the way up to TN, but I have no idea where the pictures are...or even if we took any. I really need a new camera.

We took a break from the family and played at the park on Thanksgiving day. The weather was gorgeous that day in Knoxville.

Maddy got to play with Rayna at Aunt Suzanne's house.

Poppie was so excited to see Maddy and show her the Santa decorations.

We even got to go up to Pigeon Forge and see the aquarium. Many of the cousins, aunts, and uncles were there too, but group pictures with that many children is too difficult.

Maddy loved throwing the seeds from the magnolia tree at Nana and Papaw's house. Logan and Uncle A used to do this and pretend they were grenades. She loved watching everyone throw them into the woods and then doing it all over again.

October 2010

It's pretty embarrassing to admit that I haven't blogged in over 6 months! Yikes! But, life goes on even if blogging doesn't. Here are some of the highlights for our fall.

The Malitz/Brown wedding! All three of us were in a wedding. We didn't get a picture of all three of us on the wedding day, but here is one from the rehearsal dinner.

Nat and Tim were precious and had a blast all night. It was a beautiful wedding.

Maddy and Natalie's niece, Livi, were the precious flower girls. I carried Maddy down the aisle, and then she played with Livi outside the church for the rest of the ceremony. They did great.

Halloween!!!

You would think Maddy was a pirate instead of a fairy in this picture!

Jessie came to help!

Our first stop was Thomas and Jaime's house. Maddy picked out all the good candy from Logan's coaching.

She didn't want to wear her wings, but she loved this costume. She's still wearing it now 6 months later!