Oh boy!

It was a big day in the Bankhead house today! For 3 months now, we've been anticipating the BIG ultrasound to find out what this baby is! I was totally expecting girl (since that is what we're good at making around here!), but we were shocked/surprised to find out....

It's a BOY!!!

Here's a profile picture of our little guy with his hand by his mouth:

Things will be quite different around here in April! The girls are completely excited about having a baby brother. Of course Brad is pumped! He's already laying the ground rules about how he can be dressed, what the nursery will look like and what in the world I'm supposed to do with a BOY! It's going to be a fun five months preparing for this little guy to join our family.

I feel like I need to keep saying and writing it to help it sink in...we're having a boy, we're having a boy....we're having a BOY!!!!

Pumpkins and Halloween

Beware. This post is picture overload. There was just too much cuteness (and festivities) not to include them all! So, grab a snack, sit back and enjoy! Oh, and they are all out of order, so just roll with it....

This is what the girls' costumes were supposed to be. Mallory denied every costume idea I gave her (Fern and Wilbur? Come on, how cute would that have been?). I gave in and let them both be Little Mermaid. A friend let us borrow the dresses and another came through for this gem:

Is that not the most hilarious costume ever? Maybe just because it's on a 4 year old. I was so excited and giggling so hard...maybe a little too hard. Mallory loved it at home. She kept running to the mirror to look at her "crazy hair". Once we pulled up to playgroup, she got stagefright. Poor thing. She got a serious look on her face and said, "Mommy, I don't want everyone to laugh at me or look at me". Ugh. One of the traits I wish I hadn't passed down! She wore the wig in the door and immediately asked to take it off. I let her and she had a great time at the party.

The next week, she could wear her costume for gymnastics. Ariel isn't quite the easiest costume to do cartwheels in, so last minute, I said, "Hey, why don't you wear your CAL cheerleader outfit?" She was sold...and Ariel was history:)

What a long night of trick or treating (and maybe some candy thrown in) will do to little girls:

The most creative costume, Mr. Solomon came dressed as the army guy from Toy Story (the whole family dressed as characters, but I didn't get a family shot). Way impressed!

Group shot of the adorableness that is kids in costume:

Our little family:

Morgan and her buddy, Asa...I think he's more interested in getting to the next house for candy!

Some of the cutest babies around...wish you could see that lion's leg rolls in real life!

Morgan and her other buddy, Pierson:

We made it to one pumpkin patch this year. Not sure it's really a "patch". More like a church that puts a lot of pumpkins out each year and all the city folk come to take pictures. Either way, it has everything a kid could want...pumpkins everywhere and lots of room to run around.

I heard Mallory yelling, "Mommy, look at me!" and about had a heart attack thinking she had climbed this tree all by herself...and then I saw my frined Anna....who hoisted her up there! Mallory was way proud of herself!

Best attempt at a sister picture:

Best attempt at a playgroup picture:

Fall Festival fun was had by all!

With our buddies, Gunnar and Bella:

Our other buddy, Maddie:

Morgan showing off her facepaint...this is the face that makes it hard to discipline sometimes:)

Heading off for some Festival fun! I did not prompt their posing at all...seriously. I think Mallory was born a cheerleader...and Morgan was born cute:)

Sister love:

Adorable!

Can't believe Thanksgiving is coming up! We'll find out what this baby is a week from Tuesday!

Oh, and check out Jelby's to start your holiday shopping early! I'm hosting a giveaway for holiday shirts...I'd love to "see" you there!

Remembering Grandpa

A few weeks ago, my grandfather passed away. He lived a long and full 86 years. It really wasn't until the beginning of August that he started going downhill. I was sad to hear of him passing, but thankful he wasn't suffering anymore. It's such a weird emotion to have.

I am so thankful that the girls and I got to go out to Roseville last September. We helped him celebrate his big 85th birthday! Mallory got to know her great grandfather and make some fun memories with him!

My sister and I flew out together and met the rest of the family.

At the post-funeral lunch, there was a lot of memorabilia from my grandpa's life. I can't describe how much he loved Cal Berkeley. He was a die hard. I loved seeing all of his high school and college stuff.

His beanie from his freshman year at Cal:

He started writing his life story in journals about 2 years ago. My mom went through them all and typed them up for all of us to have. I'm so thankful for the sharp memory (that we always teased about) he had. It really was amazing...and totally skipped a generation:)

I didn't realize, until I started reading the memoir, that he retired as a Colonel in the Army! I blame it on being a girl and not being interested in those stories growing up:) I'm sure I wasn't just begging him to tell me all about World War 2 and what the Army was like. It's interesting now though!!

Because of his achievements in the military, he was buried with full honors at the Sacramento National Cemetery. Wow. The ceremony was amazing. "Taps" on a bugle, "Amazing Grace" on bagpipes and the folding of the flag. All of it was so moving and honoring. I loved that my grandpa was honored in that way.





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The siblings: Aunt Barbara, Dad and Uncle Mike

After the memorial service, we went back to Grandpa's house with some family. We all told stories about him, looked through photo albums and watched a taped interview from a couple years back (about his days in the Army). It was a great ending to a special day.

It was also my Uncle Mike's birthday! So, later that night, we all went to dinner to celebrate with him:

Also, while were in California, my cousin went into pre-term labor! Amy wasn't due until the end of October. Luckily (for us!), she delivered (a healthy) baby girl, Audrey Ella, early the next morning. We were able to drive into San Francisco and meet my second cousin!

What a perfect trip, with lots of celebrations! I'm thankful for my Grandpa and to celebrate the life he lived. He and that smile will be missed!

Homeschool Preschool

Towards the end of spring and early summer, we made the decision (with Mallory's input) to stay at home this year for preschool. I really had no intentions of keeping Mallory home. I was looking forward to making a good preschool, 2 days a week, part of our budget. But something changed.

Part of our decision was budget, part was the start of activities (not that she's the big FOUR!) and part was wanting to savor this last year with her (I may have teared up more than my friends that dropped their kiddos off at kindergarten this year did!). She enjoyed her Mother's Day Out last year, but wasn't necessarily walking in every Thursday with a big smile and brave face. Morgan on the other hand, I have a feeling, will be running through the doors as fast as she can without saying bye:)

So, here we are. My friend Karen and I are doing this together. We do our "school" at our own homes Mondays and Wednesdays. Then, on Fridays, we meet up at her house, finish up a couple of lessons and have show and tell (mainly for my introverted child:) ) of the letter craft each week. We're not really following a strict curriculum, mainly following lesson plans from this blog.

The girls have really enjoyed it. Minus the first week when I had strep throat and the start of pregnancy nausea, and then last week when we had our refinance closing change 3 times in one week (all during school time of course), we have finally gotten into the groove of school and being home together. I have a feeling that is going to be the best part. Routine, being home and not spending my mornings running one place to another...that is for Tuesdays and Thursdays:)

Mallory was cute on the first day. Brad helped get them ready while I finished up preparing everything. She picked out her outfit and everything:)

I could not get a normal pose out of this girl, but here's the first day (before calendar time):

The Do A Dot markers are a big hit around here (and, look who's hair is almost long enough for pigtails again!!!):

Who knew a $4 bag of pom poms could be so educational?

This was today. I love Morgan's face. She's trying really hard to stay in those lines:)

Another exciting day!

So, it's not exactly how I pictured this year going, but I am excited to see how it grows Mallory...and me, through it all!

Mallory and Morgan have an announcement....

Coming to our house late April!!!

All about Mallory

Our oldest girl turned FOUR in June! Yes, I'm that behind on blogging! Anyway. For some reason, turning four just seems so big. We are right around the corner from the big K word that I'm dreading....

This past year, Mallory went to a Mother's Day Out program once a week. She loved going and had a great year learning how to stand in line, raise her hand to talk, sit still in chapel, share toys...you know, all of those important preschool things.

At the end of May, the MDO had an end of the year program. They sang about 3-4 songs from their class. I gave Mallory a piece of gum on the way there and totally forgot to get it from her when we arrived. She also started twirling her hair when she's nervous or being shy. Soooo, the entire performance consisted of her twirling her hair and smacking her gum...and wearing her Barbie dress up ring. Nice. At any rate, it was cute and video worthy. Here's "I've got friends at school...":

Here she is after....where in the world did the last four years go? She is not a toddler anymore, she is a little GIRL!!!!

Our dear friends, the Livers, moved to the metroplex this summer. We love this family. My girls do as well! Shep and Owen went to the same MDO. Poor baby Marley was poked, annoyed and smothered the entire night by two girlies obsessed with babies!!

A little family shot:


Mallory has a best friend. Her name is Bella. If you read my blog (does anyone anymore?), you've probably seen her on it! We met the Smiths about 2 years ago. Actually, I "met" Karen 4 years ago, but that was from stalking her blog. There. I said it. I stalked Karen's blog and then she moved to my city, our sisters became friends, I met Karen, we had babies the same age and tons more in common. It's really not so creepy when you explain it all....promise!

I digress. Mallory and Bella are a week apart. Bella has grandparents that live on lots of acreage in a beautiful area near us. They also have two horses that are famous in our house. "Oreo" especially. When Karen and I started talking about the girls' birthdays, we decided it would be fun to have a joint party. So the plans began for an "Oreo birthday"! I made the invites and Karen did the cake. The rest was easy....let the kids ride the horse and order pizza!

It was BY FAR Mallory's favorite birthday ever!!! It was also the dirtiest Mallory has ever been. I loved it! She and Bella had so much fun. We had lots of their friends there and lots of family as well.

Getting ready to par-tay! Showing off how stinkin' old she is now...sniff, sniff.

Of course birthday girl Bella is a pro at riding Oreo!

Morgan wasn't quite sure. She hung on for dear life and then gave us this face when she was done. There was a smile during the ride....I think:)

The birthday girl! She loved every minute of riding on Oreo!

Some of the girlies at the party. It was H.O.T. that day!

After they blew out the #4 candle!

My dad (aka "Grandpa") manned the slide. It was serious crowd control at times!

The Bankheads and the Smiths. We love this family!

Like I said, we have babies the same age. Morgan and Gunnar are 6 weeks apart. When the four of them get together, they are a silly bunch! I would have put the whole series of these pictures up, but it would have taken up the whole blog. Hilarious, these four.

Happy birthday to Mallory and Bella!!

Galveston 2010

Back in May, we took a family trip to Galveston! We rented a beach house with Brad's parents, brother and family, sister and husband and us. The plan was to leave on Saturday, but both girls were under the weather on Friday (of course...Murphy's Law of vacations or something). So, we rested one day and loaded up Sunday.

The girls were beyond excited to spend an entire week with their grandparents, aunts, uncles and defintely their cousins! We are lucky to have a neice Mallory's age (Julia) and a nephew Morgan's age (Johnathan). They are great playmates and the girls have a ball anytime they are around.

Brad was sneaky and planned for me to get away and have a pedicure (the trip fell on Mother's Day). I got to go to a "chocolate spa" and enjoy an hour long pedicure! I envisioned a chocolate fountain pouring over my feet, but realized quickly it's just caffeine and cocoa in the products. Much cleaner, but still smelled fantastic! It was a great surprise!!

We mostly stayed at the house, but ventured into "town" a couple of times. We walked around downtown (saw the water level that Ike was at...wow.), ate at Guido's Seafood and walked the seawall a bit. There was also lots of Wii playing, Scentsy smelling (LaShay just started selling it, so we got to open all of her samples...mmm!) and EATING. Each couple took turns cooking dinner for the family. There was not a shortage on good food, that is for sure!!

Okay, on to the pictures...that are not in order...

Morgan slept in a "big girl bed" (aka mattress on the floor at the foot of our bed) for the first time during the trip. When we got home, we asked her if she wanted to sleep in her crib or big girl bed. She said "big gurl bed!!!!", so down went the crib and in went a twin mattress. The transition was soooo much easier than I thought it would be with this rascal:

Julia and Johnathan are seriously little fish! I kept calling Julia a flying squirrel in the pool. Anytime she would jump to someone, she literally leaped/leapt (?) 6 feet!

Johnathan had no fear either!

Mallory loved the ocean! She was jumping waves, riding them in and having a blast. I, on the other hand, almost had a panic attack trying to watch both girls in the ocean. You should have seen the look on Brad's face when I asked if she should wear her floaties at the beach. It was a definite no:)

This little turkey had nothing to do with the water...pool or ocean! She's more of a "grazer". She would run right up to the water edge an then run away squealing. As you can see, the humidity did great things for her hair:)

We took pictures on the beach our last morning there. I snapped this before my camera battery died...of course. Planning on making this into a silhouette...sometime!

We went to the aquarium at Moody Gardens one morning. The kids kept saying, "This is just like Nemo/Happy Feet!" Here's the cousins: Morgan, Johnathan, Mallory and Julia

There was a real starfish the kids got to touch...and Brad and Sharon, too!

Right before we left, Morgan started "the look". Anytime you would ask her, "Morgan, what's your look?", she would respond with this...and then burst into laughter! This is also before she got a much needed haircut...the mullet is gone folks!

The kids with their junk....I mean, souveniers from Murdoch's.

You can't visit Galveston without taking a ferry ride!

The first day....all ready for the beach!

The girls have been saving their money for months. We told them if they wanted to, they could bring their money and buy some souveniers on the trip. The night before, we dumped out their piggy bank and counted up all the money....$44 to share! The girls were so excited!

It was a great trip, with great company and great memories made!