New Years Eve

We had a really low key New Years Eve. We sort of just sat around at the house and relaxed as a family. We made Boswell chili and popped a few fireworks. We wanted to do more, but Bennett was terrified of the fireworks. Dad and Carolyn stopped by to see us on their way to a friends house.

Horrible News

Today we learned that my dad has stage 4 tongue cancer. We went to see Dr. Ghali today to see what we needed to do. We were glad that we could actually get in to their office. Dr. Ghali was in a meeting the whole time we were there, so we saw his fellow, Dr. Yew. We don't know much except for the fact that he has his biopsy and scope on Tuesday and that he had to cancel his Argentina trip. Everyone is shocked at the news. My dad works out like 2 hours a day and hasn't smoked in 13 years or had a sip of alcohol in 20. Dr. Yew said that he was in better shape than him!

The only thing we know to do is pray. This is not in our hands and we know that. So, all you prayer warriors out there...please say a prayer or 10 for my dad!

Play Date

Yitin was in town for the holidays so we set up a little Sigma Kappa play date. Yitin and Garrett, Lynsie and John, and us had a fun time playing with all of Bennett's new toys. We had a lot of fun and can't wait until next time.

Big Brother

You guessed it. Bennett is going to be a big brother in August! We got an early Christmas present this year. We went to the doctor today to make sure everything looked good. Neil and I were excited to hear the beautiful sound of the baby's heartbeat. The HR was 118. Dr. Tynes was being so sweet to me and gave me all kinds of encouraging words. She wants to see me every 2 weeks because of what happened last time. She is also giving me some special prenatal vitamins and extra folic acid. We are hoping and praying for a healthy baby on August 17th!

We couldn't wait to tell the family! Neil gave me the OK to tell everyone since he was at work. We stopped by Gammy's to tell her the good news. Bennett wore his new cute "Big Bro" shirt and handed her the ultrasound pictures. She was so excited, but opted out of a photo because she had been cleaning all day.

We got home and everyone was already sitting in our house. What a nice surprise. Bennett walked in with the pictures and everyone was so excited!

We are all really excited about this new chapter in our lives. Can't wait to meet this little bundle of joy!

2 year well check-up

I took Bennett for his 2-year well check-up today. He was a good boy during the entire visit. I had to find things in the room to entertain him so he wouldn't make a break for the door. He loved the gloves. He really liked when Dr. Haynie blew one up like a balloon.

Stats:

Weight: 28 pounds

Head: 19 inches

Length: 33 inches

We are so proud of our healthy, growing boy!

Christmas-Lewis Family

We got to Ruston around 1 on Christmas Day. We couldn't go straight to the house because we had to drop off the couch I sold on Facebook to Hunter and Becky Smith! I sold that couch in 30 minutes on FB. Anyway, on to Christmas.

We arrived just as everyone was leaving from eating Christmas lunch. We were sad to miss everyone, but heard that 11 kids were there and there was always one throwing a fit. I am sure it was fun.

After everyone left, we had our family Christmas. We were excited that Matthew was there to celebrate with us. He had on his nauseating Christmas pants from ">Beta Brand. Love them.

I got some pretty new stationary. I love this kind of stuff. Oh and as long as there is no confusion...I am wearing the same exact thing from Christmas Eve. I liked the outfit and didn't wear it long on either day so win-win!

Bennett loved his new tunnel from Nana and Machine.

Christmas fun!

Uncle Andrew gave Bennett this cool sit and spin.

Andrew has a reputation for being a great gift-giver...he did not disappoint this year. He gave Richard a personalized gallon bottle of Tabasco. Awesome!!

Bennett really liked using Matthew's camera.

Rebecca got an entire set of dishes, bowls, canisters, and salt/pepper shakers. They are really pretty.

Andrew had a fun time playing with Bennett's tunnel.

After Bennett went down for a nap, Neil and I headed to the movie to see Little Fockers. It was fun to get away.

Christmas-Jones Family

Since we did most of our Christmas last night, we don't have many pictures from Christmas morning. Bennett was so cute running around in his diaper after this bath. He was excited to see his new "dicycle!" His favorite gift had to be the Bass Pro Shops truck with 4-wheeler. He really didn't want to open anything after he saw that. He kept saying "open that" (talking about the truck).

Neil showing Bennett how the tricycle works.

We put on his other set of Christmas pjs so he could feel cozy while he played.

Dad loved his travel book on Argentina. He is going on a big hunting trip to Argentina in February and is so excited. This brand of travel books is my favorite.

WARNING: the next picture may scare you to death.

I had a fun surprise on Christmas morning! A Coach purse. I have never had anything name-brand like this before. I am so excited!

We had a great Christmas morning. Off to Ruston for the Lewis family Christmas!

Christmas Eve Gift

We had a wonderful Christmas Eve. We sort of lounged around the entire day. Neil went over to help Beau fry up some turkeys for the family our Sunday School class sponsored for Christmas.

The Raines, Yates, and us headed over to the family's house to bring them a fun Christmas.

Here is the sweet family.

We got home and Neil took Bennett on a little 4-wheeler ride around the neighborhood. Their ride lasted about 2 minutes because it was so cold.

We came home and decorated cookies for Santa. Thanks so much to the Buteaus for the fun cookie dough! Bennett seemed to enjoy the cookie decorating.

He did a good job on his cookie!

Each person decorated their own cookie for Santa.

This is the cookie we left for Santa.

We opened a few gifts after eating a fabulous Shrimp and Grits dish. Bennett was really into opening the gifts.

Dad giving Neil his present from him. Carolyn did a great job wrapping all of dad's gifts. We were glad that Carolyn was able to celebrate with us.

Neil loved his shop-vac!

Our little bow head!

Michael loved his framed Jean-Eric poster.

I love my new Mardi Gras wreaths that Dad gave me!

After the present opening, Bennett threw out some reindeer food. I have never heard of this before this year. You combine oats with decorating sugar for the reindeer. I learned about this fun tradition from Mrs. White and the Montgomerys this year. Mrs. White said not to use glitter (the normal way to make it) because it can harm the birds.

Bennett went to bed right on time to prepare for Santa to come and see him. Gammy spent the night with us so she could see her favorite boys on Christmas morning.

Shoe Night

The elf was good to us this year! I'm not sure the elf remembered me, but he really thought of Neil and Bennett. I received a granola bar, craisins, and an eyebrow brush. Neil got undershirts, socks, and a saints car flag. Bennett got a Mickey Mouse and a new Christmas book.

Tacky Christmas Party

Beau and Leigh had their second tacky Christmas party this year. We had a fun time in our homemade sweatshirts. I sent Neil a text of the sweatshirts I made and he was oh so excited. I told him that you couldn't buy anything this good looking. We even had tinsel trimming our sleeves and bottom of the shirt. Cute!

Me, Leigh, Leslie, and Casey

Here is the awesome group shot taken with the self-timer. It was a great time!

A Good Hunt

Neil had the opportunity to go hunting with Hunter. Neil took Bennett to Ruston to hang out with Nana and Grand-Machine so that I could get some much needed work done on my e-portfolio for my MAT. I didn't want them to go, but having a quiet house provided me with some much needed work time.

They ended up killing a lot of poor, innocent ducks. They didn't max out, but I think they had a good time!

Pictures with Santa!

Bennett was not loving Santa this year. He has been talking about Santa a lot, but I guess getting right up next to him is scary.

Here he is with Santa last year. He was so excited and happy at age 1 with Santa! He was still a baby and didn't really know what was going on I guess.

Some items I would LOVE to have for our new home...

I don't know why, but I am loving this lamp. It is not really what I would normally pick out, but I like it.

A new faucet for the kitchen sink.

I am liking these bar stools. I will want to re-cover them in whatever accent fabric I choose for my window treatments, though. And, I think I will need the legs in black or gray...

We are really needing some new patio furniture. I like the idea of having cushions instead of just hard iron. I think this set would go great on our patio. I would like that lake, too.

This houndstooth chair. I am thinking I will need 2 of them for the living room. I am probably going to order them soon...if Neil thinks it's a good idea, of course!

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All the ideas and opinions expressed are my own. No monetary compensation was received for doing this post, however, I was provided with a discount code.