Jenny rocks the baby carrier at a party, Christmas comes early, night out and the first holiday decor shots!!

Lots has been going on. First JP and Tabitha had a "WE GOT MARRIED" party! Much fun was had. My favorite part of the night was Jen and the baby carrier. Notice how relaxed both Jen (thanks to the wine) and Rowdy (thanks to the baby carriers soft sway) look!

Then a few weeks ago I received this unexpected gift in my mailbox. Yep-all on the same day. It was like a true gift of the magi-but instead of frankincense, gold and myrrh I received a million shiny catalogs and magazines. ALL ON THE SAME DAY. Obviously I was so excited I hurried inside, clutching them all to my heaving bosom, to take a photo for the blog! WOOHOOO-I love glossy mags!

Then over Thanksgiving we got together with everyone to celebrate the holiday, adult style. We took this pic to remember the evening. One creepy note-some guy at the bar at this establishment was taking our pics on his camera phone. For his own personal enjoyment. ICK!!!

Over Thanksgiving I started holiday decorating. I am proud to say I am almost done. Here is a shot of my mantle. Note the new molding at the top. I had that done a few weeks ago and am so pleased with the results. I go with jewel tones and lots of natural-ish materials.

Here is a close up of my wreath. Note the red berries. Those are a new addition and I really like how it pulls the elements from the mantle and the rest of the room into this focal point.

Here is a close up of one of my red berry trees and the fruit and pine cones I scatter in my garland.

Another close up which highlights my ribbon and boxwood additions. All in all its very festive.

Of course I have many more photos, but I figured I would roll out a few every couple of days to keep the falalalala lasting all the way to Santa Day!!!!

A September catch up

Um-what happened to the month of September?? I haven't blogged since AUGUST? I know, remiss of me. Lots has happened. Here is a run down of all the highlights.

We had a baby shower for Jen which she covered very well on her blog:

http://mowrerfamily.blogspot.com/2009/09/homegrown-baby-boy-bbq-shower-marty.html

I do have a couple pics to share from my perspective:

Megan's mom took care of the flowers for the event. They were lovely. I sent Chris G out to take some photos and I thought he did a wonderful job. If that doctor thing ever falls through I think he could have a real career in photography-look at the composition:)

The ladies enjoyed the food and company.

Matt was in charge of photos from his perspective, I saw allot of this during the evening.

And then he got to have a hand in opening gifts, something rarely enjoyed by dads at baby showers. Mostly because they are not typically invited:)

A side view of Jen opening gifts, baby belly and all:)

Let's see-then Jen had the baby-William Rowdy, whom they will call Rowdy. He was born about a week ago. I haven't visited yet (have had bad sinus infection and want to be completely non-sick when I get to hold him:))

I went to the opening game for UT which is fairly unusual since I am a classic fair weather fan. I only like to go to games that are cool (like football was intended to be in you are from NW Ohio.) But-I had the chance to join the Vol Navy and I could not pass it up. Here are some pics from the water.

Scott and I before the game.
All the ladies on the back of the boat.

And then one of the boys.

The weather has been a bit odd here in E. TN. It went from summer with highs around 85 during the day to fall with highs around 70 during the day overnight it seems. I think this drastic temp change led to my aforementioned sinus infection. I did have a chance, while stuffed up and quarantined at home, to decorate for Halloween. I am fairly proud of my mantle this year. Take a look:

Here is one of the corners of my long living room mantle. This year I used books for height. I like how it turned out. The middle of the mantle. The crows are a recent addition this year. Molly thought they were a toy so I had to put them up while she was outside so she wouldn't notice where they went. Feel free to make comments about my Martha Stewart-equness;)

Speaking of Molly, and Bailey too. They are doing very well. I have some cute, recent photos of them:

Molly lounging on my new quilt. I will have finished pics of my bedroom to share later-so more on that quilt and the wall color to come.

Bailey, sleeping wrapped in a different quilt on the couch.
And then awake after the flash went off. Adorable.

Ok-all caught up. I will do better in October!!!!

The Garagement Part 3, Cassady Lee arrives, and the Easter Bunny comes to visit

Much has been happening around these parts. On April 1, 2009 Patterson gave birth to a beautiful little boy named Cassady Lee. Her and Brad could obviously not be more thrilled. Jen and I went to visit him at the hospital and then just the other day to see his progress. He is a DOLL BABY!!!!

Little Cassady at the hospital...just a day after his birth.


Proud mom Patterson and Cassady. Yes I know-Patterson looks sickeningly well for just having given birth.
Jen and tiny Cassady. Since she has just recently found out she is having a baby boy this is perfect practice.

And then finally me and Cassady. I am only practicing for babysitting...but doesn't my hair look nice;)????

Here is Jen holding Cassady the other day. He has grown some, but he is still the cutest doll baby you have ever seen. Lottie Sue wanted to hold him BAD!!! She was really pretty good about it, and she is at the age where she is completely distractable. Unfortunately now that she can walk shes a HANDFUL to keep up with. I don't know how Jen does it. There are adorable pics of LS giving Cassady a kiss but I don't have any on my camera-Patterson help a sister out when you get a chance.
Here is a close up of the adorable Lottie Sue!!!
Her adorable smile...and seriously look how cute her HAIR IS!!!!!!

I took Molly to see the garagement. Unfortunately I picked a bad day for the visit because Scott was using his air compressor nail gun thingy do. Molly hates tools that make noise-and this one made plenty. She found the perfect space to hide-the corner of Scott's closet. It took my 5 minutes to find her-but then I let her hang out there until it was time to go. Note-the pic doesn't show that it was very dark in this closet too.


This is Molly before the nail gunning started. She seems happy to be there:)

A week or two later Bailey got another turn to visit the garagement. It was cold (that's why he is wearing his coat of course.) I wanted to photograph the new bathroom counter top, which seemed the perfect opportunity for a posed Bailey pic.

A wide angle shot.

Here is the kitchen with the island built, the counter tops on, and some of the top cabinets installed.

Side view of same.

And then this was too good to not share. Scott agreed to dress up as the Easter Bunny for all this friends children. This is his third year straight, and he was EGGSLENT at it:)

So Long, Farewell, a Very Sad Goodbye

Well-its very close to official. Katherine, PJ and young squire Jasper have left E. TN for the lovely landscape of Virginia. While this is good news for them, a new job for PJ and some settling in for Katherine and baby Jasper, its sad for all of us that have to miss them:(

We had a party at Patterson and Brads this past weekend to give them a proper send off. A party that was ALMOST postponed due to Baby Wilson's strong yearning to join the world early. But luckily he stayed put and we were able to party on!! Its best told in pictures of course. Here goes...

Matt, Megan, Tommy and Tabitha hanging out. At least one of them messed up this photo EVERY time I tried to take it. I would have put all 4 attempts on the blog, but I hate to encourage this sort of photo sabotage;)
Scott and I...very rare to see him on film-but he is REAL!!!Baby Wilson gets his kicks...as Jen and Megan feel up Patterson:)

Katherine, Megan and Jen posting pretty.

This is JP and Jens holiday card for next year. Yes they both have OTHER significant others, but this photo was quite the production. There was hair combing, teeth checking and a variety of other vain endeavors to make sure they were picture perfect. And look-THEY WERE!!!

A little rock band was played...note how serious they all look?

Here are the ladies posing. Our blocks of color really make this POP!!!

Note I don't have any pics of Jasper or PJ...but they were at the party too!!!

Patterson's Having a Boy and Jen is having #2!!!

We celebrated the pending birth of baby boy Wilson this past Saturday with a baby shower for Patterson and Brad. It was a beautiful day and she got all sorts of fun baby things. Including, but not limited too a seersucker smocked outfit (seriously I know-PREPTASTIC!!!) Here are some pics from the event.

Here's Patterson with Jen, Shon and I. Katherine was hostess # 4 but she wasn't able to make the long drive with little Jasper. Note-yes it's TRUE Jen and Matt are expecting BABY #2. She thinks he/she is a boy, and with the serious trend in boys its likely she is right. More to come as details develop!!!

All the Scripps ladies in their shower finery!! PS-I had the cutest shoes on...and don't have a pic that shows them. I am a tiny bit heartbroken about it-they MADE my outfit:) The food and the adorable garland that Jen created.

These were my latest cupcake creation. I used runts for the eggs, which in hindsight might be a little hard on the teeth for cupcake decor. I am already on the look out for egg like jelly beans. I will have these perfected by Easter.

And the grand finale-the diaper cake. How cute it this. Jen was totally in charge of this craft project and once again she outdid herself. As we become old pros at baby showers it is becoming increasingly difficult to top the last showers creative genius.