Santa Came!

Santa came to see Finn and boy did he have fun playing with his toys!  He got a basketball goal and a racetrack.  He immediately started throwing the ball in the basket. (The wooden horse in front of the tree was made by someone from our church in Fort Worth before Finn was born.)

 From mom and dad he got a golf club set.  

Hitting the golf ball with his club!

This Christmas was our favorite by far.  It is so much fun watching Finn play and get excited about all of his gifts.  It was also special to spend Christmas Eve together.  We just hung around the house all day and then went to a Christmas Eve service at a local church.  Finn loved listening to the band play Christmas songs and the lesson was very uplifting.  It's always refreshing to hear why we celebrate Christmas.  I hope as our children grow, we can remind them always of who we are and why we do the things we do.  It's not about giving presents, but about celebrating the birth of our Savior.

My Two Favorite Guys

I took this picture the day Clint was going on nights.  Finn loves his dad and asks him to play as soon as he walks through the door.  It is so sweet and as the mom, it sure warms my heart.  Clint's schedule can be long and takes him away so much.  We all treasure these peaceful nights spent together as a family. Residency just makes us that much more thankful.

It's A...

BOY!!

Clint and I found out at the end of November that we are going to have a precious baby boy.  We are both so happy!  

We found out on a Friday afternoon.  Clint had been working nights so he woke up in the "middle of the night" to come watch the ultrasound.  I was going to have my normal appointment afterwards so Jennee came to watch Finn.  I just knew it was going to be a girl but I'm so glad Finn and baby M will be close in age and have so much in common as brothers.  I wasn't sure what my reaction was going to be but I cried when the ultrasound tech showed us.  I would have cried either way.  To see the little heart beating...

 and catch a glimpse of a tiny little foot all formed with little toes...the same little foot that I feel kicking around...is nothing short of a miracle.

All babies are a gift from God.  I believe that more than ever now that I have one and can see the wonderment as he grows and learns.  I can't wait to welcome this second little guy into our lives.

New Mexico Trip

This weekend, Finn, Jennee and I flew to New Mexico to watch the Abay children because Nick and Beth were going to Austin for his big company Christmas party.  Finn did so well traveling.  I was so proud of him and how well he naturally adjusted to situations without fussing or getting anxious.  He did not get that from his mother!

Highlights from the weekend include: movie night, a trip to the zoo (that also had a large playground inside of it) and the older kids went to a Christmas parade in Cloudcroft complete with hot chocolate, popcorn and lighting the Christmas tree.

 William and Finn literally rolling around on the floor.  Finn got a taste of being the little brother!

 One of Finn's favorite animals is ducks.  He loves making the "quack" sound.  The zoo had probably 50 ducks or so on its pond and Finn loved it!  Lillie was scaring the birds and ducks so they would fly up.  Finn and Lillie laughed so hard when she did that.

 William and Finn posing on a rock at the zoo. 

 I loved this mountain lion.  He was napping on his back in the sun with his huge tail falling down the side of his perch.  It's so funny how they can look so cuddly.

Lillie wanted her picture taken on top of "Simba".

We had a lot of fun this weekend and the kids did really well together.  Jennee is such a good Grams.  Patient, kind and loving to all her grandchildren.  I am so blessed to have joined such a loving family.

Thanksgiving

 This Thanksgiving was a lot of fun.  We were able to spend a full day with each of our family's.  Thanksgiving Day was at mom's house.  The boys put up swing set for all the grand kids.  It was nice to get outside and not sit around inside all day.

 Finn helped get the tools for the men.

 The women talking and watching the guys.

 Dad and son.

 Friday we went to Corsicana and spent the day with Clint's family.  The little guys (William(3), JR( 19 mos.) and Finn (17 mos.)) playing some baseball.

Not the best picture of Finn (taken on my phone).  Can't believe how big he is getting.

7 Random Questions

1.  What's your favorite holiday? 
Now that I have a child, I LOVE Christmas.  I could not wait for Thanksgiving to be over this year just because I wanted to decorate and get into the holiday spirit. 

2. When you were young, what did you want to be when you grew up?
When I was young, I think I wanted to be a teacher.  I remember having a classroom all set up in my bedroom complete with dry erase board, stuffed animal students and grading homework.

3. What hobby would you like to take up if you had more money/time?
 I would love to become a legitimately good cook and baker.  Also: grow and can my own vegetables, read A LOT more and learn to sew.  That's my short list!  Ha!

4. What TV shows do you currently watch?
Frasier, Nashville, The Big Bang Theory, Shark, Amazing Race (most of these start at 8, right after Finn goes to bed.  This is not an accident. )

5. How long do you spend getting ready on a typical morning?
 Probably 45 minutes, average.
 
6. What does your name mean?/Why did your parents choose your name?
I think my name means white island.  Both are true. ;)  I think my parents chose it because they both liked it.  Actually, I think my mom liked the name Brooke (my middle name) and dad liked Whitney.  Dad always called me "WB".  Especially when it came to sports.

7. What's the best gift you've ever received?
 I think the most meaningful gift I ever received was from my dad on Christmas.  He gave me a guitar.  I will learn to play it one day.  Some of my best memories of dad were when he would play guitar and sing and  I would play piano.  We played "Silent Night" together the most because it was really beautiful.  To this day, someone playing an acoustic guitar and singing brings me back to listening to dad play when we were growing up.  14 years later, that guitar sits in my closet.  I fully intend to continue our jam sessions when I get to heaven.  Everyone's invited.

Thanks Kayla!  That was a lot of fun!  (Hope the last question didn't depress anyone.  This book helped me a lot to heal.  I highly recommend it.)

First Family Portraits and a Surprise!

We also took this time to announce Finn's new role coming May 2013.  He'll be a big brother!  Clint and I are very excited to become a family of four.  And even though Finn doesn't understand yet what is going on, I know he's going to be great.