Christmas in Amarillo & Lubbock

We left for our trip the Saturday before Christmas and headed to Mimi and Pops house in Dallas to stay the night (to break up the trip). Then we left early Sunday morning and headed to Amarillo to spend time with Gigi and Gramps. We were there from Sunday - Friday (Christmas Day)

They took us to the park by their house which Audrey loved! Her new favorite thing to do is swing! She laughs the whole time.

Not so sure about the slide with Daddy


Slide with GiGi


Their sink was perfect for baths! - I love this picture!


After cousins arrived on Tuesday we headed to Lubbock on Wednesday to visit both sets of Evan's grandparents. For some reason we did not bring our camera and I only got pictures at one house. Here is Audrey with her great granddad. He is so sweet to her!!


Parker and Audrey playing


Family photo


Precious bloomers Jenna gave to Audrey


Thursday was Evan's family immediate family Christmas. We started a new tradition with the kids Christmas first, then after they are put to bed, it is the adult's turn. It worked out perfectly. Audrey and Parker looked precious in their coordinating PJ's.

More pics to come!!

My First Scapbook Page

I made a scrapbook page for a friend whose mom is putting together a book for her wedding. It was my first attempt to use Photoshop ever! It took me forever but I did enjoy it. I am hoping to create Audrey's first birthday invitation. I want to be the next Fabulous K ! Ha.

New Bedding!

Evan and I have decided to use our christmas money to purchase new bedding. I want our bedroom to be funky/eclectic/semi-formal. I believe I know which bedding I'm going to go with but I thought I would poll the audience and see what the viewers think. :).... ( I do realize my taste may be very different for some of you)

I will post a poll off to the side.

Bedding Choice 1.) I believe this one is my favorite. When I was looking for choice #2 I ran across it and loved it. If I were to purchase this one, I would paint our bedroom to match the green on the border of the pillows. It also reminds me of a cute boutique in "Old Town Spring" - I would also include antique mirrors/ empty frames/ branches etc. What I also love about this one is it puts me out of my comfort zone and incorporates new colors into our home.

Bedding Choice 2.)
I like #2 for many of the same reasons as #1, but my only hang up is it looks very similar to our guest bedroom bedding and is a little safe for me.

Bedding Choice 3.)
This one is my least favorite, but I love this room and its decor!!... The bedding is a tad more modern then I would like, but paired with the color of the room and the decor - I'm sold! I wouldn't mind putting this set on a guest bed.

Christmas!

Audrey's First ChristmasWith being out of town Dec. 19- 27th Evan and I decided to have our "own" family Christmas before we left on our journey across Texas. We discussed traditions we would like to continue each year such as letting our children open one gift on Christmas Eve.

Audrey's gift first gift was a pair of toy keys!


For dinner Evan and I had blue cheese burgers, chips, queso, guacamole, and grilled stuffed jalapenos.


Audrey's cookies for Santa
which he enjoyed thoroughly ;)


Audrey's goodies from Santa - Her big gift was a new car seat (not pictured)


Christmas morning!!

Stay tuned for more pictures from our Christmas in Dallas, Amarillo, and Lubbock. Yes, we did get stuck in the 287 traffic through Wichita Falls on Christmas Day, but thankfully it only took us 10 hours (normally 6) because we turned around and used our navigation system to bypass the city. It was awful!! Needless to say the car ride was pretty tense, but Evan did a great job and the Lord blessed us with safe travel to Dallas.

Christmas Wreaths!

I'm a faithful blog stalker of Pearls, Handcuffs, and Happy Hour

http://pearls-handcuffs-happyhour.blogspot.com/2009/11/ornament-wreath-101.html

and the other morning I saw this post and knew I had to make a wreath! I showed Sandra and she agreed!... We got together and made some fabulous wreaths. Then Sandra got the idea to make letters!! ... She helped me make this precious "A" that will be apart of the decor for Audrey's First Birthday.

Enjoy!!

Our blog is going private!

After much prayer and a good conversation with my best friend I have decided to go private. I feel like going private would keep me accountable to my intentions behind blogging in the first place. I have definitely struggled with comparison when it comes to reading blogs and blogging. Some of the blogs that I read have lives that look rather "perfect". I admit, I have wanted portray this image on my blog as well, but this is definitely not my heart. My hopes for our blog is for it to be a documentation of how Audrey is growing, how our family is changing, and the exciting things we are up to these days.



If you would like to keep reading please send me an e-mail at nicole.gooch@gmail.com or leave a message with your e-mail so that I may send you an invite.



I am definitely a blog stalker myself and am not opposed to adding someone that I don't "know", but would love to know how you found our blog!

Here is a picture of Audrey and Annabelle (My best friend Jennifer's little girl who is 3 months) ... Audrey is 8 months old in this picture!! She is growing up so fast! I apologize for the white space my parents scanner/computer is not working.

3 months old

I know I'm a little late but here is what Audrey is up to these days:

• She is sleeping 10-11 hrs at night and has just recently progressed to a 4 hour schedule. (Babywise)
  

• She is now taking 3 naps a day and is taking 4 5-8 1/2oz bottles of breastmilk a day.

• She is still sleeping swaddled and I think I'm going to continue this for another month and see she can sleep unswaddled at 4 months. She is still waking herself up when she gets her arms out. I've heard the Miracle Blanket works wonders - any feedback? But, I honestly would love to dress her in cute jammies and have her not be swaddled. :) She is still sleeping in "sleep shirts" and we are still swaddling with hospital blankets.

• Audrey is talking up a storm and smiling constantly. Evan and I love it! She is very interactive and such a sweet joy to be around.

• She can roll from her stomach to her back. She is also rolling from her back to her side and will also use her feet to scoot across the floor when laying on her back.
  

• Audrey will begin cereal at 4 months! I'm so excited!

• She is not enjoying her carseat these days. Our trip to Dallas was a rough one, we even left super early in the morning. I am hoping she will grow out of this, soon.
  

Audrey attended her first wedding, went swimming and will take her first flight here in a couple of weeks.

I recently finished reading Babywise II, I highly recommend it! I even enjoyed it more then the first book.

We love you sweet Audrey! You are such a joy!