Midnight somewhere

Happy New Year!!!

Goodbye 2011

2011 where did it go......full of blessings, smiles, tears, waiting, projects, work, new adventures, parties, friends, babies, love, laughs, excitement, and most of all strong memories that help mold us into who we are today.  This year comes to an end on a very high note for us, our Auntie Sarah got engaged last night to her fabulous boyfriend (now fiance John) and we welcomed EK's newest best bud Madelyn Margaret McConkey into the world today.  2011....you were great to us. Goodbye to 2011 and hello 2012...what do you have in store for us this year??

Note to EK at 7 months

Oh what FUN it has been!!  I am talking about the holidays but also EK you are 7 MONTHS!  We just can't believe how much you have grown.  I am you mom but EK you are one smart cookie!  You have energy that never ends and always want to be the last at the party.  I think Tootie likes a Kate Spade quote about that and it describes you perfectly.  You are the life of any party, always ready to put on a show.  You truly are so much fun!!  The brightness in your smile and twinkle in your eyes just makes me want to eat you up everytime I see it.  I just love you so much!  Never loose this love for life.  People were talking this holiday season and the topic of our conversation was ....LIFE IS WHAT YOU MAKE OF IT......you have to make the good times awesome and you have to make the rough times manageable.  Never loose your smile and energy and you will have it made.  I look forward to enjoying your sparkle for life at each stage of your life. 

At 7 months you are SO BIG!  You have it mastered and after we always clap and give a big 'YEAH' with clapping!  Followed by a huge smile.  We do this over and over now.  The raspberry blowing from our 6 month stage still comes back some days.  Example, Christmas eve mass at every silent moment!  Along with clapping you can give hi-five if we put out our hand.  You get so proud after all these tasks.  I have to say the So Big never gets old.  You love playing toys and will make the sweetest coo sounds as you play on the blanket.  Your favorite toy before Christmas was Sophie and this blue ball with a rattle inside.  You know love the stacking blocks.  Food...You love fruit  (peaches are still your favorite!) but could do without the veggies (you do like sweet potatoes).  You have mastered eating puffs and cheerios.  It is the funniest thing to watch you find the food in your little hands.  You also love graham crackers.  You now want everything we eat.  You are working on a sippy cup.  You are showing interest in crawling and still have that super long reach.  You are so close to crawling!!

EK, Pea, Etta Kate, Etta.....you is kind, you is smart, and you is important.

Photo by A...check out her site and blog. http://adriennebarberphotography.com/

Ho! Ho! Ho!

Merry Christmas!

Annual Christmas Dinner

EAT

DRINK

MERRY

EK's FIRST CHRISTMAS!

EK is so thankful for the wonderful love at Mimi and Pops christmas. Wonderful time of the year!

Madeline

EK want a cracker?

Checking his list.....

Yes Etta Kate is on the good list! She had no problem telling Santa her list. They were buds! This was attemp number 2, first was a fail not for ek but the parents because we never made it. We tried for the best Santa in stl last Sunday. Arrived at 1130 thinking we would be fine but at 115, we had moved a few steps. Oh well should have planned better. So Friday we went to see como. Santa with ERA, the girls loved him! No line at all, thanks Santa!

Brown paper packages tied up with bows

Barn storming

Say what? Yes that is what the builder has been doing. It's safe to say, he LOVES it. So what is barn storming, I had no idea. Well builder has informed me as I type that he just calls it this and it's not the true definition of it. Had me fooled, I don't know much about farming or barns. So where I'm going with this, builder found a craiglist posting for a barn, not to buy but take down. He was so excited to talk with Walt and go see this barn. SOLD. No money exchange, builder has agreed to take down the barn and then take all the wood and metal out to our farm. So builder is taking down this old tobacco barn, board by board. He LOVES it!

So along with the barn updates. Builder has been obsessed with finding a tractor. Again with Craig's help Builder has been all over MO. Meeting some true farmers. Insert here builders farmer voice, makes me laugh every time. He has met Charlie, Walt, Mickey, Ed and the list goes on. One guy was in his late 80s and after builder followed out to his farm to find an ancient tractor that was listed as in great condition, tractor didn't start and after an hour Builder said something about the 500 price tag to which Charlie says "oh my daughter in law forgot the 1"?????? To which builder left not happy with his time management while ek was with ms T. This is my favorite story!


So a few tractors, a barn, and a dump truck later ( that's another builder post) the farm is growing. I see a lot more carharts and Craigslist stories from builder. EiEiO

Walt's Barn Before

Side View of Walts

Ole Blue..Tractor

Still have Project Lists

So I use to post all about projects and lately the project posts have been about a very important little someone!!  So here is a little catch up on the project list that of course has continued just has not been documented.

So I finally think I put the finishing touches on EKs room with her friend Whitney the whale!  Not really Whitney just added that for some reason.  Made me laugh!  I working on not being a whale these days!!  haha!!  So after a lot of thought and discussion the whale was complete!  Thank goodness for Builder.  He cut it from wood and then we covered in fabric, I love it!!



What else!  So the week before Thanksgiving Builder was going with Mr. Scott to get his new dump truck.  I will have to post on that.  I was going to start the decorating for Christmas, I like to get it started (this was a little early but it was a cold rainy Sunday).  I started to pull things out and then...I was rearranging the house.  Yes, EK went down for a nap and to work I went.  I was moving the China cabinets (yes full of our china and crystal).  I did have to call the neighbors for help on the brown buffet, it was so heavy and had to be lifted so we did not scratch the floor.  They thought I was crazy but were willing to help with anything.  I switched the direction of our dining table, I moved chairs in the great room, I moved pictures off the wall, I just about re-organized 3 of the 4 rooms on the first floor.  I Loved it!!  and so did Builder.  It did however create a few new projects but we (EK included) love projects.  I did finish one already in the dining room, painted the circle mirrors grey.  Compliments the stripes in the curtains.  I am not sure I blogged on those either.  Finally found something I love for both front rooms, Oh Bother had eaten the others and I had enough of looking at that.  So on to the projects; Built ins, re-cover chairs...more to come!!

Now -2011

2010

2009

Out on the town!

We had our first night out on the town leaving ek overnight at Lulu and Poppy's. We had a fabulous time and I think the same for lulu, poppy, and ek! We started with a much needed visit to Lucy's...nothing better then nails and pedi. We then did some quick shopping. Shopping without a baby is so much easier. Oh jcrew how I love you! Some new bright heels and I was set. On to the Chase. It was fabulous . We then headed to the Apex Christmas party at scape. Great food, company, and place. Oh and the wine was so great! Sleeping was a plus as well! We did both wake at our norm and bonus back to sleep for us!

Busy weekend continues, we had 3 parties Friday, Saturday in stl, now are racing down 70 for a 4pm shower we are cohosting. Happy holidays!!!!

Craft time with Miss Tina

It's beginning to look a lot like...

CHRISTMAS!!!!!

Jolly Day!

 Jolly Ole St. Nicholas made a visit to EK last night!!

 She loved the goodies!  But most of all the bows!  She is going to be ready for Christmas!  She has been so animated lately.  She started on puffs and she will let you know when she needs one.  And sippy cup, has it down.  Getting so big!

 Again everything in the mouth....even the first SNOW!!!! When I heard the plow outside my window, I sprang from the bed.  So fast just like the book says.  I tore open the curtains in EKs room so excited it was snowing and St. Nick had visited.  We just had to get out there!!  Bundled up and out the 3 of us went...no not builder

 Ek loved it so much, she took her normal am snooze on the walk.  Yes we walk in rain, shine, and snow! Ice can keep us in and not sure what else will keep us in this year.  The stroller adds a new element.  Last year Oh bother and I walked everyday in winter except the first day of the feet of snow.

Somebody else loved the snow.  Looks like a kangaroo.  It was a picture perfect holiday day at our house!

Little me!

Yes it's true I have loved monograms since I was little! This was my 1st Christmas dress. Thanks to lulu for saving and Mimi for fixing the hem. We are working on a tab to cover my name and put Etta Kate. Love it!

We had a fabulous weekend! Lots of time by the fire, cooking baking, walks all bundled, football,and best of all it was with Lulu and poppy! Builder had a baby shower for guys only. He will have to guest post on these weekend baby showers for the guys! I'm thinking us girls may need to change our style! Happy holidays!!