The 3 year old photos!

My brother's best friend, Sam Gregory, has been taking Noah's annual portraits since he was a baby. He outdid himself this year! There were so many to choose, but I wanted to share a few of our favorites! Thanks Sambo for making our memories last a lifetime.

PART 2 OF PARTY...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/questron5000/sets/72157620185717761/
my brother took some amazing photos from the party I just had to share!

HAPPY 3RD BIRTHDAY COWBOY NONO!

Noah has been asking for a Cowboy Birthday party for months now. I have been working on creative ways to keep a rowdy group of under 4 year olds occupied. I think I accomplished it! Some are a few high lights...more to come!

Beware of the Cowboy NoNo!

Cowboy Nono waiting on his guests!

(I used our old fence post and painted all the signs for the party)

My best friend, Aunt Kathy blew up the WANTED poster. It was a hoot to watch his face when we hung it!

Our version of horse-shoes.

Our Watering Hole complete Lemonade, Rootbeer, and adult drinks!

The Gold Mine where there kids found gold and silver coins (really it was gum)

The Bull's Eye beanbag toss complete with handmade bean bags by Mimi

The Spacewalk was the County Jail.

The Cowboy hats and Vest completed the Emporium. The kids were able to decorate their own paperbag vest and wear their own Cowboy hat. (this was the biggest hit of the party!)

Kyle and Margaret Compretta strutting their new Cowboy threads!

Birthday Boy Noah loving the Birthday song!

Cowboy Noah riding off into the sunset waving good bye to his last friend leaving!

MOVIES AND SWIMMING...

With the excitement of our baby girl announcement and planning the Cowboy event of the year, I got behind on my photo posting. So now its time to catch up!!!

Last weekend, Noah and Lillian went to see the movie UP! Surprising the two did well taking in the movie via the 4th row. My neck hurt by the end, but they seemed to enjoy the long movie. After the movies we picked up some groceries then headed to Lillian's neighborhood pool. The kids went swimming until almost 9pm. Boy, did we all sleep well.

young love....

precious Lillian smiling for the camera...
I'm going get you lily!

Noah was trying to touch his toes to his head...

showing off his cool moves...

I AM SOO BLESSED...

Now that the instant emotions and excitement have decreased in order for me to speak, I felt I needed to say thanks!

There are soo many things God has blessed me with in my (almost) 30 years of age:a great education, studying abroad, best friends, delta gamma sisters forever, parents that are more like friends, a husband that is forever my King, a son that is the apple of my eye...and now a daughter to share the same moments as my mom and I did. I am still in shock to know that there is a little girl growing inside of me.

Some of you might not know or understand why Ike cried when we were told. At the age of 3 years old, Ike's mother, Joan Marie Johnston Manuel, died. He only has a few memories of her and 2 photos that survived Katrina, but she is definitely still loved by the family. When the due date was announced, we were shocked at the thought of it being a day before her actual birthday. Then when a girl was announced, a true miracle of Joanie back on earth was the thought. Amazing! Absolutely amazing! Now what will bring me to my knees (again in praise) will be if she pops out with red hair!!!

So I thank the Lord for sending us our Skylar MacKenzie Joan Manuel (PS...my mom's name is Joan too!) for I know already she has Ike wrapped around her finger, her big brother in check, and won her momma's heart!

AND THE ANSWER IS......

We are pleased to announce....we are having a GIRL!!!
Her name will be Skylar MacKenzie Joan Manuel

(more to come, just couldnt wait to share the news!)

SKIPPED SCHOOL...

Noah played "hookie" from school on Thursday. My mom took him to the movies, park, then this is what occurred after nap time!!! I think my parents just like seeing a little boy running in his skivies!!! (me too!)