Boots & Trains!!

We just got back from Papa & Mimi's house and boy did we have fun!  Yesterday Papa took Jack to the store (my dad owns a True Value Farm & Home) and he got his first pair of cowboy boots!  He strutted around the store for a solid hour as if he owned the place.  It was so funny.  He was saying hi to everyone and touching all the tools, ropes, chainsaws (blades were off of course), etc.  He also picked up a cowboy hat (which is too small because he has a HUGE head) and a toy horse.  Of course my dad was loving every minute and probably would have even bought Jack a tractor if he had asked :)  Then we all went out for pibba (pizza) and Jack got a free balloon at the restaurant.   He did not take a nap at all on Saturday and literally fell asleep at the dinner table.  It was such a great day :)

Today before we headed home, we stopped by my grandparents house (they're in Texas) and picked up my brothers' train table and all their Thomas stuff from when they were little.  This is no ordinary table, my grandpa built this table for Ryan and hand painted the top.  The pictures do not do it justice - it's gorgeous!!  And they are sweet enough to let us have (for the time - it's really Ryan's) the table and trains for Jack's new big boy room.  My grandma had the great idea of setting up the table in his new room. Therefore over the next few months he'll want to play in there and eventually when we move his furniture it won't be such an adjustment.  Smart lady :)  Thank you grandma & grandpa - he ADORES the table & trains!! He was literally squealing as Ryan was putting it together for him.  The two of them spent the remaining hours today playing with it (yes Ryan too) until it was Jack's bedtime.  

It's a GIRL!

We were thrilled to find out last Thursday that we're expecting a baby girl and her exact due date is Easter (April 8th).  There hasn't been a girl on the Tonsing side in a very long time therefore everyone was a bit shocked and pleasantly surprised. Both our mothers cried & screamed - awesome reactions! 

 Help me now - I might need an intervention!  Girl clothing is sooooo cute!!

 This is a dress that Nancy brought over last weekend - isn't it just precious?!!  I have a feeling Miss Lily Anne will be wearing this to cousin Katie's wedding in August.

 We decided on the name Lily Anne since it encompasses both my Grandma Lillian & Grandma Mary Anne's names. The best part was Lily had always been a favorite girl name of Terry's so even though he said he was choosing this baby's name it totally worked out to my benefit too!

 Are these shoes not adorable?!!

 I also got Jack a matching shirt to go with his sister's holiday outfit for next year.

Drum roll....our basement is finally complete after 3 and 1/2 months.

 Family Room

 With a play corner

 Hallway w/the softest carpet EVER and now I wish it was on the 2nd floor in all the bedrooms.  Someday...

 Guest room was moved to the basement away from the kids' rooms allowing privacy & silence in the morning :)

 My favorite part - built in shelves in the storage room

 Guest Bath that also has a linen closet behind the door when you walk in the room

 Last but not least, we had some leftover wood from the main floor therefore we carpeted the stairs but put wood on the landing and it really looks great!

A month of pictures

Visiting a pumpkin patch with Jack's best friend Aubrey aka "Aubee"

Going down a really fast slide with Mommy

I realize that these are not flattering pictures of myself but I just love Jack's facial expressions.  He loved this slide!

Great Grandma & Grandpa came to visit for the weekend.  Jack and Grandpa spent a lot of time reading.

This was the best pictures I could get of all three of them but I just adore the one below of Jack giving Grandma a hug bye.

Jack and RyRy

Jack followed this grasshopper around the yard for a good 20 minutes.  Notice how he uses his middle finger to point - he does this with everything.  He never uses his index finger it's really funny.  Just ask him to show you "ssshhh"...

Carving pumpkins with  Daddy.  Daddy carved Jack the best Mickey Mouse face and I forgot to get a pic :(

We visited Eckert's Farm with Nana and Grandpa and got to feed the goats.

Jack loved this tire house swing which is really rare because he hates traditional swings.

Giving Gigi a hug after her big birthday celebration.

Forcing Mimi to kiss him :)

This is how he sits in his chair to watch Mickey Mouse - every time!

Happy Halloween!  Going to school in costume.

Cat in the Hat with Thing 1 & Thing 2

Jack LOVED trick-or-treating!  No joke - he followed Colin (4 year old neighbor) to every house and didn't want to stop.  We probably hit 30 houses.  Terry and I were very impressed and thankful for all the yummy candy.

We find out in 2 days if we're having another boy or a girl.  To say we're excited would be a major understatement!!!