Surprise!

READER BEWARE ... this is kind of a big post. So my friends and I get together for GNO's - Girls Night Out - as often as our schedules will permit. We had one scheduled in Grapevine a few weeks ago and I was just going about my business thinking it was another fun girls night, when .... SURPRISE ... it was a baby shower for Addie!!! How sweet is that?? I was so overwhelmed with gratitude that these women pulled it together -- I just really didn't have words for it. I still like to brag about it! ;-) (hence the post about it) Didn't have my camera on me, so here's what I've got ....

I got a package of diapers, so I took a picture of Jacob's diapers now vs. the newborns. Aren't they cute?

And I had Jason take my picture after the dinner .... here I am at 7 months preggy. Chin out and arch that back!

Here's all of Addie's loot, not bad - eh?

A little transitional picture of Jacob eating "noodles" and making a huge mess.

So then we found out that Jason earned a free trip to Naples, Florida for two from work - and we stayed at the Ritz Carleton! It was sooooo nice. You know when you see a really cute/fancy outfit that you want, but you talk yourself out of buying it because you think "where would I ever wear this?" - well I found where such outfits are worn, it's here! I told Jason he has to earn this trip again so that I can do some non-maternity shopping next time. It was great non-kid time .... although I kept looking around for a toddler to chase. I read my book, had some spa visits, ate lunch on the beach, watched people drink, enjoyed some awesome people watching and was beaming with pride as my husband received his award. I am very proud of him and will be cracking the whip on him to earn again so we can go back! :-) And the best part, we never took out our credit card. Oh, and I got a free pair of very nice sunglasses and a free necklace. I love free stuff - especially when it's not crap.

So the night of the awards ceremony we came back to our room and this champagne and chocolate was waiting for us. Obviously the champagne did not get opened ... but you see that picture of the hotel ... it's all made of chocolate! Even the stand it is sitting on. Mmmmmm......

Me the night of the awards ceremony .... beach front hotel = frizzy hair.

The hotel

We got bored and built this sand castle! (he-he)

View from our balcony

Our room ... the two beds was not planned, but being 7 months preggy I did not mind it. Jason didn't either since I squirm a lot these days.

So onto the random photos time .... I had many, many attempts at a Christmas card photo, more than what I posted below, it's going to take multiple posts to show them all (bet you can't wait) .... here are some of the outtakes:

Take 1: Wouldn't look at camera, was throwing fit b/c it was Thanksgiving Day and he wanted to get to grandma and grandpa's house. Oreo was supposed to be sitting in the wagon with him, but she was having none of it also.

Take 2: This was considered at one point, but I wasn't hip to the Olive Garden advertisement - or the shoe.

Take 3: Love the pic, but I wanted more of his face in the picture.

Just a random photo, wasn't in the running!

Take 4: He's not smiling .... kind of hard to crop the trash can out.

This was post-Christmas .... he has on the Elmo slippers his Aunt Jackie got him.

Christmas morning! Playing with his new puzzle.

Jacob playing with our snowman .... putting a pipe in his mouth. And yes those are lemons for his eyes.