Traci's Babies' Shower

Sunday was Traci's Big Day...the much awaited, much anticipated, very much prayed for celebration of God's blessings on Traci and Mark.  I would not have missed this day for the world and was so privileged to get to join Dana and Kelly in planning this special day for our best friend. 

The caramel corn that Jan and I made the night before was the parting favor at Traci's shower. 

My contribution to the shower was decor and games/crafts.  In lieu of games, I decided on crafts instead.  We had a "make an onesie" station for guests to create an onesie for one or both of the babies.

Plain onesies and hats to decorate.

Guests had the options of adding buttons to their onesies.

Guests tagged their onesies so Traci would know who created the outfit.

or add flower buttons or iron-on appliques...

then hang their onesie for viewing on the clothesline.

Kelly picked out the perfect cake for the occasion.  It tasted as good as it looks!

Kyle, Kelly, Traci with babies, Dana

Traci's Mom, Leanne, and Kelly decorating their onesies.

A few of the onesie creations...I wish I had a picture of ALL of them...some super cute onesies and hats are not pictured!

Traci and her baby bounty...she got alot of great gifts and her babies' room is going to be well-stocked!

Kelly and I both got Traci her Boppy pillows-one for each baby from her aunts:)  Kelly was so kind to pick up my present for me so that I didn't have to carry one more item on the plane-my bags were so full that they were causing marital issues on the way to KY!

Books from my mom...Traci's fav is "The Very Hungry Caterpillar"

The other craft project that I planned involved the whole group of guests.  I had made a fleece blanket for each baby by knotting two pieces of fleece together and left one side of each blanket undone.  We passed the blankets and as each guest tied a knot, we each said a prayer or blessing for the baby.  It was such a sweet time and my favorite part of the shower!!!

Dana tying her knot for Baby Girl Moore and praying her blessing for her life.

Kelly tying her knot for Baby Boy Moore and praying her blessing for his life.

Traci's Mom, Mary, tying her knot and praying for Baby Boy Moore to grow up to be just like his daddy and have a servant's heart...she made everyone cry!!!  For Baby Girl Moore she prayed that she would grow up to be just like her mama...tear!...we were passing the kleenex!

Traci with her Blankets of Blessings

After most of the guests had left and the guys returned to Andy and Dana's with the kids, Hallie (Kelly and Josh's little girl and my much-loved niece) and I made a onesie together for one of Aunt Traci's babies.  Is Hallie not the cutest little crafter you've ever seen?  I LOVE this little girl!!!

I made Christmas onesies for Baby Girl Moore and Baby Boy Moore....pink JOY for her with flower ornaments and red JOY for him with classic ornaments...I thought they turned out cute and I can't wait to see them wear them this Christmas!!!

The shower was the highlight of our weekend in KY.  We are thrilled for Mark and Traci that they get to experience twins before we do so that we can learn twin tips from them!  Traci has been my close confidant through our adoption and our roads to motherhood have mirrored each other's in so many ways...and not-so-much in other ways...but we've leaned on and encouraged each other on this journey, and I've gained so much faith and hope through watching God answer our prayers for the Moore family.  Check out their blog for updates:  http://moore-blessings.blogspot.com/.  

Trip To Lexington, KY

Last weekend we went to Lexington, KY, to see family and friends. Saturday was a gorgeous fall day, and Isaac and I along with Isaac's parents, Mark and Jan, went to Evan's Orchard for an apple festival. One of the attractions besides apple picking, kiddie rides, and the corn maze was Nacho the camel. Jan dared me to ride Nacho, so I did.

We also met up with our friends, the Rogers, and spent time with them before their big move to TX. We tried to recruit them to FL, but they are saving Tampa Bay for their next and final move:)

Isaac loves Miss Alexa (I think the feeling is mutual) and was so happy that she wanted to share his Kettle Corn with her.

We all tackled the corn maze and did find our way out eventually.

Alexa wanted to eat some corn during our adventure through the maze, and she knew just who to ask to shuck her a piece...

Nic, Alexa, Leanne, Blake, Kyle, Isaac

Isaac, Kyle, Jan, Mark

Saturday evening we paid a man with no teeth for tickets to watch UK lose to UofL...but the second bag of Kettle Corn we ate for the day was totally worth it and it was still nice to be back at Commonwealth Stadium.

Jan graciously stayed up until 1am with me Saturday night to make caramel corn for favors for the baby shower that was happening the next day. (That was our third helping of popcorn for the day!) It turned out so yummy. Jan and I perfected the recipe enough to make the family cookbook for next year.

Where has summer gone?

Time flies by when you are busy.  I'm not sure where the summer has gone...but who am I kidding?  It is still 90 degrees in FL...summer just keeps on going!  We have spent alot of time with family and friends the past few weeks.  We've also watched our house go up and have learned some new recipes.  Here are a few of the highlights:

Kyle, Donna, Isaac, Gabe

Gabe taught me how to make Eggplant Stacks.  They are layers of panko-eggplant,  herbed goat cheese, fresh basil and tomatoes with balsamic glaze.  Delicious!

Isaac and Gabe played a few friendly rounds of cornhole after jet-skiing two days in a row.  We were all wiped out!  Isn't the view of the pond lovely? 

The two mornings we enjoyed at Gabe and Donna's included feeding the turtles in their pond.  We feed them turtle food at first until we ran out, then switched to cat food.

Meet Caiden Matthew Lilly.  He is so handsome!  So happy for our friends Matt and Abbie and big sister Adelyn.

Princess Adelyn watching princess shows on her daddy's iPad...so nice of him to share:) 

Just look at that cute thinker...Abbie, I think we have another member of "The Pinky and The Brain" club-but this one looks like a Brain-finally!

Isaac joined me (more willingly this time) for another cooking class.  We learned the proper use of knives at Knife Skills 1.  Isaac discovered that he is a "rocker" with a preference for the Chef's knife.  I'm a "chopper" and can't use a Chef's knife to save my life!

Chef Dave nominated Isaac to be the "salt man" for our winter vegetable soup.  We also made gourmet grilled cheese.

Our lot was scraped in August.

For a couple of weeks the only sign of progress was the Port-a-poti...If you build it, they will come...

Then the foundation was laid after our lot was rezoned...apparently our lot used to be a flood plain and was never rezoned after the land was regraded...but now we're back on track.

For all of you non-Floridians...cement block is hurricane building code for first floors of homes here.  

Second story is on and the roof is going on.

Today the house had windows, a roof, and inside there was electrical work being done.   We are looking forward to moving in!