Enjoying the Seasons...

The past few weeks have been very busy, but lots of fun! We had a wonderful Thanksgiving with my family at Allison & Jon-Micah's house. There was toooo much food, but lots of great fun and fellowship. Elan has been enjoying raking the leaves with Jay- and there have been a lot to rake! He has his own little rake and will stay outside for hours just raking away. Emery had her first breakfast with Santa at church and Elan enjoyed "showing her the ropes" on what to say to Santa, advising her on how Santa is "a good guy", etc. Emery is officially crawling up AND down the stairs... not sure this is something good to report on, but she sure loves it and we have to watch her like a hawk! Jay & I enjoyed going to a Titans game- I'll include some pictures of Vince for your enjoyment...(specifically Chris & Jenny). Emery is just into everything and keeps up on our toes- she really loves getting into the cabinets- Elan makes sure she ONLY gets in the cabinet with the "pastic" bowls. We got our Christmas tree up and Elan enjoyed putting the star at the top again this year. Before we know it, he won't need Jay holding him up to reach it anymore... Hope you are all enjoying the holiday season so far!

Happy 2nd Birthday Caleb!!

Allison's little boy, Caleb, turned TWO last week- HAPPY BIRTHDAY CALEB!! (or Taleb as Elan calls him) He is just so precious and we love him so much! They had fun popping balloons for prizes and eating the John Deere cake- it was really cute. Emery tried her first bite of ice cream and LOVED it- of course she did... her mommy is an ice cream junkie. :) My sister and I were talking today about he and Elan are like brothers- we are so excited to watch them grow up together!

Fun in the Mountains...

We had a great time with our friends in the mountains last weekend! The boys had big fun driving go-carts, all by themselves! It was sooo funny to watch- wish I had video- they had a hard time figuring out which way to go, when to stop, etc but did finally figure it out. Emery enjoyed her first trip to the mountains and thought playing in the leaves was really fun. The weather was perfect and the fall color was incredible! (I hope yall aren't tired of the slideshows...it's the only way I can figure out how to put pictures on here with our new camera!)

Happy Halloween!

We had a little lion and a baby bunny at our house for Halloween! Elan had fun at his school party and they both enjoyed our class party, truck or treat at church and handing out candy to trick-or-treaters at home.

Fall Fun!

We've had a fun and busy fall so far! We've enjoyed spending time with friends and family, going to the Fall Retreat with our church, going to the pumpkin farm, etc. Emery has started crawling, is saying "da-da" (we think) and now has 4 teeth. Elan is loving school and knows all of his letters and can officially write his name! Just wanted to share some pictures from the past month. Hope you're all enjoying the beautiful weather!

My Man...

1. Who is your man? Jay Louis
2. How long have you been together? 9 years
3. How long dated? 2 years
4. How old is your man? 29
5. Who eats more? It depends on what we're eating...
6. Who said "I love you" first? Jay
7. Who is taller? Jay
8. Who sings better? Umm, that's a toss up- I like to sing more than he does
9. Who is smarter? I'd say Jay- and more practical!
10. Whose temper is worse? Jay
11. Who does the laundry? me, although Jay will sometimes help out
12. Who takes out the garbage? we both do
13. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? Jay- closer to the door
14. Who pays the bills? I did for the first 7 years, now it's his "shift"
15. Who is better with the computer? I'd say me and he would tell you it's because I'm on it waayy too much
16. Who mows the lawn? Jay, now that we have a riding lawnmower- I prefered to use a push mower
17. Who cooks dinner? If we're having a Supper Thyme meal- I do :), otherwise it's usually Jay
18. Who drives when you are together? Jay
19. Who pays when you go out? Jay, then he hands me the receipt to add the tip
20. Who is most stubborn? we really both can be at times
21. Who is the first to admit when they are wrong? usually me
22. Whose parents do you see the most? Mine- they live in town
23. Who kissed who first? Jay
24. Who asked who out? Jay- while I was on the treadmill at the gym- was he really attracted to me or just bored that night??
25. Who proposed? Jay- at the top of Vernal Falls in Yosemite National Park in CA
26. Who is more sensitive? we can both be pretty sensitive- depends on the subject
27. Who has more friends? I guess me- believe it or not, Jay has become more of an introvert through time
28. Who has more siblings? Jay- two sisters, one brother and I have one brother and one sister
29. Who wears the pants in the family? I'd agree with Dana- we both have a leg in! Ask me that a couple of years ago and I'd say me- I'm working on that!!

I tag- Carrie B (don't hate me :)), Kristy P. and DeeDee

Elan's 1st Field Trip

Yes, it's true- Elan had his first official field trip yesterday. I can't believe he is old enough to even go on a field trip!!
He and his buddies had a great time at the pumpkin farm and got to see some baby pigs (which were really cute) and a baby horse and baby cow- you just never know what you'll see at a pumpkin farm! :)

A Fun Weekend of Outdoors and ORANGE!

My brother came home last weekend and we had a great time celebrating his 21st birthday with my family camping and going to the UT/Georgia game.








Elan LOVED the camping, marshmallow roasting, etc... Emery on the other hand could have skipped out on the camping and stayed in a hotel.. such a girly girl! :) Really the only part she didn't love was sleeping in the great outdoors.

Baby Will is Here!

Our friends Ryan & Lauren had their baby on Friday, William "Will" Colson McDonald, and he is just precious! He weighed a whopping 9 lb 1oz and is as cute as a button! I think Emery already has her eye on him... although she looks like a toddler compared to him right now! :) We are so happy that is he here all safe and sound.

Emery went to her first birthday party!

Emery went to her first little girl birthday party last weekend. Her baby friend, Emma, turned one! Happy Birthday Emma! They had such a fun time and Emery really enjoyed watching Emma open her presents, eat her cake, etc. The girls dressed up in the pick boa and princess crown- which made them look a bit over the top, but they were all so cute! Emery played with a little dolly for the first time, I know what kind of mother am I... and she really wasn't sure what to do with it so ended up chewing on its hair. Guess I better invest in a baby doll! As you can see the boys had a fun time too!

100 things about myself that you might now know...

So I've been tagged to share 100 things about myself that you might not know... let's see if I can even come up with that many-
1. I love being a mommy.
1. I love that my mom is able to watch our kids while I work.
3. I love that my sister is able to watch Emery on Thursday's while Elan is at school.
4. I love that I am married to such a wonderful Christian husband
5. I love that my husband doesn't take things too seriously and helps me to do the same.
6. My sister is my best friend.
7. I love shopping.
8. I eat mexican at least once a week
9. I love Sonic sweet tea and get one just about every morning (only $.99 before 10am!!) :)
10. I don't like to cook unless we're having people over.
11. I prepare our meals at Supper Thyme about every other month so that I don't have to cook so much.
12. I don't like cheese.
13. I love to watch the news.
14. The only other shows I really watch are 20/20, Dateline and Andy Griffith
15. I played basketball, volleyball and softball in highschool
16. I really do enjoy watching football games
17. I have been to Scotland 4 times and look forward to going back again soon!
18. Jay & I were engaged at the top of Vernal Falls in Yosemite National Park in CA
19. I love to travel and would take a trip every month if I could.
20. I am so thankful that my sister and brother in law now live in Tennessee!
21. I miss traveling to California to visit them- those were always fun trips.
22. I enjoy planning things- trips, parties, etc.
23. I love girl time and don't get enough of it.
24. My favorite drink at Starbucks is a non-fat White Chocolate Mocha with a shot of carmel, thanks to my friend Dana!
25. I love Shake's- blackberry oreo concrete is my fav!
26. I don't like to clean but I like for my house to be clean... slight problem. Doesn't have to be sweaky clean, I like the feeling of living in a house where you can kick your feet up and relax.
27. Target and Hobby Lobby are my favorite places to shop.
28. I have to wear long pajama pants to bed- can't stand my legs to touch!
29. I bought my first car without my parents permission- my grandmother and boyfriends mom went with me to buy it!
30. I paid for my first car.
31. I don't like to read, but want my children to like it so I'm trying to read more.
32. I am probably one of the most indecisive people you'll ever meet.
33. I am very flexible.
34. My favorite color is sky blue
35. I only have one uncle- no aunts
36. I am trying to be better at organizing
37. Jay is a wonderful father even though he never had a relationship with his biological father.
38. I have the best of intentions but little follow through
39. I am working on being better at the follow through part
40. Kelli Pickens is one of my favorite people and a wonderful mentor.
41. I have always been a daddy's girl
42. My sister and I are VERY close to our brother who is 9 yrs younger than me and 11 yrs younger than my sister
43. My brother is a senior at Harding and has taught me a lot about life over the past few years.
44. I went through a very dark time in life during college.
45. I am thankful that God was holding my hand and led me through it.
46. Alan and Leah Bradshaw are like our family.
47. I love hot chocolate with marshmallows on cold nights.
48. I pick the cheese of my pizza.
49. I wish I had a better sense of humor
50. I can't believe I'm only on #50...
51. I love going to the flea market to find bargains
52. The only place I buy clothes full price is at consignment stores
53. I have no shame in my children wearing consignment clothes and RARELY buy anything full price- ok, so I've given in a couple times with the sweet girl clothes, but only when it supports a friend- at least that's the excuse I use! :)
54. I lived in the same house my entire life and my parents still live there.
55. I love taking girl trips- esp to Chicago, NYC and Key West- :) it's been too long through since I've been on one! Anyone ready for another?
56. I am thankful that I was raised in a Christian home
57. I am thankful that my husband enjoys cooking so I don't have to so much
58. I would love to go to Hawaii one day
59. I can not ever remember names of movies or actress names
60. I am really bad about falling asleep during movies- which is probably why I can't remember what movies I have seen, etc
61. I worry WAY TOO much about what other people are doing/thinking, etc- I'm working on that...
62. I am thankful that I have such a wonderful Christian boss/co-workers
63. I pray that Jay finds a job where he too can work with Christian people
64. I am thankful that our vehicles are paid off.
65. We hope to never have another car payment-
66. Wish means we will be driving our current vehicles for a looong time- and that's ok with us!
67. I am thankful that my husband decided to sell his motorcycle.
68. I wish I could sew.
69. I am so thankful that I have so many friends who sew, paint, decorate, etc
70. Growing up, our family always had season passes to Opryland
71. One summer we went 67 times
72. I thank God every day that he blessed us with two healthy children
73. I am so thankful that my sister and brother in law were blessed with such a healthy wonderful child from Russia- we love him so much!
74. My husband says I have too many pairs of shoes- I only have like 15-20 pair- for summer AND winter... is that really too many, I thought I was doing pretty good??
75. I am a perfectionist when it comes to projects and Jay isn't- so we will be hiring someone from now on to complete any new projects at our house
76. I have grown to enjoy hockey- thanks to Jay and Elan!
77. We love our new neighborhood but really miss our old neighbors
78. I love NYC and would go back once a year if I could get someone to go with me-
79. I love taking pictures but wish I was better at organizing them
80. I am so thankful that God led us to Brentwood Hills and have made so many wonderful friends
81. I do not have any grandparents still living
82. I love chocolate- all but dark
83. I have been to the top of the Eiffel Tower
84. I hope to go back to Paris one day with Jay
85. I have a terrible memory- a little scary sometimes the things I can't remember
86. My mother is one of the most generous people I know
87. My father is one of the most gentle people I know
88. If I ever see a mouse in my house I will move out- AHHH they are sooo scarry!
89. My sister is one of the most thoughtful, kind, intelligent and passionate people that I know.
90. I wish I was more like her.
91. I am watching a guy on David Letterman drink a beer through his nose and it is really disgusting me...
92. I do not like any form of science fiction
93. I am thankful that my family is so close and that we all live in TN- well, hopefully my brother will move back after graduating next year...
94. I love the fall and can't wait to play in the leaves, go to the pumpkin farm and drink some apple cidar
95. I have not balanced our check book or logged a transaction in the checkbook ledger since Elan was born... should I even be sharing that??? We love on line checking too!!
96. I love the holidays!
97. I love to cut the grass- with a push mower, riding mower doesn't count.
98. I do not wake up to an alarm- Elan is my alarm clock, wakes up at 6am just about every morning.
99. I have never eaten dinner on Sunday night- with the exception of going to Matzalan several times with friends after church but haven't done that in a long time
100. Are you still awake? :)
Thanks Laura Beth- that really made me think! Ok, so now I tag Christine, Carrie, Rebekah and Kristy.

Summertime is over...

It's hard to believe the summer if officially OVER!! We've had a busy and fun summer and are looking forward to fall and the cooler weather. Our summer started with Elan playing soccer for the first time, graduating from preschool, Elan & Jay planted our first garden, hanging out at the pool with family & friends, going to Detroit for Uncle Seth's wedding, going to the fair, going to baseball games, etc, etc. Just wanted to post some of our favorite summertime pictures.

Fun Times at the Segadi House

Just had to post this video, if it turns out right, of Emery laughing. She thinks her daddy and brother are so funny! I hope you can hear it!

Fun Weekend in Cincinnati

First let me say that downtown Cincinnati is a lot more exciting than I anticipated! We had a great time there this past weekend and enjoyed going to a Reds game and the Cincinnati Zoo- which is really nice! Jay's favorite baseball player is Ken Griffey, Jr so he was like a kid in a candy shop watching him play.

Our good friends Jeb & Jen, that live in Dayton, OH, drove down and we had a great time visiting with them and there 3 kiddos.

Caleb and Emery really enjoyed their first major league baseball game!

Little monkeys, Elan & Caleb, hanging out at the zoo.

We enjoyed a little train ride around the zoo.

After a busy & fun weekend on the town...

Guess Who Turned FOUR-

Believe it or not, Elan turned 4 on Friday... we can not believe that four years have passed by so quickly! He had some friends over for a Spiderman party Saturday and had a blast. Uncle Seth and Aunt Dea were up for the weekend and got to celebrate with us too which was really nice!

Emery and her friend Addison had fun at the party too!

Just a little spit landed from the BIG blow at the candles. :)

Thanks Gran & Grandad for Elan's new picnic table!

We're sensing a little love here...

Had fun building blocks with "tousin" Caleb, Peyton, Aunt Alli & Aunt Dea

The sweet, calm children ...

Things got a little crazy from there...

Elan loves his Aunt Alli and the special spider man treats she made for him

Elan enjoying his present from one (he says he has THREE) of his "girlfriends"- Emma

Thanks for coming to see us Uncle Seth & Aunt Dea!