Gavin's first trip to Chesapeake

My mom's parents made a trip down to Chesapeake to visit for a few weeks. (More pictures of them later) Since Dustin is back at work and I'm still on maternity leave, mom came up here and picked me up to take me back to Chesapeake for the week. Dustin had something to do each night this week, so it was perfect timing. It was also only a four day work week for him, so he was able to come over late Thursday night (after another meeting) and spend the weekend, too!

Rachel LOVES dancing!

This poor dog puts up with so much!

It just so happened that Blake's birthday was the same week! So we went to Kim's parents house for his birthday party Friday night. It's always nice to get together with everyone!

My brother, Brent, used to run cross country in high school and I (almost always) loved watching him run. He now heads up the running club at his school and got 70+ middle schoolers to run the Shamrock 8K! So we loaded up the kids and watched him run while encouraging his kids- he's a pretty great guy!

Gavin was really excited the whole time!

North Carolina visit

We headed down to North Carolina for the day to visit some of Dustin's family. Even though it was a short visit, we had a great time and I know they all love to see Rachel!

Playing with the castle from Uncle Danny and Aunt Cheryl

She loved giving hugs to Nannie

After lunch with Nannie and Papa, we went to see Grandma Roberts.

They were talking about something!

Rachel enjoyed her ride back to the front door!

Nieter Christmas

We headed to Chesapeake for a few days around Christmas this year. It worked out that way so we could come back home at the end of the week and get Gavin's room organized some and also relax a little before going back to work.

We had a great time visiting with not just Mom and Dad N and Brent and Kim, Blake and Alli, but the Brown/Maggiore family on Christmas Eve, too! Thanks to Jen and Joe for hosting a great Christmas Eve dinner for everyone!

Warning- Picture overload ahead...

What a cutie!

Rachel and Alli at the Maggiore house. I love that they both took their shoes off!

Hugs!

Rachel and Megan opening gifts from the grandparents

These two are so cute together!

Rachel had such a good time with Papa Joe too!

Our (growing) family

Christmas Day was wild and crazy, and I loved it! We started out the morning just the three of us reading the Christmas story and opening stockings. The stockings took a while since Rachel wanted to open every little thing in hers, including nail polish, her chapstick, big girl underwear, hair clips... yes, she's a complete girl now!

Mimi loved every minute of watching all the kids/grandkids!

Blake loves garbage trucks and I was so excited to find him one. I'm pretty sure he likes it too, but I don't know about Brent and Kim... it makes noise!

Rachel had to help Aunt Kim out a little bit!

Precious little Alli, who loved getting into everything!

Rachel helped deliver gifts

Thanks Aunt Bonnie for Gavin's gift, too!

Poppy made a special gift for Rachel...

A kitchen! She loves it!

Blake and Alli do too. They all had such a good time!

We got a portable DVD player, too. That will come in handy on trips and in the hospital in a few months!

Rachel loves her red nail polish

I love this picture. Surprisingly, it didn't take too long to get it. Next year may be a different story though!

I think it was harder to get a picture of the dogs than it was the kids!

Thanks for letting us stay with you, Mimi and Poppy!

Last Christmas as three

We celebrated Christmas a few days early with just the three of us this year since we will be in Chesapeake on Christmas day. It was so much fun this year since Rachel actually understood what was going on somewhat. We loved watching her open presents and get so excited over everything!

Play-Doh and accessories!

"What is that!?"

She LOVES her new shopping cart. She especially loves putting her baby in the part by the handle, just like on a real one!

She likes her mini pillow pet, too!

She loves feeding her new baby... practicing for her new brother!

Dustin and I had a wonderful morning, too. I love my new tablet that he got me! I'm pretty sure he's enjoying his new camera equipment.

McCollum Christmas

This year Mom and Dad McCollum, and Benji and Katie came up to Roanoke for Christmas. It was fun to have everyone up here and I'm so glad they could all be here at the same time.

Lots of presents!

Aunt Katie was showing everyone a video... Rachel loved it!

"Kiss"

What a big present for Rachel!

"Thanks Aunt Katie and Uncle Benji for the bowling set!"

Uncle Benji put the doll house together from Grandma and Papa

She loved playing with the new doll House!

One day while everyone was here we went to Hotel Roanoke to see all the Christmas Trees

Papa liked the tree that was decorated with race car stuff.

Rachel has decided recently that she likes to put her hands in her pockets when she walks (especially if someone else is doing it!)

I had to take a minute to sit and rest my feet!

Love my little family!

Rachel was so tired after walking all around the hotel and downtown that she had Uncle Benji carry her all the way back to the car. She almost fell asleep!

We went to see Santa at Fantasy Land again this year!

We all had to wait while Santa got ready for us.

Rachel sat so nicely while he told stories and sang!

With Papa and Grandma waiting to get her picture taken

She liked Santa from a distance, but did NOT want to get too close!

This was as close as we got... She was close enough to get the candy cane from him, tell him "Thank you" "Merry Christmas" and blow him a kiss goodbye... don't know what got into her, she's usually so friendly!

We had a great time with the McCollum side of the family for Christmas! We are so happy that we could do so many fun things while they were here.