Thanksgiving was so much fun! I definitely had Thanksgiving hangover after we headed home from too little sleep and too much good food. We stayed with Grandma Sandra and Grandpa Larry in Elk Ridge with all of David's siblings for the holiday.


Grandma definitely knows how to throw a party! She's always the most thoughtful and gracious hostess- I'm picking up tips now we have a guest room. Plus, the view from the house isn't bad.



Scotty was simultaneously in cousin heaven and hell. It took her a day or so to get used to eight other kids running wild around her and being very attentive but I think overall she loved it.

Highlights include the cousin swim party in the hot tub, watching movies, playing Pandemic and Rumikub, Thanksgiving dinner, exploring Cabellas, an escape room, and playing with toys & more toys.
Scotty loved the bubbles in the hot tab as well as being squired about by daddy. Being part of the chaos but in a parent's arms is her favorite situation.


 It's so fun to watch the cousins interact and care for each other. The bigger ones help (or try to help) the younger ones all the time and it's so sweet.

Here are some grainy basement pictures. But hey, they're hilarious!
Everyone is looking so old! All the kids got individual portrait shots at the family photo shoot and it was crazy to see how grown up they're getting.

 Tara was a total crack up. Also I think she's standing on two crates at this moment.
Lizzy looking cute in her mermaid dress up. All the moms were snickering at how unfilled out it was halfway down her stomach. She was happily oblivious though.
 Muscles!!

Scotty doing her own thing as balls whiz past her head. Baby dolls and balls both have her heart.

We got more family pictures since we weren't sure when Uncle Evan will be back from China. Look at these cute grandkids and the mom/dad sibling pictures! I was happy to grab family photos for Christmas but I've resigned myself to always being pregnant during extended family pictures. Last time I was pregnant with Scotty for the Smith photos.

It's so nice for us to get to learn from David's older family and for Scotty to have cousin time. We can't wait for the next get together!

Here's my floor plan:


The wall color was Benjamin Moore Ozark Shadows and honestly in this natural light you can tell it's a very nice moody grey. It's really rich. But it's just too dark for a kid's room. Especially at night. It's so close but not quite.

I went back and forth a bunch on whether or not to just cover the hearts and keep this grey. Painting this room has been a pain in my tush but I really really like the lighter grey.
He's inheriting Scotty's Ikea dresser and crib. She got our country french dresser and mirror since the captain's bed David made is our new dresser. I literally don't know when, if ever, we'll take Scotty out of the crib. Guys, you don't argue with 12 stinking hours of sleep a night. Is it a thing to let your child be in diapers and a crib until kindergarten #imscaredofchange

And yes, we do have a name picked out in case you saw that hint. Don't ask me about it. I loved so many boy names and as soon as we found out we were pregnant I hated them all. I did that with girl names too. As soon as it gets real I get cold feet so it's better to just commit. So I will not discuss the chosen name that I once loved and now kind of hate. You'll find out when I give birth.

3. Remove the mirror and light fixture and have David help me frame the mirror and replace the light fixture.

4. Add board and batten to the wall across front the vanity and towel hooks on that (I'm so freaking excited about this, it's going to be so cute!!).

5. Add some inexpensive decor and do a happy dance!

Here's a really lame mood board I put together in a hurry to help me visualize/stay motivated: