Happy Turkey!

Hello & Happy Thanksgiving to my faithful followers, all 15 of you. I haven't written in awhile, and I'm not really sure why. I haven't taken pictures in weeks, and I'm blaming this creative drought on the pregnancy (which is a pretty lame excuse, but I couldn't think of another one).

Avery woke up this morning at 5:45 and was NOT a happy camper. I'd like to say this is unusual, but it's been the norm the last week or so. I miss my happy, sleepy-eyed girl who slept until 9:00. Maybe she's just getting more of her mom's "do not talk to me until I've been awake for at least 30 minutes" personality and losing her dad's "it's a great day, let's get to work" personality.

We hosted Thanksgiving dinner again this year, and it was our first time fixing a turkey. We're more of a ham family, but this year my husband wanted to fix a turkey. He didn't just fix the turkey... he showed that turkey who was boss.

It was awesome! What was on the rest of the menu you ask? I made broccoli casserole, corn, green beans, rolls, and asked a friend (who loves to make pies) make a chess pie (notice: 4 out of the 5 things we contributed to the festivities are "made" by either opening a can, preheating the oven, or making a phone call. ha!). My lovely mother brought her infamous sausage stuffing (my favorite), sweet potato casserole (always a crowd favorite), cranberries (which have been on our table in the same pretty blue dish for 4 generations now), and two pumpkin pies. Andy's mother brought mashed potatoes & gravy, more cranberries, baked beans (per Andy's request), an amazing peanut butter pie (Andy's favorite), and brownies. And last, but certainly not least, Sara (Andy's sister) brought some delicious deviled eggs and red velvet cake (Andy's other favorite).

[exhales] We had entirely too much food, which everyone knows, leads to entirely too many dishes (which my mother-in-law and husband ended up doing. ha!).

After dinner, we all wobbled uncomfortably into the living room for some nice fellowship & football.

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope everyone had a wonderful day spent with those the love.

Happy Birthday, Avery!

 See that face? I get to wake up to that every single day, and I love it. This was taken around 6:00 AM on Sept . 29th, which is a very special day here at the Caudill house. Sept. 29th is Avery's birthday, and with this being the first one, it was extra special.

Burgers, cupcakes, gifts, family, and a few friends = ONE GREAT BIRTHDAY! So, here are a few pictures that were captured on this special day.



Julia & Jonas came all the way from northern KY to celebrate with us.



Hanging out with Aunt Kim & Ali. (I love Avery's bday shirt!)

Gifts!

Cupcakes! (This might have been her favorite part.)

Pap, Uncle Blake, & Papaw



Nana & the birthday girl.







After a long day of partying, she's still a happy camper!




Loves her Rockabye from her Moe.



Happy Birthday Avery! Being your momma is, by far, the greatest gift I could ever ask for.

"To you, I would give the world.

To you, I'd never be cold, cause I feel that when I'm with you, it's alright. I know it's right.

And, the songbirds keeps singing like they know the score, and

I love you, I love you, I love you like never before."

- Songbird, Eva Cassidy 

"little's" first ultra sound

Hello friends!

For those of you who don't know, Andy and I will be expecting our second child sometime around May 1, 2011. We are both super, super excited. At first, I was feeling a little overwhelmed, even though this is what I've been wanting. Our children will be about 20 months apart. Andy and I planned on starting the "trying" process when Avery turned a year old. So, we were just a month ahead of schedule. ha! 

Today we had our first ultra sound of our "little". Andy, Avery, and I waited anxiously patiently in the ultra sound room, getting excited every time someone walked past the door, in hopes it was our turn. Avery was itching to get down, walk around, and pull on the cords of the ultra sound machine. But, she stopped in her tracks when she heard that loud whoosh whoosh whoosh of the heart beat.

Doc said everything looked great. "Little's" heart rate was going strong at 158! Avery's first heart rate was 170, so does this mean "little" is a boy?! Either way, we're blessed. :)

And... since I can't post without pictures of my girl, here you go.

The Story of Us

2 years ago today, I married my love, the father of my future children, and my best friend. Here is the story of us:

Andy and I met through mutual friends. The night I laid my eyes on him, I came home and told my mother that I'd met my husband. I told her, I'd give him 6 months to ask me out (ha!). It took a couple weeks, and we haven't slowed down since. We met in Dec 07', became a couple in Jan 08', engaged in May 08', married in Sept 08', and had our first child in Sept 09'. We don't waste anytime. Ha!

Here are some of my favorite moments from our special day 2 years ago.

Our first moments on our wedding day

And then there was this...

I couldn't get his ring on.

Made for a good laugh though.

Introducing Mr. & Mrs. Andrew Caudill
(I was a little excited. ha!)

Two years. Wow. Sometimes though, it feels like it's been longer... in a good way. My life before Andy came around, seems so long ago.  And, now we have this...

I couldn't ask for more.

Good Friends. Blackberry Cobbler. New Earrings.

When I woke up this morning, I got out of bed all sleepy-eyed and groggy. I trudged into the kitchen, and *BING*, I was wide awake. I spotted the treasure chest sitting on the table.

My husband is awesome. When your day starts out like this, it's going to be a good great day!

I'm also proud to announce, Avery has had her first taste of the delicious goodness that is Jolly Pirate. Andy broke off half of a blueberry doughnut ("It's got fruit in it, so it can't be that bad... Right?"), and she went to town!

Doughnut Baby

In the past, I've been notorious for celebrating my Birthday Week. This year, I've shortened it down to just a Birthday Weekend. So, since today was the last day of this wonderful weekend, the Caudill's went across the street to the Harrison's, for one more birthday celebration.

We had pork tenderloin, baked potatoes, corn on the cob, and a super fresh salad. For dessert, we they had watermelon ( I don't eat watermelon... ever), and Kim made a blackberry cobbler, which was divine. My mom joined us for the final birthday festivities too! AND, I got another present! The Harrison's got me some super cute Brighton earrings. I put them on right then and there.

Watermelon Baby

I don't usually dig the self-portrait pictures, but I have so few with just me and my girl (because I'm usually behind the camera).

So, thank you Howard & Kim (and you too, Ali), for the wonderful food, my new earrings, and great fellowship. I love you all and am very thankful you're in our lives (and across the street).

Have a great day!

28 yrs.

Friday was my 28th birthday. Yes, that's right, I'm 28. Since it was my birthday, I thought that this was an acceptable mid-day snack.

Avery even got in on the action, and she was a happy girl.

Presents? Oh yes, there were presents. Andy got me a series of DVDs from PhotoVision (when I say "got", I mean: I ordered them, then told him that they were for my birthday), and I LOVE them.

And, I got these BEAUTIFUL flowers and a bunch of clothes from Ann Taylor Loft (my favorite) from my mother.

I also got a gift card to the mall from my dad (love gift cards!), and some smell good stuff from Bath&Body from Sally.

Overall rating of the day: Fabulous. I even got to blow out some candles.

I am so thankful for my life today. It's not the life I deserve. No, it's much more. It's the best present from my merciful, heavenly Father.

Have a great day

 &

God bless

Oldest Friends

Recently, I've posted about friends, new and old. Now, it's time for my oldest friends to be in the spotlight. This weekend was my 10 yr high school reunion. I will say, that even though I "see" these people on Facebook, I was quite anxious to see my former classmates in person. You see, I was flying solo to this event (as I have for most social events, mainly weddings, here in Ashland since I've been married), and I was concerned that my friends would think I have an imaginary husband. Andy had prior arrangements to play music this weekend, and I'm sure that he, being the anti-social loving husband that he is, just hated missing the festivities.

I had a wonderful evening. Even stayed till the very end (which I can honestly say, was not my plan). It was a smooth evening, not awkward at all (like I'd expected). So, here are a few pictures that I captured last night. Enjoy!

The Oakview Elementary Crew

Me, Travis, Abby, Derek, & Emily

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Class of 2000 10 yr reunion (yep... that's all that showed)

And since I can't post without pictures of my girl, here you go... (Yes, I took pictures in the grocery store)

Have a great day! :)