6 Weeks in 1 Post!

Wow! Where has the time gone! Halloween has passed, Thanksgiving has passed and Christmas is next week! I can't believe a year has come and gone and it only seems like January 1, 2008 was just yesterday! I will attempt to cover the past 6 weeks in 1 blog, but I can't guarantee that I will remember everything! I sometimes wish time would just stand still, for just a day...then maybe I could get everything done and enjoy the people around me instead of rushing from one place to the next. That's human nature I know...to fill every minute of life with places, things and events that really don't matter in the grand scheme of things. God sometimes has to remind me to stop and rest and enjoy each moment. He does this in many ways whether a gentle whisper or nudge from Him or friends put in my path to remind me (one of my favorites is by one of my dearest friends...she is always reminding me to breathe...how simple is that?). I hope that in the days ahead that we'll all take a moment to think upon this time of year and what it is really all about...celebrating the birth of Christ! What an amazing God we serve!

So...on to pics. I know that's what you read this blog for!

Some Pics from Halloween..

The Zookeeper (the cutest nephew!)



David and William



I took a few pictures of Foster and Benton before Thanksgiving for Mom's Christmas card. This went rather well considering there was a 22 month old running around a 3 month old that has gotten used to Aunt Jill having the camera in his face!

I think Foster will be a great big brother, he LOVES Benton!



I love these little guys!



2 Kids Playing



Sweet pic!



For Thanksgiving this year, David and I went to Brookhaven to see my family. We knew Christmas we would have to stay in Jackson (someone has to feed the animals and give them medicine on the holiday!) so we spent a few days in Brookhaven. Well, actually David spent Wednesday night in Brookhaven and then left for the duck camp Thursday night and I spent the rest of the week in Brookhaven with my parents and sisters...and sweet little Benton. We had a great time together Thanksgiving and then spent a little time shopping around Brookhaven on black Friday!

Me and My Hubby



The sisters



"The Little Man" Benton



Pop and Benton



My Aunt Helen and cousin Alex with Benton (their first meeting!)



I think that about sums it up. Hopefully, I will be able to update a little more frequently since I'll be off work for a whole 2 weeks! I don't think I've been off that long since college! I knew there was a reason why I saved up my vacation days all year!

MSU Homecoming

This past weekend David and I went to Starkville for MSU's Homecoming. We had lined up a grand time while we were there, but unfortunately I got the nasty stomach bug that has been going around (apparently I wasn't the only one from the office that got sick...several people were out Monday). We didn't get to do everything we had planned to do, but at least we made it to the game! The Bulldogs pulled out at win (of course at times, it didn't look like we would) and it was a perfect football weather day! Too bad I wasn't feeling up-to-par!



And just to clear up any questions (Melissa, this is for you) that is not Todd Palin I'm cheesing with (although it would be nice to meet him and Sarah), that is my husband who has decided to grow a beard this hunting season. He came back from Montana with it and I don't think he plans to shave it off until after hunting season. It has taken some getting used to and I've never been a fan of facial hair, but I must say I think it looks pretty good on David! Also, another ad lib to the pic, I have bangs! Yes, I have reverted back to my jr high and high school days and Amber (my hairdresser) cut me some bangs. I told her as long as I don't look like I did in jr high, we're good to go! So all in all, I cut bangs, David grew a beard! I guess you could say we decided to spice life up a bit!

The sisters...

Dad's 60th Birthday!

My dad's 60th birthday is Sunday, Nov. 2. I can't believe he's turning 60! I'm sure he can't either! Of course he doesn't look a day over 40...and he lives life as he is 21! I like to think that he is in better shape than most 21 year olds! He bikes daily (he did 58 or so miles a couple of weeks ago), he runs daily and swims! He still does Triathalons and makes good time! I consider him an example to me and to others my age...you're only as old as you feel! Dad, may your birthday be filled with a bike ride, a long run, and a nice swim (and maybe a hershey bar thrown in there after dinner!)! Happy Birthday Dad! I love you!

We got together this past Sunday to celebrate his birthday since we would all be out of sorts on his birthday weekend. We celebrated at the Haute Pig in Madison (he LOVES BBQ!). It was a grand time as always and very loud (of course when is it not when the entire family gets together...all 9 of us and 2 kids!). Here are a few pics...





I love this pic of Foster holding his cousin's hands



Foster giving Benton a kiss...so SWEET! I could eat both of them up!







Foster loves cell phones...are his parents responsible for that???





Foster and Aunt Julie



We had a great time celebrating and I know dad loved having everyone together!

Life Happens

Wow! I can't believe I haven't posted in over a month! Where has the time gone?! So much has happened in the past month I wouldn't even know where to start! Maybe I should skip over some parts and show pics from other parts. After looking at all my pics, I think this will be a random post! Settle in for a long post!

I think the last time I posted I was preparing to leave for Boston for a week. It was a great trip, but I was so glad to get home!

Here are a few pics from Boston!

A cool pic of the George Washington statue in Boston Commons.



I loved Boston, but was so sad to celebrate my birthday away from David for the first time! I was with Jennifer (from work) so fortunately we celebrated by eating at the Union Oyster House (America's oldest restaurant...I believe it dates back to 1826). It was so good and they had great clam chowder!



We followed that up with a stop at Cheers!



We were there for a conference, but of course we had to time to do some sightseeing and shopping (for those of you that know me, you know I have to shop whenever I go on a trip!! I must say I've done pretty good so far this year...Las Vegas, Chicago, Denver, Boston...poor David, my friends tried to warn him at the rehearsal dinner...thanks Jamie, Lil, and Denise!). The Anthropolgie there was 3 stories!! My word, I was in heaven! (sidenote: can't wait for the one to open in Ridgeland in a few weeks!!)

The Massachusetts State House



The swan ride in Boston Common



Quincy Market



One of my favorites...the statue of the ducks from my favorite book as a child: Make Way for Ducklings



We stayed at the Fairmont Copley Plaza which was right across from the Boston Public Library. I didn't know this until someone at the conference told me, but it is the hotel featured on the tv show The Suite Life of Zack and Cody (the opening shot in the show shows our hotel). I've never watched that show, but thought that was cool. It was in a great location. Right across from the Copley Plaza, a block from the Prudential Center, and a block from Newbury Street. We also went to Fenway Park, toured a little of the Freedom Trail (I had done that the first time I went to Bosto several years ago), and took the subway to Cambridge. Harvard was amazing! I've always heard it is a beautiful campus, but I must say it truly is the most beautiful college campus in America (not that I've been to many, but the history there and surrounding areas adds to its beauty). I have pictures from Harvard, but I think they are on my other camera. I'll have to upload them later. I do have this picture to show from my sister-in-law Melissa. I got my nephew Foster a Harvard t-shirt. I couldn't resist...my little scholar nephew:



We had a great time and maybe David and I can take a trip there soon!

When I got home, David and I had planned to celebrate my birthday that Friday by going to Ruth's Chris to eat! I was so excited! Little did I know that my sweet sister (with the help of my wonderful husband) had planned a surprise party for me! Needless to say I was totally surprised! It was fun to celebrate with my family and friends! I wish I had pictures, but unfortunately since it was a suprise and I thought I was going to dinner, I had not planned to take my camera with me! David and I did go eat at Ruth's Chris the next night though! YUM!!

It's nice having my sister Jenny back in town! We actually get to celebrate her birthday with her now! I don't remember the last time we did that since she has been out of state for the past 3 years! Sweet little Benton is in the pictures too, although he is out for the night! Here are a few pics from her party:





Last week we celebrated Julie's birthday!! (The Meacham's are very busy this time of year...4 back to back birthdays! My dad's is next week!) Julie wanted to go out to eat with her family for her birthday. I can tell she is growing up and maturing..she actually wanted to spend her birthday with her family! I can't believe she turned 22! It seems only like yesterday Dad loaded Jay, Jenny and I up in the van to head to McComb to the hospital to see our new baby sister! Now she is 22! I love you Julie! I guess I've earned the title she and Jenny gave me...Momma #2 because I feel I've been more than a big sister to her.



Benton was there...I can't believe how big is he getting!



Of course Foster was there...



Foster was excited about Julie blowing out her candles!



Me and Jen...



The family group shot. It is getting harder to get everyone in the picture! Benton is missing...bless him, he is in his car seat! (David is also missing, but that story is in my next paragraph!)



As you can see, David is not in the picture! Unfortunately for Julie, he did not make the birthday celebration because he was in Montana antelope hunting. Yes, my husband the hunter has added another animal to his collection. I think he has outgrown "his room." Maybe this means we can move into a bigger house! (Crossing my fingers!)

David and his antelope. I knew when I married him that I would be his first love and hunting would be his second (until one day when kids change that)! I love my husband and all the various animals that reside in our house! I could list them, but it would take me quite a while!



Wow! I thought we hadn't been that busy! Apparently I was wrong! Hopefully I won't go that long again without a post! (Suzan...this was for you!)

Playing Catch-Up

The past 3 weeks have been so busy! I have so many new pictures of Benton to post and also some pictures of Foster meeting Benton for the first time! He saw the "bobby" as he likes to call baby Benton!



Then I just had to take some shots of Foster being the adorable nephew that he is!





I also got a few more pictures of Benton. He already has changed so much since these were taken! It's amazing how quickly they change!



And mommie and son!



My mom, Jenny and Benton!



Of course I have to include one of Benton with Aunt Jill!



Finally, a picture of my sweet grandmother, my dad, Jenny and Benton!



I'm sure as time goes on, I'll have even more pictures to post! If only I could get that one good shot of Benton and Foster together. Foster would have none of it that day though! Apparently he is a little man on the move!

I hope to post a few pics from our anniversary trip tomorrow if I have time. I leave for Boston Saturday for a week and I have not even started thinking about what I will need to take! I'm such a procrastinator!

More Pics of Benton

Well, I planned on going to visit Jenny at the hospital at some point today, but wasn't sure if it would be at lunch or after work. I called her around lunch time and she was alone with Benton! I thought Perfect! I will go and visit and spend some time with the two of them and then get to love a little on my precious nephew! Jon arrived not long after I got there and I was able to get some sweet pics of him feeding Benton for the first time! How precious is that! Hopefully they will be going home tomorrow and I can get some more pics of him in his new surroundings!