Baby: It's Gender Party Time!

We had an ultrasound at 17 weeks 4 days.  We knew there was a pretty good chance we would be able to find out what gender our sweet baby was.  So we started to throw a party together so we could tell all our friends and family.  At the last minute, we decided that we also would not find out what the baby's gender was until it was revealed at the party.  We asked the ultrasound tech if she could not show us what it was, but instead write it down and place it in an envelope.  We had a very no nonsense tech that day and she made no promises.

Finally, she asked us to look away from the screen.  It was so hard not to look for the couple of minutes it took her to get all her measurements and take the picture she needed to show us the gender.  I'll admit I peaked at least twice when she first told us to look away.  She was very confident in her decision of the gender (Although I'm still nervous that at our next ultrasound it will be something different.  Am I the only mom who does that?  I guess we'll see for sure if it is the same in a week and half.)

We took the envelope to our local cupcakery, Short Cakes!  (We highly recommend this bakery!  They are the sweet local people you will ever meet.)  The sweet baker there took the envelope and created some delicious cupcakes with the surprise inside.

Then we all gather for a little cookout fun!

  Charley loved all the babies and kids at the party!

 

 

 

 

Done with the eating, it was time for the big moment.  

Sorry for the candid shots.  I don't ever do well with candids.

Cupcakes Ready!

1st Bite.

 Brandon saw it.  I didn't bite through the cupcake far enough to see anything.

Everyone is yelling and I'm scurrying to open mine.

 Got it open!

 So excited for our baby GIRL!

Grandparents are excited for their first granddaughter!

 Excited for all of our girls to play together.

Sweetest friends in the world to come out and celebrate with us!

Coleman is excited about his new baby cousin!

First swaddling blanket!

 First baby doll!

Paisley loved looking at all the gifts for her baby sister!  Now we will just have to keep her from eating all her sisters toys once she gets here!

Guess the majority was right!  12 to 11.  It's a baby girl for the Steeles.

Happy 18 weeks Baby Girl!

Holiday Festivities!

Our weeks have already been filled with holiday parties and engagements!  First on our calendar, the ladies with the mile long legs and identical smiles!

The Rockettes!

After Thanksgiving, my family, B and I went to see the Rockettes and to Opryland for a few pictures!  Since photos are strictly prohibited in the theatre, I'll just share some of my favorite family photos.

 Cubby was only minimally willing to participate in photos.  At least we got these two.

Cubby loved the show!  He waved at the singers and dancers the whole time!  The live nativity was beautiful and the precision of those kicks truly is amazing.  I totally recommend the show as a fun family outing!  

Christmas parties have begun as well.  I haven't gotten photos at all the parties but I did get some at the annual Robinson Chrismas party.  Jessica and Craig Robinson always throw the best parties, but this little cutie basically stole the show!

Yay for group photos with new babies!  

If you are looking for an awesome appetizer for your next holiday party, look no further!  Jessica had the best dip and I begged her for the recipe to share with you all.  Its called Frito dip...I know so simple, but so yum.

Jessica's Frito Dip

2 8 oz cream cheeses

1 can whole kernel corn, drained

1 chopped red bell pepper (Jessica chose red for a nice color contrast.)

1 can chopped black olives

1 can chopped jalopenos, to your taste (Jessica used half a can.)

Allow cream cheese to soften to ensure easy mixing.  Mix all ingredients.  Chill.  Serve with fritos!

Couldn't be easier.  I'll be honest...as if I'm not all the time...but I don't like olives.  But even after I discovered them, I couldn't stop eating it.  You shouldn't try it for your parties this weekend.

Enjoy your Christmas celebrations!  Party on folks!

Flashback: Big Blue Nation

Naturally, since I've been a bad blogger, I am going to take you on a look back about a month to our Nephew, Caden's, birthday weekend!

We started out the weekend at the first annual Murray half marathon!  No, we didn't run, but B's dad ran his first.  I love races.  They are always so exciting!  So we picked up the boys and headed out to cheer Papa on!

Copelan is blowing his whistle in preparation for Papa's arrival at the 6 mile marker.

My Kentucky loves!

It was very windy and chilly!

Copelan insisted on sitting on Papa's knee despite the fact he just ran 13 miles and was exhausted.  They were so proud of their Papa!  Caden ran down the sidewalk the last 100 yards chasing his Papa.  It was so cute!

Later that day, came the much anticipated Pool Party!  Our Caden is 6!  Can you believe it?  I met him when he was just 6 months old and now he's 6 years old!  Where did my Lee Middleton baby doll go.  He's now a boy who likes clothes and worries about his hair.  

He had so much fun at his party.  I'm not kidding when I say at one point he shouted "THIS IS THE BEST BIRTHDAY EVER!"  

Isn't he the cutest 6 year old you've ever seen?

Yes that is a big water gun he is holding!  And he definitely knew how to use it.

What's better than shooting your friends with water guns?

My sister-in-law, Whitni, is so great at parties!  Obviously Caden has a football party, so she made football shaped oreo balls.  Yum!  The party favors were blow up football the kids played with in the pool.  It was so cute!  It never fails she throws the best birthday parties!

Overall, even though our trip to the Bluegrass state was short, we packed in as much fun as we could!  Can't wait to be back soon!