Friday, November 28, 2008

Happy (belated) Thanksgiving!

We're home and feeling fuller than ever! Not only our tummys are fuller (that Dot can cook a mean meal), but our hearts are even fuller feeling the love everywhere we turned and watching Lily be loved on so much that I think I saw some love oozing out of her ears when she left.




She was all smiles on the plane!



She even flirted with the captain!!




Flirted so much that she pulled off the picture that they said couldn't be done!! Even thee Kelle Hampton told me it would be the million dollar shot like when she SNUCK INTO THE NICU to take a picture of Lily for me when she was born.

Well, Lily's smile must've done it bc I didn't even ask. Suddenly, I was handing my camera to the co-pilot, handing off my precious daughter, while singing the best version of ABC's that I could belt out from the outside while she was whining her whine that says "mommy, I'm not sure about this" and I'm singing in a higher pitch than Carrie Underwood "A-B-C-D-E, mommy's here, F-G-H-I, yaa, little Lily, J-K-L-yaaa". (licking bills counting out million dollars)






She was giving the pilot the holy stare down and I thought he'd say to her "take a picture, it lasts longer"

Oh wait, I did take a picture.




How can one 16 pounder require so much STUFF!!??





Dot and Lare-Bear were so gracious that they turned their beautiful house into a mini-daycare borrowing baby toys, furniture, gear from the church. I just loved this high chair. Lily looked like she was from another era.



I think Lily was actually caught in a tug-o-war between Allison and Anna who were first to tackle her on the scene with lots of love, kisses, giggles, hugs, and wanted to do everything to make her happy! They were counting the days until they could meet her. It was the sweetest scene!!



We went to the fabric store of all fabric stores to pick out fabric for Dot to make ANOTHER quilt for us!! This was the largest fabric store I've ever seen. I felt like I was in Sam's. Everywhere I turned, there was more fabric. Good ole' "Mary Jo's" delivers some serious fabric!! If you're ever out yonder, must check it out!! Dot's also making another Taggie blanket for Pie as she LOVES the one Wendy Hathaway made for her when she was born.
Lily also LOVED with a capital L her sling we borrowed from Kelle. Thank you K!! We couldn'tve survived the trip without it! Especially on the plane when the overtired back-arching Lily was trying to fall asleep. Once we put her in this jobby, she was off to dreamland!!! I felt pg again and she was curled up like she was still in the womb! (going on EBAY now to order one rush delivered)
Or sometimes, she just like to hang out while mommy shopped.




Lily also went on her first swing! It's amazing we forget what she's capable of because sometimes we still think she's a newborn, but it was all smiles in the swing!! Thanks Janet for reminding us we have a sitting up 8 month old who would LOVE this!!


Lily also went down her first slide! All smiles on the little one, but big tears when we ventured on the tall one with her in my lap.







She was a fan of the tire swing too. We were going to try the teeter-totter, but it didn't seem up to "code".






We also met a turkey farmer. Not everyday you meet one of these special people who actually nuture the birds eaten on Thanksgiving!!



When I say a turkey farmer, I mean, they had a FARM of turkeys! As in turning over 80,000 turkeys every 6 weeks!! My camera couldn't even reach the end of these birds. I've never seen so many in all my life. Nor will I ever.



Great Grandma Thelma was as cute as ever! She did not act like a 96 year old great grandma as she was playing peek a boo, reading books, hugging, kissing, cuddling, and feeding her. Every time I looked up, Thelma had her eyes set on Lily Pie! My camera couldn't stop snapping!!



My heart swells an extra swell seeing them interact. Thelma prayed so hard for Lily to be in her arms one day. Miracles I tell you. Nothing short.




Lily is trying to get the word out about the importance of recycling.




and smiling everyday....





Oh and I think there's something in the turkey or their water in SC because Lily surprised us with her first....


toofer!! Kelle called it weeks ago, but I rolled my eyes thinking Lily would be the first kindergartener to wear dentures to school! Then her 2nd came the next day!!






Tears filled our eyes as we said our good byes knowing the next time we're together Lily will be a different baby, but we share the stories, the pictures, the videos, the love across the miles and know we are better parents because of the way you nurtured your own children and we will try to pay it forward the best we can. We hope we can be half the parents and role models that you are to us. Big shoes to fill I tell you!










Now our family picture is complete....



Life is oh so good!! xoxo

17 comments:

Heidi said...

got home tonight and ran for my computer, hoping you had posted about your trip, and you did!!!! yay for me.

these pictures make me feel like i was there with you. thelma...heart swelling-you are right!

the turkey farm...thats a lot of turkey dinners right there.

all the family pictures and the captain shot...NO WAY. No you dih-ent. i can't b you didn't even have to ask. amazing. you are sooo lucky!

lily is so loved and so stinkin' cute and sweet and precious.
xoxoxo
i'm glad you folks are back from yonder. we missed you much.
how'd i do?

Kelle said...

crazed laugh at the cockpit picture! "and your pilot today is..." she IS advanced! love all the family pics and the cozy clothes (drooling over lainey's old stride rites and snowflake dress...i took a double take! i miss that baby!) love the thelma pics and just every bit of this happy post!

Julie Frizzi said...

Only you!!!!!!! The pic of you on the slide looks exactly like Molly....I love the little red outfit Lily has on........She is so lucky to have a beutiful extened family that loves her.

Jennifer said...

WOW.......you got amaaaaaaaaazing pictures!!

I love the B&W with Grandma Thelma. That is going to be a forever keepsake.
David's family is so special...so happy you all had this time together. The group shot on the porch is THE BEST.

And the one in the cockpit with her at the controls!!??? Are you kidding me!!!!!!!

I love you and I miss her. I'm glad you are home. It wasn't the same without you.

xoxo
jc

jen said...

what a wonderful amazing trip!
(and the cockpit picture ...)
my husband is a true sucker for letting kiddos into the cockpit. he remembers it from when he was a kid ... and so he's always letting them visit and check it out.
i think it's his favorite part of flying airlines.
love that hand picture too.
and we have/had the same treasu(red) shirt. completely not important to the one-sided conversational comment i'm having ... but needed to be mentioned. sorry.
happy thanksgiving and homecoming!

DGMommy said...

What awesome pictures!! At first, I thought Wow they got a picture with the pilot.
But then I scroll down a bit more and she is sitting IN the pilots seat! That girl knows how to schmooze with the best:)

So many great shots with the family. Love the hands. . .and Thelma reading. . .could anything be more precious!

So glad you had a great trip. Missed you all around the Thanksgiving dinner table:(

What a great post and fantastic pics. It really sums up your whole trip!

Love yous!
Molly

Grandpa said...

Thanks for the pictures and the narrative . . . it allowed me to feel like I was in Sharon, SC with ya'all . . . and I didn't have to take off my shoes or get stripped searched to get on the plane!

The crisp SC air, the "room full of turkeys", the new experiences for Lilly and the love of the Hutcheson family . . . I'm sure made this a trip . . . . one you will never forget.

Thanks for sharing your trip with me!

Love ya!

Dad . . . and Lily's Grandpa!

Mary said...

I mean this gives new meaning to LOL. Those pics with the captain - C'mon!!!! How do these things happen??? In each one she was sooo happy. I think it was because she was surrounded with so much love from her grandparents, and great grandmom, and cousins and aunts and uncles. (Wow, that's exhausting)

We missed you Tksgving Day but sooo happy you were with the Hutchesons. You guys are so lucky to have so many people who love you so much.

The hands picture is priceless! And those snowflake tights!!! What could be cuter. And what a memory to cut her first 2 teeth while you were there.

Love you guys!
Mom

Leah said...

Great update Kelly! Looks like you had a really good time. I love the picture of you guys with the turkey farmer... Lily has her hand on his chest as if to say "thank you so much for the turkey I am about to partake"! Lily is so precious... and she's getting so "tall"!f

Leah

Carin said...

oh, you look so HAPPY...I am so happy for you...and laughing at your higher than carrie underwood voice. kudos on the cockpit shots, kelly...I stand in awe of your bravery :o)

LOVE the picture of the turkeys!

great pictures!

love you!

Steph C said...

Looks like you had a blast! And looks like you were all loved up! Love all the pictures on here and the ones you send:) xoxoxo
Lily is too cute Kelly!

sara said...

Oh my goodness! Those pictures are absolutely precious! The one with the captain seat...that is wonderful!

Tisha said...

good grief, you do DO the impossible!

lily is getting so big! i don't know how she does it, but she gets cuter and more adorable with each of your posts!

anna said...

So adorable! I love the cock-pit picture. Stella and Xavier are very jealous! What's the name of that sling? It looks like your babe was quite comfy in it, and I might have to look into one myself!

dig this chick said...

Laughing at the high abcs and the first kindergartner to wear dentures. That's funny stuff.

Glad you had a happy day full of family and love. There are still some pics where Lily looks so much like bug to me. Eight months old. Can't believe it!

And...miss your comments on my blog...I'm just sayin'.

Stephanie said...

Those pics of Lily Pie are adorable!! I love the ones with David's family, too! How PRECIOUS!
Those TOOFERS...OMG! Too cute! :o)

Anonymous said...

WOW, what a lot of photos! She is stunning, just so pretty, you must be soooo proud :)