"Old Man" gets Chevy 4dr Silverado 3/4 Ton LT 4x4

The short version of this story goes like this. I called my dad this morning and asked him if he was bored and he said yes. I said why don't you come out to my house and we can go look at new trucks. He said sure. He then told my mom that we was coming out to my house to drop off some smoked salmon and would return shortly. Much to my moms surprise he returned 6 hours later and with a new fully loaded truck. That's a marriage built strong as steel. I am so happy for my Dad to finally have a super nice truck!! The last 2 trucks he had were destroyed by my brother and I through out our high school days. And the most recent truck was just a work truck for his business. This truck Has the big 6.0Liter engine, Bucket Leather captains chairs, Heated seats, On star, both sides are 8 way power seats, heated mirrors, 2 way memory seats, Bose Stereo, Auto-All wheel drive, Automatic wind shield wipers and head lights, Self Dimming rear view mirror with thermometer and compass, this bad dog has it all. No doubt my dad is very excited. I truly enjoyed spending the day with him and helping him find a great truck just like he wanted.

Christmas Day at the Payne's

We celebrated Christmas Day at my parent's house. We had wonderful meal prepared completely by my mom, who is such a good cook. Then we opened presents. This was Sophie's first real Christmas, since last year, she was only 2 1/2 months old. It was a lot of fun watching her open gifts. She loved the bows and ribbons the most.

Andrea, Tam, and StephThe Girls Baby Elfreich got presents even though he still isn't here yet.

He got this tool set from his Aunt Andrea and Dwayne. Cute little puppy dog socks from Grandma and Granddaddy.A John Deere Bear also from Grandma and Granddaddy. He also got money from his great grandmother Payne for a savings account.I absolutely love ornaments. This one is from my mom and dad and is has the May 19th due date on it. It is so adorable.Sophia and her uncle SteveSophie got a sled for Christmas from her grandma and granddaddy. She loves it. She kept sitting in it and then Steve started pulling her around the house. She had a blast. She would sit in the sled until the next person gave in and started pulling her. She has everyone of us wrapped around her finger, so we each took a turn, or two, or three. Granddaddy's turn.Uncle Steve's turn. Sophie likes to make funny faces. Check out Sophie's face in this picture!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She is quite the character.

Chrismas Morning at Uncle Larry's House

Uncle Larry had everyone over for Christmas breakfast. We ate breakfast casseroles, bisquits and gravy, and pies. It was awesome and yummy. We spent the afternoon visiting with everyone and then Josh had a game for all of us to play. Everyone brought a gag gift, wrapped. We were told to use a lot of tape. We all gathered around the pool table with the gifts in the middle. We took turns rolling the dice until someone got a 6. That person got to chose a gift from the pile, but they had to open it while wearing oven mitts. Everyone kept rolling the dice until the next person got a 6 and then they took the gift away from the person opening it and the oven mitts and gave it a try. It was a blast.

Avarie, after Josh made her cry. What a cute picture though!!!

Thanks Uncle Larry for a great day!

Christmas Eve at the Elfreich's

We spent Christmas Eve at the Elfreich's. We were joined by some extended family this year which was extra special. There was so much good food and fun. It was a wonderful evening. There were lots of presents, even for Baby Elfreich. A good time was had by all.Baby Elfreich got a camouflage vest from Grandma and Grandpa

Uncle Larry, Eva, and Ethan

I collect Willow Tree Angels and this year Steve and I both got ones that are very special too us. I got the "guardian" angel.Steve got the "New Dad"angel.This gift was probably my favorite gift. It is a plate for Baby Elfreich to use each Christmas to put cookies for Santa on. It reads "Dear Santa, We left these cookies just for you....Please share them with your Reindeer, too."Baby Elfreich also got a John Deere Quilt which Steve Loves.A Happy Bulldozer for the BabyUncle Kenny and Aunt JoannieJosh ElfreichAndy and Jessica ElfreichJenny, Zach, Ethan, and Eva Elfreich

Comparing Belly Sizes. I think grandpa still has me beat. I will catch up with him in the next couple of months.

Baby Elfreich

Nashville

Steve and I left Friday morning for Nashville, TN. I had a doctor's appointment with my endocrinologist at Vanderbilt University, Friday afternoon. It worked out this way last year, too, being the week before Christmas. It gives us an excuse to go to Opry Mills Mall and do some shopping. We had all of our shopping done, but we went anyways. Steve can't pass up Bass Pro Shop. It didn't feel much like Christmas, yesterday since the temperature got up to 75 degrees in Nashville. It was a great day. We met up with our friend Andy Hart who is a doctor at Vanderbilt and lives in Nashville after the appointment. We always stay with him when we go to Vanderbilt and he is our personal tour guide and entertainment guide while we are there. He takes us to a different restaurant every time we are there and we have never been disappointed. And we have been to many restaurants with him. This time, we got to meet his girlfriend, Anna, who is also a doctor at Vanderbilt. She went to dinner with us. We like her a lot and agree they are a great match. It was a great evening. Thanks Andy and Anna. Andy and SteveAndy and Anna

Andrea's Birthday

Today is my sister, Andrea's, Birthday. She is 28 today. Happy Birthday, Andrea. We Love You. Have a good one.

18 Weeks ultrasound

Today, we went to Dr. Turnquest's for our 18 week ultrasound. Everything looks great. The baby is healthy and growing. We are 18 weeks and 3 days pregnant. According to the pregnancy guide "What to expect," the baby should be around 5 1/2 inches long and weigh about 5 ounces at this point. Well, this baby takes after his daddy. Today, we were told that we are growing a big boy. He weighs in at 10 ounces and is 8 inches long. Yes, double the expected weight and he is tall. He is weighing and measuring in a week and a half more advanced than 18 weeks and 3 days. The due date stays the same and we really are just 18 weeks. He is just a tall, fat boy. That explains where this belly of mine came from out of nowhere. The baby is already 8 inches long. WOW.

As most of you know, Steve has freakishly LONG arms. His wing span is longer than his height of 6'1". Now that is just ABNORMAL. He has Freaky Long arms. Steve asked the tech to measure the babies arms and legs today. The babies' arms are measuring in the 95% range at only 18 weeks. His legs are in the 89% range at only 18 weeks. The baby is tall already and has his dad's freaky long arms. His feet measure 1 1/2 inches long already. That is longer than most babies' feet the day they are born. What some of you may not know is Steve weighed 10lbs. 8oz. and I weighed 9lbs. 10oz.. Neither of us were scrawny babies. A C-section is sounding a lot more comfortable than labor after this ultrasound, today.

Foot Today, Grandma Elfreich got to meet her grandson for the first time.