Don't Blink...

Or you will miss that your daughter went from this..

First day of 2 year old preschool 2009

To this, in merely 12 months!

First Day of 3 year old preschool 2010
Today was the first day...and it was rough...FOR ME! I serioulsy woke up in the middle of the night after having a bad dream about Reese going to school! Then I felt nervous sick to my stomach all morning...what is wrong with me people?! She is going 3 days a week this year from 9-1...but it feels like forever! True to last year...I cried in the carpool line, (she did not...in fact she jumped out of the car and ran towards her friends) and I cried driving home! I am so glad she is going...she LOVES it...and I love her sweet little school and the wonderful things she learns! And, it will be wonderful bonding time for me to have with my little Hadley...but we both miss "sissy" as Hadley calls her.

In fact, 3 times this morning Hadley took off crawling towards Reese's room saying "sissy"..."sissy?" over and over. It was really sweet but sad too! One plus, I will say that our house is the cleanest in has been since May...having a little time without my ball of energy I can get a lot done!

Another reminder of Reese last year
And this year...true to her personality a little sass in the pictures
One final pose before we go! All I can say is watch out Mrs. Phillips (her teacher)!

Family Movie Night and other fun

We have started a new tradition! We have watched a few movies with Reese before...but she has never seen an entire Disney movie...and by far this is the longest she has watched! We rented the movie Cars, popped some popcorn, made a pallet on the floor, made some cookies and all laid together to watch! I have never seen that movie and it was good...Reese really enjoyed it! For sure a family activity we will do from time to time!

Daddy(the one with the black eye) and Reese ready to watch And, if you did not notice in the above picture...little Missy here got a new haircut! It is so cute! Seriously...having little girls I get to "play out" my childhood doll dress-up and haircuts...that is sad!

Smiling at the zoo...we would go every day if it were up to her.

This monkey kept jumping at the glass...Reese found him amusing...I was a little afraid!

Hadley laid back and enjoying the bubbles...and she too Loves the zoo!
A fun sister activity...magnets...and entertainment while I cook!

Why our family may only need one boy...

Because, honestly I don't know that I could handle it. Let me say....if baby number 3 ends up being a boy...I just hope he does not follow in his father's footsteps (only in terms of the following photos)!

Last July...12 stitches in his chin after playing a basketball game!

Last night...7 stitches and a black eye after playing basketball!

So, that makes 4 trips to the ER (3 for stitches and 1 for staples in his head) since we have been married! AHHHHH!

"I can't wait till I get to highschool..."

This title is 100% Jason! From the start of getting to know Jason (when we were "friends" before we started dating) I used to talk a lot about my incredible group of friends from high school and how great they were! We used to (and still do all get together once or twice a year...sometimes more). Anyways....Jason used to joke with me...and say sarcastically "I can't wait till I get to high school" making fun of me...he was just jealous! Until he got to meet all of them...and then he understood why!

All of that to say...we all (almost all...missing a few) got together with all of our children this weekend! It was a blast!

A few of us took our kids to play at a big kids gym together...and this is Bryson (Lindsay's son) following Reese around...which he loved doing...and she loved being the leader (she might be a little bit BOSSY)Reese jumping...

Bryson jumping...following the leader (and at one point I caught Reese telling Bryson to do a "booty-shake" before he jumped...and he did) I am sorry Lindsay!The two little ones just took all of the action in (Hadley caring for baby Graham(Merritt's youngest))

Avery (Merritt's oldest) took quickly to swinging like a little monkey over the foam pit!All the kiddos (minus baby Graham) together! What is so fun to me about this, is that Merrrit, Lindsay and I have all been the best of friends since birth (seriously) we have been through every step of life together (32 years) and now our kids get to be together!
Smiley Griffin (Merritt's middle) was the only one who was looking on this one!Now onto the big get-together...here are Hadley Grace and Vivienne Grace (Greg and Jeri's baby girl-they call her Vivi-Grace...I love it) they are only two weeks apart and they share the same middle name!

Some of the kids in the pool...for a short time before the downpour! (Grayson, Avery, Reese and Griffin)Pizza smiles...how cute are these three? Trey, Ryan (Paul and Lindsay's boys) and Noah (Gina's son...she has baby boy #2 coming in 6 weeks).

It was actually Vivi's first birthday that day...so we all celebrated and she loved her cupcake...the other (Vultures) were waiting for their cupcakes!
Then, bottom fell out and so we all retreated to the basement where all of the kids played with toys galore! Thanks to Nina!

Who's happy about some sugar!!! All totalled...we had 12 kids and they had a blast. I wish I had done a better job of getting pictures of all of the kids and of all of the adults! I am truly grateful for these friends...and maybe one day we can do something without the kids so we can all actually catch up! (wishful thinking)Finally, no trip to Atlanta is complete without spending some time with the girls Great-grandmother, Myrl!

We love our Myrl!

A little twist on salsa

It's a first..I know. I don't really post recipes because...well, I don't ever feel like I am the best judge of good food. Seriously, my taste buds are pretty bland...so there you go.

But, I made this for Hadley's party and everyone loved it and ate every last bite...I really enjoyed it too! So here goes...

Avocado-Feta Salsa

2 plum tomatoes
2 avocados (seeded, peeled and chopped)
1/4 cup finely chopped red onion (I only used about half)
1 fresh garlic clove minced (I am sure you could used refrigerated...but I love fresh garlic)
1 T parsley/ 1 T oregano..I CHANGED THESE TO CILANTRO...MY OWN TASTE!
1 T olive oil
1 T red or white wine vinegar
4 oz. feta cheese chopped finely (this is totally optional if you don't want cheese in it)

Mix everything (except feta) together in a large bowl...then gently add in feta. Cover and refrigerate for 2-6 hours. Serve with pita chips and/or tortilla chips.

Enjoy!

Bump Watch!

Yes!









You read that correctly...the Beckner family is on a Bump Watch!









Bump watch=Baby watch!









We are expecting baby Beckner #3 on Valentines Day 2011! And yes, that was Reese's due date as well...crazy love in this family!

These two are going to have to make room for one more in this squeeze!

We are soooo excited...(especially now since I am feeling like I can actually smell food again) and wanted to share the news with all of you! Reese is really excited...she is very adamant that the baby is a girl and that her name will be Lala (ironic since that was my childhood nickname).

I,of course, have no feeling about what the baby is (I never do) but I call the baby "she"...girls are all I know...we will see!

But...I want your thoughts...what do you think baby #3 will be...tell me or click on the new baby poll up top!

Happy First Birthday Hadley!

Today is Hadley Grace's first birthday...can you believe it? Seriously this year has flown by! Hadley truly is a joy...she is still crawling like a mad woman...not interested in walking...but I am ok with that. She still talks a lot and she imitates too! She has started blowing kisses and playing "peek-a-boo" with anyone willing. She is for sure still a snuggler...loves so holding and hugging time!

Continuing a family tradition now...we started the day at Botanical gardens to take some pictures...here are some favorites I took.

Then...Party time...smiling with Aunt Memi
Fun eating with Hadley's friend MaggieReese had a great time eating with Addie Gail

Finally..cake time
Hadley was all smiles...until I took the big cake away...she thought she wasn't getting any! (and well technically she did not get that cake...but I know -here come the boos-I gave her a sugar free cupcake) She loved it...so I was happy!

It's Good!

Really Good!

Loving on Bebe!

Again...this man was the champ for the day...he grilled all the food for everyone!

Looks like I should have had the sugar-free cake...I look like I'm on a sugar rush.

Presents

Hadley had lots of helpers to open the presents

We had an incredible day celebrating Hadley...and enjoying being with family and friends. Thank you for all the help!
Our Family

Juice Anyone?

This morning the girls and I got out the juicer and went to town! If you like fresh juice...this is the way to go..nothing added or taken away just fresh fruits and veggies!

Our pick today...carrot, apple, spinach and strawberry juice
It's a hit..carrot mustache and all

Cheers!