What do you think?

Just for fun, I've added a poll on the right side where you can guess if baby is a boy or a girl!

26 weeks

Now that I actually look pregnant, I've had a few requests for a picture. So... here it is!

We also had a checkup today and everything's going well. This little one sure seems active - he or she is moving around a LOT! I can't believe the second trimester is almost over - we sure are looking forward to meeting our little one in just a little over three months!

Canaan Valley Ski Trip

This past weekend, in order to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Rebekah and I, along with a bunch of friends, spent the weekend in the Canaan Valley of West Virginia. Okay, so really, it was more about taking advantage of the extended weekend. However, we did listen to some Bone Thugs N Harmony thanks to Bynum's iPod being stuck somewhere around 1996. Also, in case you were wondering, the West Virginians follow the same traditions as the (East) Virginians when it comes to mispronouncing foreign words. For example, where the (East) Virginian says "Byoonah Vista" for "Buena Vista," the West Virginian says "Kuh-nane Valley" for "Canaan Valley."

Let me get started with some photos lest I digress further...

For those of you who know and love Gracie, we really did try to take her. She didn't like being packed in the suitcase, though.

So, we get to the cabin and it's a great place. Unfortunately, I didn't really take a good picture encompassing its greatness, but here's the den with the fireplace. Bryce was incredibly gifted at keeping the fire going - nobody could turn the natural gas valve quite like he did.

Before we get into skiing, what did we do inside the cabin, you ask? Well, a lot of Settlers (and a little Killer Bunnies) was played. Andrew, the token nerd on the trip, is pictured below simultaneously thinking about his next Settlers' move and wondering who in the world the Half-Blood Prince might be.

Alright, so up next are some skiing pictures. First up: Ellis, the cutest member of our party, eating a banana...inside a yurt. This is related to skiing - this was our lunch break during the first day of snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Sorry, I had nothing for segueing into this picture, but I like this picture too much not to include it.

Bryce and Elissa skiing their way up to the top of Bald Knob.

And, here are a few pictures at the top of Bald Knob.

Those who survived the hike to the top: Jesse, Bynum, Katherine, Andrew, Millie, Elissa, and Josh. (Not pictured, Bryce & I.)

The next day, Rebekah and I snowshoed with Andrew & Millie.

During our snowshoe hike, I got upset with the way a particular tree looked at me and decided to pull it down by its topmost branches. You should have seen what happened when I let go!

Here are Rebekah and I in the middle of the woods at a beautiful junction of 3 streams.

Lastly, Bryce and I concluded our Sunday outdoor activities by climbing up to the top of the mountain on which our cabin stood. It was pretty exhausting, but while climbing, Bryce told me about what it would be like hiking Everest, and I felt pretty weak for letting this molehill tire me out. It was quite a hike, but the view of the valley was worth it.

Thanks to all of our friends who made this such an enjoyable trip!

Christmas

We enjoyed celebrating Christmas with my family in Chapin this year. Everyone was there except Bethany and Mark - missed them but got to see them on their way home from Ohio! (Of course I forgot to take any pictures while they were here.)Before we headed down to Chapin, Javier & I had a little Christms celebration with just us. We watched It's a Wonderful Life one evening then had crepes for breakfast the next day. This makes two years in a row of crepes for Christmas - we'll see if it becomes a long-standing tradition!

Christmas Eve in Chapin

Baby S is so loved by so many already! Can't wait for him/her to get here & meet everyone. :) Javier got this cute little Clemson hat for baby.

Mom's been busy quilting... and by busy I mean she made 21 (or was it 22? 23?) quilts since January 2011! She made Emily, Bethany, Lydda Grace, Dad & me all our own special quilt. There's lots of time & love put into all of them!Poor Wade was sick for a lot of our time together, but I still got in some cuddle time. :)

LG doesn't look too happy here... but I think she was just focused on the book!