Ringing in the New Year

This year we decided to get out of town and ring in the New Year up in Estes Park. We went for a few days and were joined by our friends; Derek, Chava and their new son Shane and my sister Cayla and her new daughter Devinee.

This was the first New Year's celebration for all of us with our children. In the past I would be the first one ready for a New Year's Eve party, but this year going out was the last thing on my mind. I wanted to ring in the New Year with my family and friends. Getting out of town will hopefully become a new tradition for us, especially while Bellamy is young.

Actually leaving for the trip was a whole another story. Cayla and Devinee rode up with us in our car. So we had 3 adults and 2 babies. Now Bellamy and Devinee are still very small people but they require lots of things (or so their parents think). God forbid we leave anything behind, especially on their first trip ever out of town. Our car was packed to the brim with pack 'n plays, a stroller (we were smart and figured we only needed one between the 2 girls), clothes, diapers, food, and barely enough room for all of our things.

This was also the first time traveling with my sister without my parents. I can't believe we hadn't been on a trip together prior to us having children. Even though we've always been close our baby girls have really been what have brought us even closer together this past year. I'm so excited that we get to raise our children together!

On the trip up we stopped at pizza place in Lyons to have lunch and get the kids out of the car for the necessary feedings and changings. We shared a really awesome thin crust buffalo chicken pizza, yummmm!

Once we arrived we all settled in then went out to eat. We enjoyed a nice dinner at a Mexican restaurant then went back to the condo and hung out with the kiddos. Devinee and Shane played really well together, while Bellamy just laid there. The saying is true about babies putting everything in their mouths. Shane was so curious about Bellamy he put her leg right in his mouth. The kids all must have known it was New Year's because they all wanted to stay up. We decided to stay up and once the clock hit 11:30 time seemed to actually slow down. Everyone made it to midnight except Shane and Bellamy.

Sunday morning we went to brunch and then said goodbye to Derek, Chava and Shane. Whitcomb generously offered to watch both girls so Cayla and I could go shopping. We spent the afternoon walking around town and talking (something we never do, lol) it was a lot of fun! Later that night we ate a really good lasagna at the condo then went out to take pictures of everything lit up at night.

Monday we packed everything up then spent the afternoon at the Stanley Hotel. Cayla proclaimed that is where she is going to get married!

All in all it was a very nice relaxing weekend, I hope to continue the tradition next year!

Courtney

New Baby, New Year, New Blog

It is the start of 2012, and after the suggestion of starting a blog while I was pregnant, I'm finally doing it!

Our baby girl, Bellamy Reese Wade was born September 27, 2011. 

She has brought some much joy and happiness to our lives I cannot even begin to explain it! So I cry tears of joy, all the time- well not all the time, but in my eyes everything she does is amazing, so I cry about it. It's only been 3 months, so I'm allowed. But I have a feeling this will last her entire life. To say that Whitcomb and I are obsessed would be an understatement. I can't imagine our lives without her; she's the peas to our carrots, white to our rice, ying to our yang...ok I'll stop. 

The first month of her life was a complete blur, and then the Holidays hit. Which were also a blur. 

Halloween

For Halloween we celebrated by going to my Aunt & Uncle's Halloween Party. 

We dressed up as the 3 blind mice:

We're blind..

Thanksgiving

My Aunt & Uncle hosted a dessert first party the night before Thanksgiving, we had a blast! Everyone brought a dessert and we all voted on best taste, most creative, etc. Chocolate dipped bacon is what is standing out in my head right now-yummy!

dessert first party @ the Beery's

Bellamy did not want her picture taken

We hosted Thanksgiving at our home; which we love to do! It was a quiet bunch this year with just my family and a few friends that stopped by- we missed all of Whitcomb's family though. 

We obviously have so much to be thankful for this year; our baby girl, health, jobs, and family. 

My wonderful husband and chef!

Shaylynn & Bellamy

Crystal & Devinee

Christmas

Christmas is by far my favorite time of year! Whitcomb always gets in the mood to decorate, which started on Thanksgiving this year. He started a new tradition by setting up the village with my sister Cambri and niece Shay. I'm sure Bellamy will love doing this with her Daddy when she is old enough to help!  Whitcomb has added some new additions to our village, it is growing....

Whitcomb's brother and wife, who live in South Carolina, stayed with us for a few days. It's always great to see them, we really wish they lived back here in Colorado (same for his brother, Stirling- hint, hint). It was their first time meeting Bellamy, she was full of smiles for both of them. Very cool! I love seeing Bellamy interact with all of her extended family, it melts my heart =)

We hosted Christmas Eve at our house with both of our families and then some! Everyone brought a white elephant gift and the exchange was a lot of fun, not very vicious- but we'll see how that goes next year. 

Since it was Bellamy's first Christmas, I cried. I cried when she opened her first present, I know it sounds crazy, but the whole idea of her first present on her first Christmas really made me emotional. 

On Christmas day we went to my two sister's; Cayla & Crystal's house and watched all of the cousins open their presents. Shaylynn, the oldest cousin, was very patient waiting for her 2 new cousins, Devinee and Bellamy, then Trent to open their gifts before her. We always go in a circle youngest to oldest, with 2 new additions this year- she went from 2nd to open to 4th.

After leaving their house, we made a quick stop to visit my Grandma at her nursing home. It always makes me sad to think that she is not celebrating with us. But, I'm also thankful for all the wonderful memories I have from when we used to celebrate at my Grandparents house.

We then spent the afternoon at Whitcomb's parents house with all of his brothers and sister-in-law, Beth. We all enjoyed a wonderful meal his mom cooked, and then spent the time watching Bellamy open & play with her presents. She was such a good trooper all weekend!   

So far you've got the brief version of all the big things that have happened since little Miss Bellamy has entered our lives. My goal is to post a few times a month- we'll see how this goes!

Lots of Love

Courtney