Visitors

We have had lots of visitors over the weekend! My friends Leah and Cary came Sunday afternoon and brought me the yummiest turkey sandwhich from NY Deli!! Leah and Clay went to UVA together and reconnected when we moved to Raleigh. We love her and her hubby Stephen. Last year at their son's bris, we had the pleasure of meeting Cary whose husband Will went to UVa too. We all hit it off and have developed a great friendship which I am so thankful for!! Clay never knew 15 years ago when he met Leah in the computer lab that he would lead me to such fantastic girlfriends!

Cary and Virginia Ann sharing secrets
Our favorite babysitter and friend- Macey

Fabulous friends- Paige, Barb and Macey Smith

Sheri's son Cooper is a good buddy of Jack's at preschool and we have become friends over the last two years. She was excited to meet Virginia Ann and brought me Lucky 32 for dinner- yum yum!

I have brought Virginia Ann to the nursery each night so I could sleep and the nurses informed she is the party animal! Loves to stay up all night and just wants you to talk to her. Things are gonna have to change quickly when we get home!

People keep asking if VA looks like Mad. I don't think so mainly b/c her head is so much smaller! Here is a comparison shot.

Sisters!!

Me and my girls!!!

Madeline was so excited to come visit again today. She loves holding and hugging Virginia Ann.
Hugs

I can only hope these two will be as close as me and my sister are!

Virginia Ann Councill

We welcomed our newest yesterday! Before Clay and I left for the hospital, we gave Jack and Madeline Big Bro/Big Sis shirts from their new sibling. They were very excited to put them on!

The c-section was delayed a few hours which made for anxious wait but then Clay saw this sweet head and then
announced to me "It's a girl!!" (and yes, that is her leg still inside me!)

I really thought it was going to be a boy but we were so excited to meet Virginia Ann! She weighed 7.5lbs and was 19.5 inches- our smallest baby yet!

Sweet face with her daddy's chin

Jack and Madeline were so excited to meet their sister. Madeline did surprisingly well with Virginia Ann and was great with me too. Jack was in love immediately!

Clay and his girls!

Our first family of 5 (!) picture

Clay surprised me with this beautiful ring he said was from Virginia Ann! I can't wait for my fingers to go back to normal and be able to wear it! I have the most amazing husband for many reasons. He loves us all so well and I am in awe of this little family we have created together. We are so blessed!

Getting ready

We spent this weekend getting ready for the baby. Clay and Jack put together the new bunkbeds for Jack (and someday Madeline) and Jack was giddy with excitement. He has loved sleeping in them! We went to church for the last Sunday as a family of 4. Got a few shots before:

Just a few more days of carrying all this around!!
CLay's birthday is Sunday so we celebrated early with a birthday/Thanksgiving dinner with the Edgars and Feldmans. Here are my goddaughter Sarah and Miss M being silly.

Hard to get a shot of 4 kids under 3 and Jack refused to be in a picture with the "babies."

We are thankful for good friends and all the love and support we feel coming our way! Can't wait to introduce the newest member of the family!

Jack's 4th Birthday- Cowboy Style

Jack turns FOUR tomorrow and we had his birthday party at a horse stable on Saturday. Maeve and Shannon made the trip over to surprise Jack and boy was he speechless when he answered the door Friday night! It was so fun to see their excitement!

The Invite

The Banner

Before I get to all the cuteness, you must know that things were not perfect. It was a high of 47 degrees. It was windy and sprinkled rain as we set up. These things don't ever seem to happen at www.karaspartyideas.blogspot.com where I get my inspiration and the sun is always shining but I guess, in real life they do! As Shannon and I unloaded the car with all the food, drink and decorations, someone dropped all the cupcakes in the grass. I won't name names but it wasn't the older sister :) A quick call to Clay and he picked up some new cupcakes on his way- whew!

I am in love with my sister's Cricut- the machine I used to make all the decorations. I really, really want one!!

The hats waiting for cowboys and cowgirlsNEW cupcakes which matched the cupcake toppers I made surprisingly well! So proud of Clay!

Sign near the food

The kids were so excited to ride the horses! I did not know if everyone would get on the horses but all 10 did! They each got to ride 2 horses and had a blast!

Jack was up first and loved it!

Maeve waiting her turn. Even though it was freezing and everyone had warms hats on, they insisted on wearing their cowboy hats on top!

Maeve and Jack

Me and my oldest! Can't believe he will be a big brother again next week!All the kids got to rope a "bull"

Jack and Cooper- School friends

Madeline was chilly but loved the horses and all the barn cats! She also insisted on wearing the cowboy hat!

Pin the tail on the donkey

Blue eyed birthday boy!

Jack and Brayden- soccer buddies

The cupcakes were a hit even though we couldn't light candles b/c it was so windy!

The party favors- Cowboy Cookies in a jar to make at home (idea courtesy of Bakerella)

All the frozen cuties! Amazing how the cold doesn't slow down a bunch of 3 and 4 yr olds. We had a great time and Jack loved every minute!