We're still here!

Wow, has it really been that long since my last post?

Not that you have been missing us that bad, right?!

So much has gone on in the last month.

We went to Pigeon Forge, TN for a few days. It was so nice to get away and just be in the mountains, my FAVORITE place in the world. My brother Jarid and sister-in-law Anita couldn't go with us, but they let us take John-Michael, which was so great, especially for Cole. The kids were great and mom and I did some shopping. It took us forever to get there thanks to the rock slide on I-40, but all in all, it was worth the extra drive. I've posted some pictures from the trip.

My mom had a birthday on the 4th. We were in the mountains for her birthday, so when we came home, we all took her out to dinner and then came back to our house for cake and ice cream. I made her a cookie cake per her request. I was so nervous, but it turned out okay. Happy Birthday, Mommy! I love you!

To top it all off, my girl turned 9 months last week! If I've said it once, I'll say it a hundred times, but the time really is flying by. I cannot believe her growth lately and the milestones she's hit. She started crawling on November 3rd. Crazy. I forgot how much things change when they start crawling...she's into EVERYTHING!!! But, of course, she couldn't be satisfied with her new skill, so guess what she's doing? Um, how about trying to walk. I'm not kidding, either. She took her first steps right before she turned 9 months. It's insane. I know some babies are early walkers, I've just never seen one before. We thought Cole walked early at 10 1/2 months! She's not got her balance perfected quite yet, but I think she'll be walking like a pro by Christmas. I think I'm busy now with the two of them, but it is about to get even crazier when she starts walking . It's exciting! She had her 9 month check up on Friday; she's 20 pounds and almost 29 inches long. She's in the 70% for weight and 60% for height. She got an A+ from her doctor. He jokingly made a comment about her rather round thighs. They are, well, a little thick! I love it; it's so cute and adorable just like she is. I love that baby.

As for my other love, he is wonderful as well. He's really been doing a lot better lately as far as listening to his mommy. :) When they are 3 and as strong willed as Cole is, they seem to think that discipline doesn't apply to them. At least, that's been Cole's case! Don't get me wrong; he's by no means bad, just a little on the stubborn side. But, he's coming around on his own. He is still amazing with Raleigh. All he has to do is look at her and she just cracks up. He is the best big brother I could ever hope he'd be. He's been dancing a lot lately as well, which is hilarious. And I don't mean just dancing; he is breaking it down! I'll have to get a video of it and post later.

Eric is off this week, and this weekend was amazing. We spent every moment together with the kids. I can't even tell you how wonderful it was to have him around all the time. I love him more than life, and I was reminded of that once again this weekend. It gets hard sometimes with schedules and 2 children to find time for one another, but God has been working overtime in our marriage lately, and for that, I am truly grateful. He was so attentive to me and my needs, and that made me even more attentive to his. He even willingly went shopping with me and to the Craftsman's Christmas Classic at the fairgrounds. Who's husband does that? Mine does! It's totally out of character for him to WANT to do those things, but for whatever reason, he's wanted to. I just had to gush over how incredibly happy I am and lucky to have Eric Michelin as my husband. Sorry, girls, he's all mine.

I'll try to be better about updating this thing. Eric and I are about to, get this, join Facebook! I'm pretty sure we are the last people in the world to do this, but we've been hesitant about it because of the whole "friend" thing, so we've decided to create a page together. Not that either one of us doesn't trust the other, but we try to do everything we can to protect our marriage. I'll post when we do.