Merry Christmas!

Wow! A lot has happened since my last post. 

We are settled into our home in New Mexico. It's definitely a great upgrade from the apartments we've lived in. It's nice to have more space! We are still getting used to the cold weather here. We don't have any snow at our house, but it's very cold. (we miss the warm sun in South Carolina) We will be heading to Idaho for Christmas on the 23rd. I am so excited!!! It will be nice to see everyone and Grey is excited to see her cousins. 

Grey turned 2 on November 27th. We had cupcakes with some friends and she got lots and lots of presents! She wore her birthday dress that I made for her. It was so cute. She got a play kitchen, table and chairs set, barbies, doll with a puppy (or as Grey says it...pups) clothes, puzzles, books, movies and I can't remember what else. She had a great time. This year she decided to eat her cake with a fork, which was complete opposite of last year. She's so funny! Now, everyday, she has to tell me that she is 2. She is growing up so fast. She talks A LOT, but its great. I can't wait for my family to see her again and see how much she has changed. 

We also went on a cruise before we moved. We had a blast! I did get a little sea sick, but not enough for it to ruin our trip. We swam a lot, ate a lot (I had chocolate lava cake every night), lounged a lot; it was pretty much just 4 days of not having to worry about a thing. It was so relaxing. We already want to go again. 

Well, I know there is more that has happened but all I can think about right now is how excited we are to go home! My family and Ryan's family are so important to me. I've missed everyone so much. I haven't really felt homesick until we moved here to New Mexico. I was blessed to have met some great friends in South Carolina, whom we miss dearly. I don't know if we will ever see them again, but they will always be a part of our lives. 

Love you all!!! and to my family....See you soon!!!

"The best part of life is when your family becomes your friends, and your friends become your family." 

---Danica Whitfiel

The view from our house is beautiful!

Kitchen

Family Room

Grey on her birthday!

Decorating the tree

Family Pictures

Hey everyone. Just wanted to share our recent family pictures. I love the way they turned out. Hope you like them too. (there will be more later.)

Also, if you haven't heard yet, we are moving again. Ryan's work is transferring him to the Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico. Our lives are a bit crazy at the moment and we are beginning to wonder if we will ever get to settle anywhere! But, we are making the most of it and we are glad that Ryan has such a great job! Thanks Ryan for all the hard work you do for us! Love you! I'll keep you all updated on the move, right now we are planning on moving the weekend of Thanksgiving. Love you all! Happy November!!!!!!

We love Fall!

This weekend was so much FUN! It actually felt like FaLL here in Aiken. 58*....brrrrr! We went to the fair and I'd love to tell you how Awesome it was and that we had BlaSt and make you all jealous, but the truth is, it wasn't that fun. It was very cold and I didn't bring a coat for Grey or I. I thought our sweaters and vests would be warm enough, but we were cold. They only had cows in the livestock area, (we could have seen those for free at home). And we had walked all the way through the fair in 20 minutes. But, we made the most of it. We bought a few tickets for one of the rides that Grey could go on with us. She didn't really like it, but atleast we can say we did something at the fair. After that we came home and made a warm dinner and watched movies. Sunday night we had friends over and we carved pumpkins and ate pumpkin cake. That was fun! Grey got right in to the action. She started eating the inside of the pumpkin....everytime I'd look over at her she'd be chewin on something. Gross! Ryan was getting worried watching me carve my pumpkin. I'm not to great with knives! 

We loved being able to feel the fall weather and we soon realized how lucky we are that it doesn't get much colder than 58*. (atleast not until December) I hope you are all enjoying your Fall and the beautiful scenery that comes along with it! 

The end result. Mine is the big happy face, Ryan's is the mean one.

Grey's Christmas Stocking

This past week I decided I'd better start on Grey's stocking because it usually takes me quite a while to finish my projects, but, I had so much fun with this stocking I finished it in two afternoons. (and Grey was awake for both those afternoons, so I'm pretty proud of myself) I decided to go with the pink Christmas fabric line I found at a local store. It seemed appropriate for a little girl. I really love how it turned out.

I went with the gingerbread man on this one. (if you couldn't tell)

I can't wait to hang them up this year. These stockings have been so fun to make and they will definitely be used for all the Christmas's to come. I want to make another one because I had so much fun with Grey's, but I'll just have to wait for our next baby.

 I hope you enjoyed looking at my project. If you want the pattern, just let me know and I can send you one!

Last Minute Trip

            

Last weekend we decided to take a quick trip to Myrtle Beach. Everyone talks about how fun it is there, so we thought we'd check it out for ourselves. Since we are "out of season" for going to the beaches, we were able to get a hotel right on the beach with a room facing the ocean. It was Awesome! (and since we are from Idaho, it's still beach weather for us...bunch a woosies.) The hotel had tons of swimming pools and a lazy river and a pirate ship! Ya.....it was so cool! We didn't have any plans set for the weekend, so we basically just took it easy and did whatever we wanted, whenever we wanted.

Grey loved it! She adjusts well to hotels and new surroundings, so she just goes with the flow. It's nice that way! 

We realized our first night as we were getting ready for bed that we had forgotten the toothpaste. I thought Ryan packed it, he thought I packed it....(you know how it goes). So we just skipped brushing our teeth that night. I know what you're thinking...."grossss!" But you know what, it's memories for us. And please....don't act like you've ever went without brushing for a day. It happens to the best of us! 

As for the rest of the trip it was all fun. We woke up early and watched the sunrise from our bed. Ryan stood by the window to take pictures and he saw dolphins jumping near the shore. I jumped out of bed to watch. 

It was beautiful! 

One of those moments you may not ever experience again!

We had a great time! 

Hotel views day and night! I loved seeing the moons reflection on the ocean!

Grey takin it easy

Playin foosball at the pizza place across the street. Grey wondering what keeps poking her belly.

Feedin the fish. There were so many. Kinda gross.

Swimmin

The Cookie Curse

I love COOKIES! But, this is not the curse I speak of in my title..... I canNOT make cookies! I have tried many times to make yummy cookies but I fail every time! I follow the recipe to the T....still, not a good cookie.

So today I pulled out my trusty frozen-store-bought cookie dough. How hard can it be to scoop the dough onto the pan and bake it....? 

Well, I did just that. Along with all the other things I was doing at the moment. 

I was doing laundry, changing a diaper, listening to Grey scream about the bugs outside (yes, the bugs were outside and she is still afraid of them.) Anyways, I was scatter brained when the cookies were put into the oven. So, what a perfect time to go visit my neighbor....?

 I had something to talk to her about so I walked up to her apartment and we talked on her doorstep for a moment and then she had some crafts to show me (we all know how I can't resist looking at the crafts) and I was just havin a good ole time. Completely forgot about the cookies in my oven!!!! 

Who knows how long they were in there? 

I don't. 

Lets just say when Grey and I walked through the door I could smell well-done-cookies. That's when it hit me.......aawwww crap.....the cookies!! I run over to the oven (I think I knocked Grey over on my way there) I open it up and the cookies were black......I could not believe that I managed to ruin the frozen-store-bought cookie dough cookies. 

All I could do was laugh....and then Grey laughed at me laughing. 

So if any of you feel sorry for me and my cookie curse, feel free to send some cookies my way or a lesson or two on cookie making.

Beach Pics

We went to Siesta Key in Florida over labor day weekend. We had a blast. This is by far our favorite beach. We went there a couple times last year when we lived in Florida and we just had to go back. It's beautiful. Enjoy the pics!!

Muscles

Short video of Grey showing off her muscles. The video is very dark, I wish you could see her facial expression when she shows her muscles. Sooo Funny! Enjoy! There's a little taste of her dancing in this video too.  

All Grown Up

Most recent picture of Grey. She's growing up so fast. Enjoy!!

(if you click on the picture it will enlarge it and it's much cuter when it's bigger.)

It's about time!

I'm having a hard time these days with updating my blog. It's not that I don't have anything to share with you all, it's just me being lazy and our internet connection not always there. I have tons of pictures I'm uploading as I write this, so stay tuned for those. 

Well, where do I start. We seem to be adjusting well to Aiken. The weather is awesome. We were actually a little bit chilly the other day. (I'm going to freeze when I make that trip home to Idaho.) We are able to go outside and feel comfortable and not feel like we are cooking. Speaking of cooking, I've been trying to be better at cooking more and I'm getting pretty good at it. (That was random, but just thought I'd throw that out there.) 

Ryan is sooooo busy with work. He is back on the day shift, which we love, but he is always so exhausted when he gets home. I would be too if I had to wake up at 4:15 everyday! How do you do it Ryan? I'm so proud of him. I truly do feel lucky to be able to stay at home with Grey. She is so much fun and is really starting to show her personality. She is very talkative and she's not afraid to talk to strangers. That part makes me a little nervous. I feel like we are in a parade whenever we walk out of walmart. She's got everyone's attention and blowin kisses and "bye, bye's" and "see ya laters." I'm not sure where she learned that. She loves her new kitty (that's another story in itself) and sometimes she loves her a little too much! Grey is so funny in the car, she plugs her ears if she doesn't like what I'm listening to and if I change the station from something she did like she yells "hey" so I change it back and she starts dancing. She loves to dance. I've taught her a few moves, sooo cute. She says excuse me after she burps (and then she has to fake alteast 5 burps and excuse me's after that.) She can say her name (not while she is burping) and she is definitely talking with us a lot more. I could go on and on about Grey. We are just so proud of all she's learning and the sweet little girl she is. 

As for me, I spend my days keeping the kitty alive and playing with Grey. We have fun. I'm still sewing a little here and there. I just got 3 more patterns, so those will keep me busy for a while. I'm going to an Aiken moms club meeting on Monday. Basically the moms club is for stay at home moms and they get together throughout the week for different activities and they have a moms night out once a month. They do fundraisers for different charity groups in the community, so I'm excited to be a part of that. 

We miss everyone at home, but we are loving our lives here in South Carolina. We hope all of you are doing well! I will try to keep on top of my blog with pictures and updates. Have a great day!!

My New Hobby

I've recently started sewing dresses for Grey and I'm having so much fun with it. I think I go to the fabric store every other day (sorry Ryan) but I just can't help it. I've got so many ideas for dresses and I can't wait to make all of them. Here are my first 3 dresses. I tired to get Grey to model them for me but she wasn't cooperating and I didn't have the patience to wait, so this is as good as they get.

My first dress I made. Portobellopixie Claire dress with attached apron. 

Strips of fabrics made this halter dress

Portobellopixie Petal Knot Dress. This dress also has an apron and the straps go through a button hole and tie in a knot. So fun!

S.C

Well, we are officially living in South Carolina. I have to say, I really do love it here. The people are so nice, the weather is warm, it's green and the town is just my size. Now that we are settled in I will catch up on my blogging. I have lots of pics to show and stories to tell. Ryan ended his training last thursday. Yay! He likes his job and is glad to be qualified to work on his own now. Grey is adjusting to the new place and to being with me all day long. We don't have any play buddies yet, but we will soon I hope. And me, well, I'm settin up the sewing room and getting started on my dress creations for Grey and I may sell some as well. We'll see. 

Check back in a few days for pics and more exciting stories. Bye for now!!

Venting

Hello. Just wanted to let everyone know I am moving to South Carolina July 10th! I am busy packing and getting ready for the Skidmore Family reunion on July 5th. I hope to enjoy my final weeks in Idaho and I'm trying not to be to stressed about everything. I really loved these past 9 months of living close to family. I couldn't ask for anything more! (except to have Ryan here with me) Grey has formed friendships with cousins and I have grown closer to Ryan's family. I have enjoyed being able to do as I please and go visit my mom and sisters anytime I want. I am really going to miss so many things and people here. I am excited and nervous about this new chapter of our lives in South Carolina. I am trying so hard to have a good attitude about it all and I want to make the most of it. Normally when we move I have a hard time making friends because all I care about is coming home and why should I make friends because I have my sisters, right? But I've come to realize that I should try harder to form friendships and really try to make South Carolina feel more like home. We may be there for a while so I'm going to try and make friends and become part of something there. This probably sounds so silly to some of you, but I hope there are some of you that understand what I mean.

Basically the purpose of me writing this is to let all of you know to not take life for granted. Opportunities come and go and if you don't enjoy them when they come, you'll look back and kick yourself for not making the most of them; they may never come back.

Pleeeeeease call me or email me when I'm away. There's nothing like a phone call from a friend. It makes my day to hear my phone ring and know that someone thought to call me. I love all of you! I will miss all of you!

An Update

Hello everyone. Things have really changed here in the life of the Hammons. Where do I start.....Ryan has accepted a job at the Savanah River Site in South Carolina. He moved there on May 23rd and I will be moving out there sometime in July. We are very excited for this new chapter in our life and what blessings will come from it. So Ryan is there and we are here in Idaho Falls. I hate living apart from Ryan, but soon enough we will be together.
Grey is growing up so fast! She wore her first ponytail yesterday. She doesn't seem to grow hair on the top of her head, only the back, so she has a mullet but she's still a cutie. She can say daddy, kitty, Elly, baby, meow, moo, this, papa, whoops, yes, no ( and it's never just one no...it's no no no no no.) She gives kisses like crazy and she'll come up to me during the day and give me the "one armed" hug. Sooo precious! I love it! She just started throwing tantrums.....don't like that part so much. She's a lot of fun though. I couldn't ask for anything more.
I am trying to keep busy however I can. I clean the house everyday, we are living in a house that is for sale, so I have to keep it clean and staged 7 days a week. It's a beautiful home so I don't mind having to do that. I'm getting my sewing machine out tomorrow to start a quilt for Grey. I'm excited for that. I also keep busy with my crafts, so if you ever need a gift for someone, call me and I'll whip something up for ya.
So that is where we are in our lives right now. I have to say I am so proud of Ryan for working so hard to support our family. I love and appreciate him more and more everyday. I love being able to stay home with Grey and he makes that possible for me. Thank you Ryan! We miss you!

Yikes!

Never leave your brownies unattended!


Or is it never leave your kids unattended......



Either way.....it's no good!

Mother's Day Pics

Macy, Alyvia, Grey, Ava

I had a great mother's day!

I'm so blessed

Grey with Macy and Ava

Little Girls are so much Fun!

This video is pretty cute. Enjoy!!

Cute Pics

Just wanted to share these with everyone! Enjoy!

Grey's new slide. So Fun!

Elly and Grey by the fire.

These girls love Papa....and cheetos!

Best Buds!

Grey loves little Livy. (Alyvia)