It's a Girl!

Several long weeks of waiting to find out the sex of our baby is finally over. Yep, it's another girl!! I swear I had a feeling all along that it was a boy. This pregnancy has been a little different from my first (craving different foods mostly) so I thought that was a sign. Reagan of course always says she wants a little sister. Last night we asked her what she thinks its going to be. Seriously, we think she's telepathic.....anyway, she said she thinks it is going to be a brother. So even though I was really hoping for a girl because I know Reagan really wanted one, I was prepared for the boy. We were so excited to hear that we were having another little precious girl. It was so fun telling Reagan. She instantly started yelling that she was having a girl and she had fun telling everyone!! She's already decided that she's going to name her Kaley or Allie.....but of course you all know that we won't be releasing the true name of the baby until the day she arrives:)

Valentine Party at the "Home"

We had a Valentine Party for the residents at the nursing home on Wednesday. The staff signed up for different tables to decorate up special. It was the whole nine yards. We brought in the tablecloths, plates, cups, silverware, decorations, and of course a little treat for the residents from their secret Valentine. This is a picture of my table. I loved the tablecloth! We were supposed to have an evening Italian dinner with a live band. Due to the snow, we had to reschedule so we did it at lunch time. Since the band was unable to reschedule for that time, I burned a CD with Italian love songs. Mostly Dean Martin songs. The whole party was a success. We crowned a King and Queen and Prince and Princess to finalize the party. Friday we did a party with the staff. Meanwhile, we sent Reagan off to her babysitters with the Valentine's she did herself. She doesn't know how to put letters together to spell but she is getting good at just writing down letters or trying to copy a word that I write. She is so into tattoos that we got Valentine's that had butterfly tattoos in them. Of course, she had to have one for herself...the first of many I'm sure. Friday evening, Kevin was called off work so we all went over to Terre Haute and did some shopping. We ate out at the Road House and had an excellent supper. Reagan was the best she's ever been when we've eaten out....the little angel that she is.

Back in business

Last month we had Ellie bred to a new male stud. We went through a lady we had run into a few years back when we sold her one of our puppies. She is big into showing dogs and really knows her stuff. Kevin and I remembered being very impressed with "Norman" when we first met him a few years ago. He is a Champion dog with a beautiful body and excellent temperment. We got lucky when I called her inquiring of anyone she may know of with a good male stud. Although she's never let him breed with any other dogs than her own, she decided to stud him for us. We loaded Ellie up in the middle of January and brought her over near St. Louis where she lived. Ellie of course loved it because she got to be indoors the whole time and was fed "real" food. This lady is so into her dogs that she actually cooks meals for them and makes her own homemade dog treats. Ellie was still glad to come back with us but ever since, she wants to spend 90% of her time indoors, sleeping in her crate! Our website is www.hunterskennel.net. But don't look too soon because I'm working on updating everything with all of Norman's information and pictures. Hopefully it will be ready in two weeks max. Meanwhile, we'll be looking for March puppies!

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

Reagan has been so anxious for some snow to play in. She was ready to go out first thing this morning and make some snow angels. Although we didn't have time, she still had a chance to run around in it for a little bit before we headed to the babysitters. I ended up leaving work early today to suprise her. Kevin, Reagan, and I bundled up and went out to play! We sledded around the yard (really missing that 4-wheeler, Jessica) and made snow angels. Even played with the chickens for awhile.

Princess and the Frog

I took Reagan to the movies for the first time today to watch Princess and the Frog. She's been talking about the movie this last week and wanted me to go to the store to get it for her. I decided maybe she's old enough now to sit through a movie so we headed over the Effingham. She was all smiles from the time we sat down in the theater. Reagan got alittle restless 3/4 the way through but then settled back into her seat. Afterwards, we shopped a little and walked past a Princess and the Frog PJ set and a matching wand and she just HAD to have it. So of course I gave in and we came home with more PJ's. It was a great afternoon and I loved spending time with her today just mom and her baby!

In Loving Memory...

June 6, 2004 - January 1, 2010

After a long battle with Blastomytosis, Hunter was laid to rest today.

We'll miss you Hunter. Our condolences to Kent and Jessica.

We had a very busy Christmas this year (which isn't much different from any year). You know the routine....run, run, run. We started out on the Sunday before Christmas at Kevin's moms house. We played Italian music while we cooked Italian supper-Lasagna, Chicken Alfredo, caesar salad, and breadsticks. Of course we opened presents later in the evening. On Christmas eve, we went to my mom's house. My dad helped all the kids make Christmas sugar cookies and I helped them ice them all. After we opened gifts, mom and dad played Christmas carols on the piano while we all sang along. Christmas morning began at 6:45 a.m., Reagan was SO excited. Kev was excited that Santa brought us both fishing poles! After we finished with our gifts, we headed over to Barb's for more. One of Reagan's favorite gifts was a ZuZu pet. That afternoon we went to Kevin's Grandma's. Saturday we headed to Belleville for the day and had a suprise visit from Santa. On Sunday, we went to my Grandma's for dinner and gifts. By Sunday night, we were exhausted. But over all, it was a great Christmas.