The Smell of Fall is in the Air

Let's just say that we are finally slowing down from the crazy last year of our life and are now coping with the crazy of this year of our life. Yes, we are expecting... I am about 4.5 months along and am due March 1st. Cadan's birthday, if you remember, is March 2nd. So, needless to say, they will be close in age. I have not been nearly as sick this time as I was with Cadan. Praise the Lord!! Having said that, I am still continuing to lose weight with each doctors visit. I have had a huge improvement this last week to two weeks and am confidant I will make up any weight issues now that I am back to eating normally.

Cadan is getting big...one of his favorite things is ole Shep dog.


He is also getting used to this backpack we found on Craigslist.

Here he is helping Dave uproot this tree. What tree? It is hard to spot now that Sugar has eaten all of the branches off of it... poor little tree...it had no chance.

We went to Gentry farms with the Martins and friend Brooke. It was a blast! We spent the afternoon celebrating the fall festivities. Katrina and I have tried to pack in as much fall fun this year as possible.

We had to do the hay ride...you know, for the kids sake...


Guys, where's the GPS on this thing?

Um, Hope, is it me or is that cow headed straight for us?
Mom, I think we should get one of these!
We found the cutest pumpkin at the pumpkin patch...and for only $5.00!!!



I am not amused!


Going home...


But not before one last family photo.


My Country Tis of Thee...

See you aRound.

News and Views

Hey there! We are settling into our new place, and getting used to a few other new experiences...like Becca being pregnant with our second...and me getting a new job in downtown Nashville.

Yes, that's right - you didn't misread anything - we're expecting another baby! So excited, slightly overwhelmed, and really looking forward to meeting Baby-H #2.

I got a job as the Web Coordinator for the Gideons International (yes, the folks who place Bibles in hotel rooms worldwide). But there is a lot more to the organization than that. They do deal mainly with Bible distribution, but the core of the Gideon message is sharing Christ. It's a very networked, grassroots organization. For more info., check out the Gideon's link to the right.

Missing you out there. Here are some pics from our house in Spring Hill (10 minutes from the Martins!!):

CatchUP

Well well well....

We have not blogged in a-while. Having said that, let's play catch-up. In past blogs, you've seen we went to Atlanta and Cali; in July:

• Our friends we're living with, the Martins, had their baby! (see their blog for more)
• We went back to Atlanta to visit Becca's brother/family
• Becca and I visited Montgomery Bell State Park in TN this past weekend
• We started packing again, because we move into our new place this Thursday!!

Life has been crazy, but we are thankful to have friends and family watching our backs, and keeping our heads above water during the trying times. We love you.

These deer walked up when Becki and I pulled up to the Park Inn at Montgomery Bell State Park:

Here's a shot of the lake:

A shot of the Park Inn:

Cadan tried to eat a magazine while we were staying there:

Oh, and here's the house we're moving into this Thursday:

Bye, thanks for stopping by...

Dave, Becca, Cadan, and Shep

A week in pictures

In Atlanta with Auntie KiKi

and Uncle Shawn

In California

Cousin Oz

At the beach

Cousin George

At the Pier

The Fam.

Home again

Shoot #2

Ok. So we visited our relatives in Georgia last weekend. Karen (Becki's sister-in-law), who's a pro photog, took this shoot of Cadan. Take note: This is Cadan's 2nd shoot with Karen...so basically he's already a very young male model. I plan on watching Zoolander with him soon to school him in the finer pts. of male modeling.

In other news...if you haven't heard of Colbie Caillat (rhymes with 'ballet') yet, you should definitely check her out. For all those who thought that good songwriting was dead, she destroys that idea. An LA singer/songwriter, she's now touring with John Mayer and Brett Dennen. (Wish I could see that show).

Beck and I are headed to southern California this week...we'll update you after the trip. Bye for now.

Links:

Karen Nickel Photography
(click Enter Site and then Slideshows to see the Hightower
and Hightower 2 slideshows)

Colbie Caillat

Dave, Becca, Cadan (& Shep)

only 4 to go

Only 4 puppies left. Which one do you want?
Pumpkin?

Tiptoe?


Rascal?

Or Gabby?

My dad is going to Virginia Beach on Monday the 9th and is bringing Amanda Scott her puppy (wink, wink) anyone else interested?

Pooperific

Don't you hate it when poop can ruin your whole day...well in the midst of being up to my elbows in spot removers and laundry detergents (all to no avail) my trusty memory came to my rescue. I remembered once upon a sunny beach day when my sister-in-law (thanks Susie) mentioned the magical ingredient for pesky baby poop stains. I tried it out and must share it with all of you new moms...

This is how yesterday went down.


Notice the LARGE poop stain. So here is where the magic comes in. First wet down the outfit...if there are large chunks, spread them out or rinse them off..

Then stick the outfit in the sun to dry... I thought this might cause some confusion so I put a couple of pictures here to help out.


And Voila.

The poop disappears.. If the poop has not disappeared re-wet the garment and repeat. Note the outfit is not necessarily clean at this point, you may be overcome with joy and want to fold up the onesie and put it back in the drawer or try it on you little one, daring them to try and poop again... but I would throw it in the wash for good measure.

Please feel free to share this little secret that should be kept secret no more.

On a side note you may want to enjoy the sun while you wait for the outfit to dry... try lounging in a pool and kick your feet up while you have a chance... next year they'll be old enough for grass stains... any suggestions?