The Chronicles of the Hawes Kids : Catch Up, Catch All & An Annoucement

Our family has come a long way and has had many adventures since our last post in August.....I am very sad and disappointed we have failed to update the blog as often as we would like or should. Our life has been in a constant state of motion.....crazy work schedules, shift work, preschool events, playdate fun, extracirricular activities, travels, graduate school, etc. While it is wonderful to keep busy and enjoy life, it is truly important for me to document and capture those memories, photos and feelings so our family can look back later in life and smile, laugh, remember and know our home was full of love and life. With that said, here is my sad attempt to bring us all up to speed....

In our last post, August 2012, we sadly lost my grandmother, Patricia Beyersdorf. While her loss deeply saddened our family it created an opportunity for us to reconnect with some family. I firmly believe my grandma and God had a hand in that, to which I am truly thankful. I am a bit sad at the amount of loss Justin has had to endure for his young age, but I am in constant awe as to how he truly seems to have understanding and acceptance (as much as a 4 year old can). I love how he keeps the memories of those we've lost alive. He loves talking about his baby brother in heaven. He constantly reminds everyone he is still his big brother and he loves bringing him little gifts and trinkets to the cemetary. I love how he freely talks about his "Packer Grandma", asks questions and lets us know if he is feeling sad. He talks about Grandma and Ben in heaven together and that makes him happy. I take comfort in knowing we must be doing something right when handling these situations....at least I hope so.

September welcomed another semester of graduate school for me, but also Justin having to say good-bye to some of his special friends who were heading to kindergarten. This was pretty tough on Justin. It was difficult for him to understand why he couldn't go to kindergarten too. With that said, he bounced back and he is VERY excited and very ready for his turn this coming year. Justin is also pretty supportive and understanding of my continuing education....most of the time. :)

October was of course Halloween. Justin's obsession is currently superheros, Batman in particular. So, can you guess what he was for Halloween?

November.....ahhhhh, yes, November. :) We enjoyed a week long vacation tucked away at a beautiful secluded cabin a top a mountain in the Smokies of Tennessee. Steve's parents and brother Brian joined us and we made a million and one memories....I will get back to that one in particular later. ;) Justin went horseback riding in the mountains for the first time, got a coon skin cap, rode to the top of a mountain in a skylift, had a picnic in the mountains, saw a black bear in the wild....Grammy Hawes had her first spa day in her life with me.....Daddy was able relax and enjoy the National Park and made us a southern Thanksgiving of BBQ ribs....So many wonderful memories.....

Gearing up to ride Liberty for a hike.

It's a black bear, but we didn't want to get too close haha!

View from our back deck.

Faces only a mama can love ;)

A face everyone loves.

Photo Op on the back deck.

Silly boys.

Weeee, skylift!

Grammy and Mama enjoying some moonshine ;)

Coming off an adventurous Thanksgiving, we welcomed a low key Christmas. We had a wonderful weekend at our annual trip to Great Grandma "Necterines" house for Tokarski, Schrader and Hawes Christmas. We then spent the actual Christmas holiday in Ann Arbor. Nana and Papa Kapla joined us for Christmas Eve dinner and opening of gifts. Christmas Day was spent enjoying delicious meals, lounging all day in our pj's and watching the Disney Christmas parade and every brand new movie Justin received. Grammy and Grandpa visited us for several days around New Year's and New Year's Eve we all had dinner at Webers.

Remember I mentioned we made a million and one memories in Tennessee? Well, one little memory will be lasting a lifetime and be joining our family August 2013. We are very happy to announce there will be another Hawes blessing this world!!! We waited quite bit of time to announce this considering our experience with Ben, but we are beyond the scary threshold and have had weekly ultrasounds providing us comfort and reassurance. Such a blessing....a beautiful blessing! Justin is beyond happy and excited. Kissing the belly, talking to the baby; he asks everyday if baby can come out! We should mention, we will NOT be finding out the sex of the baby so it will be a surprise to us all! As before, the goal will be to document our pregnancy and all the children's life on this blog. We are determined.