Christmas Memories in Denver

Mac and I spent Christmas in Denver, Colorado this year. We were so blessed to be around both sides of our family. My immediate family came up from Pensacola, and we all stayed with my Aunt Georgia, Uncle Kim, and cousins Aaron and Kari. Mac's sister Sarah and cousin Dave live in Fort Collins, so Mac's dad came down from Wyoming to stay with them, and on Christmas Eve and Christmas day we ALL came together. It was so much fun!!

We were also blessed with a beautiful white Christmas. It snowed the first two days we were there, so there was plenty of powdery snow covering the ground on Christmas day. My Uncle Kim borrowed a four wheeler and golf cart from his friend so that we could pull the kids on a sled. Although, I think the adults had more fun than the kids when it came to playing in the snow :) Yes even I enjoyed sledding, and riding the four wheeler, even though I am 6 months pregnant I was not about to miss out on all the fun!

Here are a few pictures from the trip. We had so much fun, and can't wait to go back and visit. I just love my family and I feel very blessed to share Christmas with all of them!

Winter Happenings

I decided to update my blog since I am snowed in (wow I don't get to say that very often). Well as usual Christmas time has been busy this year. Most recently we had the annual decorating contest at Liberty. The competition is between 3 departments, Resident Enrollment (this is my department), Liberty University Online and Financial Aid. Financial Aid is the long running winner, but we were determined this year to beat Financial Aid. My department's theme was Christmas movies and my office chose the Polar Express. It was alot of work but we managed to transform the office into the Polar Express train. For most of it coming together last minute it was pretty impressive. The best part was that we won both individually for the best decorated office, as well as finally beating Financial Aid!! Here are a few pics of the finished product...

it was more impressive with the lights off

Lynchburg also had a record breaking snow storm this weekend. As usual I was skeptical when the meterologists started predicting heavy snowfall, because around here that just doesn't happen. But much to my surprise this time they were right. It began snowing around 3:30 on Friday afternoon, and it is hasn't stopped yet. I am not sure how much snow we have gotten so far, but I am sure it is over a foot already. Our poor dogs are scared to go out in the snow, especially Bella because it goes over her head. Here are a few pictures I snapped from the house, maybe later we will venture out and play in the snow, and I can post more pictures then. But for now it looks like a lazy snow day for me, Mac and the dogs.

It is beginning to look alot like Christmas!!

Our snow covered cars :)

Views of the front yard

Boy Oh Boy!!!

That's right peanut is a boy, and we couldn't be more excited!! We were so anxious/nervous going into the ultrasound appointment. I think Mac was actually more nervous then I was, he kept looking at the clock, and informing me that only one minute had passed, and then only 5 minutes had passed....it was quite funny. I had been drinking water all morning just like they had instructed me to, and had to pee SO bad, so that was definitely keeping my mind preoccupied while we waited.

Before long, we were called back to the ultrasound room. After taking a quick peek at my bladder, the ultrasound technician informed me that my bladder was way too full (no kidding!!), so I was able to go to the bathroom before we started :) That meant that I was completely comfortable the entire exam, and it was wonderful!

Let me tell you we have one squirmy son! He was moving around like crazy, and the poor ultrasound tech had a difficult time getting pictures of him. I will try to post a few on here, but they aren't very clear. Our scanner is broken, so these are pictures of the actual pictures. I began crying soon as she told us that is was a boy. We were so thrilled to hear we had a little son :) And needless to say both sides of the family are excited to welcome their first grandson.

Definitely a boy!
Mac says this is his "predator" picture ;)
Precious little feet!

He is deep in thought here...

My mom flew in the same afternoon, and so we met her at the airport with some blue balloons, and one large balloon that said "It's a Boy" She was beaming as soon as she saw them. We had a fun filled Thanksgiving, and some of our good friends Nick, Maria and their daughter Amanda came over. Mac made his best fried turkey yet! Today we (me & Mom) shopped, and began registering for upcoming baby showers. It was a LONG day, especially since my feet have begun to swell, but it was so much fun shopping for a our little boy!

It's finally my turn!!!

Today is the day we have been waiting for since the day we found out we were pregnant. At 1:45 this afternoon, we will finally found out whether or not the newest little Lucero is a boy or girl :) For those that know me well, I am planner/organizer. I love having a plan, a schedule, a "to do list" etc, etc. So not being able to plan based on what we are having has been a huge test of my patience. And besides that I know several girls (many who I went to high school with) that are very close in my pregnancy and all of them have already found out what they are having, which just adds to my already increasing anticipation!

Thankfully today the waiting if finally over! The timing of the appointment actually works out perfectly. My mom is flying in this afternoon for the Thanksgiving break, so we will be able to share the great news with her in person, when we pick her up from the airport. I will post as soon as I can with the big news and new pictures! I can't wait to see our child moving around and kicking in there! I hope this morning goes by quickly...

20 Weeks Belly Pic

Here it is, just like I promised :)

20 Weeks!

It is a little surreal that I am half way through this pregnancy! I can't hardly wait to find out what we are having so we can start decorating and making plans. And of course for the fun part of shopping for baby clothes :)

Here is some of my latest pregnancy news....I am officially popping out of everything I own, no more hiding the expanding belly. I have come to realize there are a few things I cannot live without these days, here are a few: Mexican food (specifically our favorite restaurant Mi Patron), chocolate silk, orange juice, chewy rolaids, and lemon iced tea (specifically the Arnold Palmer Half & Half).

I am finally able to feel the baby kicking now. It normally isn't all day, but a few days ago, it seemed to last all day. It was actually a little distracting while I was at work :) It is very neat to feel it distinctly and then tell Mac "Ohh the baby just kicked." I know just like everything else, eventually I will no longer enjoy the jab to the ribs, or kicking just as I am falling asleep but for now I am thoroughly enjoying it!


I have also begun volunteering at a local Crisis pregnancy center, called the Blue Ridge Pregnancy Center. I have really been enjoying the classes they offer, and I am anxious to have my part in helping women to choose life for their babies. In one of the recent classes, we discussed fetal development, and the instructor had these little dolls that show how big the baby is at different stages of the pregnancy. After class I asked if I could take a picture of the 20 week old, so I could show Mac and get a better idea of how big our baby is at this point. Here is the picture...



I also have been offered some free maternity pictures, which I quickly answered yes to. A guy that works at Liberty has offered to do them for free, since he is just starting his photography business, and he is trying to build his portfolio. We haven't set up any photo shoots yet but they are in the works. He has even offered to do the photos in stages while my belly grows. So hopefully I will have some new pictures to post on here soon!

Oh and I haven't forgotten, I will post a new belly pic this week...promise :)

Love - Hannah & Peanut

The Past 3 Years

I am going to take a break from the "baby posts" and just write about what is going on in our 'non-baby' world. It is hard to believe that we have lived in Lynchburg, Virginia for three years now! It is crazy for me to think that we have spent that much time here. We have definitely been through alot...both good and bad, but definitely no regrets! In the past three years we have made some amazing friendships, become involved at a growing and vibrant church, made countless trips to D.C., purchased our first home, joined an amazing small group, in a few short months...we will have our first child here, and the main reason for us being here, Mac completing his bachelors degree in Biblical Studies, which he is now only two semesters away from obtaining!

Also since moving to Virginia, Mac and I have become quite the hockey fans. Mac more so than me, but we both enjoy it, and we hardly ever miss a Liberty hockey game. This past weekend Mac was able to go with some friends down to Raleigh, NC to watch an NHL game, the Carolina Hurricanes vs. the Toronto Maple Leafs. I skipped out because I had a long week, and was too tired for another late night. He had so much fun, I will definitely have to go next time! The Maple Leafs won, and that is who Mac was pulling for! Our good friend Joel is from Canada and he is definitely a die hard fan! Here is a great picture of the group that went.




~ Andrew, Kellie, Crystal, Ryan, Joel & Mac ~