Best. Christmas. Ever.

Last Christmas we couldn't leave Durant due to snow, ice and road closures.  This Christmas we couldn't leave Durant because Beth was on call.  Last Christmas we were newly engaged and dreaming of a bright and promising future.  This Christmas we are newlyweds, expecting our first child and dreaming of a bright and promising future.  Last Christmas we thought we were blessed beyond measure.  This Christmas we are sure of it.


Beth's mom was able to come and stay overnight Christmas Eve.  We had a wonderful time with her and we truly cherish these moments because with dementia you never know what changes tomorrow will bring.  She had a great time cuddling with the dogs on the loveseat & we enjoyed hearing all her random giggling.  Chip came over after work and we all watched our traditional (and aptly named) Christmas Eve movie, "It's A Wonderful Life" 

Christmas Day Scott made stuffed pancakes for the Dilling women and then we opened all the presents Grammy & PaPa Courter sent to Baby Courter....who is already getting spoiled, and we love it! We pretended to be Mr. & Mrs. Crocker and cooked a big dinner.

Fanny was VERY excited about the ham.....

Happy was excited because Fanny was excited.

Too bad life doesn't have a pause button.....this was a great one, and over all too soon.

We really cherished this Christmas.....our last as a family of two, and wonder what next Christmas will be like with another little person around.

We hope you and your family had a wonderful Christmas & wish you a 2011 full of blessings!

Giving Thanks.

It has been a while since we posted anything, and since then, life has been crazy busy.  All extra time has been spent just enjoying our little family at home, or sleeping (that last one is all Beth). We had a wonderful Thanksgiving as we traveled to Maryville, Missouri, to spend time with almost everyone on Scott's side of the family. It was great to have everyone there & just get to hang out. Our little monkey had never been more active as on the trip up and we enjoyed knowing that our little one was safe. The weekend was really a great one, the kiddos were playing, Nick was home safe, and great food was everywhere! It was also Fanny's first trip up north and she really enjoyed herself and made a new friend.

Riley was teaching Kendal the ropes

Pierson with a jowl death grip but the ever patient Fanny didn't care one bit

Fanny & her new best friend!

It really was a great trip & we can't wait to get everyone together again very soon.  The trip back was a long one and I was starting to get worried, but didn't tell Scott.  Baby had been VERY active all weekend and then Sunday on the way home there was just no noticeable movement.  Sunday night we talked about it and decided it was probably not a big deal, but by Monday morning, when our normally active little one was still not moving, we called the doctor.  We were told to go into the hospital to labor & delivery so we both left work immediately and headed south.  We were put into a room and Beth was hooked up to the monitor where we stayed for the next 3 hours.  

There were some nervous moments when the nurse couldn't find the heartbeat but in the end we were told that Monkey is fine and we were sent home tired but very relieved, apparently the long trip just tuckered our little one out. We also found out that day that Rod & Dannie (aka Pop & DanDan) got Baby Courter the carseat/stroller we were wanting so the next time we leave the hospital we'll be ready!

This week will be a stressful one as we are dealing with some issues with Beth's mom and her health, Scott being on the road recruiting, & Beth trying to get a ton of cases closed. Even though Thanksgiving is over we are still giving thanks that our monkey is okay and we have such wonderful friends and family in our lives.