It's a BOY!

Today we had our 20 week ultrasound! Jim and I were both nervous to find out if we were having a boy or a girl. The ultrasound technician was really nice and went over all the organs, bones, etc. and said everything looked perfect! Heart rate was in the 150s. She immediately said it was a boy! No doubts. Jim and I were both surprised! We are very excited to be having another boy! I am happy that Christian will have a little brother! Now we can't wait to meet our baby boy, Andrew Robert Hopkins!

Here are some of the ultrasound pictures...

His sweet face! You can even see his nose and mouth!

Here is a full body picture. You can see his spine and his legs curled up!


The "bottom" view with the arrow pointing towards the baby's boy parts. :)

Look! A foot! Perfect little toes!
We can't wait until we get to hold our baby Andrew and kiss those sweet baby feet!

Dinner party at Nora's house!

Saturday night, Christian stayed with Pops and GoGo so we could attend Nora's dinner party. Nora is one of our friends, neighbors and Jim's co-worker. She is one of the sweetest ladies I have ever met! The theme for the dinner party was German food. Nora had lived in Germany and one of Jim's other co-workers Christian O. is a native German as well. We had lots of yummy German food and music! It was so much fun!

Nora, Jim and Bryan

Christian O, Melanie, Eva, Jeremi and Beth Ann

me and Jim

Thanks Nora for the lovely dinner!

Twilight!

Friday night, me and nine girlfriends went to the opening night of Twilight! Though I would have never thought I would be interested in a book series involving vampires, I must admit they are great books! I am currently reading the 3rd book in the 4 book series, Eclipse. We had dinner at Noodles and then went to the 9:25 show. The crowd was CRAZY! We had to buy our tickets two weeks ago and I heard they sold out of tickets a week before the show opened. The movie was actually pretty good and I am looking forward to seeing the next movie!

Razorback Basketball in the ARVEST Suite!

Thursday night, our ARVEST1 trade desk got tickets to the ARVEST Suite at Bud Walton Arena to watch the Razorbacks play California-Davis. Though we spent more time visiting than watching the game, it was a good time!

Our family pictures!

A couple weekends ago, we had our family pictures taken by Kim Lowery. She is an amazing photographer! Check out her website at www.kimlowery.com

Here are a few of our favorites...





Christian loves to hug, kiss and listen to my belly! He is so excited about the baby!
We have our ultrasound Monday to find out if it's a boy or a girl! Can't wait!

Christian's Tiny Tots Thanksgiving Program!

Today was Christian's preschool Thanksgiving program. Each student made 2 invitations. Christian sent one to Pops and gave one to his dad. :) The class dressed as indians and sang songs. Here are some pictures that Jim took at the program...




Christian was excited to see Pops!

Monday off!

This past Monday I took the day off. I knew I would be tired from my trip to Branson. Also, my friend Tammy had the day off and wanted to meet up for some early Christmas shopping.
Tammy and I have been friends since middle school. :) We met for breakfast at MiMi's and shopped the Pinnacle Promenade for Christmas presents for our family.

After spending the morning shopping, I went home to relax for a bit. I decided to pick up Christian early from school so we could get his haircut and spend some extra time together.

Christian has always wanted me to cut his hair, but this time I told him he is a big boy and could try getting it cut where dad gets his cut, SportsClips. It took some convincing (and some candy as a reward). He agreed. :) After the haircut, we went home and snuggled on the couch together and watched Charlie Brown's Thankgiving. What a enjoyable day off!

Mom's Ministry trip to Branson!

This past weekend, I went on our annual fall retreat to Branson with my bible study group, Mom's Ministry. Six of us were able to attend...me, Misty, Elise, Laura, Michelle G. and Tricia. We met at the church at 8am Saturday morning and drove to Branson. Our first stop was the Tangier Outlets. Since I was pregnant and not up for power shopping and Elise had a sprained ankle, Elise and I stuck together and hit a few stores. Then we all had lunch at Panera Bread. After that, we dropped off the rest of the gang back at the outlet mall. Elise and I went to check into our condo. We usually stay in the Residence condos at Thousand Hills. But after checking in, the fireplace was not working (and it was COLD!) so we got moved to one of their 3 bedroom cabins. It was really nice and so cozy. It was already decorated for Christmas!



When dinnertime rolled around, all the ladies were still wanting to finish their shopping, so Elise and I headed to dinner at The Worman House at Big Cedar. We each had steak and chocolate desserts! It was so nice and relaxing.
After dinner, we got back to the condo and watched a movie. The others got done with their shopping pretty late. Here is the pile of shopping bags under the tree!

We all got in our jammies and stayed up late visiting, sharing and snacking! It was so much fun!
The next morning, Michelle and Tricia headed back EARLY while the rest of us decided to stay and go out to eat for breakfast and hit the Grand Village shops. We had such a good time!

Laura, me, Elise and Misty

What a fun weekend with great friends!

Jim and the guys...

Last Sunday, we had a surprise visit from some of our friends! Jeremi, Steve and Bryan had gone camping all weekend in Missouri and they stopped by our house to visit on their way home. Jim was glad to catch up with his buddies and they were very happy to be in a warm house after camping outside in freezing temperatures all weekend!

Jeremi, Steve, Jim and Bryan

Good news day!

I had my doctor appointment yesterday afternoon. Everything is going well. The baby's heartbeat was good and I have been feeling the baby moving for the past few weeks now. I go back on November 24th for our ultrasound to see if we are having a boy or a girl. Can't wait!

After my doctor appointment, I took Christian to get a new pair of tennis shoes. He has already wore out his others.He is such a good little shopper! When we got home, Jim surprised me with the news of his new promotion he received! He was very excited! He is now a Systems Analyst.
I am so proud of my hard working husband! What a good day!

Jim's parents sent him flowers wishing him "Congratulations" on his new promotion! So sweet!

A new T.V.!!!

On Saturday, after Jim dropped off Christian at Pops & GoGo's house for the weekend, we spent the afternoon TV shopping! The TV we have Jim got in college back in 1997, so we figured we were finally ready to upgrade. :) We found the TV we wanted at Sam's Club and the TV stand at Best Buy. After shopping, we went to Mister B's Steakhouse for appetizers and watched the Alabama vs. LSU football game. It was a great game! Then we went to the Rogers Little Theatre to see "You Can't Take It With You" a dinner theater production that my friend Hope (and her fiance Dwight) was starring in. It was a fun evening out with my hubby!
On Sunday, Pops & GoGo brought Christian back up to NWA and we ate lunch at MiMi's. After lunch Jim and Pops went to our house to get the new TV set up. GoGo and I went Christmas shopping. When we got home, I was so excited to see our new 52' TV! It looks great!
Here is a picture of when Christian woke up from his nap and came downstairs to see it...

Now all we need is a Wii and Rockband! :)

Allison's Birthday!

Friday night we celebrated Allison's birthday! Instead of going out, we decided to stay in and I invited the ladies up to my house for a slumber party! We ate lots of yummy food and watched the movie "Baby Mama". So funny! We had so much fun just hanging out and staying up way too late talking!

Dara, Allison, Susan and Kellie

Dara, me, Allison and Susan

Allison got lots of fun and cute birthday gifts!

Love the earrings! Happy Birthday Allison!

Halloween 2008!

What a busy Halloween this year! Friday morning, I took Christian to work with me so I could show off my little "pumpkin". :) At work this year, our trade desk dressed as "Razorback fans" in our own Skybox! We decorated the trade floor with signs, jerseys and even a tent!

Back row: Jennifer, Ty, Jamie, Duncan and Trent
Front row: Stephanie, me and Kathy

GO HOGS!

Then Christian and I went to his Tiny Tots Halloween party in Ms. Tina's class!


Before the party, Ms. Tina had "circle time" where she asked each child to stand up and say what they were for Halloween...

Christian standing and saying he is a pumpkin!!!

Look at my sweet pumpkin!

All the children had made their own "mini pumpkin cakes" to decorate and eat at the party!

Christian's turn at the pumpkin toss. He got 2 out of 3!

The next game was to take a water gun and "squirt" out the candle in the jack-o-lantern!

My favorite game was the where Ms. Tina hangs a marshmallow from a stick with dental floss and you have to grab it with your mouth! Too funny!

What a fun party!

Later that afternoon, GoGo and I picked up Christian to take him trick or treating at Jim's work.
The WMT Information Systems Division puts on quite a spread for the kids each year. Each department/team decorates their area and you go cubicle to cubicle trick or treating. With three floors of people as far as the eye can see, there was a LOT of candy for all the kids! They even had games in the cafeteria.

Christian and GoGo

Jim's team decorated their area with the theme "ISD Dungeon". Each member of the team had their picture outside their pod making a scary face. Boo! It's Jim!
We saw so many kids (and adults) with neat costumes.

Look at all that candy! (and that's not even all of it!) After we got home, we ate pizza for dinner then went to our neighbors house for trick or treating too! When we got home we went through all the Christian's goodies!


Happy Halloween!!!