Erica's 30th Birthday & 23 Weeks

We celebrated my birthday a bit early this year since Colin was in town and able to join in the fun. Alan planned a big dinner at one of our faves: Echo!

 Then we went to my parents' house for cake, ice cream, and presents :)

 It was so special having all the kids together!

Toward the end of the evening, Alan gave me one last gift. Sweet monogramed onsies with our baby boy's name! It is now official! We will name him Mitchell Alan Moore, III and call him Trey. I have loved calling him and praying for him by name over the past several days.

 belly shot at 23 weeks

How far along?  23 weeks

Trimester?  2nd

Size of little one?  grapefruit

Maternity clothes?  some, still able to wear my own pants and some tops

Weight gain?  12lbs

Gender?  It's a boy!

Name?  Mitchell Alan Moore, III  "Trey"

Sleep?  not great, getting used to waking up 2-3 times each night

Cravings?  Mexican

What I Miss?  I did miss getting a glass of wine at dinner tonight

Symptoms?  feeling tired 

Best Moment?  sharing the name with our family tonight! ...another best moment was feeling little baby kicks for the first time the night of the Oscars (3.2.2014)!

Rockwell Cabin Retreat

For Christmas last year all the kids in my family got my parents a cabin weekend in the Smoky Mountains for our whole family. So last weekend was the time we made it happen. We chose to stay at Dreamcatcher Cabin which is owned by some friends of ours who are wonderful people.

We also chose to stay there because of the amazing views in every direction!

My wonderful parents :)

Dad & Christa, checking out the view after arriving

On Friday night we celebrated Maggie's birthday (which was actually that day) and my Mom's birthday (which is December 12th) It's sometimes tricky to get everyone together so this was the perfect time to do it!

It was great having everyone together!

Elizabeth & Christa were so excited the cabin was already decorated for Christmas!

Rockwell Sisters

Ben, Maggie, Rachel, and Colin

On Saturday morning, we celebrated Christmas as a family since Colin will most likely be in Japan by that point. Christa & Annie went all out with their holiday attire :)

"Christmas" morning

Having fun during the gift exchange

Later that afternoon the girls went shopping at the outlets and the guys went on a hike. 

Alan, Dad, and Patrick

Later that day most of us got back to the cabin by 4pm in order to watch the SEC football championship. It was wonderful just lounging around with family, eating good food, and catching up with one another. We did manage to get a group shot at a stopping point during the game.

So thankful we were able to do this!

Perfect weekend getaway!

Living Well

Last weekend Alan and I went to our favorite Bearden restaurant Echo with Elizabeth & Patrick and Maggie & Ben.  E&P came in town to celebrate Annie's birthday with the family so we decided to all go out and use some gift certificates that my parents gave us all for Christmas.  We are terrible about remembering to use gift certificates but this was one we were very excited about using.  I.T. W.A.S. F.A.N.T.A.S.T.I.C.

We had a fabulous night with great company and delicious food!

It was wonderful getting together since we are all so busy and that can be a bit of a challenge at times :)

Saturday night we went over to my parents for Annie's birthday festivities.  I cannot believe she turned 13 this year, she is growing up so fast!  The only ones who weren't able to be there were Rachel & Colin but we know they were there in spirit.  All said, fun-filled weekend with the fam!

Engaged!!!

I am thrilled to announce the engagement of my little (well not so little anymore) brother Colin and his ever to sweet now bride-to-be, Rachel!  I couldn't think of anyone more perfect for him and I am so happy for them both! Colin has been at Camp Pendleton-San Diego for the past 4 months and he flew to Knoxville today, drove to Johnson City, surprised Rachel, popped the question, and she said YES!  Best part about it is that he has 10 days of leave so we get to spend the next week and a half with them. Oh happy day!

Sunday Funday

Yesterday was a super fun and super busy Sunday! Alan and I went to church bright and early and then went over to my parents' house for lunch to see my wonderful aunt Claire and uncle Peter who were in town for the weekend. Claire and Peter live in Connecticut and we have missed them like crazy!

That afternoon we went to the Knoxville Convention Center for me to help with Tinsel and Treasure, which is my committee this year for Junior League. We had some GREAT vendors and it definitely got the wheels in my head spinning with Christmas ideas! I told Alan that he was lucky we don't have a house yet, or our credit card might have gotten a little bit of a workout!

That night we went to...

to celebrate Will's 29th birthday! It was so much fun going out with them and several other couples from our small group. They are just the greatest friends and we are so blessed to know them. Happy Birthday Will!

Dress Blues

Colin wore his dress blues uniform to church today and he looked so sharp! So many people came up to him and were all saying how proud they were of him and how excited they were too. I'm not surprised by this but I'm so happy by the number of people who have just surrounded Colin with love and support. If you want to write Colin a letter of support or encouragement, please let me know and I'll give you his address!

Gotta love a man in uniform!

Alan, Colin, and me...so proud of my little brother

Echo

Last night, my dad treated our whole family to dinner at one of his and my mom's favorite places: Echo Bistro & Wine Bar. It was DELISH! It was so much fun getting together with everyone before Colin travels back to Parris Island and then goes on to San Diego.

It's quite difficult getting all of us in one place together so this was a really special and fun night!

Alan & me

Maggie & Ben

Rachel & Colin

Colin & Christa

Dad & Annie

me & Mom

Patrick & Elizabeth

Great food...Fine wine...Good times!

Colin's Graduation from Marine Recruit Training

On Wednesday July 13th my whole family went down to Parris Island, South Carolina for my brother Colin's graduation from Marine Recruit Training. It has seemed like a very long 13 weeks but the end has finally come and we are so very proud of him!

The first time we actually saw Colin was during the motivational run on family day which was Thursday July 14th, the day before graduation. He was easy to spot with the cast on his arm! That was the result of a broken pinkie finger that happened during the Crucible but he is going to be okay!

This is Colin's platoon 1049 which was part of Delta company. Colin was one of the squad leaders of his platoon! Colin is in the front row on the far left :)

Colin with 2 of his Drill Instructors

So excited to see family!

Colin had liberty (free time) from 10-3 that day so we soaked up every minute with him

The whole crew on the morning of July 15th... graduation day!

Colin's platoon on graduation day (Colin is in the back row this time on the far left)

Can you see Colin?! ...and his cast?!

We were so lucky that Colin was in front and on the end and so easy to see!

Colin graduated Private 1st Class! So proud of my little brother!

As soon as the ceremony was over everyone rushed to congratulate their Marine!

hugging Mom

Colin with Mom & Dad

hugging Annie

Colin with us!

Colin with Patrick & Elizabeth

Colin with Maggie & Ben

Colin & Christa

Colin & Rachel

so happy this day has come!

Semper Fidelis...Always Faithful

Colin standing on the infamous yellow footprints

the whole family with our Marine!!

special day

After graduation, we went to Charleston to spend the rest of the weekend there. I had to take a picture of my future house...a girl can dream right?!

LOVE all of the flower window boxes!

lunch at the Crab House

Dad and the boys at Sullivan's Island

my darling sister Christa

love of my life...

life is good!

Such a memorable trip!