Introducing...

Meredith Avery Kiser

September 24, 2011

1:47pm

7 lb, 10 oz

21 inches

Baking Cookies with Mimi

What better activity for a rainy day than baking cookies?!
Will was thrilled to be Mimi's big helper.

Cracking the eggs was his favorite part. See the video below!

He was pretty good about getting everything in the bowl.

And following Mimi's instructions.

Last but not least, adding the fun stuff...

like the chocolate chips, or as Will says, "chock-ates!"

And raisins. Hard to resist a quick sample!

High five for a job well done!

And into the oven...

Followed by a taste test. I think that's the look of satisfaction!

Goldsboro Baby Shower

Some sweet friends from my Bible study group hosted a baby shower for me...
Our group of 30 ladies has had quite the baby boom as of late, with 10 of us either expecting or having had a baby from August through October.

From cooking and baking to paper crafts and decorating, they all pitched in to make a really sweet, thoughtful shower.

This is such a great group of ladies that are all Air Forces wives, too. And I'm always amazed by how God provides such wonderful people with so much common ground wherever we go.

The brunch spread was delicious.

As were the desserts! This table featured tasty lemon curd cupcakes and mini-oreo cheesecakes.

These thoughtful girls gave me some really sweet gifts. And now, I'm finally ready for baby girl to make her appearance!

Everyone took home yummy jellybeans for favors...

And I went home with one of the best shower ideas ever. They made me personalized thank-you notes that everyone at the shower preaddressed for me. Such a time saver, not to mention absolutely adorable!

Isaac's 1st Birthday

After the wedding weekend, we returned to Aaron's parents house to celebrate our nephew Isaac's first birthday. Will loved spending time with his cousin...
And couldn't resist giving him hugs and kisses!

Isaac and his parents, Dana (Aaron's sister) and Stan live in Kansas City, so we don't get to see them very often. It was a treat to see him open his gifts...

And smoosh ice cream cake all over his face!

Here are the Kiser fellas in attendance... minus Will who was busy playing with cars, and Aaron's cousin Bradley who, poor guy, broke his arm the night before and was taking it easy in the living room.

And the celebration wouldn't be complete without the singing of "Happy Birthday!," which Will decided he really likes. He's been singing happy birthday to Isaac ever since!

John's Wedding

On Labor Day weekend, Aaron's younger brother John formally tied the knot! A year to the date of their elopement, he and Meredith hosted a ceremony affectionately titled "I do, Take two" to celebrate alongside friends and family.
The event was held at the Thistle House Bed and Breakfast. A beautiful location in the rolling North Carolina hills. The rehearsal was a casual, relaxed affair catered by Chick-fil-a. Fitting since the couple met at the restaurant while John was playing a gig there with his band. The cake for the evening was a replica of his custom-made guitar!

Aaron was the best man. As you can tell, it was a distinguished honor! ;)

Their Dad and brother-in-law, Stan also served as groomsmen. Here we are all dressed up and ready for the ceremony.

The BBQ reception was simple and sweet. I would have loved to join my boys on the dance floor, but I was one hot pregnant lady, so I watched from the sidelines while gulping down the ice water.

My family was on hand to celebrate, too and thankfully helped me keep up with Will (who loves to run around like a wild man outdoors), while Aaron's family could fulfill their bridal party duties.

The Kiser kids and spouses stayed the evening at the bed and breakfast, and feasted the next morning on a fabulous stuffed French toast breakfast before parting ways.

So glad we had the opportunity to celebrate with the happy couple. Congratulations John & Meredith!

F-15E Basic Course Graduation

The big graduation weekend Aaron's class had been looking forward to for the past nine months was not quite what they got, thanks to Hurricane Irene. As the approaching storm called for a hurrevac of all the jets on Thursday, all pilots and crew except for the graduating class were with the planes in Louisiana. Red Carpet, including a chance to see/sit in the jets, tour the control tower, operate the simulators, and demo a mission briefing, was cancelled. And the formal ceremony and banquet scheduled for Saturday evening became a formal lunch on Friday afternoon.
With only the squadron commanders and class in attendance, we played dress-up in the middle of the day and did our best to honor these hard-working guys' achievements. It's been a stressful and demanding course, and I'm so proud of Aaron and how he handled the pressure. He not only made it through, but excelled.

The graduation speaker, a former Strike Eagle pilot with the first air-to-air kill in the Gulf War, shared many poignant words, and he left us with this final charge... "No one else will ever understand what is demanded of you and what you will be asked to do. This work is more than a job. Wives, parents, family, they need you to understand that, and they will need your continued support."

Thankfully, we did indeed have supportive family on hand, though our group was a bit smaller due to the rescheduling. None of us could be prouder of this guy!

Update: We're now a week into being part of an operational squadron. And the hours, have been, well... insane! I guess we're just now preparing to find out what life in the Air Force is really all about...

Splashin' in the Sprinkler

It was a HOT summer day, like many we'd been having, though it's finally starting to taper off, so we pulled out the sprinkler and every other fun water toy we could think of and invited over some friends.
Some "old" AF friends, actually. They say it's a small Air Force, and I guess it's true. We met Jonathan and Mandy Rey when the guys were in the same pilot training class. Just after graduation, they welcomed their first son Benjamin and then moved to Washington state about a month later. Jonathan flys KC-135s.

Four years and two baby boys later, we're back together in Goldsboro! Will adores following around an older playmate, and it's been great to reconnect with Mandy and her new little one, Matthew.

Needless to say, we all have a great time together. Here's hoping there will be many more reunions in years to come with more of the wonderful people we've met!

Greensboro Baby Shower

Kate graciously hosted a hometown baby shower for me in Greensboro. She made these adorable invitations, and they were only the beginning of her adorably creative ideas...

Check out these flower balloons to welcome guests. I love my lil' sis!

Mom made this super cute corsage for me out of fabric yo-yo's and a sweet little vase.

Everything was just as pink and pretty as could be!

Kate, Mom, and Nana made this amazing food display...

and my favorite was the watermelon fruit salad baby carriage. :)

Nana represented the great-grandmothers. We missed Aaron's grandmother, who was recovering from surgery and was unable to make it. Fortunately, she's back home and doing well now.

I love cheesy shower games, and Kate didn't disappoint!

We enjoyed deliciously frozen lemon crunch yogurt for dessert. So light and refreshing!

I'm so thankful for all of the wonderful gifts. And my mom nearly had me in tears when she surprised me with a box of mine and Kate's old baby dresses she'd washed and ironed. Including the dresses we both wore home from the hospital. Now, Meredith will get to wear one of them home, too!

It was great to see my college roommate, Sandee...

And my cousins English and Joanna who drove in from Boone and Charlotte just to be there.

And last but not least, were these fabulously fun cake pops for favors! Aren't they wonderful?!

This little taste-tester found them irresistable!

Thanks so much,Kate,for all of your hard work and planning that went into such a beautiful afternoon. I'm so blessed to have you for a sister!