20 Weeks

We are having a crazy busy wonderful summer, spending time with family visiting from out-of-town, and we're also in the middle of packing and MOVING (it's amazing how things multiply when you're pulling them out of closets!) so it seems like the summer has FLOWN by. In the middle of it all I haven't had a chance yet to share our exciting news. We found out a few weeks ago that we are...
Hooray! We are so thrilled, especially Lexi who can't wait to finally have a sister. She is excited to have someone to share a room with and loves looking at her baby clothes and blankets (yes we've been saving them for 7 years hoping we would one day have another girl). I can finally feel this baby moving more (I have an anterior placenta so it's been padding her movements and since I'm a stress basket about everything I have been worried the last few weeks that I can't feel a lot of moving around) but she's getting bigger and stronger and I love feeling her move more and cherish every kick! We had the 20 week ultrasound last week, saw her cute profile, her hands and feet and her little heart fluttering away. LOVE that!

I only post this picture of me because in a few weeks I'll look back and think my belly looks small compared to what it will be. I carry my babies way out there, by 40 weeks it's like a watermelon that's sticking out horizontal. But it's all good and definitely worth it in the end!The days go by so fast with 4 other kids but since this might be our last baby (I don't like to think about being done have babies, I think I could have a million and love it!) so I'm trying to enjoy every moment and all the good things about being pregnant. We're having fun thinking of names and can't wait to meet her. I get baby hungry whenever I see babies at church or anywhere, I love holding them and can't wait to hold this one. We love you baby!

4th of July

We had a wonderful 4th of July weekend. On Saturday morning we woke the kids up at 5:30am and went to the hot air balloon launch in Driggs. It was awesome! We saw some friends from Rexburg there, thanks for the picture, Krista!
It was neat to go right up and watch them blow the fire torches into the balloons to fill them up, see them rise, and take off!


If you look close you can see the Grand Tetons in the background. It was a gorgeous morning.
After the pancake breakfast we came home and all the kids zonked for an hour or two (I was so glad they got a nap!) and then we got ready for the parade on Main Street.

Brenner loved the parade and got excited about the candy and the horses and the dressed up people walking around. This is the first year he hasn't slept through it all.
The kids love running after all the candy and I love that Lexi took her Halloween pail to gather it in.
In the afternoon we drove to the annual Family Gathering on my mom's side and had my Aunt Didi's famous ribs and chicken and lots of other delicious food with my grandparents and aunts, uncles and cousins. It was wonderful to see them all again and the kids had a blast playing games, blowing bubbles, and getting their faces painted with American flags and fireworks! We tried to catch most of the cute little great-grandkids for a photo.

Then we drove back to Driggs and listened to the last bit of Glenn Beck's speech (amazing!) while the kids rolled down the grassy hills and then we snuggled together in blankets and watched the fireworks! It always makes me get choked up. I loved talking to the kids about our freedoms as we listened to the music and watched the fireworks burst across the sky. I'm so thankful for the blessings of living in America and for all those who have fought for our freedoms. The fireworks were so amazing that the kids kept asking if it was the finale. They counted 5 finales! It was awesome! God bless America, my home sweet home! (thanks, Heather, for this image from Homegrown Hospitality)