Merry Christmas!

Baby Boy

 Anticipating the news...

 It's a boy!

My boys were CRAZY excited they were getting another boy :)

The best part of the story though, is that after the 30 seconds of sheer joy and jumping around by Addie and Eli, my little Eli looked back in the box, then at me, and innocently asked, "But Mom, where's the baby?"  He thought we were bringing home our little man that day!  Love this innocence!  Gotta wait 20 more weeks, buddy!  But we are all thrilled with the news of having a little boy.  Praise the Lord for the miracle of birth.  It amazes me every time I see an ultrasound.  What a remarkable miracle!

My hubby is home!  After 11 days of travel overseas for work, we picked him up from the airport tonight!  I couldn't be happier :)  I need him!
The 11 days went ok.  We have our routine down, so the days went smoothly, but evenings were hard at times and the weekend was tough.  Plus, we all passed around the stomach flu (including me, which never happens!) during the course of the 11 days, so that made matters worse :(  But we survived and yes, we could do it again.  But it's nice to have him here tonight, wrestling with the kids, helping with bedtime... just being here! 
I love this time of year. I love the two holidays ahead and all the family time that comes with them.  Baby O is doing well.  Feeling more movement all the time.  Making me smile :)  We find out if baby will be a boy or girl next Friday.  This pregnancy is flying!  Probably cause I"m so busy I don't have time to think about the one in my belly :) 
Happy Thanksgiving!  Very thankful for my family and friends :)

My fav pics from Florida

 The girls!

 Nana and Addison

 Kids LOVED the ocean!

 Disney World-- very magical :)

Some of my favorite pics from Florida.  We had an incredible family vacation.  Kids were unbelievably good.  It was surprisingly very relaxing and enjoyable!!  Sometimes vacations can just be a lot of work, but this one was so fun!  We did have three adults, so the one-on-one ratio was nice.  The plane rides were tough with Izzy.  I think I'll drive next time ;)  But that's my only complaint, so not too bad!!  We are very thankful and will have memories for a lifetime. 

Much needed update!

I've kinda fallen off the bandwagon of blogging here... I apologize to my 5 or 6 readers ;)
We are having another!  I'm sure all of you know that, but I had to keep our announcement quiet until I saw a friend two weeks ago that I haven't seen in two years.  Wanted to tell her in person.  I kept the secret and crossed my fingers and it worked!  I got to tell her in person and she had no idea!  Fun :)
But yes, we are breaking the mold a bit-- #4 is to arrive April 18.  Easter weekend...yikes!
We are excited!  I am feeling great!  Addie and Eli are hoping for a boy!  And Izzy has NO idea that this baby is going to flip her life upside down.  So, I'm thankful we have a few more months!  Quite a few... we will be ready :)

In other news... Addie is loving first grade!  She adores her teacher and her friends.  We had a terrific conference about her, which of course I cried through because I was so proud of her.  She's still such a joy.  Eli is a different kid this year!  He's confident.  He loves school.  He has conversations with kids and adults!  WHAT?!  It's good.  I think the world of him :)  Isabelle has quite the personality.  She takes most of my attention these days, but I'm loving the time she wants to be with me (which may be 24 hours a day...ahhhh!!!), cause I know she will grow out of that quickly.   She's got a million words!  And she loves her brother and sister.  Brandt started a new job this week.  Finally, he will be worked hard and a company is going to benefit from his brains!  We are feeling blessed by this new opportunity and the Lord's timing in it all.  All for now... :)

Recent Pics

My friend Amber took our pics last week.  We were blessed!  Izzy was not happy, to say the least, but these kinda represent her personality a bit these days :)  We love her still!! 
My older two are off to school!  Eli started today.  Went in with no tears!  Addie's loving 1st grade.  Loves her teacher, loves eating lunch at school, loves having her own desk, and loves getting homework!  They are growing up too fast :)

Eli is 4!!!

Happy Birthday to our boy!  

We are so proud of you for everything you do.  You are an incredible boy and we love you :)

Ready for school!

We are enjoying our last few days of summer!!  School is just around the corner, and I'm actually ready for it to begin!  I never understood the moms who would say, in late August, "I am ready for school to start!"  I swore I would never feel that way, thinking I would never be ready to send them back.  But the thing is... they are ready.  They are ready for a routine again.  Addie is ready to be around friends.  And I am ready :)  I get excited for Addie as she will go full day this year.  I can't wait to watch Eli start preschool again with this new confidence he's developed over the summer.  I can't wait to see what the year holds for them. 
Lord, help us to soak up every last day of summer and enjoy being together, but then prepare these kids for their school year. 

Comparisons

 Addie at 17 months...

Isabelle at 17 months...

They look a lot alike, but yet are so so different.  Addie had 10 teeth at this age... Izzy has 8.  Izzy eats the tips off the markers and draws on the walls and floor... Addie didn't play with markers (but if we would've had some in the house when she was little, she would have only colored!).  Addie had a handful of words... Izzy has about a million!!  Addie was napping once a day... Izzy is hanging on to two most days.  Both of them are amazing.  I'm excited as they continue to grow, as they continue to love each other, and as they continue to experience what it's like to have a sister and be a sister. 

Brandt and I just got back from doing the Tough Mudder with some friends.  It was a hard race, but so much fun.  Honestly, one of my favorite memories with the hubby.  Loved it!! 

Illinois

 We just got back from a weekend in Galesburg, Illinois, where we shared in a memorial service that celebrated my great-grandpa's life.  The weekend was beautiful.  Fun to be together as a family for four days and fun to be with extended family.  Addie got glasses the night before we left :)  

 Lots of time in the hotel pool!

 A visit to the Galesburg Children's Museum!

 These two bonded this weekend :)  Izzy loves her daddy!

 Uncle Jeff!

Kylee and Phil :)

Summertime!

 We're having a fun summer! Swimming, sprinkler, playing outside with friends...

 Had some fun outings the last couple of weeks--

 Children's Museum

 MN Zoo

Summer is going fast, but we're loving every minute of it!!  

Thankful that all my kiddos are walking, two of them are potty trained, all of them love being outside, only one naps but will survive if napping happens in the car, and all of them get along (most of the time)!!  Loving our summer together :)

Hello Summer!

Our summer is off to a great start!  

We are loving just being able to hang out and play together.  The weather hasn't been perfect, but I have three kiddos who LOVE being outside whether it's 80 and sunny or 55 and rain :) 

Happy 6th birthday, Addie!

 6 years ago today, we celebrated YOU!  

You are a beautiful, amazing, smart, talented, fun, and compassionate little lady!  

We love everything about you.  

Thanks for bringing so much joy into the world and into our lives.  

Happy birthday, Addie!! 

My Eli finished his first year (half year) of preschool.  We are so proud of him!  He made friends, he became a little more confident in himself and he learned things!!  I'm excited to watch him grow more and more each year.  He's so different than Addie, but there's something so special about him.  I adore him to pieces.  Congrats, buddy!  Looking forward to the summer with you!!!

Blessed

Feeling blessed to be surrounded by these people every day of my life.