Our secret is out

at least to the Facebook community which is pretty much everyone I think. But for those of you not in the status updating world yet, here it is.... The shirt is true, Ashlyn is going to be a big sister come April 23rd, 2010. We are expecting our 4th little munchkin (I am counting on it being 1 this time). We are really excited. The kids are really excited and I can't wait to share this experience with them.

On the flip side, in the last few short weeks that have been consumed with nausea, gagging, and exhaustion, I have mustered up some thoughts on being pregnant and I think this is the perfect place to share them. Here's 2 out of I don't know how many will follow.

Thought #1: I think it should be a rule that when you are pregnant and have other children to care for, you should be immune to being sick. It's really too bad that I don't make the rules. And if I am really making the rules, I think it would be best for the stork to deliver my baby to my door step.

Thought #2: Why in the world do they call it morning sickness??? Has anyone ever been sick just in the morning??? And what constitutes morning??? Is it supposed to magically go away when the clock strikes 12. Seriously. I think they call it morning sickness to confuse our minds before we first become pregnant. You think "Oh yeah, it just lasts the morning hours, how bad can it be?" WRONG! It should be called "All Day Sickness," that perhaps gets worse as the day goes on because you don't feel like eating, not eating makes it worse, so come night time when you have barely eaten a thing, you are seriously sick. Oh you writers of "What to Expect when You're Expecting" you have it all wrong.

And with that I bid you good night at oh 9:00 (Wow) because for heavens sake I am beat!

While the boys are away, the girls will.....

Go to Johnny Rockets paint our nails, pop popcorn,

and watch a movie.

Just the Boys

Last weekend, Tyler and his dad took Andy on a "Just Boys" campout in Wrightwood. Andy was so excited and talked about it ALL day. In spite of the fact that he was getting away from his over powering sisters for a night, he did ask me where Ash was going to sit when I put him in Grandpa's car. He loves his Ash.

My handsome boy!

Love my boys!

Another great day!

Is it ever anything but great at the beach?
I don't think so especially when you share the day with friends and family.

The Sea Princess and her servant (and the little sis in the background.)

Cannon enjoyed his 1st beach experience.

Just a tad worn out, wouldn't you say?

Enjoying our Balboa Bars, right before Andy took off running down the boat ramp. About gave me a heart attack. I am still a little embarrassed by my panic scream of his name. Mason getting attacked by a horse?

I love LOVE Balboa! Can someone please just give me a house there? PLEASE!

We have had a great summer BUT I am ready for Fall.

Bring on cooler temps, pumpkins, Disneyland, and Halloween.

We took our daughter to a Rave?!

Taylor made the Showstopper Dance Team at Talent Factory. We kicked off the season with a "Rave," AKA come dressed in bright colors and things that glow in the dark.

Introducing the 2009-2010 Showstopper team.
Kherington Payne from So You Think You Can Dance and Fame made an appearance
to give the girls a little pre season pep talk.

We are looking forward to a great year!

How Can I...

think my life is hard
or my life is stressful
or chaotic
or forgotten
or anything other than blessed
when I read Her story.

I don't know what has touched me most in her 2 recent posts: the fact that she made it to the top of Y mountain, or her bravery and courage to post pictures of her "new" look, or the image of her and her husband interlocking hands and arms wrapped in burn bandages.

If you haven't tuned into Nie Nie and her remarkable journey, you are missing out.

Smitten

is this little girl with this baby boy.
Andy and Ashlyn are also big fans of Baby Cannon! This picture makes me laugh. I am the oldest Grandchild and with each new baby cousin that entered our family, I would stand by their bed or by the door begging them to WAKE UP so I could hold them. Looks like the tradition has been passed down.

Cannon sensed their presence quickly and was wide awake in no time.

We are so happy to have Russ, Trisha, and Cannon in California for the next 6 weeks for work. We plan to get as much Cannon time as we can squeeze in.

Look at those eyes!

There is something special and unique about a mother/son relationship.

I just can't get enough of him!!!!

Little Miss Bakerella!

Sooo....here is how it all began. We have an Iphone that is currently having issues being used as a phone. We decided to allow Taylor to have some fun with it and at times when we need her to have some "alone" time (translation, patience is gone, go entertain yourself for a little bit) we give her the phone and allow her to watch downloaded videos like Play House Disney, Veggie Tales, and Charlie & Lola. Recently, we decided the videos needed a more educational element to them so Tyler introduced her to baking tutorials. Who would have ever thought that that would unleash baking madness!!! She is fascinated by them and can watch them for hours. In a week's time we have made: Bear Cookies, A Mermaid Cake, and Pig Pancakes in addition to non-tutorial items like chocolate chip cookies and Cinnamon muffins. Yes, I feel the fat swelling on my body. I decided to buy her some cookie and muffin mixes that say "just add water" in an effort to limit the mess and my involvement. However, those are apparently not fun. They need "water, oil, milk, eggs, and powdered sugar"...the girl knows her ingredients. She now uses words like "dollop" and "finishing touches." It all drives me a little crazy because it is a lot of mess and way too many treats for our family. However, after reading an article about this girl who at age 23 started the Wonderland Bakery in Newport, I have decided to embrace Taylor's new hobby (with a few rules) and help foster her creative self. Today's project: sugar cookie dough that needed to be cooked = frosting, sprinkle craziness!

And sugar overload!

The finished product! Someone come take these off our hands PLEASE!

My idea of camping

involves a Marriott and room service....No? O.K. how about roasting hot dogs and marshmallows in the backyard? And going upstairs to sleep in my own bed? Taylor called our evening "Camping Fun." She didn't mind not having a tent, dirt, and night time noises. Actually dirt was very much prevalent during this little adventure after the kids became sticky messes from the marshmallows and then went and jumped on the trampoline....beautiful! Luckily, we weren't far from home and a nice warm bath.
Love. LOVE this little man! Fortunately for him he has 2 somewhat high maintenance sisters because otherwise I would LOVE on him all day!

Off She Goes

Today was Taylor's 1st day of Kindergarten. I have struggled with the decision of whether to start her for the last year. She has a late birthday and will be the youngest in her class. I changed my mind so many times. I am sure our friends and family were SO over my indecisiveness. I was so worried I would make the wrong choice. However, a month ago we decided Yes and we haven't looked back (okay maybe I have a few times).

But we are confident in our decision.

She is ready!

Breakfast choice: Pancakes and Muffins.

Taylor and Ms Karr.

We are so happy Taylor and Tyler are in the same class.

Andy and Ashlyn jumped right in. Too bad I couldn't have left them too.

Reading the book, The Kissing Hand.

Taylor receiving a kissing hand.

I Love this girl so much! I am so proud of her and excited for this new adventure.

It was a successful Kindergarten drop off. She was excited, she was ready, and I only shed a few tears as we were leaving. Andy repeatedly asking me, "Where's Tay Tay?" didn't help.

We love you Taylor!

We are SO excited to watch you grow and learn and have lots of fun this year!