Valentine's Day Surprise!

For Valentine's Day my sweet husband surprised me with a trip home to see my family. I have been wanting to see them, but we usually take our vacation in June or July, and since the baby will be coming then, we won't be traveling. My sweetie actually wanted to take me on a getaway with just him and I (and Seth), to the beach or somewhere really warm, cause I am cold all the time, but then he realized that all I have really been wanting was to go home to see the family. So he planned a getaway vacation to Utah without the two oldest kiddos. He even planned babysitters for our kids. He truly went all out to make this such a special gift for me. Before I move on, one must remember that I am pregnant, and very emotional at the drop of a hat. As I looked at his gift, I was so excited, but on the other hand, feeling very bad to be visiting my family without all my kids. I wanted Mckayla and Isaiah to see grandma & grandpa, and all their cousins. So the thought of not having them with me became a very emotional roller coaster. Which I feel really bad about, because I am so appreciative that Matt would go out of his way to do something so special for me, and for me to seem like I didn't appreciate that, made me even more emotional. I am sure Matt never thought this gift, would spur on such an emotional mess. That is what I was a big fat mess. SO to make the story short, we decided to take the whole family with us. We found some tickets on line that seemed pretty reasonable, considering the short notice. Matt gave me the gift on Sat., and we were flying out on Thurs. So Matt calls up the airlines to change the tickets, and of course, they do not see the same flights we saw, and everything was outrageous on the prices. So we scrapped that idea, and went back to the original idea, that Matt had planned out in the first place. Is he not the best guy ever, to have to put up with me and my emotional state. What a big run around for him, all in the name to please me with a special gift.

Needless to say, the kids were fine without me (go figure), and Matt and I had a really fun trip. I don't think we could of planned the trip better. As it worked out, I actually got to spend one on one with each one of my brothers, sisters and parents. We also had the opportunity to see all of our friends and Matt's sister in Logan. Our friends gave us an awesome barbeque again. It was so nice (thanks again Danielle & Jeff). Here are some shots of the family.

While on our trip Seth had celebrated his 2nd birthday. This shot is on his actual b-day, and we were going to buy him some b-day balloons.

Thank you sweetie for such an awesome Valentine's suprise. I sure hope you do not stop doing thoughtful things for me, even though I put you through the ringer. I Love YOU!!

FOUR is at the door!

For those of you who have not heard the news, number four is on the way. We are so excited! Last week we got the ultrasound and found out that we are having a girl. Mckayla is very glad she will be getting a little sister. I am due June 27th, however I am usually induced a week early, so somewhere around June 22nd we are looking forward to meeting her.
Some names we have been discussing are 1) Hope Rebecca, or 2) Abigale Hope. Isaiah has made it very clear that he does not like Hope Rebecca, and that if we choose that name, he will still call her Abigale. So why don't you give me your feedback on what name you like best!

A night of dance, and a day of Karate!!!

Mckayla and Isaiah attend the Little Gym. At the end of each semester they put on a little show for the parents.
Mckayla's class consists of the 1st 30min. doing gymnastics, then for 15min., she does tap dance, and the last 15min. she does ballet. She absolutely loves it, and has excelled in all three categories. I really like it because it allows her to try three new things, and doesn't focus on just one. At this point, I just want Mckayla to experience all she can, and then if she really likes something specific we can then put our focus towards that. These are pictures from her tap & ballet class.

At the end of class, the all received a ribbon, and had a class photo.

Isaiah has been begging to take Karate. As you may know he loves Knights, and I think in his mind by taking Karate he will learn to fight like a knight. I had him take a trial class to see if he would really like it, and he was so excited about all of it. There were only 2 more classes till the end of the semester, so he participated in the show, but really didn't have the same practice as the other kids. The teacher said he was picking things up quick. I was amazed at how intent he was at listening and watching the teacher. He is so small, I hope that he does excel in this, and boost's his self confidence. Here he is showing off his new skills.

Great job Mckayla & Isaiah, we are so proud of you!