Ward Campout with Daddy

Our Ward campout was last weekend at Beverly Beach near Newport, Oregon. Call me lazy, but I just couldn't bring myself to sleep on an air mattress and camp only 3 1/2 weeks before my due date! So, Kyle was "Super Daddy" and decided to take all three kids by himself! They had a wonderful time and still tell me they want to go back.

All ready for bed...at 10:30 p.m.! Man, oh, man!

Riding their bikes around the campground.

A "cool fort" on the beach.

My four most favorite people in all the world!

It was a great way to go camping...all they had to take was dinner Friday night. Then the ward provided s'mores and a fun campfire program. Saturday morning they also provided breakfast then games and contests down on the beach. And Kyle had lots of people there to help with the kids when he needed it and lots of "Way to go, dad!" comments about how amazing he was to bring the kids by himself. He definitely scored brownie points, at least with me and the kids. (I was really glad they got to go camping at least once more, since the Father & Sons campout was cancelled this last spring and the Father/Daughter campout is the weekend after I am due.)

I stayed home all by my lonesome and "nested" like crazy. (Shhh....don't tell....it was great!) I got several projects done and went and got dessert with a friend Friday evening. I have to admit the house was a little too quiet for me, but I managed somehow. And even though it was hard falling asleep without my honey at my side, I slept very well, and didn't come home with a bruise on my hip like poor daddy did!

Shayla and Ansley's Visit!

The kids were so excited last week to have Auntie Shayla and cousin Ansley come over to visit. They loved "loving" on her and smothering her with affection. Just look at these darling pictures--she is so cute! I can see such a cute mix of Shayla and Logan in her; so fun!

Look at these great smiles! (Skyler was napping when I finally remembered to take out the camera, unfortunately. But he loved her, too!)

We love having family come visit! You're all welcome any time!

Eighth Anniversary Celebration(s)!

This year, our anniversary seemed to be the "anniversary that just kept on giving." For some reason, we ended up celebrating multiple times...all fun, small ways, but celebrations nevertheless.

For my gift to Kyle, I gave eight gifts to him over the eight days leading up to our anniversary. The first were the eight heart-shaped love notes on our bedroom wall. Other days it was eight mini-candy bars hidden all over the house, eight cards made by the kids, eight different "junk food" presents, eight text messages, etc. All small things, but once Kyle knew what I was doing, he had something to look forward to each day, wondering what the next eight surpises were. The kids really got into it and were so excited to know what the gifts were when Kyle didn't. (And they actually did really well at keeping it a secret!)

On our actual anniversary, August 2nd, we got a babysitter and went out to dinner to a nice restaurant here in Salem. And Kyle shocked me by buying me a new wedding band! When he was going to propose eight years ago, he wanted me to choose my own ring, yet still wanted a ring with which to propose. So he bought a simple band with several small diamonds in a run across the top. When I ended up choosing my wedding ring, I decided I still wanted to wear the band he had given me when he proposed, so I chose a wedding ring to match. Ever since, I have worn the two together (but not sautered), and have loved it. But Kyle has always said we should "upgrade" to a real band to match. Well, this year, totally unbeknownst to me, he went and purchased a beautiful band that matches perfectly with my ring! (Just to be sure I wouldn't find out about the surprise, he asked my parents to loan him the cash so I wouldn't see the charge come out of our bank accounts or credit cards. I was laughing so hard about that one. My parents sure are great accomplices!) Anyway, he gave me the new band while we were out to dinner. I have since had them both fitted and sautered together and I LOVE IT! It is so beautiful.

Lastly, we had planned a get-away weekend for our anniversary. My parents agreed to watch our kiddos, but were out of town the week of our anniversary, so we scheduled it for two weeks later (August 19th). We were going to go to Victoria BC, then Bend, then Portland, then finally decided we should just save the money from the hotel and come home! (Since our kids were sleeping at my parent's house.) Hilarious, aren't we? We ended up spending the day in Portland, then coming home that evening and working on projects on our "to do" list. (My husband is so wonderful, he knows how much I love doing projects!) While we were in Portland, we went out to lunch, then went to the beautiful Chinese Gardens (it was amazingly peaceful/tranquil for being in the middle of the city and so relaxing to walk around and enjoy together), then went and got a yummy Moonstruck milkshake! Yay!

Saturday we did some more projects around the house then went to my parent's and took the kids swimming and enjoyed the afternoon with them before coming home. It was a great, relaxing weekend, and cost us very little. Perfect for preparing for baby #4!

So, basically, our anniversary celebrations lasted almost a month. Talk about fun; let's do this every year! I sure do love my honey, and really don't know where I would be without him! I waited (what seemed like) soooo long to find him, and now it's impossible to imagine life without him. It truly is a gift to be married to your best friend (as cheesy as it may sound)! I love you, babe!

Oaks Park Tradition!

Cricket once again sponsored a Family Fun Night at Oaks Park this summer. The kids remembered last year's trip well and were so excited to go again. We invited our friends, the Richards, to join us and it was a blast to have another family to swap kids and rides with and enjoy a picnic dinner. We all had a total blast, even the prego lady who couldn't hardly go on any rides:). Here are a few pictures.

Here are Kylene, Skyler, and Zach on Skyler's absolute favorite ride, the motorcycles. I think he rode the ride at least 12 times. Since there were so few people there, most of the rides had no line and the kids could just stay on and ride it again and again as many times as they wanted. I let all six kids go on this ride about four times in a row while Kyle, Alee and Brandon went on one of the "big" rides unsuitable for pregnant women:). (Not that I would have gone on it anyway...I'm such a wimp when it comes to those kind of rides.)

Skyler also became super attached to Zach for some reason. Zach is Kylene's age, and Skyler just adores him now. He always wanted to sit by him on the rides, and still will ask to play with or see him whenever we talk about or do anything with the Richards. It is so cute.

"The Spider" my kids love!

The oh, so jarring childrens' roller coaster. Just look at the speed!

The kids were tall enough to go on "The Scrambler" for the first time this year. They loved it. I guess they got their daddy's "amusement ride" gene, since they love the "big" rides so much. Kylene begged for me to let her go on "The Eruption", the green and yellow ride in the background, but I was too nervous to let her. Maybe next year I'll get up the courage:).

On the choo, choo train! Party!

Kylene, Zach and Kyle on the Ferris Wheel.

I got to ride the Ferris Wheel with my buddies, Skyler and Spencer!

Spencer wondering if he is tall enough, while Kylene and Zach wait in line. Notice the hand holding going on? Alee and I were shocked and giggly about it--it was so sweet and innocent. What can I say? They're good friends and didn't seem to think a thing about it. I was glad Alee got this picture for posterity's sake:).

A fun night was had by all:). Thanks, Cricket and Oaks Park.

Summer Swimming Lessons

We are just finishing up our second round of swimming lessons at the Kroc Center. Spencer has improved leaps and bounds, mainly getting to be more comfortable in the water, relaxing, and trusting his teacher. He still doesn't like putting his face in the water, which is kind of a problem in swimming(LOL!), but hopefully with time he'll do better with it! (He has never liked having water in his face, even in the bath.) He did love getting in the water every day, being in the same class as his buddy, Andy, and the "hot" showers to rinse off afterward.

Kylene also has done really well. She is now swimming and floating like a pro! It has been fun to watch her improve and get more comfortable in the water. She still doesn't like going where she can't touch the bottom of the pool, but did have the courage to jump off the diving board with her life jacket on.

Skyler was a trooper, going with me each day and patiently waiting at the side of the pool. He is definitely a water boy and (especially at first) really, really wanted to get into the water, but finally learned that it wasn't swimming time for him...yet.

Spencer's Soccer & Blueberry Picking

Spencer has participating the last several Saturdays in a little soccer "camp." A friend organized it with whomever wanted to join in the fun. The dad's make great coaches and the price is just right! The first week he pouted and just stood there and watched, but is now running around, kicking, and enjoying it.

Last weekend after soccer, we headed out to our favorite blueberry field. I had gone a few weeks prior with a friend and kiddos and picked about eight pounds. Well, it proved worthwhile to take Kyle this time: in about half the time, we picked 22 pounds! I told Kyle he's my "super blueberry picker"! We now have plenty of frozen blueberries which will hopefully last us all winter long. I love filling up the freezer with yummy Oregon produce!

The kids were great helpers (and eaters) both times, and really enjoyed picking. But near the end, they were glad there were a few toys there to play with.

My super picker!

Summer Play Time

In July, Kylene participated in "Backyard Broadway," a summer acting camp that a family in our ward puts together. They auditioned for parts in the original play (a Greek myth adapted by the family), "The Quest for the Golden Fleece," and Kylene was assigned to be Queen Nephele and one of Princess Medea's maids, Caliope. They practiced all week then had their performance on Thursday evening. It was so fun to watch her up on stage. She loved learning the songs they sang as well as her three lines. One was, "What a Ram? How's that supposed to help?" It was pretty cute the way she practiced at home. (Endlessly! Once Kyle asked her to stop singing!) Here are pictures from the performance.

We have been enjoying our membership to the Gilbert House Children's Museum in Salem. (My parents gave it to us as a Christmas gift.) We went a lot during the rainy winter months and have gone a few times this summer to enjoy their huge outdoor play house/structure/swings, etc. One day we went they had a balloon man making balloons: Kylene chose a flower, Spencer a knight's helmet, and Skyler was thrilled with a puppy. Here they are being silly kids in the giant rocking chair.

33 Week Update

Here is my belly at 33 weeks pregnant with baby #4!

Here is a week ago, at 32 weeks prego.

I have been feeling really good the last several weeks. Just the last few days I have started feeling really big and awkward--ugh. Ironically, at my doctor appointment this last Tuesday, I was only measuring around 30 weeks so Dr. West was concerned either the baby wasn't growing adequately or I didn't have enough amniotic fluid; so he ordered an ultrasound for Thursday. I realized after I left this same thing happened with Skyler, so even though it made me worry a little, I didn't freak out. Sure enough, at my ultrasound yesterday, my baby's estimated weight was 4.9 pounds! His size (based on head, abdomen, and femur measurements) is measuring at 34 weeks, one week ahead of schedule! Ha! I had to laugh at that. So we'll see when this baby decides to come. (I'm still guessing past my due date, but maybe a little earlier since he's going to be plenty big!) I just really hope he doesn't gain the "average" one pound per week during the last month! I told Kyle maybe it's time I went on a diet and he just laughed a me...probably just knowing that I would never be good at dieting:).

**36 Week Update (August 24th): This week at my appointment, I measured 32 cm. At my previous two appointments, I had measured 27 cm, which was part of the concern and why he ordered the ultrasound. I was laughing, though, that I increased 5 cm in three weeks this time; "normal" at this stage is 1 cm per week. Dr. West said he isn't concerned about Intrauterine Growth Retardation any more:). Phew!