Zoo!

Yes, it's February in Michigan. I do realize that. But sometimes you have to take what you can get. In this case we settled for a sunny, clear day slightly above 30 degrees. The girls had a great time with our friends Irina, Morgen (pictured) and Karina. They were upset because I made them wear tights under their pants.

The zoo was really fun though. There was a polar bear swimming above us in the water-tunnel thing.. and we heard a bear or tiger roaring really really loudly. We miss our Rochester friends!

23 weeks :)

Here is a belly shot that Ava took. 23 weeks sans makeup. Right now I feel like I am in the "normal" size range. Last week you could have asked and I would have said I was huge! Driving in the car is really uncomfortable, and every couple weeks I will have to lay down a lot because I feel my belly expanding exponentially and it hurts! I also start swelling when I'm in the car.

I've also been trying to think of how much laundry I have to do per day to stay on top of things. I think at least two loads is where I'm at right now. Now to figure out an ironing schedule. If laundry was ever caught up I think I might be better at ironing on a regular basis. But oh well! I guess it can wait until Tyler needs that type of shirt again.

Here are some fun updates on the girls: Ava at 4 likes to answer the phone, although I'm sure whoever is on the other end has no idea what is going on. She likes to wear clothes, asks to do school, and is constantly making the sounds different letters make. She likes to play games on the computer (although she has a hard time knowing what's going on). Likes to help me in the kitchen, and is very responsible and helpful. Most of the time. Except the other night when A & V wrote on the wall with chapstick. Ava can copy any letter you write and has very good fine motor skills. She is still very physical and likes to be active. Running and playing outside. Ava also likes to help me clean.

Violet is fully in the princess stage. Every morning she asks if she can be a princess a.k.a. put on the same princess dress she has been wearing for the past 2+ weeks all day long. Ava surprisingly is growing out of that stage. Violet is a huge talker and will talk your ear off non stop if she feels comfortable around you. They both like to sing and are learning primary songs. They put on little performances for each other. Violet still sucks her fingers, but I am trying to limit it. I am torn because I think it's sort of convenient when she is tired she just sucks her fingers and will go to sleep. On the other hand, when is this going to stop? I don't want her doing it when the new baby comes so I will have to figure out how to break her of it soon! Violet is also stubborn and needs a nap. She throws fits when she is tired. When I ask her to clean she says, "I'm busy."

Both love to do projects, although Ava has more of a limited attention span than Violet. We need to get back into project mode. I was sick a couple weeks ago and am finally feeling like I've dug myself out of the hole I've created.

Where is the sun??

I think I saw the sun for 1 minute today. I don't remember the last time we saw it. hmmmf. Part of me just wants to leave for like 3 weeks just for a break with the girls. They have never seen the ocean. So sad they have never seen anything I love so much.

Blaah.

Happy 4th Birthday Ava!

One of our princesses turned 4 on Sunday!





I am really proud of this cake I made. She really liked it. I'm secretly hoping Violet wants one too because it was easier than it looks.




All 13 of us at dinner. Ava requested chicken, broccoli and soup. She compromised with mom and had chicken, broccoli, cauliflower and mashed potatoes.



We love you so much Ava!

"Boy oh boy, what a Boy"

We found out last Monday we are having a son! It is still hard to believe, but we are really really excited. Apparently he was moving around all over the place, so we didn't get any cute profile shots, but here is the shot we did get. Either this kid has three legs or it's definitely a boy. We already love him so much and are so blessed. This kid has already taken up a lot of prayers and fasting!

Early Birthday Party

Ava turns 4 on Feb. 7th, and we had a few friends over to celebrate early. The family party will be on Sunday, but here are some from Friday.

Cafe Rio Night and Jello

We tried another craft, painting with Jello. I got sugar free jello to avoid stickiness, but it didn't work out as I had anticipated. I would put this on the "pass" list.



A couple weeks ago our dinner group had a Cafe Rio night. If you don't know, Cafe Rio is a really yummy mexican restaurant in Utah. Each family made a couple recipes and it all came together deliciously! Here are the kids playing and a shot of us all at dinner!


Here is Kaylie.


Isaac, Violet and Ava.


All of the MBA families in our dinner group.