Coming March 2012

We have some exciting news......we are having another baby!  And today's ultrasound confirmed what I was pretty sure I already knew....it's a boy!  I'm due in the middle of March and I'm 16 weeks today.  We are really happy, and the kids are beyond excited for another brother.  I cannot complain about how I've been feeling.  A little tired, but nothing too overwhelming.  And morning sickness.....not a bit.  Okay, I've been a bit "gaggy" but I know I've been blessed in that department.  I've still been able to keep up my running and I think that's really helping me too. 

I just reread what I've written and it's really not all glitter and rainbows here, we struggle like all families, but I'm definitely counting my blessings with this pregnancy. :)  And it's kinda weird sharing this kind of information on my blog.  Well, just telling people for the first time is weird I guess.  Almost like you're having a regular conversation and then - BAM - a totally random statement enters the conversation.  Then there is that awkward pause.  ............anyway, let's get past that awkward pause gracefully, shall we?! :)

School Days

I love the first day of school!  The kids were so excited....as always.

Meagan - 5th grade

Lindsay - 4th grade

Ellie 3 yrs and Tanner 5 1/2 years.  Ellie and Tanner really really wanted their picture taken too.  So adorable.
Kindergarten starts one week later than the rest of the elementary.....Tanner was so disappointed not to be going to school with the girls.  A week is a VERY long time!

Tanner - Kindergarten
One thing I cannot forget to mention: He sets his clothes out the night before.  So cute!  He puts his shirt down, then his pants, and he even puts his socks down.  (He actually separates the socks and puts them right under the hem of his pants....where his feet would be).  He still does this.....a week and a half after school has started.  Every night.  Without fail.  I love this boy!

He was lucky enough to be in the all-day kindergarten class. He gets to eat lunch and have 3 recesses at school (he was so excited for this!). It was hard to let him go all-day, but it is so nice at the same time.  Ellie and I have a lot of time just with each other.      .....we've gotten bored a few times :)

finding his name and chair-bag

so excited to be in Kindergarten!!!

getting off the bus on Tanner's first day

I took this picture on Tanner's 2nd day of school - Riding the bus for the first time!  The 1st day I drove him him and he didn't get to ride the bus in the morning with all the big kids.

Matthews Reunion...part 4

This shall be the final reunion post.....phew!  We had a really fantastic time - super relaxing and so enjoyable to be with everyone. :)

On our last day there we were able to use the owner's pontoon boat.  It wasn't equipped to pull a water-skier, but it could pull a tube.  It was a BLAST!  The faces of the kids were priceless!

Notice where Lindsay is sitting

just pulling away from the dock

Linds, still sitting in the back.....in calm, unmoving waters

Linds.....a little frightened and now sitting up front :)

Linds is still not super excited about the tube

Linds, cracking a smirk, and everyone else  L-O-V-I-N-G it!!!!

I have video on my camera of this part.....they had just hit a bump and Meagan went about 2 feet in the air.  Awesome! :)

Oh, the facial expressions!


We heart you McCall!!!  Thanks Mom and Dad for the awesome house and fun times with the family!!!

Matthews Reunion...part 3

McCall had some really fun bike trails...and we took advantage one morning.  There was quite a few of us, but we had a lot of fun.  Ellie refused to ride in the seat connected to Brad's bike, so she rode her own.  I stayed back with her for our own bike ride because we obviously wouldn't be keeping pace with the others.  It was nice and relaxing just the two of us.

 Just some random pictures from during the week:

Oh Ellie and her beloved gummy bears!!!

Love Tan's expression.  He and Kayden played frisbee over and over and over!

Matthews was so cute with the girls.  He played with them for a long time building sandcastles.

Just one of the games that the kids played off the deck......running and catching 2 frisbees that were being thrown to you.

Taylor getting his hands on the frisbees!

Matthews Reunion...part 2

Just when you thought I'd forgotten about the reunion.....I give to you, Part 2!!!!

A pretty good lookin crew, if I do say so myself! :)
All 32 of us.....minus Austin who is in Mexico serving a mission - that is his orange shirt being held up by Troy)

Mom and Dad

Troy, Brandon, Melissa, Matthew, Jessica

Kyle, Brooklyn, Cody, Steph, Rick
Kayden, Abbey, Taylor

Meagan, Brad, Jamie, Lindsay, Tanner, Ellie

Holden, Cydnee, Michael, Avery, Heidi, Madilyn

Andee, Adam, Krista, Brock

The TALENT SHOW

Lindsay, dancing and singing to "Tonight, Tonight" by Hot Chelle Ray

Ellie, couldn't be outdone by Lindsay and joined in at the last....Tonight, Tonight is her FAVORITE song

Taylor, Meagan, Holden, and Jessie doing skits

Abbey and Lindsay singing and dancing to High School Musical

These boys are so much fun!  They did an awesome job with "Play That Funky Music White Boy"

The Lindleys sang "Over The Rainbow" with Cody on the guitar!

Yes folks, we had him......JUSTIN BEIBER!!!!!

......And the crowd went WILD!!!!!!

Troy also came out......as Justin Beiber in 30 years! :) awesome!!!

And Dad told us amazing stories about his childhood and growing up.  It is seriously amazing that he is still alive today.....lots of close calls!

Meagan holding Brock