Summer Dump

This summer has been HOT! It's the beginning of September and we're still in the 90's. This summer has been an off summer for me. I've had health problems on and off and have felt crumby since about April. I kind of don't know what it's like to feel good anymore between these my stomach problems and now being pregnant. I've lost about 15 pounds so I guess that is a little bit of a added bonus. I have not had a diet coke in two months and I'm going strong. I definitely had with drawls from about two weeks, but now I don't really notice or crave it. I never thought the day would come when I would admit that I don't need a cold DC! We've gone to Kings Island, the zoo and lots of parks. A family moved out of our ward and gave us a mini rollercoaster and a hot pink four wheeler. Addison is in love with both of them. Avery is terrified to ride the four wheeler. Sometimes Addison convinces  her to get on the roller coaster and then pushes her really fast. This summer has brought some fun mile stones for our family. Avery is now chatting up at storm. She can still be found with her binky at all times though. Addison's golden curls just keep growing and growing. She wants nothing in her hair these days and likes it to hang down long and flowy as she says. Addison has been designated as the official table setter and silverware emptier. This summer has flown by and I'm sad to say goodbye to it. I'm looking forward to what the cooler weather will bring!

The Quinn's Come For a Visit

The best weekend of the year has come and gone. We managed to overlap our crazy schedules for a weekend in July. The Quinn's were on their way back from Nauvoo and made a detour at our house. We packed in a lot in two days. We had good food and played lots of games. They brought a new game that all of us were able to play and laugh at. We roasted marshmallows and the kids all ran around the back yard. It was a breathe of fresh air to have old friends come and have good conversations. Addison was on cloud nine having three girls sleep in her room for a sleepover. We introduced them to Greater's Ice cream and of course it was a hit. I wish our homes were 7 hours away! 

CONGRATS

 Addison finished her first year of preschool back in June. We did a swap with two other mom's who have little girls. It was the perfect little trio of girly learning every week. We rotated on a monthly basis and I loved it when it was at our house. I got to use all of the fun things that I had made and saved from when I went to school. I'm not sure that any of them learned anything besides the words to, "Let It Go". Every time the girls would bring their princess dresses to put on at the end. What a life it is to be 3! This year I put Addi in a school called, St. James Preschool two days a week. I think she'll love it and I'm looking forward to seeing her grow and blossom away from me.

Happy 4th of July

Dave had to work call into the morning of the 4th. I went down to Cincinnati the night before and played with Grammie and Papa. A new Krispy Kreme had just opened down the street and we went and grabbed a dozen. Avery enjoyed her first whole big donut to herself. The next morning we went to the Anderson Township parade and got enough candy to last us through Halloween! The parade was LONG and it was really hot. The girls enjoyed seeing all the floats and my parents ward had a float at the very end. Papa had gone early and staked out a good stop up close for us. Dave met us later at the end of the parade. Dave helped my dad rebuild their deck all day in the hot sun. The girls and I helped prepare some fun things for dinner. The girls love playing outside with all of Grammie's outdoor toys. Once the deck was finished Addison put on a show with her bike. We finished the day with some sparklers and by the end Avery was finally into the idea. Hopefully next year Addison won't have a broken wrist and we can play some water games!

OH DEER

Baby Michael #3 is on his/her way! Our world (especially mine) has been rocked and turned upside down. I forget each time how incredibly hard and miserable the beginning of pregnancies really are. We found out I was pregnant when we were out in Idaho visiting. We were both really surpised since I had just had a procedure done for my stomach and I opted to not take a pregnancy test at the office. I was sure that there was no chance that I was...oops! As usual I am sick as a dog and feel like death 90% of the time. I have had a few decent days, but mostly just downright awful all day long. It's amazing to me what the body goes through to create a tiny little human. We were able to have an early ultrasound and hear the strong heartbeat. The office machine had a really clear picture so we got to see lots of motion and swirling around. I am officially 11 weeks and am praying that things progress for the better soon. Fall is just around the corner and I love everything that it brings. I hope to be able to enjoy a little bit of it with the girls. They have been such good troopers through all of this lying around and staying home. We've managed to have some picnics in the backyard and played a lot of make believe inside. When we told the girls that there was a baby in mommy's tummy Addison said, "Well why aren't you really chubby then?" It made us all laugh really hard. I assured her that I would be chubby just around the corner. Avery likes to kiss my belly and is very good and changing her babies diaper. My due date is March 24th and it can't come soon enough!