Back to Blogging Part 2-Nana and Papa's Visit

Nana and Papa visited us for a few weeks in April and May. We had a wonderful time with them. It was still a little nippy here in Michigan, but we had a great time in spite of the weather.
We hoped to take Nana and Papa to Lake Michigan but it seemed like the weather was never very good when we had the time to go. Instead of spending a cool day at the beach, on this day we decided to have a hot dog roast around the campfire in our back yard.

Kourtney was on her way back to the fire from the picnic table when she didn't see one of the big logs we use to sit on. She tripped on it and ended up with her hands on the ground and her feet in the air. Luckily she didn't get up too fast and I was able to get a picture of her that looks like it's been photo shopped although it really hasn't.

Kourtney had a field trip to the Butterfly House on MSU campus. Nana, Papa, Ellary, Keegan and I accompanied her. Nana got to ride the bus! Kourtney was so excited.

Each student in Kourtney's class got to pot a plant and take it home too.

Ellary turned 3 years old while Nana and Papa were visiting us. We took her to McDonald's for breakfast which has become a tradition because the day she was born Kourtney and I went out for a date at McDonald's (pregnancy craving), and we share a big stack of pancakes. Just before we were about to leave Micky D's I started having contractions. 4 hours later Ellary was born! We had a fun time including Nana and Papa in our tradition. Ellary is obsessed with Micki and Minnie Mouse, that's why I made her a Minnnie cake this year. She was very excited!

Ellary loves to dance so we gave here this leotard and a dancing video called "The Music Box". Everyone liked dancing to it.

Nana and Papa got Ellary this Princess table. Ellary and Keegan love to play with their pretend food on it in her room.

The first weekend Nana and Papa were here was Easter and General Conference weekend. So much fun!

Kris and I had the opportunity to see some friends sealed in the Dtroit Temple. Nana, Papa and the kids all played at the Stake building next to the temple.

We also took a walk in Lansing along the Grand River, then went to Impression 5, a children's museum. That was a lot of fun too!

The day before they left we almost ventured to Lake Michigan but the weather wasn't cooperating. So, we went to the MSU Dairy instead. It was neat to see the calves and cows and how they are milded. It was also stinky and mucky, but fun all the same.

This cow insisted on trying to lick my coat. When it licked Ellary she got upset. She's our little girlie girl!

We also took Nana and Papa to the Brody Cafeteria at MSU. It's an amazing smorgasbord of authentic cuisines. We then took a little walk on campus.

We had so much fun with Nana and Papa. They will be coming to visit us again in less than a month for Thanksgiving and we are so excited!

Back to Blogging: Kris' Birthday

I got so far behind on our blog that I am just now going back to record Kris' birthday. We've all been a little preoccupied lately!

So, Kris' birthday...We spent a nippy morning accompanying Koco on her field trip to the pumpkin patch. In spite of the chilly temperatures, we had a fun time on the hay bail ride, picking pumpkins and Indian corn, and then watching the kids play. Later that night Kris dug into his ice cream cake from Maggie Moo's and managed to share a few pieces with us. Yum-Yum. Then he and I took a date night out to P.F. Chang's and watched "The Invention of Lying" in the theaters. Very thought provoking movie. Happy 33rd birthday, Babe. Here's to a great 34th year!

This Week at a Glance

A few significant events are happening this week including Kris' 33rd birthday on Thursday. Happy early birthday, Babe! I know it will probably be a difficult one, but I'm here for you in whatever capacity you need me. To everyone else, please remember to wish Kris a happy birthday. Please remind him just how great he is and how he has so much to look forward to this year. He will appreciate your kindness and friendship as will I.

Also, we are coming down to about 2 1/2 weeks left of this pregnancy. I say "we" because Kris has been there every step of the way, through doctor's appointments, ultrasounds, and the day to day events that seem to only come when you've got a pregnant woman living in your home.

About three weeks ago I told Kris to take a look at my belly because Keegan was making it wave as he does throughout the day. It's become normal to me, and probably normal to most pregnant women to have your belly peak like Mount Everest or look like the ocean in the middle of a typhoon. No wonder most of us (pregnant women) are consumed and obsessed about our pregnancies, and at moments want everyone to feel as good, or as bad as we feel sometimes. Most people know that I love to be pregnant, but now that my due date is only a few weeks away, I can't wait for it to be over.

The reality that we will be a family of 6 hasn't really sunk in yet though and at times I feel like the condition I am currently in (overweight, achy, and tired) is just the way it will be forever. I know it's not true, and I am grateful for that. I am also really looking forward to trading in my current condition, and about 15 pounds of infant and placenta for a beautiful baby boy to hold. I suspect that Kris is feeling the same way too-excited about having a baby boy.

Kris and I really treasure those special moments at the hospital, the ones leading up to the delivery of our babies and the two days following. What a special bonding experience it has been for us, and I encourage couples who are expecting babies to take advantage of the intimate moments that can only happen between husband, wife, and baby once in a lifetime. It's only been better for us with each additional child we've had. It's the best time of my life, and I really look forward to being with Kris and Keegan.

Anyway, I'll get off my soap box and just say, thanks everyone for your love and support, and again, "Happy early birthday, Kris!" I love you this much

Last Two Weeks

During the last two weeks we celebrated two birthdays (Kourtney's and Jessica's), started school and went to the circus. Kourtney also had her first field trip-an adventure in picking apples at an orchard that will be documented in a later post.

Kourtney was excited to turn 5 years old this year and ecstatic to start kindergarten. She has adapted well to all day school and loves her teacher and classmates. I turned 30 years old on my birthday and celebrated with a relaxing day spent mostly at home and then at Maggie Moo's for some birthday ice cream. Later that week we celebrated Koco's 5th birthday for the second time at the circus (I returned home from Colorado around 6:oopm on her birthday). Kris and I remember going to the circus as children, but never under a big top like this one. It held our attention as well as it held the kids. The highlights of the circus included the trapeze artists and the elephants.


Take notice that Kourtney is wearing the dress I wore for my first day of kindergarten...Seems like Alyson just wore it on her first day of school! Well, enjoy the pics!

Kourtney's Birthday

(Thanks for making the cake Jade...It was a pleasant surprise and Koco loved it)

Jessica's Birthday Told you it was a relaxing day!

1st Day of School

Koco was so excited to find her name at a table in her classroom.

The Circus..Fun, fun, fun!.