The Beach!

We went on a family vacation to the beach a few weeks ago.  It was amazing!  Going the first of October is the perfect time to go.  It is still warm, but not too hot, and their are hardly anyone on the beach.  We haven't been back to the beach in 3 1/2 years and we loved every minute we were there.  The girls had fun playing in the sand!

It was a much needed family vacation and it couldn't have been better!  The boys digging in the sand.

The waves were awesome and the kids loved jumping up as they came splashing onto the beach!

If you know my boys and Bryan you know they can not go anywhere without a football.  They had so much fun playing football on the beach, in the ocean, in the pool, and in the grass by the condo.  Every chance they got they were playing football.  It was so fun to watch them have such a good time playing football.  Boys will be boys!

Bryan and the kids shelling.  Yes, shelling.  This happened to be the best place to shell.  Right out in the water you could find perfect shells and really big ones two.  We shelled for about an hour on the first 2 days and filled up a complete beach bag, so we had to stop after that.  We have been to the beach alot and have never hit the jack pot quite like this. 

Sierra loved having mommy make her a mermaid in the sand.  She had me do it so many times I finally had to tell her no, after about the 15th time during the stay.  She does make a cute mermaid though!

Savanah loved the sand.  She would roll all around in the sand.

Our family at Sand Key Beach, Florida!

Bryan and the kids getting ready to shell again!

Football in the ocean!

Did I mention we scored big in the shell department?  Yes, Bryan found this huge conch shell in the ocean and it was in perfect condition.  We were all so excited, like kids in a candy store, when he found it.  Locals couldn't believe we found it close to the shore.  They told us you usually have to go out deep to find shells like this one.

Have you guys seen the movie Dolphin Tale?  Well, we happened to be staying right down the road from the aquarium where Winter, the movie star, lives!  This is the house boat from the movie right outside the aquarium.

They let the kids hold one of her tales.  It was such an amazing experience going to see her and hold and feel the tale that she wears.  I don't think the kids will ever forget this experience.

This is Winter swimming without her tale.  It was truly amazing to see her!

My silly man Bryce!  He loves to learn about sharks and couldn't pass up playing with these shark teeth.

The truck that picks up marine animals that people find that are hurt.  This truck was also in the movie.

Sierra found a heart shaped sand castle while playing on the beach.  It was such a sweet photo opt I couldn't pass it up.  My little sweetheart!

I love sunsets and I love pictures where you capture people in the sunset. 

My girl Savanah at sunset!

Bryan and Brayden walking along the beach at sunset!

My cute boys goofing off being silly!

The girls! (and Blaze)
We had such an amazing trip at the beach!  This summer was crazy, with moving, Bryan's job, and having a hard time being pregnant in the worst Texas summer on record, so we werent able to take a vacation.  I am so glad we got the chance to go together.  There were so many pictures I wanted to share, so thanks for taking the time to look at so many.

It is getting closer!

I can not believe it is getting closer!  I went to the midwife this week and will now start going every 2 weeks.  But it may be closer than my due date, I think so anyway.  The last 3 or 4 visits I have been measuring 4 weeks bigger.  So, I think he will come earlier in December than my Dec. 30th due date.  When I found out I was pregnant my date was different than the sonogram.  I thought my last period was one month but the sono said another.  BUT, my measurements are going along with what I thought.  SO, we will see which one is right.  I sure hope it is me or I may have a really big baby.  I did that twice and hope not to do that again.

This pregnancy has definately been my craziest.  I got sick sooner and then stayed sick longer than all the other pregnancies.  I am sure the Texas heat this summer did not help me out in that department.  Then, I had problems with my blood pressure and not your typical pregnancy blood pressure problems.  NO, I had to be a very rare case where my blood pressure kept bottoming out.  As in, at times, 79/44.  Very low!  So, I had to stay at home and resting the whole summer so I didn't pass out.  Then, I started having hip problems with my hips popping out all the time.  It is getting better, I only have to be adjusted every other day instead of everyday.  So I am starting to feel like myself again, which is really good since I only have between 8 and 11 weeks to go.  I have lots to do to get ready for my little man.  And it will be fun to see which date is more accurate. 

Question

I have a question.  With Halloween fast approaching I wanted to see what funny Halloween costumes you have seen pregnant women wear.  I love dressing up for Halloween and wanted to come up with something fun to wear/be pregnant.  What are your ideas?  What have you seen other pregnant women wear?

Back to school!

It is that time again!  The kids started back to school on Monday.  1/2 were excited and 1/2 were not.  Since we moved the kids had to start a new school.  I can't imagine, since I went to the same school with the same kids my whole life, so needless to say they were quite nervous. 

Bryce is in 4th grade this year and 1 of his teachers is Mrs. Bond.  In 4th grade they do part of the day with 1 teacher and part with another teacher.  He has Mrs. Bond for homeroom, math and science.  He has Mrs. Grimmes for Language Arts and Social Studies.  He is growing up so fast, I can't believe he will be 11 soon.  Where does time fly?  He is really nervous about 4th grade and about making new friends.  I hope this year turns out to be a great year for him!

Brayden started 3rd grade this year.  He was disappointed at first that his teacher is not a cute, young, blonde but after the first day really loves his teacher Mrs. Beasley.  She is super sweet and has been teaching for 30 years.  I think he will have a great year with her.  He can just learn from her instead of worrying about being cute for a cute teacher!

Savanah girl is in 2nd grade and loving it!  I was worried when we found out she has a guy teacher, but she loves Mr. Rhynes.  He is super fun like her dad so it makes a great fit for her. 

My girl Sierra is in 1st grade this year.  I can't believe it!  She just turned 6 and is getting so big, although she still loves being mommies baby girl!  Her teacher this year, Mrs. Ellis, is super sweet and very soft spoken which will be awesome for my sensitive child.  And the fact that last year, in Kindergarden, she had 4 teachers by the time the year was over.  Not a great experience for a kindergardener. 

I love you guys and hope you have a GREAT year at school!

My baby is 6!

I can't believe Sierra girl is 6!  Time sure does fly by.  Since she wanted to have a pool party we decided on a Luau Theme.  She had lots of fun with her friends and family here to help her celebrate.

My dad has an awesome waterslide that he brought for the party.  It was a big hit! 

Sierra and her 3 best friends playing on the waterslide!

Fun in the pool!

My niece Adalynn could not wait to get outside and in the pool.  Hurry dad!

Yeah!  I finally made it!

Fun on the slide!

We were also blessed to have my sister-in-law and her sweet family in from Arizona so they got to be here for Sierra's birthday.  My niece Autumn and Weston having fun in the waterslide pool.

Instead of cake Sierra wanted Ice Cream sundays which were a big hit and nice for mom, less work.



It was fun having my niece's and nephew over to visit.  They loved the hot tub!



Autumn took right to the girls room.  Barbies and dress up, every little girls dream!

Even Weston liked playing barbies with the girls.

And sweet baby Bailey.  She is the sweetest happiest baby!  It was fun getting to spend time with all of them!

Happy Birthday Sierra!  I hope you love being 6!

See if you can guess?

We had an exciting day today!  We had our ultrasound to see what our baby is.  Can you guess?


Yes, IT'S A BOY!  Baby #5 is due December 29th, but mommy is hoping for December 20th.  We are super excited about our surprise baby joining our family.  (And I really hope it is before Christmas because I think it would be exciting to have a new baby for Christmas, but we will have to wait and see.)

Out of the Mouth of Babes!

Today in Sacrament Meeting Bryan and I had to speak.  The Bishopric asked us to speak about Personal Revelation, from a talk given by Elder Bednar in this past conference.  In our talks Bryan and I both shared some personal experiences that we have had.  Some from before the kids were born and some from after but when they were small.  After church Bryce came up to me and said "Mom, I am a little upset about some things!"  This kind of shocked me and I asked him what he was upset with.  He then proceeded to tell me that he was upset because we had never shared those experiences with him.  WOW!  1. My kids were actually listening in church and heard all that Bryan and I said in our talks.  I never know if they are listening or not to what the speakers are saying, they are pretty reverent but didn't know they were REALLY listening.  And 2. I need to share these experiences with my children, all of them, so that they have a stronger testimony of the gospel, so they KNOW their Heavenly Father hears and truly answers their prayers and cares about the details of their lives.  What an amazing teaching moment we can have in our homes as we share our testimonies and stories with our children.  So, Bryan and I have repented and we will be having a sharing time FHE tomorrow with our children.  I can't wait and I know that the spirit will be here as we share the amazing experiences we have had where the Lord was and is leading and guiding our lives.  I realized today that children are never to young for you to involve them in family fast and prayers over big decisions in your life and that them knowing these experiences will truly touch their lives and stay with them forever. 
How blessed we are to have the gospel in our lives!  How blessed we are to have these sweet spirits in our homes who teach us!