Easter at Boulder Beach

This year we spent Easter camping at Boulder Beach. As always it was a blast. I really tried hard to not take 1,000 pictures but I didn't really succeed.
Colton and Vance were BEYOND excited to go camping. The first night they wanted to try sleeping in a tent all by themselves. It didn't really work, but that had fun while it lasted. Seriously how precious is that cheesy grin?!

Since we decided to go get a spot Thursday night, Amy and I were husband-less on Friday. Don't you hate having responsible husbands who think they need to work? Well, Amy and I are showing off our muscles because we are pretty much super-women who can camp without their husbands (as long as they are back in time to start the fire ;)

My mom bought these banana chairs that really were quite a disaster, but the boys loved trying to sit on them.

We went on lots of bike rides to keep busy. Vance insisted on wearing his helmet every time.

My dad set up a race course for all the boys. The took turns going one at a time while he timed them. Here is Vance taking his turn. He pedaled as fast as he could with his little legs!

You have to look close at his face in this pictures. It cracks me up! He was almost at the finish line and very excited about it.

Here's Papa there to high-five him at the finish line. Way to go Vance! He never seems to realize that he is the young one of the bunch. He knows no limits. It's one of the things that I both love and hate about him.

Grandma decided she would try it too. Here's all the grandkids cheering her on.

Vance looked like a homeless child this trip. Cute, but homeless.

The proof is in the basketball shorts and hightops with socks sticking out the top!

Leslie came out for a little bit on Friday so I kicked her trash at a couple games. I had quite the winning streak that weekend!

Vance finally crashed for a nap at like 2:30. I love camping because he plays and plays and plays. After that he sleeps and sleeps and sleeps.

It's been awhile since we've had a baby in our family. The baby was moving a lot and the boys were all excited to try and feel it. Here they are rubbing my Buddha belly!

Friday night we dyed Easter eggs. It was really messy so I was glad we were outside.

Vance thought the best part was dropping the egg in the bowl so that it would splash.

Everybody joined in the fun!

After we dyed the eggs the kids couldn't wait to eat them. They all had one or two hard-boiled eggs.!

Vance and Mom with the final product!

Saturday morning for breakfast we had colored pancakes to look like multi-colored Easter eggs. Aren't we cute?!

Chad and David did the cooking!

After breakfast the kids went on a hike with the dads and the Easter bunny came! Vance got a little spoiled this year. It's a good thing we are having more kids because we need to spread the love.

He had been telling me the Easter bunny was going to bring him a truck and trailer with a dune buggy. Lucky for him the Easter bunny got the message. Vance couldn't have been more pleased with his gifts. He growled and shouted as only little boys can!

He also got a back of 8 flashlights. When he saw them he yelled/grunted, "LOTS OF FLASHLIGHTS FOR ALL MY FRIENDS! YEAH!!!!"

The kids are all ready for the big hunt. If you look close half of them have the ugliest smiles!

We had lots of eggs for them to hunt. Vance would pick up one, pass ten, and then randomly decide to pick up another one.

We made it a little easy for the younger ones. Even at that it still took forever.

Our happy family with Vance's Easter loot!

Later that afternoon Amy and I made egg salad sandwiches and deviled eggs for the first time. It was tasty!

It was warm in the afternoons so we took the kids to the beach. The water was freezing but they didn't mind.

Chad didn't mind either ;)

This picture is classic Vance and Colton. Vance being more daring and Colton being more cautious - opposites attract!

It was a fun, relaxing weekend. We definitely had a Happy Easter!!!

25 Weeks

I'm already 25 weeks! Time seems to be flying by with this pregnancy so I thought I should take a second to write down how I feel and what's going on right now.

I've been measuring big. At 23 weeks, my uterus was measuring at 33 weeks. My doctor was concerned so he sent me out for some more testing, including an ultrasound. Look at my baby boy showing off his guns -
The good news is everything came back negative: no diabetes, no extra fluid, no overly big baby. The best explanation anyone has is that is must just be the way I'm carrying. I'm relieved to know we don't have any problems. At my 25 week appointment, I wasn't measuring quite as big which I hope will continue to be the trend.
I'm feeling really good. Let me clarify, I'm feeling good considering I'm growing a baby. Pregnancy good isn't quite the same as normal good. I'm not horribly uncomfortable yet. I'm not sick. Not too many contractions or potty breaks. I'm trying to enjoy it while it lasts.

HOWEVER - I'm already starting to get hot. I have a feeling our power bill this summer is going to be ridiculous. My goal is to spend as much time by the pool as possible to help stay cool.

I've started picking up a few things here and there for the baby, but to be honest I don't feel like we need much. It's just weird to not buy things so I buy stuff anyway ;)

I really think Vance is going to be a great big brother. He is always asking me if his baby brother is growing big and strong. He loves to put his hand on my belly and gives my tummy lots of kisses. Hopefully the affection continues when the baby is out of belly!

NAMES, NAMES, NAMES - I have decided I stink at picking out names. The only reason we knew Vance's name so early was because Chad insisted on it. Well we decided I would have the final say on this baby's name. I don't know if it's ever going to get a name unless Chad takes over! My list of possibilities is constantly changing but here's the latest:

-Keller

-Grayson

-Bennett

-Beckham

Feel free to give me some feedback or throw out other name suggestions!

April FHE

We had some Easter fun at Family Home Evening with my family. My mom somehow came up with this awesome game. You have two teams and two people with bowls on top of their heads. Then you blindfold the kids, give them a raw egg, and then they are supposed to crack the egg in the bowl.
It started out harmless, but things got a little messy with Vance (well really Chad helped Papa get a little yoke on his face!)

Jennie ended the fun with completely sliming Rob. Way to go Jen!

We also had a pinata to celebrate Colton's birthday. It didn't last long but Vance got a couple of good hits.

Thanks for a fun evening Mom and Dad!

I've got mail

A little bit ago I got an unexpected package in the mail - my favorite!
I opened it up to find boxes of cereal and a note from my best friend that said, "Allison - consider this our cereal date until the next time I get to see you, Mandy"

I had just told her about how much I crave cereal when I'm pregnant. She sent me a box full of cereal with cute/corny notes attached.

Seriously how amazing is my best friend! We've been friends since 8th grade. Friends like her don't come around too often.

Thanks Mandy for brightening my day. I can't wait for the next time I get to see you!

Inaugural Swim & BBQ

The summber bug has biten me!!! Every year around this time I get so antsy to be in the water and relax in the heat. We took advantage of the first day in the 90s to have the first BBQ and swim of the season!!! We were watching Chad's little sister at his parent's house and we invited my sister and her family over to have some fun with us. Here is the official unveiling of maternity swimsuit #1! I shopped and shopped and finally decided this is as good as it gets. It's like shopping for the best of the worst swimsuits.

Chad and David were masters at the BBQ. We had some delicious brats and hot dogs!

Vance is a FISH! He loves to swim. We put him in lessons (a post all on its own) and he's loving them. I think he would swim 7 days a week if he could.

Colton and Vance insisted on goggles even though they rarely put their heads in the water since we just swam in the spa.

After swimming and a BBQ we enjoyed the beautiful weather and spent the evening outside. Chad set up some cones and played soccer with the boys.

Here they are doing a little dance to show Chad they are ready to show off their skills.

We're ready coach - let us loose!

I'm looking forward to many more nights of swimming and BBQ's this summer. By August I make look like a beached whale but it won't slow me down (you may just not want to see me in a swimsuit at that point!).