Lake Wenatchee

Immediately after picking Jackson up from his first day of school, we hit the road for a much anticipated trip to meet the Knights at Darren's parents' lake house on Lake Wenatchee in Washington. It was a long drive, but it was so worth it!

Jackson asked us over and over, "Are we in Washington yet?"

We made it around 11 pm that night and went straight to bed. The next morning we woke up to this view:

This was our first trip here, and it was BEAUTIFUL.

There were all sorts of things to do, and it really is a paradise for kids (and adults!)

Canoeing

Tubing

Hot tubbing (very popular with Luke and Jackson)

Relaxing

Jet skiing (I sort of love this picture)

I got to try paddle boarding (no picture, but trust me, I am doing you a favor) and Sean got to try out wind surfing! Darren and his dad were kind enough to give him a lesson. I love how you can see both of the guys in this picture-- Sean in front and Darren in back kite boarding.

One of the days we headed into Leavenworth, which is a Bavarian-themed town. It was DARLING. Hanging flower baskets everywhere and cute little shops and parks. Jackson found his Christmas ornament for this year (a bell that looks like the one from Polar Express). The toy shop was also a big hit.

While we were walking, we noticed blackberry bushes next to some of the sidewalks with ripe blackberries. I still am in awe when I hear people from that area tell me blackberry bushes are like weeds there! We had to stop and pick a few to eat. They were so good!

Loved hanging out and relaxing with the Knights (and laughing close to the point of tears at some of the funny stories we heard.) Overall, such a fun trip with some of our very favorite people.

Since we were heading through Boise on our way home, we were excited to stop and say hi to Thomas, Megan, and Miles. It was a welcome break in the drive and Megan spoiled us. She loaded us up with all sorts of yummy snacks and made me her favorite pregnancy drink that I now love: diet ginger ale, lime, and a sprig of mint! I was ready to just unload our stuff and stay for the night. 

We knew we had to get home for Jackson's school the next day, so like responsible adults, back on the road we went. Toward the end of the drive we saw this awesome double rainbow that we drove through.

A good ending to a good trip.

Thank you, Knights, for inviting us and being some of the coolest people we know!

First day

Jackson's started his final year of preschool last week. He was so excited to be heading back to school, and this year it was much easier on my emotions! He picked out his school outfit the night before (revolving around his new shoes that he is pretty stoked about) and I made him let me take a few pictures before I dropped him off.

I know I am biased, but I think he is one handsome son-of-a-gun. 

He told me he can't wait to learn how to read and keeps asking me when they are going to start teaching him how.

Makin' his mommy and daddy proud :)

My thoughts on three boys

I took the kids to what we call "open gym" on Friday and the lady checking us in asked me, "When are you due?" I told her, and then she asked if I was having a boy or girl. Knowing I already have two boys, when I told her it was a boy, she immediately said to me in a voice of pity, "Oh, are you sad?"

Hmmm. How to answer this.

As politely as I could I said, "Absolutely not."

I know she didn't mean any harm, and it is a question I get a lot, but here are the thoughts running through my mind:

No. I am not sad. Not one tiny little bit. I feel like the luckiest person in the world to be carrying a baby, boy or girl. I would have loved either. I am amazed when I sit and think about the fact that I am going to have THREE children when there was a time not that long ago when I wasn't sure I would even have one. I feel lucky that I didn't have to stick needles into my stomach and butt everyday and take hormones and pay thousands of dollars to try to get pregnant. I feel lucky to have a family when there are so many people out there who would do anything to have one.

I wanted to tell her my boys have brought me more joy and purpose than anything in this world. That their smiles, laughs, and funny things they do and say make every day worth living. That being a mother to them is the hardest thing I have ever done, but by far the most rewarding. That because they are boys doesn't mean I am missing out.

Maybe we don't have dance lessons, or hair bows, or princess dresses, but we do have sports, wrestling, mud, and super heroes-- and those things are pretty great too. I can do their hair in less than 2 minutes, and truthfully, I've never been great at hair or makeup. I may not have a daughter to teach how to cook, but I have sons who love to eat and love hanging out with me in the kitchen (especially when cookies are involved.)

I wanted to tell her that when my boys kiss me goodnight and tell me things like they "love me to the planet Pluto" it melts my heart and I can't imagine anything better. That my boys give the best hugs and kisses and little boys need snuggling and kisses on ouchies, too.

I don't know if a little girl is in our future or not. That's not really up to me.

But I can tell you this-- No. I am not sad.

I am thrilled.

4 boys, 1 girl :)

We found out a few weeks ago we are having another boy! I have always said I thought I would have three boys in a row, though I am not really sure why I felt that way. I wasn't all that surprised when we saw the "money shot" but I can honestly say I am so happy. I would have been happy either way, but I almost feel relief! I love, love, love my boys and and can't imagine anything better than adding another one to our family.

Everything looked great on the ultrasound, which is always so reassuring. The boys both went with Sean and I to the appointment. Much to our surprise, they were awesome! It was fun having everyone there and seeing their faces when they found out they were going to have a little brother.

Picture at 20 weeks:

I'm now almost 22 weeks and getting larger by the day!

Back at the cabin

Since all we have heard about since the Fourth of July is "grandpa's cabin" and the "four wheelers," we made another trip up. We have so much fun up there in the summer and it was a welcome relief from the heat in Utah.

We made sure to eat breakfast at Campfire Lodge one morning. It may be slow, but you can't beat the view and the food is the best!

Plus, the pancakes are bigger than your head.

We spent some time in the Park and went swimming at Firehole. Jackson loved it-- Bode, not so much.

Sleeping in!

We also went canoeing down Henry's Fork with my parents. Jackson was pretty excited about riding in grandpa's new "silver canoe." It was overcast and chilly enough for sweatshirts. It felt like heaven!

Of course we had to ride the motorcycle and four wheelers during any spare time for Bode.

He rode so much he fell right asleep during a ride with my dad. Surprisingly, this is not the first time this has happened.

I had to deal with this big pile of laundry when we got home, but it was worth it. I am really hoping to go back again in a few weeks to pick chokecherries, and I have a feeling no one will be putting up a fight!