What a guy!

Ben had his second Pinewood Derby last week. And yes, I am so late in posting this because I was waiting for all the emotions in the house to die down. I don't know if you remember last year's (the one that didn't go so well), but this one fared just about the same. Ben was a super sport during the whole thing. He didn't get discouraged once. He took everything in stride and still had fun with everyone else. I was so proud that he was happy for other people and didn't let his car get to him. I don't know that I would have done as well as he did. Although Ben's car didn't race so well, he did a great job putting it together and painting it. We are just proud of his attitude and character. Good job, Ben!

Dinner Time

Grant documented our dinner time routine while he was home one night. Usually he misses "all the fun" of making it.

Lydia and I are sporting the same tummy (apparently she has been watching me and taking notes because she holds hers the same way I hold mine--or maybe I learned from her)

Look at me Dad. I'm helping!
My boys and me after dinner was done (I was tuckered!) And now it's time to eat:

Well, this was crazy

A few weeks ago Grant and I went shopping for much needed bar stools. We went to one store because they had a huge sale going on. We walked into the store, saw a table that had a lot of chairs, and was on sale, so we bought it, and then left (with no bar stools). We got it for 40% off and a hutch was included. We finally got to bring it into the kitchen yesterday. The kids were really excited about it--until we told them that they couldn't use it!! We figure the island is much easier to eat at and clean up as well. So the table is only for special occasions and when we have guests. We needed a new table because ours only had 6 chairs and it was very small--if all 6 of us sat at the table then there was no room for the food, and if we ever added company to the mix it was pretty squishy.
We knew that we were going to need a new table, but it still seemed like an impulse buy to me. However, I think it all worked out. (By the way, the table has 2 more chairs and a leaf.)

And this all means...our kitchen is done!! In my mind it is done--Grant would tell you a list of things that still need to be done, but 1. People probably won't notice those things and 2. There are always things to be done.

Our Baby

This week I went in for my regular doctors appointment, but it was also the first appointment since our ultrasound. I was told that our baby has 2 soft markers for Down Syndrome. He said that if there is one marker they don't worry, but if there is more, then they get concerned. One of the markers that the baby has is some cysts on her brain. The other one, which is more worrisome, is spots on her heart. This puts her at a higher risk. Granted he went on to say that this all could mean nothing and she will be perfectly fine. He did his best at putting my mind at ease that really she could be just fine. I didn't have any questions at the appointment--I was just trying (not very successfully) to take in everything he was telling me. Since then, I have a ton of questions.

For now, this is about all I know. Besides worrying about the unknown, Grant and I feel okay with all of this. We probably won't know until the baby is born whether she is okay or not. Obviously we will be delighted if she is perfectly healthy when she is born, but if anything is wrong that will be okay too. We just wanted to let people know because prayers are appreciated, but know that we are okay--and everything will work out no matter how it works out.

The Cold

When your spunky baby is down because of a bad cold and a fever, it is nice to see some pictures like these to remind you what fun she is.

I enjoy the extra snuggle time, but I feel bad for my poor sweet Lydia.

TX Roadhouse

Grant got a gift certificate to Texas Roadhouse Grill so we were able to go for a date a couple of weeks ago. We had so much fun there. I could not believe that they let people, and actually encourage people, to throw peanut shells on the floor. We thought the kids would love this so we went back this weekend with them. It was like Thanksgiving dinner there. There was so much food. Leftovers are great for Sundays, I think. So it was perfect all the way around.

Leftovers

We had some extra Chuck E. Cheese coins from Birthday parties last year, so this Saturday we decided to go use them and get a pizza for lunch while we there. Grant doesn't care too much for their pizza, but I think it is good. I remember not liking pizza when I was little--so I think I am just making up for all that lost time of not eating it. Karmin really wanted purple glasses. She only needed 10 more tickets than she had to get them. I couldn't believe what Grant and I did to get 10 tickets. (Between you and me, if it would have been the boys, we would have told them tough luck--pick something else, but this girl has us wrapped around her fingers--and I don't think she realizes it yet.) Lydia even got into the whole game thing. We found a small game where she could throw ping pong balls into bowls. She had a great time. I have loved these Saturday adventures that we have been going on. I think the kids are enjoying them too. It is nice to know that we have time each week to do nothing but play and have fun together. We have family home evening as well, but with Grant's work those are usually on the short side of time.

And it is...

It's a girl!!

Again this time the boys were pulling for having another boy and Karmin was rooting for a girl. Grant and I didn't mind either way. I totally thought we were having a boy this time because this pregnancy was so much like my boys. But about a week ago I started doubting myself because my nausea still isn't going away (which would be more typical of my girls). So by today I didn't know what to expect. We are all very excited to add this new addition to our family in July. Now onto figuring out a name...