Where to start...

So, where to even begin??

It has been nearly 5 months since I last posted. That's right, 5 months! Can't believe it. I almost decided to just shut this blog down and never post again. But, here I am, willing to give it a try once more. Now that the kids are back in school, I'm hoping my life will calm down a bit and that I can keep updating our blog.

So...now it's kinda time to catch up! Highlighting our summer and all that has happened since April.

APRIL

April 16th, Hailey's 3rd b-day & my last post where I announced we were expecting a baby. Well, I'm still expecting, and we're counting down the weeks til HIS arrival. That's right - it's a baby boy. We're super excited! I have 10 weeks til my actual due date, but should have the baby a little early. I'm hoping only 9 weeks or so to go. It's been one LONG, HOT, PREGNANT SUMMER!

April 24th McKay celebrated his birthday and turned 9! Can't believe how old he's getting, how tall he's getting, and how mature he's getting. It's kinda weird to have a kid who's almost as tall as I am. With a birthday came an advancement in Scouts as well. McKay's a great, smart kid who always amazes us!

MAY

In May, Hailey & I traveled to Virginia to visit my sister & her husband. It was so much fun. Just the break I needed... Virginia was gorgeous and spending time with Hillary, Colby & Wade was the best. Minus the morning sickness, throwing up on the plane several times, throwing up on the side of the road in Virginia, and traveling on a plane with a non-stop talking 3 year old, the trip was a memorable one.

May also brought the last day of school for Syd & McKay. Once again we had 2 Radiant Roadrunners and lots of fantastic end-of-year celebrations & programs. McKay & Syd both had a great school year!

The end of May also brought BIG changes to our family as we purchased a new (well, "new" to us) home. It was with tears and mixed emotions that we left our close friends and the best neighborhood in St. George to move into a home that better suits our growing family. Our new home is only 2 1/2 miles from our previous one and in the same LDS Stake, but it feels like we moved into a whole new world. Change is always difficult, but we knew it was a change we needed to make. We've slowly been adjusting, unpacking, and settling into our new home since then.

JUNE

June was a crazy month. Paul spent a good part of the month traveling while the kids and I tried to work on getting boxes unpacked and cleaning our previous home to get it ready to sale. Paul's travels took him to Japan, China, and the Philippines. He was beyond excited to be able to finally go back to his mission area in the Philippines and attend the temple dedication there in Cebu. I was so glad he got to have this experience and that his dad was willing to go with him. (I have had major reservations about going to the Philippines and couldn't/wouldn't pregnant - so I was happy his dad was thrilled to go with him!)

As soon as Paul returned from his trip around Asia, he was called as the YM Pres. in our new ward and headed to youth conference 2 days later. Following that was scout camp, etc. So, Paul's summer was spent on the road, in a plane, or on a boat. He had an exciting summer.

In June we also had our ultrasound. I had figured I would probably have the ultrasound while Paul was in the Philippines, but as luck would have it, it was actually scheduled for 3 days after he returned home. I was glad to know he'd be able to be there with me. Then...the new church calling came, and as I mentioned he headed to Youth Conference 3 days after getting home from the Philippines. So, with my mom & Paul's mom at my side, I had my ultrasound. I realized it was a boy right off. The technician said she liked ultrasounds like mine where there is absolutely NO QUESTION what the gender of the baby is. It's for sure a boy! I was kinda surprised to say the least. I thought for sure it would be another girl. Of course McKay was really excited when I came home & told him the news. It will be fun to have a little boy around again! We can't wait!

June 30th we celebrated Sydney's birthday. Syd turned 7, but is really going on 16. She fits right in with the "older girls" whether they be cousins, aunts, etc. She never misses a beat and is into everything a teenager would be. I think we're going to have our hands full when she actually turns 16! She is dependable, smart, and an unbelievable amount of help to me. She is my sidekick and will do anything I ask at any moment. She talks non-stop to anyone who will listen and keeps us on our toes constantly with her remarks and wit!

JULY

July brought 2 trips to Enterprise for the 4th and 24th. We had a great time with Paul's family and enjoyed the food at Marv's, the foot races, the cooler temps, and spending time together. Towards the end of July Paul's parents treated all of us to wonderful trip to Disneyland. We had a blast. The kids had such a great time. I tried to endure all the walking and standing in lines the best I could, but have to admit I was beat by the end of each day. While in California we enjoyed a day at Disneyland, a day at California Adventure, an Angels baseball game, shopping, Dana Point and Salt Creek Beach, and time on the grounds at the Huntington Beach Temple. It was a wonderful trip and a great way to end our summer.

AUGUST

August brought the beginning of a new school year. Not just a new school year, but a new school, new friends, new transportation to school (a bus ride instead of a walk), and new teachers. The move into our new house has meant many new adjustments for all of us. Luckily the kids handled the move well and have been excited for most of the changes that have come their way. McKay is now in 4th grade, Sydney in 2nd, and Hailey just had her first day of preschool. With the beginning of school also comes the beginning of another season of soccer games, flag-football for McKay, piano lessons, gymnastics, ballet, scouts, etc.

Life is busy, but just the way we like it. Now if I can just get through the next several weeks, we're excited for the addition we'll be making to our family.