Gender Reveal Party

We had a gender reveal party for all of our immediate family and close friends. I had everyone come dressed in the color of their vote. Either red or pink for a girl and blue for a boy.  These are some pictures of team girl,

This was team boy- which surprised me that with my odds I didn't have more voting for a boy. I think everyone was very hopeful.

 For my family we had dinner and treats- these are a few of the treats we had. I forgot to get a picture  of everything before the party started, so I had to get what was left.

 We told everyone by putting balloons in a box. They were the color of the gender of baby we are having. My kids didn't even know what the baby was at that point.

When it was time to reveal the gender, I opened the box of balloons and they flew out.

 

 It was really fun to see and hear the reactions of everyone, when they saw that the baby is a Girl!  My son Logan kept jumping up and down and screaming  YES! I'm getting a baby sister. It was so cute.

I have had a good idea since I was 12 weeks what the gender of the baby was, at my Doctors office they do an ultrasound every time & when I went for my 12 week appointment my Doctor was doing the ultrasound and asked me if I wanted to know what the baby was. I was shocked that he could tell so soon, but told him I wanted to know if he could tell. He told me it was a good view and asked me what I thought the baby was. I didn't see any obvious boy parts- so I told him a Girl. He got a big grin and said " that's what I think too. " I just started to cry and told him I have had 4 boys and didn't think that would happen, and how excited my boys were going to be, because they all wanted a sister. 

Terry had stayed in the waiting room so my kids could play on the playground they have- and when he saw me he got a concerned look on his face because he could tell that I had been crying. He said " Is something wrong?" I smiled and told him " No nothing's wrong" He got a smile and said " You know what the baby is!" I told him I did and handed him the ultrasound picture the Doctor had given me. I then told him what the Doctor thought it was and that he gave me a 99% surety, but said it was still early and that he would tell me for sure at my 16 week appointment. We decided to wait to tell family and friends until after that so we were completely sure. 

At my 16 week appointment, Terry came with me and the Doctor confirmed that he thought it was a Girl. I asked him if he was sure because we had planned a party to tell everyone. He told me he was positive and that he would bank on it.

We are very excited but a little nervous for our addition since all we know is boys, but we will learn as we go.

Announcement

We are expecting our last baby on March 5, 2013.
My boys have been really excited and are looking forward to our new addition.
Logan absolutely loves babies and anytime there is one around he can be found talking to it trying to make it smile. He has been asking me for at least the last year when I'm going to have another baby.
They all would like a little sister, but I am trying to prepare them for another brother just in case, because my odds of a baby girl are not so high after 4 boys.
We find out tomorrow what the gender is and I am very excited to find out. We are doing a special reveal party for my boys and our immediate family. I can't wait to tell every one and celebrate the new life that is coming to our family.

Today is Dylan's 3rd birthday, I can't help but reminisce about the last three years and what a joy he has been in our life. When Dylan was born, I was shocked when the nurse weighed him in at 8 lbs 13 oz. he was 1 lb bigger than my other boys. One glance at his dimpled cheeks and roundness and I just couldn't help but love this sweet child. We would often call him our Hoss because of his build.At 6 months old, Dylan weighed 26 lbs and was off the chart for his height as well. When he was 5 months old I found this gorilla costume and had to have it for halloween because at the time he was my "chunky monkey". Dylan has always had amazing strength for a child his size and it is not uncommon to find him wrestling dad and his brothers. Believe me he can hold his own. Maybe with two older brothers that is why Heavenly Father blessed him with his size, so he could stand a chance in taking on what they dish out.

Dylan is a very happy little boy. He has a prominent dimple in his left cheek when he smiles. No matter how frustrated or mad I am at him, all he has to to is give me a big grin( No-matter how mischievous it is) and I just melt. Dylan is definately daddy's little shadow. He follows Terry everywhere. He loves doing anything that Dad is doing. I look at him sometimes and see a little Terry through and through I can hardly believe that it has been 3 years already. Sometimes I find myself looking at him and the rest of my children feeling a deep sadness that someday they will grow up.

(Although I want them to progress and find all the happiness live has to offer)  I just wish in those special moments that I could freeze time and enjoy them just a little longer.I have often been told that before children you can't imagine your life with them, but after you have them- you can't imagine your life without them. (So true :)

Happy birthday to my precious little boy- I love you so much :) 

Mom

Brotherly Love

This morning it was raining and cold outside when I went to take my boys to school. I told all of them including Dylan to go outside and get in the car while I finished getting something we needed in the house. When I came outside it made my day to see my oldest son Landon with his coat around Dylan keeping him warm, because the car was locked and they couldn't get in. I was really proud at that moment to have such a great and thoughtful kid.
I love that my boys despite their disagreements look out for each other and are truly best friends. I hope they will always be that way. I am proud to be the mother of four amazing boys.
Yesterday was what would have been Preston's 10th birthday, it is hard not to wonder what he would be like and how he would act with his brothers. Landon told me the other day that he wished sometimes he knew what it was like to have an older brother, since he has had to assume that role for Logan and Dylan. I told him that he still has an older brother who although he cannot be seen, I am sure he watches over us and is helping us in ways we don't see.
I am truly blessed to be the mother of two of the best older brothers ever- and I love them very much.
I am grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ in my life and for all of the blessings I receive from my Heavenly Father and the greatest older brother of all- My Savior, for without him eternal families would not even be possible, and we would all be nothing. I am grateful that he was willing to suffer and atone for me so that I have a chance to be with him again if I keep trying to be better every day. That is the true meaning of brotherly love.

Sledding

We finally got to take our boys sledding!
We have wanted to go for the past 3 years, but it seemed like every time it snowed ( if it ever did) it melted before Terry's next day off. So this year we took advantage of the only good snow we've had.
My boys LOVED it, even Dylan. He laughed the whole way down the hill and couldn't get back to the top fast enough.
It was so nice to get outside to play and get some fresh air.
One of our neighbor families were on there way to go sledding just as we were leaving, and stopped to ask us if we knew where a good spot was, and so we invited them to go to Willard where we were going. We were not sure if they would show up, but they came and this kids all had a great time playing and sledding together.
When I wasn't racing my kids down the hill, I was busy taking fun pictures of Landon going off a little jump and the rest of my kids having a good time.I love taking fun pictures of my kids. This picture of my neighbors kid hiding behind a tree ready to throw a snowball was one of my favorite pictures of the day. Overall it was a fun day with my awesome family. We have been doing pretty good lately Landon is still in piano and loves it- he is very good for his age and it is a fun talent we have in common. Sometimes we like to sit down and play a song out of his book together. We try to see who can play it the fastest. Usually we are both laughing the whole way through it. Landon is a great big brother, he is very protective of Dylan and a good friend to Logan. I really don't know what I would do without him. Logan is really liking his kindergarten class. He is an amazing little artist and really puts a lot of details into his drawings. The other day he drew a picture of a caterpillar, I thought that was what it was and so I asked him if that was what it was. He got a big grin and was so proud that he drew it well enough that I was able to guess what it was. He got a big art set in a case for his birthday, at the time I bought it I thought it was a little pricey, but he uses it daily and really loves it, which makes it completely worth the money. Dylan is talking up a storm and says the funniest things sometimes. One of the things he says is " What the heck" I laugh every time I hear him say it, because he's still such a little guy. Dylan has been a joy- he always has a big dimple smile on his face and is a very loving little boy. His brothers are wrapped around his finger and would do anything to protect him. But Dylan can still hold his own. When it comes to wrestling he can take down both of his brothers. He is a very strong little kid.
Now that we had the chance to go sledding, I am looking forward to spring. I love to start my plants indoors for my garden and in the next few weeks, I will be doing that. I have been painting my front room and my kitchen and that has been a big job, but I hope it will all pay off in the end, and will look great!
I am very grateful for my family and all of the blessings I have.