So its been almost a year since I last posted. I am not very good at this blogging thing, but I love rereading it and having the memories written down, so I going to try to do better.

Having a 3rd baby is exponentially more work. I am tired all the time and feel like I don't sit down until they are all in bed at night. It is also so much fun. I love watching the boys talk to Audrey and try to make her smile. She adores them! Oh and girls clothes are SO stinkin cute!

Anyway, I don't think I want this blog to just be about the kids, I would like it to reflect me, which is mostly wrapped up in the kids, but I have a brain that occasionally works and a heart that is in love with my wonderful husband and trying to build a better relationship with God.

I think this blog will become more like a journal that I just happen to leave open for the entire world to read. (who am I kidding, I don't think anyone actually reads this)

So there it is, an outline to do a better job blogging, feel free to keep me accountable.

what we've been up to

Once again I've managed to go a month with out a blog post, so here is bit of a recap. (at least what I took pictures of)

Lots of laughing and playing. I love hearing them laugh, it is such a wonderful sound!

Last weekend Uncle Scott took the boys to the pet store (just to look) and for ice cream.

Mike and I were so excited to have an unexpected hour and half by ourselves, so we went on a date to home depot.

Nolan is helping daddy build bunk beds. Yes that is a real hammer with real nails.

Beds are coming along beautifully! I am amazed at how talented my man is. I always tell him he can do it, and he always does a great job. By next weekend (I think) Nolan and Chris will be in the bunk beds.

I am feeling SO MUCH BETTER! I haven't thrown up in over a week and I only want to throw up a couple times a day. I have gotten most of my energy back and feel like a functioning adult again. I know I am more myself because coffee and chocolate are great again.

zoo lights

We didn't make it to Zoo lights until after Christmas this year, but it was still freezing and fun. The kids love all the animal lights and the fun music they had playing. Mike got his insulated camel back and we filled it with hot chocolate which was a nice thing to have on such a cold night.

My hearts desire

Anyone that knows me, knows I want another kid. I've wanted more since Chris was born. I would have been excited to be pregnant at any point after he was born. Mike was done. We talked about it a lot but neither of us really willing to change our minds. I prayed every day (maybe not every day, but very often) for another child, for Mike and I to agree. After a year of getting nowhere I thought maybe we weren't supposed to have more kids, maybe I needed to change instead. So I started praying that God would take away my desire to have more kids, that if we were not supposed to have more, that I wouldn't want anymore. My desire never went away. It only got stronger. A few months ago we decided to try to put aside our own feelings about more kids and really try to listen to God and hear what he thinks about us having more kids or not. 5 days later I found out I'm pregnant. I cried with joy and thankfulness when the test turned positive. Mike was definitely shocked and still trying to figure out how we are going to handle three kids. I am so excited to have a 3rd. 3 has been the number in my head for a long time, even before we had 1. 2011 will bring my hearts desire and I am so thankful for it! Our little bean is due the end of August.

Last week we got the kids in their jammies and got in the car to see Christmas lights. I made chocolate chip cookies and hot chocolate for the drive. Nolan calls lights sprinkles which made it even cuter.

pointing at the pretty sprinkles

This is what chocolate chip cookies look like after they've been eaten.

I think they had a good time!

6 small children and lots of sprinkles

A few weeks ago we had some friends over and let all the kids make and decorate cookies. We had blast!

The pictures are in reverse order because I uploaded them wrong and can't figure out how to fix it.

Just a few sprinkles

Baby with a knife

starting with frosting

every chance he got (and there where lots of chances) Chris would grab a bite of dough.

catch up

I've realized how much I have neglected this blog. I know I do this every few months.

We have done lots of fun things (like go to France) since I last posted. The thought of trying to catch up in any detail is too overwhelming, so I'm not gonna bother. Here are a few pictures from the last few months.

Carcassonne

Popi reading to Chris in my parents flat in Toulouse.

The beach we went to was very rocky, but the boys liked it that way. They spent hours throwing rocks in the water.

Our month their flew by and I was sad to leave! For more pictures (and better quality) check out Mike's Cameramonkey facebook page.

We came home and it was fall.

carving pumpkins for Halloween

a nice fall day

the boys helped make Thanksgiving dinner

and then it turned to winter

and the sledding has begun. Nolan loves it this year and we are so excited about it!