Check out this Awesomeness

Oh my gosh, I'm dying to show the rest but am waiting till Christmas cards go out.

Don't want to ruin the surprise.

Day at the Temple

We spent the day at the Newport Beach Temple to see Nick's brother Stephen and his wife and daughter be sealed.  It was a  lovely day.

Can you see my bump?

Big News!!!!

Our little family of 5 will become a bigger family of 6 this spring.  

Baby #4 is on it's way.  

We are thrilled.  Sophie can't wait to be a big sister.  Nico is aching for a brother.  And Sydney wants to hold a new baby bad.  (so she says)

I am so sick.  24 hours sick.  

Exhausted and gaining weight like it's going out of style.

But so happy.

Happy to finish this chapter of our lives.  

To complete our family.

And to meet and hold this new little one.

I began another blog to document and journal my pregnancy.  Been working on it for a month or so.

www.bellygrowingmama.blogspot.com

Some Big Shoes to Fill

Stinker put on Syd's soccer shoes and started kicking around the ball.  She has some big shoes to fill, following Sydney's talent.  But she has some skill.  She loves to get out on the field after games and man is she fast.  And she has total ball control.  I just loved her in these shoes today.

Halloween 2009: Part 1

We attended our Ward party tonight with Jenga Fett, The Binkie Fairy, and Alice in Wonderland.  Stars Wars (of course) ruled little man's Halloween.  Sophie became the Binkie Fairy when she appeared with the binkie in her mouth in the costume.  Sydney said, 'mom, the Binkie Fairy takes away babies binkies. " And I replied,  'yes dear, she takes the binkies from babies so SHE can suck on them.' I thought it was pretty good.  Sydney gave us the most trouble.  I hate Halloween, cuz I hate buying costumes.    Sydney first wanted to be Alice, then switched to an 80's chick, then this, then that.....on and on and on.  We couldn't figure out anything and what she was willing to wear was TOO EXPENSIVE.  So I headed back over to the Disney Store after talking to Syd about being Alice again, and the Alice costume was 50% off.  Sweet deal.  That let me get the headband to match.  She loved it.   Thank Goodness.  

We had a wonderful time at the party.  Face painting, ring toss,  marshmellow gun, basketball toss, and cake wake.  Check out my darling spider cupcakes (above).  The kids got tons of candy. Made some new friends. And had a great time.  

Sidenote: Sophie loved trick-o-treating this year.  She finally got it.  She loved going up to everyone chanting trick-o-treat,  getting her candy and then saying thank you.  And when we got home she said, 'mom, that was sooo fun.  can I have onyeee (only) one, for (before) ni-night.'  Wow I love this little one.  And she and her best bud Lily got together after with their bags-o-goodies and traded candy.  It was adorable to hear them chat over what they got and what they wanted to trade.  Lily's mama,  Angie took a darling pic of the girls, and I can't wait till she emails me a copy.

Sleeping Babe

Oh, how I love them when they sleep.

Halloween Darling

As promised here are the darling pictures of Sophie.    Thank you, thank you Sarah for such amazing photos.  I just love my adorable little Stinker.  

check out Sarah's darling website

Sarah Hull Photography

Punctured My Heart

My ABSOLUTE favorite quote from General Conference:

"First, I give counsel to husbands and wives. Pray for the love which allows you to see the good in your companion. Pray for the love that makes weaknesses and mistakes seem small. Pray for the love to make your companion’s joy your own. Pray for the love to want to lessen the load and soften the sorrows of your companion."

                                                                                                                         Henry B. Eyring

Sneak Peak

A sneak peak of the photos taken of Sophie by Sarah Hull Photography.  I LOVE them.  I'll post more as soon as I get them.

Fall Is Near

I busted out the Fall/Halloween decor today and put it all up.  It took me a little longer since I had to redesign where to put everything since moving to the new house.  I have a feeling Christmas will be the same way.  And the gloom that came over the skies while I was decorating felt very Fall like to me.  It made me happy.  Hope it stays a little while.

"lemonade" diet

I started the 'Lemonade Diet/Cleanse' today.  It's a  all liquid cleanse that lasts about 2 weeks.  My goal is to loose weight, but also to flush my system and start clean.   Today wasn't that bad, until I cooked dinner for the kids.  Man I wanted to eat what I cooked.  Luckily Mr. G is doing it with me, so we can support each other.  I'll keep this blog updated as I go along.  

under construction

my blog is 'under construction' .... i am working on redesigning it..... almost there....just a few other sidebar things to fix....but it's late....later

Things I'm looking forward too.....

Now that my life has reverted back to it's old reliable self, I realized there are some things I'm definitely looking forward too.  

1. Fall:  I love fall.  The cool days and cooler nights.  The color on the trees.  The crisp mornings as I take my kids to school.  It is always so  welcome after the heat intense summers we have here.  

2. Ok, this one I have mixed feelings about.  Mostly I am happy football season comes.  Mr. G is mostly in a great mood.  Except when Dallas looses and Tony Romo stinks.  But I love getting together with the Burke Family to watch Sunday afternoon games, the friendly rivalry Dan and Nick have.  Patriots vs. Dallas.  And I really do enjoy watching college football.  Our family's fave team?  That would be the USC Trojans.
3. I am looking forward to begin cooking again.  I have been taking a cooking hiatus for a long while and I am anxious to get into the kitchen and learning some new and healthy dishes for my family.   I am also pretty excited to try all the new cupcake recipes I have in my new cookbooks, and all my new baking goodies.   So if I show up at your house with cupcake treats don't be surprised, I need to find families to give my new creations to.
4. I am so happy summer is over and our blackout days are over at Disneyland.  Now that the kids are back in school all day I have been able to take just Sophie in the mornings for some mommy and Sophie time.  And I love d-land in the mornings.  I have never gone at those times before, I've never been able to.  And I love it.  Anyone who wants to join us on a morning, give me a call.
5. Last I'm looking forward to going back to the gym.  Our summer has been so crazy and stressful I am embarassed to admit I put on some unwanted pounds.  So I am anxious to get back into shape.  I like to sweat and work hard and I've missed it this summer.  
There's my list.  What's yours?