Houston Aquarium

For Staucie's preschool class they are learning about the ocean right now so they took a field trip to the Houston Aquarium on Tuesday. We all went and picked up Daniel at work and brought him too. He works close by the Aquarium. There were lots of fish to look at. Not as many as I would have thought, but the kids had fun.

They are in a bubble underneath the sting ray tank. You could touch the sting ray and starfish and things in this room, but of course our kids said, "no way." They were hard enough to talk into going in the bubble thing. But once they did, Staucie wouldn't come out. She thought it was funny to see us from inside it.

They also had a white tiger. I am not sure what this had to do with fish, but oh well.

This is Staucie looking at the tiger. She was nervous and stood back.

Bensen was mesmorized by the tiger. It walked around the whole time we were in the room so it was exciting, unlike most zoo animals.

Parker also liked the tiger.

Then we went outside and went on some rides.

First was the train that took us to see sharks.

Bensen just loved standing on the bench. He thought it was a blast.

He is trying to get away from me in the picture.

Staucie on the train.

Parker on the train. He was too busy looking around to smile at Daniel.

Then we went on the Carousel. Staucie loves the carousel and always gets mad when it is over.

She rode on a dolphin.

Parker prefers to sit on one of the benches on the carousel. So instead, Bensen rode on the aligator next to Staucie. I was trying to zoom in on them from where Parker and I were riding. Bensen thought it was fun and held on and smiled the whole time.

And here is Parker on the bench with me. Don't worry, he thinks it is fun. And then I have someone to ride with :)

Then we went on the ferris wheel. Ferris Wheels really freak me out. Never been afraid of a roller coaster, but the ferris wheels are freaky. The kids liked it. I just tried not to look down.

Bensen was trying to get away so he could turn around and look out while standing on the bench.

After that we had lunch outside and then the kids wanted to ride one more ride and they picked the train. So we rode the train again and then had to take Daniel back to work. And the ride back to Spring was nice because all 3 kids passed out. It was peaceful.

Snack Time

Since Staucie was 1 1/2 I have fed her, then her & Parker, and now her, Parker & Bensen, cottage cheese, yogurt, peaches, and pears for a morning snack. We don't do it everyday, but almost. They never get tired of it and get excited everytime. Maybe it's because I line them all up and feed it to them myself (or Daniel on weekends). I sometimes wonder when I will stop because it isn't always the most fun for me. But they just LOVE it and now Bensen is so excited to be one of the big kids too. He used to be napping during "cottage cheese time," but is now only taking one nap a day.

Bensen is concentrating so hard to get those fruit snacks out of the bag. He was so excited to have big kid fruit snacks. Usually he eats the Gerber ones, but were naughty this day. Good thing he is good at gumming everything.

Staucie sure looks long in this picture.

I'm a big kid now!

New Year's Eve

I know I am a little late with this, but for New Year's Eve Daniel and I actually did something instead of passing out before midnight. We went to a party! We had a neighbor girl come over and stay with our kids while they slept.

At the party we played some games and whatever couple won the most was crowned the "Couple of the Year." We didn't win, but we were a close call. For the first game the wives had to throw Swedish Fish into our husbands' mouths. That game we did win. I am good at throwing. Actually we all know that it is Daniel that can catch anything.

The next game we played, the wives got to pelt our husbands in the face with marshmallows. I think we came in second or something. You got more points if you could get it in his mouth. I also hit the guy next to Daniel a few times. That was not a good thing :)

This is a picture of some of the men trying to get hit by marshmallows.

We had to do it in groups because we didn't all fit.

This is some of the women throwing marshmallows.

We played the "Newlywed Game" and the wives were asked questions and the husbands had to guess what our answers would be. We didn't do the best on this, but I blame the questions, ha ha.

And the last game we played the husbands lined up shoulder to shoulder and the wives had to close our eyes and touch the men on their shoulders and guess who was who. Only one wife did not find her husband, which was really funny.

Hope everyone has a good year in 2010 no matter where you are and what you are doing!

More Cabin Pictures

I had a few left over cabin pictures I thought I would share...

This is the back view of the house.

We are next to the outdoor fire pit.

The MEN were all standing at the computer and we thought it was funny.

Daniel, Shea, Kyle, and Dad. (Austin is manning the computer.)

I think they were watching YouTube videos or something like that.

What's wrong with this picture?
This is the front view of the house.
The well is to the right. My dad built it. It actually just covers the well.
With my dad's Jeep, their truck, my mom's Jeep, and Tyne's truck.
The muddy toys in front of the unattached garage.
Kyle was spraying all the mud off.

The view from the loft on Christmas morning.

The kids watching a movie in the basement with Daddy.

They look so happy in the picture. HA HA.

The deer are always stopping by.

They love my dad because he feeds them.

This is out the back door of the basement.

And Bensen all bundled and ready to play outside.

1, 2, 3, and...

Our kids' ages are 1, 2, 3, and

Baby #4 is a... GIRL!

Due May 11th.

Her hands were in front of her face during the ultrasound.

Staucie is thrilled. She started talking about a baby sister before I was even pregnant. She was so sure and has even picked out a name awhile ago. She says that this baby is HER baby. Parker already has a baby; Bensen is his baby. Staucie wants herself and HER baby to wear matching dresses. When we told her it might be a boy, she got mad. Fortunately, we finally had the ultrasound yesterday and were told that our little baby is a GIRL.

Last night I tried to get a picture of the 3 kids together now that their ages are all in a row.
The photo shoot never goes as I hope.

I don't know what I am thinking.

1................2...............3

I am so excited to be having another little baby. I am excited to have another little girl. I am feeling quite exhausted though. Our kids are 16 months, 18 months and now 16 months apart. I don't know how my mom and others do it. I wouldn't change it though, especially now that I have put in so much work to get them this far. They will forever have playmates and I hope they will always be close.
I was not sure we should be having this baby right now. I feel tired, depressed, and we are struggling financially ever since we made this move to Texas. I have been pregnant, nursing, pregnant, nursing, pregnant, nursing, and now pregnant again over the last 4 1/2 years and have had no break. Although, I did want it this way, Bensen's pregnancy really took a toll on me physically and I haven't felt ready to did it again. I have also been struggling with this move and I am not sure why. I have felt like I am in a slump and have been trying desperately to get out of it for the sake of my children and husband.

Luckily I am in my second trimester now so the hormones have settled down a little bit and I don't feel as exhausted. Though some days I still have a very hard time getting up in the morning or making it through the afternoon.

I prayed and prayed about this 4th baby and felt I shouldn't wait, but felt too exhausted, and a bunch of other things, and did not know what to do. And then without really "trying" I was pregnant again. So I have decided that this baby does need to join our family in May and I am looking forward to it. I just worry that I won't have the physical strength during the 3rd trimester or the emotional and physical strength to do it all over again.

But you never regret having another baby and I know that we are very blessed to have 3 healthy children and another on the way. I thank Heavenly Father for them every day and night and pray that I will be the mother that they need.

I am so excited to hold this baby girl in my arms. There is nothing more precious than a newborn baby. I just wish they didn't grow up so fast.

I am excited to add another silly kid to the bunch and I am grateful for the opportunity I have to raise these children on the earth at this time in my life.

I am also grateful for Daniel. I couldn't ask for a better husband and father of our children. I love him!

Happy First Birthday Bensen!

Happy Birthday Bensen!

Bensen's Birthday Party.

He likes fire.

Give me the fire!

Presents.

He got a big dump truck from G&G Randall

And some mega blocks with a bus from us.

Happy Birthday Little Guy!

We Love you!