Way too long of a post...

I know it's late but here is our St. Patrick's Day

The next night we saw almost all of the Freemans. Here are all of the great grand kids.

Then on Saturday we celebrated Easter with the Robbins at my Aunt Theresa's house

The kids were daring enough to jump into the pool.

Here they are trying to warm up afterwards

Elsie's first Easter egg hunt

Elsie's first bag of potato chips

The race

This is the first outfit that Elsie picked out herself. She brought each piece to me one by one and squawked for me to put it on her.

The cutest pic I could get Easter morning

this one is more realistic

After church we went to my dad's for BBQ salmon and tri-tip. Sooo goood.

second Easter egg hunt

Elsie trying to fit into Charlotte's new Barbie car

Yummmy

I said I was going to be positive about this pregnancy and not complain, but I feel so sick! My house, husband, and children are suffering because of it too. I am 9 weeks today and have been sick for about 4, which doesn't sound bad, but it is!

However there are still things to be grateful for. Like this sandwich,

even though it looks disgusting and I didn't even try a bite.

A few days ago I got out of the shower to find that my sweet boy had made this delicious (if only to him) sandwich for me to help me feel better. It was a spinach and mustard sandwich that he microwaved for 20 seconds. I offered to share it with him. You can see the bite he took, which was followed by "Yuck, that's disgusting!" as he threw himself on the couch and acted as if he might not survive. I chose not to risk my life as well. (Luckily he didn't notice.)

But his sweet gesture definitely lifted my spirits and I didn't even mind the mess that stayed on the counter for 2 days.

Aaron flies

Aaron finally got to go flying with Nick today!! I don't think I have ever seen him more excited. It was kind of spur of the moment and of course Charlotte was devastated that she didn't get to go along. She hid under the kitchen table crying. The only thing that helped her cheer up was the promise that she could go next time, and a brownie.

Nick said that Aaron was a little nervous during take-off but he calmed down once they got off the ground.

He even got to fly for a bit!

This is the same size plane that I first flew in with Nick (I threw up on the way home, but Aaron did just fine!)

He didn't get to fly in this one but he definitely does like helicopters!

odd comments

Today in the car there was a slightly sad song on the radio (I really can't remember what song it was but it was some kind of love song) and Aaron said "this song makes me cry" and really looked like he might! Then a little while later a commercial came on and Charlotte said "Mom can you change it, this is annoying!"

My kids have individually come to me this week to ask me how the doctors will sew my stomach back up after the baby pops out. First of all I wonder if they had a conversation about this (and if they did I wish I could have heard it), and second I wonder if they picture my stomach literally bursting open in the delivery room?

Here are some pics from the park last weekend .

Five Star Source

I added their sticker to my page last week but felt too sick to mention it in a blog, but our friends Lorin and Kelli Brown just started a new online furniture business called Five Star Source. They have lots of great furniture at really great prices. If you live in Fresno they get some of their stuff from a warehouse here which helps on shipping costs, but if not they ship anywhere! If you are in need or want of anything you should check them out here!

Four???

I haven't posted in a while because I keep forgetting to take my camera anywhere we go. We actually have done some fun things but its no fun to write about them without pictures. It's this pregnant mind. I can't remember anything. Yes, I said it we are expecting our FOURTH child and I must say I am kind of freaking out about it. I definitely wanted more kids but I wanted to feel ready for them. AND, I wanted to loose 15 more pounds, or at least 10. I am only 6 weeks along and haven't even seen the doctor yet so I have time to warm up to the idea. The kids already have, they can't wait and check the size of my stomach every morning.

Some good news, due to this unexpected expansion, Nick asked for and received a raise!! Good job Nick!!

My bestest Charlotte

I love all of my children dearly and lately I have found an increasing amount of Joy in Charlotte.

The relationship between a mother and daughter is very different from a mother and son. I thought Aaron and I were as close as could be when he was three but Charlotte and I are even closer. It must be that I can remember being a three year old girl and can relate to her more. I get excited about baby dolls and tea parties and pretty dresses and bows but never really did about the trucks and balls and trains. I would be excited for Aaron but not excited with him.

Charlotte has changed so much in the past six months. She is truly developing her own personality and I love everything about it. She loves and looks up to her big brother and wants to be with him but doesn't want to be him. She loves to learn and go to school. She is a sweet and thoughtful girl. She loves to read, she loves to help her baby sister, she loves to help me cook in the kitchen and she has an answer for everything. She is great at bargaining but won't throw a fit if the outcome isn't her way (usually). She isn't scared of new places or people. On Sunday we were in Livermore visiting Nick's family and when we were at church she had no problem going to a new sunbeam class. I sat in the back of the room with Aaron, tears in his eyes at the thought of sitting in a chair next to new people, I watched Charlotte sing her heart out to the songs she knew and try her best at the ones she didn't. I was so proud of her and so happy for her that she has the courage to approach new situations with ease. I was plagued by being shy up through high school and by the looks of it Aaron will be too.

Another thing about Charlotte is that she is oddly aware of health for a Three year old. She always wants to know if the food she is about to eat is healthy for her and when the answer is no she won't eat very much. Even desserts. She has also recently become concerned about her teeth. At preschool today my friend Kelli told me that she was teaching about the letter T and gave each of them a little tootsie roll. I guess Charlotte took one bite then said "Now I'm going to have a cavity" and wouldn't eat the rest. After preschool we went to our ward's park play date and after eating some pretzels wanted to go home to brush her teeth.

Her new phrase is "Mommy, You're my bestest mom" always followed by a big hug and kiss on the lips, and the only reply I can find fitting "and you're my bestest Charlotte"

Charlotte is unique and wonderful and brings so much joy and happiness to our family. I am so grateful that Heavenly Father has blessed us with her.

Snow fun

Our kids have been asking if we could go to the snow since October. Our ward had an activity at a snow park in Shaver so we finally took them.

The ride up was beautiful.

Aaron didn't even get sick this year, though he was ready with barf bag in hand.

Elsie did NOT like the snow.

That is until she realized she could eat it.

Aaron, trying to climb down a mountain of snow.

We found a half made snowman so we finished it. The boy in back is Max who is in my primary class. He is a very sweet boy. His dad left before we did so he stayed behind and got a ride home with us, which was wonderful. He entertained Aaron the whole way back. 8 year old boys are so cool when you are 5.

I spent 95% on the time sitting right here with Elsie.

Aaron with his Chili in his bowl, on his face, and on his sweatshirt. He also knocked over two bowls while trying to slide through people on a disc.

Elsie meets snow.

Nick and Aaron sliding down the long hill.

Even with as much fun as we had in the snow, I was so excited when today at the zoo, we all took off our sweaters and enjoyed the sun warming us up.

I am ready for spring.

Funny things this week

Our Valentines day was nice, nothing too fancy. We gave the kids little presents, they consumed WAY too much candy, and I made a YUMMY dinner.

I have no idea what they were doing here, but it was odd so I'm posing it.

Elsie trying to get the last drop. She's a big milk fan

and, not only can she outdance your baby, she can also write her name.

Aaron was wondering if the watch that Jodi gave Charlotte for Christmas was real glass or plastic. The best way he could think to find out was to bite it.

This is the new Tinkerbell watch that he had to buy her (with his own money) to replace the shattered one.

When you ask her what time it is she says "One o'tinkerbell clock"

A walk with Ali

Yesterday while Nick and I were making dinner Ali took Aaron and Charlotte on a walk to feed the ducks. She took my camera and got some cute pictures.

Can you see the A?

and here is Charlotte's C