Discovery Gateway

We haven't been to Discovery Gateway in a long time so it was fun to see how James and Lynnlee would like it. They loved the water table and spent most of the time playing there.

They thought the helicopter was really cool and had fun doing the activities upstairs for the rest of the time.

We went on free admission day so I was a little worried it would be too crowded. We got there right when it opened and it wasn't to crowded. By the time we left it was getting too crowded so I'm glad we got there when we did.

Sledding

We were able to sneak in some sledding a few weeks ago after it snowed a few inches. There is the perfect hill a mile away that isn't too steep or too long. James loved going down on the saucer over and over. Lynnlee had fun riding with me but by the end she was going down by herself on the saucer.



Now we are ready for spring!

Krispy Kreme

James's preschool went on a field trip to Krispy Kreme last week. He loved seeing how the donuts were made and was so happy to get a donut after.

Lynnlee, Grace, London, Chloe, Benson, and James.

Pets

James has been wanting a fish for awhile. He and Lynnlee had a sticker chart for good behavior and after it was all filled up we went to Petsmart and bought a goldfish for James and one for Lynnlee. We figured they were the easiest pets you could have but we doubled checked with the Petsmart employee on how much to feed them, how often to change the water, etc.

Not more than 24 hours later they had both died. Marshall bought some replacement fish on his way home and put them in the bowl before James and Lynnlee even noticed they were dead. Not even an hour later one of the fish died. I promise you these weren't our intentions. We used the correct water temperature plus water treatment drops and everything. Who would have though goldfish would be the most difficult pet? So after a few days of buying new fish to replace the ones that died, we decided we needed to try a new pet. After the last goldfish died we had a short talk with James and Lynnlee about death and then we purchased a frog.

It's only been a few days but it's definitely more entertaining and less maintenance. I hope he will be around for awhile.

Nashville

A few weeks ago we took a trip to Nashville to see Cameron and Brooke get married. We left our kids with my parents so it was fun to have a weekend with out them.

Cameron met Brooke last summer when he was living in Nashville. They are the cutest couple! Brooke is awesome and I'm so excited to have her as my sister-in-law!

Friday we had some time during the day so we walked around downtown. They sell cowboy boots and cowboy hats everywhere. Marshall bought a hat and had fun trying on boots.

I don't think I've ever posted so many pictures of myself in a post. It's a little weird but my kids weren't there to be in the pictures so I guess your stuck with me.

Friday night was the rehearsal dinner. It was "cowboy casual." We had fun wearing our cowboy apparel. Thanks Betsy for your help with my outfit!

Saturday morning we walked around Opryland. There were beautiful gardens and fountains.

They were married Saturday afternoon in the Nashville temple. It was a great day and I'm glad we could spend it with them. I wish I had a picture of Brooke in her wedding dress. She looked beautiful!

We flew home the next day. It was a really fun weekend. Thanks Mom and Dad for watching James and Lynnlee!

Thankful

Today I had my ultrasound with the Perinatologist. I was very nervous and anxious leading up to this appointment. You don't realize how much you appreciate a normal ultrasound until you have an abnormal one. I was so happy to see a healthy, normal heart on the ultrasound today! At this point there are no concerns of a heart defect. His kidneys are slightly enlarged but I will go back for a follow up at 32 weeks and hopefully there are no problems.

The ultrasound confirmed he's still a boy. He had his arm up by his face the whole time. His profile looks so much like James's ultrasound profile.

SO nice to have happy news today!

Ski Buddy

Given that Marshall and I both love to ski we want our kids to learn too. James got to ski for his first time yesterday and I'm so happy he likes it. Lynnlee and I went along to watch.

Pink or Blue?

When I went to my OB check up yesterday I wasn't planning on finding out the gender. It was a normal check up - blood pressure, heart beat, etc. Next Wednesday is the day of the big ultrasound. We have it set up with a Perinatologist so the baby's heart and other vital organs can be checked due to Lynnlee's heart condition.

So at the end of my appointment yesterday my doctor says, "Do you want to take a peek at the gender really quick?" and "is it ok even though your husband isn't with you?" (Marshall was home watching James and Lynnlee). How do you pass up an opportunity like that? I agreed to do the ultrasound. So on my way home from my appointment I called Marshall and told him that I knew the gender but would make it up to him since he wasn't there. I bought some candies of the color of the gender and wrapped them up a few times. You know when you were a kid and you wrapped presents with like 5 layers? Yep I did that to make it last longer. James and Lynnlee helped him unwrap it. They were so happy when they saw BLUE candies. I'm sure there are much more creative ways to announce the gender but my creative side it a little lacking and this is the best I could come up with. So we're having a boy and couldn't be more excited! Marshall and my Dad were right. I was wrong about thinking it was a girl but I guess it proves the old wives' tale wrong that pregnancy with a girl is harder than a pregnancy with a boy. This is by far my hardest pregnancy.