Sunday in the Park

We spent a beautiful Sunday afternoon with some good friends walking, catching up, playing at the park, and enjoying being able to be outside again. Briggs & Emmit Freeman had a great time running around and just being boys. Melissa is pregnant and due about 4 weeks before me so we are excited to have 2 sets of kids around the same age. We looked like a pretty montley crew walking the streets of Prairie Village, 6 adults (2 waddling pregnant ladies), 3 dogs, and 2 strollers. Hope no one else wanted to use the road! Being over in that area again made us long for our old house and having friend close by. Maybe someday we will migrate back east to the Village. Great day was had by all.

I am trying out some new editing website so the pictures are me experimenting. I don't think I will quit my day job just yet.

Getting There

I am officially in my 3rd trimester and finally feeling like I am ready to get this show on the road. I have been so lucky to have had a great pregnancy so far but am really starting to feel the extra weight on my body and the tiredness creeping in again. I have 71 days or 10 weeks to go . I like to say 10 weeks because it seems a bit shorter. We are pretty sure that we have decided on naming her Harper Jean but I like to keep the door open in case a sudden change of heart. We are slowly getting her room ready and decorating the closet with an array of pink clothing. The bedding we ordered came in this week and I am really happy with our choice. We decided to go with a lavender/light purple color and I think it will turn out really cute. I am planning on painting a stripe on the wall and hanging some cute wall art, I am sure that will happen with all my free time these days! Briggs is really starting to get the whole concept that we will have a new baby at our house and he will be a big brother. He thinks that Harper lives in my belly button and will be peaking out soon, I think for now that is good enough! I know he will be an excellent big brother. Have started going to the doctor every two weeks now and will keep you posted on any news or progress.

Sunny Days

We are so excited to be able to be outside again, it is like coming out of hibernation. Since Sunday it has been over 50 degrees and we are loving it. Sunday we went for 2 walks and even braved the remaining snow to hit the park. I had forgotten not only how much Briggs loves the outdoors but how many more options you have for play when you can be outside. We are hoping this warm trend continues and gets us out of our winter doldrums. Pretty sad when you consider 50 degrees to be warm, what do you expect we live in Kansas.

Let it Snow

As much as we love snow days we have just about had it with snow. Last week we got about a foot of snow from Tuesday to Wednesday. We were out of school Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Greg even had to stay home from work on Tuesday due to the roads being so nasty. It was great being able to snuggle in with my boys and watch the snow come down. By Thursday we were all but stir crazy and decided to meet up with Kelli and Hadley to get out and about a bit. Briggs really loves Hadley and she just loves to watch him play. I think being with her so much will be good prep for when our little bundle arrives. As I sit here tonight I am watching the snow come down once again and wishing for warm weather and sunshine.

A short video of reading our favorite book to daddy, "Bears in the Night". He knows almost all the words to the book, I like to think it is because he is a genius but I am pretty sure it is becasue we have read it a million times. Reading books at night has become one of my favorite activity to do with him. He loves books and would read every book on the shelf before bed if you let him.

Grandma Nub

On Sunday January 16th we found out that we had lost my Grandmother Mary Hoelting after a courageous battle with cancer. While it is always sad to lose someone you love I am happy for her to not be living in pain anymore. I have so many fond memories of growing up with my Grandparents and spending time on their farm. My Grandma was the most gentle, patient, and caring woman you could ever hope to meet. It still never ceases to amaze me that she was able to raise 11 children, run a milk farm, and somehow keep her sanity in between the endless list of to-do's. Makes me fell a little guilty that I often complain about my simple life. After 72 years of marriage my Grandpa was right by her side till the end. He has been a rock with her through the sickness and a beautiful example of what a marriage should be. I will always remember my Grandmother for the enduring lessons she taught me, the love she gave to her family, and the strong example she set for what a real woman should and can be. We love you Grandma and you will be missed dearly.

We spent the weekend after she past gathered with our whole family in Olpe celebrating her life. It was great to be around people who loved her and share stories about her wonderful life. Here are a few pictures of our weekend. As you can see Grandpa took a liking to little Hadley, so sweet.