About time for a new post!

I planned to update this at least once a month but that obviously hasn't happened. Where to begin...

Rachel had her 7th birthday in March. She graduated from 1st grade with Mrs. Downs and is excited to start 2nd grade with Mrs. Stretch. She is busy trying to "get" money. She doesn't want to work for it, she just wants to sell things (toys she doesn't want anymore, her art work, lemonade) to get it or for it to be given to her. She asked me the other day if there was another way to get money besides work. I told her the only way to earn money in this life is to work for it. She didn't like that very much. She just wants us to buy things for her wherever we go because she says she is only happy if people buy things for her. I told her she was going to have a pretty miserable life. She keeps us on our toes that's for sure. She is counting down the days til her baby sister is born (so am I). Rachel insisted we choose a name for the baby several months ago so she could call her by her name when she talked to her. We have chosen Ashlyn. Rachel approved so we are keeping it. Rachel and I have put up the crib and got out the baby clothes in preparation.

Alec is excited to be 6 next month. He tells me all the time he just wants to have his birthday now! He is disappointed he didn't loose any teeth in Kindergarten like Rachel did. But he graduated from Kindergarten with Ms. Shurtliff who is now Mrs. Lund. He was so ready to be out of school that he doesn't talk much about 1st grade. He loves summer vacation. Sleeping in is his favorite part. He is my best sleeper and doesn't like being woken up, he is much happier if he is able to wake-up on his own. Alec loves riding his bike, playing in the water, and playing with his friends. Alec is just as excited for Ashlyn to come. He loves holding babies.

Garrett is 3, not sure that needs more explanation!!! If you don't know about 3 year old boys let me give you my best example...Garrett came crying into my room telling me that Alec had bitten him on the bottom. He pulls his pants down to show me the bite marks...sure enough he had really good bite marks on his little cheek. So, I called Alec up to my room and asked why he had bitten Garrett. Alec's response was "He was sitting on my face!" I let it go at that. I figured Garrett got what he deserved. Garrett is constantly into things and stirring things up. Not a dull moment with him around. However, I am proud to say he is now toilet trained!!! I will not have two in diapers with this new baby!!!!!

We had our 1st real family vacation this summer. We went to Yellowstone for a week in June. We had a fantastic time. We spent most of the time in the car driving around the park. We saw...more buffalo then we would have cared to see in our entire lives, some chipmunks, a couple coyotes, quite a few antelope, some elk (one really beautiful big buck up close), one black bear, a mama grizzly and her cub, bald eagles, and a bighorn sheep. We just couldn't find any moose. Apparently we didn't go to the right place for them.
The whole trip would have been perfect except for some hard news we got while there...my 5 year old niece, Grace (my sister Melissa's youngest) was diagnosed with cancer. For those of you that know her you can get updates on her at their family blog... http:/rmcluff.blogspot.com
The kids and I flew to Denver a couple days after we got back from Yellowstone to go to my family reunion. However, I left the kids with my parents there in Denver to enjoy the reunion and I flew to Austin the next morning to be with Melissa and help with Grace and her chemo. I don't know how much help I have been but I am glad I came and grateful my parents were willing to watch the kids while I am here. I leave Monday for Denver and fly home with the kids on Tuesday.
Darren has been busy working and wondering why he has to work while we fly around and play. He's a great Dad and husband...obviously very supportive! But we will be home to celebrate his birthday with him so hopefully we can make it up to him.

Probably won't update until Ashlyn arrives!