It's a...

GIRL!!!

I was totally shocked, but Shayla knew all along that she was getting a little sister. We had all of the kids in the ultrasound room with us, plus a good friend we were watching that day. What a party! The doctor asked us if we had any names picked out, and before Tyler and I could say no, Shayla responded, "Yes, we're going to call her Elise."
Okay, at least we know who this baby belongs to now. :)

I am feeling huge but really good at this point. Four months to go before we meet our little girl. We can hardly wait!

Grant is one busy boy. He'll be 2 in just a week and he sure is warming up for it. I love this video of him laughing at the pure joy of swinging. It is a moment in time I wish I could bottle up and revisit whenever I want. Like when he colors all over the table, or the wall, or himself, or his Dad while he was napping on the floor (that one was pretty funny, wish I got a picture of that!) Or when he poops his pants and leaves a trail of it all over our off-white carpet. Then I really need to hear that magical laughter.

Hearing his sweet, innocent, full of joy and wonder laughter makes me so grateful to be a mom, I can handle the less-than-wonderful moments that come with it. I love my kids more than I can express. They are so energetic, creative, thoughtful, helpful and loving, to name a few. They give the best hugs, color the sweetest pictures and ask the best questions (that I usually don't have answers to).

Grant loves to sing. If he hears anyone singing, he is quick to join in. In this video he is singing the "optional obligato" to "I'm so glad when Daddy comes home." Not familiar with that one? Take a listen and hear for yourself. Yeah, the Mo-Tab has been calling us trying to recruit him but we think he should wait a few years. He's still kind of young, but he has a bright future in the music industry. Makes my heart smile to hear him sing.

More vacation pics...

Here are more pictures from our trip. Enjoy!

Garrett celebrating the 4th with sparklers

Grant and Eva breakfast buddies

Grant was the cherry thrower...

While we were the cherry pickers

Doesn't it make your mouth water?

Curt-balance-man on the challenge course
(I had to drop out of this one as I have absolutely no balance. I wasn't going to make my team carry a pregnant woman across the tightrope. That's just the kind of person I am :)

Shayla flying like Tinkerbell

Sack/foot races at the Johnson Reunion--brought back such childhood memories!
Ty loved the challenge course--climbing, tightrope walking, rappelling.

Even Garrett got a turn to climb/rappell

Hanging out with Felicity after swimming
BYU Creamery--delicious (but not quite as good as USU creamery)
(BTW, the reason I gained 5 pounds on our vacation is because I'm pregnant,
not because I ate ice cream just about everyday, right?!! You can always measure a good trip in ice cream consumption. This was a REALLY good trip :)

Happy ice cream smiles

Happy 91st, Grandpa!!!

Fun roommate reunion--I have the greatest college roommates ever!

Hot air balloon launch in Provo
I'm quite impressed with my photography on this one :)

Playing in the rain with cool Aunt Sarah

Garrett, Eva and Grant watching Ricky play ball
Grant chanted "Go, Ricky, Go Ricky" repeatedly.
Ricky definitely had the best cheering section there.
Looking at the SLC Temple from the Joseph Smith Memorial Building

At the Oquirrh Mountain Temple Open House

Fun day at the park with our good friends from Houston.
Maliya and Ty were best buddies when they were little.
They are actually still engaged, even if they don't remember it
It was a cooker, so a water fight was inevitable

Racing with Uncle Ricky

It was such a great trip and so fun to catch up with family and friends. The time flew by and we were home before we knew it. Tyler had to leave early to go back to work and he surprised us when we got back with projects galore completed around the house. What a treat!
Vacation was wonderful but there's no place like home.

We're back!

We had a great trip out to Utah and saw lots of family on both sides.
Here are some of the photos.

Painting with sticks and water at the painting tree--so creative!

Pixie Hollow--built by Aunt Holly and neices (and Garrett)

Looking for salamanders...

Grant stopping to smell the flowers

A cousin group hug

Get ready, Columbia--here they come!

Future missionaries--predicting the future

Sending Tyler's parents off at the MTC

Ruth Lake

Fishing--fun for everyone!

Ty and Braden

How Grant hikes

Shayla and Kyra--tough girls

The treehouse fort built by Uncle Brad, Tyler and nephews

Our fun visit with good friends Mark, Elisa and family

At my Mom's with my Grandparents
...to be continued