Ryan Gets a Year......Younger?

Happy 37th Birthday Ryan! We had a big bash for Ry-Ry this year.  Okay we didn't.  Maybe we'll scratch that off our bucket list for the big 4-0......

We just ate some mud pie and opened a few presents.  But who could want more than mud pie??

On a side note, Ryan made a table for the family room.  It took a couple tries and a few major changes (I'm sometimes fickle) but in the end it turned out perfect!  We love it! Oh, actually this picture is the unfinished table but I loved my blossoms that I cut from the neighbors tree (stop judging.  It hangs clear over my fence and I have to pick up rotten fruit for 3 months when it's producing.  I figure this is just a few less apricots to throw out during the summer)
so much that I posted it.

This next picture shows the REAL finished table.  Minus my beautiful blossoms which really could've lasted all summer long and I wouldn't have complained. The legs are the main difference.  the above picture is just the top sitting on an existing table.  We just wanted to get a feel for the size before Ryan finished putting it together. And I know my accessories aren't positioned nicely but I apparently wasn't worried about that at the time I snapped the pic!

And since it's the last pregnancy for me, let's document another "bumpie".  I was actually taking this picture to show Amber my new haircut but it shows my belly too.  I think we are approximately 27 weeks here. And ps, my hair hasn't looked that good since I took the picture.  How do the salons do it????

Winter Soccer

Kendri tried out for Winter Soccer this year and made the team!  Whoo hoo Kendri!  One of her games happened to be in Merced where Grandma Reese lives.  We stopped by to pay her a visit and while we were there we decided to pick some ripe grapefruit.  The kids had such a good time "harvesting" that we came home with about 7 bags of grapefruit.  Now I'm no mathetician, but I know I'm not getting through that many grapefruit in a timely fashion!  We shared the wealth with friends and family.  

After all that work we were hungry so we headed to Black Bear Diner where we had lunch.  It was the first time we had eaten there and we were pleasantly surprised!  The portions were huge and the food was great.  I think next time we'll share some platters......Thanks Grandma Reese for hanging out with us!

Happy 11th Birthday Lexi!

If I thought Kyson should slow down a little, I definitely think Lexi needs to!  How did this happen?  Eleven is nearly a teenager! I mean I hardly look a day over 18 myself......ahem.  

Anyhoo, Lexi had a friend party this year and wanted a candy land cake.  There was much ooohing and ahhhing over it, but I think all those girls really wanted to do is devour the candy.  And they did just that.  In like 5 minutes.  So much for the hours of labor I poured into it.  ;)

So what did we do? The girls all played flashlight tag and then came in for a little dance party.  We borrowed a friends disco light bulb and PART-AYed!

And if you can't tell by Lexi's plugged ears, 12 tweens can really belt out the birthday song. In fact, they can belt out anything.

Lexi got some clay for her birthday and wasted no time at all.  She got right to work creating masterpieces.  This is her first dragon. Since then she has made lots of different charms and figurines.  Two headed dragon, hamburger and french fries, bacon and eggs, donuts and lots more!  You name it and she'll make it.  She is currently taking custom orders at school and selling them 50 cents.  She loves being an entrepreneur as well as creative.

At 11 Lexi is:

A great big sister
Helps around the house when I ask her to
Still innocent and sweet but likes to be the boss
Enjoys volleyball and violin
Michael's is her favorite store
She is always creating something
Gets excellent grades

We love having Lexi around! Happy birthday!

Buddies

Kyson and Shayli are good little buddies.  They play so well together.  Kyson took it upon himself to help teach Shayli the finer points of baseball.  

She actually got a hold of a couple of the pitches and got herself a good little hit.

And just as a side note, there are perks to being pregnant.  Not always, mind you.  But if you are lucky you can find superb parking every once in awhile!

And here we are at 24 weeks.  Making progress and still a little dumbfounded about how fast I am popping out!

Happy 6th Birthday Kyson!

Kyson turned six and he couldn't be happier with his progress in life.  I personally think he needs to slow down a bit!  But what do I know? I'm just the mother.....

We invited the cousins and family over for some dragon/dinosaur cake. (I'm not sure which one it actually is.  I think I was calling it a dragon until the 5 year-old girl I babysit told me it didn't have wings so it had to be dinosaur.)  

And when you have enough family living nearby you can make an Insta-Party.

Make a wish! On hindsight, I really should have put the candles coming out of his mouth.  But at that point, I couldn't remember what I had created.  A dinosaur or a dragon. 

 And here's the cousins!  (Minus Chris and Reese.  But they were there!)

At 6 Kyson is:

Still a dare devil
Loves to be active
Has the sweetest voice
Is very loving and kind to everyone
Likes to be sneaky
Loves to procrastinate chores
Loves to skateboard
Is super excited about finally getting a brother in May

Kyson is such a fun kid to have around.  We love having him and all of his energy in our family!

It's a.....?????

Before we get to the BIG announcement, here's a picture of Shayli going on a date night with her daddy.  It's her first official "date-night" and she was so excited for it!  In fact, she went upstairs to change her clothes so she could be beautiful.  This was her outfit choice.  (And does it surprise anyone that we have a photo-bomber?)

And now for other news.....there is a new little Reese that will be joining us in May!  Here is a belly shot at about 20 weeks.  My expression explains my surprise at how quickly my belly started poking out.  Like at 8 weeks.  I guess that's to be expected on your 5th?  

Through this entire pregnancy, I've been asked to do extra things from my doctor since I now fall into  an Advanced Maternity Age pregnancy.  Eh????  I'm not sure what to even say to that.  Anyhoo, I went to get my extra advanced ultrasound at 22 weeks.  Here's our little bundle!

Now. we decided to have the ultrasound tech write the gender down in a sealed envelope for us and not tell us if it was a boy or girl.  We wanted to do something fun with the kids for the big announcement.  But let me tell you, when I saw this picture I was sure I knew the gender.  I'll just say this.  It feels a little masculine if you know what I mean...... But I didn't want to be wrong (like I am every other time) so I kept my mouth shut and hoped for the best!

Our friend Lora was kind enough to help out by preparing our special announcement box.  She did a great job and the kids were sooo excited to open it!  But we had to wait for daddy to get home which didn't happen until 7:30 ish.   Talk about torture!

I thought we needed something sweet to eat to help with the celebration so we whipped up these delicious sugar cookies.

In the end, we opened the box and inside were black balloons.  At first I thought Lora was playing a mean trick on us, but then we read the directions and started popping the balloons.  Inside the balloons blue confetti flew out!  BOY!  Just what we need to help round us out!

We are super excited to welcome our new addition who is scheduled to arrive around May 28!  Can't wait!

PS Here is a drawing Shayli did for me in Nursery.  You have to turn your head sideways.  It's two stick figures but one has a big circle for a tummy.  It's me.  She told me it was "Mommy with her big belly and Shayli." She just can't wait for this baby to come!

Merry Christmas!

As a side note, Kyson brought this cute ornament home for Christmas.  I must say, I've been super impressed with all their little crafts they've done this year in kindergarten.  I love the Santa hand!  It's a keeper.  Now back to Christmas Eve.....

We spent Christmas Eve in Angels Camp this year.  The kids planned a whole evening for everyone.  We started with invitations to a Christmas Concert.  Lexi and I played a duet of Jingle Bells with the violin and piano.  After that, we had a couple of Christmas primary songs.  Kyson even had his first solo! He wanted a special part, so he got it. I have no pictures as proof because I was busy playing the piano and I guess no one else thought of snapping a shot.....

After the concert, we read the Christmas story in Luke while the kids acted it out.  It was sweet and fun and everyone loved it.

We rounded out the night by heading over to the neighbors house.  They had a special project for Kyson again.  It was his duty to put baby Jesus in the manger.  This will be Kyson's last year because next year the duty gets moved to Shayli!

Kyson took his job very seriously.  Then it was off to Gamie's house for our special Christmas Eve hot chocolate and then to bed!

We stayed over night and had Christmas morning in Angels Camp.  The kids woke up bright and early!  In fact, Kyson was up at 3:30 ready to go eat breakfast.  I told him no.  He was asking again at 4:30.  And again at 5:15.  At 6:00, I finally went downstairs and grabbed him a banana.  And then it was dozing until 7:00 when we told the kids they could finally get up.  Talk about a sleepless night!

Ryan was able to catch up on his sleep......
Although I'm not sure he even knew Kyson was awake so many times.

The kids had fun opening their presents.

One of Kendri's favorite gifts.....her own pack of double-stuffed Oreo's!

And of course, Kyson tormented everyone with yet another nerf gun.

After presents, we waited for the cousins to show up for the afternoon.  We had a great time! Merry Christmas!